Welcoming in the New Year, there are just so many ways to go about it. An intimate meal at a restaurant, a drink or two at your local bar, staying home with loved ones, or taking to the skies and seeking out something sensational! Check out our top picks for a hot sandy beach break, a cold snowy mountain retreat and a non-stop New Year party!
Sand: St Lucia
The Caribbean island of St Lucia promises everything you’d expect – sun, sea and sand! It is also blessed with rainforests, volcanic mountains, and sulphur springs, making it an idyllic setting for welcoming in the New Year.
For a spectacularly indulgent treat, a break at Boucan by Hotel Chocolat is a must! The black quartz swimming pool gives the impression that you are floating in a pool of the smoothest, richest chocolate, and the hotel offers plenty of chocolate-based spa treatments. Guests can even take to the groves to try out making chocolate truffles!
The best time to travel to Saint Lucia is between December and May. The average temperature in this part of the world over the New Year is a sensational 30°C. Rates for Boucan by Hotel Chocolat start at £225 per room per night.
Snow: Switzerland
If alpine panoramas are your idea of a great view at New Year, then heading to the Swiss Alps is a great choice! Skiing, snowboarding, sledging, paragliding, rambling and abseiling are all common activities here – or you could just chill in a hot tub looking at snowy peaks!
Indulgent New Year destinations in the snow don’t come much more luxurious than the New Year Package from The Cambrian in Adelboden. Available from 26 December 2014 to 4 January 2015 the package includes:
- 7 nights in the desired room category
- Daily alpine breakfast buffet
- Cake in the afternoon
- Special New Year’s Eve dinner & midnight snack
- Hangover breakfast and 4-course dinner on 1st January
- Access to spa – sauna, steam room, beauty treatments
The best time to travel to this part of the Alps is between November and March, when average temperatures fall below zero. This year the NY Package prices start from £2288, at other times, rooms at The Cambrian start at £130 per night.
Celebration: Sydney
How can 2 million people be wrong? That’s how many people flock to Sydney Harbour each year for the fabled New Year celebrations, a party so good that Sydney is known as the Capital of NYE parties!
If you want somewhere luxurious with a fabulous view of the famed fireworks display, then you’ll want to check into Pier One Sydney Harbour Hotel. If you book early, you can get a room, but even if you miss out on the accommodation, you may be able to bag yourself a space at one of the private parties. This year revellers can choose from:
Millionaires’ Yacht Party on dry land at Water: $600 gets you drinks at sunset, canapés, food throughout the night, DJ and a 5 and a half hour beverage package offering champagne, wine and beer! Plus arguably the best waterside view of the harbour.
Dawes Point NYE Party: Pay $399 and dress to impress! Canapés, beverages and music (inside and out on the pier). Stunning views of the fireworks are part of the package!
New York City style rooftop party at The Bridge: $499 gives you access to a rooftop party that mirrors a NYC rooftop bar. Dress code: chic. Expect: DJs, champagne, canapés, and fireworks up close at the ultra urban-chic location!
Temperatures at this time of the year hit about 22°C – not too hot, and definitely not too cold! You can find rates and room availability at Pier One Sydney Harbour online.