While Lady Gaga launched the dropping of the ball in New York’s Times Square, and other celebrities were partying like rock stars in Sin City, we decided to hold Privy’s New Year’s Eve festivities in Los Angeles, in the entertainment capital of the world – Hollywood. Over 500 Privy members and guests showed up to partake in the revelry wearing their finest night-on-the-town attire, both chic and elegant outfits perfectly matched with style and sophistication an evening such as this would inspire. Privy, in association with Glam, artfully planned the affair without the usual massive crush of crowds, yet with all the high energy vibes and intimate courtyard lounge atmosphere that can only be found at the ultra-glamorous Lexington Social House. Designed by Thomas Schoos, the Lexington is a fashionable, refined, and culturally stimulating “social house” that is skillfully arranged within a series of indoor and outdoor architectural spaces, where old textures tastefully blend with contemporary art and design in a gathering place of extraordinary craftsmanship and sensuous ambiance.

The wonderful arrangement of modern art is reminiscent of Keith Harding’s masterpiece stick figures, which Thomas Schoos hand painted himself throughout the establishment. chandelier percInside, the main dining room is surrounded in exposed brick walls distinctively arranged in abstract art work, with comfortably intimate seating arrangements of upholstered Queen Anne chairs with nail-head detailing. hilden & diaz forest chandelier buyAn indoor carrara marble bar features a white floral paneling with a nod toward Regency design, and leads to a club floor with an impressive 8-ft. DJ podium under a towering ceiling that boasts massive wrought-iron chandeliers, and a main room lined in sumptuously inviting leather booths. chandeliers klaffs

Outside, a large bar and courtyard sits beneath a breathtaking Hollywood skyline, with white enamel barstools tucked below a cabana-style bar, along with luxurious cushioned loungers and a fireplace far more fashionable than your customary Hollywood party terrace. As the night’s fantastic sensations glowed and flowed while DJ-Trix expertly pumped out the tunes, we all savored the delicious handcrafted cocktails mixed by the renowned Lexington bartenders. We all adorned ourselves with a wild array of New Year’s party favors, and anxiously awaited the inevitable countdown and ball drop along with the colorful cascade of balloons. But, most of all we held ourselves in feverish anticipation to greet and toast the arrival of 2012. Everyone at Lexington Social House was delightfully absorbed in the razzle-dazzle and excitement shared by all who attended this remarkable occasion. We truly experienced the genuine thrill of sharing equal measures of cheer and love during such a momentous time together, and all in ecstatic tribute to this amazing New Year ahead of us.

The merrymaking was led by celebrity host actor/model Archie Kao (“CSI”) and Privy’s Stephen Liu, Linda Kim, Teddy Zee and Patrick Chun. Some of the fabulous guests and members included Hennesssy Brand Ambassador Wayne Chang, Sports Agent Tad Yo, Sony VP Jamie Chung, Symantec Vice President Ed Kim, CJ Entertainment USA President Joon Choi, CEO of Plan C Agency Giancarlo Pancheco, SVP Wedbush Jeremy Zhu, Village Roadshow Pictures Entertainment VP Michael Lee, NBC4 Reporter Gordon Tokumatsu, Samsara Designer Tony Lin, APEX Vice Chairman Hogan Lee, ECHOForward Agency CEO Daniel Cho. Flying in from Asia was Zenithoptimedia Managing Director Pete Wong and World Vision exec Norbert Hsu. Stephen Brown and Sung Mo Cho of Project LACE and Lina So and Rob Nelson of Right to Succeed were also on hand representing their respective charities. Privy members and guests had a marvelous time with the best company possible, all under the stunning skyline of Hollywood and Vine – truly the epicenter of culture, fashion, and art – and all gathered together to create an unforgettable evening, and every participant knowing full well that 2012 will be a truly remarkable year for all of us.

Also, we are very proud to grant a portion of the proceeds to benefit two amazing children’s charities: Project LACE and Right to Succeed. By the end of the night, with a warm welcome to 2012, we had raised $2000 each for both charities. Happy New Year to all our wonderful members and guests, and please look forward to more exciting events happening in our exhilarating city. Photo credits: Jon Maxwell and Privy Photographer  2015 Privy's Rockin' New Year's Eve - SPEAKEASY  2014 Privy's Rockin' New Year's Eve - 50 SHADES OF GREY  2013 Privy's Rockin' New Year's Eve - MYSTERY, MIRTH & MASQUERADE  2011 Privy's Rockin' New Year's EveWhen Maria Carey, Leonardo DiCaprio, Robert De Niro, and Martin Scorsese pitched up for the launch of the US$4.5 billion Studio City in Macau in October 2015, they certainly weren’t spotted standing patiently in the check-in queue. It’s no secret that superstars get treated like royalty in Macau. They’re whisked hither and thither in limousines and helicopters, granted VIP access everywhere, and lodged in hotels’ most luxurious accommodation, where butlers stand waiting to cater to their every whim and there’s no nonsense about checking the minibar price list.

