Understated opulence

IF YOU ever needed a clear sign that the hotel world spins in a dimension that is completely at odds with the "real" world of budget cuts and austerity drives, look no further than the recent unveiling of The Mark Hotel's penthouse suite in New York.

The specs alone are eye-popping: five bedrooms, six bathrooms, four fireplaces, two powder rooms and two wet bars are set within a 12,000 square foot space on the top two floors of the hotel. Throw into the mix a 2,500 sq ft rooftop terrace with views of Central Park, 26 foot-high ceilings, a private conservatory, a library lounge, a dining room that seats 24, and a private elevator.

The price for one night in this oligarch's den? A snip at US$75,000 before taxes.