Nat King Cole never said the chestnuts had to be roasting on an open fire at yours. These Christmas hotels certainly give spending the holiday at home a run for its money, as cozy as your own bedroom may be during the winter. If you’re all for bundling up and watching the snow fall, why not do so in 500-thread-count sheets you’re not responsible for washing? Or if you’re more inclined to head south for the colder months, you have your pick of tropical getaways and desert boltholes that bring a new take on the merry and bright.
No matter how you choose to celebrate, the holiday just feels bigger at places like the Plaza Hotel, with its 18-foot-tall Great Gatsby inspired tree, which is practically minted into Christmas legend from its cameo in Home Alone 2. Or the Fairmont Scottsdale where it’s always sunny, and the poolside is perfumed with roasting s’mores and lined with green, red, and gold lights. Between a private bay in Koh Samui and a Norwegian cabin ripped straight from a fairy tale, you can’t go wrong with checking in to any of these hotels for the most wonderful time of the year. In no particular order, we’ve gathered the 17 best Christmas hotels around the world that are sure to bring a smile on the face of any Scrooge.
Every hotel review on this list has been written by a Condé Nast Traveler journalist who knows the destination and has visited that property. When choosing hotels, our editors consider properties across price points that offer an authentic and insider experience of a destination, keeping design, location, service, and sustainability credentials top of mind.
