8 hotels you’d rather check into this Christmas than stay home

Christmas doesn’t have to start at home with grocery lists, crowded kitchens and a schedule that needs to be organized days in advance. Sometimes it’s simply better to arrive somewhere where everything is already taken care of: a glass of champagne, a long dinner table, a spa, a winter walk or a dinner you don’t have to prepare yourself. Quality Lodgings has selected eight hotels in the Netherlands and Germany where the holidays feel like a little escape. From fresh sea air on Texel and dining in a historic estate to sleeping above a wine cellar or waking up in a grand hotel, all that’s left to do is check in.

Châteauhotel & Restaurant De Havixhorst – Schiphorst, Netherlands 

For those who prefer to celebrate Christmas in a truly regal way

A historic estate dating back to 1753, champagne with dinner and a fire pit outside serving mulled wine: Christmas hardly gets more classic than this. At De Havixhorst, Christmas Eve begins with five courses, while Christmas Day brings an indulgent seven-course dinner with matching wines. During the day, the surrounding Reestdal invites you to take a winter walk; back at the château, hot chocolate and the fire pit await. And afterward? Simply enjoy having nowhere else to be.

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Boutique Hotel Texel – De Cocksdorp, Netherlands 

For those who would rather feel the winter wind than stay indoors 

First, let the winter wind carry you through the dunes, then head to the spa. Boutique Hotel Texel sits in the heart of the Eierlandse polder and turns the holidays into two days without a packed schedule. On Christmas Eve, a three-course Fien Dining menu awaits, followed by an extensive five-course menu on Christmas Day. Between dinners, there’s plenty of time for the beach, the wellness facilities and Spa Woolness, where even authentic Texel sheep’s wool is used. Christmas, but with salty sea air and plenty of room to breathe.

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Culinair Landgoed Parc Broekhuizen – Leersum, Netherlands 

For foodies who simply can’t settle for one Christmas dinner

Two nights, two restaurants and two completely different Christmas dinners. During Christmas at The Parc, guests enjoy five courses one evening at Bistro LOF, led by chef Zoë Jonker, followed by six courses the next evening at Michelin-starred Restaurant Voltaire, where chef Falco Lens leads the kitchen. The following morning begins with a relaxed Christmas breakfast served à la carte at the table. Christmas at an estate, with food as the main event.

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Hotel Kronenschlösschen – Hattenheim, Germany 

Christmas above a wine cellar with 70,000 bottles

Beneath this romantic hotel on the Rhine lies a wine cellar containing more than 70,000 bottles and over 3,000 different wines. As if that weren’t reason enough to stay, Christmas Eve begins with homemade mulled wine at the Almhütte, followed by dinner in the festively decorated hotel. With 29 individually designed rooms, antiques, marble bathrooms and the Rhine right outside, it has everything you need for a classic Christmas centered around wine.

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Parkhotel Quellenhof Aachen – Aken, Germany 

For those dreaming of a classic grand-hotel Christmas

Champagne, chandeliers, long dinners and Aachen’s Christmas market just a short walk away: Parkhotel Quellenhof captures the atmosphere of a classic grand-hotel Christmas. The hotel, dating back to 1916, celebrates the holidays with four-course dinners on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, while Boxing Day begins with champagne and an extensive Christmas brunch. Staying overnight? The next morning, head straight to the 900-square-meter spa.

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Am Ochsentor & PURS – Andernach, Germany 

One Christmas, three restaurants 

Why choose just one Christmas dinner when you can try three completely different culinary experiences? In Andernach, Christmas at PURS Luxury Boutique Hotel becomes a little culinary journey. Guests choosing the full Christmas package can experience three distinct cuisines: a six-course menu at PURS Nordic Japanese, a four-course Italian menu at Ai Pero and an evening inspired by the Japanese kaiseki-ryōri tradition at YOSO. And after all that dining, historic Andernach is waiting to be explored on foot.

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Hotel-Restaurant Erbprinz – Ettlingen, Germany 

Christmas markets by day, fine dining by night

Spend the day sipping mulled wine at the Christmas markets in Ettlingen, Baden-Baden or Strasbourg, then return for champagne and a four-course dinner prepared by Michelin-starred chef Ralph Knebel. Hotel Erbprinz combines the magic of the Christmas markets with 1,500 square meters of wellness facilities, including a pool, saunas and even a snow cabin. The next morning, there’s only one decision to make: another round of spa time or one more Christmas market?

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Hotel Die Sonne Frankenberg – Frankenberg, Germany 

Mulled wine beneath the city’s largest Christmas tree

Half-timbered houses, twinkling lights and a historic market: in December, Frankenberg looks like something straight out of a Christmas movie. Hotel Die Sonne is located in the heart of the old town, where Christmas Eve begins with mulled wine, stollen and cookies at the hotel’s own Advent hut, right beside Frankenberg’s largest Christmas tree. Afterwards, settle in for a four-course dinner at Sonne Stuben or opt for five courses at Restaurant Philipp Soldan. After mulled wine, Christmas markets and dinner, the next day awaits at the Sonne Spa.

View the Christmas package.