For those looking to discover the gift of getaway this winter, these hotels are highlighting festive offerings, from a magical Christmas Market in Morocco, five-course tasting menus in Puerto Rico, a glamorous New Year’s Eve party in the Hudson Valley, and so much more.
Dorado Beach, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve
Dorado Beach, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve invites guests to celebrate a white (sand) Christmas this year with an array of luxurious, family-friendly experiences in store. Throughout December, families will have the opportunity to participate in several holiday-centric activities like ornament arts-and-crafts corners and gingerbread house decorating – or, opt for curated nature and adventure-filled experiences through its onsite Jean-Michel Costeau-designed Ambassadors of the Environment program, featuring stargazing at Encanto Beach, sunset bike tours across the Rockefeller Trail, local Taíno cultural discovery activities, and more. Special Christmas Eve and Day menus are available at all onsite restaurants, including the Indigenous-inspired COA, Posi+ivo Sand Bar, and La Cocina Culinary Center.
On New Year’s Eve, guests can ring in 2023 with a celebratory five-course dinner at COA alongside live entertainment. Notable menu highlights include White Truffle Risotto, Chilean Sea Bass, Wagyu Beef Tenderloin, and more. Following dinner, guests can head to the onsite Posi+ivo Beach for a “Glow Night Celebration,” including an open champagne bar, canapés, more live entertainment, and spectacular beachfront fireworks show at midnight.
La Mamounia
The winter months bring festivities and cooler temperatures to Marrakech, making it an ideal time to explore the vibrant city’s cultural attractions and colorful streets. Travelers seeking luxury and holiday programming should look no further than the legendary La Mamounia, with its various offerings including its enchanting Le Jardins, La Mamounia Spa (featuring one of the most iconic indoor swimming pools in the world), and its refined cuisine at the helm of internationally-recognized chefs. From Dec. 10-23, guests will have the opportunity to visit La Mamounia’s celebrated Christmas Market, featuring a collection of charming chalets brimming with decorations, gifts, gourmet products, and more. The onsite L’Italien par Jean-Georges will offer special Christmas dinners ($177 per guest) on Dec. 24 and 25. Notable menu highlights include Shrimp & Mushroom Risotto with Black Perigord Truffle, Roasted Capon with Périgourdine Sauce, and a signature Pierre Hermé Yule Log.
Hotel Barrière Fouquet’s New York
The newly opened Hotel Barrière Fouquet’s New York is delighted to welcome guests to experience the Le Luxe Noel packages, in celebration of the property’s first Christmas. The Le Luxe Noel Package combines Parisian holiday flair with only the best festive experiences New York City has to offer. While on the property this holiday season, guests can enjoy an array of luxury offers from a shopping experience to a private movie screening in the signature Cannes Cinema Room. Priced at $20,000 the Le Luxe Noel Package includes:
Raffles Hotel Singapore
The iconic, 135-year-old grande dame hotel will showcase a range of lavish yuletide and New Year’s Eve specialties curated exclusively for guests this festive season. Experiences include Festive Afternoon Tea in the Grand Lobby throughout the month of December, featuring a splendid spread of handcrafted pastries and sweet treats including Mini Mincemeat Pie, Matcha Raspberry Profiterole, Red Velvet Roll Cake and more; delightful repertoires of Christmas carols and seasonal classics from Raffles Singers, Victoria Chorale, Temasek Hall VOX and One Chamber Choir throughout the hotel; and a series of Christmas workshops every weekend in December at the Raffles Arcade, where guests can enjoy an afternoon spent crafting pinecone trees, terrariums, snow globes, and planter boxes.
Across the hotel’s acclaimed dining venues, patrons can indulge in exceptionally curated festive menus and special meals at the MICHELIN-Star La Dame de Pic, Raffles Singapore; Osteria BBR by Alain Ducasse; and Butcher’s Block. For one exclusive evening on New Year’s Eve, Writers Bar invites guests to toast the New Year with an exquisite fruits de mer platter of succulent oysters, shrimps, and Maine lobster with avocado hash and black truffle, accompanied by two glasses of exquisite Champagne Telmont Reserve Brut. Guests can enhance the experience with two additional cocktails of choice, specially curated by Beverage Manager Nicholas Alexander. Guests can also enhance their holiday experience with the hotel’s Festive Indulgence at Raffles Package, valid for stays from December 1, 2022 - January 2, 2023. More information at www.rafflessingapore.com.
Grande Lakes Orlando
Just in time for holiday travel, Grande Lakes Orlando recently completed the exciting renovations of both The Ritz-Carlton, Orlando, and JW Marriott Orlando, Grand Lakes. Travelers can look forward to exciting updates (including enhanced accommodations and a new waterpark attraction), in addition to festive programming. The Ritz-Carlton, Orlando is highlighting a Gingerbread School (“students” will have the chance to build their own gingerbread houses ) and a Santa’s Teddy Bear Tea, where guests are treated to a special tea service with gifts and crafts to take home. Nearby, the hotel ballroom at JW Marriott Orlando will transform into Peppermint Square, a holiday wonderland filled with games, activities, and festive entertainment for the whole family.
