Credit: The Ritz-Carlton

From ice-skating in Central Park to shopping on Fifth Avenue and marveling at the city’s twinkling light installations, there is something magical about spending Christmas in New York. The Rockefeller Center has chosen its tree – a towering 80 ft spruce – and the bustling metropolis is gearing up for the festive season. When it comes to the holidays, there’s nowhere quite like it. To help you plan your trip, we’ve curated a list of New York’s best festive hotels that have gone above and beyond to make it a Christmas the entire family will never forget. Expect lavish feasts, wonderfully extravagant decorations, and plenty of champagne.

Credit: The Plaza, A Fairmont Managed Hotel

It’s fitting that the first luxurious hotel on our list of the best hotels for spending Christmas in the Big Apple is also one of the locations behind Home Alone 2: Lost in New York. Paying homage to the classic movie, The Plaza gives guests a unique opportunity to take a limousine ride around New York City visiting other famous landmarks featured in the film including the Empire State Building, Carnegie Hall and Central Park (all while munching your way through an extra large cheese pizza, Kevin McCallister-style).

Credit: The Plaza, A Fairmont Managed Hotel

Of course, when it comes to decorations no expense is spared at the iconic hotel. On November 28, you can watch the annual Christmas Plaza tree lighting with a glass of bubbly from the Champagne Bar, while listening to live festive music to get you in the holiday mood.

Credit: The Plaza, A Fairmont Managed Hotel

There are also plenty of opportunities for your little one to meet Santa, with meet and greets scheduled in the lobby throughout December, exclusively for hotel guests. As for dining, The Plaza boasts a mouthwatering Christmas menu featuring spiced honey glazed ham with all the trimmings and a traditional bread pudding with a generous splash of Grand Marnier liqueur.

Credit: The Peninsula Hotels

For a truly breathtaking Christmas decoration display in New York, The Peninsula hotel (located on the corner of Fifth Avenue and 55th Street in Manhattan) is well worth a visit. Kicking off the festivities on 30 November, guests can head up to Salon de Ning (the hotel’s chic rooftop bar on its East Terrace) for the yearly tree lighting celebration complete with cocktails, canapés and carols.

Credit: The Peninsula Hotels

To make the holiday season extra special for your little one this year, consider booking the Holiday Fun package; the hotel has teamed up with iconic New York toy shop FAO Schwartz to fill your suite with the most popular new toys of the season and give kids an unforgettable private shopping experience in store. The package also includes a sparkling in-room Christmas tree, a gingerbread cookie decorating kit, and an in-room candy cane scavenger hunt.

Credit: Adrian Mueller

Situated on the 35th – 54th floors of the Deutsche Bank Center, with breathtaking views of the skyline and Hudson River, the Mandarin Oriental deserves a mention for its location alone. While the distinctive interiors blend Asian-inspired décor with a contemporary design when it comes to Christmas the lavish hotel keeps things traditional. If you’re looking for a festive home from home, you can choose to transform your suite with the Home for the Holidays package. The cozy makeover includes a 7 ft 5in tree, decorative hanging stockings, wreaths and an array of festive candy.

Credit: The Mark New York

The Mark Hotel presents the Christmas Spectacular Package: A Fantasy Come to Life, turning holiday wishes into reality. This exclusive offering invites guests to celebrate the season from December 1st to January 6th in The Mark’s Penthouse, a lavish sanctuary for up to ten guests with unparalleled of Central Park and the Manhattan skyline.

Credit: The Mark New York

Imagine gliding across a private skating rink on The Mark Penthouse terrace, under twinkling city lights with a professional skater at your side. Holiday shoppers can savor the magic of exclusive, after-hours access to Bergdorf Goodman, exploring its legendary displays in peace. To complete the enchantment, guests are treated to tickets for the Radio City Rockettes Christmas Spectacular and a private, expert-led tour of The Met—a truly dazzling New York holiday experience.

Credit: Lotte New York Palace

Located just two blocks from Radio Music City Hall, the legendary Lotte New York Palace is the perfect place to stay if you’re planning on attending the annual Christmas Spectacular show starring the world-renowned precision dance troupe, the Radio City Rockettes. The ultra-luxe hotel is also just a stone’s throw from the Rockefeller Christmas Tree and the glittering festive displays at the city’s elite department stores.

Credit: Lotte New York Palace

From the end of November, little ones are able to post their letters to Santa at the Santa Mailbox in the hotel’s grand marble lobby. In a thoughtful touch, letters are collected each afternoon by the ‘Palace Elves’ and sent to the North Pole, before personalized responses from Santa Claus are delivered to guests’ rooms.

Credit: Lotte New York Palace

The newest addition- Palace Holiday Suites, presented by Balsam Hill®, delights guests with the warm glow of artisan Christmas trees, decorated with hand-made ornaments. Each suite, transformed into a Balsam Hill winter wonderland, offers a warm welcome with twinkling lights and a plate of homemade holiday cookies. ay Suites, presented by Balsam Hill®, welcome guests with the warm glow of artisan Christmas trees, decorated with hand-made ornaments. Each suite offers a warm welcome with twinkling lights and a plate of homemade holiday cookies

Credit: St. Regis New York

Since opening its doors over a century ago, the St. Regis New York has established itself as one of the most opulent hotels in New York and a hot spot for the rich and famous. Located in the heart of Midtown Manhattan (five minutes from Central Park) you’re within walking distance of New York City Ballet where you can catch a performance of holiday favorite, George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker.

Credit: St. Regis New York

Before you even step foot inside St. Regis New York, you know you’re in safe hands when it comes to festivities. With timeless decorations even Scrooge would have a hard time complaining about, the entrance to the 18-story Beaux-Arts hotel is dotted with mini Christmas trees and flanked by giant nutcrackers.

Credit: The Ritz-Carlton

Located across the street from Central Park (and the iconic Wollman ice skating rink) the Ritz Carlton is a safe bet when it comes to spending Christmas in New York. First opened in 1930, the legendary hotel underwent an extensive renovation in 2019 and is looking more glamorous than ever.

Credit: Ritz-Carlton New York

As well as enjoying a delicious Christmas menu at Contour, you can warm up with a festive tipple in the cozy wood-paneled lounge. And if whisky’s your bag, the hotel can organize for you to join a certified bourbon steward for an exclusive tour and tasting at New York’s oldest distillery, Kings County in Brooklyn.

Credit: The Langham, New York

No festive round-up of the best hotels for spending Christmas in New York would be complete without The Langham. Located on Fifth Avenue, between Bryant Park and the Empire State building, the plush 60-story hotel is the ideal base for enjoying the city’s ample festive offerings. Whether you’re dropping by Saks for a spot of Christmas shopping or catching a show in the theater district, you’ll be right in the center of the action. And when the hustle and bustle of the city gets too much, you can retire to one of the elegant suites (all of which boast floor-to-ceiling windows for panoramic views of the skyline).

Credit: The Langham, New York

If you’re looking for a touch of holiday magic, consider booking the Nutcracker Land of the Suites package. As well as decking out your suite with a tree, you can choose to have your family’s ornaments and stockings shipped to the Langham so they’ll be waiting in your room on arrival to make you feel at home. The package also includes Orchestra or Fire Ring seats to New York City Ballet’s production of The Nutcracker with a luxury car service to and from the show.