A tour of the new platinum penthouses at Hard Rock Hotel

Erik Kabik/Retna/www.erikkabikphoto.com

The living room of the Altered States Penthouse Suite in the HRH Tower.

By Robin Leach (contact)

Thursday, March 18, 2010 | 2:14 p.m.

HRH Tower Penthouse Suites

Launch slideshow »

The new super suites at the Hard Rock Hotel are so out of this world, you might not ever want to sleep once you get settled. The experiences are so sensual, surreal and special, you might not ever want to check out, either. Forget sleeping. This is all about the world’s wildest and most fanciful fun.

This goes way beyond Emeril Lagasse’s slogan of “kick it up a notch.” Not only did I take a mind-blowing tour of the seven penthouse super suites and the eight spa villas, but I dared spend one night in the erotic and exciting environment known as the Provocateur suite. It takes an hour just to explore all of its exotica.

The pricey penthouses are atop the 16th floor of the new HRH Tower of the Hard Rock, with the largest stretched and sprawled out at nearly 4,500 square feet. Each also comes with an outdoor terrace complete with private, tiled soaking tub with Jacuzzi jets and whirlpool fixture. Stare out at the desert as the sun comes up, soak up the day’s rays or reflect soberly (or otherwise) under the stars. Monster bathroom showers feature the ultimate of luxury with a downpour of rainstorms from above or six handheld shower sprays that move at multiple angles.

The spa villas downstairs, which include two bi-level duplexes, feature massage areas for the ultimate in-suite services from the staff at the nearby Reliquary spa. The doors slide open onto ground-level patios with private fire pits, lounge seating and cabanas for the pool.

“Our suites are so diverse. There is nothing else like it in the world,” said Phil Shalala, vice president of marketing at the Hard Rock.

Here’s what I discovered for my Royal Robin Rundown:

ALTERED STATES

With the push of a button, the window shades in the Altered States living room descend, and 11 video projectors, hidden away in the ceiling soffits, fire up to create an immersive, 360-degree video display across the walls and shades in the room, surrounding guests in a visual and sound experience like no other. Music and sounds drive the video system, so as musical selections and voices change, so does the atmosphere’s velocity. For Altered States, a 3-D world of purple landscapes and blue skies sprout blossoming flower pods, where women in leather chaps and whips appear dancing to the music while engaging in risque behavior with one another.

The proprietary perspective system calculates the transformations to create imagery that appears to observers as if it were there. Drawing upon ancient practices developed in the Renaissance, the 360-degree surround video experience is unlike any other immersive video graphics technology. Because the imagery is generated procedurally, the content never repeats, resulting in an infinite universe.

Architect and designer Mark Zeff infused a dark warm palate and custom-created, sleek furniture using soft, sensuous textures. Altered States has an open floor plan equipped with advanced technology, floor to ceiling windows and an outdoor terrace with a plunge pool.

Erik Kabik/Retna/www.erikkabikphoto.com

A bedroom of the Provocateur Penthouse Suite in the HRH Tower.

PROVOCATEUR

Designed to evoke a sexy, fetish-oriented environment, the Provocateur penthouse sets the stage for guests to play out their most intimate fantasies. Upon entering the suite, silhouettes of naked women in the shower react and sway to entering guests’ movements. Beyond the foyer, claret red and shiny black decorative accents complement the custom-made furniture and dominatrix accessories. Mixing supple and smooth and tough and shiny textures, the suite designed by Mark indulges guests in provocative pleasure.

In the master bedroom of the 2,184-square-foot, two-bedroom, two-and-a-half-bath space, a three-projector system brings playtime to life. At the flip of a switch, shades come down, lights dim, and two beautiful women are projected onto the bed, writhing wantonly. Synchronized on the wall behind the bed is more video projection, rotating through four exotic themes such as Bubbles and Vanity. The system also runs the projections in the foyer and bedroom, keeping the suite alive and fanciful -- and looking as if the luscious ladies are in the shower with you!

Provocateur features state-of-the-art technology, a private balcony with heated plunge pool and a secret vault full of toys, equipment, costumes, how-to books and more to pamper any guests’ curiosity. Check out the human birdcage and the crossed-bondage beams for added pleasure if that’s your thing. Be careful, though, with the feathered whip on the coffee table where you will find a Love Jones sex boutique room service catalog of everything from vibrating panties to handcuffs and blindfolds that can be delivered direct to the suite within seconds.

INFINITY

The 1,435-square-foot, two-bedroom penthouse was designed by Mark to create a lush, sleek palace with Asian-inspired decor and aesthetic. The rooms contain dark, custom-made furnishings that project a peaceful, positive Feng Shui environment.

NIRVANA

Named after the ultimate level of pleasure, the Nirvana penthouse was designed to portray a heavenly-like atmosphere. Light and airy in decor and layout, the suite is adorned with cream and beige tones complemented by light blue Moroccan tiles and design accents. The penthouse also includes state-of-the-art technology, outdoor terrace and heated plunge pool.

STONES

The Stones penthouse was designed by Mark to feel as though guests are staying inside a jewel box. The room is adorned with Swarovski crystals in the ceiling to set the mood for glamour. The Stones is decorated with softer angles, colors and textures. The furniture is subtle and plush amid rich and warmly painted walls with softly lit lighting dispersed throughout, giving the room a delicate glow.

The penthouse suites are unlike anything I have ever seen in my world travels. I never believed a hotel would dare furnish its rooms with so much exotica built into the experience. They are truly unique.

As Phil summed up: “There’s everything from the ultra-lounge style of the Infinity to the Nirvana with its clean, white peaceful sensibility to the bondage Provocateur suite, where you can get in there and simply have a damn good time.” This is one time when the photos don’t adequately do justice to the story because it’s something you have to simply experience for yourself at least once in your lifetime.

Follow Robin Leach on Twitter at Twitter.com/Robin_Leach.