Pack your stretchy pants and get ready to savor the magic of the season with sumptuous spreads of fine fare, impressive prix fixe meals and delectable sweets upon sweets.
These eight tinsel-covered hotels are celebrating Christmas with so many festive eats, even jolly Old St. Nick would have trouble cleaning his plate.
The Roosevelt New Orleans, A Waldorf Astoria Hotel
Christmas brunch is a festive tradition around here, and this Forbes Travel Guide Recommended Crescent City hotel knows how to do it right. On December 25, expect the grand ballroom to be overflowing with gourmet goodies, from antipasti and seafood to carved meats and an omelet station.
Four-course prix fixe Christmas Eve and Christmas Day dinners are also available in The Fountain Lounge with a decidedly New Orleans twist — crispy sweetbreads, parsnip velouté with pork belly and oysters, and sage and caramel roasted apples.
Keep an eye out for the big bearded fellow, as he and Mrs. Claus will host a teddy bear tea throughout December.
Waldorf Astoria Atlanta Buckhead
Santa won’t mind hopping off his sleigh when he sees the holiday afternoon tea spread at this newly opened Atlanta stay. Chef Christophe Truchet has put together fantastically fun dishes like mulled spice wine shooters, fresh-out-of-the-oven pumpkin scones, eggnog bread pudding and sweet potato cheesecake. Kids can nosh on treats and meet the big guy in red on December 7 or 14.
The luxury Buckhead hotel is also playing Christmas movies every Saturday night until December 25, including cult family favorites like A Christmas Story and Elf.
But if gluttony is your vice, go for the ultimate double-header: a four-course Christmas Eve dinner (which includes foie gras, prime rib, roasted Maine lobster) and an overnight stay followed by a sumptuous brunch buffet the next morning.
This Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star address is known for its superb culinary offerings — it’s got an outpost of international acclaimed Japanese-Peruvian fusion restaurant Nobu, an eatery by famed French chef Alain Ducasse, a Four-Star steakhouse and a Five-Star Cantonese restaurant, after all. Come holiday time, you should expect the festive dining options to follow suit, and they certainly do.
The hotel’s traditional afternoon tea will transform into an indulgent Yuletide celebration with sophisticated options like chestnut and ginger pumpkin tart, foie gras with mulled wine jelly and pistachio macaroons with red currant.
Head to the bar to sip on seasonal cocktails while overlooking Victoria Harbour. We’d like to clink glasses over the Lobby Lounge with a Christmas Delight, a mix of cinnamon-infused whiskey, condensed milk, cream, coffee, and vanilla and almond essence, served warm or over ice.
It’s hard to imagine a more atmospheric restaurant during Christmas than this Four-Star Adirondack resort’s farm-to-table spot Kanu. The grand hunting lodge vibe runs deep, with huge picture windows gazing out on the mountains, deer heads, antler chandeliers and a couple of blazing two-story stone fireplaces.
Keeping in theme, the three-course prix fixe menu on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day should warm even the biggest Scrooge in your group. Holiday highlights include Maine lobster bisque, braised local beef short ribs, goose with grilled peaches, squash ravioli with blue cheese, and apple bread pudding with brandy cream.
Hotel Jerome, Auberge Resorts Collection
A Western winter wonderland (and a bountiful holiday dinner buffet) awaits at this historic Four-Star hotel on Aspen’s Main Street. Here, you can hit the slopes, build Frosty with your kids or rush down an alpine coaster in the morning and still make it to Christmas dinner by late afternoon.
The festive fare at signature restaurant Prospect exudes the region’s refined rustic vibe, especially “fixins” like fennel-sausage-raisin stuffing and butternut squash bisque, and carb-loaded sides like sweet potato casserole with pineapple, marshmallow and pecan-coconut crumble.
There’s no place like home for the holidays, unless you’re in the City of Light, staying at this gorgeous Five-Star staple. The historic hotel is done up to the hilt with Christmas trimmings and a slew of special culinary offers. And since you’re already in Paris, you might as well indulge in one or two of them.
Let’s start with the Christmas teas. Take your pick between a traditional English service at the hotel’s Bar Vendome, or tea à la française at Salon Proust any time through January 6.
Christmas Eve dinner — think foie gras, scallops and duck — will be served at La Table de L’Espadon.
If you can stay one more magical week in Paris, you’ll want to book a spot for New Year’s Eve at La Table de L’Espadon for a seven-course meal of lobster, venison, Brie with black truffle and wine pairings, plus live music and dancing under a glass roof.
Christmas in the Caribbean has a nice ring to it. Especially when you know you won’t be missing out on all the holiday feasting back home. At this Grand Cayman resort on Seven Mile Beach, you and yours will be able to feel seasonal cheer, even with the blue sea and white sand steps from your room.
Head to the beach for a family-friendly Christmas Eve spread where you can dig into seafood, grilled and carved meats, and festive treats. Drinks and good cheer abound at this event, which also includes a fire dancer, bonfire and beachfront Christmas Village.
On the 25th, fill up on brunch at Ave with hand-rolled sushi, a raw bar, a carving station and Christmas-themed craft cocktails.
Boca Raton Resort & Club, A Waldorf Astoria Resort
There are nine restaurants and bars at this Forbes Travel Guide Recommended Palm Beach resort and nearly all offer something different for Christmas dinner.
But if you’ve got little ones, then you’ll want to snag tickets to the Christmas Feast in the resort’s decked-out grand ballroom from 3 to 7 p.m. December 25. Although executive chef Andrew Roenbeck likes to keep the menu under wraps before the big day, you can anticipate lots of family-friendly options, children’s activities and live entertainment.
Extend your stay to December 28 to attend the complimentary Family Holiday Bonfire, where you and your clan can roast marshmallows on the beach, hear music and toast to the holidays with hot cocoa and warm apple cider.
