Baccarat Hotel — New York, USA

From its prime location directly opposite the Museum of Modern Art, to its dazzling interiors, French crystal company Baccarat’s debut hotel was never going to be ordinary.  Occupying a newly built 50-storey Skidmore, Owings & Merrill faceted glass tower, the 114-room hotel has been outfitted by Paris design duo Patrick Gilles and Dorothée Boissier, who took their design cues from the company’s rich and opulent 250-year old heritage, while weaving in subtle contemporary touches. As such, a crisp champagne and ivory palette, surfaces through materials such as cashmere, stainless steel and marble- further embellished by custom Baccarat crystal elements throughout. Evidencing their knack for layering contrasting textures, the rooms have been furnished with handsome oversized desks, wooden four poster beds – dressed with plush Italian Mascioni linen – heavy drapes and specially commissioned sculptures that nod to the company’s long-time work with artisans. The public spaces, meanwhile, are equally plush in their devotion to rich fabrics and unabashed opulence, with the seductively extravagant 60-foot barrel-vaulted bar – inspired by the stables of Versailles – featuring three chandeliers, crimson velvets, dark leathers and perfectly crafted cocktails, served in Baccarat crystal glasses, of course.