The best Christmas hotels in New York

Like the hotel itself, the St. Regis’s holiday decor is best described as timeless. Nutcrackers flank each side of the 55th Street entrance and, inside, garlands and ornaments are wrapped along banisters and walls. For the holidays, the hotel usually hosts activities for the little ones (like gingerbread decorating) and gives its Cognac Room a twinkling makeover.

The mood? Nothing short of classic elegance. 

Location perks? Not limited to the common spaces, the magic of Christmas continues in the rooms and suites. You can also expect a luxe, wintry-themed pop-up shop of some kind and an exquisite three-course dining experience at Astor Court Restaurant (2023 is TBC).

Budget range? A high-end luxury stay.

So famous is The Plaza for its Christmas celebrations that it was the subject of a documentary on British TV. So what is it that sets this hotel apart from the rest? It could be that the team works feverishly through the night on Thanksgiving to deck the entire place out in festive cheer, so guests wake up to a delightful surprise. It could be the variety of seasonal packages they offer, one including a six-foot Christmas tree in your room and another with a Home Alone 2 theme (it is one of the film's key locations after all). Or perhaps they're one of the top hotels for a seasonal stay because of the pop-up holiday gift shop and meet-and-greets with Santa.

The mood? Gold and glitzy. 

Location perks? The Plaza certainly goes all out to make your stay every bit as magical as you'd expect, topping off the festivities with Victorian Carolers on Fridays in the lobby from November 25th right up until December 25th. 

Budget range? A steep price tag, but then again, the bathrooms are paved with gold...

Nowhere does Christmas quite like The Palace. First of all, the glowing 30-foot tree that stands proud behind the iron gates of the hotel's courtyard is an impressive sight to behold. Secondly, The Palace is an official partner of the world-renowned Christmas Spectacular Starring the Radio City Rockettes. They even offer a special package if you're staying for more than two nights, which includes a popcorn & beverage voucher for the show and a Rockettes tote. For those just passing through, however, be sure to step into the lobby so you can also gaze upon the two smaller trees at the top of the mansion’s grand staircase, then we'd advise popping over to Saks Fifth Avenue’s light show, just one block away.

The mood? Sophisticated interiors with epic skyline views. 

Location perks? For those with a sweet tooth, Lotte New York Palace have a little something they like to call "Palace Hour", with complimentary baked goods served every afternoon and a shuttle service that goes around Midtown. 

Budget range? Spend two glorious nights here just under $1000 bucks, and you'll be the envy of your entire friendship group. 

At Christmas time, the Ritz-Carlton’s trimmings are all about simplicity, with nods to the hotel’s proximity to Central Park. Wreaths and garland with blue ornaments and gold leaves are hung throughout the lobby. For views of the skaters, book the hotel’s Park View rooms and suites.

The mood? Dazzling lights.

Location perks? Expect festive holiday packages and Christmas menus (2023 is TBC).

Budget range? Top dollar. 

The Standard, East Village, is doing Christmas a little different this year – it's farewell to the famed Winter Garden and season's greetings to 70's pop-up restaurant Partridge. Glittering with nostalgia from top to tail, expect ceilings draped in silver tinsel coupled with a good sprinkling of festive decor throughout. Meanwhile, on this year's menu, it's snowball cocktails tasty pickle platters, and winter warmers like cheese fondue. For dessert, enjoy a citrus hit of pink grapefruit and campari jelly cake, or keep it mellow with a spiced custard tart. Whatever you're in the mood for, it's bound to be a groovy night. And with that, let the 'retro revelry' begin. 

The mood? Artsy and modern.

Location perks? Keeping in line with the retro theme, you can also enjoy disco caroling throughout December. 

Budget range? Less expensive than the others, but still pricy.  

Holiday trees and garlands pop up in every corner at The Pierre, but what makes the hotel special at Christmas time is some of the scrummiest hot chocolate at Two E, the hotel’s Art Deco bar and lounge for high tea in the afternoon and cocktails in the evening. 

The mood? At the risk of overusing this word, it's simply magical. 

Location perks? From snowman-making kits and eggnog to milk and cookies left out for Santa, The Pierre ensures Christmas includes all your favourite family traditions and more (2023 is TBC). 

Budget range? This truly spectacular family vacation sits on the higher end, but it's New York. 

The Peninsula’s holiday decor is perfect to gawp at from the street. The hotel goes all out on its exteriors, incorporating hundreds of feet of garland, ornaments, lights, small trees, poinsettias and winter flowers, and two reindeer statues. In the bedecked lobby, Victorian carollers sing on Fridays and Saturdays throughout December and there's an old-fashioned Sweet Shoppe for the little ’uns. The roof bar gets a Swiss chalet makeover and, for big spenders, there's a Nights Before Christmas package that includes an in-room Christmas tree, gingerbread playhouse, candy cane scavenger hunt and much more.

The mood? Extravagant, magical. 

Location perks? Kick off the festive season with a cocktail in hand at Salon de Ning's special tree-lighting event on 1st Dec. Can't make it? Enjoy the heartwarming chorus of Victorian carolling on Fridays and Saturdays from late November to Christmas Eve (2023 is TBC).

Budget range? A whole load of cash for this elegant for all this glitz turned grotto. 

For such an eccentric hotel in the trendy Meatpacking District, we'd expect nothing less than quirky when it comes to their holiday decor. In previous years they've turned their rooftop bar into a 'Midwinter Night's Dream', complete with a Christmas light tunnel and candy cane cocktails, and the lobby has been morphed into an alpine lodge with a taxidermied polar bear and snow leopard, as well as an 'Outdoor Ice Bar' with life-sized moving penguins dressed in suits at an igloo bar. 

The mood? Light-showered merriment. 

Location perks? If you like your season's greetings over the top, Dream Downtown won't disappoint. Each year dazzling lights go up in the lobby and everyone heads to the rooftop wintry shindig, and of course the dazzling backdrop of NYC at Christmas time. Unreal. (2023 is TBC). 

Budget range? An affordable weekend bash. 

The Carlyle’s elegant black-and-white-marbled lobby and Art Deco splendor already make us feel cozy in the winter. But add garlands and trees—covered in silver, black and white ornaments, ribbons and lights—and we’ll linger longer in the lobby’s plush yellow arm chairs. If you happen to be there on Christmas Day, you'll even get a visit from Santa. It's also worth checking the events programme at Cafe Carlyle, where the cabaret evenings get a little festive.

The mood? An old-timey, sultry. 

Location perks? During Christmastime at The Carlyle, you can expect an a-la-carte-style Christmas-themed high tea (2023 is TBC). 

Budget range? No cheap thrill, but why not spoil yourself? Its Christmas. 

This luxe Fifth Avenue hotel always goes all out for Christmas and this year it’s pulling out the big guns. All rooms booked as part of its festive packages are decorated with glittering Christmas trees and come with all sorts of seasonal treats like tickets to the New York City Ballet’s ‘The Nut Cracker’ at the famous Lincoln Centre, or a $2000 Saks Fifth Avenue gift card. Plus, it’s well-placed for all of New York’s festive sites, like the Rockefeller Centre Christmas tree and ice rink. 

The mood? High-end chic. 

Location perks? Right on one of the most famous shopping streets in the world, with sweet views of the Manhattan skyline. 

Budget range? A real treat.