Indeed, it’s easy to have a bad attitude about New Year’s, which is why I’ve come to believe the best decision is just to opt out altogether. And by opt out, I mean get away.
Whether you go with friends, a partner, or my personal favorite, a solo venture, you can use the time to recharge, reflect on the year ahead, or (if you have the energy) have one more festive bout before you embrace a more abstemious routine in January.
Does anyone actually like New Year’s Eve? Not that I know of. It’s not that it’s unappealing to celebrate the start of another year, per say, but just that the expectation to be joyous and light over an entire month is too much for most people. It certainly is for me.
The point is, you’re away-so no matter what you do, it will feel novel rather than enforced. And the best part? There will be no pressure to do anything more than precisely what you want.
Who wouldn’t want to spend New Year’s Eve at the Flemings Mayfair? See details below.
That said, most people are not flush with cash by December’s end. But an escape can be made without upsetting your financial resolutions. Plus, this year New Year’s Eve falls on a Sunday, meaning you can maximize the break over the long weekend. Your January self will thank you-but now’s the time to book.
Swap stuff for travel: A minimalist New Year’s resolution you can start now? Ask family or friends for a contribution to a travel fund in the form of a pre-paid debit card in lieu of gifts. (This also eliminates the inevitable chore of returning gifts you don’t like). You can book and reserve a hotel ahead and then use the card to pay for your accommodation upon checkout. If you’re traveling with a partner or significant other over New Year’s, why not opt out of Christmas gifts for each other and make a pact to spend it on a trip instead? It gives you one less thing to buy on Amazon.
Staycation: When the inevitable question of “What are you doing on New Year’s?” arises-and you plan to do exactly nothing-why not transplant that mindset to a nice hotel room or rental. A bath, a robe, bougie snacks and a bottle of champagne (or green juice, if that’s your thing) and you’re set. It doesn’t take much more energy than staying in, but it’ll feel like a treat, your transportation cost is zero, and you have a great cover story: “I’m going away for the night!” Search hotels in the days between Christmas and New Year’s Eve, when rooms that haven’t sold will be reduced on websites like booking.com, hotels.com, lastminute.com, and the Hotel Tonight app.
A dip in one of Reykjavík’s thermal pools on New Year’s Day sounds like a great hangover cure.
If you want to go all out: If, unlike me, you are thrilled about New Year’s Eve and all the promise it holds-and you don’t mind spending a bit to celebrate-there are plenty of destinations beyond Times Square that are bucket-list worthy. Reykjavik, Iceland is known for is city-wide celebrations (and not to mention thermal pools for a dip on New Year’s Day) while Strasbourg, France’s legendary Christmas markets are a great way to extend your holiday cheer to the bitter end. In North America, Toronto’s official celebrations are known to give Manhattan a run for its money and both Miami and New Orleans party predictably hard. If you’re after fireworks, Singapore and Sydney are both said to put on not-at-all low key displays.
Go to a retreat: On the other hand, if your goal is to bypass the spirited festivities all together, then your best option is to go within. There are many meditation and yoga retreats all over the world for people who’d rather work on themselves then drink champagne over the festive period, and a slew of websites on which to find them. Start with bookyogaretreats.com
Spend the first day of the year on a SUP yoga retreat. Why not?
Choose your travel days wisely: No matter what you do, the day you definitely don’t want to be flying out is New Years Eve, as it’s a known day for busy travel. However, if you want a deal, look for a return flight on New Year’s Day, when most people will be hungover rather than in-flight. If you start your trip on Thursday or Friday, you’ll still have had a long weekend break, and hopefully still have a full day off on the 2nd before you’re back to reality.
A stay at the Cliff House Maine: Way better than a Christmas sweater. Details below.
Act quick: For Quartzy readers, we gathered some package deals both near and far (depending, of course, on where you’re reading from) that you can snap up right now-or use as some travel inspiration.
- In London, the newly-refurbished Flemings Mayfair Hotel is offering luxury accommodation, a 7-course tasting menu on New Year’s Eve by Michelin starred chef Shaun Rankin, and a crucial English breakfast the next day for a rate starting at £465 ($627) plus taxes. Two night minimum stay
- The Motif Hotel in downtown Seattle has an attractive deal for first-time visitors: A 2 night stay and a bottle of local Seattle liquor (with accompanying mixers for custom cocktails) to ring in the New Year with. Rate start at $160 plus taxes.
- In Miami, The Diplomat Beach Resort is offering a special New Year’s Eve room rates starting at $349 per night. If you’re ready to get down, the party-complete with an all-white theme, very Miami-starts on Saturday, December 30th and finishes in the wee hours of New Year’s Day, to the accompaniment of live music.
- Ring in the New Year in coastal Maine at the Cliff House, which is offering a package that includes a two night stay and $150 resort credit, a prix fixe dinner, dancing with a live band and full bar, and, of course, fireworks. Rates start at $415.
- For a Holy Land-worthy New Year’s head to the stunning Efendi Hotel in the ancient city of Akko, Israel. The hotel is offering a six course pairing menu on New Year’s Eve-starting with hors d’oeuvres on the hotel rooftop overlooking the Mediterranean. Room rates start at $325USD plus taxes, with the dinner experience costing roughly $85. Hotel guests get a 10% discount off of dinner.
