Each week, NewsWhistle contributor Norah Lawlor compiles a list of trendsetting and newsworthy items from around the globe.
This week, Norah names the world’s poshest places to ring in the New Year.
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1. Aspen, Colorado
The poshest of Colorado’s resort towns, Aspen, has long been considered a winter hotspot for the jet setting rich and famous and as such, New Year’s Eve marks the pinnacle of winter season celebrations. It’s a destination filled with luxury, fireworks, champagne, snow, fur-adorned socialites and street parties.
On New Year’s night, why not enjoy an exquisite mountain dinner at one of Aspen’s finest restaurants, like Element 47 at The Little Nell Hotel, which offers soulful American cuisine with a distinctive, artistic flair. Executive Chef Bryan Moscatello is serving a festive 4-course prix fixe alpine dinner, featuring alba and perigord truffles, wagyu strip loid, wild turbot and venison, in addition to celebratory deserts designed to end the year on the most divine note.
Alternatively, head to Aspen’s first private members-only club, The Caribou Club, to ring in the New Year for an exceptional black tie event. The Caribou has been known to attract celebrities over the years from Paris Hilton, to Michael Douglas, Dennis Quaid, Diana Ross, Sylvester Stallone, Julia Roberts, Don Johnson and George Hamilton. For New Year’s Eve 2015, the club is offering a Grand Degustation, 5-course tasting menu, including Veal Tartare, Barbecued Quail, Salmon Sashimi with lemongrass sorbet, and White Truffle Risotto. There will also be favors, cocktails, DJ and dancing.
For more information on Element 47 visit www.thelittlenell.com/
For more information on The Caribou Club visit www.caribouclub.com/
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2. St. Barts, Caribbean
Paul McCartney once exclaimed how thankful he is every single time he finds himself on the chic Caribbean island of St. Barts. And who are we to argue with a Beatle? St Barts is heaven on earth, and a fantastic New Year’s Eve destination, with nearly half of the world’s super yachts taking up residence on the island for the final days of the year. Every year, billionaire tycoons, music stars, and Hollywood celebrities visit the island for the holiday season, including Vivo Nevo,Roman Abramovich, Paul Allen,Len Blavatnik, Jon Bon Jovi and Rupert Murdoch.
Stay at the stunning Taiwana Hotel, a boutique hotel ideally located at one end of the Flamands bay, next to iconic Isle de France, one of the most beautiful beaches of St. Barts. The property has a beach restaurant, a hair and beauty salon, two clothing boutiques, a swimming pool and private serviced beach. The hotel Taiwana, which is famed for hosting Hollywood stars on New Year’s night, will offer an exclusive dinner menu with the sound of the amazing DJ Philippe Paris. Aside from the lavish parties on super yachts moored in Gustavia Harbor thrown by the super-rich, there are also plenty of live music and celebrations across the island, and fireworks at midnight.
For more information on Taiwana Hotel visit http://www.hoteltaiwana.com/en/hotel/
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3. The Bahamas
The island nation of The Bahamas, located just southeast of Florida, is a popular New Year’s Eve destination. Apart from its glorious weather and natural splendor, Bahamas is in its full vibrant mode come late December, with the Junkanoo Carnival on December 26th which is filled with all-night partying and parades. Featuring music, street performers, and colorful costumes, these parades, a Bahamian take on Mardi Gras, also takes place on January 1.
Stay at the One&Only Ocean Club, an island resort renowned for its legendary sophistication and contemporary elegance. The Ocean Club serves as the secret escape of the world’s elite and reflects the refined qualities of an elegant estate. It has drawn celebrities since its inception such as Robert De Niro, Bruce Springsteen, Michael Jordan and Hilary Swank. The terraced steps of the Versailles Gardens with 12th-century Augustinian cloisters, lead down to one of the finest beach in the Bahamas. The steps will be the background for the Masquerade Ball Theme Gala Dinner for New Year’s Eve, with a cocktail reception around the pool followed by a seated dinner and after party.
The soon-to-be-completed Baha Mar resort, which is being developed outside Nassau on the island of New Providence, once opened, will serve as another excellent choice for accommodation in the Bahamas, with stunning views of the ocean and excellent dining options. Baha Mar’s stunning, 9,000 square-meter casino will be the largest in the Caribbean, and one of the most compelling and exciting gaming experiences in North America.
For more information on the One&Only Ocean Club, visit https://www.oneandonlyresorts.com/one-and-only-ocean-club-bahamas
For more information on Baha Mar resort, visit www.bahamar.com/the-destination/the-resort/
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4. St. Moritz, Switzerland
Top alpine resort town St. Moritz in Switzerland is also a top destination for New Year’s Eve. Some of the glitziest New Year’s Eve bashes are held in St. Mortiz, with elegant galas and private parties entertaining guests before spectacular mountain top fireworks displays. St. Moritz has always been a magnet for royalty, prominent personalities and cosmopolitans who spend their leisure time in the heart of the Upper Engadin Alps.
Soak up the luxury at the Kulm Hotel, a five-star palace situated in the heart of St. Moritz which has been open since 1856. It boasts gorgeous views of the Engadine Valley and lake, and the Kulm Spa. Sunny Bar at the Kulm Hotel is one of the best places to be seen after dark in St. Moritz, and Chef de Cuisine Hans Nussbaumer pampers guests with French culinary delights at The K restaurant. For a quality night out, visit Badrutt’s Palace Hotel’s renowned King’s Club, which attracts party-hungry celebrities and night owls who turn night into day to the pulsating music of famous DJ’s, and The Dracula Club, a social institution in St. Moritz since its opening in 1974.
There’s plenty to do in St. Mortiz, from admiring its aquamarine lake, emerald forests, and aloof mountains, to riding the cable car up the striking mountaintop. Just don’t be convinced into riding a toboggan down the three-quarter mile ribbon of polished ice known as the Cresta Run!
For more information on the Kulm Hotel St. Moritz, visit www.lhw.com/hotel/Kulm-Hotel-St-Moritz-St-Moritz-Switzerland
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5. London, U.K.
On New Year’s Eve, the British capital comes alive with celebrations, fireworks and parties. London has a cornucopia of glitzy celebrations to choose from.
The Black Tie Masquerade Ball at legendary Mayfair members-only nightclub, Annabel’s, is a very tempting option to ring in the New Year. For a long time Annabel’s catered for a clientele that comprised mainly aristocracy and royalty, including Prince Charles, but in recent years it has been closely associated with London’s new rich, celebrities such as Kate Moss, and politicians – most famously David Blunkett.
The Masquerade Ball will be a glamorous evening including a celebratory four-course dinner, excitement with a magician, and a fantastic live acoustic performance by The In Crowd, a trio who will roam around the club performing classic hits which are sure to get the party started. At midnight, in keeping with tradition, Scottish pipers will welcome in the New Year, after which the revelry will continue until the early hours.
For more information on membership, visit www.annabels.co.uk/
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Norah Lawlor is a New York based global trend and travel observer in addition to being the founder and owner of Public Relations strategy firm Lawlor Media Group.
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PHOTO CREDITS
Lead-in Image Courtesy of Holiday Inn (1942), NBC Universal
Aspen Image Courtesy of The Little Nell
St. Barts Image Courtesy of The Taiwana Hotel
Bahamas Image Courtesy of The One&Only Ocean Club
St. Moritz Image Couretsy of The Kulm Hotel
London Image Courtesy of Annabels
