1. American Splendour
Baccarat Hotel, New York
Renowned as one of the best hotels in the world, Baccarat Hotel in New York’s Midtown, is also one of the best positioned hotels in the Big Apple. With MoMa across the road, and just minutes from Fifth Avenue, Rockefeller Centre and a snow-kissed Central Park come Christmas, here location really counts. With traditional Parisian influence married with New York modernity, a stay here is as luxurious and resplendent as can be. To make sure you’re front and centre to the hotel’s social whirl during the holiday season, reserve your seat for its New Year’s Eve dinner in the Grand Salon. Played out to a string trio, amid Jouffre silk-covered walls and under a stunning 64-arm Baccarat chanedlier, diners can luxuriate in an evening of champagne, langoustine, caviar and wagyu beef, followed by a decadent Valrhona dark chocolate mousse dome with gold-brushed chocolate feather.
www.baccarathotels.com
2. A Tropical Fantasia Feast
Brown’s Hotel, London
A tropical festive fantasia awaits at Brown’s London this holiday season, with decorations designed by legendary British designer, Sir Paul Smith. His novel-Noël concept draws inspiration from the 125th anniversary of the publication of The Jungle Book, with tropical fruit and wild animals playfully peppered throughout the hotel. With tropical festivities carried through to Brown’s culinary fare, Christmas at Charlie’s restaurant, with its bright botanical palette, is perfectly designed for the hotel’s jingle-jungle theme. Led by chef director Adam Byatt, guests will be served a decadent six-course menu on Christmas Day, showcasing great British dishes at their very best and championing local ingredients, including Moxon’s smoked salmon, Blackwell farm turkey or Essex goose, all complemented by sumptuous Christmas pudding, mince pies and more.
www.roccofortehotels.com
3. Gastronomy À La George
Four Seasons Hotel George V, Paris
A Paris destination in its own right, Le Cinq by Christian Le Squer at Four Seasons Hotel George V, is synonymous with the apex of French cuisine and the combination of classic ingredients with ambitious new techniques. So where better to dine your way into 2020 than here, with its uber-sophisticated dining room, three Michelin-star fare and a nine-course New Year’s Eve menu. Starting with shellfish taramasalata with golden caviar and veil of black truffle with winter vegetables, you’ll move towards mains of grilled scallops, truffle Mont d’Or Melba fondue and sweetbreads au gratin with truffle bechamel chestnut shards. To sate sweet tooths, pure Belizean chocolate crêpes dentelles with smoked caramel and fleur de sel should do the job beautifully.
www.fourseasons.com
4. A Refined Culinary Adventure
Rome Cavalieri, a Waldorf Astoria Resort, Rome
If you can’t treat yourself to a Michelin-star experience during the holiday season, then when can you? Christmas Day dinner at La Pergola, Rome Cavalieri’s world-class restaurant by Heinz Beck, is steeped in tradition, grace and glamour. Perched on the hotel’s panoramic terrace, with awe-inspiring vistas of the Eternal City below, it’s the perfect destination to dine and drink in the city’s festivities from a unique vantage point. Paired with an impressive selection of wine, your three-Michelin star menu features decadent duck foie gras with pear and ginger, red mullet on winter roots with black truffle, Capon tortellini with carrot purée and smoked capon consommé, topped off with a traditional Christmas dessert Heinz Beck style. A truly stellar and refined culinary experience.
www.romecavalieri.com