An Ode to the Hotel Bar
We discuss the merits of the hotel bar, some travel industry news that you should know, and a few other things we love right now.
When you travel often, there are certain insurance policies that you carry with you in your back pocket. Sometimes literally, like a handful of aspirin for when a night gets a bit too out of hand for your advanced age. Sometimes figuratively, like a keen awareness of the nearest McDonalds for when you start to miss home. Sure, some of these fall-backs come with a tinge of guilt—but let’s not take it all so seriously!
One insurance policy that we don’t travel without is the hotel bar. As it seems more and more difficult in our world to find a good place to drink, the hotel bar has become a mainstay in our travel regiment. And, often, even right at home. Here’s why…
The good ones are never overstimulating. A guest can take a seat and actually converse with company. The tunes will be classic and they won’t be too loud. Sometimes the sounds of engaging dialogue are music, enough.
The theatrics are measured. They usually stop before it all becomes too much, as it so easily can. A rule of thumb? The table-side cocktail is probably the limit. Good bars are supposed to be easy to understand.
There’s often a sense of history. Rarely is the hotel bar the new thing on the block. The one we’re looking for has been around for a while. Probably tested by a discerning clientele over many years. We should want to be part of the next chapter.
There’s an air of democracy. Even at exclusive, luxury properties—the bar often remains a meeting place that isn’t limited to hotel guests alone. The patrons are diverse, of interest, and open to connecting with others. Even Airbnb loyalists can’t quite resist the pull of the hotel bar. It’s proven.
Now, all this chatter is not for the purpose of presenting the proverbial ‘best’ list. This is about shared sentiment—but we won’t leave you entirely empty-handed. Next time you’re in New York City and in need of insurance, give the lobby bar at Hotel Chelsea a try. Or The Bowery. And if you’re looking for smooth keys and willing to roll the dice on the crowd, you just may find luck at Bemelmans Bar.
Cheers. Salute. Prost. Or your way if we missed it!
Industry news you should know…
// PanAm is back. Pan Am, the defunct-yet-beloved airline that is most associated with “the golden age of air travel”, has licensed its logo and brand for a themed travel itinerary in 2025. The “Tracing the Transatlantic” luxury journey will start at $59,950 per person. But more interesting than the travel offering, Pan Am’s current CEO has voiced the brand’s plans to re-enter the world of air travel more permanently in other capacities. We’re betting on premium lounges under the Pan Am banner.
// The Travel Corporation (TTC) will be acquired. In a major bet on the future of group tours, Apollo Global Management (private equity) will acquire TTC’s portfolio for an undisclosed amount. The hospitality and tour operator was founded in South Africa in 1920 and had remained family-owned since. The acquisition will include tour brands Trafalgar, Contiki, Uniworld, and Insight Vacations—among others.
Things we love right now…
// The Juvet Landscape Hotel. Your Instagram “time spent” is probably in ugly territory. Our equivalent screen time is deep-diving luxury hotels across the world. And we’ve obsessed over this Norwegian marvel since first screening Ex Machina (2014) some ten years ago. Take a look at our video here and the property’s site here.
// @sporarts. Back to Instagram again; here’s one account that you should be following. Sporarts is “an exploration of athletic expression & culture through art”—but you could most certainly append the word travel in there somewhere. Curation at this level just stops us in our tracks.
If you made it this far—we sincerely thank you for your support. Drop us a line in the comments and say hello! We’d love to hear what you think.
As always, smooth skies to the lot of you!
Nice piece, Matt. The complimentary peanuts at the Chelsea Hotel Bar are killer. There's something about the snacks at hotel bars that really gets me—it's those little bites that make the whole experience unforgettable.