From the Tuscan countryside and the French Riviera to private islands in the Indian Ocean, these are the luxury hotels and destinations offering a different way to spend Christmas.
Christmas has a habit of becoming an exercise in logistics. Between the travelling, entertaining and seemingly endless round of festive commitments, finding the time to actually slow down can feel rather elusive. But for those willing to spend the season somewhere a little further afield, there is another way to approach the holidays.
Think mornings overlooking the Mediterranean, long lunches in the Tuscan countryside, afternoons spent beside a private pool and evenings that unfold without much of a schedule. Whether that means escaping to a tropical island, retreating to a historic European estate or checking into a grand city hotel, the appeal lies in having the space and time to enjoy the season on your own terms.
It is part of a wider shift in luxury hospitality, where the hotel is becoming as much a sanctuary as a place to stay. We explored this idea in our feature on why luxury city hotels are becoming sanctuaries for slow living, looking at how thoughtful design, wellness and a slower pace are changing the way people experience hotels.
For Christmas, that philosophy can be taken a little further. From intimate countryside retreats to far-flung island resorts, these are nine properties offering a different perspective on the festive season.
The Maldives:
Christmas on a Private Island
Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi
South Malé Atoll
Best for an indulgent island Christmas
For a more complete change of scenery, few destinations feel quite as removed from everyday life as the Maldives. At Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi, turquoise waters, private villas and the vastness of the Indian Ocean provide the backdrop to a Christmas centred on time together.
The resort's festive programme brings familiar traditions to an extraordinary island setting. Celebrations begin with a family Christmas tree lighting at Peacock Alley on 16 December, followed by a Christmas Eve gala on 24 December, complete with a seasonal buffet and live entertainment. New Year's Eve promises an evening of dining, performances and fireworks over the water, while the new year begins with a leisurely breakfast and celebratory brunch. For those looking to combine festive celebrations with a restorative break, the resort's wellness experiences and island setting offer plenty of opportunity to slow down between the occasions.
Mauritius:
A Festive Escape on the Indian Ocean
One&Only Le Saint Géran
Mauritius
Best for a celebratory island escape
Set on its own private peninsula between a sheltered lagoon and the Indian Ocean, One&Only Le Saint Géran has been a fixture of Mauritian hospitality for more than 50 years. Its setting lends itself to a particularly relaxed festive escape, with calm waters, tropical surroundings and plenty of space to enjoy the holidays at a different pace.
This year's programme brings together experiences for several generations, from creative workshops and the arrival of Santa by horse-drawn carriage to festive dining inspired by the island's culinary heritage. The resort's Festive Chalet in Le Badamier Garden adds a seasonal gathering place, while wellness, water sports and time on the beach provide a more leisurely counterpoint to the celebrations. The highlight comes on New Year's Eve, when internationally acclaimed singer Nicole Scherzinger will perform exclusively for resort guests, bringing a little extra glamour to the island's celebrations.
Spain
Winter Sun on the Canary Islands
Tivoli La Caleta
Tenerife
Best for ocean views and laid-back winter sunshine
For those who would rather exchange winter coats for sunshine, Tenerife offers a welcome change of scenery. Set in the exclusive Costa Adeje area, Tivoli La Caleta makes the most of the island's mild winter climate, with tropical gardens, ocean views and a festive programme that runs from Christmas through to Epiphany.
The resort's 284 rooms and suites provide a relaxed base for a seasonal escape, while dining takes centre stage at Alma Cocktail Bar and SEEN Beach Club by Olivier. Christmas and New Year's Eve bring dedicated menus and live entertainment, including the choice of a gala dinner on Alma's terrace or an oceanfront celebration at SEEN. Elsewhere, the Anantara Spa, outdoor swimming pools and opportunities for golf, padel and water sports make it easy to balance festive plans with a little time outdoors.
France
A Riviera Christmas, Away from the Summer Crowds
The French Riviera has a rather different appeal once the summer crowds disappear. The ports become quieter, the streets take on a more local rhythm and the mild Mediterranean climate makes coastal walks and long lunches an appealing alternative to a traditional winter break. For a festive escape with a little French character, these two properties offer contrasting ways to experience the region.
Anantara Plaza Nice Hotel
Nice
Best for a glamorous Riviera city break
A little further along the coast, Nice offers another take on a Mediterranean Christmas, combining winter sunshine with the atmosphere of a traditional French city. Housed in a restored 1848 Belle Époque landmark beside Place Masséna, Anantara Plaza Nice Hotel places guests within easy reach of the city's illuminated streets, boutiques and Christmas markets.
Inside, the festive season is marked by Champagne-gold and pearlescent decorations, while the hotel's dining programme includes a seasonal afternoon tea created by pastry chef Philippe Tayac and New Year's Eve celebrations at SEEN by Olivier, overlooking the Bay of Angels. After a day exploring the city, the Anantara Spa provides a quieter retreat, with its sauna, hammam and tailored massage experiences.
Hôtel La Ponche
Saint-Tropez
Best for an intimate Provençal escape
Saint-Tropez may be synonymous with summer, but December reveals a rather different side to the celebrated coastal town. The harbour becomes quieter, festive lights illuminate the old streets and the village settles into a slower Provençal rhythm. It is an appealing alternative for anyone who would rather trade the summer crowds for crisp sea air and a little breathing room.
