The most obvious choice for any Gatsby/luxury hotel link is the Plaza Hotel, New York. The hotel was a favourite of Fitzgerald and his wife Zelda; they were regularly spotted in the NYC hotspot and the hotel featured in the novel (the penultimate scene takes place at The Plaza) and also in the new film.
Baz Luhrmann (the man also behind Moulin Rouge) and his producer, production designer and costume designer wife Catharine Martin arranged partnerships with companies including the Plaza Hotel that had links to the original story or Fitzgerald. Through extensive research the duo realised that during the 1920's 'The Plaza was absolutely the place where anyone who was anybody met' so there are many references to the hotel and it is used as a geographical landmark in the film. While some 'artistic liberty' was used the hotel allowed the use of their logo and the use historic images to create sets and filmmakers have perfectly recreated the Plaza's 1922 exterior.
To celebrate the release of the film the Plaza has launched 'The Fitzgerald Suite' which was designed by Catherine Martin. Inspired by both the story and its author the designer wished to blur the lines between reality and fantasy with this luxury suite.
The beautiful art-deco tribute suite features period furniture, plush furnishing, antique chandeliers, images from the film and the author's complete work. As well as vintage board games and Tiffany & Co playing cards TLTB loves the iconic Gramophone-shaped iPhone and iPad speakers.
Gatsby inspired cocktails and live music will be played in the hotel and guest can follow in to footsteps of characters Nick and Jordan who took afternoon tea at the Plaza in the novel with a 'Fitzgerald Tea for the Ages' served in The Palm Court.
www.theplazany.com
If there was anyone the fictional Jay Gatsby would want to meet it would probably be larger-than-life Donald Trump. As rich, powerful, Kings of New York both would no doubt have plenty to talk about (oh to be a fly-on-the-wall during that conversation!).
Trump International Hotel & Tower, New York is extending an invitation to guests to party like it's 1922 with the new 'Trump Great Gatsby Package'. The flagship of the Trump Hotel Collection has something worthy of Jay Gatsby's indulgent lifestyle as guests will check into the hotel, which overlooks Central Park (where many scenes in the book take place), for an Art Deco-influenced three-night stay.
Staying in a Central Park-view suite, ladies will receive a stunning Ivanka Trump Fine Jewellery Art Deco shagreen and onyx cuff, accompanied by a personal note from Ivanka Trump while gentlemen will be dressed to the nines in a custom-tailored suit and shirt from Bergdorf Goodman, plus vintage Art Deco cufflinks. The couple will also have use of a chauffeured car service for the duration of their stay, dinner for two at the hotel's Three-Michelin-Star restaurant, Jean Georges, breakfast daily at Nougatine at Jean Georges and a magnum of Veuve Cliquot Champagne served in-room.
'Trump Great Gatsby Package' is priced at $14,999 and is available until August 31, 2013. www.trumphotelcollection.com
London's Hyatt Regency - The Churchill will be hosting Great Gatsby inspired evenings through May to celebrate the release of the new film. Based on the novel's decadence, guests will enjoy a 1920's American three course set-menu including champagne on arrival. Live music will be provided by the hotel's resident band.
Guests are encouraged to dress as if attending one of Gatsby's infamous parties (if you are lacking inspiration for your outfit look no further than the film's amazingly lavish costumes) and there will be prizes awarded for best dressed. The grand prize is the chance to win a three-night stay for two at the Grand Hyatt New York. Each evening, one guest will be nominated as 'best dressed' and at the end of May the hotel's General Manager will choose the overall winner. Each evening's winner will also receive two complimentary tickets to a showing of The Great Gatsby at a cinema in London.
The Montagu's Great Gatsby Nights will be held on 16th, 23rd and 30th May
and
6th and 13th of June between 6:30pm and 10:45pm and are available at £35 per person www.london.churchill.hyatt.com
For the ultimate 'Great Gatsby' experience rest your head in the Fitzgerald Suite in the hotel that started it all. Listed on the 'National Register of Historical Places', The Seelbach Hilton Hotel is often mentioned as F. Scott Fitzgerald's inspiration. Built in 1905, The Seelbach's Grand Ballroom was used as a backdrop for Tom and Daisy Buchanan's wedding in the novel.
During the roaring '20s the Seelbach became a focal point during Prohibition and attracted many bootleggers and gangsters including 'King of the Bootleggers' George Remus, a Cincinnati mobster.
While in Army training F. Scott Fitzgerald, often visited The Seelbach on weekend passes to drink bourbon and smoke cigars (with a reputation for partying, Fitzgerald was once banned from the hotel after he had one too many!). It was during this time he met Remus who became the inspiration for the great Jay Gatsby.
The hotel recently went through a $12million renovation to update the iconic building with modern luxury amenities yet retain the grandeur and southern hospitality that impressed Fitzgerald enough to immortalise it into American Literature. www.seelbachhilton.com/
When it was first announced that director Baz Luhrman was to film his version of the American Novel in his native Australia the decision was initially met with surprise. Filming begin in Sydney in September 2011 at Fox Studios Australia. Although none of the cast stayed at the hotel (it only opened in September 2012) luxury lovers on a Great Gatsby trip 'down under' should head to QT Sydney. Straddling the upper floors of two historic Art Deco buildings in the centre of Sydney the bold, opulence and stylish hotel has quickly become one of Sydney's hotspots.
Had he been around today Jay Gatsby would have made sure he was spotted at QT throwing one of his renowned parties, drinking a cocktail in the Gilt lounge, then end up feeling right at home in the Art Deco interior of the hotel's impressive State Suite. www.qtsydney.com.au
Want to get out of the big cities but still live the Gatsby lifestyle? Follow in the footsteps of F. Scott Fitzgerald who was regularly spotted around Monaco. The glamour hasn't changed since the 1920's and it still draws the rich and famous to the principality. When in Monaco TLTB saw that the 'unrelenting high life is really for the mega-rich, with mega-stamina' ... we're sure social climber Jay Gatsby would have had no trouble keeping up. The humble James Gatz of West Egg who became the Great Jay Gatsby of New York would also be very impressed with the Monaco Royal story of the 'daughter of an Irish bricklayer who becomes a movie star and then gives it all up to become a Princess'. www.visitmonaco.com
