Hotel Spotlights
Anywhere But Home for the Holidays
Perry Como crooned in his 1954 tune, “There’s no place like home for the holidays.” Typically, we’d agree that you can’t beat home, sweet home, but after a few years of sticking so close to it, you can’t blame us for longing to be anywhere but. Understandably, we aren’t the only ones. When asking a few of our travel friends—Michelle Halpern, Gigi Hopkins, Ana Linares, Madeline Lu, Emilie Ristevski, Sarah Royall, Carley Rudd, Selena Taylor and Andrea Vetrano—to weigh in, they really got into the spirit. Here are all the luxurious hotels where they’d rather holiday for the holidays.
Aurelio Lech
Selena Taylor @finduslost
“When this time of year rolls around, I daydream of snow-filled locales like Lech. Because nothing says European winter like waking up in cozy mountain chalet, I’d love to return and stay at Aurelio Lech. I’d meet friends to ski each morning, catch up—and warm up—over typical Austrian spaetzle and soup, explore the quaint downtown and spend a leisurely candlelit dinner watching the snow falling outside. In a different time, après-ski would be non-negotiable, but I’d gladly trade it for a glass of wine by the fire.”
Awasi Patagonia
Emilie Ristevski @helloemilie
“After a couple years of not being able to travel internationally, I feel the urge to escape somewhere far away. I picture myself at Awasi Patagonia, waking to the stunning mountain views from my cabin then exploring the landscape to truly appreciate the region’s remoteness and wonder. I’d take a guided experience or off-the-beaten path hike to help form a deep appreciation for the landscape, culture and history. After a day out in nature, I’d come back to the cabin to enjoy a soak in the private hot tub, a drink by the fire and evening meal in the restaurant—the perfect way to relax and rediscover a sense of awe.”
Casa Angelina
Andrea Vetrano @andreavetrano
“I’d like to spend my holidays at Casa Angelina. Situated on a cliff with a spectacular view, it’s first class in every way. After letting the sun wake me, I’d enjoy a delicious breakfast on the roof terrace with its breathtaking perspective over the sea. I’d tour the Amalfi Coast by boat, exploring grottos and swimming in the deep blue. I’d tour in a charming vintage car, heading to Amalfi and Positano. I’d enjoy the pool from under the famous pergola with a well-mixed aperitivo while staring at an unforgettable sunset. Then finally, dine at one of the most beautiful place to have a meal ever, Un Piano Nel Cielo.”
Hôtel Plaza Athénée Paris
Madeline Lu @lumadeline
“I would stay at Hôtel Plaza Athénée Paris, one of the finest hotels in the world. I love its elegant décor, dedicated staff and incomparable charm. My perfect day would start with a sumptuous breakfast in the inner garden of the hotel. They offer arguably the best French toast in the city. After that, I’d walk towards Arc de Triomphe, along the Avenue des Champs-Élysées, and end up at Jardin des Tuileries where you’d find me sitting on one of the green metal chairs doing some serious people watching. I’d spend hours getting lost in the Musée du Louvre, and finish the day with private dining at one of the hotel’s most beautiful suites with the Eiffel Tower in view.”
Hotel Sanders
Carley Rudd @carleyscamera
“I love feeling warm and cozy around the holidays and no one does cozy better than the Nordics which is why I’d love to choose to spend the holidays at Hotel Sanders, a beautiful, design-forward boutique hotel in the epicenter of hygge. I’d spend my day strolling the streets of Copenhagen, visiting shops, design showrooms and the Nyhavn Christmas market to sip on traditional Danish glögg. Then, of course, I’d indulge in Copenhagen’s incredible restaurant scene, and along the way swoon over beautiful architecture such as Grundtvig’s Church and the Round Tower.”
Rosewood London
Ana Linares @ananewyork
“I’d take off to the Rosewood London. In the heart of Holborn, this beautiful hotel sits behind a stunning Edwardian facade that invites you into one of the most intimate and sophisticated properties in the city. My ideal day here includes breakfast in bed followed by a spa treatment. I love that the British Museum sits just around the corner. I’d take the 15-minute stroll to Covent Garden and enjoy its shops and return to enjoy the hotel’s delicious and unique Artful Afternoon tea and their famous Pie Room for one of Britain’s most iconic dishes.”
Soneva Jani, Maldives
Sarah Royall @saltyluxe
“With one of the largest and most pristine lagoons in the Maldives, Soneva Jani is a water wonderland for ocean lovers like me and a bucket list stay unlike any other. Here, I’d wake at sunrise, have coffee on the deck, followed by a delicious vegan breakfast spread. By 9 a.m., the surrounding lagoon is neon blue, baby sharks cruise curiously around the villa and the private slide awaits! Working up a major hunger, I’d have lunch by the sea, followed by a massage at the spa. As the sunset turns the sky pastel pink, I’d jump in for the final swim of the day, pour a glass of wine and lap up yet another shade of turquoise as the sun dips below the horizon illuminating the crystal-clear waters.”
Viceroy Los Cabos
Michelle Halpern @livelikeitsthewknd
“Winter is the perfect time to escape to the sunnier skies of Mexico, and the Viceroy Los Cabos has been on my bucket list since its opening in 2018. With a uniquely dramatic yet minimalistic design, it feels like something you’d find more in the Middle East than just a short flight from LAX. The holidays would be the perfect time to soak up mornings here by sleeping in, then sitting by the pool all day where the horizon seems to extend infinitely. Once the sun starts to dip, you’d find me catching the colors of the changing sky from atop the Viceroy’s white-washed rooftop bar Cielomar over a glass of wine with friends.”
Wickaninnish Inn
Gigi Hopkins @_itsbeautifulhere
“If I could choose any Kiwi Collection hotel to travel to this festive season it would be the Wickaninnish Inn. I have been longing to visit Tofino for so many years now, to experience the breathtaking wildness of Canada’s West Coast. Once there, I would spend as much time in the surrounding nature as possible. I’d attempt a surf—I hear there are some beautiful long-boarding waves—even though I am quite sure the water temperature would be the coldest I have ever experienced! I would take hikes through the old growth rainforests, book in for spa treatments at The Ancient Cedars Spa, take a floatplane ride to Hot Springs Cove and kayak around Stubbs Island. I would also plan on spending a lot of time cozied up in my suite, fire roaring, red wine in hand, and lounging in the deep soaker tub enjoying the enchanting views over the Pacific Ocean. In my dreams, I’m already there.”
