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The Best Hotels for a Christmas Escape

December 1, 2025

Whether you want a tree waiting in your suite, a Christmas morning spent snorkelling with sea turtles, or a fireside feast in Bavaria, there’s a perfect December escape calling your name.

For some, the perfect Christmas morning smells like pine trees and cinnamon rolls. For others, it smells like sunscreen and a piña colada. If the idea of swapping snow boots for sandals feels more your style — or you just can’t imagine hosting another extended family dinner — a December escape might be the best gift you can give yourself. If you’re ready to skip the tradition and hit the airport, here are six hotels around the world offering festive packages to get in the holiday spirit from abroad.

1. Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa — Maui, Hawai‘i

For: Sun, snorkelling, and a Santa who arrives by outrigger canoe.
Maui doesn’t do a subtle Christmas, and the Hyatt Regency’s Mele Kalikimaka Celebration in Paradise package embraces that energy. Guests can book a six-night stay in an ocean-facing room and get airport transfers, nightly turndown surprises, private cabana access, and a dedicated Christmas tree waiting in their room. Add in festive luaus, holiday cocktails, and prime stargazing — Maui has one of the clearest skies in North America — and this becomes the ultimate destination for Christmas in paradise.

2. Fairmont Scottsdale Princess — Scottsdale, Arizona

For: A full-throttle desert Christmas with ice skating, 6 million lights and nightly snowfall.
The Fairmont Scottsdale Princess goes all out for the holidays. As in, “North Pole meets Arizona desert”. Their annual Christmas at the Princess festival turns the resort into a massive light-filled playground: fire pits for s’mores, a 95-foot tree, Ferris wheel, tubing slides, plus an actual ice rink and nightly “snowfalls” (yes, in the desert). Add festive dining pop-ups, kid-friendly activities (like cookies with Mrs. Claus), golf rounds, and spa days for adults who need a holiday exhale, and it’s one of the most delightfully over-the-top places to spend Christmas in the U.S.

3. Schloss Elmau — Bavaria, Germany

For: A storybook European Christmas with actual alpine magic.
If your inner child longs still dreams about Narnia, Schloss Elmau delivers: grand halls, live classical concerts, snow-dusted forests and nightly feasts that feel plucked from a fairytale. Their holiday programming usually includes curling, skiing, yoga, dog sledding, and enough culture to make the entire week feel gently enriching. There’s also a family-friendly spa and ultra-cozy suites for post-feast naps.

4. Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai — Thailand

For: Festive season meets rice paddies and slow living.
A dreamy option for travellers who crave something atmospheric but not overtly “holiday.” At the Four Seasons Chiang Mai, December brings lantern-lit nights, cooking classes with local chefs, spa rituals infused with Thai botanicals, and a Christmas dinner served overlooking rice fields. It’s warm, serene, and wonderfully grounding — an antidote to consumer season.

5. The Plaza — New York City, USA

For: A classic, over-the-top, movie-moment Christmas in Manhattan.
If your ideal Christmas looks like a scene from a golden-age holiday film, The Plaza does it better than almost anywhere. Each December, the hotel transforms its Fifth Avenue lobby into a glittering spectacle that includes a towering tree, garlands draped along marble balconies, and enough sparkle to make even lifelong New Yorkers stop and stare. Festivities centre around the hotel’s famed Holiday Afternoon Tea in The Palm Court, complete with tiered trays of pastries, champagne and live piano. Step outside and the whole city becomes part of the celebration: Central Park dusted in snow, the Rockefeller Center tree, Fifth Avenue’s iconic window displays and ice-skating rinks all within a short walk.

6. Hôtel Hermitage Monte-Carlo — Monaco

For: A Riviera Christmas with Champagne, caviar, and twinkling lights.
Monaco in December is magical, with mild Mediterranean weather, glittering harbour markets, and Belle Époque buildings dressed in holiday lights. At the chic Hôtel Hermitage, the season comes alive through a series of festive traditions: a lavish Christmas Afternoon Tea in the hotel’s ornate Belle Époque salon, complete with pastries, kid-friendly workshops and a visit from Santa; holiday menus at Michelin-starred Pavyllon Monte-Carlo by Yannick Alléno; and Christmas Day buffets served under sparkling chandeliers. Step outside and you’re moments from Monaco’s seafront Christmas village, complete with stalls, decorations and seaside lights.

