17 December 2025
.jpg)
Share
It’s beginning to look a lot like the festive season, and while some travelers are zipping off to the storybook slopes of France and Switzerland, others are discovering that Asia, too, has its own brand of winter magic. Yes, Japan and Korea may lay claim to some of the world’s finest ski terrain, but look a little further and you’ll find a constellation of destinations where temperatures are gentler, yet the festive spirit is dialed all the way up. From powdery peaks to palm-fringed celebrations, here are a few places across Asia where you can revel in your very own winter wonderland.
Park Hyatt Niseko Hanazono
This MICHELIN Key ski retreat, cradled between the Annupuri range and Mount Yotei, fills up quickly each winter thanks to its feather-soft powder, which lures skiers and snowboarders from around the globe. Beyond the hotel’s cozy dining and wellness offerings, the region brings the season to life with the color-shifting LED glow of the Hanazono Symphony Gondola and Saturday night fireworks throughout the winter.For something truly special, Park Hyatt Niseko Hanazono’s Krug Igloo Privé offers a once-per-night private dining experience inside a snow dome, complete with French, Japanese, or Chinese menus crafted by the hotel’s chefs. With Champagne pairings and uninterrupted mountain serenity, it’s an unforgettable way to toast a day on the slopes.
Book Park Hyatt Niseko Hanazono on The MICHELIN Guide →
Intercontinental Alpensia Pyeongchang Resort
Tucked into South Korea’s Taebaek Mountains, the InterContinental Alpensia Pyeongchang Resort is an Alpine-style retreat with a quintessential winter holiday vibe. Guests can make the most of Ski 700, perched 1,485 meters above sea level on the scenic slopes of Mount Balwangsan. It boasts six impeccably groomed trails suitable for skiers and snowboarders of all levels, as well as a sledding slope for little ones.When it’s time to warm up, world-class dining awaits — choose from mountaintop restaurants with panoramic views or the lively Alpensia Resort Town below, where shopping, entertainment, and après-ski options round out the winter escape.
Book Intercontinental Alpensia Pyeongchang Resort on The MICHELIN Guide →
Sitara Himalaya
Escape to the crisp, invigorating heights of the Himalayas this season at Sitara, a Two–MICHELIN Key hotel and the passion project of Good Earth founder Anita Lal. With just 10 intimate rooms perched 2,500 meters above the Kullu Valley, the resort offers sweeping views of snow-capped peaks that feel almost otherworldly.More than a stay, it’s a deeply spiritual retreat — perfect for a Christmas spent differently. Hike along serene trails, practice yoga and meditation, indulge in soothing massages, or simply stargaze beneath the Himalayan sky. Sitara is a celebration of simplicity, elegance, and the kind of quiet luxury that belongs on every traveler’s bucket list.
Book Sitara Himalaya on The MICHELIN Guide →
Waldorf Astoria Beijing
The Waldorf Astoria needs little introduction, and its Waldorf Astoria Beijing outpost certainly lives up to the name. From here, winter adventures are yours to choose: There are nearby ski and snowboard options, and you can embrace the crisp city air while exploring Beijing’s storied streets. Wangfujing’s pedestrian shopping is just a short stroll away, while the Forbidden City sits less than 3 kilometers away.After a day of sightseeing — or simply soaking in the city’s winter charm — retreat to the hotel’s spa for a cinnamon-scented cleansing and exfoliation, followed by a stress-relief massage with nourishing osmanthus oil. It’s a perfect way to unwind, refresh, and end the day in true Waldorf style.
Book Waldorf Astoria Beijing on The MICHELIN Guide →
The Peninsula, Hong Kong
Christmas at The Peninsula Hong Kong is nothing short of magical. The five-star hotel — which boasts Two MICHELIN Keys — goes all out to spread festive cheer, and this year marks its fifth collaboration with Chanel, bringing a spectacular seasonal display to life. Rich, vibrant colors and a mélange of iconic motifs transform the lobby into a winter wonderland that feels straight out of a fairy tale.Exclusive dining experiences with Christmas and winter themes add to the festive allure, while guests seeking a moment of calm amid the holiday bustle can retreat to The Peninsula Spa & Wellness Centre. Here, restorative and invigorating treatments promise blissful relaxation. For the season, two special festive packages come complete with complimentary gifts, letting visitors continue the indulgence long after they leave.
Book The Peninsula Hong Kong on The MICHELIN Guide →
Dwarika’s Sanctuary
Perched high in the Himalayas, Dwarika’s Sanctuary offers the perfect winter escape. Named after its late founder, a businessman and art collector, this One–MICHELIN Key hotel exudes a sanctuary-like calm from the moment you arrive. Yoga decks, an Ayurvedic spa, and a Himalayan salt room set the stage for a restorative wellness retreat.This winter, guests can indulge in an all-inclusive three-night stay featuring nourishing meals, warm nonalcoholic beverages, a personalized Ayurvedic consultation, and a rejuvenating massage. Surrounded by snow-dusted peaks, it’s an invitation to embrace the quiet solitude of the mountains, restoring both body and soul while taking in breathtaking vistas that stretch for miles.
Book Dwarika’s Sanctuary on The MICHELIN Guide →
Amankora
Venture to Bhutan — the happiest place on earth — for a winter retreat that feels both elevated and deeply restorative. Amankora, a Two–MICHELIN Key ensemble of lodges, brings the mountains to your doorstep, with dramatic vistas at every turn and an immersive connection to the natural world.During the festive season, wellness takes center stage: Mornings can begin with grounding yoga or sound baths, afternoons with the meditative art of mandala-making. Christmas Day is a celebration of tradition and warmth across all five lodges, with ancient rituals, folk performances, and a lavish feast at Gangtey Lodge. It’s a season steeped in culture, serenity, and mountain magic — an unforgettable way to spend the holidays surrounded by snow-dusted peaks and timeless Bhutanese calm.
Book Amankora on The MICHELIN Guide →
Rosewood Luang Prabang
Venture to Bhutan — the happiest place on earth — for a winter retreat that feels both elevated and deeply restorative. Amankora, a Two–MICHELIN Key ensemble of lodges, brings the mountains to your doorstep, with dramatic vistas at every turn and an immersive connection to the natural world.During the festive season, wellness takes center stage: Mornings can begin with grounding yoga or sound baths, afternoons with the meditative art of mandala-making. Christmas Day is a celebration of tradition and warmth across all five lodges, with ancient rituals, folk performances, and a lavish feast at Gangtey Lodge. It’s a season steeped in culture, serenity, and mountain magic — an unforgettable way to spend the holidays surrounded by snow-dusted peaks and timeless Bhutanese calm.
Book Rosewood Luang Prabang on The MICHELIN Guide →
Header image: © Sitara Himalaya
