CNN

15 luxury hotels that go all out for Christmas

Nov 29, 2022, 11:49 AM | Updated: Nov 30, 2022, 3:24 pm

Tea time and Christmastime coincide at The Plaza's elegant Palm Court, where three holiday tea menu...

Tea time and Christmastime coincide at The Plaza's elegant Palm Court, where three holiday tea menus will be available through December 31.

(CNN) — Twinkling lights, glitter, Champagne and petit fours. It’s time to treat yourself to some holiday cheer.

Luxury hotels serve up a glamorous way to brighten up the festive season, whether for an overnight stay or an elegant afternoon tea.

These hotels are worth a closer look for a few hours of sipping tea and admiring Christmas decorations or for a spur of the moment escape or a future holiday splurge.

The Greenbrier: White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia

Letters to Santa, an ugly sweater dinner, a fun run and a cookie decorating workshop are all part of The Greenbrier’s lineup in the days surrounding December 25.
(The Greenbrier)

Natural mineral springs have drawn guests to The Greenbrier for more than two centuries, and the historic hotel that opened in 1913 has welcomed many US presidents.

Letters to Santa, an ugly sweater dinner, a fun run and a cookie decorating workshop are all part of The Greenbrier’s lineup in the days surrounding December 25.

On Christmas Eve, there’s a Snowman Ball ($125 per adult; $55 per child) followed by a musical program in the resort’s chapel. On Christmas Day, board games, Bingo and a scavenger hunt will keep families entertained.

Rates start at $609.

The Greenbrier, 101 Main Street, White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia

The Fife Arms: Braemar, Scotland

Fishing, foraging and hiking are just outside at The Fife Arms, an antiques-packed, 19th-century retreat within Cairngorms National Park in the Scottish Highlands.

The hotel is 14.5 kilometers (nine miles) from Balmoral, the Royal Family’s residence in Scotland.

For winter guests, there’s a seasonal alpine fondue hut with a cozy fireplace. On the menu, a traditional Swiss option of molten cheese is joined by a Scottish take on the rich classic — a blend of two local cheeses and a local pale ale.

Rooms start at about $500 in late December. There’s also a special Christmas package, subject to availability.

The Fife Arms, Braemar, Aberdeenshire, Scotland

Ojai Valley Inn: Ojai, California

“Serenity Season” is right on time at the Ojai Valley Inn, where spa treatments, golf, tennis, yoga and more can be incorporated into a restorative stay at this 220-acre coastal valley resort.

On December 24, there’s a Jingle Bell Jaunt and story time with Santa’s elves. Christmas Eve and Christmas Day dinner will be served at both Olivella and The Oak, and there’s a grand buffet on Christmas Day at The Farmhouse ($175 per adult, including wine; $60 for children 12 and younger).

December room rates start at $649 per night.

Ojai Valley Inn, Ojai, California

The Plaza: New York

Tea time and Christmastime coincide at The Plaza’s elegant Palm Court, where three holiday tea menus will be available through December 31.

The Manhattan Tea ($118) features savories and sweets, including a potato tart with beet, mushroom and goat cheese and a Manjari chocolate orange bûche.

Eloise, the hotel’s famous fictional resident, lends her name to a children’s tea available for $85 per child.

There’s a Christmas Day buffet ($275 for adults). And for New Year’s Eve, a truly lavish gala offering comes with a price tag to match: $975 per person.

The Plaza has availability for December and around Christmas, with a starting rate of $1,395 per night.

The Plaza, Fifth Avenue at Central Park South, New York

Anantara Golden Triangle: Chiang Rai, Thailand

Anantara Golden Triangle’s “jungle bubbles” double as snow globes during the holidays.(Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort)

As far as memorable holiday experiences go, it’s hard to beat sleeping in a clear bubble with elephants roaming right outside.

It’s possible at Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort in Thailand’s Chiang Rai province. The resort’s two-bedroom Jungle Bubble Lodge is transformed into snow globes for the holidays. Starlit skies and gentle giants add another layer to the magic.

The resort has a selection of more traditional luxury rooms, and guests can learn more about the beloved residents at Elephant Camp.

“A Gift of Mother Nature” Christmas brunch will showcase fresh, locally sourced ingredients.

Rooms start at about $1,660, including meals, airport transfers and some activities.

Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort, Wiang, Chiang Saen District, Chiang Rai

Fairmont Scottsdale Princess: Scottsdale, Arizona

A sledding mountain, a skating trail and a chairlift with 26 gondolas are just part of the annual Christmas at the Princess festival. Add six million lights, a train and more: It’s safe to say Fairmont Scottsdale Princess doesn’t believe in holding back for the holidays.

The festival, which runs through January 2, is open to the public. Free for hotel guests, the entrance/parking fee for up to four nonhotel guests is $72 for self-parking.

