The magnificent Gold Bar at the magnificent New York Edition has been awarded a very important accolade – it’s been nominated as one of the five best bars in the world in Virtuoso’s Best of the Best awards. Baroque Access finds out all the details
Virtuoso is an international network of luxury travel agencies that awards fine establishments and hoteliers in the hospitality industry every year for their superlative offerings in their prestigious Best of the Best hotel awards. This week, it announced the 50 nominees for its 10th annual awards, 50 different hotels and hoteliers who represent the highest standard in a given category, and also represent the latest trend in the hotel industry.
Interestingly enough, legendary hotels, like the Ritz Paris, which has earned its stripe during its long history, still reign. Yes, these establishments have upgraded their facilities (in fact, The Ritz, which we featured in previous weeks, has just reopened after a four year multi-million dollar refurbishment). But one cannot put a price tag on this hotel’s and other’s cachet.
Virtuoso scours the world – 7 continents and 195 different countries– to choose their final 50 nominees. Each of the nominees offers something quite unique, whether it’s superlative style, innovative design or haute cuisine. Giving back to its community will add extra kudo’s, as will setting new trends. Now, we wait with baited breath to find out the winners, which takes place during a week-long selection process. The final selections will be revealed on 10 August, during Virtuoso Travel Week’s Hotels & Resorts Dinner, which is being held at the Bellagio Resort & Casino in Las Vegas.
But let’s talk bars for a second, and give you the five nominations on the list for the Best Bar in the Best of the Best awards. They are as follows:
- J.K. Lounge, J.K. Place Firenze, Florence, Italy
- Prohibition, Rosewood Hotel Georgia,Vancouver, Canada
- Polo Bar, Taj Rambagh Palace, Jaipur, India
- Gold Bar, The New York EDITION, New York, United States
- Off the Record, The Hay Adams, Washington, D.C., United States
As you can see, the US has two bars on the list, which bodes well. And one of these bars is located in New York City, in one of the most modern and exceptional establishments, the magnificent New York Edition, which opened its doors in 2015. This modern luxury hotel offers every possible comfort, extraordinary style and exceptional service in a unique, individual environment. It’s located in the heart of midtown Manhattan’s Flatiron District, close to Madison Square Park, housed in a building originally built in 1909 as HQ for the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company. Boasting 41 floors and a historic clock tower with breathtaking panoramic views, the hotel is a New York City landmark.
The Gold Bar at the New York Edition is a horseshoe shaped bar made entirely from 24 carat gold leaf finish which is set under a 3-foot fiberglass globe chandelier designed by contemporary French artist Eric Schmitt. It boasts mahogany walls, carved plaster ceilings, original herringbone floors and hundreds of works of photography hung in gilt frames on the walls. It’s known as the place to go for a pre- or post-dinner cocktail. The bar is open from Sunday to Wednesday from11.30am to 11pm, and from 11.30am to midnight Thursday to Saturday.
The New York Edition’s restaurant and bar section is split into a series of themed rooms, of which the Gold Bar is one. There’s also a billiard room celebrating musicians, and three dining rooms, including the American-icons themed Dining Room. Each of the dining rooms has a different colour accent, either green, blue or rose.