Kiwi Curated
8 Hotels for Live Music
by Darren DunneWhen the legendary Rat Pack took to the stage at The Sands Las Vegas in 1963, they didn’t just perform what would become one of music’s most notable live records; they also changed the face of hotel entertainment forever. To distinguish from the herd, hotels began putting an emphasis on performances, a trend that continues to this day. With this in mind, we’ve rounded up some of our favorite hotels for live music.
8 Hotels for Live Music
The Roosevelt, New Orleans
The Blue Room at The Roosevelt isn’t your average hotel bar; it’s an all-singing, all-dancing trek through the history of jazz, stylishly evoking the vibe of a 1930s supper club. The venue boasts a storied history, with luminaries such as Louis Armstrong, Ray Charles, Ella Fitzgerald and Frank Sinatra all having taken to the stage. Today, their spirit lives on through regular performances from local musicians and the many artworks found throughout.
8 Hotels for Live Music
Tiara Chateau Hotel Mont Royal, Chantilly
French countryside living hasn’t been consigned to the history books just yet, it’s alive and well in the sophisticated shape of Tiara Chateau Hotel Mont Royal. At l’Opera Gourmet Restaurant, an evening of opera and fine dining is a regular treat, with the sounds of La Traviata, Carmen and Tosca taking turns to fill the grand interiors. Given the intimate atmosphere, guests are advised to pack their Sunday best and make a reservation as early as possible.
8 Hotels for Live Music
Continuing the proud tradition of stellar hotel entertainment in Las Vegas, The Cosmopolitan welcomes some of music’s biggest names to their venue The Chelsea this spring. In April, Swedish indie darlings Miike Snow drop by on the 16th, before England’s The 1975 do their thing a week later. The month of May brings a more legendary brand of performer with both The Cure and “the groover from Vancouver” Bryan Adams strutting their stuff.
8 Hotels for Live Music
Perhaps known best for his current role as lead trumpeter for Canadian megastar Michael Bublé, internationally respected performer Jumaane Smith takes to the stage each Friday in February at Loews Regency Hotel New York. Smith’s status within Bublé’s band is but one arrow in his quiver; the New York native is also a talented singer, multi-instrumentalist and alum of Juilliard performing arts school.
8 Hotels for Live Music
The Landmark Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong
Every Mandarin Oriental hotel (save for one) uses a gold fan as their logo. The only exception is The Landmark Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong, which is deemed sufficiently luxurious to sport a platinum fan. Every few months the hotel invites a star from the world of music to perform an intimate unplugged show at the MO Bar. In the recent past, Alicia Keys, Avril Lavigne, Wyclef Jean and John Legend have accepted the invitation. When superstars aren’t in town, MO Bar transforms into a sophisticated nightspot each evening, with DJs entertaining the local trendy set.
8 Hotels for Live Music
W Bali Seminyak’s Woobar takes the best of Las Vegas pool party culture and transports it to the tropics, delivering a good time without any of Sin City’s pretentiousness. Shaped like a coral reef exposed at low tide, Woobar entices with cool cocktails, live music and sensual design. Each Thursday night, a rotating cast of international DJs take to the stage for the weekly Late Night Sessions, a must-see appointment on Bali’s social scene.
8 Hotels for Live Music
Thanda Private Game Reserve, South Africa
Thanda Private Game Reserve in South Africa is more than just a dream safari destination, it’s a hotel that cares deeply for the preservation of local wildlife and culture, a fact borne out by the entertainment options on offer. Each night, guests hunker down for a traditional Boma Dinner (a BBQ dinner around a communal fire pit) joined by members of the local Zulu community who perform traditional songs and dances, as well as regaling guests with stories about their lives.
The Roosevelt, New Orleans
The Blue Room at The Roosevelt isn’t your average hotel bar; it’s an all-singing, all-dancing trek through the history of jazz, stylishly evoking the vibe of a 1930s supper club. The venue boasts a storied history, with luminaries such as Louis Armstrong, Ray Charles, Ella Fitzgerald and Frank Sinatra all having taken to the stage. Today, their spirit lives on through regular performances from local musicians and the many artworks found throughout.
Tiara Chateau Hotel Mont Royal, Chantilly
French countryside living hasn’t been consigned to the history books just yet, it’s alive and well in the sophisticated shape of Tiara Chateau Hotel Mont Royal. At l’Opera Gourmet Restaurant, an evening of opera and fine dining is a regular treat, with the sounds of La Traviata, Carmen and Tosca taking turns to fill the grand interiors. Given the intimate atmosphere, guests are advised to pack their Sunday best and make a reservation as early as possible.
Continuing the proud tradition of stellar hotel entertainment in Las Vegas, The Cosmopolitan welcomes some of music’s biggest names to their venue The Chelsea this spring. In April, Swedish indie darlings Miike Snow drop by on the 16th, before England’s The 1975 do their thing a week later. The month of May brings a more legendary brand of performer with both The Cure and “the groover from Vancouver” Bryan Adams strutting their stuff.
Perhaps known best for his current role as lead trumpeter for Canadian megastar Michael Bublé, internationally respected performer Jumaane Smith takes to the stage each Friday in February at Loews Regency Hotel New York. Smith’s status within Bublé’s band is but one arrow in his quiver; the New York native is also a talented singer, multi-instrumentalist and alum of Juilliard performing arts school.
The Landmark Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong
Every Mandarin Oriental hotel (save for one) uses a gold fan as their logo. The only exception is The Landmark Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong, which is deemed sufficiently luxurious to sport a platinum fan. Every few months the hotel invites a star from the world of music to perform an intimate unplugged show at the MO Bar. In the recent past, Alicia Keys, Avril Lavigne, Wyclef Jean and John Legend have accepted the invitation. When superstars aren’t in town, MO Bar transforms into a sophisticated nightspot each evening, with DJs entertaining the local trendy set.
W Bali Seminyak’s Woobar takes the best of Las Vegas pool party culture and transports it to the tropics, delivering a good time without any of Sin City’s pretentiousness. Shaped like a coral reef exposed at low tide, Woobar entices with cool cocktails, live music and sensual design. Each Thursday night, a rotating cast of international DJs take to the stage for the weekly Late Night Sessions, a must-see appointment on Bali’s social scene.
Thanda Private Game Reserve, South Africa
Thanda Private Game Reserve in South Africa is more than just a dream safari destination, it’s a hotel that cares deeply for the preservation of local wildlife and culture, a fact borne out by the entertainment options on offer. Each night, guests hunker down for a traditional Boma Dinner (a BBQ dinner around a communal fire pit) joined by members of the local Zulu community who perform traditional songs and dances, as well as regaling guests with stories about their lives.