1. ITALY'S ICONIC SKI RETREAT
Beneath the majestic peaks of Lavarella and Conturines in Italy sits the charming mountain village of San Cassiano. At its heart, Rosa Alpina, an Aman Partner Hotel, serves up unparalleled access to the UNESCO World Heritage ski destination of the Dolomites Superski and Sella Ronda network of pistes. Home to 52 rooms and suites, it’s the exclusive three-bedroom Penthouse or the spacious private retreat of Chalet Zeno, sleeping six, that max on privacy and luxury. Head to three Michelin-star restaurant St. Hubertus for the very best local and seasonal produce that celebrates the mountains, or to the Rosa Alpina spa for some adult-only holistic wellness in the Dolomites. A ‘mindful skiing’ retreat in the most magical setting.
2. BLACK FOREST BEAUTY
The historic spa town of Baden Baden was recently awarded UNESCO World Heritage, and is home to Brenners Park-Hotel & Spa. Cosy up here, in the crisp, storybook surrounds of the Black Forest, to make the most of the magical chills and thrills of festive season. Celebrations begin on Christmas Eve, with a four-course menu at Orangerie, followed by aperitifs in the hotel’s classic bar Kaminhalle, before concluding with a beautiful five-course traditional Christmas dinner at the Wintergarten restaurant. On Boxing Day, you can stroll to the Christmas Market to discover local delicacies and enjoy a complimentary warming glass of Glühwein, German mulled wine. For NYE, there’s also a special gala dinner in the Orangerie, as well as an opulent dinner at super-cool Fritz & Felix restaurant.
3. SWISS FESTIVE FORMULA
For a gourmand getaway this holiday season, head to Kulm Hotel St. Moritz, and sample the delights of superstar chef Mauro Colagreco, who opened his first venture in the Alps in the hotel’s restaurant The K back in December 2020, which also won a Michelin star just six weeks later. With over 160 years of ski hospitality under its belt, the service and experience here is impeccable. The Ski Special package gives those staying three nights or more, half-board accommodation, a ski pass, and complimentary ski transfers to Corviglia base station. Stay in the Presidential Suite for open log-fire chic, with a bedroom and balcony facing the lake for the most beautiful views. Relax at the spa, ice skate at Lake Champfer, take a helicopter flight above the engadine or a carriage ride at Val Roseg for true festive feels.
4. JOYEUX NOËL
The epitome of contemporary chic in The City of Light, Mandarin Oriental Paris is adding a little extra twinkle to the festive season. Two exclusive pop-ups include a winter garden bar with Cognac Martell, in which Bar 8’s terrace will be transformed as a backdrop to evenings of exclusive cocktails, a Gospel concert on December 16 and 19, and a live DJ on New Year’s Eve. For the little ones, Au Nain Bleu, from the Saint Honoré district of Paris, will bring a pop-up shop to the hotel lobby until December 24, with a beautiful selection of traditional wooden toys.
For gourmands, Chef Thierry Marx will reinterpret festive fare with a four-course dinner at Camélia during December, and lunch on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. Or, for ringing in the New Year, a seven-course dinner at Sur Mesure, with Champagne pairing, or a six-course dinner at Camélia. The hotel’s Festive Celebrations in Paris offer, gives guests the gift of a guest room or suite; breakfast each day in-room or in Camélia; EU150 credit when booking a room or EU300 for a suite reservation; a bottle of Louis Roederer Champagne and Christmas-themed treats; and other benefits when logging into or joining Fans of M.O.
5. POETRY ON A PLATE
Brown’s Hotel is the epitome of boutique urban elegance, and the setting of many historical milestones, such as where Rudyard Kipling penned The Jungle Book and Alexander Graham Bell made the city’s very first telephone call in 1877. Keeping the storied magic alive this holiday season, the hotel invites guests to celebrate the festive season at an immersive dinner event on December 19, inspired by The Nutcracker story. Produced in collaboration with Black Rabbit Projects, award-winning actors, magicians and ballet dancers will narrate the story through a series of classic performances, while guests indulge in a three-course set dinner at Brown’s Hotel’s restaurant, led by Chef Adam Byatt, feasting on glazed beetroot and goats’ curd, Sutton Hoo chicken and onion squash, followed by gingerbread crème brûlée. Each course will be served with a series of clues hidden within the table decorations, guiding you on a festive journey filled with wonder and surprise.
6. ALPINE ADVENTURES
The grande dame of Engadine hotels, Grand Hotel Kronenhof has been welcoming guests since 1848, so it’s storied history matches the grandeur of its heritage-protected appearance. Located in the heart of the idyllic Engadine village of Pontresina, just six kilometres from St. Moritz, it’s perfect for skiiers wanting to be part of the action, but on their own terms. Your winter fairy-tale starts here, whether you choose to spend them actively with cross-country or Alpine skiing or simply relaxing in the hotel’s luxurious spa.
