Majorly Festive Destinations for the Holidays

A winter wonderland awaits in picturesque Tyrol, Austria. Come Advent season, stunning snow-capped alpine vistas can be seen in full form from the windows of the Tennerhof Gourmet & Spa de Charme Hotel. Ski days at Kitzbühel are a must, as are daily visits to the hotel spa’s Finnish sauna and indoor pool. Each room and chalet is unique, blending rustic touches with modern amenities. Nearby New Year’s Eve celebrations include a torchlight parade, polar dip and fireworks.

Somewhere between a mulled wine nightcap and chocolate for breakfast (totally acceptable), it hits you: Hamburg may be the epicentre of holiday cheer. The city’s medieval architecture is awash in light while parades and markets take over the streets. Make the 511-room Grand Elysee your home away from home, where plush king beds are complemented by triple soundproof glazing (so no reindeer hooves will wake you). Or rest up at the 25hours Hotel Hamburg Altes Hafenamt where cozy lounges and dining areas buzz with visitors drinking in the season.

Every year, a 130-foot Christmas tree lights up Stockholm’s Skeppsbron waterfront with a dazzling but tasteful 5,000 lights. Markets follow suit, with their refined wares. The same can be said for the Grand Hôtel Stockholm, where elegant decor draws in visitors, occasionally royalty, to the Spegelsalen (Hall of Mirrors) ballroom and Vinterträdgården (Winter Garden). After a spin at the Kungsträdsgården ice rink, try their Nordic spa and one-Michelin-star Matbaren restaurant.

There’s no destination more iconic to ring in the new year than New York. Whether you want to watch the ball drop in Times Square or lay low with loved ones, the Sofitel New York is where you ought to eventually tuck in (in SoBeds, no less). The Parisian-inspired hotel brings a brilliant mix of energy to its 398 rooms and 52 suites. Art Deco styling and an in-the-center-of-it address keep the place ahead of the celebration curve. All of Manhattan’s best attractions are within reach, including Fifth Avenue shopping, should holiday gifts be in order.

Those travellers looking to hit the reset button ahead of schedule and dial down the holiday extravaganza will appreciate Spain’s traditional nativity scenes and quieter Christmas day wanderings. On New Year’s Eve, open a bottle of cava at Portoro, an incredible marble bar in Madrid’s Gran Melia Palacio de los Duques hotel. Fantastic Tudor murals line the walls of this 180-room hotel where spaciousness is standard, gastronomic exploration is encouraged and contemporary finishes rule.

It’s hard to imagine the City of Light could shine any brighter, but during the holiday season, Paris truly lives up to its nickname. All arrondissements are lit up, including avenue des Champs-Elysées where store windows take on new life. The Hotel du Collectionneur offers a classic take, and each room’s ambient lighting and Art Deco designs carol elegance. Elsewhere, Le Pigalle offers an artistic antidote to the ordinary. Situated on Montmarte’s southern slopes, its neighbourhood style and laissez-faire attitude add a sweet kick to New Year’s plans.

Once a 1920s townhouse, The Wellesley is a fabulous toast to London’s patriotic style, with a splash of casual pub style. Its rich decor and sophisticated designs add an extra-lush feeling to a season already brimming with excess. Nearby landmarks include the Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Palace and, London’s unofficial holiday headquarters, Harrods. If you’re looking for a proper break from the bustle, check into the Penthouse Suite for sixth- and seventh-floor views of Hyde Park, or indulge in your own humidor with specially selected cigars.

No country does traditional Christmas quite like Italy. Free from the commercial trappings of western destinations, streets are adorned with subdued lights, church bells and nativity scenes. Wandering with a hot drink and a bag of bruciate (roasted chestnuts) is recommended. Take in even more tradition in Brunelleschi Hotel, a luxurious hotel inside the Torre della Pagliazza, Florence’s oldest building. Steps from famed shopping destinations, it’s also home to Restaurant Santa Elisabetta, a foodie fave. The ideal place to eat and drink in the New Year.