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Grab a Bottle of Champagne and Watch the Ball Drop in Style at These Hotels

By , November 7th, 2018

The New Year’s Eve party season is inching closer. Considering how competitive it can be to nail down that exclusive hotel room and get into the party, you might want to think about planning ahead this year.

To kick things off, we did a little research into the regions that are searching the most for their New Year’s Eve events. Then, we looked into some of the parties going on both in and outside of the hotel to put together our list of where to stay for the best New Year’s Eve party and hotel.


New Year’s Eve in Denver

| The Crawford Hotel

Crawford Hotel Denver

Denver Union Station is the place to be for New Year’s Eve parties, so you’re going to want to stay at The Crawford Hotel housed inside the exquisitely refurbished train station. Expect two firework shows throughout the night at 9 p.m. and midnight. Head out onto the 16th Street Mall for one of the best views of the show. In between the spectacle, you can mingle with everyone from magicians and costumed-mascots to balloon artists and comedians.

Traveling with your family? Zoo Year Eve at the DenverZoo is a safe bet where countdown starts at 9 p.m. so your little ones won’t have to stay up too late. They also have the option to spend the night (ages five and up) with the zoo’s Bunk with the Beasts ticket. Tickets include a dinner, snack, and breakfast.


New Year’s Eve in Los Angeles

| Omni Los Angeles Hotel

Omni Los Angeles Hotel

Make yourself the celeb you know you were always meant to be by booking your hotel for New Year’s Eve at the Omni Los Angeles Hotel — Downtown Los Angeles’ exclusive Four Diamond property.

With the Omni, you’re perfectly situated at Bunker Hiller where you have enviable access to concert venues, the Staples Center, and Grand Park. But for your New Year’s Eve partying, enjoy a bottle of chilled sparkling wine upon arrival and make use of a $50 credit for the Grand Cafe. Keeping it cozy to ring in the New Year? You can also use that credit for in-room dining if you’d rather stay in your robes.


New Year’s Eve in Chicago

| The Drake

The Drake Chicago

Chicago is inarguably one of the most iconic cities in the United States. You get a comfortable mix of that Midwestern, industrial grit with the booming presence of big-city America. That is, a dominant skyline that shimmers at night and an ambiance perfect for a metropolitan NYE.

As if simply being in Chicago for New Year’s Eve weren’t enough, you could step it up a notch by staying at The Drake and join the longest running NYE party in the city with around 2,500 fellow partiers. ABC’s Good Morning America hosts the “Countdown Chicago” celebration with Janet Davies and Mark Giangreco. You’ll have no problem dancing into the new year with festivities sprawled throughout five ballrooms and DJs lighting up their sound systems during a light show that leads up to the midnight balloon drop and champagne toast.

Did we mention the venue will host 50 bars? Challenge accepted.


New Year’s Eve in New York City

| W New York – Times Square

W New York Times Square

Speaking of iconic American cities, we couldn’t go through a list of where to stay for New Year’s Eve without diving into New York City. Watching the ball drop at Times Square on television as a little kid is as American as baseball and apple pie. We’ve all done it. Then, we grew up. The introverts stayed in while the extroverts were looking to get themselves on camera and feel the excitement in person (if not their fingers and toes in the cold).

If you’re going to do New Year’s Eve at Times Square, you might as well do it right with a stay at W New York – Times Square. The four-star property has a few notable New Year’s Eve offers going on, including a Times Square Skybox where you can stay warm and still be part of the excitement. Though if you’re looking for that once-in-a-lifetime experience, you might want to consider booking one of their New Year’s Eve packages, giving you entry to their Living Room New Year’s Eve Party, with champagne and liquor bottles as well as unlimited mixers. Go ahead and ask for that late checkout now.


New Year’s Eve in San Diego

| Hard Rock San Diego

Hard Rock San Diego

If doing New Year’s Eve out in the cold doesn’t appeal to you, then perfectly temperate San Diego is the place to you. Looking to start into the new year with a bang? Then the Hard Rock San Diego‘s Gaslamp New Year’s Eve Party is definitely for you.

The party will be spread out over three floors, with 15-plus DJs and a live performance from hip hop legends Method Man & Redman, smack dab in the middle of San Diego’s Gaslamp district. Talk about constant stimulation!

Turning our attention to the rooms for a moment, the Hard Rock San Diego features studios, hard rock suites, and rock star suites. Whichever option you go for, you’ll have plenty of room and feel like a rock star yourself as you relax on your pillow-soft bed in a sleek, modern design that just screams, “Hey! We’ve got a record deal!”


