Tag: Hotel Rooftops

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Hooray! Hotel Rooftop Season Has Officially Begun

May 23, 2013 at 2:58 PM | by | Comments (0)

The Graham's new rooftop is guaranteed to be Georgetown's summer hotspot

Mother Nature has played serious havoc with the weather. Suffice to say, those of us located in climates where partying on rooftops is limited to a few months of the year? We are giving M.N. serious sideeye. It's May. It's time for us to sip dranks on the rooftop of a cool hotel that has glorious views of the place we happen to live in or visiting at the moment. Don't hate us for being selfish and not being more concerned about global warming. We have priorities!

So we declare that Rooftop Season Has Officially Begun. Weather gods need to get on board (or the hotels will just put out heat lamps, whatevah, it takes).

The places listed have recently opened, want to let the sunshine in, and help you let your hair down. And you don't even have to be a guest to partake in the fun!

Here's where we want to tipple at some top rooftop bars around the world.

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Pump Up Your Estrogen Levels With Rooftop Yoga At The James Hotel

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  Site Where: 27 Grand St [map], New York, NY, United States, 10013
May 22, 2013 at 10:30 AM | by | Comments (0)

A rooftop yoga class is making waves in New York, and it's taking place at none other than The James Hotel. Led by a local NYC yoga teacher, the class was launched last year and has been slowly gaining momentum, no thanks to the jaw-dropping views seen from the top of the hotel.

Another reason the class stands out? It's women-only.

Twice a week, on Wednesday and Saturday mornings at 8am, ladies gather up on arguably the most scenic rooftop in the city and breathe and stretch and go 'ohm' in the company of other ladies. As in, all the mamas without the papas. As in, girls not guys. As in, the rooftop is called Jimmy, but he's the only dude allowed to the party.

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The Revere Hotel's New Pret-A-Surf Staff Uniforms Are Tres Belles

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  Site Where: 200 Stuart St [map], Boston, MA, United States, 02116
May 22, 2013 at 9:15 AM | by | Comment (1)

If you have difficulty trying to get work done on hotel rooftops, then we have two pieces of advice for you: one, stop trying to get work done on hotel rooftops, and two, definitely don't visit the new rooftop pool at the Revere Hotel, where attractive female employees will be prancing around all summer long in matching swimwear outfits designed by Pret-a-Surf.

The checkered hot pants, striped bikini tops, and nautical-themed jerseys that you see above are the new staff uniforms up at Rooftop @ Revere, which debuted last week.

As hotel uniforms go, we like the breezy, New England look—certainly racier indeed than the silk embroidered robes we saw in Bangkok, yet tamer than the W New York Downtown's double-breasted tuxedo shorts.

And if you fancy yourself (or your loved one) dressed up like one of the Revere cocktail servers, then all you have to do is head down to the lobby retail shop, and pick out some matching Pret-a-Surf attire of your very own.

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The Moonrise Hotel's New Moon Room Shines With Homemade Moon Pies

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  Site Where: 6377 Delmar Blvd [map], St. Louis, MO, United States, 63112
May 10, 2013 at 12:31 PM | by | Comments (0)

The last time we were in St Louis, we had a grand old time checking out the 135-room Moonrise Hotel, a contemporary boutique spot in downtown St. Louis with a lunar theme.

We loved their rooftop bar back then, and we love it now, as the hotel recently re-launched the rooftop space with a new name: The Moon Room. A local blog went over to check out the bar, and in doing so, learned that it is the first hotel restaurant in the US with a roof made entirely out of solar panels.

The 107 glass panels apparently provide enough energy to power the whole bar, as well as part of the floor below. Pretty impressive, huh? (They also make for some cool light effects, as evidenced by these photos).

Elsewhere on the ceiling are sphere-shaped light fixtures that resemble different planets in the solar system. The turquoise walls and NASA uniform-wearing-waitresses add to the effect, though our favorite snapshot from the opening night might just be the dessert: homemade moon pies!

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What's Sprouting On The Roof At Westin NY Grand Central?

