From Paris and London to Geneva and beyond, discover the most exciting festive hotel news for 2025 — designer trees, winter chalets, tea rituals and gondola dinners curated by The Hotel Trotter
Every December, the world’s great hotels turn the holiday season into an artform — part theatre, part tradition, always pure enchantment. From Parisian courtyards and Mayfair drawing rooms to Geneva’s lakeside salons, The Hotel Trotter rounds up the most dazzling festive experiences for Christmas 2025. This story will be updated weekly as new celebrations unfold across Europe’s most stylish addresses.
Paris — Hôtel Plaza Athénée
The Winter Chalet Returns
Crédit Instagram : @odieuxboby
On Avenue Montaigne, the Dorchester Collection’s grande dame once again brings the Alps to the city. From 27 November 2025 to 31 January 2026, Hôtel Plaza Athénée transforms its Cour Jardin into a private mountain chalet complete with an ice rink under the stars. Guests begin with a glass of Veuve Clicquot La Grande Dame 2018 before gathering around one long table for an Alpine-inspired dinner of scallops with citrus, chestnuts in sorrel sauce, raclette and charcuterie, ending with a chocolate fondue by pastry chefs Angelo Musa and Elisabeth Hot. Handmade Mauviel 1830 copper sets from Normandy complete the scene.
From €225 per person, including rink access. Bookings +33 (0)1 53 67 66 20.
TheHotelTrotter’s note: Parisian glamour with an Alpine heartbeat, a winter fantasy beneath Avenue Montaigne’s lights.
Paris – Ritz Paris
A Fairytale Christmas on Place Vendôme
From 29 November 2025 to 4 January 2026, the Ritz Paris turns Place Vendôme into a storybook scene of red, gold and glitter. A majestic Christmas tree adorned with 400 teddy bears – the hotel’s beloved mascots – greets guests as they wander through garland-lined galleries and the glowing Grand Garden.
At the Salon Proust, the hotel’s famous Christmas Tea à la Française becomes a ceremony of spiced warmth and Roederer Champagne; at the Salon Marie-Louise, the English Tea Time revives César Ritz’s London ritual with smoked-salmon bagels, truffle cream fingers, and a “holiday pastry tree.”
Festivities reach their peak with Chef Eugénie Béziat’s five-course Christmas Eve dinner at L’Espadon (€680) and Chef Jérôme Legras’s brasserie-style menus at Bar Vendôme (€285), accompanied by live jazz and soul. On New Year’s Eve, two gastronomic journeys unfold: the Espadon’s seven-course showcase with vintage wine pairings (€2 026) and the Bar Vendôme’s French-heritage feast (€870). Later, guests in evening dress waltz beneath chandeliers at the New Year’s Eve Dance (€175).
Throughout December, the Ritz Bars offer seasonal cocktails: Romain de Courcy’s all-orange creation at the Ritz Bar and Anne-Sophie Prestail’s Side-Car Martini at the Hemingway Bar (both €39). Families can join Ritz Escoffier cooking and pastry classes, while pastry lovers can pre-order the Candy Cane Christmas Log from Ritz Paris Le Comptoir – a numbered edition of fifty, complete with a toy box of shortbread biscuits (€250).
TheHotelTrotter’s note: A Parisian Christmas at its most cinematic – heritage, haute cuisine and a hint of childhood wonder wrapped in Ritz ribbon.
Paris — Le Bristol Paris
A Century of Elegance, Wrapped in Christmas Light
This December, Le Bristol Paris marks its 100th anniversary by transforming the hotel into a refined Christmas wonderland that feels both celebratory and deeply Parisian. The façades on Faubourg Saint-Honoré, including the iconic building at number 114, glow with festive illumination, setting the tone before guests even step inside.
Within, a magnificent Christmas tree anchors the lobby, surrounded by fragrant fir garlands, elegant floral compositions, and meticulously styled garden displays. A highlight for 2025 is the return of Lodovico Pinfaldi’s Neapolitan nativity scene, expanded this year and crafted with even greater detail — a quietly spectacular nod to artisanal tradition.
True to Le Bristol’s spirit, the celebration balances grandeur with intimacy, combining century-old heritage with the warmth of the festive season.
TheHotelTrotter’s note: Few hotels know how to celebrate history with such restraint – this is Christmas as timeless Parisian theatre.
