It’s the day after the New Year dawned and I’m in my bright, sunny room at The Breakers.
One of the most iconic hotels not only here in Palm Beach, Florida, but in the nation as a whole, the sprawling property has been in operation since 1896. Every corner is awe inspiring, from its gargantuan lobby and stunning floral displays, to an intricate network of pools. But aside from the views of the splashing Atlantic Ocean from my room, one of the show-stopping attributes of The Breakers is the massive bar HMF.
Sure, a hotel needs to have comfortable rooms, and I guess should have beds, too. But, to me, the most important facet of any hotel is its bar. Yes, the hotel bar is a thing of beauty, a gift from the vacation Gods, a thing of supreme convenience; a place to kick one back within, as my cousin refers to it, “stumbling distance” from your room. HMF counts as the cream of the crop.
Named after The Breakers’ founder Henry Morrison Flagler, the 11,050 square foot space boasts a wine list north of 50,000 bottles and 2,000 unique selections, while the cocktail menu is as thick as the novel on the nightstand you keep putting off reading. I couldn’t help but page through this one, though. On this particular night, I opted for a rare Grappa and because it’s a holiday, I celebrate with a flaming Baked Alaska, my first time having the treat. True to form, it comes out flaming and the Grappa comes out yellow. I throw it back.
Due north of the sandy shores of Florida, closer to where I live in New York City, lies another hotel with an equally memorable bar program. While The Breakers may have opened over a century ago, Virgin Hotel New York, in the city’s NoMad neighborhood, has barely been open a year. Regardless of its status as a brand new Big Apple haunt, its slick space is smoothly run and boasts a variety of amenities. Walking into the lobby, which lushly incorporates the brand’s trademark red color into its design, the hotel is quickly becoming known for a bevy of notable F&B operations. Even before its upcoming opening, the small, cocktail-focused space, The Riff Raff Club, is turning heads, considering its mastermind is the acclaimed bartender Charles Joly (known for bartending The Oscars among other starry events). Meanwhile, a staple of the hotel since its late 2023 opening is Everdene, an all-day rooftop restaurant and bar where I found myself one spring day.
Before then, I couldn’t help but partake in the hotel’s Exhale Spa, a tranquil space that boasts a snow room (with flakes of fresh white stuff trickling down), as well as a large, hazy steam room and a sweltering sauna. I opt for an experience in a “zero gravity chair,” which includes sound and vibrational therapy. I slip on my compression boots and bask in the silence and meditate on what I’m about to order.
Feeling refreshed, zen, and thirsty, it was time for brunch at Everdene. I walked past the front desk of the restaurant one night and the place was absolutely packed, but considering I’m here on an early Sunday afternoon, it’s decidedly less so. Aside from the fluffy spelt pancakes and smoked salmon platter that populate the menu, Everdene’s unique cocktails include what they call The G.O.A.T: Lobos Reposado Tequila, Pear Puree, Chili Syrup, Lemon and Cinnamon. It’s a sweet, sour, and spicy delight. And because no brunch can be complete without at least one Espresso Martini (Everdene whips theirs up with Mr. Black, Belvedere and fresh espresso), I order one up. Sabrina Carpenter would be proud.
While rare Grappas and inventive cocktails are perfectly nice, sometimes I find myself turning to the classics. Clear across the United States, it was in Los Angeles where I ordered an Extra Dirty Martini while staying at the Hotel Per La. While it is located squarely in the city’s fast-changing Downtown, the style is uniquely Italian-inspired, right down to its ornate lobby. As per usual, there’s a swank rooftop bar with a view of the city and a pool. But down below, just beyond the elevators that whisk guests up to their room, lies Ristorante Per L’Ora, a true hotel gem, if I’ve ever seen one.
Italian coastal is the name of the game here and I nosh on perfectly-crisp calamari, a caesar salad (which coincidentally is celebrating its 100th birthday this year) and a succulent Veal Milanese. When it comes to my libation, I opt for an Extra Dirty Ketel One Martini. “Extra dirty,” I repeat, with the same fever of somebody ordering a rare steak. Sometimes, bartenders are hesitant. “He can’t mean too dirty,” they may say to themselves when I first order. However, when I put the emphasis on it, it’s a signal that there is no limit to my dirty dreams. My waiter (who, much like the rest of the city, says he is an aspiring actor), brings one over from the bartender; it’s perfectly chill and goes down as smooth as can be. I can’t help but offer a cheers to the hotel bar: from Palm Beach to New York and Los Angeles, they always manage to hit the spot.
Here’s some other notable hotel hotspots for drinks for your next vacation
Botero Bar: Grand Wailea Resort, Maui, Hawaii
An open-air oasis with top-quality cocktails, Hawaiian favorites, and a large collection of Colombian sculptor Fernando Botero’s works of art.
Piano Bar: The Betsy, Miami, Florida
The bustling spot located on the city’s famed Ocean Drive boasts a chic clientele, a tinkling piano player almost every night, and flanks LT Steak and Seafood, one of the best restaurants in the city.
The Lounge: Limelight Aspen, Aspen Colorado
Tucked in the Rockies, this comfortable space regularly boasts live music, top-notch mountain-town grub, and perhaps most surprisingly, an extensive collection of Pisco.
White Limozeen: Nashville, Tennessee
Views of the Nashville skyline complete with vintage furniture and an inventive menu, the Dolly Parton-themed also boasts a giant sculpture of the beloved star.
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