The Caribbean hotel owner has been left mortified after the costly builder blunder.
Geejam is a five-star luxury resort in Jamaica, frequented by celebrities like Tom Cruise, Sharon Stone, Katy Perry and Harry Styles.
One of the owner’s friends is famed artist Banksy, who left behind a present after staying at the hotel in 2006.
Banksy painted 11 stencilled rats – one of his signature styles – throughout the luxury property.
Guests have delighted in the cherished artworks over the years – until now.
Tradesmen mistook the masterpieces for graffiti and painted over five original stencils with two thick coats of white paint.
The cost to remove the paint could be as much as £120,000, with no guarantee the artwork can be returned to its original splendour.
A hotel source told Mail Online: “Banksy is friends with the owners, and has stayed a few times over the years.
“On an early visit in 2006 he left 11 stencils as a gift, and these proved a huge hit with guests.
“However, over the summer break builders were called in to spruce up the place and didn’t recognise Banksy’s scrawl. They thought a rogue visitor had debased the walls, and promptly painted over the ones on the outside of the building.
“When the mistake was realised, they were mortified – as were the owners.”
Owned by British music industry executive, Jon Baker, the Geejam is a seven-room boutique hotel in Jamaica’s Port Antonio region.