Rome – Hotel Eden (Dorchester Collection)
Timeless Roman Festivities above the Spanish Steps
From 8 December 2025 to 6 January 2026, Hotel Eden invites guests to celebrate the season with a sense of Roman grandeur and contemporary flair. Festive garlands, glittering lights, and refined ornaments dress the hotel’s interiors, while executive chef Salvatore Bianco’s Michelin-starred La Terrazza serves seasonal menus framed by sweeping skyline views. Downstairs, Il Giardino Ristorante sets a more relaxed rhythm, where lunches and aperitivi unfold to live jazz and soul.
Christmas Eve and Christmas Day bring elegant tasting menus of red prawn, lobster tortello, caviar and festive chocolate, while The Time Machine on New Year’s Eve transforms the hotel into an immersive celebration of the decades—from the Charleston of the 1920s to the glitter of the 1980s—culminating in a midnight DJ set and fireworks above the Eternal City. Guests can also unwind with the Renewal Ritual at The Eden Spa, a citrus-scented treatment infused with winter aromas, or greet 2026 with The First Brunch of the Year, accompanied by live music and panoramic views of Rome.
TheHotelTrotter’s note: An ode to Roman elegance and rhythm—where timeless hospitality meets a new season of sparkle on the Spanish Steps.
Rome – Hotel de Russie
A Winter Ballet in Rome’s Most Enchanted Garden
Following an international journey through Milan, Sydney, Beijing and London, the installation arrives in the Eternal City as both an artistic tribute and a celebration of the hotel’s deep-rooted connection to creativity. Few places embody this legacy more vividly: it was here, in 1917, that Pablo Picasso and Jean Cocteau crossed paths, an encounter that led to Parade, the world’s first Cubist ballet, alongside icons such as Nijinsky, Diaghilev and Stravinsky.
Throughout the festive season, Sebastian Flowers’ floral creations enhance the atmosphere, wrapping the garden in an enchanted, winter-lit glow. It’s not simply a Christmas decoration — it’s a cultural moment, staged in one of Rome’s most storied hotels.
TheHotelTrotter’s note: Art-led hospitality at its finest, where Christmas becomes a living installation rather than décor.
Milan – Hotel Principe di Savoia (Dorchester Collection)
A Milanese Christmas of Warmth, Elegance and Wonder
In Milan, Hotel Principe di Savoia celebrates the festive season with a sense of grandeur and comforting tradition. From 25 November, the hotel transforms into a luminous tableau of red-and-gold decorations, snowy Alpine accents and elegant garlands — a refined nod to winter landscapes and the city’s upcoming role in the Winter Olympics. The ambience is warm, sparkling and unmistakably festive.
From 27 November, the magical Santa’s Suite opens inside the Royal Suite, inviting guests into an enchanting world of twinkling displays, gift boxes and nostalgic holiday charm. New this year, the imaginative Elves’ Room brings a fairytale dimension for younger guests, completing the hotel’s festive storytelling.
The signature Principe Merenda returns to the Salotto Lobby Lounge, offering artisanal panettones crafted by Maître Pâtissier Beniamino Passanante, alongside traditional treats, cookies and cakes paired with warm seasonal beverages. Throughout December, Acanto Restaurant hosts festive Saturday Brunches and the return of its beloved Sunday Lunches — gatherings centred on comforting Italian flavours, gentle music and a welcoming family-friendly atmosphere.
The hotel’s approach to the season blends familiar comforts with refined Milanese elegance, creating spaces that feel both homely and extraordinary.
TheHotelTrotter’s note: A celebration of Italian craftsmanship and festive nostalgia — Milan at its most enchanting, wrapped in Principe warmth and glamour.
London — 45 Park Lane
An Artful Winter in Mayfair
Across Hyde Park, 45 Park Lane celebrates the season with creative flair. This year’s Artist’s Tree, revealed on 19 November, comes from sculptor Ian Turnock, whose metallic geometry captures winter’s play of light and shadow.
Rooms overlooking the park are dressed with stockings and festive touches, while CUT at 45 Park Lane hosts a trilogy of celebrations: Thanksgiving Dinner (27 Nov) from £210, Christmas Day Feast from £400, and an elegant New Year’s Eve Tasting Menu. Stays include welcome cocktails and a £150 credit for spa or dining.
TheHotelTrotter’s note: Where art, gastronomy and London style meet — a cultured escape for the season.
London — Brown’s Hotel, Mayfair (Rocco Forte Hotels)
A Christmas Steeped in Heritage
This year, Brown’s Hotel partners with English Heritage to celebrate Britain’s festive traditions while supporting its historic landmarks. From 14 November 2025 to 1 January 2026, every stay and festive tea contributes to the preservation of castles and gardens across England. Guests enjoy private tours of Kenwood House, lantern walks through Mayfair, and horse-drawn carriage rides through Green Park.