European Holiday Markets Worth Travelling For

November 18, 2025

Twinkling squares, centuries-old traditions and the scent of mulled wine in the air — if you’re craving a festive getaway, these are the holiday markets worth travelling for in 2025.

Vienna Christmas Market at Rathausplatz — Vienna, Austria

Dates: 14 November – 26 December 2025
Few cities do nostalgia quite like Vienna in December. At Rathausplatz (featured in our header image), strings of lights droop from towering trees, children swirl around the ice rink, and vendors hand out warm punsch in ceramic mugs. Come for the atmosphere — stay for the vanilla-scented pastries and beautifully crafted ornaments.

Old Town Square Christmas Market — Prague, Czech Republic

Dates: 29 November 2025 – 6 January 2026
Prague feels made for Christmas. In the shadow of its Gothic towers, the Old Town Square fills with carollers, wooden stalls and the glow of one of Europe’s most impressive holiday trees. Don’t miss a warm trdelník, rolled in cinnamon sugar and served piping hot.

Vörösmarty Square Christmas Market — Budapest, Hungary

Dates: 8 November 2025 – 1 January 2026
Budapest’s most beloved market blends old-world charm with festive creativity. Browse handmade ceramics, sip spicy mulled wine and tuck into hearty favourites like goulash served in a bread bowl. As the sun sets, the surrounding buildings light up with cascading illuminations.

Cologne Cathedral Christmas Market — Cologne, Germany

Dates: 17 November – 23 December 2025
Set beneath the dramatic spires of Cologne Cathedral, this market delivers pure holiday spectacle. More than a hundred red-roofed stalls sell everything from artisanal woodwork to gingerbread hearts, while the city’s giant Christmas tree anchors the scene.

Winter Wonders — Brussels, Belgium

Dates: 28 November 2025 – 4 January 2026
Brussels stretches its celebrations across the city centre, creating a lively trail of more than 250 chalets, light projections and a charming Ferris wheel. It’s also the perfect place to sample seasonal Belgian treats: think warm waffles, speculoos and rich hot chocolate.

Christkindelsmärik — Strasbourg, France

Dates: 26 November – 24 December 2025
Often called the Capital of Christmas, Strasbourg’s centuries-old market unfolds across the city’s half-timbered old town. Expect glowing lanterns, Alsatian specialties and some of the most beautifully decorated streets in Europe.

Amsterdam Christmas Markets — Amsterdam, Netherlands

Dates: 15 November 2025 – 3 January 2026
With ice rinks, cosy pop-up markets and canals draped in fairy lights, Amsterdam turns into a winter postcard. The city’s neighbourhood markets are especially charming — smaller, more local, and perfect for browsing with a warm stroopwafel in hand.

Tallinn Christmas Market — Tallinn, Estonia

Dates: 22 November – 27 December 2025
Tallinn’s UNESCO-listed Old Town becomes a storybook come to life each winter. Expect a traditional village square, twinkling lights against medieval stone walls, and steaming mugs of glögi (Nordic mulled wine). Rumour has it, this was home to Europe’s first public Christmas tree.

The List: Coolcation Essentials

November 4, 2025

From crisp alpine getaways to breezy seaside escapes, these space-saving finds will keep you warm, dry, and stylish — no matter how far the mercury drops.

Kathmandu Epiq SE Jacket
Warm yet ultra-packable, this lightweight puffer is made with Q-CYCLE® yarn, a groundbreaking fabric spun from post-consumer waste (including end-of-life car tires).

Fulton Tiny-2 Umbrella
Small enough to slip in a crossbody bag, this sturdy windproof umbrella unfolds to shield you from sudden showers without adding bulk to your daypack.

