Christmas hotels: 16 luxury stays and their 2026 festive programmes

For a family Christmas with everything scheduled, Paws Up in Montana has published the most complete 2026 programme of any hotel here: a five-night package from 21 to 26 December with a Christmas Eve visit from Santa to your house and a day-by-day timetable. For warm weather, Christmas at the Princess at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess runs from 20 November 2026 to 2 January 2027. The highest-rated hotel on the list is the Four Seasons Hotel George V in Paris (Three Michelin Keys, Forbes Five-Star), but it has not yet confirmed its 2026 events.

We checked all 16 hotels on their own websites, guide.michelin.com and forbestravelguide.com on 9 October 2026. Ten have published at least part of their Christmas 2026 programme; for the other six we give what is confirmed and what ran in 2025. The selection is ours, carried over from our 2021 Christmas and family Christmas guides, minus the hotels that no longer publish a Christmas programme (listed at the end).

The 16 Christmas hotels compared

Michelin Keys are from each hotel’s page on guide.michelin.com; Forbes Travel Guide ratings from forbestravelguide.com; both checked 9 October 2026. “None found” means the hotel had no Michelin listing or Forbes rating that we could find. None of the 16 is on The World’s 50 Best Hotels 2026 list (1–100), published September 2026.

Christmas hotels for families

The 2021 family Christmas guide now redirects here. These are the hotels with something specific for children over Christmas, based on what each hotel publishes:

• Paws Up: the 2026 package is built around families: a Family Holiday Lounge with crafts, films and games on 23, 25 and 26 December, Santa’s Workshop on Christmas Eve (letters to Santa, gingerbread houses), and Santa and his elves calling at your house on Christmas Eve.
• Fairmont Scottsdale Princess: Christmas at the Princess has photos with Santa, Elf Academy, a 6,000 sq ft ice rink, a 120 ft Ferris wheel and s’mores. The Ultimate Santa Experience package is two nights with a $100 daily breakfast credit.
• Four Seasons Orlando: the Kids For All Seasons club is free and open daily for ages 4 to 12. Last season it ran story time with Santa and Mrs Claus, holiday “dive-in” films at the water park and a supervised “polar plunge”. The resort runs a character breakfast with Goofy and his pals.
• Four Seasons Whistler: marshmallow snowman building (ages 4+), cookie decorating, ornament making and gingerbread houses (ages 6+), and photos with Santa in the lobby, as listed for the 2025 season.
• The Plaza: registered guests can book Storytime with Santa; Santa also appears in The Palm Court and The Champagne Bar. The Royal Suite has up to three bedrooms.
• The Roosevelt New Orleans: the Teddy Bear Tea is a lunch show with Santa and Mrs Claus, and every child gets a new collectible bear. A new St Louis Cathedral set is planned for 2026.
• Hôtel Hermitage Monte-Carlo: Christmas teas with “Little Chef” workshops and a visit from Santa; children under 12 pay €130 for the Christmas Eve dinner in the Salle Belle Epoque (2025 menu).
• The Ritz London and The Gainsborough Bath Spa: Father Christmas brings gifts on Christmas Day.
• Amberley Castle: children of all ages are welcome. Under-3s stay free, ages 3 to 16 pay the adult rate, and children can use the restaurant until 8pm.
• Marbella Club: the Kids Club is open every day of the year for ages 4 to 14.

For resorts with kids’ clubs outside the Christmas season, see our luxury family resorts guide. For Santa in the Arctic, see luxury Lapland Christmas hotels.

Resort at Paws Up, Montana

• Christmas 2026: 21 to 26 December. The package covers five nights in one of the resort’s houses, a decorated Christmas tree in the house, a Santa visit on Christmas Eve and a $500 prepaid resort credit per person. Christmas Eve dinner and Christmas Day dinner are at Pomp; Christmas morning brings cinnamon rolls to your door; there is a sleigh ride on Christmas Eve. Daytime activities include dogsledding, snowshoeing and downhill tubing.
• Price: from $5,797 per night, based on a five-night stay for two adults in a one-bedroom Big Timber Home (Paws Up website, checked 9 October 2026).
• Size: 76 rooms (Michelin Guide).
• Accolades: Two Michelin Keys. Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star.

