8 unforgettable winter-only dining experiences at hotels around the world
Everyone knows that winter is prime time for cozy vibes — and booking a special hotel dinner can be such a festive way to experience peak coziness for the cold season. Whether or not it’s actually snowing outside doesn’t even matter; the chillier months with their shorter days are the ideal time for enjoying delicious warming drinks paired with melty, decadent food and ever-festive bubbly.
You’d be hard pressed to find a hotel that doesn’t decorate with plenty of twinkle lights, garlands and a dose of evergreen for the winter season. However, some go above and beyond with the wintertime magic, creating temporary igloos, building chalets, and offering guests other creative and immersive amenities that truly set a wintry tone.
These nine properties, all bookable on points, span the globe from sunny Florida to the mountainsides of Japan, and they go all out with seasonal, winter-only dining extravaganzas that are as transportive as they are tantalizing.
Related: 11 incredible hotels for a dreamy winter vacation
The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe — Truckee, California
There’s no apres ski experience quite like the Veuve Clicquot Cabana Chalets at this luxurious slopeside hotel, especially when it comes to decadence. The special winter offerings are private for up to eight guests who can relax into fur-lined chairs and benches, stay warm by their personal fire pit, and sip on Veuve Clicquot and gingerbread hot chocolate. Add-ons include caviar, charcuterie and fondue — and the weekend DJ sets only add to the apres vibes.
Rates at The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe start at $619 or 91,200 Marriott Bonvoy points per night this winter. The Veuve Clicquot Cabana Chalets start from $300.
Related: The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe review
The Singer Oceanfront Resort, Curio Collection by Hilton — Riviera Beach, Florida
The Singer Oceanfront Resort proves it doesn’t have to be cold outside to get into the winter spirit. Their "Beach Igloo Experience" involves clear igloos set right atop the sand with the ocean as an ideal backdrop for the comfortable scene. Visitors can expect warm blankets, festive decor, fire pits and more. The igloos are a partnership with Caymus Vineyards in Napa, California, which handles the wine pairings for a special shareable menu curated by Winston Guerrero, executive chef of the on-site restaurant Caretta Caretta.
Rates at The Singer Oceanfront Resort, Curio Collection by Hilton start at $205 or 65,000 Hilton Honors points per night this winter. The Beach Igloo Experience starts from $325.
Park Hyatt Niseko Hanazono — Hokkaido, Japan
With a blanket of famous Ja-pow (Japan powder) on Mount Yotei as the backdrop, Park Hyatt’s partnership with Krug Champagne has produced an indelible winter wonderland dining experience in Japan’s ski hot spot of Hokkaido. The "Krug Igloo Prive" includes a beautiful igloo, heated of course. But, before getting cozy, guests get to savor canapes and bubbly under the night sky. Once inside, they’ll tuck into a chandelier-lit, multi-course prix fixe meal of French, Chinese or Japanese courses — featuring renowned local ingredients such as Hokkaido abalone and Kobe beef — paired (of course) with rare Krug vintages.
Rates at Park Hyatt Niseko Hanazono start at $558 or 45,000 World of Hyatt points per night this winter. The Krug Igloo Prive experience starts from $5,154.
Related: Best Park Hyatt hotels, according to Globalists
Burgenstock Resort Lake Lucerne — Obburgen, Switzerland
This bucket-list property set high above Switzerland's Lake Lucerne — with the coolest catamaran and funicular arrival — is the epitome of snug year-round. In winter, though, it amps up the magic even higher. That’s especially true for those experiencing the "Raclette with a Difference" package, which includes a gobsmacking helicopter flight over the Swiss Alps to a private location on Petersgrat Mountain. There, you’ll be greeted by expensive Champagne and a private chef whipping up an authentic yet elevated feast of ooey, gooey Swiss raclette. Take the following day off to recover from your indulgences in the more than 100,000-square-foot Alpine Spa’s hydrotherapy pools, fragrant steam rooms, saunas and more.
Rates at Burgenstock Resort Lake Lucerne start at $1,294 per night this winter, or you can book with points through the Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts program. The Raclette with a Difference experience starts from $3,767.
Fairmont Chateau Whistler — Whistler, British Columbia
All the very best alpine-inspired and European winter classics are on the menu at The Chalet, Fairmont Chateau Whistler’s fabulous snowy season restaurant that sits just off-property and is accessible via shuttle (or via a magical walk under fresh snowfall). The French onion soup is as unmissable as the fondue and charcuterie; also, a pot of luscious chocolate fondue is the must-order dessert. You can enjoy all of this while a blazing fire heats the space with its high ceilings and large windows that offer glimpses of the snowy landscape and twinkling stars beyond.
Rates at Fairmont Chateau Whistler start at $544 per night this winter, or book with the Accor Live Limitless to earn points. The three-course special menu at The Chalet starts from $50.
Related: Checking in to the world's most photographed hotel: A review of the Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac
The Berkeley Hotel — London
If you love London but are missing ski resort vibes, you’ll find the best of both worlds at The Berkeley hotel's "Feast Off-Piste" pop-up, which takes place in a custom-made ski gondola on the hotel's rooftop overlooking Hyde Park. The charming, stationary gondolas are the site of intimate dinners that begin with mulled wine and continue onto traditional Swiss raclette, a tartiflette with freshly shaved truffle, milk chocolate fondue with edible candles to dip and gingerbread s’mores. Each gondola has its own "ring for Champagne" bell, enabling guests to order a festive glass of Laurent-Perrier right to the table.
Rates at The Berkeley London start at $1,004 per night this winter, or you can book with points through the Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts program. The Feast Off-Piste experience starts from $114 per person.
Hotel Vin, Grapevine, Autograph Collection — Grapevine, Texas
With an overwhelming number of Christmas-themed annual events, Grapevine, Texas, is known as the official Christmas capital of Texas — and this boutique hotel right off the historic Main Street is in the business of festivity, too. Here, guests will find Texas Tinis hand-shaken tableside by a martini butler, a Champagne yurt partnership with Veuve Clicquot, a Holly Jolly Bar serving themed libations and, the piece de resistance, Winter Wonderland Bubbles. These private pods are inspired by a chic mountain chalet (featuring cozy Pendleton decor that’s shoppable, too) and come with a curated fondue menu.
Rates at Hotel Vin, Grapevine, Autograph Collection start at $303 or 37,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night this winter. Winter Wonderland Bubbles at Hotel Vin start from $200 per party.
Related: The 13 best resorts in Texas for a Lone Star State getaway
Hotel Plaza Athenee — Paris
A wintery Parisian fantasy is on the menu during the coldest season at Hotel Plaza Athenee, one of TPG's favorite Paris hotels where the beautifully quaint Plaza Athenee Chalet pops up in the glittering La Cour Jardin courtyard. Prepare for a swoon-worthy, alpine-style night in the heart of Paris. The experience includes Mauviel 1830 Champagne, raclette and succulent European fare including scallops, foie gras raviolis and truffled Alsace-style flammekueche. Before or after the chocolate fondue, go for a whirl on the hotel’s private ice rink — an hour of access plus skate rental is included in the experience.
Rates at Hotel Plaza Athenee start at $2,066 per night this winter, or you can book with points through the Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts program. The Plaza Athenee Chalet experience starts from $265.