From the UK's most picturesque holiday scenes to sparkling New Year's Eve celebrations in Paris, each hotel has a unique offering during the most wonderful time of the year. For loved ones who are staying home this festive season, properties such as The Lanesborough, Gleneagles, Ashford Castle, and The Newt in Somerset are giving the gift of travel without getting on a plane overseas - from house-made gin and cyder to luxury pajamas and bed linens.
THE LOWELL HOTEL, NEW YORK ‘A VERY LOWELL HOLIDAY’ – THE ULTIMATE CITY CHRISTMAS EXPERIENCE WITH IN-ROOM LOG-BURNING FIRES & HOLIDAY STOCKINGS
This holiday season, guests are invited to experience a traditional New York Christmas at The Lowell, the idyllic seasonal hideaway in the heart of the city. The glamorous landmarked hotel on East 63rd Street, between Madison and Park Avenues, is a short stroll from many New York staples including iconic department stores on 5th Avenue, and is just blocks from Central Park. After a day of shopping, exploring the city, or ice skating at Rockefeller Center, guests can retreat to the warmth of The Lowell and cozy up by one of the open log burning fireplaces found in many of the hotel’s suites, choosing from a menu of aromatic logs. Upon request, guests can also opt for en-suite Christmas trees and stockings filled with festive treats for both adults and children.
Brimming with Christmas cheer throughout each of the property’s spaces, guests are encouraged to stop by the lobby tree and select from the purchasable presents nestled underneath its twinkling lights for any last-minute gift giving needs. In The Club Room, a glass of bubbles or a hot toddy awaits anyone who desires to be ensconced by plushy leather chairs, a crackling fireplace and festive garland strewn across the mantel and never-ending rows of bookshelves. Through the glass double doors into Jacques Bar is the perfect corner booth for guests or locals looking to stay a while, sipping the ever festive White Cosmo garnished with candied cranberries. And down the marble steps into Majorelle, all who reserve a table will enjoy seasonal French fare perfect for the holiday season, including Vol-au-Vent d’Escargots en Persillade (Snails in Puff Pastry with Parsley and Garlic) and Magret de Canard au Potiron et Marrons (Duck Breast with Butternut Squash and Chestnut).
Whether it’s enjoying a cup of cocoa in front of the fire, snagging a reservation at one of Manhattan’s hotspots, or procuring a last minute gift, The Lowell and their brilliant team is on demand to provide an exquisite stay during the most magical time of year.
HOW: Rooms at The Lowell start at $3,095 per night plus taxes, on a B&B basis and with late check-out based on two adults sharing a room. Minimum two-night stays.
THE NEWT, SOMERSET, UK
ESCAPE TO THE NEWT IN SOMERSET FOR WHIMSICAL ADVENTURES IN THE ENGLISH COUNTRYSIDE
Fine food, enchanting walking trails, and mulled cyder galore; Christmas at The Newt shows the 1,000-acre working estate in all its glory, inviting guests to savor and share simple pleasures. By day, guests can meander down dewy garden paths, experience tours led by The Newt’s passionate team, and enjoy delicious festive menus, celebrating the farm-to-fork dining commitment The Newt is famed for. As well as exploring the formal gardens, influenced by thousands of years of horticultural history, winter is a magical time to take a stroll through the woods at The Newt, where native deer stroll among the trees and nestle under The Viper, a serpentine walkway, meandering 40 ft above the forest floor. Guests can also step back in time with the Roman Villa Experience - the hugely ambitious reconstruction of a Romano-British Villa found on the estate, and the most significant cultural attraction to open in the UK this year. Those seeking their own private winter bolt hole should consider the Gate Lodge; the first private house accommodation on the estate. Once the original gatehouse to Hadspen House, the hotel’s primary accommodation, this unique two-bedroom cottage with kitchen and living room mirrors the sophisticated and playful charm of the 17th century manor house; a miniature version of sorts, with design details joyously reimagined for a smaller space.