Fairmont Scottsdale Princess, Arizona

• Christmas 2026: Christmas at the Princess, its 17th season, runs from 20 November 2026 to 2 January 2027 across 65 acres of the resort. Over 17 million lights, a 6,000 sq ft outdoor ice rink, a 120 ft Ferris wheel, a new light show called Starlights, ten climate-controlled VIP igloos and fire tables. Early-bird pricing (30% off admission and parking, up to $150 off VIP fire tables) is extended to 1 November.
• Package: the Ultimate Santa Experience is a two-night stay with a $100 daily breakfast credit.
• Size: 750 rooms, including two Presidential Suites, 66 Fairmont Gold rooms and 122 Privado rooms. The Princess One-Bedroom Suite is 1,150 sq ft.
• Accolades: no Michelin listing or Forbes rating found.

The Plaza, New York

• Christmas 2026: seasonal décor from 11 November; the tree lighting on 12 November. Holiday Afternoon Tea in The Palm Court runs from 11 November to 12 January. On Christmas Day (Friday 25 December) there is a Christmas Day Afternoon Tea with caviar service, a Christmas dinner in The Palm Court, and a Yuletide Dinner in The Champagne Bar for overnight guests only. The “Suitest Season of All” offer adds festive flowers and a welcome amenity to suites.
• Booking: overnight guests can reserve holiday events 90 days ahead; the public 60 days ahead.
• Size: 282 rooms, including 102 suites.
• Top suite: the Royal Suite, up to 4,500 sq ft (418 m²) with one, two or three bedrooms, private lift access and views over Fifth Avenue. The Michelin Guide singles out the Eloise Suite as “extra-ornate and thoroughly pink”.
• Accolades: listed in the Michelin Guide without a Key. Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star.

The Breakers, Palm Beach, Florida

• Christmas 2026: the full activity programme was “coming soon” on 9 October 2026; the dining programme is published. December holiday bookings open on Monday 2 November 2026.

• Decorations: lights on 100 royal palms and Canary Island date trees along the 1,040 ft main drive; 170,000 lights and 8,000 ornaments in total; two 18 ft trees and four menorahs in the lobby.
• Size: 534 rooms, including 72 suites, and the Flagler Club, a private-access hotel on the top floors.
• Top suite: two Imperial Suites, 1,700 sq ft each, oceanfront, which can connect to more oceanfront rooms.
• Accolades: Two Michelin Keys. Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star.

The Dolder Grand, Zurich

• Christmas 2026: the “Festive Me Up!” package runs from 22 to 28 December 2026, minimum two nights, with breakfast, a CHF 200 spa or restaurant credit per room, use of the 4,000 m² spa, a shuttle into central Zurich and complimentary guest cars. Belgian designer Charles Kaisin returns with 1,200 golden origami doves, hung in the spa and formed into a spiral Christmas tree in the Canvas Bar & Lounge.
• Christmas brunch: CHF 186 per person with free-flowing champagne, CHF 128 without, CHF 64 for children aged 6 to 12, free for under-6s.
• Afternoon tea: CHF 119 with a glass of champagne, Friday to Sunday from 30 October 2026 to the end of February.
• Size: 175 rooms.
• Top suite: the Maestro Suite, one of four Presidential Suites, in the tower of the main building: 400 m² over two floors, two bedrooms, a library and a private terrace.
• Accolades: Two Michelin Keys. Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star. The Restaurant has two Michelin stars (2025 Swiss guide).

The Gainsborough Bath Spa, England

• Christmas 2026: a two-night all-inclusive package. Christmas Eve, 24 December: champagne in your room, a three-course dinner, then an escort to Midnight Mass at Bath Abbey (under five minutes’ walk) and hot chocolate, whisky toddy and mince pies on return. Christmas Day: a gift from Father Christmas, champagne aperitif, a four-course Christmas lunch (12.30–4pm), the King’s speech in The Chapel at 3pm and a festive buffet in the evening. Boxing Day breakfast on 26 December.
• Terms: £200 non-refundable deposit per person; balance due by 1 December 2026. The package price is not shown on the offer page.
• Size: 99 rooms. Cots on request. The hotel has its own spa, the Spa Village.
• Accolades: One Michelin Key.

