Show Navigation

The Most Luxurious New Year’s Eve Settings Around the World

Topic:

Life & Style

Looking for a way to ring in 2016 in some of the most luxurious settings in the world? Below, we’ve curated the lush, the luxe, the exclusive and the raucously ravishing. We suspect you’ll want to make a resolution to toast a few of them.

New York City

Times Square is known as the spot for New Year’s revelry, but that doesn’t mean you have to experience it like everyone else. Relive the spirit of F. Scott Fitzgerald at The Knickerbocker, the only five-star hotel in Times Square, newly renovated and opening its doors to its first New Year’s celebration since Prohibition closed it down nearly a century ago. The Knick’s celebration will include a nod to the hotel’s rich history with modern luxe, all wrapped in the kind of over-the-top extravagance hotel founder John Jacob Astor IV would have appreciated. Not to mention what is considered to be the best view of the New Year’s Eve Ball available anywhere. As part of the hotel’s exclusive New Year’s packages, choose a three-night stay, attend the black tie gala at Charlie Palmer at The Knick, and reserve one of three rooftop Skypods at the inimitable rooftop bar St. Cloud, which puts you just 150 feet from the thousands of glimmering Waterford Crystal lights of the iconic ball as it drops to signify the arrival of a New Year.

Dubai

Everything’s bigger in Dubai, and that’s certainly true of this United Arab Emirates city’s New Year’s Eve celebration. Considered one of the most luxurious hotels in the world, Burj Al Arab Jumeirah lives up to its name on New Year’s, with an international Gala Dinner, the longest fireworks display in the UAE, and live entertainment featuring a performance from Heather Small, former lead singer of M People. The hotel’s beachfront location and distinctive shape make it an international icon. The experience of seeing it lit up and framed by state-of-the-art pyrotechnics on New Year’s Eve won’t soon be forgotten.

Barcelona

Bond. James Bond. That’s the inspiration for the uber-luxury New Year’s Eve Gala Dinner at Barcelona’s Hotel Arts. The glamorous Gran Saló Gaudí Ballroom will be transformed into a 007-inspired space, with a red-carpet Lauren Perrier Champagne reception, dry Martinis (need we say how they’ll be served?), and a delectable menu from Michelin star Chef Antonio Saez.

Rio de Janeiro

New Year’s Eve is a big deal in Rio—up to two million people hit the city to say goodbye to the old and bring on the new, and a majority of them end up on the popular Copacabana Beach. You can still soak up the energy and enjoy the festivities of Rio de Janeiro—from the exclusive location of the art deco Copacabana Palace Hotel. The hotel’s New Year’s Eve party includes a grand buffet dinner prepared by acclaimed executive chef Francesco Carli, live entertainment, and a fireworks spectacular crowning the evening—and the ability to appreciate the fanfare with the added luxury of elbow room.

San Diego

A one-of-a-kind experience awaits at the iconic US GRANT, in the heart of San Diego’s Gaslamp District. With a theme of “La Vie Boheme,” this New Year’s Eve celebration oozes luxury and festivity with live music and dancing, and a variety of opportunities for unique imbibery including VIP specialty cocktail stations, cask ales, absinthe fairies, and bottle service. Both a three-course and a six-course epicurean dinner will be served in the renowned Grant Grill, with a countdown to midnight and champagne toast ringing in 2016.

South Beach

Being in South Beach for New Year’s Eve is opulent enough. Add the Glimmer in Gold package at Ritz-Carlton, South Beach, and you have an ultra-swank celebration that takes the typical Miami experience beyond its everyday excess. From the Gold Carpet to the gold-glittered champagne and gold-dusted pastries to the his-and-hers Carita Gold Perfection Facial with ProLift at The Spa, the evening will infuse the spirit of Midas into the celebration at every turn (it is called the Eve of Midas, after all!).

Bali

The Indonesian paradise of Bali gets even more sultry with a New Year’s Eve performance from Jermaine Paul in the premier setting of The Mulia, Mulia Resort & Villas. The winner of season two of NBC’s “The Voice” will perform in the Grand Ballroom of Mulia Resort, its marble and crystal finishes complementing the tranquil surroundings of this luxury beachfront resort overlooking the stunning Nusa Dua Bay.

Thailand

Thailand’s capital city of Bangkok announced its arrival as an international destination for luxury New Year’s events last year and the Tower Club at Iebua is upping the ante for 2016. The centerpiece of the celebration is the Bangkok Ball Drop and fireworks show, which can be viewed from up to a mile away. The variety of fine dining choices at The Dome, Bangkok’s premier destination for culinary delights, situated high atop the famed Iebua at State Tower and Tower Club at Iebua, offer incomparable views of the city and are the best spots from which to view the celebration. Revelers will enjoy one-night-only menus in The Dome’s restaurants and bars, including eight courses of fine Mediterranean dining on the 63rd floor at Sirocco and a nine-course feast of French-cuisine in the sky at Mezzaluna.

Where will you be ringing in 2016?

You Just Read:

The Most Luxurious New Year’s Eve Settings Around the World

More Life & Style Stories