Luxury hotels love to promise “unforgettable amenities,” which usually means one-sized-fits all slippers that fit no one and perhaps a chocolate on your pillow. But then there are the properties that take things far beyond the polite boundaries of reason. Honestly, some of these amenities feel like they were brainstormed after one too many martinis, and yet… they’re also kind of brilliant. Nightly Champagne sabering? Check. An all-you-can-eat ice cream fridge? Obviously. A complimentary supercar because you wouldn’t be caught dead in an Uber? Naturally.
Below, a tour through the most wonderfully outrageous, delightfully unnecessary amenities the luxury world has to offer. Buckle up—preferably in a Maybach.
Borrow a Supercar: Waldorf Astoria, Beverly Hills
Most hotels: “Here’s a bicycle for exploring the neighborhood!” The Waldorf: “Here’s a Ferrari F8 Spider. Try not to make the evening news.” The Waldorf Astoria, Beverly Hills has partnered with Beverly Hills Car Rental to offer guests who book rooms in their “The Suite Ride” promotion complimentary access to a Rolls Royce Cullinan, Ferrari F8 Spider or Lamborghini Huracán EVO.
Hunter Boots Borrowing Closet, Weekapaug Inn, Rhode Island
If you want to blend in on a rainy New England day (and enjoy the subtle thrill of looking like someone who owns a second home) you’ve basically got two footwear options: Bean Boots or Hunter Boots. Fortunately, you don’t have to run out to buy a new pair of boots to blend in with the locals.
Weekapaug Inn partnered with Hunter to offer guests access to a Boot and Outerwear Borrowing Closet. Tucked just off the entryway, the closet is stocked with complimentary Hunter boots and outerwear in multiple styles and colors for adults and kids.
Champagne Sabering, St. Regis Hotels
The St. Regis brand has long mastered the art of quiet extravagance, but some locations have taken things delightfully over the top with a nightly Champagne Evening Ritual. This isn’t “here’s your complimentary glass of cheap sparkling wine”; it’s a performance, complete with a sword handcrafted in Normandy.
And if after a few glasses of bubbly, it sounds like a great idea for you to try sabring yourself, don’t worry, the St. Regis publishes detailed directions online, stating
A young vintage champagne with pressure still on the cork is optimal for sabering. Prepare the bottle by chilling it between 45-48°F or 7-8°C for 24 hours to lower its pressure and vibration.
- Reverse the bottle in an ice bucket approximately 20 minutes before opening.
- When ready, reveal the cork by removing the foil in its entirety. Then, unwind and discard the wire basket.
- Carefully pointing the bottle upwards, slide the blade of the saber along the body towards the neck. The force of the blade as it hits the lip of the bottle’s neck will break the glass. The cork and collar will remain intact, and the champagne will be ready for a toast.
Monogrammed Pillowcases: The Carlyle, New York City
The Carlyle practically pioneered the “unnecessarily extra” amenity with monogrammed pillowcases reserved for top-suite guests and Rosewood loyalists. Fun fact: The hotel’s housekeeping department embroiders over 1,200 monogrammed pillowcases every year. The pillowcases are kept in a dedicated linen archive for future visits. Try not to steal yours.
Unlimited Ice Cream Freezer, The Brenton Hotel, Newport
Hood ice cream cups—“Hoodsies” to those in the know—may cost less than a dollar at the grocery store, and they’re hardly what you’d call a traditional luxury amenity. But in New England, these classic treats are a nostalgic must-have. So finding a complimentary freezer on each guestroom floor that’s fully stocked with Hoodsies (plus free soft drinks, juices, and snacks) waiting for your midnight cravings? That’s a delightfully fun perk from The Brenton Hotel that we couldn’t resist including.
Luxury Accessory Lending Closet: Four Seasons Hotel, Houston
At Four Seasons Hotel Houston, guests don’t just get a room—they get temporary joint custody of a closet full of Prada, Gucci, Dior, and other labels normally found in the wild only on fashion people or the very well-insured.
Thanks to the Hotel’s partnership with Vivrelle, you can borrow luxe accessories for free and swap them out as often as your mood (or outfit) changes. And if you fall deeply in love with the concept of rotating designer arm candy, you can even sign up for a Vivrelle membership on the spot and continue borrowing from their larger closet once you’re back home.