Smartwool Reversible Thermal Merino Neck Gaiter
A soft, breathable layer that traps warmth and wicks moisture, perfect for everything from mountain hikes to chilly city strolls.

S’well Explorer Vacuum Insulated Portable Water Bottle
Keeps coffee piping hot for up to 12 hours — ideal for sipping while you explore frosty streets or scenic trails.

Moshi Digits Touchscreen Gloves 2.0
Designed for warmth and made with special conductive fibres, these gloves let you snap photos or check maps without peeling them off in the cold.

Prohibition The Lip Balm
Blended with premium hemp seed oil, this nourishing, Canadian-made lip balm repairs and protects lips from winter dryness.

Six Adrenaline Fixes in New Zealand’s Adventure Capital

October 20, 2025

On New Zealand’s South Island, Queenstown proudly calls itself the Adventure Capital of the World — and with good reason. This scenic lakeside town has a knack for coaxing even the most sensible travellers into trying things they’d never attempt anywhere else. From carving a jet boat through a narrow canyon to plunging headfirst off a bridge, here’s a taste of Queenstown’s adrenaline buffet.

Bungy Jumping

Inspired by the land divers of Vanuatu’s Pentecost Island, bungy jumping was invented in New Zealand, and Queenstown offered the world’s first commercial jump in 1988. Today, the 134-metre-high Nevis Bungy holds the record as the country’s highest jump, but the 43-metre-high Kawarau Bridge remains the most popular. For extra bragging rights, ask to dip your head into the river below.

Canyon Swinging

Home to the world’s first canyon swing, Queenstown invites you to leap off a cliff, freefall for 60 metres, and then swoop into a 200-metre arc at speeds up to 150 km/h. The Shotover Canyon Swing, just ten minutes from town, offers an à la carte menu of jump styles — from solo or tandem leaps to backwards, seated, or the nerve-shredding “cutaway.”

Jet Boating

The Shotover Jetboat is a Queenstown institution, inviting passengers to skim over as little as 10 cm of water at 85 km/h through the narrow Shotover Canyon. Invented by Kiwi Bill Hamilton to navigate the country’s shallow rivers, the jet boat’s speed and manoeuvrability are extraordinary. The signature Hamilton Turn — a full 360° spin — sends spray flying, which is why complimentary waterproof ponchos are more than a courtesy.

Paragliding

From a launch area atop the Skyline Gondola, it’s clear why Bob’s Peak is regarded as one of the world’s most spectacular places to go paragliding. Snow-frosted mountains, the glimmering Lake Wakatipu, and views of Queenstown provide a stunning backdrop to this gentle ride of a lifetime. Tandem pilots do all the work, warm thermal air keeps you afloat, and the soft landing below is surprisingly easy on the nerves.

Skydiving

Few thrills match the rush of freefalling at terminal velocity. NZone, one of the busiest and most experienced skydive operators in the world, is known for helping nervous first-timers embrace the plunge. With the Southern Alps framing the horizon, even the scenic flight up is a thrill. Then the door opens, your tandem instructor signals it’s time, and you’re out in the open sky.

Skyline Lugeing

Another New Zealand first, the luge is a three-wheeled cart with a low centre of gravity and simple steering and braking controls. Push back on the handles to slow down or let gravity take over and race the track as fast as your nerves allow. A modified ski lift whisks you and your luge back to the start. The course is accessed via the Skyline Gondola, which climbs 450 metres above Queenstown — the steepest cable car in the Southern Hemisphere.

Step Inside Black Lagoon, the Halloween Bar Popping up Across Canada

October 20, 2025

From Toronto to Vancouver, this immersive experience invites guests to don their costumes, raise a glass, and summon a spirit (or two).

If your idea of Halloween involves more mezcal than monsters, the Black Lagoon pop-up bar s might be your perfect haunt. What began as a goth-horror cocktail concept dreamed up by bartenders Erin Hayes and Kelsey Ramage has grown into a North American phenomenon — part theatre, part mixology, and entirely spooky.

