Celebrating In Hong Kong. Credit: The Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong
The biggest holiday on the lunar calendar, Chinese New Year — the Eastern equivalent of Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s all rolled into one — is a celebration to be savored.
On February 5, millions of people across the globe will ring in the Year of the Pig in splashy fashion with fireworks shows, festive feasts and colorful parades complete with traditional lion dances. If you want to experience the excitement with your own eyes, these are the stops you won’t want to miss.
The Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong
What better way to celebrate the Year of the Pig than by digging into some of Hong Kong’s most exceptional eats? This Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star address is pulling out all the stops with multi-course meals at its Four-Star Chinese restaurant Tin Lung Heen (February 5 through 19) and Four-Star Italian venue Tosca (February 6).
But to really kick the year off with a bang, stop by Ozone bar on February 6 to take in the city’s spectacular fireworks show over Victoria Harbour. To make the evening even more luxurious, the lounge will serve a five-course dinner that comes with free-flowing Veuve Clicquot during the pyrotechnics.
Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa. Credit: Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa
Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa
Enjoy a cultural experience stateside when you plan a family getaway to Disney California Adventure Park this winter.
From January 25 to February 17, the Anaheim theme park will be decked out in its Lunar New Year finest with eye-catching décor, costumed characters and Asian-influenced snacks that have a Disney twist — the Mickey-shaped mandarin orange-green tea tarts are especially Instagrammable.
But the highlight of the season is Mulan’s Lunar New Year Procession featuring the animated film’s colorful cast and special guests, the Three Little Pigs.
When you’re ready to relax, just head up the road to Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa. Here, you can keep the magic going with in-room character visits, plush poolside cabanas and whimsical park-view accommodations.
The St. Regis Sanya Yalong Bay Resort. Credit: The St. Regis Sanya Yalong Bay Resort
The St. Regis Sanya Yalong Bay Resort
Get away for the holiday at this sumptuous, family-friendly retreat on Sanya’s tropical Hainan island. To commemorate the Year of the Pig, this picturesque property is offering a Pay Three Stay Four Chinese New Year Offer where, if you book three nights in a gorgeous garden-view accommodation between February 4 and 11, you’ll receive a fourth gratis evening.
In between lounging on the property’s private white-sand beach or pursuing more active endeavors like bike rides and tennis lessons, make time to take in the resort’s Lion Dance Ceremony on February 5 — a traditionally lucky way to kick off the Lunar New Year.
InterContinental Hong Kong’s Chinese New Year Afternoon Tea. Credit: InterContinental Hong Kong
InterContinental Hong Kong
Tranquil harbor views pair best with an exceptional tea service, and this Five-Star waterfront stay is offering up a festive version of the latter this February.
In addition to classic scones and clotted cream, the Chinese New Year Afternoon Tea Set features a flavorful selection of Chinese-inspired sweets and savories, including turnip cake with pickled red daikon, sandwiches with foie gras and Peking duck rillettes, banana-ginger macarons and jasmine tea white chocolate éclairs.
And if those tasty bites don’t satiate your appetite, simply make a reservation at the hotel’s recently refreshed Five-Star Yan Toh Heen for a world-class Cantonese feast.
COMO Metropolitan Bangkok. Credit: The COMO Group
COMO Hotels and Resorts
From Bali to Bangkok (and even Perth), this Singapore-based luxury hotel brand is serving up a slew of ways for you to celebrate the Lunar New Year across the globe.
Whether you’re looking to hone your wellness goals for the coming year (Four-Star COMO Shambhala Estate), relax and recharge in an urban retreat (Four-Star COMO Metropolitan Bangkok) or savor local flavors with the whole family (COMO The Treasury), these stylish international stays have an escape in store for you.
The Venetian and Palazzo’s Golden Pig. Credit: The Venetian Resort Las Vegas
The Venetian Resort Las Vegas
Ring in the Lunar New year, Sin City-style, by snapping a selfie with this palatial Four-Star property’s 3,000-pound golden pig.
Standing 16 feet tall, the sparkling swine is surrounded by a garden of tangerine trees, chrysanthemums, orchids and succulents meticulously designed by a feng shui master. Be on the lookout for nine smaller pigs scattered throughout the display in The Venetian and The Palazzo’s shared waterfall atrium.
If this ostentatious showcase puts you in the mood for an over-the-top indulgence, stop by Black Tap Craft Burger & Beer for its limited edition Chinese New Year Shake (February 1 through 10) — an almond cookie milkshake with a gold-and-red-sprinkle-frosted rim topped with an almond ice cream cookie sandwich, whipped cream and caramel drizzle that will make your social feed look delicious.
Shangri-La Hotel, Toronto’s Holiday Treats. Credit: Shangri-La Hotel, Toronto
Shangri-La Hotel, Toronto
Canada’s most multicultural city is getting into the Lunar New Year spirit with an array of activities at one of its finest properties.
Beginning February 1, the Four-Star Asian-inspired gem will serve up a Chinese New Year Afternoon Tea featuring classic dim sum (barbecue pork buns) and auspicious sweets (lychee moon cakes).
After indulging, you’ll receive a special tag on which you’re invited to write a wish and tie it onto the 14-foot-tall silk tree in the lobby in hopes that it will come true in the new year.
If you’re still in town on February 5, stop by for a lineup of live performances, including a traditional lion dance and eye-dotting ceremony (putting a drop of paint on each of the lion’s eyes to bring it to life) to usher in good luck to the hotel and its guests.
