Hotels
New Year’s Eve breaks: 9 hotels to see in the new year
Fireworks over the Sydney Opera House, bonfires and rockets in Reykjavik and champagne high above London. These are the hotels where we would spend New Year’s Eve, from Europe’s great cities to the polar night on Svalbard.
There is something liberating about spending New Year’s Eve in a hotel. No washing up, no planning who brings what, just an evening made for celebrating. You go down to dinner, out into the streets at midnight and back to a freshly made room once the rockets have fallen silent.
Some cities turn New Year’s Eve into a street party, others give you the view. We have gathered nine places to welcome the new year, from Europe’s great cities to Madeira, Sydney and Svalbard, with one hotel in each.
The links to the hotels are partner links. If you book through them, Picolo may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. You choose your own dates and room on the hotel page.
How to choose a New Year’s Eve hotel
Decide whether you want to be in the middle of the party or watch it from a distance. A hotel with a view of the fireworks gives you the best of both. Always check whether the hotel hosts its own New Year dinner or party, and book a table early.
City celebrations: London, Copenhagen, Berlin, Vienna and Prague
Fireworks over the water: Madeira and Sydney
Nordic and different: Reykjavik and Svalbard
New Year in Europe’s great cities
London: Shangri-La The Shard
London welcomes the new year with fireworks over the Thames and the London Eye, as the whole city gathers along the river. Shangri-La The Shard sits high up in The Shard, with city views from almost every room.
There are two bars and an indoor pool, and Borough Market is right below. Here you watch the city glitter beneath you as midnight approaches.
Book your New Year stay: See rooms at Shangri-La The Shard
Villa Copenhagen
The rooftop pool, with Copenhagen all around you.
Copenhagen: Villa Copenhagen
In Copenhagen the Danes set off rockets from every street, and City Hall Square fills with people as the clock in the tower strikes twelve. Villa Copenhagen occupies a grand former post office building, a few minutes from Tivoli.
There are two bars and two cafés, and the rooftop pool is one of the most photographed in the city. Guests love the location.
Book your New Year stay: See rooms at Villa Copenhagen
Hotel de Rome
The roof terrace above Bebelplatz.
Berlin: Hotel de Rome
Berlin celebrates New Year in style, with a huge street party at the Brandenburg Gate and fireworks across the city. Hotel de Rome is on Bebelplatz, a few minutes from the Gendarmenmarkt and Unter den Linden.
There are two bars and a spa, and the roof terrace looks out over the opera house and the domes of Mitte.
Book your New Year stay: See rooms at Hotel de Rome
Hotel Sacher Wien
The red salons are as elegant as their reputation suggests.
Vienna: Hotel Sacher
Vienna sees in the new year with balls, classical music and a New Year’s trail through the centre. Hotel Sacher stands opposite the State Opera and is home to the famous Sachertorte.
St Stephen’s Cathedral is a few minutes away, and the hotel has a restaurant and a fitness centre. From the opera to the hotel bar is a matter of minutes.
Book your New Year stay: See rooms at Hotel Sacher
Four Seasons Hotel Prague
The hotel sits on the Vltava, close to Charles Bridge.
Prague: Four Seasons Hotel Prague
In Prague crowds gather in Old Town Square and on Charles Bridge at midnight, and the fireworks are reflected in the Vltava. The Four Seasons is on the river, a few minutes from the Old Town Square.
There is a spa and an indoor pool, and guests praise the helpful staff. The view across the river to the castle is especially lovely in winter light.
Book your New Year stay: See rooms at Four Seasons Hotel Prague
Fireworks over the water: Madeira and Sydney
The Cliff Bay
The hotel sits on the cliffs above Funchal, looking out over the bay.
Madeira: The Cliff Bay
The New Year fireworks over Funchal are among the most famous in the world. The whole bay lights up, and ships anchor offshore to watch. It is mild, so you can stand outside in evening wear without feeling the cold.
The Cliff Bay sits on the cliffs above the ocean, with three restaurants and a spa. From many rooms you look straight out over the bay where the fireworks are launched.
Book your New Year stay: See rooms at The Cliff Bay
Park Hyatt Sydney
The Opera House at sunset, seen from the hotel.
Sydney: Park Hyatt Sydney
Sydney is one of the first great cities to celebrate the new year, and the fireworks over the Harbour Bridge and Opera House are famous worldwide. It is midsummer, so you can celebrate outdoors until late.
Park Hyatt is in The Rocks, a few minutes from Circular Quay, with views of the Opera House. Breakfast is included, and there is a spa.
Book your New Year stay: See rooms at Park Hyatt Sydney
Nordic and different: Reykjavik and Svalbard
Reykjavik: The Reykjavik EDITION
Icelanders welcome the new year with bonfires around the city and fireworks that almost everyone takes part in. At midnight the whole sky above Reykjavik lights up, and with luck the northern lights join in.
The Reykjavik EDITION is by the harbour, a few minutes from the Harpa concert hall, so the centre and the waterfront are on your doorstep.
Book your New Year stay: See rooms at The Reykjavik EDITION
Funken Lodge
The fireside lounge is the place to warm up after a trip into the dark.
Svalbard: Funken Lodge
On Svalbard it is the polar night at New Year, and the sky is dark around the clock. It makes for a unique New Year atmosphere and good chances of seeing the aurora. Read more in our article on New Year’s Eve under the northern lights on Svalbard.
Funken Lodge is in Longyearbyen, a few minutes from Svalbard Church. Breakfast is included, and guests are particularly happy with the staff.
Book your New Year stay: See rooms at Funken Lodge
When should you book a hotel for New Year?
New Year’s Eve is one of the most popular nights of the year, and hotels with the best views or their own party sell out early. Book in the autumn if you can, and reserve your New Year dinner at the same time. Many hotels require a minimum stay of two or three nights over New Year.
Book your room and New Year dinner together
Check whether there is a minimum stay
Ask for a room with a view of the fireworks
Prefer Christmas? See our Christmas breaks: 21 festive hotels. Heading to Scotland? Our guide to the best hotels in Edinburgh covers Hogmanay, one of the biggest New Year parties in the world.
Frequently asked questions about New Year’s Eve breaks
Where is the best place to spend New Year in Europe?
London, Berlin, Edinburgh and Madeira are among the best-known places to celebrate New Year in Europe. London and Funchal have huge fireworks displays over the water, Berlin hosts a street party at the Brandenburg Gate, and Edinburgh celebrates Hogmanay over several days.
Can you spend New Year’s Eve in a hotel?
Yes, many hotels host their own New Year dinner or party, or offer views of the fireworks. It is an easy way to celebrate without planning or washing up. Check what the hotel offers and book dinner at the same time as your room.
When should you book a New Year’s Eve break?
It pays to book in the autumn, especially in cities with famous fireworks such as London, Madeira and Sydney. Many hotels require a minimum stay of two or three nights over New Year, and the best rooms go first.
Where can you see the northern lights at New Year?
Svalbard, northern Norway and Iceland all offer good chances of the northern lights around New Year, as it is dark for much of the day. Reykjavik combines a lively New Year celebration with the possibility of aurora outside the city.
Where is warm on New Year’s Eve?
Madeira is mild on New Year’s Eve and has one of the world’s most famous fireworks displays. Sydney celebrates in midsummer. For more sunshine, see our guide to where is hot in December.