Mirrors on Hotel Ceilings
May 1, 2013 6:09 AM Subscribe
Does this actually exist?
I was recalling an episode of Family Ties where the family went on vacation and the parents got a room with a mirror on the ceiling. I've always wondered since then - do hotels actually have rooms with mirrors on the ceiling? When did this become a thing? Do people just know and ask for those rooms? In all my time traveling I don't think I've ever encountered this. I've never seen it advertised. A quick google search doesn't indicate that this is something seen in finer hotels, and may be something offered at the seedier or more explicitly prurient establishments but it seems that it's rare.
Enlighten me!
I was recalling an episode of Family Ties where the family went on vacation and the parents got a room with a mirror on the ceiling. I've always wondered since then - do hotels actually have rooms with mirrors on the ceiling? When did this become a thing? Do people just know and ask for those rooms? In all my time traveling I don't think I've ever encountered this. I've never seen it advertised. A quick google search doesn't indicate that this is something seen in finer hotels, and may be something offered at the seedier or more explicitly prurient establishments but it seems that it's rare.
Enlighten me!
Best answer: On one awkward trip to Las Vegas with my father before starting college, our normal person room with two double beds was overbooked, so we were "upgraded" to a fancy deluxe room with a mirror over the single king-sized bed we were forced to share.
Sharing a Vegas king bed with my dad with a mirror over it was a pretty confusing way to conclude my adolescence and open the college chapter of my life.
posted by Admiral Haddock at 6:15 AM on May 1, 2013 [56 favorites]
Sharing a Vegas king bed with my dad with a mirror over it was a pretty confusing way to conclude my adolescence and open the college chapter of my life.
posted by Admiral Haddock at 6:15 AM on May 1, 2013 [56 favorites]
They do exist in "higher end" hotels as well. For example: the ridiculously expensive Burj Al Arab in Dubai.
posted by Grither at 6:21 AM on May 1, 2013
posted by Grither at 6:21 AM on May 1, 2013
I tend to associate mirrored ceilings with the late 70s and early 80s. They were (and probably still are) something of a trope in TV and film sort of associated with 'whoa, a bit of kinkiness/tackiness'. That they seem to have persisted in Vegas sort of confirms it. I've stayed in a fair number of hotels (and a handful of higher-end places) and never seen them anywhere. But then, I've never been to Las Vegas (or on preview, Dubai) either.
posted by jquinby at 6:24 AM on May 1, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by jquinby at 6:24 AM on May 1, 2013 [1 favorite]
They exist. The one time I've seen one was in a hotel which charges by the hour.
It was kind of awesome.
posted by FAMOUS MONSTER at 6:28 AM on May 1, 2013 [4 favorites]
It was kind of awesome.
posted by FAMOUS MONSTER at 6:28 AM on May 1, 2013 [4 favorites]
They're still there, but you'll (almost) never accidentally run into one if you're traveling for business. Hotels understand that a mirror on the ceiling isn't a symbol of "luxury" (anymore) -- it's a symbol of sex (especially illicit assignations). Even your finer hotels have illicit-assignation rooms, but you have to ask for them.
posted by Etrigan at 6:29 AM on May 1, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by Etrigan at 6:29 AM on May 1, 2013 [1 favorite]
And I put "higher end" in quotes because, while being one of the most expensive hotels in the world, the place is a gaudy, ridiculously stupid hotel in a city full of actually wonderful classy and beautiful hotels.
posted by Grither at 6:31 AM on May 1, 2013 [4 favorites]
posted by Grither at 6:31 AM on May 1, 2013 [4 favorites]
Yes, and uh. I did end up in one on a business trip.
A couple years back, I was attending a multi-day professional event and had booked a room at this place. Radisson, right? Corporate bland and beige, probably?
Except they were 100% booked, and I didn't show up until after dinner when everybody else had checked in, so all they had left were the "fantasy suites" in the tower on that page, and oh my God. I ended up in the "Sahara Suite" which had not only mirrors above the bed, but chains hanging from the walls, a spiral staircase that went nowhere, the worlds grimiest Jacuzzi tub, and a mural showing camels walking on front of a desert landscape that may have included pyramids. It was amazing.
posted by joyceanmachine at 6:35 AM on May 1, 2013 [32 favorites]
A couple years back, I was attending a multi-day professional event and had booked a room at this place. Radisson, right? Corporate bland and beige, probably?
