When there isn’t time to hop a puddle jumper to the Bahamas, a man’s gotta opt for the next best thing: a completely unnecessary hotel room.
Maybe you’ve got a special occasion on the horizon. Maybe you lack a designated driver. Maybe you just have an aversion to bed-making or really enjoy continental breakfast.
No matter your reason, we’ve rounded up 10 of the most opulent top-floor abodes for your close-to-home adventures.
The Dream Downtown
A room that stinks of opulence, starting with a glass-bottomed jacuzzi. Beyond that, there’s 2,000 square feet of living space with a Champagne Bar and a hidden murphy bed that turns the living room into a second bedroom. Keep going and you’ll find a 900-square-foot private terrace with a fire pit and Savant Home Automation System controlling the music and lighting. Their guest services also include a Sneaker Concierge and DJ Sommelier. Yep. Sneaker Concierge.
The Roxy
Penthouse8 is 900 square feet of panoramic Downtown views and floor-to-ceiling windows. Newly renovated by William Sofield, the suite includes plasma flat screens, a fully equipped iMac G5 and Sony Dream Machine speaker docks. Private access to an exclusive rooftop terrace allows for cozy lounging, entertaining and dining.
W Times Square
Your own private NYE party, complete with a custom mirrored LED light fixture fashioned after the Times Square ball and “Peep Show,” a mural by Brooklyn-based artist Keren Richter. Frosted peep holes are built into the room’s sliding doors, and the dining room table spins and rises hydraulically to become a bar for in-room entertaining. There’s also a vertical bar for the spirits and wares, a circular bed with unparalleled views of the skyline and a built-in DJ booth to top things off.
The James
This 1,300-square-foot suite designed by Piet includes commissioned works of art, a dining room, a wet bar, one full bath with free-standing tub and double shower, a half bath for guests and expansive views of the river and Manhattan bridges. Other perks: custom meals from the David Burke Kitchen and Intelligent Nutrients spa amenities.
The Mark
The largest hotel penthouse in the US of A sprawls across some 12,000 square feet, including 2,400 square feet of outdoor terrace. Designed by Jacques Grange, the suite resembles a private residence, with two floors, five bedrooms, four fireplaces and six bathrooms. It can also be transformed into a grand ballroom should you feel like having a waltz. The penthouse also sports a library lounge, outdoor dining area and views of the Met and Central Park. Bonuses: two wet bars, a steam room, a fireplace, heated floors and towel racks, and a grand piano.
Soho Grand
This 2,500 square-foot suite pays homage to Soho artist lofts of the ’70s — if they were upgraded with all the creature comforts a more modern man expects. There’s a massive outdoor terrace, two bedrooms, a wet bar, a 27-inch iMac, wall-mounted plasma television and an iPad remote that runs on GrandLife’s expertly curated entertainment guide.
The Greenwich Hotel
The space includes a drawing room with a natural stone fireplace, a living room with a custom stone fireplace and an en-suite master bedroom with — you guessed it — a fireplace. The remaining two bedrooms share a large bath with steam room, rain shower and Japanese soaking tub. Outside: a multi-level terrace with carefully kept greenery, dining areas, a spa pool, a gas grill and wood-burning fireplace. You’ll also enjoy Continental, American or Italian breakfast for up to four served daily and two 60-minute spa treatments or personal training sessions per stay.
Four Seasons
Designed by I.M. Pei, the Ty Warner penthouse is 4,500 square feet of luxury on steroids. Atop the 52nd floor and offering 360-degree views, the suite has a cathedral ceiling, walls inlaid with mother of pearl and a baby grand. Custom furniture is composed of hand-stamped Venetian velvet and Thai silk interwoven with 22-karat gold. Get a closer look at the city lights via four glass terraces. Inside there’s a private elevator entrance, a spa room, a zen room and a breakfast room. Want for nothing as the room also includes a 24-hour personal butler, art concierge, personal trainer and Rolls-Royce chaffeur.
The Carlton
At this spot, you get not one but two 1,050-square-foot suites: The Corner Pocket and the New Yorker. The Corner Pocket comes flush with a restored ’50s Brunswick Centennial billiards table, a solid mahogany bar, Ralph Lauren chairs and a custom sofa with a 24-light crystal chandelier overseeing it all. Venture to the New Yorker (inspired by the literary mag) to enjoy a 12-foot Chesterfield sofa, Porter chairs and a conversation-worthy Art Deco coffee table made of twisted, blown-glass pipes. King beds and jacuzzis in both.
The London NYC
You’ll get 180-degree views of the city from bay windows on three sides for gazing at Central Park, the Hudson River, the George Washington Bridge and the Manhattan skyline. The 2,500-square-foot duplex offers an open living room, dining and entertaining spaces. And a full-service kitchen on-site is reserved for exclusive use of the hotel’s culinary team.
This article was featured in the InsideHook NY newsletter. Sign up now for more from all five boroughs.