December arrives with its familiar ritual of anticipation. As temperatures fall and daylight shortens, the search begins for somewhere worthy of celebrating the year’s most cherished season. For 2025, the options extend far beyond the expected—from medieval Cumbrian halls to Mediterranean harbour houses, Scottish castles to Cotswold manors.
Each destination has crafted a celebration rooted in its setting, whether that means serving Balmoral partridge in oak-panelled rooms aglow with candlelight or welcoming ceilidh bands into velvet-draped ballrooms.
From intimate countryside retreats decked in traditional finery to bold urban sanctuaries with panoramic views, this collection recognises that every moment of the season calls for its own kind of magic. What follows is a guide to nine distinct expressions of winter hospitality, each immersive, evocative, and exceptional in its own right.
The Witchery: Candlelit Dining at Edinburgh Castle
At the gates of Edinburgh Castle, where gothic architecture casts deep shadows and history lingers in every stone, The Witchery offers a festive experience rich in atmosphere and theatrical charm. This is not a retreat for those seeking snow globes and carollers, it is a place of grandeur, spectacle, and substance.
The Original Dining Room, with its dark wood panelling and baronial ambience, sets the stage for a menu that showcases the finest Scottish produce at its winter peak: Buckie crab, Orkney scallops, Balmoral partridge, and the property’s award-winning haggis. Nine lavishly appointed suites extend the experience overnight, each one a gothic fantasy realised with meticulous detail.
Iniala Harbour House: A Michelin Maltese Christmas
Iniala Harbour House offers a sunlit alternative to northern festivities, replacing gothic drama with the refined elegance of Valletta’s 17th-century townhouses. Perched along St Barbara Bastion, its 23 rooms gaze across Grand Harbour, while dining at the Michelin-starred ION Harbour, under Chef Simon Rogan, celebrates local ingredients and Mediterranean nuance.
The “Magical Festive Escape” includes Champagne on arrival, gourmet holiday dinners, and daily seasonal breakfasts. Cultural immersion continues with Valletta’s Christmas markets and a curated wellness programme, complete with spa treatments and personal training. Evenings unfold in the lobby lounge, where seasonal cocktails and warm conversation replace isolation with conviviality.
Basecamp Hotel: Christmas Under the Northern Lights
In the remote Svalbard archipelago, where polar night blankets the landscape in weeks of darkness, Basecamp Hotel in Longyearbyen offers a Christmas quite unlike any other. Here, the season is marked not by twinkling lights, but by the celestial spectacle of the Northern Lights dancing overhead.
Guests sip mulled wine and enjoy Christmas cakes before venturing into the Arctic wilderness where hey can enjoy dog sledding, snowmobiling, or chasing the aurora. The hotel’s trapper-style cabins provide rustic comfort, while evenings bring live music, hearty local fare, and classic festive films enjoyed fireside. Families can visit the nearby dog kennels for hot cocoa and even a special meeting with Santa himself.
Ellenborough Park: A Midwinter Retreat in Storybook Surroundings
Ellenborough Park, a 15th-century manor tucked into the Cotswold hills, provides a restorative pause between Christmas and New Year. Its “Twixmas” programme, running from December 26th to 30th, is designed for guests seeking balance between activity and rest, indulgence and reflection.
The outdoor heated pool and spa invite recovery, while the Great Hall’s roaring fires offer a place to simply be. Cheltenham’s shops are within easy reach, and the illuminated wonder of Sudeley Castle’s Spectacle of Light adds a festive flourish to winter nights.
Glenapp Castle: Festivities in the Scottish Countryside
For those who emerge from Christmas eager for adventure, Glenapp Castle delivers energy and elegance in equal measure. Nestled within 36 acres of Scottish woodland, this fairytale castle hosts a spirited post-Christmas programme from December 27th to 30th, featuring over 70 activities.
Guests can try their hand at falconry, archery, or even perfume making, before retreating to one of the castle’s refined dining settings. Whether in the grand Castle Dining Room or its Victorian glasshouse restaurant, The Azalea, the festive menus match the storybook setting in both creativity and charm.
Farlam Hall: Cumbrian New Year with Seven-Course Celebration
Steeped in history and refinement, Farlam Hall offers a luxurious New Year’s retreat in the heart of the Cumbrian countryside. A member of Relais & Châteaux, this 15th-century estate hosts a three-night programme anchored by Chef Patron Hrishikesh Desai’s seven-course Gala Dinner on December 31st.
Each evening begins with a Champagne reception, while daily lunches and festive afternoon teas ensure indulgence throughout. Days can be spent walking near Hadrian’s Wall or enjoying GAIA treatments at The Sycamore Retreat before returning to roaring fires and impeccable hospitality.
Prestonfield House: A Decadent Hogmanay in Baroque Seclusion
Just minutes from Edinburgh’s vibrant centre, yet cocooned in the seclusion of a 17th-century estate, Prestonfield House stages a Hogmanay celebration steeped in style and tradition.
The Stable Ballroom sets the scene for an opulent evening: Champagne on arrival, a four-course dinner crafted by award-winning chefs, and entertainment from Celtic cabaret and a live ceilidh band. As midnight strikes, the dancing continues under twinkling chandeliers. Eighteen unique bedrooms and five plush suites invite guests to extend the celebration in style.
The Montenotte: Cork’s Treetop New Year Celebration
Perched above Cork on a wooded hillside, The Montenotte combines the flair of an urban resort with the serenity of a countryside escape. The New Year’s Eve Celebration invites guests to toast 2026 in elevated style, with panoramic views and rich celebration.
Guests are welcomed with a six-course dinner and Champagne in the Panorama Restaurant, followed by live music and late-night revelry in The Glasshouse Rooftop Cocktail Bar. Woodland Suites nestled among the treetops offer peaceful accommodation with city views, while the hotel’s membership in Small Luxury Hotels of the World ensures service to match the surroundings.
Grove of Narberth: Pembrokeshire Coastal Christmas
Tucked into the rolling hills of Pembrokeshire, Grove of Narberth offers a three-night Christmas escape that blends culinary finesse with natural beauty.
Beginning on Christmas Eve, the programme features a five-course dinner starring lobster and venison, a traditional Christmas Day lunch, and a Boxing Day menu of refined comfort. With four AA Rosettes, The Fernery Restaurant sets a high standard, but it’s the setting near the Pembrokeshire Coast Path and its windswept beaches that adds elemental drama to this coastal Christmas.