Sexy Hotels

2008 Hotel Trends

by Jenny Peters

The Star Suite at the Ivy Hotel in San Diego

Feeling a bit frisky? Or perhaps just thinking of getting the jump on your Valentine's Day planning? Whatever your motivation, the best way to add a big dose of romance to your relationship is to pack up your favorite lingerie and bed partner, then head for one of our favorite sexy American hotels. These sultry hotspots are at the forefront in the latest trend to hit first-class hostelries, which are gleefully devoting whole suites and creative overnight packages to the art of love.

Take the Ivy Hotel in San Diego, a luxury boutique hotel in the city's beautiful Gaslamp District. While every room boasts a see-through shower with a bird's-eye view from the bed and the restaurant offers a "chef's bed for two" dining experience, it is the 1,275-square-foot Star Suite that is causing all the sexy ruckus. Outfitted with its own stripper pole, king-size bunk beds (yes, you read that right), a shower large enough for a crowd, and a fully stocked wet bar, the $3,000-per-night suite is prepared to make a sexy fantasy come true.

The pool overlooking Las Vegas at The Hugh Hefner Sky Villa at the Palms Casino Resort

The "Playboy" pool at The Palms

"The idea is to experience something out of the ordinary," says Rick Gluth, the Ivy Hotel's general manager. No kidding! And if the Star Suite seems a bit over the top, the hotel also features a "Fantasy Escape" package, where patrons can "create memories not fit for public discussion." This $539-a-night deal includes a king room, a bottle of chilled Veuve Clicquot Champagne, gourmet chocolate truffles, and a "Jimmyjane Indulgences Pocket Pleasure Set."

Not to be outdone, the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas offers up a collection of Fantasy Suites befitting Sin City. The Erotic Suite has the requisite dancer pole and full wet bar, as well as a revolving bed, while the hotel’s Hugh Hefner Sky Villa has all that and more, including a private "Playboy" Jacuzzi pool, steam room, gym, and poker table, perfect for those private strip poker card games. In Dallas, Hotel ZaZa's sensual suites with names like "Rock Star" and "Dangerous Beauty" are designed to pair with sexy packages that even include a "Walk of Shame" Kit (lipstick, thong, tanktop, toothbrush) for those who somehow neglected to bring along any luggage.

The Erotica Package at the Library Hotel in New York City includes erotic literature, roses, Prosecco sparkling Italian wine, chocolates, strawberries and whipped cream

Erotic reading at The Library Hotel

A bit more subtle is the Library Hotel on 41st Street in New York City, where choosing the Erotica package includes a 2-night stay in a room filled with erotic literature and enhanced with roses, Prosecco sparkling Italian wine, chocolates, strawberries and whipped cream, "Erotic Dice," their "Kama Sutra Love Essentials Package," and two robes to take home. Quite a sexy deal at $475 per night!

At Boston's Liberty Hotel, a former jail transformed into a luxe hotel, you can get kinky with their Guilty Pleasures Romance package; Champagne and chocolates are included, but you’ll have to bring your own handcuffs. Or try the Parker in Palm Springs, where kitschy furnishings (like sheepskin rugs and fur-covered couches) and their lush PSYC spa encourage very adult behavior. Speaking of spas, the Fairmont Hotels just instituted "Holidates" packages for couples; at the Chicago location, that means a sensuous couples' massage in the hotel's mySpa, along with a private soaking tub and much more. The brand-new Montage Beverly Hills gets down to it with their Spa Montage co-ed mineral pool; after doing some PDA there, head into the two-person mud room for some ultra-private fun. Another hot spot is Meadowood in the Napa Valley, where private cottages, a pleasure-filled spa, and top-notch wines mix it up for a fine romance.

No top ten list of sexy hotels would be complete without a sizzling selection from Miami's South Beach. We'd suggest a trip to The Tides to enjoy a "Rendezvous for Romance" in one of their legendary suites, complete with a couples' massage, a personal assistant to draw your bath, and a five-course Champagne-filled "Aphrodisiac Dinner."

No matter what part of the country you decide to have that fantasy tryst, one thing seems obvious. Hot-sex settings are alive and well in the good old USA, and in our look at sexy hotels, there's a lot more there than just a king size bed and a dimmer switch.