For all the ladies out there who cringe at the idea of a booze-fest bachelorette party, for all those sophisticated women who want their bachlorette party to be as luxurious as they are, planning your girl weekend can be as exciting as arranging the Big Day. The difference is, this time you’re the only one in charge.
Monte Carlo, Ibiza, Cannes, Rio, L.A, these are perfect places to celebrate your friendship with the most beautiful ladies you know. But if you’re into the top of the tops, New York and London are for the big kids.
- dhilung / Foter / CC BY-NC
Luxurious New York
New York is the dream getaway any hen would be psyched to pick out of the hat. This is the Fashion Capital of the world, the place where everything happens, the land of Carrie, Manolo Blahnik and Lincoln Center. If you have a New York state of mind, the options are endless.
Stay at: any chic boutique hotel in Manhattan. The Lowell, off Madison Avenue, will make you and your girls feel like Serena Van der Woodsen and Blair Waldorf in no time. Start your weekend with brunch at The Pembroke Room, the hotel’s restaurant and you’ll be up and ready for anything that the day might bring.
Shop for: sultry lingerie at Kiki de Montparnasse, the luxury and lifestyle shop where erotic wares meet bridal collections. The accessories line is a must-see, so don’t miss the sleek leather belts and gloves, the deliciously naughty silk masks or, of course, the too elegant for words instruments of pleasure.
Relax at: luxury spa haven Cornelia Spa at the Surrey. This lavish escape on the Upper East Side will wrap you in French sea salts and artisanal honey and will finish you off with a five-star massage that takes you directly to heaven. If your friends aren’t grateful after this, they must be really hard to please.
Warm up with: a luxurious cocktail at King Cole Bar at the St. Regis. This is a dim-lit, opulent lounge where you can taste the real Red Snapper, an elegant Bloody Mary done in style.
Let loose on: top of the Standard Hotel. The Boom Boom Room and Le Bain, bar and nightclub, are invitation only, but if you can get your hands on one of these, you’re bound to have a story to tell years into your marriage, The view, breathtaking. The crowd, amazing. Jared Leto, Lindsay Lohan, even Madonna were spotted many times here. If you’re not on the list, try the PhD Lounge, where Heidi Klum, Leonardo DiCaprio and Khloe Kardashian feel right at home.
- Anirudh Koul / Foter / CC BY-NC
Lavish London
Across the UK, ladies are super open to unconventional party ideas. “These days, it’s about girls getting together to experience something new or different outside of their daily routines,” says Lola Dali-Kemmery of Bath Spa Media, publisher of the idea-packed Hen Party Handbook. “Alcohol still plays a role, but it’s not just about binge-drinking anymore – it’s way more sophisticated.”
Retreat at: The Orchid, for a pampering session which includes a night at a 5 star hotel, decadent breakfast, full spa access, bar session, guest list only clubs and even your own private treasure hunt around Covent Garden. If you’re picky, you can choose other activities from a seriously enticing list: horse riding, afternoon tea, dance lessons and even your very own butler.
Take tea in: the Apsleys dining room of the posh Lanesborough Hotel. Tea, wonderful tarts and brioches, exquisite finger sandwiches, mini cakes and scones, this is a small introductory course to British afternoon tea you can’t miss.
Dine under the moonlight at: The Delaunay, this Grand Café inspired restaurant and bar that serves luxurious meals at midnight. Moules frites, choucroute à l’Alsacienne, Goujons of Plaice, these are just a few of the culinary treats that will be on the menu at this super classy retreat.
Peep at: Volupté. Women are voyeurs by nature. Instead of the cheesy male stripping why don’t you explore different territory and take lessons from the classiest boudoir divas? The shows at Volupté are glam vintage burlesque at its best. Saturdays are for tea even here, so get ready for an afternoon of sexy lingerie, Champagne and fresh cakes. Luxurious cocktails are brewed late in the night, when the party really picks up speed.
Author: Marcela De Vivo is a freelance writer from Los Angeles and has written several articles on travel and luxury travel. She has visited New York and London several times with girlfriends and knows that sometimes all you need is a little luxury to make a girls weekend memorable.
