he festive season has become one of the most exciting times to travel. Historic cities glow with lights and holiday traditions, mountain towns welcome skiers for the season and warm-weather destinations invite you to trade winter coats for turquoise water. Wherever you choose to celebrate, the setting has a way of shaping the memories you'll take home. Winter travel also rewards those who plan ahead. The most sought-after hotels, festive dining experiences and seasonal events book quickly, making early planning the key to experiencing the holidays exactly as you imagine them. Here are a few destinations where the season feels especially memorable.
Celebrate in the City
The world's great cities know how to celebrate the holidays. Grand hotels become destinations in their own right, Christmas markets fill historic squares and evenings are spent at concerts, galleries and beautifully decorated restaurants.
Hôtel de Crillon, A Rosewood Hotel
The Stafford London
London, England
Just moments from Green Park, The Stafford places guests within easy reach of London's festive traditions, from the lights along Regent Street and Bond Street to holiday afternoon tea, seasonal theater and world-class shopping. Returning to one of London's most storied hotels after a day in the city feels every bit as much a part of the experience.
Hôtel de Crillon, A Rosewood Hotel
Paris, France
Paris feels especially elegant during the holiday season, and Hôtel de Crillon sits at the center of it all on Place de la Concorde. Festive window displays, beautifully decorated avenues and exceptional dining create a city break filled with unmistakable Parisian style, while the hotel's own seasonal celebrations make lingering close to home just as rewarding.
Brenners Park-Hotel & Spa
Baden-Baden, Germany
Baden-Baden offers a quieter take on the European festive season. Christmas markets, thermal baths and the surrounding Black Forest create an atmosphere that feels equally refined and restorative. Brenners Park-Hotel & Spa complements the experience with gracious hospitality and one of Germany's most celebrated wellness traditions.
Head for the Mountains
The arrival of winter brings a different kind of celebration, where snowy landscapes, crackling fireplaces and mountain villages become part of the holiday experience.
The Little Nell
Aspen, Colorado
At the base of Aspen Mountain, The Little Nell places you steps from one of North America's most iconic ski destinations. Days on the slopes are balanced with exceptional dining, festive events throughout town and an après-ski scene that has defined Aspen for decades.
Madeline Hotel & Residences, Auberge Resorts Collection
Telluride, Colorado
Telluride feels wonderfully intimate during the holidays. Madeline Hotel & Residences sits in Mountain Village with ski-in/ski-out access, while twinkling lights, outdoor skating and the dramatic San Juan Mountains create an unforgettable winter backdrop.
Amangani
Jackson Hole, Wyoming
Perched above Jackson Hole, Amangani offers sweeping views across snow-covered valleys and the Tetons. Skiing, wildlife excursions through Grand Teton National Park and evenings beside the fire create a holiday escape that feels both adventurous and deeply relaxing.
Madeline Hotel & Residences, Auberge Resorts Collection
Trade Snow for Sunshine
Not every festive getaway calls for winter weather. Some celebrations are best enjoyed beside the sea.
Cheval Blanc St-Barth
Cheval Blanc St-Barth
St. Barthélemy
The festive season transforms St. Barth into one of the Caribbean's most sought-after destinations. Cheval Blanc combines beachfront glamour with celebrated dining, warm December evenings and the unmistakable energy that settles over the island at year's end.
COMO Parrot Cay
Turks & Caicos
Set on its own private island, the resort offers a restorative take on the festive season. Private villas, more than 1,000 acres of unspoiled landscape and the acclaimed COMO Shambhala wellness program make it an especially appealing place to trade holiday bustle for beach, privacy and time to recharge.
Celebrate Somewhere Unexpected
Sometimes the most memorable holiday is the one that looks nothing like tradition.
Shinta Mani Wild
Cambodia
Deep within a protected rainforest, Shinta Mani Wild offers an escape defined by nature. Days are spent exploring the jungle, kayaking quiet waterways and discovering Cambodia's remarkable biodiversity before returning to beautifully designed luxury tents tucked into the landscape.
Tierra Patagonia
Torres del Paine National Park, Chile
As summer begins in the Southern Hemisphere, Patagonia reveals a landscape of extraordinary beauty. Tierra Patagonia invites guests to experience glacier-fed lakes, dramatic mountain peaks and guided adventures across one of the world's most spectacular national parks. For travelers looking to celebrate the season somewhere truly extraordinary, few places leave a stronger impression.
Shinta Mani Wild
How It All Comes Together
The holidays look different for everyone. You may picture festive city streets, fresh powder in the mountains, sunshine by the sea or an adventure far from familiar traditions.
Whatever’s in store this winter, make it a celebration worth traveling for.
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