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  Site Where: 212 E 42nd St [map], New York, NY, United States
May 2, 2013 at 9:17 AM | by | Comments (0)

If your first thought is 'Mojito!' when you see this picture, then you're on the right track.

Since last summer, the Westin New York Grand Central has quietly been working on a modest but respectable rooftop veggie garden way up on the hotel's 41st floor. Located smack in the middle of midtown (the Chrysler Building is so close you can touch it), it seems like an unlikely place to be growing…well, anything. But urban farming is trendy these days, and a hotel's gotta go what a hotel's gotta do, right?

383 feet above Manhattan, ten dirt-filled tubs with arugula, mesclun lettuce, rosemary, heirloom tomatoes, and "mojito mint" are being overseen by the hotel's Executive Chef, Brian Wieler (pictured), who tends to his green leafy sprout-lings like a proud dad. And not one to cut corners, Chef Wieler has also ensured the garden is 100% organic, with only organic plants, soil and fertilizer being used. And now, as spring gets going, he is starting to harvest some of the mini-crops.

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Art Appraisal: The Octopus Room at Tantalo Hotel

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  Site Where: Calle 8a Este, Panama City, Panama
April 17, 2013 at 9:05 AM | by | Comments (0)

It was sheer luck that we happened to catch up with the General Manager of Tántalo Hotel in Panama City several months ago. We were visiting Casco Viejo for lunch, and when we ended up (on the recommendation of several locals) at Tántalo Kitchen, the hotel's ground floor restaurant, we figured we'd better ask for a tour.

A few of the things Tántalo has going for it are: an excellent location right in the heart of Casco Viejo; a hip, young crowd constantly streaming through the doors all day long, and, most importantly, a truly tantalizing collection of murals, photographs, paintings and quirky furniture scattered around the entire hotel.

There are only 12 rooms total, and each of them boasts its own unique design, such as the second-floor Octopus Room, whose walls are covered by the long, curly tentacles of a giant blue and white octopus. One of the tentacles even holds up a sign reading 'Pipi Room,' pointing the way to the bathroom.

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Monaco Philly's Rooftop Is Too Hot For Its Own Good

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  Site Where: 433 Chestnut Street [map], Philadelphia, PA, United States, 19106
March 25, 2013 at 6:14 PM | by | Comments (0)

Though it's only been open several months, Hotel Monaco Philly is already the hottest ticket in town, as far as rooftops are concerned. The hotel's 11th floor Stratus has become legendary for its outdoor patio, indoor bar, two private lounge areas, and outdoor fireplace*.

Most days of the week, it's possible to head up to Stratus, enjoy a few cocktails and be on your merry way. But the lines to get in on Friday and Saturday can get pretty long, and once you enter the bar, it can be difficult just finding a seat.

As a result, Monaco will soon start issuing membership cards just to access the bar. We heard from an employee that a designated number of seats will be set aside each night for card-holders. Of course, hotel guests get priority automatically, but when it comes to random people walking in off the street, Stratus members will definitely have the upper hand.

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Viva Gansevoort: NYC Party Hotel to Bring Brand to Vegas

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  Site Where: 3595 S Las Vegas Blvd [map], Las Vegas, NV, United States, 89109
March 18, 2013 at 3:06 PM | by | Comments (0)

After striking out in Miami and long after ditching plans for an LA location, Gansevoort Hotels has landed in a pretty spectacular place--Las Vegas. Specifically, the old Bill's Gambling Hall on the Las Vegas Strip.

On Friday, it was announced that Caesars Entertainment, the parent company of Caesars Palace, Paris Bally's, Bill's and a bunch of other casino hotels, would be turning Bill's into the Gansevoort Las Vegas. USA Today reported:

The Old West-style casino hotel, which closed last month, will reopen in January as the Gansevoort Las Vegas, with rates starting at $249 a night. The building's currently in the midst of a $185 million renovation that will transform the guest rooms, casino space, restaurants and public areas into stylish, upscale spaces.

