From oh-so-bright Christmas trees illuminating hotel lobbies to twinkling outdoor light displays, properties around the world celebrate the yuletide splendor and spirit of the holidays in bold ways. Breakfasts with Santa and special themed brunches are all part of the annual fanfare. So, if you’re ready to embrace a little holiday cheer, keep reading to discover hotels that go all out with lavish decorations and enchanting seasonal festivities.
[See: 10 Underrated Places With Fantastic Holiday Celebrations.]
One Aldwych
London
Aacross the pond at One Aldwych, a boutique hotel located in London’s iconic Covent Garden neighborhood, guests are warmly greeted in the lobby bar by a dazzling Christmas tree. Designed by the hotel’s resident florist, Mark Siredzuk, the towering 25-foot spruce draws inspiration from the hotel’s location and is adorned with miniature-theater set designs from hit West End shows. Choose from five Christmas-themed cocktails, including the Royal Santa or the Carol Fizz. The holiday festivities continue with the hotel’s playful afternoon tea inspired by “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.” What’s more, the Spirit of Christmas Cinema features holiday classics in the hotel’s luxury screening room followed by an indulgent dinner.
The Carolina Inn, A Destination Hotel
Chapel Hill, North Carolina
The Carolina Inn‘s 20th-annual Christmas extravaganza includes festive holiday decor, glowing Christmas trees and seasonal activities. Visit the Carolina Inn Holiday Market and hear a special reading of “The Polar Express” with Santa’s helpers. Then, explore the Gingerbread House Village to check out a professional gingerbread house competition, which brings local pastry chefs together to battle for the title of “Best Gingerbread House” and will be on display throughout the inn. Indulge at the inn’s Classic Holiday Tea featuring three assorted tea sandwiches, savories and sweets per person, house-made chocolate confections and scones.
The Point Resort
Saranac Lake, New York
A secluded oasis in upstate New York, The Point transforms into a winter wonderland around the holidays. Each guest room is beautifully decorated with its own tree set by a fireplace. The Great Hall is swathed in garlands and wreaths with a floor-to-ceiling fully decorated tree in the center of the room, and areas throughout the exterior of the property glow with lights, garlands and wreaths. Mother Nature typically also puts her touch on the holiday and winter spirit making the property look like a real-life snowglobe with each evergreen perfectly dusted with snow. Plus, you can spend your holiday enjoying cold-weather pastimes such as cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.
The Wickaninnish Inn
Tofino, Canada
Celebrate the holiday season along the West Coast in style at T he Wickaninnish Inn. Each year, the inn is decked with twinkling fairy lights and handmade ornaments conjured from original designs and local materials, including a deer made of moss, angels made of cedar boughs and a giant bell. A Christmas package includes a keepsake collection of ornaments for your tree, a four-course Christmas dinner for two at The Pointe Restaurant, and a special holiday beverage for two at the On the Rocks Bar and Lounge.
Regent Taipei
Taipei, Taiwan
Regent Taipei’s Christmas tree is the largest Christmas tree of all Taiwan’s five-star hotels. The 42-foot tree is decorated with 27,000 LED light bulbs, 2,600 colorful bows, 5,000 glitter balls, 1,500 golden nuts and 2,100 poinsettia ornaments. Plus, eight LED giant gift boxes will be hung on top of the first floor’s Azie Restaurant to surround the Christmas tree.
[See: 8 Places That Are Perfect for a Winter Weekend Getaway.]
The Willard InterContinental
Washington, District of Columbia
For the yuletide season, the iconic Willard will continue to create unforgettable memories as it rolls out its yearly resplendence of all things merry and bright. From dazzling Christmas decor and musical pageantry to a meal fit for a president, the property knows how to celebrate the season. A cherished tradition is the highly anticipated holiday afternoon tea at Peacock Alley.
Palm Beach Marriott Singer Island Beach Resort & Spa
Singer Island, Florida
Despite its tropical beachfront location, Palm Beach Marriott Singer Island Beach Resort & Spa undergoes a transformation every holiday season to become its own magical winter wonderland. The pastry team unveils jaw-dropping holiday decor, punctuated by a large, edible gingerbread house. The pastry chef, Kursten Riggott, has designed a gingerbread house with a walking path and a giant Christmas tree. There will be a “Teddy Bear Tea” in the lobby for the little ones the week of Christmas and a Grand Brunch Buffet on Christmas Day.
The Broadmoor
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Looking ahead to its 100th birthday in 2018, The Broadmoor celebrates the holiday season in classic Broadmoor style with its Winter Lights at Seven Falls. Thousands of LED lights will brighten the beautiful box canyon and Santa will arrive on a zip line. The lights remain illuminated for the holiday season and are a treat for locals to explore. Holiday celebrations at The Broadmoor also include live holiday dinner shows (think: Radio City Music Hall Christmas-inspired show), breakfasts with Santa, cookie decorating with the pastry chefs and a massive gingerbread cathedral. The project takes 10 pastry chefs almost 300 hours to complete.
Corinthia Hotel Budapest
Budapest, Hungary
There’s never a bad time to visit Budapest, but the winter holidays are especially inviting. The Corinthia Hotel Budapest serves as a focal point for many of the city’s holiday attractions, and guests are treated to a nonstop array of festivities. Aside from an annual tree-lighting tradition accompanied by a choir, a Santa Claus brunch and Christmas-themed brunch are paired with a special holiday tea.
[See: 8 Winter Events Worth Planning a Trip Around.]
Lotte New York Palace
New York, New York
Upon check-in, guests of the Lotte New York Palace will be offered a postcard to write a special letter to Santa that is dropped into a decorated mailbox in the lobby. During the daily Palace Hour, guests will also receive a personalized response to their letters along with a small holiday gift. Special musical performances held on the lobby’s grand staircase will welcome guests as they arrive. What’s more, the property offers an over-the-top holiday package that features a special seasonal experience with stocking stuffers, Martin Katz jewelry and accommodations in the Jewel and Champagne Signature suites.
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