Now returning to Canada for another season, Black Lagoon transforms ordinary bars into occult playgrounds draped in cobwebs, red light and rock-and-roll attitude. Each location features an original menu of fiendishly named cocktails — from Forever Midnight to Nocturna Colada — served by bartenders who look ready to headline a metal show.

At The Walrus Pub & Beer Hall, Toronto’s subterranean Black Lagoon kicks off the festivities with all the eerie trimmings: rubber severed heads dangling from the ceiling, a horror-film soundtrack (think Werewolves of London, Boris the Spider, and Thriller), and a crowd that embraces the dress-code suggestion: “Come as your spookiest self.”

“We’re expanding the Halloween experience,” says Jas Bowles, part of the Toronto team. Meanwhile, Bowles’ colleague Veronica Cox says bar visitors shouldn’t be nervous about ordering a Widow Maker, despite its foreboding name. “It was the only drink created for Black Lagoon that doesn’t have alcohol, she notes. “It sounds lethal, but it’s the one that’s going to spare you a hangover in the morning.”

A Cross-Canada Haunting

This year, Black Lagoon spreads its dark wings across the country. Here’s where you can raise the dead — or at least your glass:

Toronto, ON – The Walrus Pub & Beer Hall (Oct 1 – Nov 2)
Vancouver, BC – Butcher & Bullock (Oct 1 – Nov 2)
Whistler, BC – The Raven Room (Oct 3 – Nov 2)
Calgary, AB – Charlie’s Watch Repair (Oct 1 – Nov 1)
Edmonton, AB – Dolly’s Cocktails (Oct 1 – Nov 2)
Ottawa, ON – The Standard Tavern (Oct 13 – 31)

Each city adds its own flair, but the spirit remains the same: a celebration of horror culture through handcrafted drinks and immersive design.

Abercrombie & Kent Has Released Its List of Where to Go in 2026

October 7, 2025

From Kenya’s newest safari lodge to Peru’s hidden Incan citadel, these are the destinations luxury travellers will be talking about next year.

After years of shifting travel priorities, 2026 is shaping up to be the year of meaningful exploration. According to Abercrombie & Kent, the luxury travel company that pioneered adventure by day and indulgence by night, travellers are looking beyond bucket lists for journeys that connect them more deeply with culture, nature, and purpose.

“Our guests aren’t just seeking beautiful destinations — they want experiences that challenge perspectives and create lasting impact,” says Cristina Levis, CEO of A&K Travel Group. “This isn’t about ticking boxes; it’s about collecting moments that define a lifetime.”

From Africa’s untamed plains to the icy glow of the Arctic north, A&K’s experts have unveiled the destinations that promise the most transformative experiences in 2026.

Kenya: A New Chapter in Safari Luxury

Amboseli National Park, with its views of Mount Kilimanjaro and vast herds of elephants, continues to captivate travellers. In 2026, the debut of Kitirua Plains Lodge — a new A&K Sanctuary property featuring 13 organic suites within a private concession — will elevate Kenya’s safari scene once again. Together with Olonana in the Maasai Mara and Tambarare in Ol Pejeta Conservancy, the trio offers a modern circuit for travellers seeking immersive wildlife encounters and hands-on conservation.

Peru: Machu Picchu’s Secret Sister

While Machu Picchu draws the headlines, Choquequirao — accessible only on foot — remains a rarefied destination for those willing to trek. Often called its “sister city,” the archaeological site receives fewer visitors in a year than Machu Picchu does in a single day. A&K’s new Peru: Trek to Choquequirao expedition blends challenge with cultural reward, tracing Incan history from the heights of the Andes to the Sun Gate itself.

Egypt: The Long-Awaited Reveal

Nearly two decades in the making, Cairo’s Grand Egyptian Museum is finally set to open in November 2025, housing 100,000 artefacts, including all of Tutankhamun’s treasures displayed together for the first time. A&K is marking the moment with the launch of Nile Seray, a sleek 32-suite cruiser offering rooftop pool decks and private access to the Valley of the Kings. For ultimate seclusion, the Zein Nile Chateau, an intimate dahabiya, channels the spirit of Cleopatra.