New Year’s Eve in San Francisco

| Palace Hotel

Palace Hotel San Francisco

Looking for a New Year’s Eve hotel that will keep you busy until 2 a.m.? You might want to have a look at Palace Hotel right in Downtown San Francisco. Aykut Events is hosting this year’s celebration, promising 4.5 hours worth of a premium open bar and three separate rooms featuring world-renowned DJs and performances.

The Palace Hotel in and of itself is worth the trip. This five-star, luxury property has everything to make you feel like a king and queen while the ball drops. The premium bedding and designer toiletries alongside a comfy set of slippers and bathrobe might tempt you to relax the night away. Just don’t forget to visit the indoor pool and hot tub first.


New Year’s Eve in Washington D.C.

| Washington Plaza Hotel

Washington Plaza Hotel Washington DC

There is no shortage of New Year’s Eve hotel parties in Washington D.C., so why not try something unique? The Washington Plaza Hotel is hosting their 17th Annual International SPY Gala. Alright, we can sense that half of you probably felt the urge to keep scrolling while the other half widened their eyes a bit and thought, “Awesome. I’m in.” Glad to hear you’re still with us, Mr. Bond.

Washington Plaza’s spy gala allows you the opportunity to dress up as a secret agent at this black-tie optional mix of “espionage and excitement.” You’ll be celebrating the end of the year in a spy-themed setting and surrounded by exotic decor. Organizers estimate welcoming over 1,500 “secret agents” to the festivities where there will also be a live band, DJs, mock casino, ice sculptures, dancers (male and female), and champagne to accompany the midnight toast.

Nobody to kiss at midnight? Then you’ll want to head to the “Mock Casino,” where singles receive a free mask before venturing into the excitement of meeting someone new. 


New Year’s Eve in Dallas

| Hilton Anatole

Hilton Anatole Dallas

We already know that the stars at night are big and bright deep in the heart of Texas, but this isn’t just any Texan city. This is Dallas where “big” is redefined, and if you’re looking to bring in the new year with your lone star friends, have a look at the Hilton Anatole where they’re offering a number of packages for two people. Before you get price shock, remember it’s a once-a-year thing and you’re treating yourself.

No matter which package you sign up for, you’ll have access to the Ultimate 24K New Years Eve party with live music from Emerald City Band and a spacious room to collapse into once you run out of steam in the middle of the night. Depending on how much you’re willing to part ways with your wallet, you can get into the VIP pre-concert meet and greet with the band before enjoying a fantastic dinner with live entertainment in the Chantilly Ballroom.


New Year’s Eve in Honolulu

| Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort

Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Resort Honolulu

New Year’s Eve in Honolulu just might be the dream. Few of us could pull it off, so if you go, you better make sure you soak in every last drop of champagne for the rest of us.

One of the more popular ways to take on New Year’s Eve in Honolulu is to watch the fireworks along Waikiki Beach. The Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort has a fantastic view of the display. You’re also an easy bus ride away from the Aloha Tower Marketplace where the humbly-titled “Party of the Year” takes place with your usual variety of live music, entertainment, and of course, fireworks.

When you’re done partying, make like Elvis in Blue Hawaii (filmed at the resort!) and enjoy that legendary Honolulu sun.


New Year’s Eve in Myrtle Beach

Marina Inn at Grande Dunes

Marina Inn at Grande Dunes Myrtle Beach South Carolina

We love the Hawaiian sand, but Myrtle Beach is just a tad more attainable for the average New Year’s Eve traveler. That’s why we have our sights set on the Marina Inn at Grande Dunes, Myrtle Beach’s premier luxury hotel with as many amenities as beach umbrellas on a sunny afternoon.

The Marina Inn offers up 230 rooms with two on-site restaurants, a bar-lounge area, two golf courses, and two swimming pools to keep the kids happy. Feel free to put the icing on the cake of your beachy New Year’s Eve with a spa treatment ranging from deep tissue therapy to a romantic couples massage with your special someone right by your side.

If you manage to pull yourself away from the spa, you can head out to Broadway at the Beach to start your New Year’s Eve outing with fireworks at 6 p.m. over Lake Broadway. Naturally, you can enjoy the changing of the calendar at the Marina Inn with their New Year’s Eve package, including a reception prior to the doors opening at the Nautilus ballroom where you’ll be treated to a four-course dinner.

*All photos from trivago, except cover image courtesy of Jeremy Wong Weddings, Unsplash