HOW: Rates at Hadspen House start from $300 per night based on two sharing on a B&B basis. Rates for The Gate Lodge start at $2,466 for two nights on a B&B basis, with a minimum two-night stay. The rate also includes access to garden, estate and spa facilities, as well as a 12-month Newt Membership. https://thenewtinsomerset.com
HÔTEL MADAME RÊVE, PARIS
A VERY PARISIAN HOLIDAY OF PRIVATE CHRISTMAS SHOPPING AND NEW YEAR’S CELEBRATIONS WITH 360° VIEWS OVER THE CITY OF LIGHTS
Hôtel Madame Rêve is giving travelers the most remarkable festive holiday in Paris with its Christmas curated shopping experience and Winter Wonderland New Year’s Eve celebration. The hotel sits within the historic 19th century Louvre Post Office building, in the picturesque 1st arrondissement - making for a magical festive backdrop for visitors. Madame Rêve’s Christmas shopping package offers a tailor-made experience for those looking to check off their own holiday wish lists, guided by a fashion expert through the iconic La Samaritaine in the comfort of luxurious private lounges. Shoppers will have an intimate experience at the historic department store, filled with the most sought-after high end brands. In addition, the package includes overnight stays in a Madame Rêve suite, as well as a 75 euro food and beverage credit to dine at Madame Rêve Café or La Plume Rive Droite. If travelers are visiting on Christmas Eve, they will enjoy an especially festive, yet unique holiday menu offering at La Plume Rive Droite, one of the hotel’s two impressive culinary offerings, offering a chic Japanese dining experience combining French flavors. Highlight menu items include the wagyu beef tataki with black truffle ponzu to start, the sole tempura topped with nori seaweed and tentsuyu sauce for a main dish, and a decadent Bûche Monceau for dessert. Hotel Madame Reve also invites guests to ring in the new year with its Winter Wonderland experience, counting down the final moments of 2022 at the acclaimed La Plume Rive Droite restaurant, with 360° views over the city of lights. This experience includes accommodation at the guest’s room of choice, a continental breakfast, a bottle of champagne to enjoy in the room, a New Year’s Eve Dinner at La Plume for two, and late check out on the first morning of 2023. La Plume Rive Droite’s New Year’s Eve dinner menu is not one to miss - from the grilled artichoke with apple miso and black truffle to the show-stealing lobster tempura with ponzu and wasabi mayo, the restaurant’s flavors will show guests their best meal of 2022 to date.
HOW: Room rates start from €500 (approx. $516) per night. For more information on the Christmas Shopping Experience and the New Year’s Eve Winter Wonderland Experience, please visit www.madamereve.com.
TOO HOTEL, PARIS
CELEBRATE TOO HOTEL’S FIRST FESTIVE SEASON SITTING IN PARIS’S HOT NEW NEIGHBORHOOD WITH SKY-HIGH VIEWS AND EXTRAORDINARY FRENCH CUISINE
Fresh from opening in October 2022, TOO Hotel invites visitors to ring in the new year with a fresh perspective on Paris and a jaw-dropping culinary experience. With legendary design by Philippe Starck with breath-taking views from the summit of one of French capital’s most iconic new landmarks with each of the 139 rooms and suites providing a bird’s-eye view unlike any other. Set within a glittering gold-ceilinged glass cube above the hotel, TOO Restaurant offers mouth-watering world cuisine with a modern twist from sun-up to sunset. Christmas menu highlights include a kalamansi tuna with guacamole and kumquat and a mushroom hotpot with vegan butter and truffle. For the New Year’s Eve, TOO is offering a whole roasted lobster with shiso butter and Argentinian Wagyu beef sirloin with truffle mayo and chili ponzu as standout dishes. The TOO TacTac Skybar - taking its place amongst the capital’s highest rooftop bars - allows guests to savor Paris in all its splendor from its 150 sq. m panoramic terrace. For Christmas and New Year’s Eve celebrations, TOO TacTac is offering hot items, such as jumbo tiger prawn with citrus and yuzu kosho and grilled octopus with eggplant caponata and spicy sriracha. With bespoke cocktails, live music and DJ sets, it’s the opening of the season. All of the city’s major sights are at guests’ fingertips; the center of Paris being just a short train ride or 15-minute cycle away along the picturesque Left Bank.
