New York City

Christmas in NYC: Shopping, Dining, and Hotels to Celebrate in the City

For tips on the best places to stay to get the ultimate holiday experience, here's a selection of favorite hotels to celebrate Christmas in NYC.

In late November, New York starts to go into Christmas overdrive. Store-fronts are exuberantly decorated, sparkling trees get erected throughout the city, ice rinks take over parks, and Christmas Markets set up their stalls, selling festive fare from all over the world. Hordes of holiday shoppers swarm to Manhattan to stock up on gifts, decorations, and experience all things Christmas in NYC.

For tips on the best places to stay to get the ultimate Christmas experience, here’s a selection of favorite hotels in the city to really get your jingle bells ringing.

A luxury festive hotel for a fashionable Christmas on Fifth Avenue

Walking along Fifth Avenue you’ll find The Peninsula Hotel. With its great location, close to shopping, sightseeing, and shows. This hotel is a fantastic base for your Christmas trip.

A short walk from Radio City Music Hall, where you can see the Radio City Rockettes in the world-renowned Christmas Spectacular. This is a show not to be missed if you are in New York during the holiday season. Dancing, sparkling lights and even an appearance by Santa himself, it’s the cherry on the Christmas cake for the entire family.

The Peninsula New York

Top rated
New York
9.4 Excellent (2177 reviews)

A festive boutique hotel for Christmas in New York

1/4

If you’re looking for a modern, boutique vibe this festive season, the Bryant Park Hotel ticks all the boxes. With its modern, design interior, sleek and simple guest accommodations and modern facilities, for example, its private movie theatre, this hotel offers an abundance of comfortable amenities.

After a festive day in the city, dine in the hotels Mediterranean style lounge, with its Moroccan- inspired interior, wide range of cocktails and great service, you will soon be feeling warm and cosy at the Bryant Park Hotel.

Bryant Park Hotel

Top rated
New York
9.2 Excellent (2243 reviews)

Reenact Home Alone 2 at this iconic hotel in New York

The Plaza Hotel is a New York icon, made even more famous by Christmas movie Home Alone 2 (Lost in New York), is the go-to festive destination for many a visitor to Manhattan. The team at the Plaza work overnight on Thanksgiving to decorate the hotel and have guests wake up in the morning to a festive surprise. During the holidays, this grand New York hotel is brought to life with festive, yet elegant decorations and seasonal cheer.

With its classic style and timeless elegance, the Plaza has a lot to offer, including classic guest accommodations, impeccable service, and delicious dining options. Take high tea in the Palm Court, enjoy the food at the Plaza Food Hall or raise a glass to the festive season at the Champagne Bar.

The Plaza

Top rated
New York
9.7 Excellent (3275 reviews)

A hotel for a cozy yet modern take on Christmas in NYC

For a modern, hip and festive experience, head to The Standard East Village. Located in vibrant and modern East Village with it’s artistic and eccentric culture, this hotel fits perfectly into its surroundings. You enter through an old-style tenement building and make your way into the modern design hotel.

For Christmas the hotel turns it’s garden bar: The Garden, into the Winter Garden with a Christmas tree market selling trees, serving fondue in cozy heated yurts and warm drinks in a cozy festive atmosphere.

The Standard - East Village

Top rated
New York
8.8 Excellent (2126 reviews)

A hotel in New York starring a spectacular Christmas tree

If you measure festive cheer by the size of the Christmas tree, then the Lotte New York Palace is the place for you this holiday season. Famous for their 30 foot-tree, which takes pride of place each year in the hotel’s central courtyard and brightens up your stay with over 3000 festive lights. And that’s not the only festive offering from Lotte Palace: Expect events such as carol singing, festive storytelling, seasonal spa packages, and even cookie decorating. This hotel knows how to celebrate Christmas!

For even more impressive Christmas trees, lights and decorations, take a tour to see the festive lights at Dyker Heights. An experience not to be missed if you are in New York for Christmas. Houses decorated like you have never seen before, enjoy the extravagance and the festive cheer.

Lotte New York Palace

Top rated
New York
9.1 Excellent (3687 reviews)

A New York hotel with amazing festive decorations

Right in the heart of the Meatpacking District, close to Chelsea Market and the High Line Park, Dream Downtown places you in a great position to enjoy the finest of festive New York. Walk the High Line to enjoy views of Manhattan, enjoy Christmas shopping in the many boutique stores along the picturesque cobbled streets, and dine and drink the evenings away at chic and cool bars and restaurants.

Dream Downtown has become known for its extravagantly and eccentrically decorated lobby at Christmas time. In the past, they have come up with some wacky and fun ways to add festive cheer to their hotel lobby, including mechanical penguins, a stuffed polar bear, and even an ice bar.

Dream Downtown, by Hyatt

New York
7.6 Good (6649 reviews)

Feature image © NYC & Company/Will Steacy as noted by NYC & Company