Forget the ghosts of holidays past — with our pick of seasonal stays for cosiness-chasers and winter-sun sorts, the holidays yet to come could take you from ‘Bah, humbug’ to ‘Merry Christmas, everyone!’ From London’s Dickensian charms to the spice hues and sunflower fields of Rajasthan, this year we’re gifting you a whole new outlook.
The Lakes by Yoo Hotel & Residences
Cotswolds, UK
The bodies of water in The Lakes by Yoo’s name might be frosted over, but there’s plenty of warmth to be found at this idyllic countryside hideaway: logs crackling in the burner, cookies fresh from the oven, puddings alight with brandy… The retreat’s cabins and villas put a modern spin on Cotswolds chic, with burnished wood and glossy finishes, plus personal touches such as fluffy rugs and blanket-stuffed baskets. Here activities for all ages aim to wrap you up and put you around the trees, with bushcraft sessions, archery and ziplining; plus, candy-cane treasure hunts, Christmas crafting and a visit from a special, red-suited someone to keep things festive.
Don’t miss The hotel should really change its name to ‘Lakes by Yule’ come December — from the 13th onwards, it definitely ‘tis the season here, with activities such as searching for Santa hats in the treetops, decoration making, and alfresco eats roasting over an open fire.
Kate Weir Deputy Editor
The Drake Hotel
Toronto, Canada
December at hotel and longstanding cultural hub The Drake is more slowcore anthems and drag-queen lip-synch battles than carolling (although on 25 December the piano’s ivories get a more traditional tinkling at dinner). Set in the suitably hip West Queen West neighbourhood, it puts you in (north) pole position for shopping artisan decorations at The Great Hall market, watching alternative revues at The Assembly Theatre and woozily spotting Santa switch on the festive lights at the Distillery Winter Village. The hotel’s original 1900s features throwback in the most delightful ways, while the full-throttle partying in the Drake Underground club and gig venue propels you back into the present.
Don’t miss Greek-Sudanese songstress Marina Satti, melodic rapper 24KGldn and genre-blender Baby Nova are just some of the acts singing you through the season at The Drake this December.
KW
Mharo Khet
Rajasthan, India
Last year, I took my Bollywood-obsessed mother on a trip to India, fulfilling a long-held dream of hers to see Rajasthan and its Golden Triangle. Alas, our itinerary didn’t extend to the Blue City of Jodhpur in the Thar Desert, but tempting us both back is Mharo Khet, a 40-acre farm with an oasis of a pool, three restaurants and organic gardens growing almost all of the kitchen’s produce. We’d love to join a saajhi (local expert) for a pottery or weaving class at the hotel, and I just know my mum would be dusting off the gold bangles to dance with the Manganiar musicians at dinner.
Don’t miss The cooler winter weather makes December a fine time for visiting Rajasthan. Whatever the month, there’s likely to be a Hindu festival being celebrated somewhere in India with days of dancing: Gita Jayanti is marked on the 1st, with Dattatreya Jayanti and others observed on the 4th.
Caroline Lewis, Senior Associate Editor
Le Florentin
Frankfurt, Germany
It doesn’t feel quite like Christmas until I’ve had a decadent snack with a polysyllabic, violently umlaut-ed name — honestly, I can’t get enough, and I enjoy regional variants. In Frankfurt’s markets, there are the sweet marzipan treats Bethmännchen and Quetschemännchen: festive characters made of plums, prunes and nuts, that you’ll mercilessly tear into. A more substantial treat is a stay at the — almost sounds like something edible — hotel The Florentin, whose ingredients include fairy-tale turrets, an Italianate courtyard and Scandi-esque, light-wood interiors. And it’s set south of the Main River where Christmas celebration hotspots spread out like cheer — so, watch out, Quetschemännchen.
Don’t miss There’s plenty of wholesome fun to be had: the resonant Playing of the Tower Horns from the Gallery of St Nicholas Church on Wednesdays and Saturdays; riding the vintage Harbour Railway and choral music coming at you from all sides, at venues across the city.
Kate Pettifer, Senior Content Editor
Templeton Garden
London, UK
London is well-loved year round, but it’s safe to say the capital comes into its element during December, when its storied streets glow under abundant Christmas lights. Forego the crowd-drawing neighbourhoods this year and head west to Earl’s Court, where Templeton Gardens celebrates heartily, handing out hot buttered ciders and setting up a room full of elegant present-wrapping materials for guests to use (for an extra charge). Set across six Victorian townhouses, the hotel’s well-dressed rooms radiate warmth, dressed in soothing hues with comfort well considered. For those staying over Christmas Day, a three-course roast at Pippin’s restaurant is served with enough festive cheer to lift even the Scroogiest of spirits.
Don’t miss Wander past The Churchill Arms pub to admire its renowned — usually remarkably OTT — Christmas display; or secure yourself a seat for the Royal Albert Hall’s carols between 16 and 24 December.
Ellie Nelson, Senior Content Writer & Editor
Hotel Belmar
Monteverde, Costa Rica
Environmentalism is a doing word at Hotel Belmar, where guests can get stuck in with the hotel’s conservation efforts. You can lend a hand on the estate farm, milking cows and pressing sugar cane; scale the inside of an ancient ficus tree in Costa Rican cloud forest; or tune into nocturnal wildlife on after-dark expeditions. The pampering isn’t reserved for Pachamama, mind — those seeking rejuvenation can take dips in a spring-water pond or get a vitamin boost at the juice bar, best followed by a soothing hammock-nap in the green. Opportunities to indulge are abundant, but always offered with an Earth-kind lean, whether that’s cocktails made with garden-plucked ingredients or the wholesome dining in the restaurant, where creativity and flavour are balanced by a deeply sustainably approach to the land.
Don’t miss Whether you have the itch to ‘twitch’ or not, come December, as Monteverde’s birding season begins, all eyes will be drawn upwards as 400-plus species flock to the forest, including dinky hummingbirds, primary-hued parrots and the aptly named ‘resplendent quetzals’. Hotel Belmar can arrange a bird-watching session with a local ornithologist, on request.
Hamish Roy, Senior Associate Editor
Naama Beach Villas & Spa
Fujairah, UAE
Naama resort can’t help but dazzle, sitting pretty between the Hajar Mountains and the Indian Ocean. But unlike neighbour Dubai, here flashiness is forgone in favour of more subtle luxuries: quiet days on Al Aqah’s sands, snorkelling off Snoopy Island (yes, it does resemble the cartoon beagle), worshipping nature with hikes through cathedral-esque wadis, your butler bringing cocktails to your private villa. Yes, a butler — ok, I admit, it does still run at a high level of luxury, just look at its Aladdin-esque spa with all the spoiling things, the lobster- and wagyu-laced dinner menu and well-appointed villas, each with a garden, some from which you can step right onto the shore. So, among all the serenity there’s a noticeable amount of sparkle, too.
Don’t miss Oysters are a year-round treat in Fujairah, which has ideal climatic conditions for cultivating them. But follow the ‘R-month’ rule anyway and indulge in Näama’s ‘oyster experience’ menu, curated to your tastes: say, raw with yuzu beurre-blanc, grilled with passionfruit caviar or steamed with harissa truffle.
Martin Dickie, UX and Production Editor
Keep some space in your calendar for our other new arrivals
Templeton Garden images by Carrie Santana da Silva