Detailing the amenities that draw the interest of well-traveled members, including busy social event calendars, fine dining, lodging and reciprocal agreements, the publication listed some of the top properties in Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, Pittsburgh, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C.
Business Jet Traveler, a magazine for executives and high net-worth individuals, recently featured a list of top private city clubs.
Private city clubs can serve as both a home away from home and a second office. Many offer work areas and concierge services as well as spas, gyms, salons, and even movie theaters, Traveler reported.
Core:, a New York City club, lists more than 380 events in its annual cultural-programming calendar, including conversations with actor/producer Jeremy Piven, former Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta, musician Carlos Santana, and former CBS Entertainment chairwoman Nina Tassler. The University Club of Chicago, meanwhile, hosts small groups catering to members interested in subjects such as photography and music-making. As some clubs start to attract a younger demographic, child-friendly events are becoming more common, Traveler reported.
Fine dining is virtually always an option. At Core:, for example, James Beard-award-winning chefs join director of culinary operations Bernard Liberatore to develop a menu that changes at least eight times a year. At the University Club of Chicago, the Executive Chef is Mark Baker, who worked with the Four Seasons resorts for over two decades and has led teams at two restaurants that have received the AAA Five Diamond rating, Traveler reported.
Some clubs also offer lodging. The Duquesne Club, in the business and financial district of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, has 42 hotel rooms and suites for members’ guests that include such amenities as heated marble floors and complimentary access to a health and fitness center. The University Club of Chicago provides lodging to members and guests attending club-sponsored events. Other clubs, such as Washington, D.C.’s The George Town Club, offer overnight accommodations via arrangement with leading area hotels, Traveler reported.
Reciprocal agreements expand the benefits of memberships. Many independent clubs have partnered with ones of the same caliber to allow entrance to one another’s members. In other cases, clubs have their own networks. Soho House, which has 15 locations worldwide, offers local memberships as well as a higher-priced option to use all of its clubs. ClubCorp gives its members access to all of its more than 200 properties in Washington, D.C., 26 U.S. states, and other countries, Traveler reported.
A sampling of city clubs:
The Commerce Club, Atlanta: Sweeping views of Atlanta and personal wine lockers are among benefits at this club, which boasts state-of-the-art technology in meeting rooms and work spaces. Open to anyone.
The University Club of Chicago: The club’s athletics department offers a wide array of facilities, from squash courts to steam rooms, and a staff that can improve a member’s golf game or fitness level. Applicants must have college degree and three letters of recommendation from members.
City Club Los Angeles: A screening room, along with rooms for smaller meetings and one-on-one conversations, are among the options at this location, which has skyline views of the city. Open to anyone.
Core: club (New York, N.Y.): Founded in 2005, Core: boasts members such as Bill Clinton and Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz. By invitation only.
Metropolitan Club (New York, N.Y.): J.P. Morgan was the first president of the club, which was established in 1891 and offers Central Park views. Members have included Richard Nixon and Salman Rushdie. By invitation only.
Soho House New York (N.Y.): Perks include a heated rooftop pool with views of Manhattan, a 44-seat screening room, and a spa. Two members must propose applicants. Fourteen other locations in England, Miami, Chicago, West Hollywood, Istanbul, Berlin, and Toronto.
The Duquesne Club (Pittsburgh, Pa.): Known for its “President’s Room” where only company presidents may belong, the 2,700-member club was founded in 1873 by Andrew Carnegie. By invitation only.
Concordia-Argonaut (San Francisco): The basketball court and members’ tournaments are a benefit of the club, which was founded by Levi Strauss and has been housed in the same historical building since 1891. By invitation only.
The George Town Club (Washington, D.C.): Housed in an 18th century home believed to be where President George Washington and Major Pierre L’Enfant planned Washington, D.C. By invitation only.
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