Best Christmas Hotels in Europe 2025
If you ask me, there’s nothing quite like Europe at Christmas. Think twinkling lights, hot chocolate that actually tastes like Christmas and hotels so beautifully decorated they make you forget what day it is. Maybe you’re escaping for a romantic weekend or planning the ultimate December getaway, this is the season when hotels go all out: trees in every corner, fireplaces that crackle like they’re on cue and festive menus that make you want to dress up for dinner every night.
Of course, many of these festive hotels come with a higher price tag, but honestly, you’re not just paying for a room. You’re paying for the feeling of waking up to snow-dusted views, sipping champagne by the fire, and being surrounded by Christmas magic from morning till night.
I’ve rounded up some of the best Christmas hotels in Europe (places that know how to do the season properly). Some are tucked away in snowy alpine villages, others glow in the heart of cities like Vienna or Prague, but all of them share that same magical mix of luxury and warmth. You don’t just stay at these hotels; you feel Christmas there.
So grab your mulled wine (or something stronger), get comfy, and let’s dream our way through Europe’s most festive hotels – because if there’s ever a time to spoil yourself, this is it.
Just a quick note before we dive in: some of the links in this article are affiliate links. That means I may earn a small commission if you decide to book or buy through them, but it won’t cost you anything extra. I only recommend places and experiences I truly believe in (and often love myself), so think of it as a way to support my work while I keep sharing travel tips with you.
Santa Claus Holiday Village
Rovaniemi
The Santa Claus Holiday Village in Rovaniemi is everything you could dream of for a festive escape. Nestled right on the Arctic Circle, it offers top-quality cabins and suite apartments, lush winter landscapes and the chance to meet Santa himself. High-end accommodation meets family-friendly activities (from husky rides and reindeer sleighs to Northern Lights hunts and snow-cruising adventures). The restaurant scene here is notable too, with warming local cuisine, cosy cafés and plenty of fine touches to make you feel special. Whether you’re travelling with loved ones, friends or just want a magical solo trip, this place turns the Christmas spirit up a notch in a way few others can.
Why we love it: It’s that rare place where luxury, adventure and pure Christmas magic combine on the edge of the Arctic.
Hotel Union Øye
Norway
Hotel Union Øye is one of those places that feels straight out of a fairy-tale. Tucked deep in the Norwegian fjords, it’s the kind of winter escape that makes you believe in Christmas again. Every corner glows with candlelight, fires crackle in old wooden lounges, and the air smells faintly of pine and homemade cookies. The hotel celebrates the season with traditional festive dinners, story-filled evenings, and cosy moments that make you forget the rest of the world exists. Step outside, and you’re surrounded by snow-dusted peaks and silent fjords that look almost unreal in winter’s soft light.
Why we love it: It’s not just a hotel, it’s a full-on Christmas mood – peaceful, traditional, and heart-meltingly beautiful.
Boutique hotel Motto
Vienna
Boutique Hotel Motto in Vienna blends Japanese calm, Scandinavian warmth, and a touch of Parisian chic. All is wrapped in that elegant Viennese charm. During the festive season, the hotel transforms into a cosy city retreat, where twinkling lights spill through the windows and the scent of mulled wine drifts in from nearby Christmas markets. Inside, it’s all soft lighting, plush fabrics, and perfectly curated details that make you want to stay in and soak up the atmosphere. Each room feels like its own little world: calm, stylish, and designed for slow mornings with coffee and pastries while the city hums below.
Why we love it: It’s the perfect mix of festive charm and city sophistication, offering a warm, stylish escape right in the heart of Vienna’s Christmas magic.
