Fireworks are as synonymous with New Year’s Eve celebrations as bottles of Champagne and resolutions we’re never going to keep. As the hours tick over, there’s usually a different part of the world bidding farewell to one year and bringing in another with a loud and colourful fireworks show.
Certain cities do it better than most, from the classic ball drop in New York City to the lively Hogmanay festivities in Edinburgh. With more than 400 million annual visitors to HotelsCombined, we’ve popped the Champagne and put on our party hats to find the best hotels around the world for watching New Year’s Eve fireworks.
Grand Hotel Reykjavik – Reykjavik
The luxurious Grand Hotel Reykjavik doesn’t skimp on the festive celebrations, bringing in the New Year with a five-course dinner, bonfire, live music and, more importantly, fireworks. Part of this takes place in the Grand Brasserie an atmospheric restaurant serving fresh local ingredients.
The hotel also offers post-NYE relaxation with pampering massages and treatments at Reykjavik Spa. You’ll also be able to rest comfortably in the modern rooms and suites, which all have lounge seating, complimentary Wi-Fi and tea and coffee makers. The Junior Suites are particularly perfect for New Year’s Eve, thanks to the in-room Jacuzzis and breakfast-in-bed service.
Why You Should Stay Here
- The grand NYE dinner and celebrations, including fireworks viewing.
- Located within 1.5 kilometres of the Húsdýragarðurinn Zoo & Park and Grasagardur Botanical Garden.
- Has a gym, day spa and beauty salon.
Star Rating: 4*
Price: USD 242 – USD 343
Guest Rating: 8.2
Address: Sigtun 38, Laugardalur, Reykjavik, Iceland
Crowne Plaza Times Square – New York City
The annual ball drop over Times Square is watched by millions every year. Many choose to watch it on TV or stand squashed like sardines with thousands of tourists in Times Square. But not you. You’ve got the best view in the city from your room, suite or the hotel’s restaurant. The hotel also has a fitness centre, indoor pool and a lounge bar.
If you want to see Times Square from your room, we recommend booking the King Bed Times Square View, which has plush bedding, a work desk, lounge seating and a corner position. During New Year’s Eve you can also organise a bottle of Champagne to be brought to your room or join the festivities in the on-site restaurant.
Why You Should Stay Here
- Excellent views of Times Square from certain rooms and the on-site restaurant.
- The well-equipped gym, lap pool and business centre.
- About a five-minute walk from Radio City Music Hall.
Star Rating: 4*
Price: USD 3,885 – USD 7,163
Guest Rating: 8.2
Address: 1605 Broadway, Theatre District, New York City, United States
The Balmoral Hotel – Edinburgh
Want to celebrate New Year’s Eve in style? Get dressed to the nines for the black-tie Hogmanay Gala Ball at The Balmoral Hotel. The evening is hosted in the hotel’s extravagant ballroom under antique chandeliers and includes live traditional music, a magnificent Scottish dinner, wine and canapés. Oh, you’ll also have uninterrupted views of the fireworks over Edinburgh Castle.
Prefer to see the fireworks from your room? We recommend staying in the Deluxe Castle View Room, which has a king-size bed, desk and lounge seating. Upgrade to the Castle View Suite for an Italian marble bathroom and separate living room. You can kick off the celebrations with a classic cocktail in Bar Prince or spend the next day enjoying a pleasant High Tea in Palm Court.
Why You Should Stay Here
- Has more than 500 whiskies at Bar Prince.
- The elegant New Year’s Eve ball with gourmet dining and entertainment.
- Located next to the Edinburgh Waverley train station.
Star Rating: 5*
Price: USD 244 – USD 1,207
Guest Rating: 9.4
Address: 1 Princes Street, Old Town, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
Pier One Sydney Harbour Autograph Collection – Sydney
Pier One Sydney Harbour Autograph Collection offers boutique accommodation with over-the-water suites overlooking Sydney Harbour Bridge. These holiday havens typically have private balconies, king-size beds and lounge seating. Active travellers will appreciate the well-equipped fitness centre and bicycle rentals.
The on-site festivities are divided into two distinct experiences. You can indulge in a six-course dinner at The Gantry Restaurant framed by the NYE fireworks over Harbour Bridge or party beyond the countdown along the pier with DJs, pop-up bars and street-food stalls. The next day you can enjoy a buffet breakfast or start late with brunch at the rooftop Cafe Sydney.
Why You Should Stay Here
- Has multiple dining and drinking venues with views of the fireworks over Harbour Bridge.
- About five minutes’ walk from the Sydney Theatre Company and BridgeClimb Sydney.
- Stylish over-water suites with plush bedding and lounge furnishings.
Star Rating: 5*
Price: USD 3,719 – USD 3,720
Guest Rating: 8.5
Address: 11 Hickson Road, Walsh Bay, Dawes Point, Sydney, Australia
Copenhagen Admiral Hotel – Copenhagen
Housed in a centuries-old former granary, Copenhagen Admiral Hotel combines history with elegance during its annual New Year’s Eve Gala. The evening includes a Champagne welcome, exquisite dinner paired with wine, live music and views of the midnight fireworks over the harbour. The breakfast buffet is perfect for recovering from the New Year’s Eve festivities the next day.
