Peek Inside the World’s Hottest Private Clubs

The appeal lies not just in the programming tailored to members’ passions, but in the undeniable cool-factor of being part of a carefully curated in-crowd. While major cities remain the heavyweights for this exclusivity offering, the members-only scene is making surprising inroads into far-flung locales frequented by the ultra-wealthy. From mountain retreats in the American West to gritty-glam urban pockets, it seems the siren song of prestige is hard to resist, no matter where one roams. Utilizing design firms led by tastemaking gurus, these members-only lairs ensure style and substance are equally paramount.

1. Continuum | New York City

Continuum ushers in a futuristic era of hyper-personalized longevity powered by artificial intelligence and $15,000 biometric evaluations. Spanning the ground floor and subterranean level of the West Village’s historic Archive Building, the artisanal gym and wellness center is punctuated by high-design elements, like Kamp Studios’ expertly textured plaster walls, Robert Cottone’s indoor landscaping, and The Black Lumberjack’s live-edge seating carved from the trunks of fallen trees. Dean Barger’s dreamscape murals adorn the refreshing, nature-inspired spaces of this white-glove, data-informed club. Top-tier fitness equipment like Keiser machines rounds out the transcendent, tech-fueled experience.

2. 33 Club | Singapore

This elite, 500-member sundial-inspired temple for the region’s top horology aficionados offers a dizzying array of rare, vintage watch collections—think grail-level Rolexes, Pateks, and Richard Milles. Syrenka Studio’s lavish design features bronze finishes, Omani stone, and lush hydroponic living walls. Beyond the boutique’s exclusive timepiece selection, members also have access to a full-service lounge, restaurant, bar, and spa across the dual-level, 4,200-square-foot lair.

3. Auric Room 1915 | Big Sky, Montana

This Montana retreat at Lone Mountain Ranch summons members to a gilded frontier fantasy with oxblood leather banquets, velvet curtains, and a 1940s phone booth where members must stow their cell phones. Designer Eric Cheong of North 45 Projects channels vintage rancher’s saloons in the dimly lit spaces, where a dramatic black marble bar is stocked with vintage crystal decanters. Banker Wire brass mesh detailing and a bespoke leather-wrapped handrail adorn the functioning mahogany elevator. Upstairs, the red-toned rooms flaunt bronze mirrors, while curios like a show-stopping antler chandelier and hand-painted lampshades elevate the Montana rustic vibe to new levels of indulgence.

4. The House of Koko | London

No expense was spared on Pirajean Lees’ moody design for this social den that relishes in its industrial-meets-maximalist aesthetic. Cigarette-patterned carpets, pink quartz bars, and a dimly lit New York jazz lounge aura set the decadent tone. Culling from an extensive private art collection, a Boy George self-portrait is set amidst glittering Murano chandeliers. A sumptuous private dining room and other glamorous environs enliven this celebration of excess (with a wink at 1920s debauchery).

5. The Reading Club | San Diego

Perched 20 floors up, this AvroKO-designed aerie at the InterContinental evokes the streamlined aesthetic of a luxury yacht. Ripe with nautical nuance, the Reading Club and rooftop dining destination, Seneca Trattoria, boast glossy wooden floors, metal-paneled walls with exposed rivets, tasseled furniture, and copper ceiling stretching above an open kitchen. A private captain’s quarters dining room with a porthole window completes the dapper, seafood-centric Italian restaurant where you can sip Negronis while ogling the culinary workings of executive chef Russell Rummer’s team.

6. ’Quin House | Boston

Ken Fulk’s signature whimsy infuses every sumptuous inch of this Beaux Arts treasure, from the striking tree-trunk chandelier to cheeky nods of London club Annabel’s. Beyond the grand living room, guests will discover the family-friendly Café Q, the intimate Hideaway lounge (accessed through a secret door), and the pan-Asian Bondo restaurant, which is surmounted by sculptural lighting. With its state-of-the-art fitness center, rapscallion Scottie’s nightclub, and eight decadent hotel rooms, the ‘Quin House is Boston’s latest, ultra-curated wonderland of delights.

7. Core | New York City

Originally built in 1927 to house corporate titans like Coca-Cola and NBC, this legendary Bethlehem Engineering-designed tower in Midtown Manhattan has been reimagined into a $100,000-a-year private club. Peter Marino’s magnificent lobby sets a regal tone, while the all-new interiors by Milan’s M2atelier offer timeless elegance. The swanky outdoor lounges are the perfect setting for taking in panoramic Manhattan vistas, while the 15th floor is the pampering pièce de résistance, offering 11 spa suites and treatment rooms as well as a grooming salon.

8. Aethos Milan Members Club | Milan

This vibey Navigli district coworking space slowly unveils its layers of intrigue and shifting moods. Spanish company Astet Studios conjured the industrial-chic aesthetic, mixing exposed brick, metal light fixtures, and lush greenery with swaths of warm orange and earthy neutrals. This dapper den strikes a refreshing equilibrium between downtown buzz and uptown quietude. The nuanced spectrum of contrasting materials and atmospheres creates an environment that’s hip yet understated in its refinement.

9. The Conduit | London

Rooted in driving positive social change, this posh destination boasts interiors by London-based firms Feix&Merlin Architects and Russell Sage Studio. The functional yet punchy Scandinavian aesthetic extends from the roof terrace—home to new Brooklyn-born restaurant Rucola—to the underground live music venue and stone-clad extension. Inside, layers of sustainable materials like British hemp plaster are layered with unique artisan ceramics and hand-dyed South African rugs. An eclectic hub for entrepreneurs, innovators, and activists, this London locale is as multifaceted as its forward-thinking members who are striving to better the world.

10. The Arts Club | Dubai

The first international outpost of the London club founded in 1863 brings signature cocktails, live DJ sets, and 70s-inspired excess to Dubai’s dazzling cityscape. Dimorestudio’s vivid design layers plush seating with robust greenery across the 23,000-square-foot rooftop terrace offering panoramic views. Below, the Oscuro cigar lounge recreates a luxurious British humidor, while the retro Vega lounge promises a highly “sonic experience” for audience and artist alike with its shag carpet and polished brass.