State-of-the-art hi-tech, gorgeous accessories (and marine and metropolitan views to be reincarnated for) are all part and parcel of the exclusivity that comes with staying in a Presidential Suite. Of course, such palatial digs don’t exactly come cheap. Here’s a selection life at the top in Macau.1Sky Suites, Wynn Macau Kicking off at MOP41,000 (AUD6970) per night, guests staying at Wynn Macau’s two-bedroom Sky Suites on the upper floors of Wynn Tower can access the VIP entrance and take advantage of the exclusive amenities of the Wynn Club. The average suite measures 278 square metres, with impeccably furnished living and entertaining areas and a separate media and dining room plus kitchenette.The bedrooms are dominated by Wynn’s signature king-size bed which is draped with Egyptian cotton, so utterly perfect for romping around on. Each bedroom has a combination of “his-and-her” bathroom with a dressing area, a glass-enclosed shower, a bathtub with an ultra-deep bathing well and a private toilet.

For entertainment, there’s a 70-inch flat-screen LCD television and an in-room spa therapy suite complete with iPod docking station. Just hum, and the butler’s there in a trice.2Star Suites, Hard Rock Hotel A couple of rungs up the ladder, and perfect for everyone’s inner diva, the Hard Rock Hotel’s Star Suites sell for around MOP58,000 (AUD 9860). Inside, it’s all about having fun. Both the oval sofa and the rounded bed overlook the city with stunning 180-degree views. The bar has a neat curve to it too, so guests can get set to rock around the clock. Naturally, the DVD system has surround sound, and the 65-inch high-definition television boasts plug-and-play capability, while the whole suite is totally Wi-Fi wired. In need of a good night’s sleep after a long hard performance by day? The duvet and pillows are filled with goose down. Suite dreams.3Presidential Suite, St Regis Slightly more expensive, and opening December 2015, the 477-square-metre St Regis Presidential Suite will set you back a mere MOP60,655 (AUD 10,311), but guests certainly get a lot of bang for their pataca.

On the top floor of the hotel, the Presidential Suite has beautifully crafted oriental-inspired furnishings and eye-catching views of the Cotai Strip. The suite features three bedrooms including an exquisitely appointed master bedroom, four bathrooms all stocked with Remède amenities, separate spacious living and dining areas that comfortably accommodate up to ten guests and a private entertainment room equipped with up-to-the-minute technology. A private exercise room outfitted with a TechnoGym allows guests to burn up whatever calories they put on in the hotel’s restaurants, while a private massage room offers guests an Iridium Spa experience. Bespoke St. Regis Butler Service is available any time, day or night.4Presidential Suites, Four Seasons Macau Up a couple of notches, Four Seasons Macao [sic] has two Presidential Suites each priced at MOP63,888 (AUD 10,860) per night. Located high on the 18th and 19th floors, the three-bedroom Presidential Suites are spread over an area of 314 square metres.

Each suite has a grand foyer, a plush living room and lounge, formal dining room with seating for eight and a pantry. The suites bask in rich colours and Oriental elegance, highlighted by plush fabric, silky drapery and beautiful objets d’art set off by fresh flowers. Guests can sit back and enjoy their 42-inch plasma screen television, broadband and wireless Internet connections, in-room voicemail system, IDD, private bar, DVD player, and coffee- and tea-making facilities.5Presidential Suite, Banyan Tree Finally, paramount king of the suites castle, the Banyan Tree’s Presidential Suite weighs in at a hefty MOP88,888 (AUD 15,110) nightly. Occupying the 30th and 31st floors, the entrance is marked by grand carved wood panel doors and wrought iron chandeliers. Italian marble columns flank the main living room, which is decorated with hand-painted silk wall coverings and hand-tufted rugs with a contemporary floral pattern. An impressive chandelier lights the dining area, which also boasts its own refrigerated wine display.