Except they were 100% booked, and I didn't show up until after dinner when everybody else had checked in, so all they had left were the "fantasy suites" in the tower on that page, and oh my God. I ended up in the "Sahara Suite" which had not only mirrors above the bed, but chains hanging from the walls, a spiral staircase that went nowhere, the worlds grimiest Jacuzzi tub, and a mural showing camels walking on front of a desert landscape that may have included pyramids. It was amazing.
posted by joyceanmachine at 6:35 AM on May 1, 2013 [32 favorites]
Once upon a time, I signed up to take the New York Bar Exam as an out of state applicant. For those who have the misfortune of being near-but-not-in-New York, a pilgrimage to Albany is required. Well, I was also kind of a scatterebrained moron, and I forgot to book a hotel room. Because why bother, right? We'll just find a motel nearby.
We did, just off the thruway in Schenectady, New York. As we pulled into the parking lot a young woman on the balcony shrieked through tears at us in a British accent: Have you seen your room? It's dreadful!
We inspected her room with her - frankly, because by then we were just damned curious - and found a room that was done in shag carpet and mirrors. Every square inch of the room was either shag carpet or mirrors, with a couple windows at the front. It was, in fact, dreadful. We assured her that if our room was any better she was welcome to it, since we're troopers and a little shag never hurt anyone.
As we unlocked our door, we let our a collective gasp. In addition to being shagged and mirrored, the bedroom had in its center a giant, red, heart-shaped jacuzzi hot tub. There was also a pole, but whether that was structurally necessary or merely for entertainment, we will never know.
As I said, we're troopers, and we don't really *mind* this sort of thing. But the part that was the most disturbing was the liquid-of-unknown-origin that was splattered and dried on the mirrors. And the marijuana in the bedside table (which was suspiciously bereft of any holy books). And the complete lack of hot water.
I suppose the saddest part of this story is that the Governor's Inn and Suites burned down in 2010. So you can't even visit it anymore to either verify my story or experience the magic for yourself.
posted by jph at 6:53 AM on May 1, 2013 [7 favorites]
We did, just off the thruway in Schenectady, New York. As we pulled into the parking lot a young woman on the balcony shrieked through tears at us in a British accent: Have you seen your room? It's dreadful!
We inspected her room with her - frankly, because by then we were just damned curious - and found a room that was done in shag carpet and mirrors. Every square inch of the room was either shag carpet or mirrors, with a couple windows at the front. It was, in fact, dreadful. We assured her that if our room was any better she was welcome to it, since we're troopers and a little shag never hurt anyone.
As we unlocked our door, we let our a collective gasp. In addition to being shagged and mirrored, the bedroom had in its center a giant, red, heart-shaped jacuzzi hot tub. There was also a pole, but whether that was structurally necessary or merely for entertainment, we will never know.
As I said, we're troopers, and we don't really *mind* this sort of thing. But the part that was the most disturbing was the liquid-of-unknown-origin that was splattered and dried on the mirrors. And the marijuana in the bedside table (which was suspiciously bereft of any holy books). And the complete lack of hot water.
I suppose the saddest part of this story is that the Governor's Inn and Suites burned down in 2010. So you can't even visit it anymore to either verify my story or experience the magic for yourself.
posted by jph at 6:53 AM on May 1, 2013 [7 favorites]
The old Super 8 in my hometown had mirrors on the ceiling in the two honeymoon suites.
The queen sized bed was a murphy bed. When the bed was in the wall, it looked like a bookshelf. They had those shelves stuffed, and glued full of those fake card-board books you see at furniture stores. The whole decor was from 1977. It was beyond tacky.
posted by QueerAngel28 at 6:54 AM on May 1, 2013
The queen sized bed was a murphy bed. When the bed was in the wall, it looked like a bookshelf. They had those shelves stuffed, and glued full of those fake card-board books you see at furniture stores. The whole decor was from 1977. It was beyond tacky.
posted by QueerAngel28 at 6:54 AM on May 1, 2013
Mirrors on ceilings were once de rigueur for any hotel advertising themselves as "romantic getaways" and the like. I'm sure there are still plenty left out there.
posted by Thorzdad at 6:57 AM on May 1, 2013
posted by Thorzdad at 6:57 AM on May 1, 2013
And then, there's the POCONOS!
To this day, I still want to try out the champagne glass whirlpool.
posted by Ruthless Bunny at 7:25 AM on May 1, 2013 [3 favorites]
To this day, I still want to try out the champagne glass whirlpool.
posted by Ruthless Bunny at 7:25 AM on May 1, 2013 [3 favorites]
The Red Barn Inn in Red Oak, Iowa has a ceiling mirror in its honeymoon suite.
Said honeymoon suite is also VERY poorly soundproofed, I have reason to know.
posted by COBRA! at 7:45 AM on May 1, 2013 [1 favorite]
Said honeymoon suite is also VERY poorly soundproofed, I have reason to know.
posted by COBRA! at 7:45 AM on May 1, 2013 [1 favorite]
For a while I freelanced at a facility near the Grove on Los Angeles. Right before the closure of the 405 Freeway, my colleague and I were talking about how godawful traffic was going to be, and he mentioned how he might just get a room at something called The Farmer's Daughter for the weekend work we expected.
