St. Cloud Rooftop Bar @  Knickerbocker Hotel, New York City

Directly above the hustle and bustle of Times Square lies a haven better known as the St. Cloud Rooftop Bar. The bar, located atop the luxurious Knickerbocker Hotel, is a getaway of sorts for locals and visitors alike. With its three plush corner Sky Pods overlooking Times Square, comfortable indoor and outdoor seating options, a cigar lounge and lush greenery walls, St. Cloud is the ultimate rooftop bar in the Big Apple. The pinnacle of the Knickerbocker Hotel experience, St. Cloud offers a progressive cocktail menu, craft bottled beers and a seasonal small plates menu. Once you step foot onto the terrace of St. Cloud, it will be easy to forget you are located in tourist central. The bright lights can be admired from an impossibly unique point of view that is second to none. Peer out at Times Square staples, including the Paramount Building, while you get comfortable for the night. If it’s a cooler month, blankets and heaters are available for comfort. Carefully curated music compliments the intimate, yet upbeat atmosphere where the crowd ranges from out-of-town visitors to New York City socialites. Many of St. Cloud’s handcrafted cocktails are created with locally-sourced gin and other spirits, solidifying the notion that this bar has set itself apart and treats each drink like a work of art. Cocktail menus can be overwhelming, but rest assured you can do no wrong here. Inquire with a bartender about your preferred liquor and they will guide your choice. Rumor has it that the martini was created here, so try your luck with a martini concoction (or two!). The Knickerbocker Hotel, which reopened in 2015, is a monument to New York’s coming of Hollywood starlets, oil tycoons, and everyone else in between. The hotel has modernized its look, but has maintained its strong sense of opulence that attracts guests from around the world.

Fives Rooftop @ The Fives Downtown & Residences, Playa Del Carmen, Mexico

The Fives Downtown Hotel & Residences draws inspiration from Mediterranean resorts with its laid-back-luxe feel. A chic coastal design is present throughout the hotel and the rooftop area, which is where guests have access to some of the best views around. An oceanfront oasis set above the colorful buildings in Playa Del Carmen attracts guests seeking a tasty bite, tropical cocktails, and a stellar view. The hotel’s Fives Rooftop offers up fun from the afternoon until late into the night. Take a load off in a white linen lounger or a private cabana as you gaze out over the crystal blue infinity pool looking out to the sapphire waters. This urban escape offers hotel guests a mixture of all things good. During the day, it’s a hotspot for guests who want to unwind. Whether you’re in the mood for a light bite or a multi-course meal, you will find what your heart desires here. Their cuisine caters to all palates and includes a wide range of choices. Frozen daiquiris and other quintessential beach drinks  are available to aid in your unwinding.  At night, the party gets white hot.  The luminescent pool sparkles all the while. Once the party dies down, soak  up the star-filled night accompanied by the sound of crashing waves. Bringing a touch of glamour to the Riviera Maya, The Fives Downtown.

Hotel & Residences offers an authentic and modernized retreat for travelers to experience the magic of Playa del Carmen. Ensconced between the lively city bustle and the breathtaking Caribbean coastline, the luxury resort is steps from the best restaurants, bars, and boutiques. Contemporary textures and styles pop throughout the hotel from the lobby to the guestrooms. Downtown Playa del Carmen is an eclectic and colorful hotspot enjoyed by people of all ages and there’s no better place to experience it than from The Fives Rooftop.

The Terrace and Outdoor Gardens @ Times Square Edition Hotel, New York City

Times Square can get a bad rap. Oodles of tourists, chain restaurants galore; it’s often avoided by locals and seasoned travelers to the city. Ian Schrager, co founder and visionary behind the iconic Studio 54 nightclub, has a new trick up his sleeve, and it’s not where you would expect it to be. Right in the heartbeat of the city is his latest hotel venture, Times Square Edition. It can be easy to label the area as the ultimate tourist trap, but its energy is undeniable and timeless. Right above the electric chaos is a secret garden of sorts. The Terrace and Outdoor Gardens brings a serene and picturesque rooftop environment to an area skimping on luxury accommodations. The Terrace Restaurant is a casual, all-day eatery inspired by the French brasseries and American chophouses. The menu includes homemade pastas, steaks, and chops as well as an assortment of sides. Drink wise, expect a thoughtful cocktail menu full of tequila, vodka, and gin concoctions. Not only are the cocktails delicious, the beautiful presentation will transport you to a time where beauty and detail were centric. The Outdoor Gardens are perched above the action creating a safe sense of seclusion. The lush flora encapsulates an understated sophistication that can be hard to find in the neighborhood. The Edition is also home to Paradise Club, a colorful and bustling dinner theater and dance space remnant of Studio 54. There is no shortage of fun to be had at The Edition.

So before you catch a Broadway show, stop by the elusive haven sitting right above the Crossroads of the World and indulge your senses in the brainchild of one of New York City’s most famous hoteliers.