Searching for Secret Wall Tattoos and Fluffy Towels

Because I now have this strange fascination to see what might be lurking beneath pieces of hotel art, I couldn't control my urges to peek behind the pictures on the walls at the Courtyard by Marriott at Dunn Loring earlier this week. Perhaps inspired by the renegade works at Secret Wall Tattoos, these photos (and all the frames in the room) were fastened securely to the wall, even though they sat on a shelf.

Incidentally, these exact same pictures were on the wall of my room at the Courtyard by Marriott in Roanoke. The people at Marriott must really appreciate my business to go through all the trouble of moving these pictures from hotel to hotel ahead of my stays!

Oh, and there were no original drawings behind any of the pictures. Or the bathroom mirror for that matter.

On a related note, Courtyard by Marriott has really got the business travel market nailed. The rooms are always clean and well-appointed (marble counters, dark wood paneling, free high speed internet, usually wi-fi enabled, quiet facilities). They've upgraded the mattresses -- not quite on par with Sheraton's, but nice. There are a few duds out there (stay away from this one), but by and large, Courtyard delivers a consistently excellent business travel experience. My only gripe: The towels. Their rack life is probably half of what most hotels extend them to. Please, fluffy towels. I may soon begin traveling with my own.