Travel roared back this year — people are packing planes, cruise ships and hotels, eager to explore. This holiday, give globetrotters some special gifts for their adventures.
Whether the travelers in your life yearn to go on once-in-a-lifetime trips or simply spend time doing some self-care, our gift guide will help you cross them off your list.
Hotels have the best robes, and linens purveyor Frette supplies many of the thick, plush bathrobes found in luxury properties worldwide. Give someone Frette’s cozy unisex Unito Shawl Collar robe, crafted from soft cotton terry with a belt and turned-back cuffs in cotton sateen. White is the standard hotel shade, but you can opt for a creamier milk, gray, slate or beige hue instead.
Bucket list trip to Sable Island with Muir Hotel, Autograph Collection
Even the most seasoned traveler likely has never embarked on this trip to one of the world’s most secluded places. This five-day expedition traverses Nova Scotia with a stay at the new luxury Halifax hotel and visits to snow-covered wineries and historic forts. The star attraction is Sable Island National Park Reserve. Only a handful of tours are permitted yearly to explore the remote island’s dunes, gray seals — the world’s largest breeding colony — and more than 500 wild horses.
Trtl Pillow Cool travel pillow
The Scottish company’s original fleece-lined travel pillow earned a permanent spot in our carry-on for supporting our head (no waking up with stiff necks), resembling a scarf (no odd-looking contraptions) and folding up into a compact square (no unnecessary bulk). But now there’s an upgrade: the new pillow comes with cooling, breathable Tencel fabric that’s anti-odor and antibacterial while still being lightweight and supportive.
Stationery set from Shangri-La Hotel, Toronto and Shangri-La Hotel, Vancouver
Inspire a writer with this special-edition set from Canada’s Ferris Wheel Press. The sketchbook’s modern Chinoiserie aesthetic nods to the brand’s Asian roots, but the elegant design showcases the Canadian cities with the Rocky Mountains, Toronto’s soaring CN Tower and Vancouver’s globe-like Science World building. It includes a fountain pen, which features a 14-karat-gold-plated nib and a bronze grip with a fanciful Ferris wheel engraving, and an ink bottle. Available at each property and online, the items also can be purchased individually.
For a hotel-caliber bathroom, swap in toiletries from this Melbourne, Australia-based skincare brand. Waldorf Astoria hotels worldwide began stocking full-sized bottles of its classic shampoo and conditioner, Geranium Leaf Body Cleanser and more in August. Our favorites are the rosemary-and-lavender-laden Resurrection Aromatique Hand Wash and the citrus-packed Rind Concentrate Body Balm. The rich, deeply fragrant products turn everyday tasks like washing your hands and hydrating into little luxuries.
Wine glasses from Baccarat Hotel New York
Gift an oenophile with the cheekily named Wine Therapy Set from Baccarat Hotel New York. The Five-Star Midtown hotel opened the new 53rd Street Boutique from the famed crystal company on its second floor, where you can purchase this collection of six unique wine glasses. It’ll add a sophisticated touch to any get-together, and no one will worry about picking up the wrong glass.
Custom cowboy boots from Hotel Jerome, Auberge Resorts Collection
Surprise someone with made-to-order boots from Miron Crosby during a stay at Aspen’s Hotel Jerome. Write a message that will get embossed on leather for the giftee. When the person arrives in the hotel room, the note and an invitation to bring it to the Miron Crosby studio for a consultation will await. The message will get sewn into the handmade boots’ liner for a thoughtful keepsake.
Weekender bag from Grand Canal Shoppes at The Venetian Resort Las Vegas
Pop into Vegas’ Grand Canal Shoppes to peruse the new boutique for Shinobi Menswear, a California-based luxury brand created by two brothers and veterans. Shinobi is known for handmade leather shoes from Japan, but we’re eyeing this 3-Day Oyster Bag. Made of suede-like charcoal-gray nubuck leather with an adjustable and removable shoulder strap, the stylish bag works well for short trips.
Adopt a whale or dolphin from the Pacific Whale Foundation
For a meaningful present, try PWF’s Adopt a Marine Animal program, which helps protect Hawaii’s ocean and its inhabitants. Adopt a humpback, bottlenose dolphin or false killer whale and receive information on the animal’s history; updates on sightings; details on PWF’s research, education and conservation programs; and more. To gift this in time for the holidays, packages must be purchased by December 15.
Cozy set from Auberge du Soleil
This Five-Star Napa getaway offers the gift of hygge (pronounced “hoo-guh,” it’s the Danish concept of coziness). This set includes white terry slippers, an ivory silk sleep mask, a white microfiber robe lined with cotton terry and orange piping, and organic spearmint and lemon verbena tea from Napa company ERDA created specially for the spa to ensure coziness all season long.
Gourmet gift basket from Torn Ranch
Send this trompe l’oeil planter filled with foodie snacks to anyone who enjoys entertaining. The host with the most can serve the champagne-flavored truffles, orange biscotti, chocolate-covered cherries, mixed dried fruit, California pistachios, jumbo cashews, gingerbread English toffee, cinnamon-spiced pecans, dark chocolate sea salt bar and chocolate peppermint snowflakes for Christmas, Hanukkah, New Year’s or any other festive occasion.
Tropical resort wear from LUX* South Ari Atoll
Trips to tropical destinations require a whole other wardrobe. Gift sun-seeking travelers with flowy, bold-patterned clothing from DIARRABLU’s resort ’23 collection. The conscious, contemporary brand found inspiration for the collection from the picture-perfect Maldives hotel’s turquoise waves, pink flowers, white sand and cheerful vibe.
Pajamas from Adare Manor
The 1832 Gothic Revival manor in the Irish countryside inspired these warm, whimsical PJs from the Irish slow-fashion brand Moon & Mellow. Mythical creatures, like sirens, that are rumored to roam the grounds cover the organic cotton button-down long-sleeve shirt and matching drawstring pants. The bedtime sets are available for both women and children.
A Love Story book from Grand Hotel Tremezzo
It’s easy to see why this iconic escape inspires romance. Grand Hotel Tremezzo sits on the western shores of picturesque Lake Como overlooking the Bellagio and the Grigne mountains, and it offers three pools and one of the area’s largest private botanical gardens. This book collects guest love stories and memories from the early 20th century.
Monogrammed pillowcases from The Peninsula Beverly Hills
Pick up the same kinds of pillowcases that grace the luxurious beds in this Five-Star Beverly Hills hotel. A set comes with two king-sized, 300-thread-count, cotton sateen pillowcases with vertical stripes made by Frette. The best part is the personalization: each of the pillowcases gets monogrammed in silver thread. The pillowcases must be ordered by December 15 to ensure delivery by Christmas Day.
