NY Hotel Sets New Standard for Public Sex

We all know sex sells. But a luxurious New York City hotel has created a unique brand of free publicity with its floor-to-ceiling picture windows in each room. The windows provide guests with a spectacular view of the NYC skyline and nearby High Line Park in the meatpacking district. But they also create quite a spectacle for outsiders looking in.

A racy ad referring to the 18-story Standard Hotel’s opening during construction had a sexy lady clad only in a tool belt declaring, “We’ll put up with your banging if you put up with ours.” And the hotel’s blog and Facebook page specifically requested erotic photos of hotel guests.

Everything, from the full-length windows to the all-glass shower located in the center of the all-glass room, declares the Standard an exhibitionist’s paradise. And New Yorkers and out-of-towners have taken advantage, having sex, masturbating, or simply posing nude in front of the windows, much to the joy of camera-wielding passersbys. One report even cited a naked girl jumping up and down on a trampoline right in front of a window.

Then the New York Post and City Council Speaker Christine Quinn decided to rain on this naked parade. After a report in Monday’s Post, Quinn phoned hotel management, who vowed to make “a concerted effort to remind guests of the transparency of the guest room windows.”

However, Post reporters following up undercover as hotel guests received no such reminder, although the request for erotic photos had vanished from the hotel’s Web site.

Clearly, I’m no prude. And I’m definitely not offended by sex acts – public or otherwise. But I have to agree with the politicians and the Post in this situation. 1). Hotel guests are engaged in illegal acts of indecent exposure. 2). There are children in the park. Anyone who’s been around children should know it’s nearly impossible to keep children from looking at something you don’t want them to see, short of removing the offending material or removing the children from the area.

Then the cynical New Yorker in me thinks, if people having sex 18 stories up is the worst thing your kids see in the city, it’s a good day.

As I come to the close of this report, though, I remember the original idea of exposure in front of the full-length windows began as a PR ploy, with hotel staff posing nude in front of the windows during the hotel’s opening to attract attention. I’d never heard of the Standard prior to the Post’s report, and I’m sure I’m not the only one. Brilliant marketing. And it worked for nearly a year.

Both the exhibitionist and voyeur in me thinks a visit to the Standard might be fun. I better hurry, before the curtains close (and rightfully so) in this unique New York City landmark.

Sex-scopes for August

Wondering what the dog days of summer have in store for you? Are you more interested in a poolside rendezvous or an air-conditioned adventures? The Vibrator.com horoscopes let you know what to expect… in bed and anywhere else you may hook up with your lover.

Aries (March 21 – April 19): Temptation reigns during the dog days of summer. Whether it’s a foray into BDSM or a splurge on a new, multi-featured vibe, you’ll yearn to venture where you’ve never gone before. Once you’ve tasted life on the wild side, you may not want to return, either.

Taurus (April 20 – May 20): Things may start to feel dull and lifeless. It’s not the heat, it’s the humidity… and it’s wreaking havoc on your love life, too. Take time to nurture yourself. Light those candles, draw a bath, treat yourself to a decadent new toy, and romance will follow. When you’re feeling more yourself, your nurturing nature will turn your lover into jelly (and that’s a good thing!)

Gemini (May 21 – June 21): It may be wise to forego the pole-dancing or sex swing this month to avoid getting caught in any compromising positions.  Keep it calm and conventional, with an emphasis on love and romance to avoid arguments – or a trip to the emergency room!

Cancer (June 22 – July 22): It’s time to party it up, Cancerians. A vacation may be in the cards; spring for the room with the hot tub and the ocean view! If the opportunity arises to try something new, get to it. Three-some, four-some, public places? Have fun! Anything goes this month.

Leo (July 23 – August 22): Everything you desire will come to you this month, Leo. Single? A long, meaningful relationship may begin. Married? Set your ego aside. Careful negotiations and diplomacy will lead to vigorous and enthusiastic shows of good will … in the bedroom, of course.

Virgo (August 23 – September 22): The normally staid Virgo will let their dominatrix side out this month. That doesn’t mean they can’t show love and reverence, but they may do it with a cat o’ nine tails. Not much will stop Virgos from asserting themselves – better stock up on lube!

Libra (September 23 – October 22): Just make a choice already, Libra! Whatever you decide will be the right thing. You might be considering redecorating your bedroom in lusty shades of red, or maybe you’re reinventing yourself with a whole new look. Whatever you do, your lover will like it.

