Elite travelers descend on New York City in droves during the holiday season in search of elegant tasting menus, world-class shopping and curated lists of seasonal cocktails. Everything from Broadway shows to visiting the windows of Saks Fifth Avenue and a stop at the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree — there’s no shortage of ways to revel in holiday cheer. Luxury and boutique hotels shine during the winter, offering holiday programming and events to compliment the city’s festivities.
We’ve compiled a list of some of the city’s most lavish hotels to visit before 2024.
Baccarat Hotel New York
This five-star hotel on West 53rd Street is decked out with ruby-red roses and festive décor to welcome visitors. One of the main holiday experiences is the time-honored tradition of afternoon tea, which can include upping the experience with the King Louis XV Caviar Tea and Princess Grace Kelly of Monaco Tea, as well as a specialty children’s Petit Prince Tea. For those celebrating in the city on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, the Baccarat has specialty menus featuring classic and contemporary French American cuisine complemented by handcrafted cocktails and an extensive wine and Champagne list in the Grand Salon.
For those counting down to the new year, there is also a three-course meal featuring sounds by Eleanor Dubinsky's four-piece band playing festive jazz, or enjoy an elegant late-night cocktail party with a live set by Dj Huggy Bear on New Year’s Eve.
The Greenwich Hotel
In the spirit of the holidays, for any guest staying at for three nights or more in one of the corner suites, fireplace corner suites, duplexes or the TriBeCa Penthouse, the hotel will offer to place a fresh decorated Christmas tree in the living room in December. Guests can request a theme or color scheme or have the option to decorate it themselves with a variety of ornaments provided by the hotel.
1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge and 1 Hotel Central Park
1 Hotel’s Central Park and Brooklyn locations are offering a variety of holiday events for Christmas and New Year’s Eve. In Brooklyn is the New Year’s Eve Masquerade Ball at Harriet’s Lounge rooftop, complete with music from Cache Life founder Eric Essebag and resident artist Yoni & Trotter. Over at Central Park, chef Jonathan Waxman’s Jams is the place to be for holiday dining. The Christmas dinner menu will feature dishes like Maine lobster salad and roasted guinea hen, and New Year’s Eve offer’s a prix-fixe dinner menu with a live DJ and Champagne toast at midnight.
The Dominick
The Dominick hotel in SoHo is all about collaborating with local artists to spread holiday cheer. It has a festive partnership with Lizzie Fortunato to trim in-suite holiday trees in dazzling baubles. If that’s not enough, guests can enhance their stay with additional packages that include gifts of handcrafted jewelry — such as the collection that includes the shaded aquamarine, morganite and 14-karat gold necklace; an opal 14-karat single-strand necklace; a tiny beaded 14-karat gold necklace in tourmaline; a pink topaz and amethyst 14-karat gold necklace charm; duo earrings in pink topaz and green amethyst; and, finally, pastille earrings in sky-blue topaz … priced at $4,155.
The Sanctuary Hotel
Located in the heart of Times Square, The Sanctuary is home to the Haven Rooftop, which has been transformed into the Haven Ski Chalet for the Christmas season. The décor is a huge draw for visitors, featuring cranberry bundles and holly arching its way above each table as well as shimmering Christmas lights, evergreen garland and flannel pillows and blankets. Guests can feel extra merry and bright by ordering Christmas-themed cocktail concoctions alongside their lunch, brunch or dinner.
The Chatwal, New York City
This luxury hotel located just steps from the shimmering lights of Broadway is offering a holiday Neil Diamond musical package that includes a hotel stay and resort credit, premium tickets to the musical and a private greeting from the show’s concierge. The Chatwal is also offering holiday amenities to guests, including on-site gift wrapping for holiday gifts to bring home to your family.
Motto by Hilton New York City Chelsea
Head to the Motto Chelsea for its cozy holiday market running on Saturdays through Dec. 16. The festive spirit is abundant, with local small businesses showcasing their best holiday gift options — everything from customized ornaments to natural skin care. While shopping, be sure to stop for a holiday cocktail at the hotel’s lounge, offering holiday negroni, Italian coffee, spiced cranberry bicicletta and spiked hot chocolate. Or indulge in a holiday cookie basket filled with anise pizzelle, fig thumbprint and Italian Christmas cookies.