Fairmont El San Juan Hotel Fairmont El San Juan Hotel invites travelers from around the world to celebrate the holidays at one of Puerto Rico’s most iconic properties. This year, the resort kicks off the festive season with a Tree Lighting Ceremony (illuminating the holiday tree as a symbol of peace and happiness for all ) as well as ceremonial Menorah lighting for each of the eight nights of Hanukkah. The property also invites guests to dine at Caña by Juliana Gonzales for curated holiday menus on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Additionally, younger travelers can convene in the lobby to track Santa’s journey around the world, where freshly baked cookies and carrots for Santa and his reindeer to enjoy, will be available. More information on holiday offerings can be found on the website here.
Waldorf Astoria Chicago & Waldorf Astoria Atlanta Buckhead
Waldorf Astoria Chicago, the premier Gold Coast hotel, will celebrate the festive season in luxurious style, kicking off the holidays with its annual holiday tree lighting in the property’s iconic front courtyard. The newly renovated hotel will transform into a winter wonderland for guests and families, featuring an illuminated tree and a larger-than-life gingerbread display in the lobby. Beginning in December, the hotel will host readings of the holiday classic ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas, inviting guests and families to visit the cozy new Peacock Lounge to enjoy a family favorite by the fire.
At the Waldorf Astoria Atlanta Buckhead, travelers can look forward to carolers, who will entertain guests in the lobby from December 14-24. The hotel will also offer special holiday meals by reservation only.
Regent Phu Quoc
The festive lights will flicker from every corner, with colors of green, red, gold, and white paint every step of the way. A delicious aroma drifts through the air. Festive Season begins December 16 with the lobby tree lighting at 5pm. Gingerbread House decorations can be crafted from December 22-24, 2-4pm. Cookie decorating sessions run from December 16-26. A unique arrival of Santa via the beachfront will be on December 25, 10am. Regent kids (of all ages) are invited to sing along to classic Christmas songs and take photos with the man of the hour. With the only catamaran available on the island, enjoy a festive coastline cruise during the day from December 16-January 8 that includes an onboard seafood barbecue. Champagne sunset cruises will also be running at that time in the evenings. If you prefer, pre-set Christmas Eve and Day will both have several options at each of their three restaurants, Rice Market, Oku and Ocean Club. Topping it off, a beachfront five-course dinner in white will be on December 28 with a live acoustic guitar performance. Advance reservations are strongly encouraged - for more information please email festive.regentpq@ihg.com
The Ritz-Carlton in the Caribbean
Guests can celebrate Christmas with a lineup of exciting events and activities at The Ritz-Carlton, Turks & Caicos this holiday season. Titled ‘A Day to be Joyful’ the property’s programming begins on Christmas Eve, where guests can head to the Lobby for Christmas Carolers and eggnog followed by a bonfire with views of the sunset over Grace Bay Beach and s’mores. Later in the day, guests can gather at the property’s ballroom and the event lawn for the Christmas Dinner Buffet for traditional holiday favorites. Following dinner, families can end their holiday with a Christmas Movie Screening on the event lawn.
While at The Ritz-Carlton, Aruba, guests can discover locally inspired clothing in the resort’s holiday favorite fashion show. This year’s Christmas Fashion Show will partner with the local Sgt. Pepper’s Friends Foundation, the largest animal rescue in Aruba, to bring in rescue puppies for guests to hold and play with during the show.
The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands
The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands offers guests the chance to truly embrace the joy of the holiday season in this picturesque paradise. Nestled along white beach coves and set above azure waters, the resort offers a personalized 24-hour Aris Meeha island butler and an array of exciting festive experiences as these overwater villas become guests’ homes for the holidays. For guests wishing to celebrate festive early, the resort will offer Sangu Sundowner with Christmas Tree Lighting and Ginger Bread House Decorating workshop at La Locanda on December 22 followed by Santa’s Workshop at the Ritz-Kids club on December 23.
On Christmas Eve, guests can enjoy a special Christmas Eve Dive through the legendary Jean-Michel Cousteau’s Ambassadors of the Environment program. The resort will be hosting a family-friendly festive party for kids at the Eau Bar followed by adults-only at dusk. On Christmas Day, Santa Claus will make his debut in the Maldives at the Eau Bar and Mystique Garden and guests can delight in a Christmas Day “A la Carte Dinner'' at the Beach Shack. On New Year’s Eve, the resort will be hosting a special sunset cocktail party and a glamorous countdown party for guests who wish to welcome the New Year in paradise.
Troutbeck
Situated on 250 acres of wild-to-manicured landscape in the heart of the Hudson Valley, the historic estate hotel Troutbeck will transform this season into a picturesque “Winter Wonderland.” Greeted upon arrival by the crackle of a warm fireplace and the scent of woodsmoke and wreaths, Troutbeck defines the cozy season and is the ideal upstate escape for travelers looking to relax into the sounds and sights of the season.
Round Hill Hotel & Villas
Situated in sunny Montego Bay, Jamaica, Round Hill invites Holiday Travelers to join the property this season for their “Rhapsody in Blue” Holiday Festivities. From nightly entertainment to many special events, this time of year is magical in the Jamaican Paradise. Whether you desire laid-back days or choose to take part in the hotel's daily activities, there is something for everyone this season.
