These over-the-top celebrations from New York to the Maldives will have you toasting 2020 with proper fanfare.
By Devorah Lev-Tov ON DECEMBER 2, 2019
It’s the end of a decade, the end of an era. As 2019 comes to a close and we prepare to welcome 2020 with hopeful hearts, it only makes sense to send off the last year—and last ten years—in style. A simple soiree won’t do this time around. Instead, think bigger: We’re talking two celebrations in two time zones via private jet, an epic house party at one of London’s toniest hotels, and a private party in Dubai for you and 49 of your closest friends. Here are 11 New Year’s Eve celebrations at luxury hotels worth splurging on—after all, how many times do you get to don your finest duds, pop the bubbly, and send off a decade?
Private Fly Package, Sydney, Australia, to Honolulu, Hawaii
Since a decade New Year’s only comes along once every ten years, may as well celebrate twice, right? Private Fly’s New Year’s Eve Twice Package will fly up to eight people from Sydney, Australia to Honolulu, Hawaii in a Gulfstream G650ER, the world’s fastest flying private charter jet. Start off in Sydney, where you can catch the fireworks bursting over the famous Sydney Harbor Bridge at midnight. Then depart Sydney at 2am on the jet—which will be stocked with whatever food and drinks you request—and arrive in Honolulu at 8:30pm, ready to party all over again. From $275,000 for eight passengers.
Burj Al Arab Jumeriah, Dubai
Want to ring in the new decade with 49 of your closest friends and family? Rent Burj Al Arab Jumeirah’s outdoor private event space, Palm Garden, for a little over $81,000, and the space is yours for the night. Celebrate with up to 50 people, including cocktails, a sit-down dinner, a countdown with Champagne, and incredible views of Dubai’s fireworks display from one of the highest points in the world. Dance under the stars as DJ performances and live entertainment continue into the early hours for 2020. Starting at $81,000; call the hotel to book.
InterContinental Hayman Island Resort, Whitsunday Islands
Ring in 2020 alongside Australia’s Great Barrier Reef on the beautiful Whitsunday Islands, home to some of the whitest sand in the world. The InterContinental Hayman Island Resort’s New Year’s Eve experience for two begins with a sunset helicopter trip to picture-perfect Whitehaven Beach where a bottle of Champagne awaits. Chopper back to the resort and settle into one of four private cabanas for live entertainment, indulgent seafood, loads more drinks, and front-row seats to stunning fireworks lighting up the star-filled dark sky. $1,350 per adult; just four packages for two people each are available.
The Little Nell, Aspen
A legendary luxury hotel in snowy Aspen, The Little Nell is known for its epic New Year’s parties, and this year they’ll be going all out for their 30th anniversary. For those who want to be surrounded by other party-goers, the Dom Pérignon Party will transform the hotel into a chic circus with musical acts, dancers, and acrobats. Mingle in the Hennessy Lounge to the sounds of All That Jazz Sextet and dance to DJ Cyn in the Belvedere Lounge. The Dom Pérignon Lounge will host dueling DJs Niiko and Swae, while an Ice Bar will serve shots of Hennessy Cognac paired with freshly made donuts. Count down to midnight with a fire show leading up to sparkling fireworks over Aspen Mountain. From $650 per person, including bottomless Dom Pérignon, access to top-shelf liquor, canapés, oysters, and a cheese bar.
For a more private affair, book the VIP Cliquot Cats experience, either for the 8pm or midnight fireworks show. Arrive to a private Veuve Clicquot lounge in the Silver Queen Gondola Building with a DJ and drinks. Next, board your private snowcat (one of three available) to be driven to an exclusive seating area overlooking Aspen, complete with chairs, plush blankets, and a glowing fire pit. Here, you’ll be greeted by your dedicated host, who will serve Champagne, caviar, and blinis while you enjoy your front row seats to the fireworks show over Aspen Mountain. Rates are $12,000 per snowcat, which seats 12; drinks and food included.