Amberley Castle, West Sussex, England

• Christmas 2026: the Christmas Castle Escape runs 24 to 27 December: three nights, a cream tea on Christmas Eve, a Christmas gift, a seven-course Christmas lunch with a wine flight and a buffet dinner on Christmas Day.
• Price: from £1,020, based on two guests sharing a Classic Room, per night, with a £500 non-refundable deposit (Amberley Castle website, checked 9 October 2026). Outside the package, the festive dinner is £98 and the festive lunch £57.50 per person, on set dates from late November.
• Size: 19 bedrooms inside a castle whose fortifications date to the 14th century.
• Families: children of all ages are welcome; under-3s stay free; ages 3 to 16 are charged the adult rate.
• Accolades: One Michelin Key.

The Ritz London

• Christmas 2026: the hotel’s Christmas pages, updated September 2026, list a Christmas Afternoon Tea in The Palm Court, a Christmas Eve Gala Dinner, Festive Live at The Ritz (dinner and dancing) through December, a Christmas Day programme with live entertainment and Father Christmas bringing gifts for the children, Boxing Day lunch and dinner, and New Year’s Eve with a piper and marching band.
• Price: December room rates from £2,300 for a Deluxe Room for two, including VAT (Ritz website, checked 9 October 2026).
• Size: 136 rooms. The hotel stays open during a renovation due to finish by 2028 (Michelin Guide).
• Top suite: the Prince of Wales Suite, 216 m² (2,325 sq ft), one bedroom, over Green Park. The two-floor Royal Suite is 204 m².
• Accolades: Two Michelin Keys. Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star. The Ritz Restaurant has two Michelin stars (2026 guide).

Omni Grove Park Inn, Asheville, North Carolina

• Christmas 2026: the 34th National Gingerbread House Competition. Entries close 9 November; judging is on 16 November; the display is open to guests from Tuesday 17 November 2026 to Sunday 3 January 2027. Entries come from professional pastry chefs, amateurs and families, with child and teen categories. The entries are also shown online as “The 12 Days of Gingerbread”, 1 to 12 December.
• Size: 513 rooms. The hotel opened in 1913.
• Accolades: no Michelin listing or Forbes rating found.

Hôtel Hermitage Monte-Carlo, Monaco

• Christmas 2026: the Société des Bains de Mer events page gives 19 to 25 December 2026, but the menus under it carry 2025 weekdays (Wednesday 24 December), so treat the following prices as 2025 until the hotel confirms. Christmas teas in the Salle Belle Epoque (19–23 December, 3–6pm) with “Little Chef” workshops and a Santa visit. Christmas Eve dinner in the Salle Belle Epoque €260 (children under 12 €130); Christmas buffet lunch €290 (children €145). Christmas Eve at L’Abysse: Omakase menu €450 or Collection menu €290. Christmas Eve at Pavyllon: six courses, €360.
• Size: 262 rooms (Michelin Guide).
• Top suite: the Princely Diamond Suite, 283 m² with two bedrooms and three terraces. It connects to the Presidential Diamond Suite to make a residence of up to four bedrooms and 434 m².
• Accolades: One Michelin Key. Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star. L’Abysse Monte-Carlo has two Michelin stars and Pavyllon Monte-Carlo one (2026 guide).

The Roosevelt New Orleans, Louisiana

• Christmas 2026: the Teddy Bear Tea is confirmed, with a new Jackson Square and St Louis Cathedral set (the set is replaced every three years) and a 2026 collectible bear for every child. Dates were not published on 9 October 2026. In 2025 it ran on multiple dates from 30 November to 27 December, with singing, dancing, story-telling and Santa and Mrs Claus.
• 2025 programme: a Christmas Day brunch with live music, a Blue Room holiday bar (19–27 December), a Réveillon dinner menu from 1 December to New Year’s Eve, a life-size gingerbread house in the lobby, and Candy Cane and Christmas Cookie cocktails at the Sazerac Bar.
• Families: the Two Queen Beds one-bedroom suite adds a queen sofa bed in the living area.
• Accolades: Forbes Travel Guide Recommended. No Michelin listing found. The hotel’s history dates to 1893.