The Nimb
Copenhagen
The Nimb is pure festive magic in the heart of the city. Its 38 uniquely decorated rooms and suites blend intimate charm with a timeless, holiday-ready sparkle. During Christmas, twinkling lights from Tivoli Gardens reflect in the windows, creating a cosy, celebratory atmosphere that wraps around you the moment you arrive. Inside, every corner invites you to relax. You can choose between the hammam and spa, the emerald green pool, or on the roof terrace overlooking the winter-lit city. Plush interiors, thoughtful touches, and indulgent amenities make every stay feel like a seasonal treat.
Why we love it: It’s the perfect combination of luxury, Christmas charm, and cosy Copenhagen vibes that will make your holiday unforgettable.
Hotel Pulitzer
Amsterdam
Hotel Pulitzer Amsterdam makes Christmas in the city feel like a storybook. Elegant rooms and suites are full of charm, offering the perfect cozy base to explore Amsterdam’s festive canals and twinkling streets. During the holidays, the hotel’s venues are beautifully decorated, ideal for intimate gatherings or larger celebrations with friends and family. Their seasonal menu brings Christmas flavors to life, while the city itself, with historic architecture and vibrant lights, adds an unforgettable backdrop. Every stay feels like a mix of festive magic and classic Dutch elegance.
Why we love it: It’s a stylish, cosy, and festive retreat right in the heart of Amsterdam, perfect for Christmas escapes and celebrations.
Anantara New York Palace
Budapest
The Anantara New York Palace in Budapest turns Christmas into a luxurious fairy tale. Its Belle Époque architecture, marble façades, and ornate interiors feel extra magical during the festive season, with twinkling lights highlighting the historic charm. Located on Erzsébet Körút Boulevard, it’s a perfect base to explore Budapest’s holiday markets, festive shows, and the Danube’s winter sparkle. Inside, the New York Café offers a decadent pause with golden details, seasonal treats, and an atmosphere that feels like stepping back in time while still enjoying modern luxury.
Why we love it: It’s the ultimate mix of historic elegance, festive sparkle, and indulgent comfort, making Budapest feel truly magical at Christmas.
The Alchymist Grand Hotel and Spa
Prague
The Alchymist Grand Hotel and Spa feels like it was made for the festive season. Nestled in a 16th-century Baroque palace just steps from Charles Bridge, it’s one of those hotels that instantly feels like a Christmas postcard. Prague already oozes charm in December — twinkling lights, roasted chestnuts, soft snow on cobblestones, but this place takes it up a notch. It has gilded interiors, glowing chandeliers and the scent of spiced pastries drifting through the halls.
Each room feels like a secret corner of Prague’s history, dressed in warm tones, antique furnishings and velvet textures that invite you to curl up and stay a while. The Family and Royal Suites even offer storybook views of Prague Castle, especially magical under the winter lights.
Dine on refined Italian cuisine at San Carlo Gourmet Restaurant, or unwind over gingerbread coffee and festive treats at the Barocco Vaneziano Café. For a dose of self-care, the Ecsotica Spa is perfect after a chilly day exploring the Christmas markets or gliding along the Vltava River.
Why we love it: It perfectly blends old-world elegance with cosy Christmas charm: a true fairy-tale escape in the heart of Prague.
Kulm Hotels
St Moritz
If there’s one place that feels like it was made for Christmas, it’s the Kulm Hotel. Picture this: snow falling softly over the mountains, twinkling lights wrapped around pine trees, and the smell of mulled wine drifting through the air. It’s the kind of festive magic that makes you believe in Christmas all over again.
The moment you walk into the hotel, you’re hit with that warm, cosy feeling – crackling fires, glittering chandeliers, and a Christmas tree so beautiful it practically demands a photo. Everything about the Kulm feels timeless, like stepping into an old holiday movie where everyone’s dressed up, sipping champagne, and laughing by the fire.
Christmas Eve here is the big event. Guests gather for a lavish dinner that’s part fine dining, part family celebration, complete with live music, carols, and even a visit from Father Christmas. During the day, you can ride a horse-drawn sleigh across frozen Lake St. Moritz or take in the view from the spa while snowflakes swirl outside.
