Gstaad Palace – Switzerland
Just down the snowy road from the magical Gstaad Palace, in the mountain village of Saanen, is the wonderful annual Christmas market.
Here visitors can warm themselves with pastries and mulled wine whilst wandering the stalls full of seasonal goodies and stocking fillers. Explore the local shops too for local artisanal crafts from candles, handicrafts, textiles and woodwork, to jewellery and much more.
On the 6 and 21 December, from 3:30pm to 8pm, the market opens on the village street, welcoming anyone who passes by. The more adventurous can enjoy an afternoon walk from the hotel to the market along the river Saane, and earn the festive treats and sweets on offer at the other end.
Magical Winter Wonderland experiences at the Gstaad Palace from £221 per person per night, including half board, use of the Palace Spa and husky sledge or horse carriage tour.
The Saxon Hotel, Villas & Spa – Johannesburg
For those looking to escape the winter chill, with highs of 26 degrees and a plethora of Christmas delights, Johannesburg is the idyllic winter sun hotspot.
Your home in Africa and situated on a luxurious oasis of ten landscaped acres, The Saxon Hotel, Villas and Spa serves as the perfect sanctuary, whilst still offering its guests easy accessibility to all the city’s festivities.
In order to get in the mood for the Christmas season, on the 28th November, visitors can be a part of a lovely local experience, the Tree lighting Ceremony at Johannesburg Zoo. A 12 year tradition, holidaymakers can join the city and buy a globe which will then be hung on the Tree of Light alongside another 10,000 sharing messages of love to family and friends whilst being immersed in the vibrant voices of the Soweto Gospel Choir.
From Friday 29th November to 1st December visitors can enjoy the tradition of the Christmas Market at Parkview, a feast of festivity as market visitors revel in the extensive offerings. From live music, arts and crafts, competitions to face painting and culinary creations, this Christmas market is a joy to all the senses.
Stays at The Saxon Hotel, Villas & Spa from £362 (5,940 ZAR) per night.
Hotel Pont Royal – Paris
Wrap up warm in mitts, scarves and bobble hats and set off from the cosy Hotel Pont Royal to explore the world’s most romantic city at Christmas time. Go big at the Champs Elysées Artisanal Art market where you’ll discover 200 festive chalets chock full of presents and delicacies, or go small with a trip to the Parisian village market at the place St Germain Des Près where 30 chocolate box chalets lend a quainter and more intimate experience – both open daily from 10am to 11pm.
For the more daring, spend the late afternoon and evening at the ice rink overlooking the Hotel de Ville or the Ferris Wheel on Place de la Concorde overlooking the entire length of the Champs Elysées with breath-taking views of the night-lit city.
Stays at the Hotel Pont Royal from £225 per night.
The Dylan – Amsterdam
The characterful canal house hotel, The Dylan, sits in one of Amsterdam’s most charming areas, just off the famous Keizersgracht canal. From the epicentre of this dynamic and enchanting city, venture out to enjoy the annual unmissable international exhibition, Amsterdam Light festival which runs from 6 December until 19 January.
Join the Illuminade walking route, from 12 December to 5 January, and explore the inspiring light themed artworks where young and established artists alike present their creations to the public – from projections to installations and participatory art works. Or, in unique Amsterdam style, experience the festival from the water on a special boat route which runs through the canals of Amsterdam.
For the traditionalists, head to the ice rink in front of the newly opened Rijksmuseum where beautiful evenings spent skating in the gaze of one of the most talked about buildings of 2013 is a must.
Double rooms at The Dylan from £255 per night.
The Setai Miami Beach – Miami
This winter The Setai Miami Beach will light up the city as the hot spot for festive fun. Throughout December the hotel will offer flowing gluhwine and eggnog as well as traditional sweet treats including stollen, panetone and traditional yule log cake. With carol singing setting the scene on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, guests can enjoy chocolate fountain fun and join a special beach visit from Santa Claus on the day itself.
Outside the hotel, winter in the Miami sun is just as festive with the Winterfest Boat Parade in Fort Lauderdale offering magical moments for kids and adults on festively decorated boats where they can meet Santa Claus. Or Santa’s annual visit to the Deering Estate for readings of traditional holiday stories and Christmas classics as The Nutcracker’s Sugar Plum Fairies come to the city with the Miami City Ballet.
The Setai’s December Suite Escape starts at a special rate of £310 per night in the Art Deco building and £753 in The Tower. Valid from 9-25 December.
The Viceroy – New York
Experience Christmas in one of the world’s most exciting cities, in its coolest new hotel. From its unique location on West 57th between 6th and 7th, the Viceroy New York – fresh from its October opening – brings the buzz and edge of downtown to the sophistication and cosmopolitan spirit of Uptown in one building.
Once you’ve had your fill at Kingside – New York’s restaurant of the moment – step outside right on the door step to the city’s best bars, restaurants, museums, galleries and landmarks. First stop the Origami Holiday Tree at the American Museum of Natural History where more than 500 handmade ornaments adorn the festive season’s craftiest Christmas tree and this year’s theme is “Wicked, Wild and Wonderful”. Or for something more authentic, New York City Ballet’s production of Balanchine’s iconic The Nutcracker at the Lincoln Centre remains faithful to the 1954 original, from 29 November to 4 January.
Lastly, don’t miss the annual Rockefeller Centre Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony on 4 December – one of New York City’s most celebrated events for over 80 years, and a world-wide symbol of the NYC holiday season, before returning for evening cocktails at Viceroy’s The Roof for breath-taking views of snowy Manhattan.
The Viceroy New York hotel from £250 per night.
For further information on any of these seasonal getaways, please contact Mason Rose:
T +44 (0)20 7201 8060 Ÿ E: pr@masonrose.com