Christmas in NYC | the festive fairytale of New York

This New York icon, made even more famous by Christmas movie Home Alone 2 (Lost in New York), is the go-to festive destination for many a visitor to Manhattan. The team at the Plaza work overnight on Thanksgiving to decorate the hotel and have guests wake up in the morning to a festive surprise. During the holidays, this grand New York hotel is brought to life with festive, yet elegant decorations and seasonal cheer.

With its classic style and timeless elegance, the Plaza has a lot to offer, including classic guest accommodations, impeccable service and delicious dining options. Take high tea in the Palm Court, enjoy food at the Plaza Food hall or raise a glass to the festive season at the Champagne Bar.

Its perfect location on Fifth Avenue, at Central Park South, gives you access to a plethora of high end stores, such as Bergdorf Goodman, Bloomingdales, Barney’s and Henri Bendel. Or take short Walk over to the Wollman ice rink in Central Park, just steps from the hotel where you can skate on the ice or simply enjoy the festive scenery.

A little further along Fifth Avenue is The Peninsula Hotel. With its great location, close to shopping, sightseeing and shows. This hotel is a fantastic base for your Christmas trip.

A short walk from Radio City Music Hall, where you can see the Radio City Rockettes in the world renowned Christmas Spectacular. This is a show not to be missed if you are in New York during the holiday season. Dancing, sparkling lights and even an appearance by Santa himself, it’s the cherry on the Christmas cake for the entire family.

The Peninsula offers a ‘Night Before Christmas package’, a magical offer for the whole family, including a life sized in-room gingerbread playhouse, a Christmas movie library and cookie decorating kit, amongst other things, to help make it a Christmas to treasure forever.

If you’re looking for a modern, boutique vibe this festive season, the Bryant Park Hotel ticks all the boxes. With its modern, design interior, sleek and simple guest accommodations and modern facilities, for example its private movie theatre, this hotel offers an abundance of comfortable amenities.

Not to mention it’s amazing location, right in front of Midtown Manhattan’s Winter Wonderland: Bryant Park. Visit the bustling Christmas Market, enjoy a mulled wine and stock up on festive trinkets. Then head over to the huge ice rink for skating, people watching and picture perfect decorations. Don’t forget to visit the Top of the Rock to admire Midtown Manhattan from above, in all its festive glory.

After a festive day in city, dine in the hotels Mediterranean style lounge, with its Moroccan- inspired interior, wide range of cocktails and great service, you will soon be feeling warm and cosy at the Bryant Park Hotel.

For a modern, hip and festive experience, head to The Standard East Village. Located in vibrant and modern East Village with it’s artistic and eccentric culture, this hotel fits perfectly into its surroundings. You enter through an old-style tenement building and make your way into the modern design hotel.

For Christmas the hotel turns it’s garden bar: The Garden, into the Winter Garden with a Christmas tree market selling trees, serving fondue in cosy heated yurts and warm drinks in a cosy festive atmosphere.

From The Standard East Village, head to the Christmas market at Union Square where you can find delicious food, warm drinks and an array of hand crafted festive souvenirs. If you are looking for a cosy night out, the East Village boasts an abundance of small, low key cocktail bars, speakeasy’s and pubs to ensure a very merry evening.

If you measure festive cheer by the size of the Christmas tree, then the Lotte New York Palace is the place for you this holiday season. Famous for their 30 foot-tree, which takes pride of place each year in the hotel’s centre courtyard and brightens up your stay with over 3000 festive lights. And that’s not the only festive offering from Lotte Palace: Expect events such as carol singing, festive story telling, seasonal spa packages and even cookie decorating. This hotel knows how to celebrate Christmas!

Located on Madison Avenue, perfect for your Christmas shopping needs, and a stone’s throw from St. Patrick’s cathedral, a beautiful place to visit, or even attend a festive service.

For even more impressive Christmas trees, lights and decorations, take a tour to see the festive lights at Dyker Heights. An experience not to be missed if you are in New York for Christmas. Houses decorated like you have never seen before, enjoy the extravagance and the festive cheer.

With it’s fantastic location in the heart of Meatpacking District, close to Chelsea Market an the High Line Park Dream Downtown places you in a great position to enjoy festive New York. Walk the High Line to enjoy views of Manhattan, enjoy Christmas shopping in the many boutique stores along the picturesque cobbled streets and dine and drink the evenings away at chic and cool bars and restaurants.

Dream Downtown has become known for its extravagantly and eccentrically decorated lobby at Christmas time. In the past they have come up with some wacky and fun ways to add festive cheer to their hotel lobby, including mechanical penguins, a stuffed polar bear and even an ice bar!

If you are in the city for Christmas Eve, consider taking a Christmas Eve Dinner Cruise from nearby Chelsea Piers. Enjoy a festive boat tour around Manhattan, see some of its most iconic sights from the water whilst enjoying a festive meal with friends and loved ones.