Things we were expecting to see when we attended The Baccarat Hotel New York’s opening party the other night (on Bastille Day, no less)–opulence, thousands of Baccarat crystal pieces, oversized bouquets of red roses, smartly-dressed staffers and Barry Sternlicht, the man who envisioned a hotel experience based on a 251-year-old French crystal brand and subsequently brought it to life.
Things we were not expecting to see–Martha Stewart and Rosario Dawson amidst nearly 500 party-goers, an endless parade of colored Baccarat glasses filled with Ruinart champagne, the most stunning front desk ever, the sky high vaulted ceiling of Le Bar, and this gorgeous indoor pool adjacent to the hotel’s Spa de La Mer (the first of its kind for the French skincare brand.)
All of it incredibly gorgeous, if a bit over the top. But unnecessary opulence aside, this editor joined fellow HotelChatter contributor DesignMinder in being completely under the Baccarat spell for a few hours. That may have been a side effect of all the bubbles, yet even looking at these pictures a few days later, I’m still mesmerized.
And it’s all because of the crystal.
Gallery: The Baccarat New York Opening Party
The hotel ordered 15,000 pieces of Baccarat stemware alone but there are, of course, many more Baccarat fixtures found throughout the hotel, starting with the ground-floor entrance which features a wall of 1,800 Baccarat Harcourt stemware and LED lights (usually making the shape of the Baccarat “B.”)
Moving up to the second floor lobby, I couldn’t take my eyes off the elaborate crystal chandeliers that are placed throughout the different salons. There are at least three in each salon, most of them different from one another depending on the color of jewels that drip from the bottom rung, but I did spy a few “duplicates” along with a wooden version. However, the one you will be drawn to the most is the 64-arm Baccarat chandelier at the center of the Grand Salon.
Aside from chandeliers, I also ogled the Baccarat candelabras which lent an antique yet elegant feel to an otherwise very modern space. I even spied adorable animal fixtures from Baccarat as well. These start at around $ 1,000 a piece. Chump change.
Speaking of chump change, not everyone can afford a night at the Baccarat where rooms begin at $ 695 next weekend, but Le Bar and its outdoor terrace, which overlooks the MOMA on W. 53rd street, is open to the public. Drinks are pricey but you’ll pick up an education in Baccarat crystal while you’re there.
The hours for Le Bar begin in the early evening but we say wait until the “chandeliers have dimmed to a coquettish wattage” before arriving.
[Photos: HotelChatter]