Rooms start at $599. There’s also a holiday package available.

Fairmont Scottsdale Princess, 7575 East Princess Drive, Scottsdale, Arizona

Rock House: Providenciales, Turks and Caicos

There’s certainly a lot to be said for a warm-weather Christmas that involves lounging poolside with a cocktail.

The new luxury resort Rock House on the island of Providenciales in Turks and Caicos offers panoramic views of all the fireworks shows during the holiday season.

Some of the resort’s dwellings have private pools. On Christmas Eve, a family-style Italian meal will be served on the jetty for $140 per adult and $50 per child.

On Christmas Day, a four-course meal at Vita restaurant and the main pool ($275 for adults, $50 per child) will be accompanied with carols from a local gospel choir.

Christmas week rates start at $910 a night.

Rock House, Blue Mountain Road, Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands

 

Hôtel de Crillon:

Twinkling holiday lights set off ornate interiors at Paris’ famed Hôtel de Crillon.
(Hôtel de Crillon)

Paris

Historic Hôtel de Crillon delivers a next-level Parisian holiday.

A seven-course Christmas Eve menu at L’Écrin starts at close to $600 with wine pairings available for $250. Afternoon tea in the Jardin d’Hiver runs a less stratospheric $90ish, including a glass of Champagne. From December 12, pastry chef Matthieu Carlin will add a festive twist to the traditional afternoon tea service.

The five-star property, originally built in 1758 under the direction of King Louis XV, overlooks Paris’ Place de la Concorde.

Over Christmas weekend, rooms start at about $2,250.

Hôtel de Crillon, 10 place de la Concorde, Paris

Willard InterContinental: Washington

The Willard is hosting holiday choral performances every evening through December 23.(Willard InterContinental)

In the United States capital, the Willard InterContinental will host free performances by local choral and vocal ensembles in the lobby from 5:30 to 7:30 nightly from December 1 through December 23.

Signature hot chocolate-inspired cocktails — the hot cocoa-nut and the choco pico — will be available in the famed Round Robin Bar

Holiday afternoon tea — with finger sandwiches and pastries — will be served every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from December 2 through December 30 ($112 per person or $125 with a glass of champagne).

Room rates in December start at $329.

Willard InterContinental, 1401 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC

Four Seasons: Hampshire and London, England

Horseback riding and English gardens await guests of Four Seasons Hotel Hampshire. (Four Seasons)

An hour from central London, Four Seasons Hotel Hampshire serves up a sophisticated country Christmas in an 18th-century manor on 500 acres of rolling meadows.

An equestrian center and other outdoor offerings will ensure a hearty appetite for holiday meals at Wild Carrot or afternoon tea in The Library.

Hotel Hampshire rates during the Christmas season start at about $865, with breakfast included.

For a sparkling city Christmas, guests at Four Seasons Hotel London at Park Lane will find a snow-globe installation in the lobby, the option to decorate their own Christmas trees and a Christmas Day à la carte menu. Room rates over the holidays start at about $1,300.

Four Seasons Hotel Hampshire and Four Seasons Hotel London Park Lane, England

Madeline Hotel & Residences: Telluride, Colorado

With 14,000-foot peaks as your backdrop, why not have a ski and spa Christmas?

Madeline Hotel & Residences in Telluride boasts luxurious ski-in/ski-out accommodation, with a spa that offers treatments such as Alpine Muscle Relief and Tranquil Recovery for your after-ski rejuvenation.

There’s a Christmas Eve dinner at Black Iron Kitchen + Bar, featuring juniper-glazed Cornish game hen or herb-crusted Colorado lamb leg, for $145 for adults, $65 per child.

In December, the resort is hosting Alpenglow, an immersive multimedia art installation. There’s also a pop-up holiday market on Thursday and Friday afternoons, December 15 and 16 and December 22 and 23.

The starting rate is $949.

Madeline Hotel & Residences, Auberge Resorts Collection, Mountain Village Blvd. Telluride, Colorado

Royal Mansour: Marrakech, Morocco

The Royal Mansour is ready for holiday guests. (Isaac Ichou/Royal Mansour)

The holidays are a gourmet affair at the Royal Mansour in Marrakech.

The property’s restaurants will feature special menus for Christmas and New Year’s Eve from Michelin-star chefs.

A Moroccan take on the traditional French bûche de Noël from pastry chef Jean Lachenal features a crunchy sesame seed base with a chocolate mousse and sesame cream as part of the sweet creation.

The hotel will host a Christmas market in its lobby on December 17 with handmade crafts, Christmas sweets and gift items for sale, with proceeds going to local charities.

Hotel rates start at about $1,420 per night.

