While a traditional Christmas at home surrounded by family might be a classic option, many people like to pack their bags and whisk themselves off over the holidays, to enjoy a little winter sun, comfort, and luxury.
Taking your Christmas on the road and enjoying a more deluxe holiday experience can make for a seriously special vacation. From sipping spiced hot toddies and enjoying the après by the slopes in the French Alps to soaking up the sun on the deck of your private overwater bungalow in Tahiti on Christmas day, a luxury Christmas abroad is something else.
While plenty of destinations have their high season over the winter, you can often find a special offer on a last-minute cruise or spare rooms at luxury resorts over the festive period, perfect if you change your mind at the last minute and decide to go all out for the festive season.
Whether you are looking for a white Christmas in a winter wonderland, or a sunny festive season by the beach, we’ve narrowed down the list to six of the top luxury destinations where you can celebrate a Christmas like no other.
Gstaad, Switzerland
Skiing and a luxury Christmas experience go hand-in-hand, and there are truly few places in the world better to experience the wintry joys of the festive season than Gstaad. A classic luxury winter destination, Gstaad is dripping in class, elegance, and refinement. From exclusive hotels and boutique brands to sophisticated spas and the best après experiences in the world, a Christmas spent enjoying everything Gstaad has to offer is one that you won’t soon forget.
St. Barts, French West Indies
For an experience at the other end of the spectrum, why not consider a Caribbean Christmas? Cocktails, sun, and gorgeous white-sand beaches await on the beautiful island of St Barts, a French overseas territory, and one of the most popular vacation destinations for the rich, famous, and fabulous all year round.
From private beaches to luxury resorts, St Barts offers a stunning Christmas experience with a difference, and once you’ve dipped your toes in the warm Caribbean Sea on Christmas Day you might find it hard to go back to woolly jumpers and eggnog by the fire in following years.
Bora Bora, French Polynesia
Bora Bora is the quintessential South Pacific Island and a top spot for a luxury Christmas. This picture-perfect spot floating in the warm, turquoise waters of the South Pacific offers incredible luxury resorts and spas, iconic overwater bungalows, gorgeous beaches, beautiful landscapes, and a warm, welcoming culture.
The weather in December is perfect, and most hotels will organise a special Polynesian celebration to mark the occasion. Don’t miss the chance to head to church on Christmas Eve and experience the atmospheric joy of a midnight mass.
Courchevel, France
Another stand-out ski resort, Courchevel pulls out all the stops when it comes to Christmas celebrations. Known for its stunning luxury hotels and mouth-watering Michelin-starred restaurants, Courchevel offers wonderful festive experiences on and off the pistes. And when it comes to partaking in some adventurous winter sports, you know that you’ll be in good hands here with the world-class slopes and activities available to explore.
Maui, Hawaii
Maui offers warm ocean breezes, lush verdant jungle backdrops, and the most exciting Christmas celebrations that any US state has to offer. The second largest of the Hawaiian Islands, Maui is renowned for its natural beauty, and the gorgeous scenery is the perfect background for a Christmas luau on the beach, an experience you’ll never forget.
The Maldives
With over a thousand small islands spread out across this gorgeous Indian Ocean archipelago, there really is something for everyone in the Maldives. From sumptuous gala dinners on Christmas Eve to dramatic Christmas Day bonfires on the beach, followed up by a sunset sail around the lagoon and the fiery tastes of traditional Maldivian cuisine, this will be a Christmas unlike anything you’ve experienced before.
