Unexpected secrets inside the 'ghost hotel' located alone next to the highway

On the highway running through the suburbs of Melbourne (Australia), there is a building standing alone in the middle of a large vacant lot, attracting the attention of most passersby. On the building is a large red sign "Hotel" , so everyone thinks it is a hotel.

Building a hotel on a busy highway is a smart business idea. However, it is a spectacular "scam" that many people have fallen for!

This hotel is essentially a  work of art .

It is called Hotel EastLink . The building is designed to look like a real hotel, but turns out to be a sculpture .

In November 2007, Canadian artist Callum Morton unveiled this artwork, which cost £655,000 to build (more than 19 billion VND at current exchange rates) .

It has left many passing motorists confused and even attempted to book rooms at the mock hotel – even though it has no rooms inside and is inaccessible.

"You'd be surprised at the number of questions we get from people wanting to know room rates, availability and parking questions," Hotel EastLink's website reveals.

Speaking about his work, artist Callum Morton said: "Drivers look from inside their cars and mistake it for a real hotel."

He added that the structure was 'really a bizarre idea' – the building was designed for purely decorative purposes.

This hotel confuses many passing motorists.

Measuring 12 metres across, 20 metres high and 5 metres wide, it has a steel and concrete frame and glass panels. Some of the windows even have light bulbs that illuminate at night, making it look even more real. The giant model hotel can be seen from the Northern Line in Melbourne's Dandenong neighbourhood.

Reviewing the site on Tripadvisor , user Jeffry B said it looked like something from a "parallel universe". He wrote: "Do not attempt to book a bed at this fake hotel. EastLink Hotel does not accept guests, and never has."

EastLink Hotel does not accept guests, and never has.

EastLink has now become a famous Melbourne landmark. It was featured on the cover of US punk band Violent Femmes' 2019 album Hotel Last Resort.

EastLink is one of several giant art installations set in the area known as "Australia's largest sculpture park". 

Other special artworks include a steel structure by artist Simeon Nelson designed to look like a fallen tree on the side of the road and a sculpture by artist Emily Floyd in the shape of a giant bird.