6 Top Hotel Bars for Luxury Travelers

A luxurious hotel bar can lure travelers looking to revel in a night of extravagance minutes away from their guestrooms. Some impress with mind-bending architectural wonders and others prove their worth through awe-inspiring views and swanky cocktails. For clients with finer sensibilities, these hotel bars will have them feeling drunk on the good life.

The Chandelier at the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas
When it comes to upping the ante for a lavish night out, you can bet The Chandelier at the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas will deliver. The centerpiece of this three-story visual marvel is a truly grandiose light fixture fashioned with millions of crystal beads. Shimmering light is imbued in every aspect of the space, from the slot machines around the edges to the opalescent bar stools.

Guests have triple the access when ordering a drink, with different bars (and menus) on the bottom and top floors, as well as inside the chandelier. There, mixologists craft a suitably fantastical concoction called “We’re All Mad Here” — a tantalizing mixture of Empress Indigo gin, St-Germain elderflower, Soho Lychee liqueur, lemon juice, apple rosewater and chardonnay cardamom ginger syrup.

www.cosmopolitanlasvegas.com

The Jetty Lounge at One & Only Royal Mirage, Dubai
For several decades now, affluence has become Dubai’s calling card to the world. Situated on the mainland near the trunk of the Palm Jumeirah, One&Only Royal Mirage and its exclusive beachside bar The Jetty Lounge dazzle with panoramic vistas of the city’s skyline.

Contemporary Arabian-influenced design blends seamlessly with the surroundings. Among palm trees and on the sand, intimate cabanas and airy communal tables provide unparalleled spots for sipping a cocktail and watching the sun set over the Persian Gulf.

www.oneandonlyresorts.com

Old Imperial Bar at the Imperial Hotel, Tokyo
The Imperial Hotel was constructed as a symbol of Japanese aristocracy’s direct desire to cater to the Western world. Since the original’s construction in 1890, there have been several incarnations of the building due to destructive fires, earthquakes and renovations.

World-renowned architect Frank Lloyd Wright’s design — which expertly melds two cultures — can still be seen at Old Imperial Bar. This Tokyo institution is decorated with intricately carved oya stone and terra-cotta relics. With its moody lighting and rich brown palette, the vibe evokes a more refined era — the perfect setting for an old fashioned.

www.imperialhotel.co.jp

Subsix at Per Aquum Niyama, Huluwalu, Maldives
Just getting to Per Aquum Niyama, on the remote Maldivian private island of Huluwalu, screams exclusivity. Once visitors reach this tropical paradise by seaplane, domestic flight or speedboat transfer, priority No. 1 should be a drink at Subsix, the underwater restaurant on the fringe of the reef. Guests descend to a blue world beneath the waves, where glass windows frame bright parrotfish and butterfly fish swimming in and out of the rocks.

From the clamshell-inspired bar to the sea anemone chairs, immaculate details make the motif come alive. Sipping a glass of Dom Perignon (or a marine-themed beverage) as you search for the resident sea turtle is a one-of-a-kind experience.

www.niyama.com

Bar Hemingway at Ritz Paris
Named for renowned writer (and drinker) Ernest Hemingway, the bar at Ritz Paris is an homage to the man, the myth and the legend. Hemingway was a regular here in the early 1920s and purportedly helped the Allies liberate the German’s hold on the building during World War II.

Portraits and other adventurous memorabilia — shark jaws and a water buffalo skull, to mention a few — adorn the wood-paneled walls of this glamorous lounge that also once served F. Scott Fitzgerald in his favorite seat. Head Barman Colin Field has taken up the mantle after a $400-million renovation, serving classy cocktails such as Serendipity, created with Calvados, champagne, apple juice, sugar and fresh mint.

www.ritzparis.com

Icebar by Icehotel, Stockholm
The Icebar by Icehotel lives up to its name: Everything from the seating to the cups is made of ice. This novel concept began in the far-northern reaches of Sweden, eventually expanding to the capital (and there is also a version of the bar in London).

Inside, an ever-changing display of ornate glacial sculptures gives the space an art gallery feel, emphasized by vibrant cocktails that stand out in see-through vessels. Nothing warms the insides like Hydropower, an orange mixture of Absolut vodka, Bloody Mary mix and Tabasco, but to keep the exterior toasty, a coat is probably a good idea. Although drop-ins are available depending on availability, it’s best to make reservations, especially if clients want to take an ice-sculpting class.

www.icehotel.com