Anantara Convento di Amalfi Grand Hotel is leaning into its heritage with traditional festivities set within the walls of a 13th-century Capuchin convent. On 15 and 17 December, Friar Marcus will be hosting a traditional Christmas Market in the festively illuminated cloisters with entertainment for children, and local artisans offering handcrafted gifts, typical Amalfi delicacies and mulled wine. Guests can also attend a local Christmas mass; join an Amaro masterclass with Friar Marcus and Chef Claudio Lanuto to discover the secrets of the bitter liqueur invented by Italian monks; or gather around a festive bonfire in the cosily-lit cloister over toasted marshmallows, panettone and hot chocolate before dining on a menu that pays homage to a traditional Italian festive celebration.
In the heart of Italy’s capital, INEO restaurant at Anantara Palazzo Naiadi Rome Hotel will be riffing off its signature “Italian Metissage” concept with an exquisite seven-course Christmas Eve tasting menu starring Sicilian red prawn ceviche, stuffed cuttlefish and five-spice opera cake. For INEO’s extravagant New Year’s Eve dinner, Executive Chef Heros De Agostinis will be serving a nine-course menu of gingerbread-marinated goose liver, passionfruit lobster, grilled turbot, Bounty bar with piña colada ice cream, and traditional lentil cotechino after midnight. Guests can also live it up with a dinner and countdown party at SEEN By Olivier, a swanky rooftop bar with 360-degree views of the Eternal City, world-class mixology and sophisticated fare. From 20 November through 6 January, children can get into the thick of it with Anantara’s Christmas cookie masterclasses or see Rome’s most spectacular nativity scenes at Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, San Pietro and Santa Maria in Ara Coeli as part of a guided family tour.
For world-class Christmas shopping, Anantara Grand Hotel Krasnapolsky Amsterdam, makes for a perfect base with easy access to Amsterdam’s famous Christmas markets and glittering department stores. In addition to getting their hands on Anantara’s handcrafted advent calendar filled with 24 bonbons – the perfect gift for chocolate enthusiasts – this festive season, gourmands can also enjoy Michelin-starred dining in opulent surrounds of The White Room, the oldest and most elegant restaurant in Amsterdam overseen by 3 Michelin-starred chef Jacob Jan Boerma. With Christmas shopping taken care of, guests can relax with Dom Pérignon and caviar at Grand Café Krasnapolsky’s magnificent Champagne Room.
Those looking for an extra serving of old-world glamour will do well to reserve a table at New York Café on the ground floor of Anantara New York Palace Budapest Hotel – a beloved institution that has been at the heart of Budapest’s coffee culture for over a century. On Christmas Day, the venerated café will be hosting a lively lunch accompanied by the jaunty backdrop of live Hungarian music and traditional food inside the grand dining room filled with dozens of chandeliers, marble columns, stuccoed angels and gold trim.
Nestled in the rolling hills of Andalusia, Anantara Villa Padierna Palace Marbella Resort is offering a classic Christmas with a host of surprise and delight for guests of all ages. Offering a consortium of foodie experiences ranging from Spanish fine dining to Japanese fusion and interconnecting suites or private pool villas cater to the largest of families seeking a festive reunion. A touch of old school Hollywood Christmas magic will transcend on the open-air Roman amphitheatre where a full orchestra will play classic Christmas movie soundtracks. Guests are invited to join Christmas wreath floral arranging workshops, local artisan pottery classes and learn the art of sushi rolling. To ring in the New Year, the donkeys will lo as the resort’s furriest friends will pay a visit from the donkey sanctuary, Dreamland de Mijas to meet the guests.
Over in Nice, recognised by the UNESCO as a winter resort town of the French Riviera, newly opened Anantara Plaza Nice Hotel is throwing its first countdown party at one of Nice’s most exclusive rooftop venues, SEEN by Olivier. Guests can expect the most sought-after vinyl spinners, fine food, smart cocktails and the best views in town. At Anantara Spa, a restorative post-party package includes a personalised 60-minute massage or facial coupled with a glass of Champagne and access to the spa’s relaxation area, sauna and hammam.
For something refreshingly different, wellness- and nature-minded guests can go for a spot of Christmas Day wild swimming at Dublin’s iconic The Forty Foot with Anantara The Marker Dublin Hotel. Back on dry land, a glut of exceptional dining experiences await at Forbes Street by Gareth Mullins. Choose from a three-course lunch or dinner focusing on locally sourced quintessential Irish dishes including Dublin Bay Lobster and Prawn cocktail, roast turkey with all the trimmings and Old-Fashioned Sherry Trifle accompanied by a Sommelier’s wine pairing for a truly indulgent Christmas Day celebration.
Even more family-friendly activities await at Portugal’s Anantara Vilamoura Algarve – named “Best International Resort 2023” by Condé Nast Traveler Spain. From 15 to 22 December, the golf course-facing resort will be hosting daily arts and crafts workshops for children and their parents, while on New Year’s Eve guests will be treated to a dazzling circus-themed programme of jugglers, magicians, daring high-wire acts and a delectable five-course dinner. To relax, recharge and rebalance, guests can disappear into Anantara Spa for a Christmas Candle massage or Citrinos Cocoon body wrap, as well as joining Pilates, yoga and meditation sessions.
Anantara is a luxury hospitality brand for modern travellers, connecting them to genuine places, people and stories through personal experiences, and providing heartfelt hospitality in the world’s most exciting destinations. The collection of distinct, thoughtfully designed luxury hotels and resorts provides a window through which to journey into invigorating new territory, curating personal travel experiences.
From cosmopolitan cities to desert sands to lush islands, Anantara connects travellers to the indigenous, grounds them in authentic luxury, and hosts them with passionate expertise. The portfolio currently boasts over 45 stunning hotels and resorts located in Thailand, Maldives, Indonesia, Vietnam, China, Cambodia, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Mauritius, Seychelles, Mozambique, Zambia, UAE, Qatar, Oman, Tunisia, Portugal, Spain, Hungary, Italy, The Netherlands and France, with a pipeline of future properties across Asia, the Middle East and Europe.
For more information and special offers at Anantarahotels and resorts in Europe, please visit https://www.anantara.com/en/luxury-hotel-offers-europe and Instagram: @anantara_hotels.
