A Brit-inspired staycation, a gourmet dinner in your own non-virtual bubble, or a vantage of the city that never sleeps (the pandemic notwithstanding), dive into the hedonism of the holidays with a New York state of mind

by ARCHANA AITHAL ROSE

FORKING DELICIOUS
THE IGLOO BAR
This knocks the COVID safe plexi glass partitions out of the park. Imagine being huddled up with your loved ones in your own little bubble, or better yet, a fancy snow globe. This Igloo Bar has 17 transparent and heated igloos where you can order a hot whiskey cider at cocktail hour or decadent Bailey’s French toast for brunch with jaw-dropping cityscapes all around you. 230 Fifth Avenue, 230-fifth.com

ARMANI RISTORANTE
Christmas may well be the time to go on a fashionable culinary adventure. Overlooking Fifth Avenue, where the world’s fashion luminaries showcase their couture against the backdrop of New York’s fi nest architecture, is Giorgio Armani’s eponymous gastro heaven, inviting guests to dive into a warm plate of risotto Milanese made with the fi nest saffron. Situated right above Armani’s flagship store, the restaurant echoes his fashion philosophy of timelessness and elegance with beige walls, glossy black floors, and a Michelin-starred menu created by chef Brogioni. Complex culinary creations, like venison dolce forte and wild boar gnocchi along with signature cocktails, round out the upscale Italian fi ne dining experience. 717 Fifth Avenue, armani.com

STRATOSPHERIC CELEBRATIONS
THE EDGE NYC
Leave your footprint in the sky while standing on “The Edge” with panoramic views to die for atop this observation deck, the coolest new edition to Manhattan’s Hudson Yards. With angled glass walls offering sensational NYC views of Central Park, the Statue of Liberty, and beyond, the outdoor sky deck extends 80 feet away from the building, with a glass floor looking down 100 stories from the highest sky deck in the Western Hemisphere. The champagne bar on deck offers signature cocktails and premium sparkles to top the ultimate king of the world experience. Book ahead at edgenyc.com

VJ SPREAD

EASY DOES IT
THE HIGH LINE HOTEL
Looking out over the famous High Line, the train track from yesteryear reinvented into an organic public space, the nostalgia inducing High Line Hotel is a sanctuary for vintage fanatics. From its external structure, a 1985 Gothic seminary, to the deluxe suites of colonial old-world charm finished with 19th century English wallpaper and eccentric accents, the hotel will swathe you in its uniquely authentic aesthetic. 180 10th Avenue, thehighlinehotel.com

THE CROSBY HOTEL
Upgrade your Christmas staycation with a luxurious jaunt at the Crosby Hotel, a chic, whimsical oasis brimming with British charm in the heart of Manhattan’s shopping mecca, SoHo. Enjoy some holiday shopping at the iconic Bloomingdale’s followed by high tea and macarons at Ladurée. After, retire to the comforts of the Crosby’s luminous suites, where en-suite bathrooms are stocked with London perfumer Miller Harris products. 79 Crosby Street, firmdalehotels.com