HOW: Rates at TOO Hotel start at €220 (approx. $227) per night on a B&B basis. The Christmas menu at TOO Restaurant is €125 (approx. $130) per person and the New Year’s Eve menu is €300 (approx. $310) per person. The Christmas menu at TOO TacTac is €80 (approx. $83) per person and the New Year’s Eve menu is €150 (approx. $155) per person. Rates for a New Year’s Eve package start from €1,100 (approx. $116) for a two-night stay, buffet breakfast for two, dinner and a festive evening at TOO TacTac, and a wellness recovery New Year’s gift with late check out on January 1.
THE MILESTONE HOTEL & RESIDENCES, LONDON
MAKE THIS CHRISTMAS THE MOST MAGICAL YET WITH A FESTIVE AFTERNOON TEA AT THE MILESTONE HOTEL & RESIDENCES
This Christmas, make up for lost time and enjoy a Festive Champagne Afternoon Tea in the elegant Park Lounge overlooking Kensington Gardens at the five-star Milestone Hotel. Whether it be a roast turkey and stuffing sandwich or a brie with spiced cranberry sandwich, the festive afternoon tea served in elegant Park Lounge, Conservatory, or Cheneston's Restaurant is sure to delight. An assortment of homemade festive-inspired tea pastries will be ready to tuck into, including a pear & speculoos choux bun, clementine & almond cake, caramelized white chocolate & cranberry macaron and spiced rum custard tart, plus many more festive treats. Set in a Grade II listed building and brimming with old-world character and charm, The Milestone Hotel & Residences sits perfectly opposite Kensington Palace with stunning views across Kensington Gardens with 44 guest rooms, 12 luxury suites and 6 private residences. Steeped in history, this landmark London hotel is just a short stroll from the legendary Royal Albert Hall, as well as Notting Hill and Knightsbridge.
HOW: Traditional Festive Afternoon Tea is $90 per person. The Champagne Festive Afternoon Tea is $108 per person. For more information, please visit www.milestonehotel.com/christmas
THE LANESBOROUGH, LONDON
AN ENCHANTING REGENCY RESIDENCE FOR A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS
Part of the prestigious Oetker Collection, The Lanesborough, London is at its most magical during the festive season, softly sparkling with Christmas décor and full of merriment. The hotel is once again ready to fill visitors with Christmas cheer thanks to a seasonal display titled
‘Lucky Star’ by renowned Event Imagineer, Tony Marklew. The festive installation surrounds the exterior portico and entrance to the hotel, with a cascading curtain of glittering oversized snowflakes, a central tree created from lace-like laser cut metal, and oversized glittering snowflakes in white and gold falling throughout the hotel space. The Lanesborough offers a magical home away from home this festive season with the Christmas in Residence package. During two or three days in residence at the hotel, guests will be greeted with mulled wine or hot chocolate on arrival, a beautifully decorated Christmas tree in their room or suite, a chauffeur-driven car to Harvey Nichols or Hamleys to pick up any final presents, and onto St. Paul’s Church in Knightsbridge for a jolly evening service. The package also includes a Champagne breakfast on Christmas Morning and a table at The Lanesborough Grill for a sumptuous five-course Christmas Day lunch, followed by a live broadcast of the King’s Speech. Back by popular demand is the exclusive partnership with neighboring luxury department store, Harvey Nichols, providing guests a bespoke shopping appointment in the privacy of their very own suite, with a dedicated Harvey Nichols Private Shopping Consultant. Both guests and visitors alike are invited to book a festive dining experience, including a new Festive Afternoon Tea, Festive Live Nights sessions with live music on Thursdays – Saturdays in December, Christmas Eve Dinner, and Christmas Day Lunch.
