Tennis Luxury: The Extravagant Side of the US Open Experience

The New Socialite Scene at the US Open

The US Open has transformed into much more than a premier tennis tournament; it’s now a full-fledged luxury experience attracting high-rollers and socialites willing to spend small fortunes. As tennis enjoys its cultural moment, New York City’s finest hotels have created elaborate packages catering to affluent tennis enthusiasts seeking an immersive experience beyond just watching matches. These packages represent a growing trend of “experiential travel” where the journey itself becomes as significant as the destination. Elizabeth Mullins, managing director of The Fifth Avenue Hotel, notes a significant “surge” in bookings compared to previous years, attributing this to tennis’s elevated status as a hot-ticket socialite event. “Tennis is having a big moment and committed US Open fans seek more than just the matches — they want to be fully immersed in the energy and culture that surround the tournament,” Mullins explains. Today’s tennis enthusiasts are looking for a comprehensive New York experience that combines luxury, sport, and culture in one unforgettable package.

Upper East Side Opulence: The Mark Hotel Experience

At the Upper East Side’s prestigious Mark Hotel—famous for its viral $75,000 per night penthouse suite—tennis aficionados can indulge in extraordinary amenities starting at $1,770 per night. This exclusive package features a private rooftop “mini” tennis court, branded tennis hat and ball set welcome gifts, a $45 Augustinus Bader lip balm, and a $55 daily breakfast credit for two. Perhaps most valuable to serious fans, the package includes “priority access” to exclusive US Open tickets, though actually purchasing these coveted tickets and arranging round-trip transportation incurs additional costs. The Mark exemplifies how luxury hotels have transformed the tennis tournament into an opportunity for guests to experience the pinnacle of New York opulence while engaging with the sporting event on their own terms. The package perfectly balances athletic appreciation with high-end pampering, creating a comprehensive experience that justifies its premium price point for those with the means to indulge.

The Fifth Hotel’s Comprehensive Tennis Experience

The Fifth Hotel near Central Park offers one of the most comprehensive tennis packages with its Game Set Stay experience. Starting at $1,100 per night, guests receive round-trip chauffeur airport transportation, custom welcome gifts including a branded baseball cap and tennis ball set, and a pre-made Honey Deuce cocktail upon arrival. For those seeking even more exclusivity, the hotel’s concierge team can arrange helicopter transfers to LaGuardia Airport. Alternatively, guests preferring to avoid the summer heat can enjoy an “exclusive live-streaming party” in partnership with Seaport Racquet Club, bringing the tournament experience indoors in luxurious surroundings. Mullins emphasizes how this package appeals to both tourists and locals: “For New Yorkers especially, it’s the perfect way to blend the excitement of the US Open with the comfort and curated experiences of The Fifth. Today’s travelers want more than just a place to sleep—they’re looking for an immersive experience.” This approach exemplifies how hotels are redefining what it means to “attend” a sporting event by creating experiences that extend far beyond the actual venue.

Diamond Bracelets and Crystal Ping Pong: Unprecedented Luxury

The extravagance reaches new heights at other prestigious Manhattan hotels, each offering their unique spin on tennis luxury. Midtown’s Lotte New York Palace presents their “Game Set Sparkle” package starting at $3,395 per night, which includes a two-night suite stay, a bottle of Moët & Chandon, two Palace Invitational pickleball seats, and remarkably, a 14-karat white gold diamond tennis bracelet—merging sport with fine jewelry in a particularly literal way. The Equinox Hotel New York focuses on transportation luxury, offering Blade helicopter services from Blade Lounge West and SUV trips from LaGuardia Airport directly to the tournament’s VIP entrance. Perhaps most creative is the Baccarat Hotel New York’s approach, where rooms start at $1,795 per night this week. Rather than sending guests to the actual tournament, they offer a $225 per person tasting menu served adjacent to a crystal-netted ping pong table salon. This “Crystal Courtside” dining experience, available until September 8, features gourmet indulgences like fried chicken and caviar, grilled cheese with shaved truffles, mini lobster rolls, and New York cheesecake—bringing tennis-inspired luxury to the dining table.

Accessible Luxury: Experiencing the US Open Without Breaking the Bank

For New Yorkers unwilling to spend thousands on a tennis-themed staycation, there are still opportunities to sample the luxury lifestyle during the tournament. The Lowell Hotel on the Upper East Side offers a limited-time US Open menu featuring the $38 Grand Slam Club sandwich (a gourmet creation with rotisserie chicken and smoked duck complemented by lettuce, tomatoes, and avocado aioli) and $27 specialty cocktails like the Bleu de Majorelle (vodka, gin, blue curacao, and lemon juice) and Goutte de Critron (vodka, lemon juice, and orange liqueur). These offerings allow tennis enthusiasts to partake in the tournament’s festive atmosphere without committing to an overnight stay. Additionally, popular cocktail venues across the city—from The Fifth Hotel’s Portrait Bar to Williamsburg’s Wythe Hotel to Fouquet’s New York—have created their interpretations of the tournament’s signature Honey Deuce cocktail, available until the championship concludes. These more accessible options demonstrate how the US Open’s luxury influence has permeated throughout the city, creating experiences at various price points.

The Evolution of Sporting Events as Luxury Cultural Phenomena

The extravagant packages surrounding the US Open reflect a broader evolution in how sporting events are experienced by affluent audiences. No longer just about watching athletic competition, premier sporting events have transformed into comprehensive cultural experiences where luxury, fashion, cuisine, and social status converge. Elizabeth Mullins captures this transformation perfectly when she describes the modern tennis fan’s desire for “personalized hospitality, thoughtful touches, and curated programming” that celebrate the US Open “as both a sporting event and a quintessential New York experience.” This shift mirrors changes we’ve seen in other sporting events like the Kentucky Derby, Formula 1 races, and the Super Bowl, where the surrounding experiences often overshadow the actual competition for many attendees. As sporting events continue to evolve into luxury cultural phenomena, we can expect hotels and hospitality companies to develop increasingly elaborate packages that transform a simple match into an all-encompassing lifestyle experience. For the high-rollers and socialites of New York, the US Open has become less about who wins on the court and more about how extravagantly one can experience the tournament—creating a parallel competition of luxury consumption that’s just as fierce as the athletic contest itself.