12 Hotel New Year's Eve Parties To Crash
Choosing which New Year's Eve fête to attend is stressful, and the pressure is on from December 1st. You can go the "I hate New Year's, so I'm just gonna do something low key" route, or leave it to the last minute and join fellow revelers and out-of-towners at these hotels' events. From sit-down-dinner galas to laid-back cocktail parties, and from the city to the mountainside, these parties have something for every end-of-the-year party animal.
Spending New Year's in New York City means one of two things: either you're braving the cold, crowds, and Kathy Griffin to watch the ball drop in Times Square, or you're counting down at one of the city's many (many) glitzy events. The Waldorf Astoria hosts their annual New Year's Eve Gala, a grand and glamorous evening where partygoers are dressed to the nines and dance the night away, after choosing one of a few dinner options at either the Peacock Alley or the Bull & Bar. Then, the new Hyatt 48 Lex is putting on their NYE: Up All Night, Sleep All Day package. They help you kick the night off with a complimentary bottle of champagne, invite you to spend New Year's Day (hungover) in bed ordering room service, and give you the next night (January 1) free.
Boston's XV Beacon is kicking off 2012 with their "NYE at XVB" package, which includes a bottle of Tattinger champagne, an invitation to the manager's reception in their wine cellar, a fireworks display from the hotel's gorgeous rooftop, and a boozy brunch on New Year's Day at Mooo...
Or if it's warmth you're after, downtown LA's new, huge, and hyper-modern JW Marriott is hosting a tequila-soaked soiree at their Mixing Room cocktail lounge. A DJ will be spinning, Tequila Avion will be on hand to concoct specialty cocktails, and sparkly hats and streamers will be on offer for a midnight champagne toast. Don't miss the chance to take tipsy photos in the photobooth.
And just slightly further afield, the Viceroy Palm Springs is offering a NYE Package with accommodations in a one bedroom villa, a dedicated concierge, bottle of Dom Perignon waiting for your arrival, five course dinner with wine pairings at Citron, balcony access for their big countdown party, breakfast for two, a couple's massage, and, mercifully, late checkout. Then, back east though still in the heat, the Viceroy Miami has two party packages (the "Open Bar" and the "Table" packages) to take advantage of for their evening's fete, both of which include champagne for a midnight toast.
Spending New Year's Eve up in the mountains is underrated, though. So Vermont's Topnotch Resort & Spa will host a festive, family-friendly dinner and a midnight champagne toast. For dinner, guests will enjoy mussels, roasted corn chowder, a succulent prime rib, Hawaiian sunfish, fresh fruits, and an array of desserts. And the Four Seasons Resort Jackson Hole invites snowbunnies to celebrate the New Year, après-ski style. Their party will be at The Peak with hors d'oeuvres, champagne toasts, a live DJ, and the chance to win a handful of gifts lift tickets and overnight stays.
The nation's capital will be partying like its 1929, with their New Orleans-circa-1920s-themed party at The Liaison Capitol Hill's Art and Soul Restaurant. Chef Art Smith (one of Oprah's favorite people) is cooking up a four-course dinner of baked oysters, brown butter-roasted chateaubriand, and duck crepes. And the restaurant will have a live jazz band playing end of the era hits and a midnight champagne toast.
And at the city's Donovan House hotel, book into their NYE Package for dinner for two at Zentan, a champagne toast at midnight complete with fireworks, a balloon drop, and party favors, and breakfast for two in the morning.
Hotels in the Windy City invite you to come in from the cold and celebrate the coming of 2012 in style. The Affinia Chicago will host a dinner at Marcus Samuelsson's C-House with a special menu, followed by an open bar New Year's party at their indoor lounge and rooftop bar. The city's brand
PUBLIC Chicago will kick the night off with a four course dinner at Jean George Vongerichten's Pump Room followed by a party that promises to go all night long. (Photo courtesy of PUBLIC Chicago)