HOW: The Christmas in Residence package starts from £1,550 (currently approx. $1,832) per room, per night, for two people and is valid on a two or three-night stay from December 24 – 27, 2022. The Lanesborough’s festive Afternoon Tea is available from November 11, 2022 to January 8, 2023 and is priced at £80 (currently approx. $95) per person with the Mulled Wine Martini Cocktail or Mocktail, or £85 (currently approx. $100) with a glass of Champagne. The Live Night sessions are priced at £95 (approx. $114) per person for three-courses and a glass of Champagne.
GLENEAGLES AND GLENEAGLES TOWNHOUSE, SCOTLAND
EXPERIENCE THE MAGIC OF A GLENEAGLES CHRISTMAS IN BOTH TOWN AND COUNTRY
Set beneath the snow-capped Ochil Hills, Gleneagles transforms into the ideal cozy hideaway over the festive season, and this year will see celebrations at the iconic 850-acre estate taking inspiration from the world of woodlands and fairy tales. With decorations designed to evoke the wintery scenery of the surrounding Perthshire countryside, the hotel will be transformed into a magical wonderland, complete with Hansel & Gretel themed afternoon tea, hidden fairy doors set amongst twinkling Christmas lights, and a whole range of family friendly activities; with classic pantomimes and treasure hunts all waiting to be enjoyed. From brisk trail walks, ice skating and outdoor adventures by day, to roaring log fires and decadent dining by night, there is something for everyone at Gleneagles. Guests will be able to forget about the stresses of Christmas – no roasting the turkey, decorating the house, or organizing family and friends – and instead, sit back and soak up the luxury, style, glamor, and exceptional service Gleneagles is famed for, at the most luxurious house party in Scotland. Less than an hour away in buzzy Edinburgh, the festive season means bustling streets and twinkling lights, turning the city into a glittering wonderland at dusk. Located on St Andrew Square - and opening for its first ever Christmas season - Gleneagles Townhouse offers glorious guest accommodation alongside glamorous dining and drinking experiences in the heart of the Scottish capital. Amidst a dazzling display of winter fairy-tale decorations, on Christmas Day guests can soak up the buzz and cheer filling the air at this spectacularly stylish hideaway. A sharing-style menu featuring lobster, turkey, and Christmas pudding - plus the obligatory supply of champagne! - will be served in The Spence, while private dining areas are also available to book. To help guests get into the festive spirit, during the magical month of December the hotel will be hosting a full program of events, including Champagne wreath making and Christmas carols in the impressive historic stairwell.
HOW: Festive Packages at Gleneagles start from £1,240 (currently approx. $1,394) per room per night including food and entertainment (supplements may apply). Rates at Gleneagles Townhouse start from £495 (currently approx. $556) including breakfast.
PASSALACQUA LAKE COMO
DISCOVER THE ‘GENIUS LOCI’ THIS HOLIDAY SEASON
This Christmas, guests are invited to take a moment to enjoy ‘Dolce Far Niente’– the quintessential practice of sweet idleness and enjoy quieter pursuits on offer at Passalacqua, the exquisite 18th Century lake-side resort. Born and brought up on Lake Como, the De Santis family and their team of experts have curated a range of pastimes and experiences to showcase the pleasures of villa living and provide a taste of real local life. Those staying over the Christmas season can enjoy “Natale a Como”, a unique Christmas Festival, which sees Lake Como completely transformed into a magical destination through a series of traditional events and Christmas markets. Festivities are heightened with the Como Magic Light Festival, which lights up the facades of the buildings in the city center and on the lake shores to create a special festive atmosphere everywhere. Back at the hotel, families and children alike can celebrate with a fun and interactive Christmas cookie and pastry making class, testing themselves at baking a reinvented ‘panettone’ with their favorite toppings or preparing the delicious traditional ‘torrone’ to bring at home. In-house florist, is on hand to help guests create festive decorations using freshly picked flowers from the gardens, while Silvio the General Manager delivers masterclasses for Christmas wreaths and tree ornaments. Arguably the hottest European opening of 2022, Passalacqua is an incredible 18th century villa steeped in history that has been brought to life by leading Italian hoteliers, Paolo Antonella and Valentina De Santis. Known for the iconic Grand Hotel Tremezzo, the family has exceptional local knowledge and deep roots in the territory. It is their exquisite taste, genuine approach and warm Italian hospitality that separates this exceptional resort apart from everything else on the Lake – with guest happiness at its heart.