Lapland: Northern Lights and Nordic Wellness

The aurora borealis will reach its brightest and most frequent peak in over a decade in 2026, making this the year to head north. A&K’s Adventures in Lapland and Christmas in Lapland itineraries combine light-chasing with reindeer sleigh rides, glass cabins, and ice therapy — the kind of coolcation that restores body and spirit beneath a sky ablaze in green and violet.

Madhya Pradesh, India: Tigers Return to the Spotlight

Half a century after Project Tiger began, India’s wild tiger population has soared by more than 160 percent — a conservation success story best experienced in Madhya Pradesh, where new luxury stays such as Oberoi Vindhyavilas await. A&K’s Tailormade Tiger Tracking in India itinerary combines wildlife viewing with visits to tribal communities and rewilding projects, redefining what a modern safari can be.

Mongolia: Life on the Open Steppe

Thanks to new direct flights from Tokyo, Mongolia is finally on the map for cultural explorers. A&K’s small-group journeys — Naadam Festival & Gobi Desert Adventure and Golden Eagle Festival — offer a front-row seat to nomadic life, from wrestling tournaments and horse races to the centuries-old bond between Kazakh hunters and their eagles.

Okavango Delta, Botswana: Privacy, Perfected

In Botswana’s Okavango Delta, remoteness itself is the new luxury. The newly rebuilt Baines’ Lodge, with just six suites suspended above the floodplains, provides a front-row seat to the rhythms of the wild — from dawn safaris to starlit baths on private decks. Expect to see more elephants than people during your stay.

Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica: The Wild Coast

Only accessible by boat, Costa Rica’s Osa Peninsula offers one of the most biodiverse corners of the planet. On A&K’s Cruising and Wildlife in Costa Rica itinerary, guests explore this pristine region aboard a nine-suite luxury yacht — combining jungle treks, guided snorkeling, and slow mornings at sea.

Seoul, South Korea: Asia’s Next Capital of Cool

As Virgin Atlantic launches new nonstop flights from London in early 2026, Seoul is poised for a global spotlight. A&K’s South Korea & Japan: Cultural Legacies itinerary uncovers the real city behind the K-wave — from palace architecture and temple stays to cutting-edge design and Michelin-starred dining.

Dolomites, Italy: After the Games

With the 2026 Winter Olympics heading to nearby Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy’s Dolomites are seeing a luxury renaissance. New openings — including Aman Rosa Alpina, Mandarin Oriental Cortina, and the reimagined Hotel Ancora — will welcome guests long after the medals are awarded. A&K’s Venice and the Dolomites trip offers alpine adventure paired with Italian elegance, from cheese tastings to Prosecco picnics in the highlands.

The Hottest New Caribbean Resort Openings to Watch This Season

October 7, 2025

The Caribbean continues to expand its luxury portfolio with an impressive lineup of brand-new properties that deserve a place on your radar. These four resorts are among the season’s most coveted debuts — each offering irresistible inspiration to start planning your next escape.

Secrets Playa Esmeralda Resort and Spa, Dominican Republic

Since its August 2025 debut, this adults-only escape has been one of the Dominican Republic’s most buzzed-about openings. Its 500 rooms start at a generous 592 square feet, with the showstoppers being the beachfront suites, where your private terrace leads straight to the sand. Expansive infinity pools seem to spill into the Punta Cana coastline, while 11 distinct restaurants keep every craving satisfied. Add in a full-service spa and a serene, grown-ups-only vibe, and you’ve got a sophisticated sanctuary made for unwinding in style.

Playa Luxury Cayo Guillermo, Cuba

Since opening in February 2025, this property has made history as Cuba’s first resort featuring overwater villas. The adults-only sanctuary on Playa Pilar showcases 252 meticulously appointed rooms, including six overwater villas with private infinity pools suspended above crystal-clear waters. The 24-hour butler service and personalized concierge attention reflect a commitment to service excellence, while four restaurants and exclusive beach areas create an intimate luxury experience in Cuba. Managed by Gaviota, the resort marks an exciting new chapter in Cuban hospitality.

