Top 6 hotels to escape to this Christmas

PropertySales.com discovers just some of the world's finest Christmas getaways

Escape the inevitable stress of Christmas catering, leave the turkey, the trimmings and the in-laws at home and relax at one of these amazing getaways.

Armathwaite Hall, Keswick, England

Imagine stepping inside and shedding your winter layers to the warm embrace of a roaring log fire, and the festive scent of mulled wine. Set in 400 acres of woodland, on the border of Bassenthwait Lake and framed by the majestic Skiddaw Mountain, this hotel offers stunning winter views.

This traditional English treat opens its doors on Christmas Eve and offers a luxury three day programme. On arrival, the fairy-tale hideaway promises cocktails and canapés, storytellers and magicians with the option to attend midnight mass, and carols around the piano in the evening.

Christmas Day at Armathwaite Hall is a festive feast, your appetite whetted with a glass of Buck’s Fizz followed by a sumptuous six course meal crafted from the seasonal produce of Cumbrian countryside.

If you’re not still full from an over indulgent Christmas day, Boxing Day kick starts with a traditional Cumbrian breakfast and in the evening you are cordially invited to a black tie dinner followed by a casino night if you’re feeling lucky.

Kakslauttannen, Saariselkä, Finland

Situated in a real life winter wonderland, based 250 km from the Arctic Circle with an average population of 2 people per square km - the vision for Kakslauttannen originated from one man and a tent, stranded in the middle of the arctic wilderness.

Claiming to be the world’s best kept secret, it was their cosy log cabins and ultra-modern glass igloos that put them on the map. Offering a mix of traditional pine log cabins, contemporary and snow sculpted accommodation - there is something for everyone.

Their ultra-modern glass-roofed igloos give you a breathtakingly cinematic view of the starry arctic skies, even more spectacular during the northern lights season. The log cabins are a home from home, and give you the option to cook or go to the log restaurant. Rustic Scandinavian cuisine is served throughout your stay at the resort with its homely, cosy ambience. Over a narrow river, deep in the heart of the alpine forest – Santa’s home is a new addition to the resort.

The idyllic red log cabin is the stuff of childhood fantasy - but they recommend booking your slot with Santa to avoid any disappointed children. The resort offers a wide range of activities to keep you entertained and with a reindeer Safari, husky Safari, horse-riding, snowmobile expeditions and ice fishing to choose from – you certainly won’t get bored.

 

 

Claridges, London, England

They claim that ‘no one loves Christmas more than Claridges’, and to be fair to them they really do celebrate Christmas in style.

For many in London, the Claridges Christmas tree signifies the beginning of the festive season, drawing in tourists and Londoners alike to marvel at its distinctive design.

For the Seventh year in a row, they have invited a guest to interpret the tree in their own signature style - but this year the hotel lobby hosts more than just a Christmas tree.

In collaboration with renowned British set designer Micheal Howells, Sir Jony Ive, the chief design officer at Apple and Marc Newson, an influential industrial designer, they have created an immersive installation.

From the minute, you enter the lobby, you are immersed in a snow covered, enchanted forest with four metre high light boxes projecting images of snow covered silver birches.

Rooms and suites filled with festive treats and stockings, festive afternoon tea and traditional storytelling for children on Christmas Eve.

On Christmas day, they give their guests the option to take a ride around Mayfair in a horse-drawn carriage, indulge in a sumptuous Christmas lunch and cosy up to the sound of carol singing in their French salon or drawing room.  

A photo posted by Claridge's (@claridgeshotel) on

The Ice hotel, Jukkasjärvi, Sweden 

With guaranteed Christmas card scenery, The Ice Hotel is by far the coolest hotel on our list – in all senses of the word. The first and largest of its kind The Ice Hotel, Jukkasjärvi is approaching its 25th year and Christmas Eve and Christmas day are packed with special events.

After waking up in your reindeer-skin clad bed, in sub-zero temperatures you start the day with a traditional Swedish breakfast of sweet cinnamon rice porridge.

In Scandinavia Christmas is celebrated on the 24th December, so the hotel has an array of activities prepared, such as the Christmas games, a visit from Santa, ice sculpting, a torch-lit procession, and a Christmas concert.

After a long day of adventuring the local delicacies of the restaurant await; on Christmas day a Christmas Smorgasbord is served in the restaurant, followed by a post-dinner ice bar party. Surrounded by glistening ice, this hotel will definitely give you a Christmas to remember.

 

 

Disneyland Paris

From Frozen-obsessed kids to adults (40 percent of visitors go without children), it goes without saying that Disneyland is a magical place to be for the Christmas holidays.

Running from November until the beginning of January, the park gets a fairy-tale makeover embellished with Christmas trees, presents, glistening snow and lights.

Just some of the events on their fun packed schedule include an all-singing all dancing Christmas character parade, fireworks display at the castle, Santa meet and greet among various other sing along shows.

Throughout the festive period, guests have the choice of an 'all you can eat' festive buffet and the ‘exclusive Disney character diner’ where they can dining in the company of their favourite characters in a holiday setting. On Christmas day itself, guests can choose a traditional four course lunch with Goofy dressed as Santa Claus.

 

A photo posted by Disneyland (@disneyland) on

 

The Crazy Bear, Stadhampton, England

The Crazy Bear is the self-proclaimed ‘antithesis of bland hotels’, celebrating Christmas in style for twenty years, The Crazy Bear offers an unconventional Christmas spread.

The hotel is the embodiment of Great British eccentricity - from the very beginning of your stay, you step into another world as you check in at reception: an old route master bus separate from the main building.

Christmas at the Crazy Bear is a sensory overload, all about over indulgence and over exaggeration, staying true to its reputation. On Christmas day you are invited to Jazz in the glasshouse and a seven course gastronomic delight straight from the Crazy Bear Farm to your plate.

Surrounded by eighty acres of quintessential English countryside, the Crazy Bear offers a vast range of outdoor activities from clay shooting and crossbows to archery and axe throwing.

They also offer Christmas parties, the dress code festive glamour, and the entertainment comprising of vintage vocals and feather clad burlesque dancers – if you fancy your Christmas a little less orthodox.

 

 

Boca Raton Resort, Florida, USA

Brought to life 80 years go by legendary architect Addison Mizner, this flamingo pink hotel is ideally located between Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach.

Adorning itself with over 600,000 lights and 40 decorated palm trees across the 356 acres– not forgetting the un-missable 40 foot Christmas tree on entrance - this oceanfront Waldorf Astoria hotel really looks the part at Christmas.

The hotels pink exterior is matched with the ‘pink rink’ a rose tinted ice rink on the croquet lawn, where they showcase some of the world’s best ice skaters.

Boca Raton also boasts an impressive holiday boat parade, burlesque ball, winter craft carnival in the run up to Christmas. With a pop-up holiday market, a novel dinner with Santa on the day alongside a sumptuous Christmas buffet or three course meal, it's impossible not to get caught up in the festive spirit.

Where else could you swim, surf, skate and toast s’mores over a beach bonfire on Christmas day?

 

A photo posted by Boca Raton Resort (@bocaresort) on



Melanie Luff

About the author

Mel wrote for all titles in the Dynamis stable including BusinessesForSale.com, FranchiseSales.com and PropertySales.com as well as other global industry publications.

@Be_TheBoss

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