The Christmas season is a time to find peace and quiet. Winter walks, visits to a Christmas market, romantic candlelight dinners and extensive spa visits are what makes the season bright.

Hotel Schloss Elmau

Elmau, Germany

Is there anything better than cozying up by the fireplace? © Elmau Castle

An hour's drive from Munich, the five-star Hotel Schloss Elmau is set against the breathtaking backdrop of the Wettersteinwand mountain. At six restaurants – Luce d'Oro has been awarded two stars by Michelin – you'll dine like the gods. The six elegant, quiet spas with indoor pools, as well as wood-heated outdoor infinity pools, saunas, brine steam baths and relaxation rooms, will manage to relax even the most stressed of managers. A visit to the nearyb Christmas market in Garmisch-Partenkirchen is a must until December 23. Right in the center at Richard-Strauss-Platz, you can buy Christmas delicacies and homemade handicrafts.

Hotel Schloss Elmau
In Elmau 2, 82493 Elmau, Germany
Tel.: +49 8823 180
Web: schloss-elmau.de
Price: doubles incl. breakfast from €640

Brenners Park Hotel & SPA

Baden-Baden, Germany

Christmas spirit galore: the hotel goes all out in December. © Oetker Collection

Is there anything more beautiful than the Christmas magic in the enchanted spa town of Baden-Baden? Until January 6, the unmistakable scent of fir trees, Christmas cookies and mulled wine once again lures visitors to Baden-Baden's Christmas market. In front of the Kurhaus, glittering and fragrant stalls spread a magical allure. Artisans show off their crafts and the scent of culinary delicacies fills the air as live concerts are performed daily. A short walk through the magnificent park leads directly to Brenners Park-Hotel & SPA, a real jewel among grand hotels with an eventful past. An international venue where contemporary elegance and tradition merge with incomparable wellness.

Brenners Park Hotel & SPA
Schillerstraße 4/6, 76530 Baden-Baden, Germany
Web: oetkercollection.com
Price: doubles incl. breakfast from €480

The Mark

New York City, USA

The hotel's penthouse suite is the largest in the U.S. © The Mark

A private ballet performance of the famous Nutcracker in your own penthouse? What sounds like a fairy tale is a very real possibility at The Mark in New York. With an enchanting private Christmas spectacle, the New York Theater Ballet casts its magical spell on guests of the largest penthouse suite in the United States. Offering avant-garde design and old-fashioned comfort in the heart of Manhattan's Upper East Side, the hotel is located on the corner of Madison Avenue and 77th Street, just steps from Central Park. A wintery stroll to the legendary Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center is not to be missed on your bucket list at Christmastime.

The Mark Hotel
Madison Avenue AT 77^th Street, New York, NY 10075, United States
Tel.: +1 212-744-4300
Web: themarkhotel.com
Price: doubles incl. breakfast from €1,341

The Charles Hotel

Munich, Germany

The cozy winter village of the Munich hotel will make your winter dreams come to life. © The Charles Hotel/Rocco Forte Hotels

Advent in Munich is a magical time. The original Munich Christkindlmarkt at the city hall dates back to the 14th century. At more than 135 stands, exhibitors offer international specialties from all over the world. From November 21 to Christmas Eve, people drink mulled wine, laugh and indulge on "Schupfnudeln" and other traditional treats. A special highlight is the magnificently decorated Christmas tree, a 25-meter-high Siberian silver fir. As is the enchanting winter village on the tucked-away terrace of the five-star hotel The Charles, opposite the Old Botanical Gardens, where guests are treated to pre-Christmas delights in cozily furnished cabins. To relax before the hustle and bustle of the season, The Charles SPA is the place to be. Treat yourself to a soothing massage and a swim in the heated indoor pool.

The Charles Hotel
Sophienstrasse 28, 80333 Munich, Germany
Tel.: +49 89 5445550
Web: roccofortehotels.com
Price: doubles incl. breakfast from €470

Corinthia London

London, England

Guests are treated to the finest at Afternoon Tea at the legendary Corinthia. © Corinthia London

There's no place like London for the holidays. Sparkling festive lights adorn the entire city, Christmas markets exude winter charm, and ice skating rinks transform London into a magical wonderland. The extraordinary Christmas market between Tower Bridge and London Bridge, "Christmas by the River," transforms the waterfront into Santa Claus Lane. A romantic Christmas walk along the Thames leads to the Corinthia Hotel, where you're greeted by a splendidly decorated Christmas tree in the entrance hall. This November, the new hotel bar "Velvet" opened with heavenly creations by cocktail legend Salvatore Calabrese. End your day at the spacious ESPA Life spa with a dip in the pool, a schwitz in the sauna and a relaxing massage. 

Corinthia London
Whitehall Place, London SW1A 2 BD, United Kingdom
Tel.: +44 20 7930 8181
Web: corinthia.com
Price: doubles incl. breakfast from €1,200

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