View of the New Year's Eve fireworks at the rooftop Sky Bar at Lebua in Bangkok.
Photo: Courtesy of Lebua
Best of Festive: Where to Travel for a Spectacular New Year’s Eve Celebration
These ultra-exclusive dinners and destinations—from New York to Rio de Janeiro, Monaco to the Maldives—offer a unforgettable way to ring in 2025
As the countdown to the New Year looms, jetsetters are considering how and where to celebrate. From opulent dinner soirées in Monaco to blissed-out parties at a remarkable beach club in The Maldives, here’s a look at some over-the-top global destinations perfect for ushering in 2025 with a (glamorous) bang.
Festive chalet-inspired igloos at the Pen Top rooftop bar at The Peninsula New York. Photo: Courtesy of The Peninsula
The Peninsula | New York, New York
Fresh off of a recent renovation, Fifth Avenue legend The Peninsula New York is back and ready to host one of the city’s finest countdown fêtes. With the exclusive dinner and party package, guests enjoy elegant New American coursed meals at Clement before ascending to the 23rd floor, which hosts the brand-new rooftop terrace Pen Top. There, guests will find a winter wonderland dotted with private chalet-inspired igloos, a caviar bar, and a glowing dance floor, while free-flowing Champagne and endless hors d’oeuvres will help keep the gala party going until after the ball drop.
Fari Beach Club at Patina Maldives. Photo: Courtesy of Patina Hotels & Resorts
Patina Maldives
If a private island party sounds appealing, The Maldives’ boho-chic “cool kid” resort Patina might be the ideal getaway. Part of the Fari Islands development shared with The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Patina will host several pre-New Year’s Eve events including the bazaar-style Fari Marina Village Festival (December 29). On the eve, Grammy-nominated artist Kelis will perform at Patina’s Amarta, a Skyspace by artist James Turrell, before DJ Tom Yeti ushers guests into a fireworks finale with beachside grooves.
View of the New Year's Eve fireworks at the rooftop Sky Bar at Lebua in Bangkok. Photo: Courtesy of Lebua
Lebua | Bangkok
Take your celebrations to higher heights at skyscraper hotel Lebua, arguably the premier venue for fireworks-watching over the vast Bangkok skyline. There are 10 swish restaurants and rooftop bars to choose from, but the top tasting menu tickets in town (about $1,800 for seven courses with wine pairing) are Chef’s Table and French-Japanese gem Mezzaluna, each with two Michelin-star honors.
Glamorous New Year's Eve dinner event at Salle Empire at Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo. Photo: Courtesy of Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo
Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo | Monaco
Few holiday season venues are as grand as Salle Empire, Monaco’s historic landmark hall at the Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo, where royalty have mingled underneath its arched gilded ceilings and chandeliers. Open only for private and special events, Salle Empire will host a €1,200-per-person New Year’s Eve soirée which includes live entertainment and gourmet dinner with wine pairing from executive chef Chef Dominique Lory, former head chef of its three Michelin-star neighbor Le Louis XV from Alain Ducasse.
Glenapp Castle in Scotland. Photo: Courtesy of Glenapp Castle
Glenapp Castle | Scotland
Celebrate like a Scot at Glenapp Castle’s extravagant three-night New Year House Party. From December 30 through January 2, 2025, the 19th-century private estate-cum-hotel presents a packed itinerary featuring champagne afternoon teas, banquet dinners, folk dances, country sporting activities within its 110 acres, and kilted pipers leading the midnight procession in true Hogmanay (Scottish New Year’s Eve) style. Adding to the event’s exclusivity, the fête is only open to in-house guests.
Aerial view of the courtyard at the Reschio Hotel in Umbria, Italy. Photo: Courtesy of Reschio Hotel
The Palm Court Bar at the Reschio Hotel in Umbria, Italy. Photo: Courtesy of Reschio Hotel
Reschio | Umbria, Italy
Guests will be transported to Cuba and the Roaring Twenties at Reschio, Umbria’s magnificent 3,700-acre estate with farmhouse villas and a Michelin Three Key castle hotel. Exclusive to overnight guests, the hyper-immersive, Havana Nights-themed fest will have a hair and make-up team, choreographers, and period accessories—from feather boas to silky smoking jackets—on-hand to help visitors get into the spirit. For three nights, expect live jazz bands, a pop-up vintage casino, a New Year’s Day carnival, bonfires, sumptuous dinners, and Bloody Mary brunches.
Aerial view of Atlantis, The Palm in Dubai. Photo: Courtesy of Atlantis, The Palm
Atlantis The Palm Dubai
Prepare to dance “All Night Long” with legendary singer Lionel Richie at Atlantis The Palm during the resort’s lavish New Year’s Eve “Under The Stars” gala dinner. This year’s black-tie, Broadway-themed affair will feature theatrical performances and a 30-piece live band, lobster and caviar buffet stations, and premium Dubai fireworks views. New this year are elevated VIP Sky Suites (about $54,500 for up to 10 guests) offering butler service, catering from the likes of Nobu and Hakkasan, and free-flowing Dom Pérignon and Ruinart pours.
Festive dining at Copacabana Palace, a Belmond Hotel. Photo: Courtesy of Belmond
Copacabana Palace, a Belmond Hotel | Rio de Janeiro
Ring in revéillon in Rio de Janeiro’s most storied luxury hotel: Copacabana Palace, a Belmond Hotel, set along the famed namesake beach. The five-star landmark’s calendar is chock-full of festive programming starting on December 23, and crescendos on the 31st, when elegant guests dressed in white (as per revéillon custom) indulge in ballroom and poolside dancing, a Veuve Clicquot-fueled banquet, and front-row seats to Rio’s fireworks spectacle above the Atlantic.
View of the Sydney fireworks from Altitude restaurant at Shangri-La hotel. Photo: Courtesy of Shangri-La
Shangri-La | Sydney
Sydney’s world-famous fireworks show is best enjoyed from above at Altitude, Shangri-La Sydney’s flagship restaurant with direct views of the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge. Celebrate the countdown with an eight-course feast of sustainable Australian cuisine (think wagyu beef Wellington and snapper sashimi) with wine pairings, priced around $1,044 for non-window seating and $1,500 for a prized window table.
Interior of La Mamounia in Marrakech, which underwent a refresh for its centennial. Photo: Courtesy of La Mamounia
La Mamounia | Marrakech
Marrakech’s grande dame hotel has many festive options, but New Year’s Eve is the main event. Several venues will have their own set menu—the finest five-course dinner being served at La Galerie Mamounia—and many other on-site restaurants plan to host dedicated live jazz ensembles. After midnight strikes, the partying continues at Le Lobby with a festival band and DJ followed by New Year’s brunch at the iconic destination’s sparkling poolside restaurant.
Cover: View of the New Year's Eve fireworks at the rooftop Sky Bar at Lebua in Bangkok.
Photo: Courtesy of Lebua