The stylish rooms and suites include natural finishes and contemporary entertainment. The standard rooms come in Single, Double or Double Deluxe options with work desks, flat-screen TVs and lounge seating. However, if you want views of the harbour, book the Tower Suite Waterfront View, which has an adjoining sitting area.
Why You Should Stay Here
- The idyllic waterfront location perfect for watching the NYE fireworks.
- Offers bicycle and electric car rentals for exploring the city.
- About 850 metres from the Guinness World Records Museum.
Star Rating: 4*
Price: USD 448 – USD 594
Guest Rating: 8.4
Address: Toldbodgade 24-28, Copenhagen City Centre, Copenhagen, Denmark
London Marriott Hotel County Hall – London
The extravagant London Marriott Hotel County Hall offers the perfect setting for watching the New Year’s Eve fireworks in London. It overlooks the River Thames, including the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben, and puts on an all-night celebration encompassing DJs, welcome drinks, canapés, unlimited beer and wine and fireworks viewing.
After the party, you can retire to one of the opulent rooms or suites, all of which have marble bathrooms and luxe bedding and furnishings. The Balcony Suite is our pick for New Year’s Eve, thanks to its separate living room and private balcony overlooking the Thames and London Eye. Chill out the next day with a swim in the pool or a workout in the gym.
Why You Should Stay Here
- Authentic British dining on the bank of the Thames at Gillray’s Steakhouse & Bar.
- The River Thames View Suite with dining table, private balcony, living room and complimentary breakfast.
- Located next to the SEA LIFE Centre London Aquarium and The London Dungeon.
Star Rating: 5*
Price: USD 1,744 – USD 17,313
Guest Rating: 8.9
Address: County Hall Westminster Bridge Road, Waterloo, London, United Kingdom
W Amsterdam – Amsterdam
You can see various New Year’s Eve fireworks displays around Amsterdam, but Mr Porter, the signature restaurant at W Amsterdam, is considered one of the best restaurants for dining and fireworks viewing. It has a social island-style bar and live DJs throughout the evening. You can also attend the New Year’s Eve event at W Lounge, which features live DJs and a terrace overlooking the city’s fireworks.
Prepare yourself for an evening of revelry with a pampering massage or rejuvenating body soak at Away Spa. You can also work out in the well-equipped gym or relax the next day with a swim in the rooftop pool at Wet Deck. Most of the rooms and suites have city views, but the WOW Suite is particularly memorable for its circular bed, bath and fireplace.
Why You Should Stay Here
- A range of rooms and suites with city views.
- Central accommodation near the Royal Palace Amsterdam and National Monument.
- The New Year’s Eve party, rooftop pool and cocktails at the stylish W Lounge.
Star Rating: 5*
Price: USD 886 – USD 2,183
Guest Rating: 8.2
Address: Spuistraat 175, Burgwallen-Nieuwe Zijde, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Pousada de Lisboa – Small Luxury Hotels Of The World – Lisbon
Part of the exclusive Small Luxury Hotels of the World group, the 5-star Pousada de Lisboa is located on the north-west corner of Terreiro do Paço. This is where Lisbon’s free New Year’s Eve celebration takes place, so you’ll see thousands of revellers, live Portuguese bands and vibrant fireworks all from your room’s windows if you stay in the Suite Praça Do Comércio.
The hotel also hosts its own New Year’s Eve celebration, which includes a gala dinner, unlimited drinks, a welcome cocktail or Champagne, dinner and breakfast the next day. Don’t forget to sit down for a meal at Rib, Beef & Wine one night, as the local cuisine is spectacular. You’ll find plenty of opportunities to relax too, whether swimming in the pool, detoxing in the sauna or working out in the gym.
Why You Should Stay Here
- Incredible views of the Terreiro do Paço fireworks from the on-site terrace.
- Hosts an entertaining New Year’s Eve party with inclusive drinks and food.
- Located near the centre of Lisbon’s shopping and entertainment hub.
Star Rating: 5*
Price: USD 1,156 – USD 1,324
Guest Rating: 9.2
Address: Praca do Comercio 31-34, Lisbon City Centre, Lisbon, Portugal
Berlin Marriott Hotel – Berlin
Berlin Marriott Hotel is located about 900 metres from the New Year’s Eve festivities and fireworks between Brandenburg Gate and the Victory Column. Combine this prime location with the wide, city-view windows in the Panorama Executive Room and you’ve got yourself a memorable New Year’s Eve hangout.
The hotel also hosts a New Year’s Eve function in its Lobby Lounge, where you can get dressed up in fancy attire, sip champagne and enjoy evening entertainment before the fireworks. If you’re staying for a few nights, grab a meal at The Big Dog for craft beer and American bar food. You can worry about the holiday carbs later in the on-site gym or just relax in a lounger by the indoor pool.
Why You Should Stay Here
- Located at the historic Potsdamer Platz square.
- Has an indoor pool and a well-equipped gym.