Inside, Royal florist Ellie Hartley transforms the lobby into a woodland wonderland of ivy, mistletoe and lanterns. The Heritage Afternoon Tea revives classic recipes from English Heritage archives — nostalgia served with impeccable grace.
TheHotelTrotter’s note: A Christmas rooted in story and style — traditional yet utterly timeless.
London — Jumeirah Carlton Tower, Knightsbridge
Alpine Escape to Knightsbridge
In collaboration with luxury ski brand Perfect Moment, Jumeirah Carlton Tower unveils a snow-kissed alpine fantasy from 7 November 2025. The lobby glows with frosted trees, fur throws and candlelight; staff don Perfect Moment ski apparel. At The Peak Lounge, an evening fondue and charcuterie menu (£75 pp) pairs with Laurent-Perrier cocktails and decadent hot chocolate. A seasonal afternoon tea by chef Martin Haidar and a festive buffet on Christmas Day complete the celebration. Wellness seekers can retreat to The Peak Spa for the Alpine Recovery Massage or Silent Night Ritual.
TheHotelTrotter’s note: A slice of St Moritz in Knightsbridge — cosy, glamorous, effortlessly refined.
London — The Berkeley, Knightsbridge
Feast Off-Piste on the Rooftop
Back by popular demand, the immersive Feast Off-Piste returns to The Berkeley’s Rooftop from 13 November 2025 to 13 January 2026, transforming the exclusive terrace into a snow-dusted Alpine hideaway with stationary ski gondolas.
Guests are greeted with mulled wine before sitting down to a hearty sharing-style menu of traditional Swiss raclette with charcuterie and pickles, truffle-topped tartiflette, and winter salad of chicory, butternut squash and pomegranate. For dessert, a milk-chocolate fondue and gingerbread s’mores steal the show.
Each gondola seats 4–6 guests, available for four daily sittings (12–2 pm, 3–5 pm, 6–8 pm, 9–11 pm) at £85 per person. Inside, a “ring for Champagne” bell invites Laurent-Perrier moments, while cocktails such as the Dark Chocolate Old Fashioned and Burnt Marshmallow Mezcalita add a playful twist. The rooftop reveals panoramic views over Belgravia and Hyde Park — the ultimate winter tableau for London nights.
TheHotelTrotter’s note: An alpine escape in the sky — fondue, firelight and Knightsbridge sparkle.
Geneva — Four Seasons Hotel des Bergues
Festive Charm by the Lake
At the heart of Geneva, the Four Seasons Hotel des Bergues turns winter into a celebration of craft and comfort. Beyond the lakeside markets, guests are welcomed to Festive Tea Time in the Salon Dufour (3–6 pm, CHF 90 pp) — an afternoon of pastries and spiced teas. December also brings hands-on Christmas workshops with Events by Loukia: from wreath making to nutcracker painting and ornament decorating, many complimentary for hotel guests.
TheHotelTrotter’s note: A Geneva Christmas woven with elegance, creativity and warmth.
Austria – Rosewood Schloss Fuschl
A Mozart-Inspired Christmas on Lake Fuschl
At the edge of Salzburg’s tranquil lake, Rosewood Schloss Fuschl celebrates Christmas 2025 with a programme that honours the city’s most famous son. From 30 November to 1 January, the former royal retreat becomes a stage for music, folklore and candle-lit wonder, in collaboration with the Mozarteum.
Each Advent Sunday, the hotel’s historic ballroom fills with melody — from flute and guitar duets to string quartets and harp recitals — while outside, the lakeside Christmas Market glows with lanterns, mulled wine and handmade treasures by local artisans. Guests can join torch-lit walks retracing the story of “Silent Night,” watch the lively Krampus Parade on 7 December, or glide across Lake Fuschl in a traditional wooden boat.
Families find their own rhythm through gingerbread-house workshops and the “Sweet Magic Flute” baking class, while afternoons in the Sisi Tea Salon turn theatrical with a Mozart Afternoon Tea of pistachio financiers, punch cubes and Mozart tartelette. Evenings bring Austrian flavours at the Schloss Restaurant — veal, Challans duck, and dishes touched with truffle — followed by cocktail lessons inspired by Rondo alla Turca.
The celebration crescendos with a New Year’s Eve Gala: a seven-course dinner, live music by The Traveling Hands, and fireworks shimmering over the lake. The experience is offered exclusively within a three-night festive stay including breakfast, spa access and a leisurely New Year’s Day brunch.
TheHotelTrotter’s note: Salzburg’s music, mountains and magic unite — a holiday composed in the key of Mozart.