I was curious, so I looked up TFD. I was tickled to find that they offer single rooms, double rooms, and "No Tell" rooms which come equipped with mirrored ceilings and "lather goods."
posted by infinitewindow at 8:23 AM on May 1, 2013 [1 favorite]
I was curious, so I looked up TFD. I was tickled to find that they offer single rooms, double rooms, and "No Tell" rooms which come equipped with mirrored ceilings and "lather goods."
posted by infinitewindow at 8:23 AM on May 1, 2013 [1 favorite]
From TFD's website:
Hidden away in a corner, you are safe to have a mellow get together or a seductive rendevous. Lets your eyes adjust to this richly elegant room that will shake your martini and doodle your rooster .
posted by jquinby at 8:38 AM on May 1, 2013 [9 favorites]
Hidden away in a corner, you are safe to have a mellow get together or a seductive rendevous. Lets your eyes adjust to this richly elegant room that will shake your martini and doodle your rooster .
posted by jquinby at 8:38 AM on May 1, 2013 [9 favorites]
Now I am disappointed: I've stayed at The Farmer's Daughter but had no idea about the No Tell rooms.
I did once go to a wedding reception in a New Jersey hotel that had mirrored ceilings and mirrored tabletops. It was kind of glorious, in a New Jersey wedding reception kind of way.
posted by ook at 9:23 AM on May 1, 2013 [1 favorite]
I did once go to a wedding reception in a New Jersey hotel that had mirrored ceilings and mirrored tabletops. It was kind of glorious, in a New Jersey wedding reception kind of way.
posted by ook at 9:23 AM on May 1, 2013 [1 favorite]
In all my time traveling I don't think I've ever encountered this.
Have you checked the 1970s? There are at least a few honeymoon hotel places in Niagara Falls that have been doing this in recent memory; I have seen this, but never actually stayed in one. Dunno about currently.
posted by ricochet biscuit at 9:55 AM on May 1, 2013 [5 favorites]
Have you checked the 1970s? There are at least a few honeymoon hotel places in Niagara Falls that have been doing this in recent memory; I have seen this, but never actually stayed in one. Dunno about currently.
posted by ricochet biscuit at 9:55 AM on May 1, 2013 [5 favorites]
When I was 10, my parents and I stayed at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. In an apparent mix-up, we were given a room with a giant mirrored ceiling and a ridiculous jacuzzi thing in the center. My parents promptly requested a change, but continued to joke about that mirror all week.
I was totally perplexed as to why it was so damn funny, so I just went along with it and acted cool. When teachers or other parents would ask me how my trip to Vegas was, I would mention that our hotel room had a mirror on the ceiling and the conversation would end.
posted by null14 at 10:45 AM on May 1, 2013 [7 favorites]
I was totally perplexed as to why it was so damn funny, so I just went along with it and acted cool. When teachers or other parents would ask me how my trip to Vegas was, I would mention that our hotel room had a mirror on the ceiling and the conversation would end.
posted by null14 at 10:45 AM on May 1, 2013 [7 favorites]
... and pink champagne on ice.
Well, somebody had to say it.
posted by Bruce H. at 10:50 AM on May 1, 2013 [6 favorites]
Well, somebody had to say it.
posted by Bruce H. at 10:50 AM on May 1, 2013 [6 favorites]
If you are in Northern California near Watsonville, check into the Fred Flinstone suite at the Mount Madonna Inn. Several films have payed tribute to its bizarre interiors.
posted by effluvia at 11:17 AM on May 1, 2013
posted by effluvia at 11:17 AM on May 1, 2013
Yes, it's a thing.
Yes, it's totally hot.
posted by DWRoelands at 11:34 AM on May 1, 2013 [1 favorite]
Yes, it's totally hot.
posted by DWRoelands at 11:34 AM on May 1, 2013 [1 favorite]
Yeah, you can still get these if you do a bit of Googling and ask. For example, if you ever get out to Jericho, ask for the Candyman Suite. There are mirrors everywhere. It's to die for.
posted by It's Raining Florence Henderson at 11:46 AM on May 1, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by It's Raining Florence Henderson at 11:46 AM on May 1, 2013 [1 favorite]
Mirrors on ceilings are both completely hot AND pretty hard to find at affordable prices. Most of the ones you'll see are, for safety reasons, not actually glass. And they're expensive.
Do not ask me how I know this. But feel free to memail pointers to good suppliers.
posted by 2soxy4mypuppet at 12:19 PM on May 1, 2013
Do not ask me how I know this. But feel free to memail pointers to good suppliers.
posted by 2soxy4mypuppet at 12:19 PM on May 1, 2013
Stayed in a Vegas hotel room once with a mirror on the ceiling.
