From rooftop terraces transformed into enchanting winter wonderlands to charming, artisan markets selling handcrafted novelties and gifts, hotels from Vancouver to London are pulling out all the stops to offer one-of-a-kind holiday pop-ups to guests and locals alike this winter. Here are the most festive holiday pop-up experiences at luxury hotels around the world.
Reflections Winter Terrace at Rosewood Hotel Georgia (Vancouver, BC)
Courtesy Roosewood Resorts
For the first time ever, Rosewood Hotel Georgia’s signature lounge will dramatically transform into a magical holiday escape, offering guests the ultimate rooftop winter wonderland complete with enticing beverages such as the Little Helper (rum, port and house-made egg nog) for sipping, duck prosciutto pizza and polenta goat cheese croquettes for snacking, and fluffy blankets and cozy couches for snuggling. “This December, we are thrilled to welcome guests to Reflections: The Garden Terrace for the first time ever during the winter season,” says Philip Meyer, Managing Director of Rosewood Hotel Georgia. “We’ve created a real winter wonderland with warming cocktails, delicious bites, blankets and heat lamps for extra cozy comfort.” (Through January 1, 2017)
The Rink at the Standard Hotel (New York City, NY)
Courtesy Standard Hotel Highline
In between laps on the Alpine-inspired, street-side ice rink adjacent to New York’s High Line (at 442 West 13th Street), guests and visitors can enjoy spiked apple cider and cocoa and munch on a bread and cheese volcano made with taleggio cheese in the hotel’s partially enclosed seating area, warmed by toasty heat lamps. Also at The Standard the Shop at the Standard, High Line will open a pop-up for the ceramist Michele Quan, where you’ll find a stoneware eye ornament hand-painted with sun, moon and stars ($95). (Through December 31, 2016).
York & Albany’s Gingerbread Cabin (London, UK)
Courtesy York & Albany
Enter a real-life fairytale at Gordon Ramsey’s York & Albany Hotel, where the décor mimics the gingerbread houses and the seasonal menu takes inspiration from a storybook with dishes including venison croquettes and the Gingerbread Espressococktail, a festive blend of gingerbread-infused vodka, L’Orange, Kalhua, amaretto and espresso.
Magical Forest at Claridges (London, UK)
Courtesy Claridges
Who better to design a technologically enhanced “magical forest,” than Apple’s renowned chief designer, Sir Jony Ive, in collaboration with industrial designer Marc Newson—both widely recognised as two of the most influential designers in the world. British set designer Michael Howell brings additional expertise to the project, which explores the relationship between nature and technology. Four-metre high light boxes featuring black-and-white photographs of snow-covered silver birch trees line the walls. This contrasts with towering pine trees, layered with both natural and photographed silver birch and fir trees, resulting in a canopy of natural green pine creating a truly magical forest.
Enchanted Winter Wonderland at Fairmont Scottsdale Princess (Scottsdale, AZ)
Courtesy Fairmont Scottsdale Princess
From an ice-skating rink, a train, holiday characters, a Ferris wheel, petting zoo and 3 million lights, The Fairmont Scottsdale Princess Resort does not leave much to be desired. Light snowfall sets the scene as the resort’s Fragrance Garden transforms into the Nativity Garden, complete with a 10-minute, 88-foot light and music show narrating the Christmas origin story. (Through January 1, 2017)
Teddy Bear Tea at the The Roosevelt (New Orleans, LA)
Courtesy The Roosevelt Hotel
The Roosevelt New Orleans’ annual Teddy Bear Tea comes with a commemorative stuffed animal for kids, sparkling wine and mimosas for Mom and Dad as well as a delicious holiday food, specialty teas, and tasty pastries. The event, complete with Santa and his elves, is held every Saturday and Sunday in December and then everyday from December 17-24. The tea is $48 for children ages 3-10 and $68 for ages 11 and above. Sparkling wine and mimosas are included in the price for adults.
Holiday Pop-Up Market at Ace Hotel Pittsburgh (Pittsburgh, PA)
Grab a bloody mary and shop a selection of the area’s best boutiques and makers all in one spot. From vintage dresses to handmade jewelry to bespoke bowties – holiday gifts galore.
Vendors include: SPHINX VINTAGE (online vintage women’s clothing boutique, specializing in the 1920s, 30s and 40s), HOMESTEAD SUPPLY CO. (handmade leather goods), ROYAL ESTABLISHMENT (vintage men’s sweaters, fleece, jackets, shirts and sportswear), HORSETHIEF SILVER (handcrafted silver jewelry from the rust belt, made with stones sourced from American mines), THE PRINTER’S CABINET & CURIOSITIES (vintage clothing for men & women, as well as repurposed furniture, antiques, oddities, industrial and salvage), CALLIGRAMME (vintage and USA made lingerie, loungewear and home goods) and SHOPPE 815 (lifestyle boutique selling clothing, accessories and home goods for the risk takers and wanderers of the world)
A Midwinter’s Night Dream at NYLO Hotel’s LOCL Bar (New York, NY)
Courtesy LOCL Bar
Wander into a Winter Wonderland at The NYLO Hotel’s LOCL Bar thanks to the talented designers from Parsons the New School for Design. Sip on sensational cocktails in the middle of a magical snowscape, surrounded by tulle canopies and bright fairy lights. Award-winning bartender Cody Goldstein is serving nine holiday-themed cocktails, including “Shakespeare’s Globe, which is served in, you guessed it, a snow globe. And in the true spirit of Christmas, $2 from each of these drinks will be donated to Save the Children. (Through January 1, 2017).
Best Hotel Holiday Pop Ups was originally featured on GoodLife Report. Reprinted with permission.