These 3 Hotels Go All Out for the Holidays in the Middle East and Africa

Ring in year-end festivities with style at these exceptional hotels in Africa and the Middle East. And expect to be surprised and indulged beyond measure as you leave it to the experts to make the celebrations everything you’ve dreamed of.

Once you’ve booked a stay at these hotels, all you have to do is show up and focus on making lifelong memories. Don’t forget to snap a photo or two — the decorations and activities at these hotels are sure to be epic.

As always, check for travel guidelines and closures before planning your trip.

Get in the Holiday Spirit in Dubai

Located on the glamorous Palm West Beach, with a stretch of pristine sand and sparkling sea flanked by Dubai’s ever changing skyline, Marriott Resort Palm Jumeirah, Dubai pulls out all stops to make the holiday season sparkle.

Eat your way through a signature Christmas Eve dinner and Christmas Day brunch at Levantera, a restaurant that celebrates flavors and dishes from around the Levant. Those with a sweet tooth will find much to love in the restaurant’s enticing dessert bar.

The hotel’s rooftop restaurant, Above Eleven, hosts a unique Feliz Navidad Party, a themed Christmas Eve party that’s guaranteed to have you swinging and grooving all night long.

Get some much-needed relaxation and pampering at Saray Spa. Couples can sign up for a romantic couples massage followed by a special dinner at award-winning Japanese eatery, OKKU.

Children get to have the most fun during the holiday season — and rightfully so. The hotel decorates for the season, and the Kids Club, with its Gingerbread Man mascot, hosts festive, family-friendly offerings, including a Letter for Santa station, a build-a-bear activity and the charming Santa Grotto.

Dance the Night Away in Le Morne, Mauritius

When the holiday season approaches, the JW Marriott Mauritius Resort turns into a fairyland. The festive season may not be snowy or cold at this resort located in the Southern Hemisphere, but it’s full of cheer and fun.

A much-anticipated tree lighting ceremony and a special Christmas market herald the start of the festivities. The following days are filled with activities, including arts and crafts, gingerbread house decoration and a unique forest walk.

Bid adieu to the year with a New Year’s Eve party that includes good food and exciting entertainment. Step into a world of magic in a big tent on the beach, complete with a show that combines the playfulness of a circus with the showmanship of cabaret.

The finale of the magical evening is an extravagant fireworks display. Make sure you wear comfortable shoes as the dancing and revelry go on till dawn.

Live Large in Lusaka

Let the Zambian outdoors and spectacular hospitality of Ciêla, Lusaka, a Tribute Portfolio Resort and Spa make this festive season a truly special one. Ensconced in the wild Zambian countryside, the sprawling hotel celebrates local design, culture and cuisine.

Dive into the holiday spirit at Elements, a restaurant overlooking the Bonanza Golf Course. The restaurant goes all out for Christmas lunch and dinner with Zambian and international dishes, live entertainment, children’s games, face painting and more.

That’s not all, either — at The Barnyard, the hotel hosts a monthly market with a vibrant atmosphere with entertainment, stalls by local artisans, candle-making, paint and sip sessions and a host of children’s activities.

And if you’re looking for a fine dining experience during your stay at the hotel, check out Botanica, which is helmed by Chef Ray T. Juru. The modern Afro-French restaurant focuses on using Indigenous ingredients to create a sustainable menu.