Scorpio (October 23 – November 21): Set your ego aside, Scorpio, and remember that whatever you put out into this Universe is exactly what you will get back. Initiate oral sex and you’ll find yourself in a 69 that rocks your world. If you choose to pout, instead, you’ll find it’s just you and your rabbit vibe tonight.

Sagittarius (November 22 – December 21): August is all about compromise, give and take, share-and-share alike for Sagittarians. That may sound dull, but it’s actually quite refreshing. Play a love game where you fulfill each other’s fantasies, and you’ll discover some new tricks to add to your repertoire for years to come.

Capricorn (December 22 – January 19): It’s been a rough month, Capricorn. Problems at work and home mean sex is the last thing on your mind. The solution? Your knight in shining armor, bearing aphrodisiacs of all sorts, will whisk you away to fantasy land – even if all you can afford is a few hours away.

Aquarius (January 20 – February 18): Although your birthday is half a year away, Aquarius, you get to party it up this month. Group sex anyone? Indulgence is a beautiful thing, but it’s also likely you’ll be the one cleaning up afterwards, so don’t stay up too late and chill on the Mojitos.

Pisces (February 19 – March 20): It’s time to take the lead, Pisces. You’ve got a partner willing to indulge your every whim, so let your imagination soar. A playful game of truth or dare might lead to roadside sex or a strip club adventure. Take time to appreciate your lover outside the bedroom, too, or it could turn into a lonely month.

Pole Dancing for Fun and Foreplay

Ladies, are you seeking a new way to entice your man (or lady?) in the bedroom? Why not give pole dancing a whirl? This erotic style of dance provides a fabulous upper body workout and a unique foreplay experience.

Vibrator.com’s Desiree Sweet gets the inside scoop on getting started from pole dancing instructor LaylaBeth.

Desiree Sweet: How did you first get into pole dancing?
LaylaBeth: My first twirl around a pole was during a date night with my hubby. We went to a gentleman’s club, and after a little while, he asked the GM if I could get up on stage and dance. I am actually a trained dancer (ballet, jazz, belly dance) so I wasn’t scared of the idea of dancing. That pole, on the other hand, was an interesting accessory! I couldn’t do ANYTHING with it other than hold onto it and walk around a little, so if my curiosity had been SOMEWHAT piqued about the pole prior to that event, it was even MORE piqued after that!

I had heard about a company that did home pole-dancing parties, so, a few months after “Strip Club Night,” as we now refer to it, I contacted the company, ordered a pole and the rest is history!

DS: In addition to being fun and erotic, I’ve heard it’s great exercise, too.
LB: Pole dancing is GREAT exercise for women (or anyone for that matter!) because you really get to build up good upper-body strength. Pole dancing requires that we use our upper body during certain spins, holds and even inverts.

DS: What sort of women do you typically see in your class?
LB: I have seen the whole gamut–younger, college girls looking for a giggle, all the way to women in their fifties who want to let their hair down and strut their stuff a little!  (I even made my own mom come to one of my classes, once!)  My “favorite” students have actually been the older ones—they are typically more comfortable in their own skin and more confident; classes become fun and laidback with that type of energy. I’d say it has been an equal mix of single/coupled ladies. A few recent divorcees, too!

DS: Can anyone learn how to pole dance?
LB: From the bottom of my heart, I DO believe that just about ANYONE can learn to pole dance—at least SOME of the moves!  There are two basic moves I teach in every single class that by the end of the night, EVERYONE can do.  These moves require NO skill other than the willingness to employ a positive attitude!

DS: Anything they should know before they start?
LB: One ABSOLUTELY should warm-up first before attempting any pole maneuvers, so what I do in class is about a 15 minute “regular” exercise period that leads into a little burlesque style dance, and then some simple “struts” around the pole.

We teach barefoot—I won’t even entertain the notion of letting newbies wear “stripper shoes” because a rolled ankle is NOT sexy.

Of course, check with your doctor before starting any exercise program–including pole dancing!

DS: How can women apply the moves they learn in your class in the bedroom?

LB: Women can take a lot of what we learn in class to their bedrooms.  It’s very erotic. I like to include “chair” and “lap dance” techniques with each class, so that even if the lady doesn’t have a pole of her own, she can take what she learns back home with her and show her partner!

Do you wanna try pole dancing at  home? You can buy a pole here. The easy-to-assemble Peekaboo pole kit extends to a height of 6 to 8 feet, and tucks away easily when not in use.

To learn more about LaylaBeth and poledancing, go to http://www.transitionalpoledance.com or http://www.laylabeth.com.