Coolest Hotel Bars for Globetrotters

For some of us, cocktailing is nothing less than a sport.  But when it comes to having a memorable night, libations are just part of the equation. For their part, today’s hotel bars are upping their games, from seaside libations to dancing under the stars (literally). Here are a few one-of-a-kind spots to check out:

To the Ends of the Earth
The Grace Bay Club in Turks & Caicos recently unveiled the longest bar in the Caribbean with its new Infiniti Edge Bar. The 90-foot bar, constructed of black marble, creates the illusion that the entire structure is floating above the sand and into the ocean. Guests can sip traditional Caribbean cocktails under shaded canopies while the waves lap at their feet. Now that’s what we call relaxation.

All That Glitters is Gold
If you’ve got an insatiable thirst for the bubbly, Gilt Champagne Lounge in London’s Jumeirah Carlton Tower should be your next stop.  The small bar simply reeks of luxury, from its gold-hued walls and white banquettes to its plush gold-trimmed chairs. The luxury doesn’t stop with the surroundings, though: A glass of champagne will run you 14 Euros at the very least; make that 17.50 if you fancy a Bellini.

Art House
In today’s worlds of art and hotel design, there may have been no greater meeting of the minds than Julian Schnabel and Ian Schrager. Schrager’s Gramercy Park Hotel recently underwent a major redesign, which included the opening of the luxe and eclectic Rose and Jade Bars, featuring custom-designed furniture by Schnabel, rich red-and-chocolate-brown color schemes, candlelight and artwork from the likes of Andy Warhol, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Keith Haring and Schnabel himself. And lest we forget, reservations are required after 9 pm.

Star Power
As if Las Vegas wasn’t already known for its levels of excess, the new Moon nightclub on the penthouse level of the Palms Fantasy Tower, takes the “room with a view” concept to a new extreme. The club’s massive retractable roof opens to reveal a view of the nighttime sky. When it’s closed, the roof serves as a giant video screen, showing scenes from the dance floor and around the club from a series of moveable cameras and projectors. Whatever happened to “what happens in Vegas…”?

Water World

A name can say a lot about a place, and Sao Paolo’s Hotel Unique is no exception.  The hotel, which resembles a modern, copper-hued boat, was designed by Brazilian architect Ruy Ohtake and features a striking rooftop bar and restaurant, Skye. A crimson-hued pool is the centerpiece; revelers can look out at a panoramic city skyline while sipping cocktails.