Princess Senses The Mangrove, Jamaica

This spectacular resort, which opened in September 2024, has quickly become a crown jewel of Jamaica’s luxury scene. Part of a larger complex with Princess Grand Jamaica next door, the resort encompasses 401 oceanview suites and 14 overwater villas with private infinity pools. The impressive 19,376-square-foot spa complex and six pools create an environment where wellness and indulgence converge beautifully. Guests enjoy access to 14 restaurants and 15 bars across both Princess Senses The Mangrove and the adjacent Princess Grand Jamaica, ensuring endless culinary options, while exclusive Platinum Club room categories elevate the experience through dedicated butler attention and VIP amenities and services.

Hyatt Vivid Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

Set to welcome its first guests by year’s end, this 500-room adults-only resort brings a refreshingly modern spin to Caribbean luxury. Embracing a “flexibility over formality” ethos, it caters to travellers who value authentic experiences and laid-back sophistication. Four pools — plus swim-out suites — pair with five specialty restaurants and a speakeasy-style jazz club, while activities like paddleboard yoga, kite-making workshops, and tours of the resort’s eco-garden blend indulgence with a genuine sense of place.

These standout openings reflect the Caribbean’s ongoing evolution as a premier luxury destination, each delivering fresh experiences, world-class dining, and exceptional amenities. With Sunwing Vacations, getting there is effortless thanks to all-inclusive packages from major Canadian gateways, complete with flights, transfers, and every detail handled for a seamless escape.

Intrepid’s 2026 Not Hot List Reveals 10 Under-the-Radar Destinations

September 23, 2025

In a world where 80 per cent of travellers visit just 10 per cent of destinations, Intrepid Travel is steering adventurers elsewhere. The company’s 2026 Not Hot List, developed with trend forecasters Globetrender, spotlights 10 places often overlooked but poised to welcome visitors—from Central Asia’s vast mountain ranges to North America’s least-visited national park.

Among the highlights is Tiwai Island in Sierra Leone, newly inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2025. Here, travellers can overnight in rainforest lodges and embark on river cruises while supporting local communities that reinvest tourism revenues into conservation and development.

In Kyrgyzstan’s Tien Shan Mountains, the Kyrgyz Nomad Trail—a grassroots trekking network expanded to 2,000 km—opens up alpine valleys and glacial lakes. Trekkers stay in yurts and share meals with nomadic families, offering a rare glimpse into a way of life largely unchanged for generations.

Closer to home, Great Basin National Park in Nevada remains one of the United States’ quietest parks, drawing just over 150,000 visitors in 2024. With expanded campgrounds and new programming planned, a visit here is both a retreat into solitude and a statement of support for preserving fragile landscapes.

Other destinations on the list include:

Sierra Norte, Mexico, where Zapotec villages operate under a pioneering community-led tourism model.
Vis Island, Croatia, an antidote to overtourism with no airports or cruise stops.
Southeastern Anatolia (pictured in feature image), Türkiye, home to UNESCO sites and renowned culinary traditions.
Arunachal Pradesh, India, celebrating its first Sunrise Festival in 2026.
Via Transilvanica, Romania, a 1,400 km trail dubbed the “Camino of the East.”
Ruta de las Flores, El Salvador, a highland route famed for coffee and culture.
Oulu, Finland, the European Capital of Culture 2026, merging Arctic gastronomy with bold climate programming.

“While some places receive millions of visitors each year, many others go virtually unnoticed,” said Erica Kritikides, Intrepid’s General Manager of Experiences. “Our Not Hot List reflects an approach to tourism we’ve long championed: better tourism, not less tourism.”

For the curious and conscientious, the 2026 Not Hot List is an invitation to take the road less travelled—and to leave a positive impact along the way.