Have a Ball: 7 Gorgeous Ballrooms for Grand Galas

An elegant, historic hotel across the street from Central Park, the Pierre offers a taste of grand old New York. And its aptly named Grand Ballroom is most certainly one of the grandest venues in the city for an event.

This elegant, 98-room luxury property right on Rittenhouse Square Park draws both well-heeled families and business travelers. The Grand Ballroom here can accommodate large banquets and weddings.

This elegant, 191-room hotel is housed in a beautiful historic building in hopping Uptown, close to art galleries and great nightlife. It offers over 19,000 square feet of event space, including the elegant Crescent Ballroom, and can fit up to 500 guests.

The historic, 80-room Brazilian Court gives off a glamorous, British Colonial feel -- the courtyards feature tinkling fountains, the lobby is decorated with gorgeous rough wood ceilings and rich colors, and mahogany accents warm up the 80 elegant rooms. Its ballroom is sophisticated and romantic.

The Hay-Adams is quite possibly the most famous hotel in the capital, and deservedly so. It draws powerbrokers from around the world with its impeccable service, great bar and restaurant, and elegant rooms, some of which overlook the White House. Its a prestigious event venue with an intimate wood-paneled ballroom.

Boasting ample turn-of-the-20th-century elegance and 550 rooms on only eight floors (dig these corridors), the Palace is aptly named -- it is indeed palatial. And that applies to the event space, too -- the hotel has 23 event rooms making up over 53,000 square feet, including three ballrooms.

Oheka Castle, built in the 1920s as the second largest private residence in the U.S., is a magnificent chateau-style property about an hour from New York City. It’s the country’s top wedding venue, and one of the most striking properties on the East Coast. It features 32 individually decorated rooms and stately common spaces, and is surrounded by 23 acres of gorgeous, manicured gardens.