After a cosy Christmas at home, New Year provides an opportunity for a brilliant glamorous mini break, or a few days relaxation in the UK or further afield
If you’re starting to think of a last-minute New Year’s jaunt, either with family or friends, Hetty Chidwick is here to help. Below please find our list of the best places to go for New Year, which still have some availability, from a classic Paris Grand Dame hotel to a super cool party in Marbella.
In fact, even if you do have plans, cancel them: these New Year minibreaks are going to be better.
Old School luxury: Foxhill Manor, Cotswolds
This eight bedroom boutique hotel in the heart of the Cotswolds is the sister hotel to Dormy House, a favourite of the Country Life set. This new year, guests can relax at Foxhill Manor with a private chef and butler or scoot over to Dormy House to join the party with pop up food stations, band, DJ and dance floor with fireworks to see in 2016 in true English fashion.
A one-night stay over New Year’s Eve starts from £364 per person on a B&B basis. This includes snacks, full use of the House Spa at Dormy House and entry to the Dormy House party. To book visit www.foxhillmanor.com or call 01386 852711
Lower Mill Estate is a well-established haven for the eco conscious. Set in 550 acres of lush countryside, these houses have been built right in the middle of one of Europe’s most significant nature reserves.
Many properties sit lakeside, like Bryony. This house sleeps ten people comfortably and makes for a perfect family getaway; the estate is well-known for being safe and child friendly.
There is an award-winning spa, a unique lily-filtered eco pool and private chefs can be arranged on request.
Ballihoo, the restaurant on the estate has just opened and offers a fantastic opportunity to see in the New Year in style.
Habitat Escapes offers a three night stay at Bryony on the Lower Mill Estate from £1,725 on a self-catering basis and including access to the Lower Mill Estate Spa arriving 30 December 2015. 01285 869489 www.habitatescapes.com
A sea view room at The Idle Rocks
The Idle Rocks boutique hotel was purchased in 2010 by former Chairman of Aston Martin, David Richards, and relaunched in its centenary year of 2013. The hotel now offers guests a home-from-home experience in an idyllic location.
The luxury seaside hotel will be hosting Jamie Oliver’s Fifteen Cornwall for a culinary evening celebrating local produce on December 10th, but if you can’t make that, there are still a few rooms available at The Idle Rocks over New Year. There will be live music and fireworks over the water.
The Idle Rocks has 19 rooms, with rates starting from £200. For more information visit
www.IdleRocks.com.
Supercool St Ives rental: Beachspoke’s Black Moon
One of the UK’s hotspots for a colourful New Year’s Eve, St Ives hosts a riotous street part with fireworks and vibrant fancy dress, turning it into a full blown carnival affair. The St Ives residents go so far as to claim that the fancy dress parade is now the third largest in the UK, after London and Edinburgh.
Beachspoke still has luxurious properties available for booking so you can escape for a cosy night once the riotous evening is done and dusted. For instance, you could watch the fireworks from the balcony of beachside propert Black Moon; the sitting room has an incredible glass floor which looks down into your own private cave/snug.
Black moon £350 for New Year’s Eve
Get away from it all: Pennsylvania Castle
Pennsylvania Castle is an impressive 19th century neo-Gothic property located on the Isle of Portland, set just off Dorset’s majestic Jurassic coastline.
The property sleeps 20 guests – the perfect number for a big New Year’s Eve dinner party. There are nine characterful bedrooms, plus an indoor swimming pool with panoramic views of the coast to sort out any lingering hangovers.
Blue Chip Experience, the concierge branch of the business, can arrange a private chef and wine tasting experience to take away the hassle of cooking so you can all relax and enjoy yourselves without fighting over who does the washing up.
Blue Chip Holidays offer three nights at Pennsylvania Castle in Portland, Dorset from £640 per person based on 20 sharing on a self catering basis and arriving 30 December 2015 and departing 2 January 2016. www.bluechipholidays.co.uk / +44 (0) 333 3317 995
Bright Lights Big City: The Lanesborough
, London
This New Year, a five course gastronomic bonanza awaits you at Celeste, The Lanesborough’s newly refurbished opulent restaurant. Three-Michelin-starred chef Eric Frechon will cook you up dream dishes such as Royal Langoustine ravioli served with claw veloute infused with lemongrass, and roasted fillet of venison with juniper berries, quince confit with cinnamon and celeriac.
A ‘well known’ band will provide the entertainment for the evening, which will be topped off with fireworks and Krug at midnight. For a more chilled affair, The Library bar will have a DJ and small plate menu with Ruinart champagne flowing.
Five course New Year’s Eve menu in Céleste available for £650 per person. New Year’s Eve in The Library Bar from £175 per person including a half bottle of Champagne, a selection of five small tasting plates and a guaranteed table. www.lanesborough.com
Mon Izba in Verbier is Haute Montagne’s piece de resistance. It has one of the largest indoor pools in the resort with floor-to-ceiling glass windows which sink below the terrace and open at the touch of a button.
There is a massage room, hot tub, hammam, wine cellar and cinema – all totally decadent and well worth splashing out on for New Year with 11 of your friends. Sleeps 12 in five bedrooms.
Rates for Haute Montagne’s Mon Izba start at £13,904.04* (CHF 21,071) per night during New Year. Food and alcohol is an additional charge + 10% + TVA. There is a minimum stay of seven nights over the New Year period. *Rates based on today’s exchange rate
One of Europe’s most iconic hotels, Le Bristol was named the first Palace Hotel in France in 2011. Located close to the Elysee Palace, the hotel has just undergone a €150 million restoration which included the addition of a new wing, Spa Le Bristol, two signature suites and 3 Michelin-starred Epicure Restaurant, overlooking the stunning hotel gardens where this year you can celebrate New Year’s Eve with Parisian panache.
Eric Frechon has curated a stunning menu, including decadent caviar and truffles. Top the evening off with an overnight say in one of their lovely rooms or opulent suites.
Seven course New Year’s Eve tasting menu at Epicure available for €1,200 per person. Rooms at Le Bristol start from €830 per night on a room only basis. www.lebristolparis.com
This New Year book yourself into renowned social spot Marbella Club for a fabulous gala dinner and large party. Join the festivities in The Champagne Room and Grill restaurant, which is set to transform for a black-tie cocktail reception with live entertainment from Claude Cohen Trio Jazz Ensemble.
There will be a five-course menu with wine pairing and you’ll feast on delicious lobster, caviar and black truffle. A DJ will kick off later, and there will be an open bar and dancing ‘til dawn in the Champagne room.
To aid recovery on New Year’s Day there will be a Beach Club buffet with champagne on offer and then perhaps extend your stay for a few holes of golf on their famous course.
New Year’s Eve Gala Dinner €370. The New Years Day Beach Club Buffet is €100. Per person
Double Room from approximately €300. Rates are based on double occupancy per room per night. www.marbellaclub.com.
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