Damn near fell off the bed trying to shave.
posted by John Borrowman at 12:27 PM on May 1, 2013 [1 favorite]
Damn near fell off the bed trying to shave.
posted by John Borrowman at 12:27 PM on May 1, 2013 [1 favorite]
These are practically de rigueur in Love hotels all over Brazil.
Example.
disclaimer I have never been to the Panda hotel. When I was in Rio last year before I had an apartment my girlfriend and I trialled a few.
posted by adamvasco at 2:11 PM on May 1, 2013
Example.
disclaimer I have never been to the Panda hotel. When I was in Rio last year before I had an apartment my girlfriend and I trialled a few.
posted by adamvasco at 2:11 PM on May 1, 2013
I love hotels, and not just posh hotels: as long as they're clean and the mattress is good, I love love love seedy and retro hotels and motels as well. I have landed in hotels with mirrored ceilings in Vegas, in Miami Beach, in a suite at the Nevele in the Poconos, on the Jersey Shore, and a place near the Short Hills Mall and that hourly place near the Holland Tunnel (also in NJ). There is also one that mental motel in the Carolinas when you're driving from NY to FL, the one with the signs for like 100 miles and the oversized everything in the rooms - like huge chairs and stuff?
In none of these cases was this an advertised feature. If you're after a room with such a thing, look for hotels with in-room jacuzzis or theme rooms.
OK sorry, I really like hotel sex.
posted by DarlingBri at 2:25 PM on May 1, 2013 [2 favorites]
In none of these cases was this an advertised feature. If you're after a room with such a thing, look for hotels with in-room jacuzzis or theme rooms.
OK sorry, I really like hotel sex.
posted by DarlingBri at 2:25 PM on May 1, 2013 [2 favorites]
When Mrs. Digits and I stayed at the quite questionable Black Saucer in Paynesville, MN, in 2002 -- no longer in business, I'm sorry to say -- the ceiling above the bed featured what appeared to be a sort of burnished & brushed "bronze" mirror, as well as recessed lighting, carpet on the walls, and a two person jacuzzi in a mirrored corner that would only be suitable for two who were in there with lovin' on their mind.
If ever there were a place that looked like it was wired for surveillance it was the Black Saucer, but we were unable to find any evidence of such.
posted by mr. digits at 4:18 PM on May 1, 2013
If ever there were a place that looked like it was wired for surveillance it was the Black Saucer, but we were unable to find any evidence of such.
posted by mr. digits at 4:18 PM on May 1, 2013
When I lived in Las Cruces, there was a place known as the love motel. I can't remember the actual name. It reportedly had mirrors on the ceiling. Apparently, quite a few married couples frequented there.
posted by annsunny at 4:22 PM on May 1, 2013
posted by annsunny at 4:22 PM on May 1, 2013
). There is also one that mental motel in the Carolinas when you're driving from NY to FL, the one with the signs for like 100 miles and the oversized everything in the rooms - like huge chairs and stuff?
That would be South Of The Border, and yes, they had a few rooms with mirrored ceilings, at least as of the last time I stayed there about 8 or so years ago.
posted by deadmessenger at 6:34 PM on May 1, 2013 [1 favorite]
That would be South Of The Border, and yes, they had a few rooms with mirrored ceilings, at least as of the last time I stayed there about 8 or so years ago.
posted by deadmessenger at 6:34 PM on May 1, 2013 [1 favorite]
Yes. I had the unfortunate experience of attempting to drag a friend out of a bad situation at this motel. It was one of the 'nicer rooms' with a fridge and a couch, and included an all-wood canopy-bed type thing, with mirrors on the headboard and mirrors on the inside/underside of the canopy.
It was so gross. When she comes out of her stupor she's going to cringe a thousand times for the thoughts/actions that led her to THAT decision.
posted by MeiraV at 9:07 PM on May 1, 2013
It was so gross. When she comes out of her stupor she's going to cringe a thousand times for the thoughts/actions that led her to THAT decision.
posted by MeiraV at 9:07 PM on May 1, 2013
... but we were unable to find any evidence of such.
The watchers were highly amused by your search.
posted by Bruce H. at 9:28 PM on May 1, 2013
The watchers were highly amused by your search.
posted by Bruce H. at 9:28 PM on May 1, 2013
That would be South Of The Border, and yes, they had a few rooms with mirrored ceilings, at least as of the last time I stayed there about 8 or so years ago.
That's the one! Aww man, they have really classes that place up. Such a pity.
posted by DarlingBri at 9:40 PM on May 1, 2013
That's the one! Aww man, they have really classes that place up. Such a pity.
posted by DarlingBri at 9:40 PM on May 1, 2013
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posted by Dolley at 6:12 AM on May 1, 2013