The best hotels for Christmas in New York
Perhaps there's no city more magical than New York City at Christmas. An already vibrant metropolis transforms into a dazzling wonderland; a reminder that December 25 and all the marvel that comes with it awaits. During the festive season, New York’s most lauded hotels play a key role in the city’s parade of festivities. From elegant affairs like the Nutcracker Tea to shoulder-high kicks from the world-famous Rockettes, some New York hotels pull out all the stops, suggesting special menus and holiday packages to welcome visitors to the city at the most wonderful time of the year.
Lotte New York Palace
New York, United States
7Telegraph expert rating
Christmas here feels fit for royalty, all tinselled marble pillars and grand staircases lined with baubled pines. A showstopping 30ft Christmas tree towers in the centre courtyard. This year's headline seasonal package includes 25 per cent off tickets to see the renowned dance troupe the Rockettes on stage in the Christmas Spectacular, an extravagant pageantry at Radio City Music Hall, and discounted accommodation (from $689/£522 for two people, until 2 January). Head to Tavern On 51 for a wintry cocktail like Cranberry Garland with rosemary and gin, or stock up on Christmas macaroons in the on-site bakery. Read expert review From £203per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
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The Plaza
New York, United States
7Telegraph expert rating
This New York classic's Todd English Food Hall has cooked up child-friendly Christmas meal packages that include a VIP photo with Santa (until December 22). Father Christmas will also be doing story readings at select times in Eloise's Tea Room. Meanwhile adults can indulge in yule-time afternoon tea in the stained-glass-domed splendour of the Palm Court; think turkey sandwiches with cranberry aioli and egg nog cream eclaires. Christmas Day brings an extravagant Grand Buffet with turkey and soaked pears, cabernet-soaked beef, and smoked-pit ham. Read expert review From £412per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
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The Peninsula New York
New York, United States
8Telegraph expert rating
This 1905 landmark gets some serious jingle-jangle treatment in winter, all garlands, reindeer, sparkling Christmas lights, and poinsettias. The 'Nights Before Christmas' package for children includes an in-room gingerbread playhouse, candy cane scavenger hunt, and biscuit decorating kit (from $1,145/£867). Guests can also tour the tens of thousands of Christmas lights that take over Dykers Heights Brooklyn in a chauffeured car (from $1395/£1056). Sip on a rum and nutmeg cocktail in the bar or book in for a five-course Christmas Eve feast with pepper-crusted duck breast and bûche de Noël accompanied by Victorian carols. Read expert review From £433per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
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The St. Regis New York
New York, United States
9Telegraph expert rating
Ideally placed alongside the Fifth Avenue shopping district with its iconic holiday window displays. At Christmas, the hotel is decorated with thousands of sparkling holiday lights, fragrant pine, and life-sized toy soldiers. A giant tree and menorah steals the show in the Cognac Room. Guests can quaff winter-warming cocktails like the rum-based Maxfield Parrish, named after the muralist of the same name whose artwork adorns the bar. Children will love the gingerbread-decorating workshop on December 16. On Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, a special menu features the likes of lobster bisque, Hudson Valley pheasant and egg nog gelato. Read expert review From £436per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
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The Bryant Park Hotel
New York, United States
7Telegraph expert rating
As the host of the annual Bryant Park Festival and all its events, the hotel provides its guests access to ice-skating shows (the free-admission rink lies steps from the hotel), the park’s Christmas tree lighting, and the Bryant Park Winter Village – a trove of unique shops and vendors, many of which sell locally made items. For festive cuisine injected with some Eastern flair, guests can feast on seasonal sharing plates like foie gras on seared tuna and lobster tails with sake truffle butter sauce in the hotel's Asian restaurant, or sip pomegranate champagne cocktails in the Moroccan-themed bar. Read expert review From £178per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
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Le Parker Meridien New York
New York, United States
8Telegraph expert rating
This option near Central Park decks the halls with style so much that you feel like an A-lister. Guests can browse the indoor-outdoor Christmas market for homeware, jewellery, and last-minute gifts, as well as sweet treats ranging from Glazed & Confused donuts to Brazilian bon bons (until December 23). Enjoy a festive glass of champagne with bitters and orange in the Knave bar or grab some temporary respite from the franticness of the holiday season in the wellness centre. Custom facials, Christian Louboutin manicures and Red Carpet Ready makeovers promise to get guests party ready. Read expert review From £162per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
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Mandarin Oriental New York
New York, United States
8Telegraph expert rating
Head to The Aviary lounge in December for the Nutcracker Tea with eggnog panna cotta, and star-shaped cookies, as well as twinkling high-rise views of the city's Christmas lights. The Office 'speakeasy', with its fumed wood and cowhide bar stools is an atmospheric space for Christmas drinks. Meanwhile Asiate restaurant – with its centrepiece tree-branch sculpture symbolising winter trees in winter – is serving up delights like foie gras with spice port wine, lychee and pumpkin seed; and Arctic sea char with charred grapefruit. Shopaholics can revel in the Shops at Columbus Circle in Time Warner, housed in the same complex. Read expert review From £566per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
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Four Seasons Hotel New York
New York, United States
7Telegraph expert rating
The merriment begins November 30 with the annual lighting of the dramatic 33ft tree accompanied by Louis Roederer champagne and carols from a children’s choir to raise money for the Toys for Tots charity. Holiday Brunches are being held every Saturday and Sunday in The Garden (November 25 to December 31), all gingerbread waffles, 'slice of yule' French toast, and belly-warming pork belly with broth. On Christmas Day, a slap-up breakfast in the morning, cookies and spiced apple cider, and a dinner with chestnut bisque, Wagyu beef, and rack of lamb complete the stonking food offerings. Read expert review From £631per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
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The Chatwal
New York, United States
9Telegraph expert rating
Their package in partnership with Bloomingdale's will appeal to Christmas shoppers; a chauffeur whisks guests away in a red Mercedes Benz for a personal shopping appointment at Bloomingdale’s Suite, 'At Your Service'. A 'Little Red Brown Bag' courtesy of The Chatwal + Bloomie’s is also thrown in (from $620/£470). Every Saturday in December (as well as December 24 and 25), The Chatwal’s Lambs Club is hosting a carols brunch complete with eggs en cocotte and stuffed French toast; a selection of hot cocoa with tempting toppings warm the bones. Sunday Suppers throughout December spell Christmassy treats like sautéed foie gras and Nova Scotia lobster. Read expert review From £322per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
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The Surrey
New York, United States
8Telegraph expert rating
This luxurious hotel off Madison Avenue shimmers in the holidays, white lights and delicate ornaments adorning its Christmas tree. This year, the 'Deck the Halls' package provides a professionally decorated suite, four ice-skating passes to a rink of choice, a gingerbread house to decorate, and plenty of holiday treats. Daniel Boulud’s Michelin-starred on-site restaurant offers seasonal ingredients with a French twist: perhaps pumpkin potage with lingonberries, wild mushroom vol-au-vents and sea trout with smoked salmon roe (special Christmas Eve/Day menus available). Read expert review From £333per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