Global — St. Regis × Ladurée
Parisian Patisserie Meets American Grandeur
Across the Atlantic, St. Regis Hotels & Resorts joins forces with Parisian patisserie Ladurée for a holiday collaboration running from 5 November 2025 to 4 January 2026. At select St. Regis destinations in New York, San Francisco, Bal Harbour, Washington D.C., and Deer Valley, guests will find macaron-adorned trees, bespoke afternoon teas, and collectible gift boxes. This meeting of two icons blends the Astors’ legacy of celebration with Ladurée’s French art de vivre — a sweet tribute to the season.
TheHotelTrotter’s note: Tradition and indulgence in perfect balance, a symphony of macarons and Champagne.
United States – The St. Regis Atlanta
A Golden Holiday in the Heart of the South
This season, The St. Regis Atlanta invites guests to celebrate with dazzling décor, time-honoured rituals, and a dash of Southern glamour. The hotel’s soaring 22-foot Christmas tree, a collaboration with luxury fashion brand MME.MINK, transforms the lobby into a Parisian-inspired ballroom. Designed by Jan Haedrich, the “Le Bal d’Or” tree glows with golden baubles, cherubs, and champagne bubbles—an opulent tribute to the 120th anniversary of the St. Regis brand.
Nearby, The Astor Chalet, conceived by architect Keith Summerour, returns for its fifth year in partnership with Buckhead favourite Lucy’s Market. The Swiss-style pop-up (open 18 Nov–24 Dec) brims with festive gifts, gourmet treats, and elegant décor.
Family traditions take centre stage with Tea with Santa, complete with live music and pastries, plus in-room Santa Tuck-Ins featuring milk, cookies, and a keepsake copy of The Night Before Christmas. New this year, Santa by the Fire brings roasted s’mores and holiday cocktails to the terrace for cosy, candle-lit storytelling.
For pure indulgence, The Spa at The St. Regis Atlanta unveils the 24K Gilded Glamour Ritual—a gold-infused face-and-body treatment finished with collagen masks and a take-home KNESKO Skin kit. Guests can also join a Sound Bathing Session on 17 December or toast the season at The St. Regis Bar with a Spiked Hot Chocolate or an Elderflower Rose French 75.
TheHotelTrotter’s note: A Southern symphony of sparkle and tradition, where heritage meets haute holiday style.
London — Claridge’s, Mayfair
The Capital’s Most Iconic Christmas
No address embodies London’s festive spirit quite like Claridge’s. This year, the Mayfair landmark invites guests to a three-night celebration of comfort and joy, complete with elegant dining and the city’s most anticipated Christmas tree reveal. The Claridge’s Christmas Shop returns too, offering its signature gifting collection to bring Mayfair magic home.
See here which fashion designer creates the iconic Christmas Tree of Claridge’s
TheHotelTrotter’s note: Effortless and eternal — Claridge’s remains London’s Christmas heartbeat.
From Paris to London, Geneva to New York, the festive season once again proves that great hotels are more than places to stay — they are keepers of ritual, beauty, and joy.
Follow The Hotel Trotter’s Christmas Hub for more stories, from Greek winter escapes to designer hotel trees and festive menus around the world.
London — Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park
“The Jewel of the Season” with De Beers London
In Knightsbridge, Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park unveils one of London’s most elegant festive transformations with The Jewel of the Season, a luminous collaboration with De Beers London. The hotel’s grand lobby becomes the Enchanted Lotus Bar, a sculptural jewel-box space inspired by the lotus motif of De Beers’ iconic Enchanted Lotus Collection. Under soft, gem-like lighting, guests enjoy a refined menu of rare champagnes — Ruinart, Krug, Dom Pérignon — served with King’s Caviar for the most polished kind of holiday indulgence.
The collaboration extends to De Beers’ Bond Street boutique, where private appointments reveal the House’s craftsmanship through rare stones, heritage stories and behind-the-scenes artistry. At The Rosebery, the De Beers Festive Afternoon Tea blends Anglo-Asian influences and Southern African flavors, with delicate sweets echoing diamond cuts; meanwhile, at Mandarin Bar, the signature cocktail The Enchanted Lotus distills winter’s brilliance into a single glass.
TheHotelTrotter’s note: A Knightsbridge Christmas polished to a diamond sheen — elegant, intimate and quietly dazzling.
TheHotelTrotter.com is curated by greek journalist and fanatic hotel lover Eleni Stasinopoulou. With the eye of a fashion and lifestyle editor, Eleni hopes to inspire all connoisseurs of traveling, focusing on stylish hotel moments around the globe.
