The Plaza Hotel
As the 2014 awards season comes to a close, the crème de la crème of events is just around the corner to top it off on March 2: the 86th Academy Awards. Hollywood’s elite will entertain us with red carpet looks, unpredictable acceptance speeches and plenty of swoon-worthy photographs. While snagging a ticket to the coveted annual celebration is next to impossible, you can still experience a taste of the limelight at luxury hotels around the country. From special screenings to top-notch fare, here are three properties that will make you feel like an A-lister for the night:
Hotel Bel-Air, Los Angeles
Situated just off Sunset Boulevard in the tony Bel-Air Estates neighborhood, the Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star hotel takes the Oscars seriously. If you’re staying overnight at the property on March 2, upgrade your experience with the Best Dressed package. You’ll get to nosh in-room on bites from Forbes Travel Guide Tastemaker Wolfgang Puck’s special red carpet menu — think Maryland blue crab cakes or Colorado lamb chops — which is in celebration of his 20 years catering the awards show. Wash it all down with the luxury hotel’s signature awards season cocktail, Paint the Town Red, a concoction made with Ketel One Citroen vodka, Cointreau, lemon juice, simple syrup and a splash of raspberry purée. To get you even more in character for Hollywood’s biggest night, the package comes complete with a voting ballot and a personal statuette, too. Price: $125
Hotel deLuxe
Hotel deLuxe, Portland, Ore.
If you find yourself in Portland on Oscar night, you’d be remiss not to book a room at this Forbes Travel Guide Recommended escape. The luxury property is hosting its very own red carpet party, which kicks off at 3 p.m. Held in the hotel’s private screening room — decked out with a 16-foot screen and gold leaf ceilings — you can watch trailers for the nominated films until 4 p.m. before the live broadcast of the show commences. But don’t think you’ll just be sitting in a dark room watching the screen; dress to impress to pose for complimentary red carpet photos, and prizes will be given to the most glamorous couple as well as those who correctly predict the winners. Enjoy bites such as Gorgonzola cheesecake or classic buttered popcorn at happy hour prices in addition to signature Driftwood Room cocktails, including the Elizabeth Taylor (crème de violette and champagne). Price: Free but reservations are required.
The Plaza Hotel, New York City
With Beaux-Arts inspired décor and touches such as 24-karat-gold-plated faucets, you’ll immediately feel like you’re living the high life with a stay at this Four-Star icon. What’s even better is that the New York City property has gotten into the awards season spirit with its Sunday Night Screening package, with the last available dates being March 2-3. Geared toward busy locals, the package allows you to relax and watch a variety of Oscar-nominated films from the comfort of one of the hotel’s spacious Deluxe Rose Suites. That evening, dig into a basket of movie treats such as gourmet jelly beans, cranberry nut mix and kettle corn courtesy of onsite The Todd English Food Hall — from Forbes Travel Guide Tastemaker Todd English — and the morning after the show you’ll have the convenience of being chauffeured to work like a star. Price: From $999.
Photos Courtesy of The Plaza Hotel and Hotel deLuxe