- Offers multiple rooms with panoramic city views for watching the fireworks.
Star Rating: 5*
Price: USD 474 – USD 625
Guest Rating: 9
Address: Inge Beisheim Platz 1, Tiergarten, Berlin, Germany
Renaissance Paris Arc de Triomphe Hotel – Paris
It’s hard to find a better or more private view of the New Year’s Eve fireworks in Paris than from the private terrace of the Paris Sky View Terrace room at Renaissance Paris Arc de Triomphe Hotel. Unless, of course, you’re staying in the Arc de Triomphe Terrace Suite, which has a bath, separate living room and a private balcony with a slightly clearer view of the Eiffel Tower.
Before the fireworks start, venture down to the on-site Makassar Restaurant and Lounge for gourmet French cuisine and wine or enjoy a drink at the adjoining cocktail bar. Active travellers will appreciate the state-of-the-art exercise machines in the on-site gym as well.
Why You Should Stay Here
- Clear views of the Eiffel Tower fireworks from private balconies in certain suites.
- About 400 metres from the Arc de Triomphe and Champs-Élysées.
- Has a meeting event space, on-site parking and a gym.
Star Rating: 5*
Price: USD 724 – USD 1,154
Guest Rating: 9
Address: 39 Avenue De Wagram, 17th arrondissement – Batignolles-Monceau, Paris, France
Belmond Copacabana Palace – Rio de Janeiro
Few hotels know how to celebrate New Year’s Eve better than the extravagant Belmond Copacabana Palace. The hotel is renowned for hosting parties that encompass the entire property, including six-course tasting platters in Ristorante Hotel Cipriani, poolside dining at Pérgula Restaurant and three ballrooms with live music.
At midnight, everything stops for the traditional fireworks show on Copacabana Beach. Then the pool area becomes a dance floor with DJs playing until the new year has well and truly started. Many of the elegant rooms and suites overlook the beach, while Copacabana Palace Spa offers relaxing treatments with Brazilian ingredients, perfect for recovering from a post-NYE hangover.
Why You Should Stay Here
- Luxurious rooms and suites overlooking Copacabana Beach, which is metres away.
- Hosts one of the biggest New Year’s Eve parties in Rio de Janeiro.
- Has a rooftop tennis court, a half-Olympic-size pool and fitness centre.
Star Rating: 5*
Price: USD 728 – USD 1,711
Guest Rating: 9.2
Address: Avenida Atlantica 1702, Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Hotel Catalonia Barcelona Plaza – Barcelona
Hotel Catalonia Barcelona Plaza is located on Plaça d’Espanya, which is one of the two main areas in Barcelona for the New Year’s Eve celebrations and fireworks. Don’t stay here if you want to sleep on New Year’s Eve, because you’ll miss out on experiencing much of the public festivities, including live music, cava drinking and dancing.
Fortunately, once the party is over, you can easily retreat to one of the cosy rooms or suites, all of which have plush bedding, sitting areas and soundproofing. Opt for a Double with Square View if you want to watch the action from your room or splurge on a Suite Terrace for a bath, Nespresso coffee machine and large terrace overlooking the city.
Why You Should Stay Here
- Multiple rooms and suites overlooking the festivities in Plaça d’Espanya.
- Has a pool, solarium, gym and beauty salon.
- You can book massages with the hotel or relax on the sun terrace.
Star Rating: 4*
Price: USD 559 – USD 820
Guest Rating: 8.1
Address: Plaza España, 6-8, Hostafrancs, Barcelona, Spain
The Peninsula Bangkok Hotel – Bangkok
The Peninsula Bangkok Hotel offers a family-friendly setting for watching the New Year’s Eve fireworks in Bangkok. The 5-star hotel has five different dining experiences, including set dinners and buffets, which culminate in watching the spectacular midnight fireworks over the Chao Phraya River. We recommend picking the six-course Thai set dinner at the otherworldly riverside restaurant, Thiptara.
You can also watch the fireworks from many of the rooms and suites, which range from the Deluxe Room with a marble bath, king-size bed and balcony. Upgrade to the incredible Peninsula Suite for antiques, a butler’s room, landscaped terrace, gym and dining room. Don’t forget to soak up the serene river views from the hotel’s three-tiered swimming pool.
Why You Should Stay Here
- Award-winning accommodation overlooking the fireworks and Chao Phraya River.
- Multiple on-site dining establishments serving Thai and international fare.
- Has a gym, pool and a pampering spa with Thai massages.
Star Rating: 5*
Price: USD 267 – USD 890
Guest Rating: 9.2
Address: 333 Charoennakorn Road, Khlong San, Bangkok, Thailand
Bring the New Year in with a Bang
If your New Year’s Eve isn’t complete without a fireworks show, then not only do you need to celebrate in one of these cities, you also can’t stay anywhere but these incredible hotels. Not only do they offer some of the best fireworks views around, but most of them also host their own New Year’s Eve parties, have day spas for recovering after and offer opulent suites.
Where do you want to celebrate New Year’s Eve this year? Let us know in the comments below.