Faena, Miami Beach
Miami is never a bad choice for a party, and the over-the-top Faena doesn’t skimp on celebrations. This year’s New Year’s Eve party theme is Tropical Baroque, combining the drama and glamour of Europe’s Baroque period with South American romance. The festivities begin at the hotel’s gilded Cathedral, where guests are greeted with Champagne and cocktails along with live performances. A decadent multi-course feast awaits at your choice of restaurants (pre-fixe dinner from $650 per person); choose Francis Mallmann’s Los Fuegos and indulge in black truffle and artichoke carpaccio, Osetra caviar and Hanging A5 Wagyu tenderloin, or dine at Pao on the ocean view terrace to savor dishes like Alaskan King Crab with trout roe and white truffle and smoked kama congee. After dinner, head to the Living Room or Tree of Life (tables from $500) and dance the night away. As the clock counts down to midnight, meet at Damien Hirst’s Golden Mammoth sculpture on the beach for exciting live musical performances (from Keba and the Usual Suspects, Jahzel Dotell, and Cimafunk), a dazzling fireworks display, and a few surprises along the way. Tickets from $250.
Palais Coburg, Vienna
Ring in the new year like the royalty you are at this palace hotel in Old World Vienna. Palais Coburg will adopt a Golden Twenties theme for the 2020 party, beginning with a gala dinner at either Clementine Im Glashaus ($325 for a seven-course meal with wine, a Champagne toast at midnight, and party admission) or in the Staterooms with star chef Silvio Nickel, who will share his best creations from 2019 ($875 for nine courses with Champagne toast, additional $770 for rare wine pairing, inclusive of Champagne toast and party admission.). At midnight, head to the Grand Portico Terrace for Champagne and fireworks to the sounds of the Blue Danube Waltz and the bells of Stephen’s Cathedral. Afterward, the party continues in the lobby with a specially choreographed performance by members of the Vienna State Opera Ballet. Keep celebrating into the early hours at the Golden Twenties main party, featuring two bars, visual effects, and a DJ. Starting to flag? Not to worry: The hotel keeps with Austrian tradition, offering sausages and goulash in the early hours to boost energy levels.
The Knickerbocker, New York City
The Knickerbocker is renowned for its epic New Year’s Eve party, which always offers the best and closest (just 150 feet away) view of the Ball Drop in Times Square, but is still pleasantly away from the fray. In addition to the party on its St. Cloud rooftop, the hotel offers a $150,000 New Year’s Eve Experience that gets you more than bragging rights. The VIP experience includes luxury accommodations in one of the hotel’s four Tribute Suites, dinner at Charlie Palmer, VIP access to the New Year’s Eve party atop Times Square on the St. Cloud rooftop (with reserved seating in a private, illuminated Sky Pod), a dedicated butler for any food and beverage service, premium bottle service and top-shelf libations, personal luxury velour throws and hand warmers to keep you warm, a Champagne toast at midnight, and live entertainment all night long. Package starts at $150,000.
Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas, Maldives
If you want to get away from it all but still party until the fish come home, book a stay at one of the over-water villas at Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas over New Year’s. To mark the occasion, a Moulin Rouge themed party will bring cabaret performances, live music, and fireworks to the idyllic island. Start the night with craft cocktails and a gala dinner in the company of stilt walkers, contortionists, fire shows and aerial acrobatics. After dinner, head to the party at SKY and count down under the millions of stars as fireworks light up the sky. Tickets $850 per adult and $425 per child.
Four Seasons Resort Hualalai, Hawaii
Get ready to hula you way into the next decade at Four Seasons Resort Hualalai. The Kona hotel is hosting a Havana Nights New Year’s Eve Gala, complete with a rum bar, vintage cars for Cuban street vibes, and a cigar roller. Tasty Cuban bites include Cuban tamales, yuca frita, ceviche, lomo saltado, camaronep, Paella de langosta, pollo asada, flan de coco, and arroz con leche. The party, which is held at the grand entrance of the resort overlooking the signature pool and the ocean, will also feature live music by the band Impulse and a poem composer who types custom poems on the spot on a vintage typewriter. Stick around for the private fireworks show at midnight. From $395 per person.
The Cape, a Thompson Hotel, Cabo San Lucas
The New Year’s Eve party at The Cape is ideal for foodies and music lovers who also appreciate epic ocean views. The evening starts with a lavish dinner ($268 per person) prepared by multi-award-winning Chef Enrique Olvera at his restaurant on property, Manta. This year, he’s bringing the spirit of his famous restaurant Pujol for a one-night-only mash-up menu of both dining hotspots. After dinner, head to the rooftop party for musical performances by Breakbot & Irfane, Yuksek, and Aeroplane. while El Arco loom in the background. The morning after, The Cape is hosting The Cure Day, a poolside barbecue. Entrance to party from $225 per person, $450 per person for private cabana.