It’s time to have the eggnog. Light the menorah. Put up your Christmas tree. Merriment is, after all, an equal opportunity to embrace the holiday spirit. These are the places around the world (and the hotels) that go above and beyond. Some of it is a little eccentric, but that’s exactly what could make it interesting. This is your guide for where to holiday it up this season.
The Hotel: Claridge’s
Location: London
London at Christmastime is magical, and Claridge’s, the famous 5-star Mayfair hotel, adds even more sparkle. This year, the Claridge’s Christmas tree will be designed by Sir Paul Smith and unveiled on November 20th. The designer plans to playfully cover the tree in birdhouses, decorated with stamps, cards, and dice. Given that the previous designers included Louis Vuitton, Jimmy Choo, and Christian Louboutin, Smith has big shoes to fill. Claridge’s festive afternoon tea offers a classic English holiday experience – think Christmas pudding and scones with clotted cream. Cozy and elegant, it’s an ideal way to soak up London’s festive season.
The Hotel: Four Seasons Hotel Firenze
Location: Florence
If you’re in Florence this holiday season, a visit to the Four Seasons is a must. The hotel’s decor is already stunning; it looks like a Renaissance painting. But at Christmas, it transforms into into about as close to a winter fairytale as you can get in Italy. A week before Christmas, Florence’s annual “Open Day” features local restaurants and producers at a market in the hotel’s Gherardesca Garden, with proceeds going to charity. Chef Paolo Lavezzini’s Christmas Eve and Christmas Day dinners at the Michelin-starred restaurant give a Tuscan twist to holiday classics. And if you want to stay until New Year’s, you can celebrate New Year’s with a gala dinner and live music in the stunning courtyard.
The Hotel: The Peninsula
Location: Chicago
For a classic cold-weather Christmas, head to Chicago. The iconic Peninsula becomes a winter wonderland on November 29th. With a 20-foot tree, their famous Sky Rink, and a brunch with caviar, dim sum, and sushi, the hotel pulls out all the stops. Their holiday afternoon tea is an institution (rivaling London’s finest) and guests can arrange for a tree or menorah in-room for a more personal celebration. For kids, Santa visits very weekend, while the Candy Shoppe offers sweet treats at all hours. For adults, the bar hosts its annual Ugly Sweater Party on December 14th — so don’t forget to bring your most festive (or cringe-worthy) holiday knit for a drink.
The Hotel: Ritz Paris
Location: Paris
With its Parisian decor, opulent Christmas decorations, and festivities that are fit for Louis XV, the Ritz Paris was made to celebrate Christmas. This year, the hotel is leaning into Paris’s rich art history by centering their Christmas celebrations around the Surrealist movement. Think Salvador Dalí and Joan Miró. This year’s celebrations are fantastical, with lyres, swans, shimmering flowers and butterflies, and crystal pendants all over. The Christmas tree will be decorated with original poetry and Surrealist jewelry. The hotel is collaborating with artist Jonathan Burton, who famously designed the fairytale-like illustrations donning Hermes’s silk scarves, to carry out their vision. So yes, they are taking this art escapade seriously. The holiday dining will no doubt be up to par, with a 6-course Christmas Eve dinner menu curated by Chef Eugénie Béziat, and their special Christmas teatime in Salon Proust.
The Hotel: Gleneagles
Location: Scotland
Gleneagles knows what they’re doing when it comes to Christmas, which checks out given the hotel is 100 years old. The 850-acre country estate is the perfect place if you’re looking for a fully immersive holiday retreat. Guests can skate on the hotel’s own ice-rink, make their own Christmas wreaths, meet Santa, and watch fireworks from the front lawn. Imagine cozying up next to the log fire in your favorite flannels (or tartans we should say) — and that sums up the vibe of Christmas at Gleneagles. The hotel offers a packaged three-day holiday affair, starting at £7,035. And if you want to stay for a unique Scottish celebration, stay until New Years when the resort celebrates “Hogmanay,” the Scottish word for last day of the year.
The Hotel: Waldorf Astoria Wailea
Location: Hawaii
We get it, a white Christmas isn’t for everyone. If you would rather find yourself on a beach with a Mai Tai in your hand, then a holiday retreat at the Waldorf Astoria Wailea may be the place for you. The beach resort kicks off their holiday season with a magical tree-lighting ceremony on December 16th, followed by a series of weekly holiday lū’aus. Hawaiian culture mixes with Christmas tradition through events like Wehi Lauhala, aka ornament weaving, or special holiday hulas. If you want to learn how to make (and not just drink) your Mai Tai, you can take a mixology class that uses local ingredients and mixology practices. But the best part of your stay will probably be seeing Santa ditching his sled to roll up to your celebration on a Hawaiian canoe.
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FAQs
Q: Does The Peninsula offer a holiday package?
A: Yes, The Peninsula offers the “Holly Jolly Family Holiday Package” between November 29th and January 5th.
Q: Do you need to book in advance to have Christmas tea at the Ritz Paris?
A: Yes, you need to book in advance to enjoy the Christmas tea at the Ritz. Bookings can be made here.
Q: Where in Scotland is the Gleneagles resort located?
A: Gleneagles is located in Perthshire, Scotland – an hour drive from the Glasgow and Edinburgh airports.
