As you find yourself firmly in adulthood—with your friends getting married, trying to have kids, and busy with their careers—it’s hard to find moments of true connection and joy with your closest circle. A group of my New York-based college friends and I were having this very discussion via group text one day, reminiscing about those days in school where we all lived in the same dorm building. We would oscillate from hangouts in PJs with snacks in each other’s rooms, to doing makeup together before a party, to wine nights on a dorm rooftop, conversations continuing late into the evening. It’s rare to find that unique feeling of togetherness when we are being pulled in so many directions by our lives. How could we find something close to this experience we missed—but also have it stepped up slightly for the standards of 30-somethings? Enter the hotel sleepover.
This is not just any girl’s trip. It’s an overnight—preferably local—extravaganza at a fancy hotel. From enjoying drinks while getting ready to a dressed-up dinner, to late-night room service snacks in hotel robes as music from your youth plays, it’s all the best parts of that nostalgic time squeezed into one special night. Best of all? Once you arrive, you won’t even have to leave the premises—and it’s just a short commute home at the end of it all. Consider it similar to a staycation you might have with a partner, but with the other loves of your life.
With the justification of celebrating our friend Nicole’s 32nd birthday, we put our sleepover party plans into action. First, we had to think of a hotel that had a little bit of everything, as well as suites big enough for our group of four—a surprisingly hard find in NYC. The Ritz-Carlton New York, Nomad fit the bill. When I told them our vision, their team was on it in an instant, pulling together a perfect girls’ night itinerary that would travel up and down the floors of the skyscraper resort.
The day arrived with a major snowstorm on the forecast for the next day. We showed up at the hotel via Lyft or subway in our heaviest coats and boots, yet with bags packed with high heels and mini dresses we wouldn’t dare wear if we had to remerge outdoors that night. A few of us arrived earlier to kick off the festivities with some extra R&R at the hotel spa. (Personally, I treated myself to a relaxing HydraFacial to protect my skin from the impending winter storm—and to create an extra glowing base before we did our makeup that evening.)
Our group all gathered at check-in for hugs and a cheers with glasses of complimentary champagne. (Our first of many that night.) When we arrived in our two-bedroom suite, we were stunned: sweeping city views, interiors with clean lines and sculptural light fixtures, a bottle of champagne waiting with a welcome birthday cake, and even Ritz-Carlton robes set out as a gift with our monograms embroidered on each. Of course, we all immediately put them on as our getting-ready attire for the night, popped the champagne, and queued up Spotify.
Although the suite had two bedrooms and two bathrooms, we naturally migrated towards one bathroom and the floor in front of a full-length mirror so we could all gab as we applied our makeup and did our hair. Life updates were exchanged, as were beauty products. Those of us with superior hair and eyeshadow skills were put to the task of helping the group—roles held for over a decade since we were in undergrad. While we all were in relationships, the attire guidelines were “look hot”; just for ourselves, obviously. About an hour and a half later, we were camera-ready for our night out (and by camera, I mean the new digital camera Nicole brought along).
