Sorry, Perry Como. There is someplace better than home for the holidays — a luxe hotel where a chef bakes the ham and decorates the gingerbread. Get your yuletide on with one of these celebrations in a hotel near or far.
The Ritz-Carlton Chicago, A Four Seasons Hotel
Chicago has the shops and million lights of Michigan Avenue, and the chefs at The Ritz-Carlton Chicago are preparing the goose. The feast includes both fresh and smoked seafood bars, a carving station, a roasted goose, a dim sum cart, merry breakfast fare including red velvet pancakes and a spread of holiday desserts (and no frosting all over your kitchen!). The buffet kicks off at noon with the Myles Hayes Jazz Trio providing the sounds of the season.
If you pine for sunshine, check out Halekulani’s Twelve Days of Christmas festival. Holiday performances and evening trolley rides to see the Honolulu lights lead up to Santa’s arrival on December 24 — except this bearded fellow doesn’t come down a chimney. This being Hawaii, he makes his entrance at sunset on Gray’s Beach via an outrigger canoe and he’s welcomed by a traditional children’s hula troupe.
London is every bit as jolly as you’d expect during the holiday season, especially if you’re staying at The Lanesborough on Hyde Park. The hotel is offering a Christmas Celebrations rate through January 3, starting at $800 per night, that includes champagne and petits fours upon arrival, free parking, unlimited movies on demand and more. The chefs will prepare lavish five- and six-course Christmas Eve and Christmas Day lunches and dinners (game tortellini, turkey with glazed chestnuts, venison), and a daily afternoon tea features festive mince pies and Christmas cakes. Stick around for the New Year’s gala dinner dance and a Bond-themed party in the library.
How does Christmas in Vienna sound? The city’s special squares turn into Christmas markets, and the Grand Hotel Wien is right in the middle of the merriment. The hotel is serving a special Christmas dinner in all three of its restaurants. Dine on leg of rabbit and venison at Le Ciel, enjoy veal medallions at Grand Café or really break out of the mold and go for a sushi dinner at Unkai.
Tell the kids you’re taking them to the North Pole and check into Viceroy Snowmass. You can send last-minute letters to Santa through a special mailbox in Snowmass Village, where carolers will be singing on December 23 and 24. On Christmas Eve, Mrs. Claus will make a rare appearance in the Viceroy lobby for a reading of The Night Before Christmas. Chef Will Nolan will also prepare a hearty three-course meal on Christmas Day. Bonus: A parade and fireworks display takes place in Snowmass on December 27.
Photos Courtesy of Viceroy Snowmass, Halekulani and The Lanesborough
