STORIES

From Swedish julbord feasts to Italian Christmas Eve vigils, Europe knows how to celebrate the season – and nowhere more memorably than inside its historic hotels. Across the continent, kitchens fill with the comforting scent of cinnamon, roasting meats and mulled wine as chefs prepare menus rooted in tradition. And while Christmas Day itself is a highlight, the weeks leading up to it are just as delicious. Throughout December, these hotels offer indulgent lunches, candlelit dinners and atmospheric tasting menus that capture the warmth and togetherness of the festive season – one plate at a time.

AbanoRitz Hotel Terme

Abano Terme, Italy

At AbanoRitz Hotel Terme, the festive season centres on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. On 24 December, the hotel hosts an elegant multi-course Christmas Eve dinner, followed on 25 December by an aperitif and traditional Christmas lunch with live music in the historic Sala Specchi. In Italy, this Christmas Eve celebration is often known as La Vigilia, a time for families and friends to linger over an unhurried meal, and AbanoRitz leans into that spirit. Beyond the 24th and 25th, December is filled with seasonal menus, special events and a welcoming, celebratory atmosphere – a festive dining experience that stretches well beyond Christmas Day itself.

Vadstena Klosterhotel & SPA

Vadstena, Sweden

Once a 14th-century monastery, Vadstena Klosterhotel & SPA hosts one of Sweden’s most atmospheric julbord feasts. In historic vaulted rooms, the hotel lays out a traditional Christmas buffet on selected dates from late November to 20 December, with herring, salmon, warm dishes and a generous dessert table. Guests are welcomed with glögg and invited to linger over classic flavours in a setting steeped in history. Those who stay on for the “fridfull jul” (Peaceful Christmas) package from 23–26 December enjoy further festive meals, guided tours and time to explore the wintry lakeside town and nearby Klosterkyrkan.

Stufvenäs Gästgifveri

Söderåkra, Sweden

In the quiet countryside of Småland, Stufvenäs Gästgifveri hosts one of the region’s most beloved julbords, served from 14 November right up to Christmas Eve. Long tables glow with candlelight as guests drift between stations laden with local hams, pickled herring, creamy potatoes, saffron buns and jars of homemade sweets. Pine branches, brass lanterns and the soft murmur of conversation create an atmosphere that feels both homely and deeply traditional. It’s festive comfort in its purest Swedish form – generous, warm and wonderfully unhurried.

Bjertorp Castle

Kvänum, Sweden

Sweden’s only Art Nouveau castle, Bjertorp Castle, becomes a storybook setting each December for its “Jul på slottet” (Christmas at the Castle) celebrations. Guests dine in glittering halls on a Christmas experience built around Julens Smakresa – a multi-chapter tasting journey with mulled wine, shared platters, a game buffet and a lavish dessert and sweets table. Local produce and seasonal flavours lead the way, all against the backdrop of grand interiors and the quiet countryside of Västergötland. It’s as close as you’ll come to dining like royalty at Christmas.

Pałac Wojanów

Karkonosze Mountains, Poland

At Pałac Wojanów, festive dining takes on the romance of a mountain palace. The Christmas package includes a Christmas Eve gala dinner with a carol concert, followed by a gala buffet dinner on 25 December with live Christmas music. Snow-dusted grounds, a spa for daytime relaxation and historic interiors add to the sense of occasion. With candles, carols and generous buffet spreads, it feels like stepping straight into a Christmas storybook in the foothills of the Karkonosze Mountains.

Blue Have Hotel

Kinsale, Ireland

In the harbour town of Kinsale, The Blue Haven Hotel brings a coastal flair to festive dining throughout December. The hotel and its sister venues in the Blue Haven Collection host Christmas party nights, sit-down dinners and mix-and-mingle events, with Christmas-inspired fine dining in its restaurant Rare and more relaxed celebrations in the bar and at Hamlets. Menus showcase the region’s best ingredients – freshly caught seafood, artisan cheeses and slow-cooked local meats – alongside festive cocktails and a gentle soundtrack of carols and conversation. Step outside into streets lined with lights and sea air, and it’s clear why The Blue Haven is a cherished part of Kinsale’s holiday season.

Shibden Mill Inn

Halifax, England

Tucked in a wooded valley in West Yorkshire, the 17th-century Shibden Mill Inn has long been known for its atmospheric Christmas season. The inn offers festive menus throughout December (with special dates for Christmas Eve, Boxing Day and New Year), serving traditional roasts, seasonal sides and indulgent desserts in low-beamed rooms warmed by open fires. Locals and visitors alike come for the food, but stay for the crackling hearths, centuries-old stone walls and that unmistakable feeling that nobody does a cosy English Christmas quite like Shibden.

The Hundred House

Shropshire, England

The Hundred House brings a rustic, joyful spirit to Christmas dining. Set in a characterful 17th-century house and tithe barn in the Shropshire countryside, it hosts a Christmas Fayre menu and party nights that are perfect for work celebrations or family gatherings. Guests tuck into hearty seasonal dishes – think roast turkey with trimmings, rich puddings and plenty of festive cocktails – surrounded by crackling fires, thousands of fairy lights and evergreen garlands. Long lunches and lively dinners here feel like countryside Christmas at its best: comforting, generous and full of character.