Four Seasons Hotel George V, Paris

• Christmas 2026: “2026 events and experiences to be confirmed” on the hotel’s festive page on 9 October 2026. Christmas Eve and Christmas Day menus are listed for Le Cinq, Le George and La Galerie.
• 2025 programme: a Christmas tea from 5 December 2025 to 6 January 2026, priced at €125 with a hot drink and a glass of champagne (Sortiraparis, December 2025).
• Size: 243 rooms. The smallest are close to 40 m² (Michelin Guide).
• Top suite: the Penthouse, 160 m², with a terrace facing the Eiffel Tower.
• Accolades: Three Michelin Keys. Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star. Three restaurants with Michelin stars (2026 guide): Le Cinq (three), L’Orangerie (two), Le George (one).
• More Paris hotels: luxury hotels in Paris.

Four Seasons Resort Orlando, Florida

• Christmas 2026: “2026 events and experiences to be confirmed”. Last season: story time with Santa and Mrs Claus at the kids’ club, holiday films at the five-acre water park, a gingerbread house with hot cocoa pop-ups in the lobby, and Christmas Day dining at Ravello and Capa. Guests get complimentary transport to the Disney parks.
• Size: 443 rooms (Michelin Guide).
• Top suite: the Royal Suite on the 16th floor, 3,300 sq ft (306.5 m²), which can connect up to eight more bedrooms.
• Families: Kids For All Seasons is free and open daily for ages 4 to 12.
• Accolades: listed in the Michelin Guide without a Key. Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star.

Four Seasons Resort Whistler, Canada

• Christmas 2026: “2026 events and experiences to be confirmed”. The page lists a Christmas Eve four-course dinner at SIDECUT, a Christmas Day buffet at Braidwood Tavern, a Christmas Day dinner at SIDECUT, and the children’s activities listed under families above.
• Size: 272 rooms (Michelin Guide).
• Family rooms: the Two-Bedroom Interconnecting Deluxe Room is 102 m² (1,100 sq ft); the Two-Bedroom Interconnecting Executive Suite 125 m² (1,350 sq ft).
• Accolades: Two Michelin Keys. Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star.

The St. Regis Aspen Resort, Colorado

• Christmas 2026: no festive programme on the hotel’s website on 9 October 2026. The resort held its 14th annual Tree Lighting Ritual on Saturday 6 December 2025, with carols and live music (The Aspen Times).
• Size: 154 rooms, 22 suites and three specialty suites, at the base of Aspen Mountain.
• Accolades: listed in the Michelin Guide without a Key. Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star.

Marbella Club Hotel, Spain

• Christmas 2026: not published on the hotel’s website on 9 October 2026. For 2025, Homerun Marbella listed gourmet dinners, a Christmas Day buffet, carols in the gardens and children’s activities.
• Size: 113 rooms (Michelin Guide), including villas; the four-bedroom villa has its own kitchen. Founded in 1954.
• Families: the Kids Club, for ages 4 to 14, is open every day of the year.
• Accolades: Two Michelin Keys. Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star.

What changed since the 2021 guides

This page merges two guides from 2021: “12 Luxury Themed Christmas Hotels” and “13 Best Luxury Hotels for a Family Christmas”. Between them they listed 20 hotels.

• Kept (16): every hotel above.
• Dropped: The Langham, New York, Fifth Avenue and Montage Laguna Beach, because neither publishes a Christmas programme or package on its website (checked 9 October 2026). Hotel Almhof Schneider in Lech publishes no Christmas programme, and its rate page does not list prices for the Christmas and New Year weeks; the 2026/27 winter season opens on 10 December. Arctic TreeHouse Hotel in Finnish Lapland is covered in our Lapland Christmas hotels guide.
• Corrected: the 2021 guide said the Four Seasons Orlando’s top floor held “9-bedroom family complex suites”. The Royal Suite is one 3,300 sq ft suite that can connect up to eight extra bedrooms.

How we checked

Each hotel’s festive programme comes from its own website, read on 9 October 2026. Where a hotel had not yet published 2026 details, we say so and give the 2025 programme from a dated source. Prices are as published and exclude taxes unless stated. Room counts are from the hotel’s website or its Michelin Guide page, named where the two differ.