Italy

As 2016 draws to a close, there’s no better time of year for indulging in a little nostalgia. December is known for many things, but its the annual “best of” lists that make the month so enjoyable. It was a year in which some lesser known gems finally received widespread acclaim, while a smattering of old favorites came roaring back into vogue. Herein, 11 of 2016’s hottest vacation destinations, and some of the hotels that helped make them special.

To most, Christmas dinner at KFC doesn’t sound particularly appealing, but it’s a holiday tradition dating back several generations in Japan. In this week’s blog, we’ve clad ourselves in the tackiest of festive sweaters to take a look at fascinating folklore and holiday traditions around the globe, as well as where to stay along the way.

Selling seasonal baubles and providing a festive atmosphere, Christmas Markets have been around for nearly a millennium. The tradition originated in German-speaking Europe, and as German immigrants spread throughout the world, so did the Christmas Market. Nowadays, most major cities will host one, and herein we highlight eight around the globe, with a corresponding dash of hotel inspiration.

’Tis the season to be jolly, and some hotels don’t just deck the halls, they go all out. In honor of Santa Claus, we’ve made a list (and checked it twice) of 9 Kiwi Collection hotels making this an extra special holiday season. So whether you’ve been naughty or nice, the festive travel inspiration herein applies to everyone.

In her heyday, Mariah Carey reportedly wouldn’t check-in to a hotel until they guaranteed a new toilet seat and gold faucets in her suite. While demands like this aren’t commonplace, the world’s best hotels have long understood going the extra mile. In this week’s blog, we take a look at 10 Kiwi Collection hotels that offer head-turning VIP amenities whether one enjoys celebrity status or not.

Far too often there’s a feeling of arriving home from vacation in need of more time off. Sometimes this is a hangover from our holiday excesses, but often it’s because we haven’t addressed the reason why we took a vacation in the first place — to get away from it all. Carving out some time to decompress can be difficult on a city break, so we’ve searched the globe for eight havens where one can escape from civilization.

When it comes time to plan out a Euro vacation, major locales like Rome or Paris are a given. However, the eclectic continent has over 50 countries, so there’s plenty to discover for those inclined to meander off the beaten track. With this in mind, we decided to devote attention to some of Europe’s hidden gems in this week’s blog.

When one books a penthouse suite, what comes with it is somewhat implicit. Luxury and opulence is a given, ditto for panoramic views and tailored service. Today, we want to celebrate hotels that not only hit this mark, but also go above and beyond with their penthouse suites. Luckily, Kiwi Collection features several properties that fit these criteria.

Each of the hotels that make up Kiwi Collection are special in their own way, but there are some that inspire a particular kind of amazement. Whether it’s by virtue of picture-perfect scenery or their stunning interiors, we’ve rounded up some of our favorite awe-inspiring hotels to share with you below. Trigger warning: wanderlust sufferers will be sent over the edge.