Luxury
hotels draw travelers looking for high-end pampering or a unique escape
that includes not only posh accommodations, stunning pool or elegant grounds,
but an impressive lobby and lobby bar as well.
Lobby bars not only provide respite after a busy day of
travel or local exploration, but they are places to chill, relax or socialize
with a cocktail in hand. A hotel bar may be just a place to get a drink at some
destinations, but others offer a myriad of amazing historic, cultural,
artistic and creative experiences that accompany that libation. Here are some
top extravagant hotel lobby bar choices.
Hotel Monteleone New Orleans Carousel Bar (Photo via Noreen Kompanik)
The Carousel Bar & Lounge, Hotel Monteleone, New Orleans
New Orleans’ Hotel Monteleone is renowned for its famous
rotating Carousel Bar. Installed in the 1940s, it features a large, circular
counter that slowly revolves, giving patrons a constant changing view of the
surroundings. The bar turns on 2,000 large steel rollers pulled by a chain and
powered from a one-quarter horsepower motor at a constant rate of one
revolution every 15 minutes.
The bar features 25 seats adorned with luxurious, vibrant
upholstery, giving it an elegant, throwback feel. Patrons can enjoy a wide
selection of cocktails, including classic New Orleans drinks like the Sazerac
and the Vieux Carré (old square).
Waldorf Astoria New York Peacock Alley (Photo Credit: Waldorf Astoria New York)
Peacock Alley, Waldorf Astoria New York
Following a meticulous restoration, Peacock Alley remains
the heart of the luxury hotel where guests will find the historic Waldorf
Astoria Clock and Cole Porter Piano. Restored to its former glory and
positioned in the center of Peacock Alley, the Waldorf Astoria Clock was
crafted in London for the 1893 World’s Fair.
Cole Porter was a longtime resident of the hotel and his
Steinway piano, gifted to him by hotel staff, has been carefully restored and
relocated to its permanent home in Peacock Alley. Signature drinks include the Waldorf Cocktail
and 50th St Martini.
SkyHigh Lounge at Four Seasons Philadelphia (Photo Credit: Visit Philly- Four Season Philadelphia)
SkyHigh at Four Seasons Philadelphia
Located atop of Philadelphia’s tallest skyscraper, the Four Seasons Hotel’s accommodations span the 48th to
60th floors of the Comcast Technology Center in the heart of
bustling downtown Center City.
The Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s signature restaurant
Jean-Georges and the lounge sit on the 59th
floor and the lounge, bar and restaurant SkyHigh on the 60th floor offers sweeping, breathtaking, unobstructed 360-degree views
of the city from every angle.
Palmer House, a Hilton Hotel, Chicago
The Lobby Bar at Lockwood is the perfect place to sip
curated cocktails and enjoy shared plates. Guests raising a glass at Palmer
House can toast under a canvas of 21 Greek mythological frescos lit by the warm
glow of Louis Comfort Tiffany Winged Angel candelabras. The awe-inspiring
living, breathing piece of history was fully restored to its original beauty
with careful attention to the intricate details, down to the most important
matters, a perfectly prepared cocktail.
Arizona Biltmore Wright Bar (Photo Credit: Arizona Biltmore)
The Wright Bar, Arizona Biltmore
Opened in 1929, the Arizona Biltmore has seen an impressive
list of historical figures and celebrities staying in its confines, ranging
from presidents to musicians.
Centrally located in the lobby, the elegant Wright Bar is
the home of the famous Tequila Sunrise. Concocted in the 1930s by bartender
Gene Sulit, the drink has remained a favorite cocktail of many, along with
entertainers who performed like Frank Sinatra and an impromptu performance by
none other than The Piano Man, Billy Joel in the bar.
Palma at Santa Monica Proper
Relaxed elegance meets thoughtful nourishment at this
stunning bar located on the ground floor of the Southern California venue.
Guests are greeted with an impressive art-filled lobby, then head to the
welcoming sculptural bar for small plates, cold-pressed juices, small-batch
spirits and crafted cocktails.
The beauty of the bar lies in the palm trees that surround a
magnificently crafted monolithic bar along with carved out niches for comfort
and relaxation. There’s nothing like taking in those California-cool vibes with
a SoCal cocktail in hand.
Trifecta Lobby Bar serves up some of the coolest cocktails around. (Photo Courtesy of Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts)
Trifecta at Four Seasons, Boston
Inspired by the New England coast, this vibrant restaurant
and Back Bay cocktail bar are a delightful nod to Boston’s vibrant culture and
character. A curated collection of cocktails pay homage to the city’s most
celebrated neighborhoods and legendary baseball park.
Some of these creative concoctions include The Green
Monster, Boston (Un) Common, Joy Street, Ciao Bella! and New Berry Street.
Tools of the Trade is a classic twist on a Manhattan with of course…that famous
accompanying smoke.
The Lobby Bar, The Lincoln, Maine (Photo Credit: The Lincoln, Maine)
The Lobby Bar, The Lincoln, Maine
This design-centric hotel located in downtown Biddeford is
set in a luxuriously reimagined mill that was once the beating heart of Maine’s
booming textile industry. The star of the show is the unique lobby that greets
each patron with an amazing bar.
The Lobby Bar features a grand ‘40s and ‘50s nightclub vibe
with opulent cocktails such as the Lincoln’s twist of a French 75, a classic
libation enhanced with Peach Combier, and other curated beverages.
The lobby's eccentric design draws the eye in every
direction, mixing colors, patterns, materials, and original artwork from a
talented local artist. Throughout their stay, guests can enjoy plush velvet
seating flanked by exposed brick walls, a hint at the hotel’s historic roots.
The Bar, Auberge du Soleil, Napa
Imagine enjoying a glass of Napa wine or a cocktail while
taking in the sweeping vineyards and olive trees from a sun-drenched terrace.
Somehow that libation tastes all the better in these unforgettable picturesque
surroundings.
The views are stunning and so easy to just relax and
rejuvenate at this luxurious yet laid-back wine country favorite serving drinks
and small plates.
The lobby area inside The St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort. (Photo Credit: The St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort)
The St. Regis Bar Bal Harbour Miami
Rising 27 stories over fashionable Collins Avenue and a
stunning white sand beach, this luxury hotel in Miami Beach represents a
wonderful combination of art, fashion and design.
The St. Regis bar invites guests to unwind and relax
offering an exclusive collection of the world’s finest champagnes, select
vintages and hand-crafted cocktails in a tropical, timeless and modern setting.
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