For anyone seeking their ideal Christmas getaway – whether that involves embracing winter wonderland at a quintessentially festive destination, nestled bedside with a hearty mug of hot chocolate, or basking in the sun on a distant beach, one’s bound to discover a touch of unique holiday magic at these festive destinations. From the sunny shores of Maldives to the hallmark festive havens like London and New York to a romantic Italian getaway to Florence, these are the 7 most enchanting destinations to visit this festive season.
Toast to Sun-Kissed Holidays at Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi
Experience a Tropical Christmas in the Maldives
A tropical Christmas in the Maldives is ideal for those looking for a taste of tradition with a side of sunshine. The alluring Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi resort beckons, set against the pristine white sands, shimmering crystal blue waters, and lush palm trees.
Christmas Celebrations (December 15th – December 26th)
Festivities commence early with family-friendly activities like the Christmas tree lighting ceremony, inviting guests to participate in the tradition of decorating the tree, family date night painting, gingerbread making, and more. Kick off the Christmas Eve celebrations with a Gala dinner on the 24th of December, featuring a dinner buffet with the finest cuisines for all to enjoy. Mark the enchanting arrival of Christmas with Santa by the sea and delight in gift-giving, meeting Santarina and the cheerful elves. For the grand finale, guests can indulge in a unique monochromatic tasting menu experience at Terra, a romantic treetop venue overlooking the stunning Indian Ocean.
New Year (December 27th – January 5th)
Countdown to the New Year Eve in style with loved ones on the paradise sands, relishing seasonal feasts and an ultimate full moon party under a starlit sky. Experience New Year’s Eve joy with a glittering Gala dinner at Nava Beach, featuring a night of glitz, live music, a buffet of delicious treats, and fun games for the little ones. Celebrations continue to the New Year, where guests can unlock their creativity with a nail art workshop or partake in an island treasure hunt.
Elevate your festivities
Guests can kickstart their immersive wellness journey with the resort’s pioneering Wellness Concierge, the first of its kind in the Maldives. The resort presents a range of festive workshops, including Cosmic Calm – a transcendental meditation journey, and a natural coffee-based scrub creation workshop wherein guests can relish the Aqua Wellness Centre’s steam sauna with their custom scrub creation.
Step into a Renaissance Fairytale, Where Love is in the Bear at Hotel Savoy Florence
Embrace Christmas in Florence
Embrace the allure of Christmas in Florence, where the charming Renaissance backdrop embellished with festive lights and decor transforms the city into a captivating fairy tale. Amid these prominent landmarks stands Hotel Savoy, where ‘Love is in the bear’ this festive season.
Christmas Celebrations (December 24th & 25th)
Guests and their loved ones can immerse themselves in a classic Italian feast with traditional holiday delicacies at the Irene Restaurant. The celebratory dinner promises an unforgettable Christmas Eve experience with its festive ambience. Guests can further enrich their celebrations with a special Christmas lunch curated by Chef Fulvio Pierangelini, who has handpicked local ingredients to craft an exceptional seasonal menu.
New Year
Mark the most awaited night of the year at Irene Restaurant with a glamorous Gala dinner. A welcome flute of chilled bubbly, followed by a New Year’s Eve dinner showcasing regional delicacies, will set the scene for a magical midnight countdown and a fabulous toast to 2024. Commence the year with a New Year’s Day brunch featuring live music, children’s entertainment, and a delectable menu highlighting traditional Tuscan flavours with a particular emphasis on promoting a healthy lifestyle.
Elevate your festivities
As the Piazza della Repubblica transforms into a winter wonderland outside, within Hotel Savoy, a dreamy cascade of twinkling lights creates an extra sense of intimacy for special romantic evenings. Rekindling the hotel’s popular candle-lit dinners this year, the Irene Restaurant will be illuminated by candlelight every Monday until the 5th of February 2024, offering guests the perfect opportunity to dine in this radiant twilight setting in one of Europe’s most romantic cities.
The Peninsula New York – Your ‘Holiday Home’ for the Festive Celebrations
Experience Christmas in the Heart of Manhattan
Located on Fifth Avenue and 55th Street in Midtown Manhattan, The Peninsula New York is in the heart of the city’s Christmas festivities.
Christmas Celebrations (November 24th – December 30th)
Kick off the holiday season in style with a special tree lighting ceremony on November 30th at Salon de Ning. An array of spectacular stay packages features seasonal-themed amenities and experiences curated for guests. The ‘Nights before Christmas Package’ package offers an enchanted journey for the entire family.
New Year
Soar into the New Year above the lights of Fifth Avenue at Peninsula New York’s rooftop party. The glamorous event will see Salon de Ning transformed with a Winter Wonderland-inspired West Terrace and a heated and tented East Terrace, all combined with lighted dance floors and live music from Rock and pop cover band The Chip Shop Boys.
Elevate your festivities
In honour of the season, the award-winning Peninsula Spa & Wellness Centre offers an ideal retreat for guests to treat themselves to blissful bespoke festive packages. The ‘Holiday Glow’ package will enable guests to reinvigorate their winter skin with pampering treatments, leaving it refreshed just in time for the holiday parties.
Hotel Café Royal – A Glimmering Retreat in the Heart of London
Experience the Vibrant Center of London
Amidst the shimmering lights of Regent Street, discover Hotel Café Royal – where the enchantment of ‘The Spirit of Christmas’ meets the heart-warming embrace of the season and whose iconic address is synonymous with unrivalled celebrations and dazzling gatherings.
