For those dining alone, meals can be served at the marble-topped bar on the edge of the elegantly minimalist dining room.

BBC: Business trip: Sydney

Vintage paneling and an incredible marble-topped bar give this great, new meatpacking-district Belgian bistro a convincing atmosphere of venerability.

FORBES: Fact and Comment

According to public records, Mr. Hirshberg's 11, 374-square-foot home has two elevators and a pool, and Mr. Wallette's Spanish-style home, which was built in 2009, has marble countertops and an outdoor kitchen and bar.

WSJ: From Oil, a Land Rush��WSJ Mansion

Your suite comes complete with a king-size bed, a wet bar for your pinot grigio, bathrooms with double marble vanities, sitting areas and windows that open up to the sweet wine country air.

BBC: Daily deal: Sonoma wine country

Nearby is the 563-room Shangri-La, an ultramodern marble and glass tower hotel offering equally expansive rooms and views, free wi-fi, and a bar on the 36th floor with a very popular happy hour.

BBC: Business trip: Sydney