This Canberra hotel suite transforms into a living light show, controlled by you. Photos: PewPew Studio.
Ever wondered what it’s like to spend the night in an art gallery – and become part of the artwork?
Midnight Hotel has partnered with local artist Tommy Balogh to bring you Lume Suite – an immersive art and light experience unlike any other.
Once the hotel’s flagship suite, the space has been reimagined as Lume – a nod to luminescence – and described as “a portal to the imagination”.
“The art here isn’t just seen – it’s meant to be felt. The playful dance of photoluminescent pigments sparks childlike wonder, while deeper pieces invite introspection but also excite,” Tommy says.
“It’s a sanctuary where energy shifts from euphoric bursts of colour to serene, meditative glows, allowing guests to recharge, dream or simply lose themselves in the unexpected.”
The Lume experience starts before you walk through the door.
The corridor leading to the suite becomes a runway of art, before you’re “immersed in an otherworldly glow” of Flight – Tommy’s signature pulse spiral artwork, radiating with an ethereal, light-reactive energy.
“This starts the journey,” Tommy says. “As they come down the corridor, guests will discover concept art footwear – a wearable extension of the luminous experience.”
Inside, the suite unfolds as a dynamic gallery. Centre stage is Goddesses Dance and H10 – masterworks that shift under UV and coloured lights. Guests can interact with the artworks via dials and remotes, altering colour, motion and mood in real-time.
Soundscapes, furnishings and lighting all respond to the artwork, creating a seamless fusion of form and function. Even relaxation is part of the design.
Lume also features a luxury king bed with premium linens, an ensuite with rain shower and bath, Hunter LAB amenities, full lounge and dining area and in-room espresso machine.
The complimentary Lume Whiskey Bar is replenished nightly with a curated selection of premium whiskey and non-alcoholic malt, served with dehydrated oranges and ice on request.
Lume Suite is the hotel’s second collaboration with Tommy, following his celebrated feature in the hotel’s Meet the Maker series – an initiative dedicated to showcasing the artwork, craftsmanship and culinary delights of Australian artisans.
Several of Tommy’s works feature prominently in the lobby as well as down the eighth floor corridor with more to come – a runway of art for all guests to enjoy.
This latest creation was made possible with support from the ACT Government’s Tourism Product Development Fund – a grant empowering local businesses to help bring Canberra City to life.
“For us, the natural way to do that was to create another stage for artists of Canberra to showcase their work,” Midnight Hotel general manager Kristy Ryan says.
As part of Marriott’s Autograph Collection, Midnight Hotel is one of a select group of independently branded properties, each with its own “mark”. For Midnight, that mark is its evolving identity as Canberra’s unofficial gallery space spotlighting local artists.
The lobby, every room and every hall feature works made for the space.
“Not many people think of a hotel as a blank canvas or a gallery. But how many lobby walls are there that could be used to showcase work to an audience that might not otherwise see it?” Kristy says.
“About 55,000 stay with us each year. The lobby alone is one part of the hotel each guest passes through at least twice. That’s 400 trips a day when we’re at capacity, which is fantastic exposure.”
Kristy says despite being under the Marriott banner, Midnight remains locally owned and deeply invested in Canberra’s identity.
“In other international hotel chains you lose the ability to have something unique and locally inspired. In all our initiatives, whether it be the Meet the Maker series or this grant process, we are about bringing our community together in one hotel and offering something truly Canberra,” she says.
“Lume is about more than adding wow factor to our suite, but about doing so in a way that’s unique and not offered anywhere else in the nation’s capital.”
While Tommy’s style fuses technology, light and organic forms to create immersive, multi-dimensional experiences, comfort remains core to the suite.
A remote or master switch gives guests full control with pre-set modes for optimal relaxation. A guide helps them make the most of their “living art” stay.
“Here, you don’t just stay in the suite – you become part of the masterpiece,” Tommy says.
The Lume Suite is available for booking now via Midnight Hotel.