Royal Mansour, Rue Abou El Abbas Sebti, Marrakech, Morocco

The Breakers: Palm Beach, Florida

Founded by Standard Oil Co. magnate Henry Morrison Flagler in 1896, The Breakers Palm Beach carries its lovely traditions right through the holiday season.

The oceanfront Italian Renaissance-style resort dazzles with sparkling lights, and holiday tea is available at HMF on December 22-24 and December 26-30 for $115 per person.

The hotel’s Ponce de Leon ballroom will host a buffet on Christmas Day that includes rack of lamb, caviar and sushi rolls ($250 per person; $95 for children 12 and younger).

There’s limited room availability in December with rates starting at $1,125.

The Breakers, One South County Road, Palm Beach, Florida

Ritz: Paris

Glittering trees, festive menus and afternoon tea. It’s Christmastime at the Ritz Paris. (Ritz Paris)

The Ritz Paris is putting on exactly what you’d expect from the elegant luxury property.

Christmas Tea is available at Bar Vendôme and Salon Proust, starting at about $70 per person with a hot beverage or about $90 with a glass of Champagne.

The Salon d’Eté will serve a lavish holiday brunch on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day for about $260 per person.

Rates around Christmas start at about $1,960 per night.

Ritz Paris, 15 place Vendôme, Paris, France


The-CNN-Wire™ & © 2022 Cable News Network, Inc., a Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All rights reserved.

KSL 5 TV Live

CNN

Ryanair has come under criticism from some Italian lawmakers after several incidents this year invo...

Barbie Latza Nadeau and Antonia Mortensen, CNN

184 passengers and crew evacuated as Ryanair Boeing plane catches fire on runway in Italy

More than 180 people were evacuated Thursday from a Ryanair Boeing passenger jet after it caught fire while taxiing to take off at Brindisi Airport in southern Italy.

3 hours ago

FILE: Shopping carts are lined up in front of a Costco store on Feb. 25, 2021, in Inglewood, Califo...

Jordan Valinsky, CNN

Costco is now selling platinum bars for $1,089

Costco is expanding the collection of precious metals it sells, with the addition of platinum.

6 hours ago

Martin Estrada, US Attorney for the Central District of California, announced federal charges again...

Josh Campbell and Cindy Von Quednow, CNN

Dozens of suspected White supremacist gang members arrested in Los Angeles area in domestic terrorism investigation

A total of 68 suspected gang members with ties to White supremacy were charged in the Los Angeles area Wednesday in a large-scale takedown, federal prosecutors said.

1 day ago

Dockworkers strike at the Bayport Container Terminal in Seabrook, Texas. (Mark Felix, AFP/Getty Ima...

Chris Isidore, CNN

People are panic-buying toilet paper because of the port strike

Toilet paper shortages in stores across America are giving folks nightmarish reminders of the pandemic era. But the lack of toilet paper isn’t a direct result of a major port strike Tuesday. It’s because of panic buying.

1 day ago

Frank Fritz, who appeared on the History Channel antiques collector show “American Pickers,” ha...

Alli Rosenbloom, CNN

‘American Pickers’ star Frank Fritz dead at 60

Frank Fritz, who appeared on the History Channel antiques collector show “American Pickers,” has died, according to his co-presenter and “American Pickers” creator Mike Wolfe.

2 days ago

Striking longshoremen picket outside the Packer Avenue Marine Terminal Port, in Philadelphia, Penns...

Chris Isidore and Vanessa Yurkevich, CNN

Port strike begins across America’s East Coast

Nearly 50,000 members of the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) are on strike Tuesday against the nation’s East and Gulf Coast ports.

2 days ago

Sponsored Articles

abstract vector digital social network technology background...

Les Olson

Protecting yourself against social engineering attacks

Learn more about the common types of social engineering to protect your online or offline assets from an attack.

family having fun at home...

Lighting Design

Discover the impact of lighting on your mood

From color temperature to lighting saturation, we tackle how different lighting design setups can impact your day-to-day mood.

Laptops in a modern technology store. Department of computers in the electronics store. Choosing a ...

PC Laptops

How to choose the best laptop for college students

Finding the right laptop for college students can be hard, but with this guide we break down what to look for so you can find the best one.

young male technician is repairing a printer at office...

Les Olson

Unraveling the dilemma between leasing and buying office technology

Carefully weigh these pros and cons to make an informed decision that best suits your business growth and day-to-day operation. 

A kitchen in a modern farmhouse....

Lighting Design

A room-by-room lighting guide for your home

Bookmark this room-by-room lighting guide whenever you decide to upgrade your lighting or style a new home.

Photo courtesy of Artists of Ballet West...

Ballet West

The rising demand for ballet tickets: why they’re harder to get

Ballet West’s box office is experiencing demand they’ve never seen before, leaving many interested patrons unable to secure tickets they want.

15 luxury hotels that go all out for Christmas