1. A Winter’s tale
Cheval Blanc Courchevel, France
Not solely for ski bunnies, Cheval Blanc is a beautiful destination for Christmas in the heart of Jardin Alpin. Step into
the Maison decorated by Dior and be lulled by the scent of fir trees and traditional Christmas spices. With The First Track, snow lovers will have the privilege of being the very first to slide down the snow-covered slopes at dawn, followed by an afternoon pampered in the Cheval Blanc Spa. Festivities include the arrival of Santa Claus on Christmas Eve amid choral song, and an evening of live music and a gourmet dinner at either Le 1947 or Le Triptyque on New Year’s Eve. Wrap up warm and embrace the magic.
www.chevalblanc.com
2. An Urban Escape
The Dolder Grand, Zurich
Few destinations conjure up the idea of a picture-perfect Christmas in the snow more than Switzerland, and The Dolder Grand in Zurich truly knows how to harness the festive spirit. Elevated above the pulsating city beneath and surrounded by invigorating nature, the hotel is the perfect urban-come-country retreat that prides itself on pure unadulterated luxury. This year, stay two nights at the five-star property to enjoy breakfast, a beautiful brunch on Christmas day, five-course dinner in Saltz Restaurant and unlimited access to the stunning Dolder Grand Spa. Or, for New Year, dance the night away when the hotel’s exclusive ballroom opens its doors for a gala dinner, with live music, and show acts, followed by Zurich’s famous firework display at the stroke of midnight.
www.thedoldergrand.com
3. A Sun-Kissed Christmas
Six Senses Ninh Van Bay, Vietnam
Not everyone wants crisp white snow for their festive forays, so for those looking for winter sun, Six Senses Ninh Van Bay in Vietnam serves up a different take on Christmas. Here you’ll find Christmas Eve and New Year gala dinners, a sunrise champagne breakfast cruise, a special Eat With Six Senses detox dinner, beach barbecue, castaway picnics, a Vietnamese cooking class, yoga, wellness sessions, and treasure hunts for the kids - an adventure-filled destination perfect for families. Whose kids wouldn’t want to see Santa deliver Christmas presents via a Catamaran after all?
www.sixsenses.com
4. Countryside Pleasures
Coworth Park, UK
One of the most beautiful hotels in the UK, Coworth Park in the Berkshire countryside offers the scenic route to five-star bliss. Here, there’s a special magic in the air, as the lights twinkle and the snow-dusted grounds invite long winter strolls and afternoons by the fire. Stay for three nights and unwrap an unmissable festive gift, including family board games, carriage rides around the grounds, movie night in The Tower House, four-course meals, cream teas in the Drawing Room, country pursuits and live musical trios on Christmas Day. Stay in the three-bedroom
The Dower House, set in idyllic private gardens, and fill it with family or friends, or cosy up in the Mansion House Premium Suite with log fire, four-poster bed, copper standalone bath, and views over the lime grove.
www.dorchestercollection.com
5. Festivities À La France
Hôtel Plaza Athénée, Paris
Perfectly located on the prestigious avenue Montaigne, the tree-lined boulevard of ultra luxury French fashion, Hôtel Plaza Athénée is a dreamy location for Paris’ Christmas festivities. Now an iconic ritual for guests and Parisians alike, the hotel’s ice-skating rink promises to entertain all, set amid the twinkling lights of the property’s La Cour Jardin, while a festive pop-up store in a charming wooden chalet will be open selling festive foods, such as waffles and gingerbread men. Christmas brunch is, of course, a sophisticated affair, while a very Parisian celebration at
Relais Plaza awaits on December 24 and 25. For New Year, a seven-course dinner
at Restaurant Alain Ducasse rounds off the festivities off beautifully.
www.dorchestercollection.com
6. Tinseltown Celebrations
The Beverly Hills Hotel, Los Angeles
For over a century The Beverly Hills Hotel has been the destination for Hollywood’s brightest lights, a scene-stealing property with guests of yesteryear including Marilyn Monroe, Elizabeth Taylor and John Lennon. For the holiday season, you two can be part of the legacy, with it pulls out all the stops to make sure guests are transported to heightened levels of sophistication, allowing you to feel like a movie star from the moment you pass the iconic signage and a toy soldier welcoming you onto the red carpet. To celebrate, there will be Holiday Carolers on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, festive apéritifs in Polo Lounge Bar and Bar Nineteen12, such as Spiced Egg Nog and Spiced Mulled Wine, as well as a four-course New Year’s Eve dinner at the Polo Lounge with midnight champagne toast and live music.
www.dorchestercollection.com
7. ‘Tis The Season To Be Jolly
Four Seasons Hotel London at Park Lane, UK
In the run up to Christmas, London is a key destination for those looking for lights, festivities and, of course, one of the best opportunities for shopping in the world. Whether you’re buying gifts on Bond Street, or indulging in the magical experience of Hyde Park’s Winter Wonderland, you’ll need a place to refuel and bed down. Four Seasons Hotel London at Park Lane has won the postcode lottery, plumped perfectly between Hyde Park and all the little luxuries Mayfair has to offer.
To ensure your energy levels are at an all-time high, revel in a festive Burlington Afternoon Tea at Amaranto Lounge, with log fire, seasonal finger sandwiches, warm scones and bespoke pastries.
Or, for the ultimate in decadent culinary treats, book in its seven-course New Year’s Eve dinner,
with scallop tartar, champagne risotto and pan-seared Atlantic halibut. Divine.
www.fourseasons.com
8. A Great Gatsby New Year
Jumeirah Vittaveli, Maldives
Jumeirah Vittaveli in the Maldives’ South Male Atoll, is truly heaven on earth,
where barefoot luxury is the perfect antidote for those trying to escape festive excess. Here, you’ll be taken back to the roaring Twenties for a unique way to celebrate the season, in one of the most special places on earth. Feel the sand beneath your feet amid the island’s special take on Christmas, starting with a beautiful Tree Lighting on December 22, followed by an in-house choir to christen festivities on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, as well as a five-piece band and live saxophonist to ensure the atmosphere is at an all-time high. Oh, and don’t forget Santa arriving on a jet-ski to deliver gifts on the 25. But New Year’s Eve is where the party really gets going, with the resort’s The Great Gatsby-themed night: a beachside party with molecular cocktails and champagne, dinner of oysters and tiger prawns, and the lagoon lit up at the stroke of midnight by a mesmerising firework display. There will also be an in-house tailor on hand to help you create a Charleston-style dress or dapper suit for the occasion, too. Then retire to a Private Ocean Retreat complete with Slide, to rest, recline and see in the New Year in marvellous Maldivian style.
www.jumeirah.com
9. Treating You To The Very Best
Rome Cavalieri, Rome
A truly exquisite hotel, Rome Cavalieri certainly steals first place for owning the most jaw-dropping views over the Eternal City. Whilst often known for its sun-drenched summer holidays, Rome is even more beautiful come Christmas, where the city transforms into a winter haven oozing festive spirit, and there’s no better place to bed down than Rome Cavalieri. With its vantage point above the city, a serene vibe permeates throughout, none more so than at the spa. This season, The Cavalieri Grand Spa Club invites you to indulge in some ‘you’ time, with two beautiful treatments. First, the Forest Therapy Treatment brings the serenity of nature to the mind, body and skin, along with a festive gift from Aromatherapy Associates. Or try La Prairie’s Ultimate Indulgence Body Treatment, with a calming body wrap, blissful caviar massage and an inner strength soothing facial.