Hotels Above Par, experts in the world’s coolest boutique-style hotels and travel experiences, has rounded up the most over-the-top hotel bars in the U.S. where guests will find exceptional drinks in extravagant atmospheres for an experience unlike any other.
Read on to get a look inside the most outstanding hotel bars and lounges in the U.S.
1. Camellias at Hotel Bennett
Any time spent at Camellias at Hotel Bennet in Charleston, South Carolina is rich with beauty and elegance. Inspired by precious jewels, the sophisticated champagne lounge boasts dazzling elements such as reclaimed marble flooring, blush pink walls, a shiny bar facade and a glittering crystal chandelier that hangs overhead from the etched mirror ceiling. Inside the bold pink interiors, guests can enjoy drinks by the glass or bottle paired with a decadent selection of caviar, charcuterie, local seafood and homemade desserts.
2. Connie Cocktail Lounge at TWA Hotel
An old-fashioned airstair and glamorous red upholstery welcome guests inside Connie Cocktail Lounge at TWA Hotel in New York City, which is incorporated into a 1958 aircraft that sits on the tarmac of the TWA Flight Center at JFK International Airport. The 116-foot-long aircraft and vintage cockpit now serves as a cocktail lounge reminiscent of the original working airplane, featuring a bar at the back of the plane that serves cocktails and light snacks, including the Mile High Margarita and the Vodka is My Co-Pilot.
3. The Gold Room at Lotte New York Palace
Another New York City gem, the Gold Room at Lotte New York Palace is an architectural treasure of the city’s Gilded Age featuring dramatic arched ceilings, grand walls boasting ornate detailing, baroque murals and other elements that take guests back to the glamor and opulence of the day. Beyond its intricate design, the experience includes modern interpretations of classic hand-crafted cocktails and elevated small plates to pair.
4. Library of Distilled Spirits at The National, Autograph Collection
Located within the Library of Distilled Spirits of The National, Autograph Collection, a fully restored historic hotel in downtown Oklahoma City, The Archive is an exclusive, craft cocktail experience inspired by American Journalist Charles H. Baker Jr.’s journey around the world to discover the finest drinks. The bar features a collection of 13 house-made exotic craft cocktails, including the Calcutta Classic crafted with Elijah Craig Rye, Masala Chia, Pajarote Ponce de Tamarindo, Manzanilla Sherry and Lemon.
5. The Bleu Room at Nemacolin
The Bleu Room at Nemacolin in Pennsylvania’s Allegheny Mountains is one of the hotel’s most enchanting secrets, giving those who are lucky enough to enter through its hidden doors an ultra-exclusive cocktail experience complete with plush couches, soaring hand-painted ceilings, marble-tiled floors and a whimsical blue aura. Small bites, afternoon tea and crafted cocktails, like the Wintery Mule, are served within the elegant, yet mysterious space ideal for intimate, private events.
6. The Carousel Bar & Lounge at Hotel Monteleone
Found in New Orleans, the Carousel Bar & Lounge at Hotel Monteleone serves circus-themed craft cocktails on a 25-seat merry-go-round overlooking Royal Street. The Carousel Bar & Lounge opened in 1949 as New Orleans’ first and only rotating bar, which still spins today every 15 minutes around the world-class bar featuring historic decor, entertainment and an extensive menu of crafted cocktails and bar bites.