In the heart of the old fishing quarter, Hôtel La Ponche offers an intimate base from which to enjoy it. Once a humble fishermen's bar frequented by Brigitte Bardot, Jean-Luc Godard and Françoise Sagan, the property has retained much of its bohemian character following a considered refresh by interior designer Fabrizio Casiraghi. Its 21 rooms, apartments and private house combine sun-washed interiors, terracotta floors and understated furnishings. Add a spa, coastal walks and the gentle sound of the Mediterranean, and it makes a compelling case for visiting Saint-Tropez beyond the summer season.
Italy
A Festive Season of History, Culture and La Dolce Vita
Few places lend themselves to a Christmas escape quite like Italy. Between historic palazzos, atmospheric coastal towns and the rolling landscapes of Tuscany, the country offers plenty of ways to exchange the usual festive routine for something a little more considered. Whether it is a countryside retreat or a city stay filled with art, architecture and exceptional food, there is a distinctly Italian way to celebrate.
Collegio alla Querce,
Auberge Collection
Florence
Best for a peaceful festive retreat in the Tuscan hills
Set above Florence, with views stretching across the city skyline and the surrounding Tuscan countryside, Collegio alla Querce offers a particularly appealing setting for a slower Christmas. The former Renaissance-era villa, now reimagined as an intimate hotel, brings together historic character, contemporary Italian design and a sense of seclusion just beyond the city.
From November through January, the property embraces the festive season with a programme of experiences rooted in Italian craftsmanship and tradition. Highlights include a festive afternoon tea in Conservatorio, created in collaboration with LILU Matcha, and Il Gran Circolo, which transforms the hotel's historic Il Teatro into an atmospheric gathering place for classic games, live music and cocktails. Christmas gospel performances add another seasonal touch, while New Year's Eve brings a celebratory dinner and fireworks overlooking Florence.
Tivoli Palazzo Gaddi Firenze
Florence
Best for a cultural Christmas surrounded by Renaissance elegance
For those who prefer their Christmas with a little more art and architecture, Tivoli Palazzo Gaddi offers an elegant base in the heart of Florence. Commissioned by the noble Gaddi family in the 16th century, the historic palazzo combines Renaissance character with a festive atmosphere, complete with a vintage carousel, twinkling lights, nutcrackers and a dedicated Christmas Room.
Dining is central to the celebrations. At Terrae Restaurant and Milton Bar, Michelin-starred chef Iside De Cesare oversees dedicated menus for Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year's Eve. The rooftop terrace provides a particularly lovely setting for an aperitif, with views towards Florence's iconic Duomo. On 31 December, the palazzo's historic ballroom becomes the setting for a gala dinner, offering a suitably grand way to welcome the new year.
Anantara Convento di Amalfi Grand Hotel
Amalfi Coast
Best for a peaceful winter escape overlooking the Mediterranean
There is something particularly atmospheric about the Amalfi Coast in winter, when the summer crowds have dispersed and the coastline returns to a quieter rhythm. Perched above Amalfi town, Anantara Convento di Amalfi Grand Hotel occupies a beautifully restored 13th-century Capuchin convent, where original cloisters, frescoed corridors and a historic chapel provide a striking backdrop to the festive season.
The hotel's Christmas programme brings together local traditions and seasonal indulgence, from an artisan Christmas market showcasing regional makers to festive dining at cliffside Ristorante Dei Cappuccini. Guests can also retreat to the Anantara Spa for a candlelight ritual or gather around the firepit for live music and hot chocolate. For a moment away from the festivities, the private sea deck offers a quieter perspective on the Mediterranean.
Anantara Palazzo Naiadi
Rome
Best for a festive city break in the heart of historic Rome
For a Christmas escape with a little more urban energy, Anantara Palazzo Naiadi offers a grand setting overlooking Piazza della Repubblica. Occupying two 19th-century neoclassical palazzos, the hotel brings a sense of theatricality to the festive season, with a programme inspired by the world of The Nutcracker and the traditions of the Teatro dell'Opera di Roma.
The celebrations include a Christmas treasure hunt, culinary workshops for younger guests and seasonal dining at INEO and Tazio Bar. With 232 rooms and suites, a dedicated spa and panoramic city views, the hotel makes a comfortable base for exploring Rome's illuminated streets and historic landmarks. New Year's Eve brings the celebrations to the rooftop, where guests can enjoy dinner and cocktails overlooking the city.
A Different Way to Celebrate
Luxury Christmas travel is no longer just about finding somewhere impressive to spend the holidays. Increasingly, it is about choosing a setting that allows for a different kind of experience: more privacy, more time outdoors, a stronger connection to place and fewer demands on the diary.
From the quiet winter charm of the Tuscan hills to the open waters of the Indian Ocean, each of these destinations offers its own interpretation of the season. And whether that means a festive dinner in a Renaissance palazzo or a few days barefoot on a private island, perhaps the greatest luxury of all is having the freedom to celebrate Christmas at your own pace.
For a closer look at this wider shift in travel, read our feature on how the wealthy are redefining travel through privacy, wellness and slow living.