For the most elegant – and most exclusive – celebrations, leave the crowds behind and check into a room at one of these fabulous hotels.
When the fireworks begin to crackle in New York’s Times Square, don’t be stuck among the neon-clad rush – catch the whole show from the glamorous rooftop of The Knickerbocker hotel. The space, which is host to one of the city’s most exclusive New Year’s Eve parties, is just 150 feet below the iconic Times Square ball drop, giving it the closest live view in the world.
After you’ve partied until the wee hours, recuperate in one of the plush rooms, dressed in calming white, sand and sea blues. The next morning, you’ve got an epic breakfast at restaurant Charlie Palmer at the Knick to help you recover.
Your brilliant New Year’s Eve hotel doesn’t have to be in the heart of a city. Jet away to the tropical idyll of Bora Bora and you can celebrate the French Polynesian way, with balmy 28C days and coconut-y cocktails. The hotel has put together an entire programme to run through the holiday season, featuring family-friendly fun such as ukulele lessons and cookery classes, plus rum tastings for adults.
Everything culminates in a December 31st bash featuring live music, a DJ set and midnight fireworks, where – given the time zone – you’ll be among the last in the world to celebrate the switch into 2022.
This being Ibiza, Champagne-soaked New Year’s Eves are on-tap if you want them. But the nice thing about a stay at wellness-focused Six Senses is that December 31st doesn’t have to be about booze if you don’t want it to be. You can choose to join the electronic dance party hosted by Soloka, raving the night away, or you can just enjoy the family-friendly feast at The Farmer’s Market restaurant and skip straight to New Year’s Day’s organic ‘rejuvenation brunch’ after a good night’s sleep. Speaking of which, the rooms are nothing if not enticing: think light wood, organic forms and epic views out to sparkling sea.
Opened in King’s Cross at the back end of 2019, stylish The Standard is set to make up for lost party time with a big December 31st bash this year (Covid restrictions allowing, of course). Radio presenter and DJ Benji B will take over the 10th floor Decimo restaurant along with a select few yet-to-be-announced special guests, keeping the celebratory vibe going from 10pm until 3am on New Year’s Day.
You might not have much time for sleeping, but if you do book a room in one of London’s hottest new crash pads, you’ll be richly rewarded. Expect a cool retro-contemporary vibe with 60s and 70s-style furniture, juicy colour pops and, in some cases, tropical foliage.
New Year’s Eve parties don’t get much more legendary than the celebrations on Brazil’s Copacabana Beach. But if street (or rather, sand) parties aren’t your scene, get dressed up for the city’s most opulent gala at the glamorous Belmond hotel.
From 8pm until sunrise you’ll enjoy an open bar with Perrier-Jouët fizz and premium spirits, an epic buffet and a pool area dance floor hosted by DJ Guga Weigert. Best of all, you’ll still have a prime view of Rio’s famed beachside fireworks.
Hogmanay – what the Scottish called New Year’s – is a big deal in Edinburgh, where crowds flood the streets to celebrate until the wee hours. Princes Street Gardens is the epicentre of the festivities and with its location just a six-minute walk away from the fun, The Balmoral is your perfect luxury stay.
When you’ve had your fill of the parades and fireworks, retreat to a classically comfy room with paisley bedspreads and subtle tartan sofas. Feast on truffles and caviar at Michelin-starred Number One restaurant, then have a nightcap at Scotch bar. The order? A dram of one of the 500 local whiskies stocked here, obviously.
Copenhagen’s romantic historic fairground, Tivoli Gardens, is one of the city’s must-visits on New Year’s Eve, when its restaurants are normally buzzing and fireworks fill the skies above the illuminated ferris wheel. And set right on its fringes in an opulent building inspired by Moorish architecture, Nimb puts you right in the thick of the action.
New Year’s Eve aside, it’s a great place to stay, for its multiple restaurants and (in summer) rooftop pool. Meanwhile, a wellness area with hammam will let you sweat out the big night’s excesses over first few days of January.
