Lodgings for the hip and hedonistic.
What makes a chic party hotel? Ideally, it's a lively, boutique establishment that attracts an eclectic mix of creative, healthily hedonistic individuals; the kind of place that might attract web entrepreneurs, Swedish rock bands or fashion photographers. It's a hotel where shopworn adjectives like “hip” and “sexy” actually ring true.
We certainly aren’t referring to grim cinderblock establishments in South Padre Island and Rosarito, that spontaneously combust into unholy temples of iniquity every Spring Break. Nor are we talking about any dubious “adult-themed” Caribbean resorts -- you won’t find any flaming couches or drink beads here (well, there may be some of that at the Clevelander).
Rather, we've compiled a list of hotels that maintain the perfect balance of decor and decadence.
"It's all about access," says Dale Fox, president of Spin Automotive Group, a luxury car club in Los Angeles. "That feeling of peering into a world one step above where you normally belong. A world defined by vast white spaces, custom-designed furniture and hotel staff that are probably sexier than your own date."
The Delano in Miami features all of the above. At any hour of the day in the muslin-clad lobby of this South Beach landmark, you’ll find a floating parade of impossibly hip people enjoying themselves. And every Wednesday night the color scheme shifts from blinding white to hazy pink, as the hotel’s Rose Bar hosts a relaxed mix of local bohemian types. The Delano is definitely a party hotel.
However, there’s a fine line between an exciting vibe and an obnoxious scene. Josh Lamstein, a private equity director in New York, harbors an understandable aversion to places where “the lobby/bar has pumping techno, the staff is dressed in all black with ear pieces a la the Secret Service, and the rooms are barely big enough to hold a bed.” Instead, he looks for a "hotel that is comfortable and reminds me of home while simultaneously exposing me to new thinking in design, fashion and cuisine.”
In particular, he’s a fan of the San Jose Hotel in Austin, Texas, a cozy collection of minimalist bungalows on Congress Avenue, just south of the Colorado River. From its pre-war origins as a sleepy motor lodge to its current incarnation as Zen hipster hangout, the San Jose Hotel has reflected Austin’s evolution as one of the nation’s good-time meccas. It’s definitely a party hotel, albeit one of the chill, happy hour variety.
See our slideshow of 10 chic party hotels.
[[BREAK]]
See our slideshow of 10 Great Party Hotels in the US.
“If I’m going to hang out somewhere for a few days, the place has to a bit posh, contemporary, updated,” said Jeanne Chung, the Director of Yoga Affinity, a group of boutique yoga studios in Singapore and Thailand. “It doesn’t have to be the Four Seasons, but I don’t mind spending the money. This also assures that you don’t have some students ‘living life to the fullest’ or ‘trying to find their purpose in life’ in the next room or yapping inanely around the pool.”
Admittedly, several of our hotels should probably be taken in small doses. The Clevelander in Miami features a round-the-clock pool party, and the Sky Bar in Aspen is basically Studio 54 in the Rockies. The Palms in Vegas proudly hosts the country’s only Playboy Club (enough said), and the Chateau Marmont is the ultimate celebrity freefall impact zone.
But you might find some under-the-radar surprises in our list, especially if you’re not into stretch Hummers and bottle service. The Phoenix in San Francisco, for example, is a relaxed, funky motel in San Francisco’s Tenderloin District that counts David Bowie and Anthony Kiedis as fans. Guests enjoy their free breakfasts in the hotel’s courtyard, allowing ample opportunity for socializing before adjourning to the Bambuddha Lounge.
Not only do these hotels have to attract a fun crowd, they also have to provide the right attitude, and the means to mingle. Alex Lustberg, co-owner of Supperclub San Francisco said: “I look for a non-stuffy, down-to-earth staff. I like to feel welcome, like I am going to somebody's home, and am not just another transient ‘guest.’ It’s the little details of interaction that I remember.”
There’s plenty to admire in the details of our party hotels, whether it’s the bunny Jacuzzi in the Palms or the Lucite lounge chairs at the Hudson Bar. How did we find these places? We sent queries to some of our favorite travel blogs, like Jaunted, HotelChatter and GridSkipper, and we consulted our Rolodex of hotel scenesters to get their picks.
Submitted for your approval: a list of 10 chic party hotels in the United States. Enjoy.