Our cherry picked selections of haute holiday indulgences in New York, New York

by Archana Aithal Rose

VIP REVELRY
THE FLEUR ROOM, MOXY NYC CHELSEA
It set Instagram on fire when one of the Met Gala after parties at this rooftop club drew the likes of Gigi Hadid and Taylor Swift schmoozing with other crème de la crème of the glam world. But then, The Fleur Room has become a celebrity in itself. Situated on the 35th floor of Marriott’s Moxy NYC Chelsea, this jaw dropping glassen cased lounge offers 360 degree views of the Manhattan skyline vistas extending from the Statue of Liberty to the Empire State building and beyond. A luxe botanical theme, with floral fabric wallpaper, copper clad bar, and a massive vintage disco ball (once a fixture at the L.A. club, Vertigo) outfits the interior, so kick back those Manolos and chill! 105 West 28th Street, marriott.com

THE BLUE BOX CAFE AT TIFFANY’S
If you’ve ever wondered what breakfast at Tiffany’s would actually be like, drop by the fourth floor of its 5th Avenue flagship. Covered in the brand’s signature robin egg blue interiors, the cafe’s wall décor shows off tiny chrome figurines and diamonds, while its menu features cheeky 10 carat breakfasts like Siberian caviar over buttermilk waffles and truffle eggs. And since the holidays are all about doing it up, other indulgences include the Lemon Jelly Diamonds or Tiffany’s Bird’s Nest. 727 Fifth Avenue, tiffanys.com

BACCARAT HOTEL
Drenched in crystals and French inspired décor (see above), this accommodation is nothing less than the summa of five star living. Gorgeousness includes 17 custom made chandeliers, hallways with silk lined walls, coyote skin armchairs, and close to 15,000 pieces of Baccarat crystal stemware the sum resembling a dreamy glass menagerie. Its opulent, light filled rooms feature avant garde design complete with crystal décor elements and white marble bathrooms. Inspired by the royal stables in Versailles and vintage American saloons, its iconic bar, meanwhile, with striking black and white checkered floors, offers signature cocktails like the Baccarat Rouge. Dishes from the Grand Salon restaurant helmed by Michelin starred Chef Gabriel Kreuther include American Wagyu Beef Coulotte au Poivre and Alsatian Tarte Flambée. 28 West 53rd Street, baccarathotels.com

EQUINOX HOTEL
The first of its kind, a luxury fitness and spa hotel in one, the Equinox is hard to miss with its edge less blue rooftop pool that’s visible from the top of the Vessel at Hudson Yards (an additional must see new landmark).

Futuristic sleep chambers feature sweeping river views and total soundproofing, plus iPad operated blackout shades, a mini bar with 70 plus health conscious snacks, and ultra modern Zenlike décor. King sized beds are layered with temperature regulating natural fibers, and guests can make the most of every resting moment with the help of a virtual Equinox Sleep Coach. A cryo therapy chamber in the spa (along with infrared sauna), a 60,000 square foot fitness club, and the award winning Stephen Starr’s clean eating restaurant, Electric Lemon, on the 24th floor, all reflect the health consciousness of the brand. 33 Hudson Yards, equinox.com

ART FIX
This winter, the highly anticipated Foto grafika will open in a sprawling 45,000 square foot space in a historic building in Manhattan’s Flatiron District the first major opening of a cultural museum in the city since 1977. The Swedish photography and cultural museum (its other locations in Stockholm and Tallinn, Estonia) which has been visited by more than 3.5 million people and featured 200 plus exhibitions by lens legends like David LaChapelle, Annie Leibovitz, and Irving Penn combines photo exhibitions spread over three floors with dining, entertainment, an educational academy, and shopping. Amenities include a swanky café and bookstore (seen here in a rendering courtesy of Cetra Ruddy) where you can quiet the chaos of a chilly urban day. 281 Park Ave South, fotografiska.com

equinox