These are some of the best hotels for Christmas spirit in 2024
It's high time for some Christmas cheer. Think hot tea or hot toddies, skiing or snorkelling and loads of twinkling Christmas lights.
Hotels around the world serve up plenty of glamorous ways to brighten up the Christmas season, whether for an overnight stay or an elegant afternoon tea.
READ MORE: Top 15 cheapest cities to celebrate a white Christmas
These properties are worth a closer look for a few hours of soaking up their glittering decorations, planning a spur-of-the-moment escape, or a future holiday splurge.
Royal Mansour: Marrakech, Morocco
The holidays are a gourmet affair at the Royal Mansour in Marrakech.
The property's restaurants, Sesamo and La Grande Brasserie, will feature special multi-course menus for Christmas and New Year's Eve.
Christmas tea will be served at La Grande Brassiere. And each of the hotel's chefs has created a signature yule log cake, or bûche de Noël.
Chef Hélène Darroze's take is made entirely of chocolate. The Alajmo brothers' version features roasted sesame, combined with hazelnut and Giamaica coffee flavors. Pastry chef Jean Lachenal's yule log, a combination of citrus and chocolate on gingerbread – all coated in gold, evokes the Royal Mansour's majestic doors.
Rates start at about $US2700 ($4100) per night for a one-bedroom riad with a minimum two-night booking.
One&Only Reethi Rah: Maldives
In the Maldives, Santa cruises in on the Indian Ocean, of course.
At One&Only Reethi Rah, guests are invited to wait for Mr. Claus on Christmas morning on the beach, with the surf lapping at their feet. The festivities are followed by a Champagne brunch.
In the days leading up Santa's visit, there will be plenty of cocktails, canapés and fresh seafood to go around. And on December 27, a Pearls & Bubbles event at lunchtime pairs Champagne and oysters to keep the festive season going.
Peak-season rates start at $US2600 ($4000).
Willard InterContinental: Washington, USA
In the United States capital, the Willard InterContinental will host free nightly performances by local choral and vocal ensembles in the lobby from December 1 through December 23. Signature holiday cocktails and a caviar service will be available in the famed Round Robin Bar.
Holiday afternoon tea – with savoury and sweet treats – will be served every Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday from November 29 through December 29 ($US90 per adult or $US105 with a glass of champagne; $US65 per child).
Christmas week rates start at $US399.
Fairmont Scottsdale Princess: Arizona, USA
Ice skating, Santa experiences and a new Starlights "glowshow" are just part of the annual Christmas at the Princess festival. Add 10 million lights, a train and more: It's safe to say Fairmont Scottsdale Princess doesn't believe in holding back for the holidays.
The festival, which runs through January 4, is open to the public. Free for hotel guests, the entrance fee is $35 per wristband with advance purchase; children 3 and younger are admitted for free.
Rooms start at $US485. There are also holiday packages available.
Niyama Private Islands: Maldives
Niyama Private Islands Maldives pulls out all the stops to celebrate the festive season. Surrounded by brilliant white sands, balmy Indian Ocean and treetop dining, Christmas will be a traditional affair with a sparkly tree, carols, a Christmas market with food, drink, arts and crafts and gifts to buy for loved ones.
In addition to traditional turkey, guests can expect to dine on lobster, oysters, exotic game roasting over the fire, while the dessert station overflows with mince pies, stollen, panettone, Christmas pudding and a yule log.
Christmas Day continues with a surprise visit from Santa, who arrives in true Maldivian style on a jet ski bearing gifts. Next is lunch, decidedly untraditional with a six-course testing menu served six metres under the ocean's surface at Subsix: while the cuisine is exquisite, the company is surreal, with schools of butterflyfish and sea turtles surrounding.
Cliveden House: Berkshire, England
There's an elegant Christmas house party happening at Cliveden House, a grand English home in Berkshire dating back to 1666.
The luxurious three-day affair is sold out this year, but now's a good time to mark your calendars for a future English country Christmas. There are some rooms available early Christmas week this year or in late December, with a range of rates between about $US715 and $US1360.
Or visitors can book a festive afternoon tea and soak up the seasonal decorations for a few hours overlooking the parterre.
Four Seasons Resort and Residences Whistler: Canada
As well as being one of the world's most renowned ski resorts, the Four Seasons in Whistler captures the festive spirit with an extensive array of activities on offer.
Join the annual Tree Lighting Ceremony on the 1st of December to welcome the upcoming season. For families, enjoy building marshmallow snowmen, listen to stories by the fire and discover winter wonderland on a snowshoeing tour.
From the 18th of December to the 7th of January, kids will love the North Pole interactive entertainment supervised by friendly staff. Also on offer is the Love is in the Air helicopter ride above the Coast Mountains, the Library by Macallan whisky bar and the cozy Sidecut steakhouse.
The Plaza: New York, USA
Tea time and Christmastime coincide at The Plaza's Palm Court, where three holiday tea menus will be available through January 12.
The Holiday Signature Tea ($155 per person) features savories and sweets, including a foie gras macaron and a pumpkin spice latte pie. Eloise, the hotel's famous fictional resident, lends her name to a children's tea available for $110 per child.
A variety of other festive meals and holiday programs are on offer as well.
The starting rate at The Plaza for Christmas week is $US2395 per night.
The Fife Arms: Braemar, Scotland
Fishing, foraging and hiking are just outside at The Fife Arms, an antiques-packed, 19th-century retreat within Cairngorms National Park in the Scottish Highlands.
The hotel is 14.5 kilometres from Balmoral, the Royal Family's residence in Scotland.
A three-day holiday package, subject to availability, offers guests a true Scottish Victorian Christmas. On Christmas Eve, Cairngorm reindeer parade through the village after afternoon tea is served at the hotel. Feasting and entertainment carry through Christmas and into Boxing Day, when outdoor pursuits are added to the mix.