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The Refinery Claims the Reclaimed Look, Opening In May

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  Site Where: 63 W 38th St [map], New York, NY, United States, 10018
February 7, 2013 at 9:55 AM | by | Comments (0)

Things are moving along over at The Refinery, Manhattan's upcoming 1920s-themed hotel housed in an old hat factory. Though the building is still under heavy construction, owners are aiming for a May opening date, which ought to coincide nicely with rooftop season. And hey, wouldn't you know it: the hotel's going to have a swingin' rooftop bar.

Housed atop the 101-year-old Neo-Gothic building, the still-unnamed 3,500 sq ft rooftop space will boast a full kitchen, a giant retractable glass ceiling (meaning you can go even during non-rooftop season), a fireplace, a fountain, twinkly lights, and reclaimed wood from old water towers decorating the ceiling. Oh, and the Empire State Building looms so close it feels like you can reach out and grab it.

No doubt, we'll be heading up here to sample a few cocktails once the doors open. But how about the rooms themselves?

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Best of the West: Schwanky Rooftop Hotel Dates

December 7, 2012 at 9:21 AM | by | Comments (0)

Even though its winter, you can still take advantage of the relatively drama-free weather on the Left Coast where the rooftop shenanigans live-on. Remember, these haunts are available year-round and come with a side of schwanky--hold the frostbite. So grab your date and enjoy these rooftop destinations for your next romantic romp west of the Mississippi.

Suite 700, Hotel Shangri La, Santa Monica, CA
Hotel Shangri-La Santa Monica's Suite 700 open-air bar & lounge is the epitome of swank with its Art Deco Hollywood glamour combined with epic views of the Pacific sunset. It's no wonder the hotel was named after the earthly paradise James Hilton spoke of in Lost Horizon. Treat your date to a fire pit and some popcorn chicken avec cocktail, and get lost watching the flames. Or watch the killer sunsets. The nice thing about Shangri-La is you can stay indoors in the lounge if it's breezy, or venture onto the rooftop, so its the best of both. Weekends can be crowded, so try a weeknight or just come early if you want some elbow room.

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Turn It Up: Radio Rooftop Preview At ME London

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  Site Where: 336-337 The Strand, London, United Kingdom
November 7, 2012 at 9:49 AM | by | Comments (0)

It’s World Travel Market in London this week, and the soon to open ME by Mélia London used the occasion to host a preview of its Radio rooftop bar and terrace. We jumped at the chance to attend, having been tempted by ME with an experience that would “connect with each guest’s aura”.

Located on the corner of Aldwych and Strand, Radio certainly delivers when it comes to views: you get the full panorama over Somerset House (lit up in red above, with the skating rink being prepared for the winter) of the river Thames, down east to The Shard, Tower Bridge, St. Paul’s, and the City, with the London Eye and Big Ben to the west. On the other side Covent Garden and the West End stretch out in front of you.

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Last-Chance Rooftop Romps Before Fall Begins

September 21, 2012 at 12:27 PM | by | Comments (0)

We hate to see rooftop season go, and with fall officially beginning tomorrow, places will start closing up shop soon. Which is why we've asked our HotelChatter editors and contributors to pick their favorite hotel rooftops around the US and Europe in case you haven't visited one yet. Ever the optimists, we'll say there are a few weeks of prime rooftop hopping left before annoying things like rain, wind chill factor, and snow block us from the outdoor lounging we love so much.

Use this guide to get your pre-Fall affairs in order!

Pod 39, New York City
Word's gotten out about midtown's newest hotel rooftop bar, located on the 17th floor of the Pod 39. And why not? Enclosed by a series of majestic terra cotta columns and slender brick archways, the al fresco space feels more like a re-discovered Greek temple than the regular old Manhattan standby. But, it's a bar alright. Cocktails like the delicious Weathervane (rye whiskey, grapefruit juice, campari, ginger, and a sprig of fresh rosemary, $12) make a great accompaniment to up-close views of the Empire State Building, Chrysler Building and neighboring Queens. (ASchechter, Assistant Editor)

See the rest of the picks after the jump!

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