HOW: Rates at Passalacqua Start from EUR 900 per night based on two people sharing on a B&B basis and excluding taxes. Minimum stay of three nights during Christmas and New Year festivities.
LE BRISTOL PARIS
HOUSE CAT, SOCRATE, WELCOMES GUESTS TO ‘HOUSE OF SOCRATE’ THIS FESTIVE SEASON
This Christmas, Oetker Collection’s Parisian Palace, Le Bristol Paris, will reach peak coziness with festivities hosted by the hotel’s resident feline, Socrate. Immersive decór, overseen by renowned French interior design firm, Studio Björg, was inspired by Le Bristol Paris’ rich history of glamor and opulence, with a touch of playfulness. The experience begins with Christmas trees lining the exterior entryway and leading indoors to a potted pine forest — all consciously lit with eco-friendly candles or LED string lights. The lobby, Socrate’s customary domain, will be illuminated by a cascade of 500 crystal pendants to be draped from the ceiling, casting its infinite reflection on the surface of a mirror topped central table. The surrounding pines, decorated in gold baubles and white tassel ornaments, will feature beautifully wrapped gifts at their base whilst a series of handmade Socrate sculptures play hide-and-seek throughout in a charming tribute to this festive season’s gracious host. Le Bristol’s courtyard garden is dressed for the occasion in pine trees and an original ‘Amour toujours’ neon light feature, custom created for Le Bristol Paris by calligraphy sculptor Valentine Herrenschmidt. Festive dining includes menus from both Triple Michelin starred Epicure and one Michelin starred 114 Faubourg. At Epicure, a seven-course menu features wild turbot and Bresse chicken with lobster for Christmas, among other fine creations by Head Chef Eric Frechon. He also worked with 114 Faubourg’s Chef Loïc Dantec and his team on a six-course menu around pasture raised guinea fowl in a chestnut crust. Each menu will feature a unique and delicate dessert by Le Bristol Paris’ pastry team. The famed Bûche de Noël by Head Pastry Chef Pascal Hainigue will also be available from December 20 – 26. For last minute gifting, the property’s Gabriela Hearst pop-up boutique in the hotel lobby offers a curated selection from the designer’s eponymous collection.
HOW: Rates at Le Bristol Paris this December start at 1,881 (currently approx. $1,943) on a B&B basis. The 7-course dinner at Epicure is priced at 950€ (currently approx. $982), and the 6-course menu at 114 Faubourg is priced at 480€ (currently approx. $496)
GIVE YOUR LOVED ONES A TASTE OF THE WORLD’S FINEST HOSPITALITY AT HOME THIS FESTIVE SEASON…
GIN-GIN! ICONIC LONDON ADDRESS THE LANESBOROUGH LAUNCHES A BRAND-NEW LONDON DRY GIN IN TIME FOR THE FESTIVE SEASON
The Lanesborough, part of the prestigious Oetker Collection, is the most magical destination to visit during the festive season. This Christmas, the hotel is launching its very own ‘The Lanesborough London Dry Gin’ in partnership with Hawkridge Distillers. The delightfully smooth spirit is infused with a mix of natural botanicals inspired by the surrounding landscape: the ancient Royal Parks of Hyde Park, St James’s Park, and Green Park adjacent to the hotel. Perfect paired with one’s tonic of choice, a slice of preferred citrus, a sprig of rosemary and plenty of ice, the skilled mixologists at the hotel’s The Library Bar are also using The Lanesborough Gin to create the L’Negroni Spritz – a lighter, all-day variation of the classic Negroni - using gin, Campari, sweet vermouth, a dash of orange bitters and London Essence Peach & Jasmine Soda, finished off with edible flowers and a sprig of rosemary.