Christmas Celebrations (November 22nd – December 29th)
The warm, comforting hues of the festive season will envelop guests with the opulent ‘Glimmering Retreat’ stay package, wherein they can relish sweet delights with an exclusive Cakes & Bubbles hamper, complemented by a bottle of bubbles on arrival and a royal English breakfast for two each morning.
New Year (December 30th – January 2nd)
Revel in a New Year’s Eve filled with sparkling moments, with a lavish four-course dinner, a bottle of bubbly, and an evening filled with music and celebrations that last late into the night.
Elevate your festivities
Guests can pamper themselves with a decadent Festive Afternoon Tea at The Grill Room in the city that does it best. Gilded features adorn the mirrored room, where delightful delicacies, delicious sweets, and overflowing bubbly and teas immersed in melodic piano tunes will take guests on a timeless journey.
Let the Stars Guide You to Conservatorium This Festive Season
Discover Amsterdam’s Cultural Epicenter
Adjacent to the cultural epicentre of Amsterdam, the regal Conservatorium hotel glows splendidly with dazzling lights and is enveloped in soul-lifting music during this festive season.
Christmas and New Year Celebrations (December 1st – December 31st)
The ultimate festive package by the Conservatorium Hotel offers guests an unparalleled experience to embrace these special days fully. Beginning the celebrations with a bottle of bubbles in one of their luxurious guest rooms or suites, guests can then revel in a hearty festive breakfast at the Brasserie.
Elevate your festivities
In December, the city of Amsterdam’s famed canals takes on an extra shimmer, making for an unforgettable experience for visitors. One of the loveliest things to do is a canal boat tour while taking in some of the world’s most unique and magnificent light displays at the Amsterdam Light Festival.
Grandeur Meets Glamour at Lutetia Paris
Experience the Magic of the City of Light
The City of Light sparkles extra bright during the holiday season, from the lights lining the Saint-Germain-des-Prés to the store window displays that rival museum art installations. An icon of the neighbourhood, the festive celebrations at the Lutetia – one of the prestigious Parisian grand hotels, will be synonymous with joy and wonder.
Christmas Celebrations (December 1st- January 3rd)
Throughout December, Le Saint-Germain will offer a festive afternoon tea that guests can enjoy under its spectacularly coloured glass ceiling for a warm and gourmet interlude in the heart of winter.
New Year
At nightfall on New Year’s Eve, the Bar Joséphine, at the pulsating heart of the Left Bank, beckons guests to soak in its vibrant and sophisticated atmosphere.
Elevate your festivities
A true artwork with astonishing realism, this year, Chef Nicolas Guercio presents an adorable “LuLu” yule log, representing the Shar-Pei mascot of Lutetia Paris. The delightful puppy, made with Valrhona Manjari 64% dark chocolate, will delight all chocolate lovers. At the same time, the real log, in the shape of a cushion, will add an extra layer of sweetness to festive family gatherings.
Arabian Nights Paired with Festive Delights at Bab Al Shams Desert Resort
Experience Dubai’s Enchanting Desert Landscape
Surrounded by the limitless wonder of Dubai’s breathtaking desert landscape, the charming Bab Al Shams offers an ideal sanctuary for those seeking a burst of winter sunshine infused with a festive spirit, all without jet lag.
Christmas Celebrations (December 12th – December 26th)
Guests can indulge in various festive-themed dining experiences, including an afternoon tea at the Lobby Lounge showcasing seasonal delights, including mince pies, gingerbread bites, and scones. The Christmas Eve Dinner and Christmas Day Lunch at Zala will offer guests a feast of holiday specials like a whole roast turkey and beef Wellington, accompanied by all the quintessential trimmings.
New Year
Countdown to 2024 under the desert stars with a 1001-night-themed Gala dinner at Al Hadheerah or dance through the night at Anwā with a glamorous Studio 54-inspired New Year’s Eve After Party, complete with an extravagant fireworks display.
Elevate your festivities
Witness an oasis of natural wonder at Al Marmoom Desert Conservation Reserve with an exhilarating luxury private 4×4 adventure. Discover the graceful gazelles, the majestic Arabian oryx, and birds amidst captivating celestial views before ending the evening with a scenic sunset picnic – an ideal finale to a truly memorable stay at Bab Al Shams.
FAQs
Q: When do the Christmas celebrations start at these destinations?
A: Christmas celebrations vary by destination, but most start in mid-December.
Q: What special activities are there for children during Christmas?
A: Many destinations offer special activities for children, including Santa visits, gingerbread making, and more.
Q: What can I expect from New Year’s Eve celebrations?
A: New Year’s Eve celebrations include gala dinners, live music, and fireworks at these destinations.
Q: Are there any wellness activities available during the festive season?
A: Yes, some destinations offer wellness activities like meditation and spa treatments during the festive season.
Q: Is there a charity initiative at any of these destinations?
A: Yes, some destinations donate a portion of their earnings to charity during the festive season.
Q: What is unique about the festive season in Dubai?
A: Dubai offers a unique blend of Arabian Nights and festive delights in its desert landscape.
Conclusion
These 7 enchanting festive destinations offer diverse experiences for your ideal Christmas getaway. Whether you prefer tropical paradises, renaissance fairytales, or vibrant city celebrations, there’s a destination to suit your holiday dreams. Elevate your festivities and create cherished memories at these magical destinations this festive season.
