The ultra-luxurious New York Palace hotel is a rare combination of beautifully-preserved Gilded Age architecture and dramatic modern design, pairing an 1882 mansion with a soaring glass tower in the heart of Midtown Manhattan. Over 100-years ago prominent financier Henry Villard commissioned Stanford White to build a cluster of opulent Renaissance-style residences on Madison Avenue between 50th and 51st Streets. Later on the Villard Mansions became the foundation of the New York Palace in 1980 when the contemporary addition was constructed.

As part of the hotel’s $140 million renovation completed several months ago, the Villard buildings have been restored to their former glory with moldings, paneling and marble fireplaces intact. Today they are home to the Palace’s exclusive Rarities lounge and most recently the city’s newest premier event space covering three rooms, where guests can relax surrounded by Stanford White’s decadent décor updated by designer Jeffrey Beers. For a real dose of robber baron richesse, however, Rarities, which as we noted last year was serving a $27,000 bottle of wine, is the place to be.

Now the Palace is offering guests the chance to experience the best of both worlds at the hotel with a Rarities Reserve experience. Those who book a spacious Towers One Bedroom or Corner Suite will receive a sommelier guided tasting of spirits, wine or Champagne for two at the 25-seat lounge. Accompanying the tasting will be housemade beef jerky, sharp parmesan blocks and black walnuts as well as to-go treats from Pomme Palais, the hotel’s patisserie created by Michel Richard.

In addition to a coveted visit to Rarities, guests will have access to You’ve Arrived, a VIP amenity that includes private arrival airport transfers from NYC’s major airports. The tony Tower accommodations include a private lobby and elevator, as well the services of a butler known at the Palace as, “the Maître d’Etage.” Rates start at $1,500 a night for a Towers One Bedroom and $2,200 for a Towers Corner Suite.