It’s been a busy year but Christmas is coming and soon you can kick back and relax. It can be a fun holiday, but it can also be pretty stressful. You love your family, but this year take time out for yourself and let someone else do all the work. Personal butlers, beachfront pools and champagne on ice awaits you at these five luxury Christmas destinations at some of the world’s top hotels and resorts.
1. Claridge’s, London
Tickets to Christmas carols at Royal Albert Hall? Certainly, madam (Credit/Claridges)
Claridge’s in London’s swank Mayfair neighbourhood is the embodiment of art deco glamour. The famous hotel promises to meet every guest’s requests, so you can be sure that Christmas will be that much more magical!
Whatever our clients want, I make it happen. That can mean booking flights … or finding tickets to sold-out shows.
—Martin Ballard, Head Concierge
From the legendary Christmas Tree to the stockings and mince pies, every little detail captures the magic of this special time. Karl Lagerfeld, widely regarded as one of the fashion world’s most influential creative forces, designed the quirky and nontraditional upside-down Christmas tree. This is a time-honoured tradition that kicks off the festivities and is eagerly anticipated every year.
Enjoy two or three nights in a breathtaking room or suite, a welcome bottle of Champagne and festive treats, stockings for everyone, storytelling and activities for children, a horse-drawn carriage ride and a fabulous Christmas lunch, not to mention countless other magical touches. This is Christmas just as it should be: elegant, indulgent and totally effortless.
Best for: Families or the young at heart, and those who just absolutely love a traditional Christmas.
Rates: based on Superior King Room double occupancy, from £3,000 (US $4,038) for a two-night stay.
Yes please! I’ll book this amazing stay now.
2. La Réserve Paris – Hotel and Spa, Paris
Located in one of Paris’s most prestigious arrondissement (Credit/La Reserve)
La Réserve Paris – Hotel and Spa was recently awarded the prize for the “Best welcome and service in a hotel in Europe – 80 rooms” and the “Grand Prize for the Best Hotel in Europe” at the Villégiature Awards ceremony in Paris. It was also named the number one hotel in the world according to Condé Nast Traveler’s 2017 Readers’ Choice Awards.
Now imagine enjoying a sweet weekend tête-à-tête at the hotel over one of the most romantic holidays of the year.
This hotel is the epitome of style and luxury, starting with the private chauffeur-driven shuttle service and V.I.P. welcome. Guests are invited to a special Christmas Eve dinner or the Dégustation dinner at Le Gabriel, and automatic room upgrade. The Jacques Garcia-designed La Réserve Paris—Hotel and Spa offers stunning views over Eiffel Tower and the Grand Palais. Communal spaces are re-interpreted in classical style, the library features live jazz concerts, and guests can enjoy the 16-meter indoor pool and spa.
Best for: Refined travellers who love Michelin-star dining, haute couture shopping and art gallery gazing (the hotel is equidistance from Champs Élysées and Rue du Faubourg St-Honoré).
Rates: from €1,800 (US $2,100) per night in a Prestige room for two people. This holiday offer is valid for any stay from December 15 to January 31, 2018, inclusive.
Yes please—I’d love to book a stay at the world’s number one hotel!
3. Vana Belle – Koh Samui
Every exquisite suite and villa features a private pool (Credit/Vana Belle)
Vana Belle, Koh Samui is situated on Chaweng Noi Beach. The Luxury Collection Resort offers luxurious suites and villas with a private pool and a spacious terrace. The Ocean View Pool Suites feature an outdoor bathtub with a panoramic sea view. Vana Belle is committed to energy and water conservation; waste minimisation and environmentally responsible purchasing; the use of environmentally-friendly products; and green housekeeping practices.
Experience the most enchanting time of the year with an unforgettable Christmas Eve dinner for two, round-trip airport transfers, spa credit, Christmas gift and a host of other alluring festive delights.
Best for: Sun-loving hedonists looking for pristine, white beaches and tropical luxury.
Rates: from THB 18,300 (US $560) per room, per night, and are valid for stays booked and completed by December 24, 2017.
Yes please, I’m imagining my island resort Christmas now!
4. Sri panwa, Phuket
Infinity pool: perfectly private and peaceful (Credit/Sri panwa)
Scattered within 40 acres of lush, tropical surroundings, Sri panwa offers luxury accommodation, maximum privacy and first-class service. All of the stunningly designed pool villas offer panoramic ocean views and a personal butler. Sri panwa features award-winning restaurants and spa. It was voted as the World’s Hotel with the best view by Beach Tomato UK and Baba Nest was voted by CNNGo as the Top 3 Best Beach Bars of the World, 2011.
Extraordinary New Year package—for families or groups
This four night, five day stay in a luxury Ocean View Residence Villa starts with a stress-free airport shuttle, welcoming champagne, sparkling wine breakfast for eight, private boat tours to neighbouring islands, cooking classes and a private pool party with a private chef and BBQ.
Best for: Healthy cooking, culture and tropical wellness getaway to kick-start your New Year’s resolutions.
Rates: Three-bedroom residences villa at THB740,000 (US $22,275)
Sounds like a family island holiday so I can’t wait to go!
5. The Residence Mauritius
Mauritius is located in the Indian Ocean off the east coast of Madagascar (Credit/Residence)
Be in total relaxation and rejuvenate with daily meditation, yoga and reiki at The Residence Mauritius. Indulge in two signature spa treatments and be pampered with deep relaxing massages by trained therapists. The five-day, four-night wellness programme includes daily breakfast and complimentary healthy smoothie, detoxing ginger and lemon, or Chamomile tea.
Luxury Spa Retreat
The Luxury Spa Retreat package offers guests to soak up the best activities in the beautiful Mauritius. Catering to all ages and groups, The Residence by Cenizaro’s latest experiences aim to bring out the inner explorer in all its guests.
This offer is inclusive of accommodation in a Colonial Garden View Room, and daily breakfasts and dinners. The exclusive wellness lunch set is available at additional charge. There are also daily beverages, ginger and lemon tea detox available throughout the day, and chamomile tea on turndown.
Enjoy this special offer from October 1 to December 21.
Best for: Exotic cuisine, idyllic surrounds, romantic beach getaway.
Rates: Stay at The Residence Mauritius from €537+ per night for a single room, €828 + per night for a double room.
Yes please, I can’t wait for sunrise yoga and endless blue oceans.
Christmas trees—there are three camps: fake, reusable and easy to assemble, and the forest-y smelling, pine-needle-dropping real ones. These next trees are in the third camp: OTT, bling-draped, wow-inducing trees that range from US $1 million to the 7-star Emirates Palace Hotel $11.4 million tree covered in gold, silver and 180 precious stones.
Watching this video may prompt you into charitable action, so here’s a few organisations who can help you help others this Christmas: Toys for Tots, Operation Christmas Child, Make-A-Wish Foundation and Oxfam.
Written By: Adriane Rysz