Six hotels for a magical winter getaway

Experience

Από Emma Love

Οκτώβριος 30, 2024

From London to New York and Paris to Tokyo, here’s where to celebrate the festive season

The countdown is on for the end-of-year holidays. Whether it’s a time for getting together with family and friends, escaping to an undiscovered city to soak up the atmosphere or treating yourself to some much-needed downtime in a spa, Mandarin Oriental’s Season’s Sparkle package is a brilliant way to celebrate in style. Discover magical experiences at six iconic hotels for a festive stay packed full of merriment and cheer.

Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, London

From tickets for Winter Wonderland in neighbouring Hyde Park to complimentary drinks at The Winterhaus – the hotel’s Bavarian-themed pop-up – Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, London is dialling up the merriment for guests until early January. Other highlights include champagne and treats on arrival, gingerbread decorating workshops for children (ages three to 12) and a concierge shopping guide with access to unique benefits in many of the surrounding boutiques – ideal for picking up last-minute stocking fillers. Don’t miss afternoon tea by the festive fire at The Rosebery, sipping a seasonal cocktail inspired by the classic German Jagertee at the Mandarin Bar, or booking a table for a British-meets-Bavarian supper at two-Michelin-starred Dinner by Heston Blumenthal.

Mandarin Oriental, Paris

One of Paris’s oldest department stores, the landmark LVMH-owned La Samaritaine is a shopper’s dream. This festive season, Mandarin Oriental, Paris is offering an exclusive in-store experience for guests, including VIP apartment access, a makeup workshop, a Cognac tasting and a bespoke three-hour session with a personal stylist. Each stay also comes with credit (€100 per room, €200 per suite), which can be redeemed at the spa, bar or Camélia restaurant, where chef Maxime Gilbert and pastry chef Julien Dugourd have created special menus to mark the occasion, including La Malle Impériale, an Asian-inspired yule log featuring a chocolate-made chest with a delicate pastry enclosed. There’s also complimentary breakfast for two, a bottle of champagne and edible treats in each room. Ask the concierge team for recommendations of the most magical must-see city illuminations before heading out to explore.

Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong

Feasting and drinking take centre stage at Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong this December. The Clipper Lounge is a hotspot for the city’s social elite to gather at any time of year and, when guests check in during the festive season, a stay includes a dinner buffet for two, plus a 30-minute cocktail class in The Aubrey with the hotel’s mixologists where you’ll craft your own tipple. In-room breakfast is also complimentary. For utter relaxation and to achieve a holiday glow, head to The Mandarin Spa for an OSKIA warm oil body massage – an ideal meditative space for making that wish list for Santa.

Mandarin Oriental, New York

Whether ice-skating in Bryant Park’s Winter Village or watching a performance of The Nutcracker by the New York City Ballet, there’s something especially joyful about spending time in the Big Apple during the holiday season. The concierge team at Mandarin Oriental, New York can arrange tickets to these unmissable experiences and more. Guests checking in on the Season’s Sparkle package can also expect a daily American breakfast, afternoon tea for two in the MO Lounge and a session with a personal shopper at the Nordstrom NYC flagship (once you’ve picked out your presents, sit back and sip champagne while they are wrapped for you). Those at the hotel on a Friday afternoon should also listen out for carol singers spreading Yuletide cheer.

Mandarin Oriental, Tokyo

Cantonese dining at Sense, Italian favourites at K’shiki, international fare at Ventaglio: the restaurants at Mandarin Oriental, Tokyo are all putting a traditional twist on their dishes over the holiday season. Check in for a minimum three-night stay and, as well as daily breakfast for two, there’s a credit of JPY 50,000 per room (double for those in a suite) – the perfect excuse to book in for the five-course Noel menu at French fine dining restaurant Signature for instance, or the Kaviari evening at the Oriental Lounge, which fuses the finest caviar and champagne.

Mandarin Oriental, Milan

What better way to kick off the celebrations than with a festive champagne cocktail for two served in the enchanting Mandarin Garden at Mandarin Oriental, Milan? Guests checking in with the Season’s Sparkle offering can also tuck into an American breakfast for two and delicious sweet treats prepared by the hotel’s pastry chef. If you’re stuck for gift ideas – or need advice on the best boutiques to find them – ask the hotel’s expert concierge for their insider tips.

All offers and experiences available at time of publication. Please contact the relevant hotel team for more information.

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Emma Love

London-based journalist Emma Love is a contributing editor at Conde Nast Traveller and writes regularly for titles including Centurion, Departures, Country & Townhouse, House & Garden, The Telegraph and more.