Embrace the festive period by celebrating the holidays with the hearty seasonal cuisine, sparkling decorations and exclusive events offered by each of these luxury hotels.
Claridge’s London
Claridge’s is celebrated for its afternoon tea and the festive offering is considered particularly special. Throughout the holidays, this afternoon tea service comes complete with Claridge’s famous Christmas pudding, of which only 150 are made for purchase packaged in a china bowl engraved with the Claridge’s crest and wrapped in the hotel’s signature green box with a silk ribbon. On Christmas Eve, guests can then soak up the festive atmosphere with caroling and horse-drawn carriage rides through Mayfair with a mug of hot cocoa in hand. On returning to their rooms, guests will find their own mini Christmas tree, stockings and carrots left out for Santa’s reindeer. The Christmas at Claridge’s hotel package includes a welcome bottle of champagne, Christmas entertainment for children, stockings, a horse-drawn carriage ride and Christmas lunch.
Le Royal Monceau Raffles Paris
Taking inspiration from the ski resorts of Europe’s alpine towns, this Parisian palace hotel has created its own snow-covered terrace, Val Monceau, for the holidays. At this al fresco bar guests can experience an alpine escape in the heart of Paris with Veuve Clicquot champagne or one of three signature cocktails, paired with truffle hotdogs, smoked salmon waffles and macarons or the Bûche de Noël Cristal by Pierre Hermé, which combines a crunchy chestnut shortbread base with moist chestnut cake, a chestnut mousse and rose-flavored mascarpone cream. Ski apparel by Maison Fusalp will be available for guests to wear. Floral craftsman Baptiste Pitou has decorated the hotel with fresh flowers and a Christmas tree shaped like a giant snowball has been installed by the lighting sculptor Sylvie Maréchal. By staying here on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day, guests can indulge in special tasting menus at the hotel’s Michelin starred restaurant Il Carpaccio as well as at Matsuhisa Paris.
The Pierre, A Taj Hotel, New York
Champagne sabering, a performance by cast members of Kinky Boots and the eighth annual tree lighting, along with a series of festive menus, are all a part of the seasonal offering at The Pierre. Join the celebrations on December 11th for a one-hour performance by the cast members of Kinky Boots, which is a part of the Broadway at The Pierre Cabaret Series, and come by on December 14th for champagne sabering in the Rotunda with champagne by Palmes d’Or Nicolas Feuillate and canapés. On Christmas Day , tuck into a three-course pre-fixe lunch or dinner at Perrine, with a gift of specially made Christmas cookies and caroling performances.
The Chatwal, a Luxury Collection Hotel, New York
This Stanford White designed hotel on 44th Street is celebrating the holidays by partnering up with Bloomingdale’s. Throughout the upcoming weeks, the iconic department store will be providing guests of the Chatwal with the ultimate shopping experience. During each guest’s stay, they will be given a personal shopping consultation at the Bloomingdale’s Suite and a complimentary chauffeur service to Bloomingdale’s in the Mercedes-Benz house car, as well as a complimentary limited edition The Chatwal x Bloomingdale’s Little Red Brown Bag. The hotel’s Christmas tree will then be adorned with unique playbill ornaments, reflecting the hotel’s close ties to Broadway.
The Berkeley, London
At this luxury hotel in Knightsbridge, guests can immerse themselves in the spirit of the holidays from the very first moment they arrive. On stepping into the hotel, guests are greeted by the festive light installation ‘Snowball’, which was designed by Pritzer Prize winning architects Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners to encompass 137,000 sparkling lights, giving the effect of a magical snow scene. From here guests can venture to the Collins Room where the Berkeley Express gingerbread train is on display and head up to the rooftop cinema for classic holiday film screenings with Moncler blankets, hot water bottles and hot cocoa.
Jumeirah Vittaveli, Maldives
Marking this year’s festive season, Jumeirah Vittaveli has launched the Maldives’ first ever ice rink, which was designed for complete sustainability by Glice®. In addition to creating this Winter Wonderland, the resort is hosting a series of carnival themed celebrations, taking inspiration from celebrations across the world from Venice to Rio de Janeiro. Join gala dinners at Samsara Beach, catch the resort’s series of live music and dance acts and get a visit from Santa Claus on Christmas Day. Each day guests will be able to take part in activities such as wine blending and cookie decorating.
The Peninsula Chicago
Celebrate the holidays at Peninsula Chicago with festive decorations, seasonal cuisine and the Peninsula Sky Rink, which returns this year for its sixth edition. The hybrid skating rink complete with pine trees, festive music and snowflake lighting lies adjacent to the hotel’s Shanghai Terrace, four stories above Michigan Avenue with views over Chicago’s John Hancock building and the Magnificent Mile. The hotel’s culinary offering then includes a holiday afternoon tea with live music, a special gourmet menu for Christmas Eve and a Christmas Day brunch complete with a live string quartet and a visit from Santa Claus.
La Réserve Genève, Switzerland
Each winter, La Réserve Geneva welcomes the return of its annual ice skating rink where children staying at the hotel can borrow skates on a complimentary basis with a tent next door to warm up with crepes and hot chocolate. On Christmas Day, Santa Claus then makes an appearance to hand out gifts to the children. Special Christmas packages include a one-hour treatment at Nescens Spa, which is the largest spa in Geneva, with festive holiday crafts for children to take part in at the kid’s club, La Petite Réserve. Christmas dinner takes place in the hotel’s fine dining restaurant Le Loti.
Belmond Charleston Place, Charleston
Celebrating the legendary train journey of the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, Belmond Charleston Place has created a festive display beneath its signature Georgian open-arm staircase in which the train plays a starring role amid miniature European alpine homes, realistic stables and a blacksmith shop. The hotel’s Thoroughbred Club is offering the special Conductor cocktail too, in honor of this ambitious display.
Longueville Manor, Jersey UK
The grand Relais & Chateaux property Longueville Manor provides a cozy setting for the holidays on an estate that lies within Jersey’s peaceful countryside. Christmas at Longueville Manor begins with a champagne reception on arrival, and a gastronomic dinner showcasing Jersey’s produce is served each evening. Christmas carols will then be performed by a local choir during dinner on Christmas Eve, and a champagne reception is served on Christmas Day along with a traditional Christmas Day lunch. Boxing Day begins with a tour of the hotel’s impressive new wine cellar with wine tastings accompanied by cheese and oysters, before the day’s dinner and party unfolds with live entertainment and dancing.
Hamilton Princess Bermuda
Spend Christmas at Hamilton Princess Bermuda and revel in the resort’s holiday decorations, which include a life-size gingerbread house made from 350 pounds of gingerbread dough and 120 pounds of sugar icing, making it large enough for children to step inside. Created by the resort’s executive chef Ricardo Cera and a team of six pastry chefs with additional support from the engineering team, the gingerbread house is the result of 120 hours of teamwork. The festive masterpiece will be on display at Hamilton Princess until January 2nd.
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