'Fifty Shades of Grey' Inspires Creation of Sadomasochist-Themed Hotel; Opening Halted by Church
The Fifty Shades of Grey erotic novel series has inspired the creation of a real life sadomasochist-themed hotel that one Spanish Church is making sure will not be able to open its doors.
One businessman in Vilafranca, Spain, attempted to rent out the L'Om del Llosar hotel that he wants to turn into a sadomasochism-themed hotel complete with dungeons and rooms where people can "be able to enjoy games, flaunt themselves and share experiences with other visitors," according to "The Local" Spanish publication. While the businessman is unnamed on "The Local" website, he spoke about the inspiration that the best selling Fifty Shades of Grey trilogy written by E.L. James had on his hotel idea.
"With the Fifty Shades of Grey phenomenon in full swing, I saw a business opportunity that hadn't been exploited yet in Spain," the unnamed businessman told "The Local."
Get Our Latest News for FREE
Although the hotel was scheduled to open on Aug.1, a local church in the Vilafranca village has brought the businessman's plans to a halt.
Oscar Tena, Vilafranca's mayor, is taking the proper measures to block the hotel from launching in the future, claiming that the businessman lacks paperwork needed to open his hotel venture. However, "The Local" is also reporting that the town's council representatives have listed the church as a large part of the halted plans.
"Vilafranca's town council representatives aren't too happy with the news, however, arguing that it is 'unsuitable' to 'have an establishment of this nature in the village' and so close to the 'chapel where dozens of people come every day to visit the village's patron saint,'" "The Local" reports read.
It seems James' novel has done more than just inspire a hotel and movie scheduled for a February 2015 release, but some are also speaking out about its indecent message. Dawn Hawkins, the executive director of the Morality in Media, previously spoke out against the themes of the novel and upcoming movie.
"The popularity of Fifty Shades of Grey among women sends a message to men that this is what women really want. Even more dangerous, it also sends the message to women that they can 'fix' violent, controlling men by being obedient and loving," Hawkins said in a statement last month. "A warning to the women lining up to see this film: There is nothing empowering about whips and chains or humiliation and torture."
