“What’s your New Year’s Eve plans?”. That oh-so-familiar phrase usually uttered in December didn’t get much airtime last year due to an ever-moving feast of lockdowns, travel restrictions and social distancing measures, leaving many of us craving the luxury New Year’s Eve celebrations of years gone by.
This year, however (fingers crossed,) is a different story, with the planet’s best hotels and venues once again stepping up to the mark with a line-up of spectacular parties and events to make up for last year’s misses.
As we prepare for the countdown to 2022, Elite Traveler rounds up the world’s most exclusive and indulgent luxury New Year’s Eve celebrations.
Velaa Private Island, Maldives
Ultra exclusive Velaa Private Island transforms into a festive paradise over the holiday season with extravagant dinners, parties and world-class entertainment set to arguably one of the most picturesque backdrops on earth.
This year, the resort’s legendary luxury New Year’s Eve celebrations kick off with a sunset cocktail soirée followed by a spectacular gala dinner of gourmet delights and world-class theatre. Performances include Kyiv Modern Ballet and immersive conceptual theatrics from NuArt.
Book into the resort’s Private Residence, a sumptuous retreat with its own private beach, 60ft infinity pool and massage room. You’ll wake up on January 1 in one the villa’s four-beach-facing bedrooms before heading to the resort’s New Year’s Day Brunch for a relaxed but lavish feast.
Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas and Los Cabos Pedregal
The award for the most lavish New Year’s Eve celebration might just go to the Waldorf Astoria. Two of its properties – The Gold Leed-certified Las Vegas and the stunning Los Cabos Pedregal — have joined forces to offer an unforgettable $200,000 experience combining two epic locations.
Guests will be chauffeured from the airport in an Aston Martin before checking in to Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas’s Presidential Suite overlooking the famed Strip. You’ll enjoy a private helicopter trip to take in the lights before heading up near the clouds again for a Remy Martin Louis XIII tasting experience at the hotel’s SkyBar. The evening continues as the ultimate New Year’s Eve party for 20 awaits you in your suite, complete with an in-room bartender, open bar and canapes.
On New Year’s Day, fly via private jet to Los Cabos for some serious ‘R & R’. Staying in a premier beachfront suite, you’ll enjoy 90 minutes of oceanside spa pampering, a floating breakfast in your private pool, a private tequila and oyster tasting and a sunset ocean-to-table dinner.
As this package does not come with a carbon offset option, Elite Traveler recommends a donation to a separate environmental program.
Nikki Beach, St Barths
The impossibly glamourous Nikki Beach Saint Barth always delivers on New Year’s Eve with past celebrations featuring performances from the likes of Mariah Carey and DJ David Guetta.
This year the exclusive resort celebrates its 20th anniversary and its New Year’s Eve party ‘To The Moon & Back’ promises to be better than ever.
Party-goers will dine on an out-of-this-world menu in collaboration with Perrier Jouët champagne and chef Nicolas Sale of the two Michelin star La Table de l’Espadon at the Ritz Carlton Paris.
Entertainment comes in form of magician Kevin Micoud and a DJ set from legendary French DJ Bob Sinclair as you dance the night away on the beach under a star-lined sky.
The Biltmore Mayfair, London
London’s New Year’s fireworks display is truly iconic and watching the sky light up from the balcony of the Penthouse Suite within The Biltmore Mayfair Hotel will make you feel like the show was put on just for you.
The five-star hotel set in London’s prestigious Grosvenor Square is hosting a New Year’s Eve celebration featuring a six-course menu created by Jason Atherton (chef at Michelin-star Pollen Street Social) and executive chef Paul Walsh, champagne and live entertainment. But you can up the exclusivity and enjoy your own private version by booking the hotel’s luxury new year’s eve celebration package.
The £30,840 (approx. $40,710) experience includes two nights in the three-bedroom penthouse for six people, the chance to enjoy that delectable six-course tasting menu in-suite, champagne and that all-important private balcony view for London’s nighttime spectacular. The package also includes an indulgent New Year’s Day brunch.
To book email biltmore.events@hilton.com or call 0207 5963 122, lxrhotels3.hilton.com
Mandarin Oriental and Stay One Degree, Miami
Fancy ringing in the new year aboard your own luxury yacht or eco-conscious solar-powered catamaran in Miami? Luxury vacation rental platform Stay One Degree and Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group have teamed up to offer you the chance to do just that.
On New Year’s Eve, the duo’s Stay & Sail experience will allow guests to enjoy the city of Miami from land and sea with a two-night stay at Mandarin Oriental Miami and a full day or overnight cruise aboard a yacht of their choice, from $16,000 for four adults.
[See also: The Most Festive Hotels for Christmas in New York]
On New Year’s Eve, you’ll arrive by limousine at the marina before climbing on board. Your own captain and crew will take care of everything from there, including customized catering by Mandarin Oriental. Ahead of the midnight festivities, guests can also cruise the pristine Elliot Key and Key Largo, before taking in Miami’s magnificent fireworks display from the water with a glass of champagne in hand.
To book email enquiries@stayonedegree.com, stayonedegree.com
Ocean Casino, Atlantic City
Looking for an over-the-top luxury New Year’s Eve celebration that screams glamor? Ocean Casino Resort in Atlantic City has nailed it with its New Year’s Eve package inspired by the original 1960s Ocean’s 11 movie featuring the iconic Rat Pack.
Starting from $55,000, the package for two includes a stay in the magnificent One-Bedroom Suite with beautiful ocean views and private butler service. You’ll be treated to a private Pappy Van Winkle tasting at the new Nola’s Bar & Lounge as well as a 30-day Kagoshima Snow-Aged Japanese Wagyu dinner with a bottle of exquisite Chateau Margaux wine before heading to the resort’s HQ2 Nightclub where the champagne won’t stop flowing. You will be able to bring your own Rat Pack in toe with deejay-side table service for six and 15l of Armand de Brignac Ace of Spades champagne.
Wash away the cobwebs on New Year’s Day at the resort’s indoor/outdoor pool and an 80-minute Fusion Massage Couples Experience at the Moroccan-inspired Exhale Spa.
M Social Times Square, New York
For one of the very best unobstructed views of the famous ball drop that Times Square has to offer, head to the new M Social Times Square hotel to host your very own party within a party set amongst the glittering lights of New York’s Crossroads of the World.
The $50,000 package includes admission for 40 guests to the hotel’s vibrant Beast & Butterflies bar with a wraparound outdoor terrace, perched just above the square. Your guests will enjoy an open bar, 10 bottles of Dom Perignon champagne, two bottles of Don Julio 1942 tequila, nibbles and bottle service as you welcome in 2022 in a truly legendary location.
Joali Being, Maldives
The new Joali Being nature-focused wellness resort in the Maldives is offering something different but equally luxurious to this New Year’s Eve celebrations list.
Ideal for those wanting to turbocharge their health and wellbeing kick, the resort’s Enchanted Coast New Year’s Eve celebration and wellness programming invites guests to reconnect with themselves and ring in 2022 “with a feeling of weightlessness”.
New Year’s eve morning begins with sunrise salutations and morning yoga before an evening of magical beachside celebrations featuring whirling dancers, soaring acrobats and a shared dinner of indulgent yet nourishing flavors.
With not a hangover in sight, you’ll wake up feeling refreshed so you can start 2022 on an active note with a post-brunch beachside training challenge. New Year’s wellness programming continues until January 6 and includes everything from private island picnics and inspirational goal mapping sessions to guided meditation and non-alcoholic mixology classes.
This article originally appeared on Elite Traveler.