Book a three-to-seven night stay in a room or Junior Suite, and enjoy sumptuous breakfast each day and half-board in the Grand Restaurant, as well as a three-to-seven day Hotel Ski Pass, or a three-to-seven days Kronenhof Spa wellness pass, with unlimited access to the spa. Amidst all the skiing, snowboarding, tobogganing and ice-skating, there’s plenty for cultural connoisseurs, too. Between Christmas and New Year, the Engadine hosts magical concerts by the Engadin Symphony Orchestra; There’s also the beautiful Tales of a Tree Christmas animated arts projection until January 9; and the World Para Alpine Skiing World Cup St. Moritz starts on December 12... So much to get excited about.
www.kronenhof.com
7. SHOP 'TIL YOU DROP
This one’s for the Christmas shopaholics amongst us... The Lanesborough London has partnered with neighbouring luxury department store Harvey Nichols to launch an exclusive shopping experience, where each guest will have a Harvey Nichols Private Shopping Consultant on hand, first with a pre-appointment consultation to discover your fashion requirements and needs and, then to present you with a meticulously curated selection of wares in the comfort of your suite, while one of the Lanesborough’s butlers keeps your Champagne glass topped up.
Once you’ve found the perfect outfit, you can show it off on New Year’s Eve during a five-course dinner in Michelin-star Céleste, with its live festive entertainment and glass of champagne on arrival.
8. LET IT SNOW, LET IT SNOW
Brand new for your Little Black Book of ski lodges is Ultima Courchevel Belvédère, opened just in time for ski season 2021/22. Perched all snowy and pretty on the Belvédère slopes, the lodge sites between Courchevel 1850 and La Rosière, offering the experience of an ultra-luxury five-star resort within the privacy of 13 private chalets. Anyone who knows Ultima Collection will know it’s the last word in super-luxury experiences, and this is no different. Opt for the full Ultima experience, complete with ski butler, massage therapists, transfers to Courchevel 1850 and famously extravagant breakfasts. Enjoy the floor-to-ceiling windows for max-impact snow-kissed views, all the trappings of an in-house designer ski store, an indoor and outdoor pool, hammam, Jacuzzi, sauna, fitness room and beauty salon, with visits from leading wellness experts on request.
9. FESTIVE FANCIES À LA FRANCE
Conjuring up notions of beautiful winter wonderlands, both inside and out, Royal Champagne Hotel & Spa is the Champagne region’s first contemporary-designed five-star hotel, set in the hills above the area’s most famous towns, Épernay and Reims, of Dom Pérignon fame. Kicking off a sparkling festive season in effervescent style, guests staying two nights or more will be greeted with a glass of bubbles as you check into your Junior Suite with vineyard views, followed by Christmas Eve dinner or Christmas Day lunch, as well as an afternoon tea served by the roaring fireplace in the hotel’s Salon Fines Bulles. Or, to ring in 2022, there’s a New Year’s Eve offer that includes a decadent party with dinner prepared by chef extraordinaire, Jean-Denis Rieubland, followed by a healthy brunch the next morning.
10. MUSIC TO OUR EARS
If you’ve been to the opera, you’ll know what a spine-tingling, soul-shattering occasion it can be, so just imagine listening to opera performed 5.8 metres under the sea whilst reeftip sharks, rays and a cornucopia of fish swim around you... Step forward 5.8 Undersea Restaurant at Hurawalhi Maldives, the world’s largest all-glass undersea restaurant. For the holiday season, it welcomes Opera Under the Sea events, with performances by Burcu Hanci, the Turkish soprano soloist, who has previously sung with the Istanbul State Symphony Orchestra and now performs at concerts and classical music festivals around the world. Book a table on December 27, 28 and 30, or January 1, 3, 4 to dine in the most dramatic setting with the world’s most beautiful operatic soundtrack.
11. CHRISTMAS IN PARADISE
Often voted as one the best hotels in the Maldives, Velaa Private Island packs a punch for luxury escapism centred around pared-back luxury, peace and harmony. It’s certainly a good launch pad for elevated festivities this holiday season. Starting on December 20 are Velaa’s 8th birthday celebrations with British singer Pixie Lott performing. For Christmas, kids will be captivated by an Alice in Wonderland fantasy, the opening of the grand Gingerbread House and a visit from Santa. For the grown-ups, New Year’s Eve kicks off with cocktail party followed by gala dinner, and an indulgent brunch on the beach on New Year’s Day to help blow away the cobwebs, followed by a Night at the Oscars musical performance in the evening.