HOW: The Lanesborough London Dry Gin is priced at £80 (currently approx. $96) for 24oz, or £40 (currently approx. $48) for 7oz bottle, available to purchase on site at the hotel or online via The Lanesborough.
ADD THE LUXURY OF SCOTLAND’S LEGENDARY GLENEAGLES ESTATE TO EVERY WEEKEND AWAY WITH THEIR HANDCRAFTED LEATHER BERWICK TRAVEL BAG
Drawing inspiration from the golden age of railway travel, the handcrafted leather collection from Gleneagles - Scotland’s most legendary of hotels - is designed in-house by Ennismore Design Studio, and created by two of the UK’s finest leather goods manufacturers; Tusting and Launer London, famed for producing HM Queen Elizabeth II’s signature handbag. Available in multiple chic color ways, the unisex Berwick travel bag is the perfect companion to a weekend break and allows the recipient to add a taste of quintessential Gleneagles style to their wardrobe. With ample space to carry all the essentials, the bag features custom branded hardware and a detachable long strap for ease of carrying on a quick escape.
HOW: The Berwick travel bag is available to purchase at Gleneagles’ online shop, priced at £595 (currently approx. $711).
SLEEP LIKE ROYALTY WITH ASHFORD CASTLE’S SILK PAJAMAS AND BED LINENS
Red Carnation Hotels’ historic Ashford Castle has a variety of gifts and goodies including house-made chocolates, jams and chutneys as well as luxury sumptuous gifts such as beautifully branded silk pajamas, bed linens, eye masks and silk pillow cases. The silk pajamas are in a timeless style with the Castle’s bespoke green and gold colors and the Ashford insignia on the breast pocket. For the complete experience of slumbering like a king or queen, the pajamas can be perfectly paired with Ashford’s bed linen, made of 100% pure Egyptian cotton and embroidered with the best quality yarns. The full sheet set includes a duvet cover, a flat bed sheet, and four pillow cases with sizes in double (full), king and super king.
HOW: Ashford Castle’s silk pajamas and bed linens are available to purchase at Mrs. Tea’s Boutique & Bakery. The silk pajamas are priced at $317 and bed linens begin at $418 for the double size.
RAISE A GLASS THIS HOLIDAY SEASON WITH A FINE SELECTION OF CIDERS FROM THE NEWT IN SOMERSET
With over 65 acres of apple orchards and 70 varieties of bittersweet and Somerset apples, The Newt in Somerset is home to one of England’s finest cider mills and produces six different ciders that can be delivered individually or by case right to your door.
The No. 1 Kingston Black Cyder: Locally harvested Kingston Black apples from the Dorset village of Melpash are freshly pressed in late October and cold fermented and matured for six months, making a perfectly balanced cider light in tannins and dryness. Priced at $11 per bottle.
The No. 2 Dabinett Cyder: Fermented and oak-aged in our three Seguin Moreau oak vats in The Newt’s cider cellars, this cider has a delicate, fresh oak aroma with hints of green apple and caramel. The cider is medium dry with a slight taste of the Dabinett apple’s signature bitterness. Priced at $11 per bottle.
The No. 3 Yarlington Mill Cyder: Harvested from an old Shwoering’s orchard in Galhampton, this cider is enriched with Yarlington Mill apple juice for a sweet, deep and rich cider with aromas of baked apple and gooseberry. Priced at $11 per bottle.
Fine Cyder: Made with specially selected dessert apples, precise wine-making techniques and cold slow fermentation, this cider is super fresh and elegant. Notes of ripe pear, melon and almond hit the nose with a crisp taste of apple and lemon. Priced at $13 per bottle.
The Winston Sparkling Cyder: The dessert apples used to make this special cider were fermented dry in The Newt’s cellar and laid down in a bottle for up to two years before being disgorged and released in small batches. The result is a vibrant cider with a pale straw color with notes of candy, brioche and custard apple on the nose, and notes of lychee, mango and crisp apple to taste. Priced at $42 per imperial pint bottle.
HOW: All ciders are available for purchase on The Newt’s website.
