Where to Ring in the New Year 2026

New Year’s Eve doesn’t always call for noise. Sometimes, it asks for distance. A different sky. A hotel room where the year ends softly, without explanation. These getaways aren’t about fireworks or forced resolutions: they’re about crossing into January feeling lighter, unnamed, unbothered.

Gulmarg, for instance, continues to seduce winter lovers with its frosted slopes and cinematic mountain air. Powdery mornings give way to gondola rides that hang above endless white, and après evenings glow beside crackling hearths.

As Pia and Krishna Shivdasani, Co-Founders and CMO of KnowYouKnow, describe it, “Gulmarg is a great New Year getaway for friends who want to experience a true winter holiday. With snow-covered landscapes and ice all around, it’s perfect for skiing, snowboarding, and other adventure activities. The Gulmarg Gondola is a must-do for breathtaking views and fresh snow experiences.

If you believe the best way to welcome a new year is to be somewhere else entirely, not just the North, this is your sign to LEAVE.

Marari Beach, CGH Earth, Kerala

On Kerala’s coastline, an hour or so from Kochi Airport, Marari Beach by CGH Earth delivers a slow-burn Christmas with a strong sense of the destination. Ranked among India’s top luxury resorts, the property’s 55 acres unfold like a coastal village, with thatched-roof cottages, acres of coconut groves, lily ponds, farms, and a relatively uncrowded beach perfect for dawn walks and swims. The vibe is unhurried and quietly stylish: earthy architecture, open-to-sky bathrooms, and a strong emphasis on local materials, eco-sensitive design, and very sustainably-rooted operations.

Seamlessly weaving in the life of the local fishing community, guests can join early-morning boat landings, interact with fisherfolk, and get a front-row understanding of the rhythms that shape this shoreline. Christmas here is intimate and deeply rooted in place: expect a traditional Syrian Christian lunch that celebrates the region’s centuries-old culinary heritage, with recipes and flavours passed down through generations.

Instead of over-the-top décor, the property leans into conscious creativity. Christmas trees and festive installations crafted sustainably and by hand by the CGH Earth team, often using natural or upcycled materials. Ideal for families, couples, and reflective solo travellers looking for warmth without excess.

Check them out here

Jim Corbett Marriott Resort & Spa

This New Year, trade the city buzz for birdsong and retreat into the wild, where luxury, serenity, and slow living unfold in perfect harmony. Escape to Jim Corbett Marriott Resort & Spa, set between the Malani Hills and the calm Kosi River. Indulge in Ayurvedic therapies at Quan Spa, savour Kumaoni flavours at The Corbett Kitchen, and unwind in the at Chaukori over a traditional high tea featuring pakoras, roasted corn, and masala chai. For adventure, sunrise safaris and village trails make for unforgettable moments.   

As the year draws to a close, the resort comes alive with thoughtfully curated New Year celebrations. Intimate pre-New Year evenings at Sal Bar set a relaxed, celebratory tone. New Year’s Eve then takes shape as an elegant under-the-stars gala with live stations and spirited toasts, while the following morning welcomes guests into the new year with a leisurely brunch amid fresh air, music, and quiet cheer.

Whether you’re planning a scenic family escape, a cosy couple’s retreat, or a soulful New Year recharge in the wilderness, Jim Corbett Marriott Resort & Spa promises a winter sojourn wrapped in warmth, celebration, and quiet wonder.

Check them out here.

The Holland House, Nashik

Ring in the New Year amid vineyard mist and French-chateau romance at The Holland House, Nashik: India’s first Master of Wine Sonal C Holland’s exquisite private getaway operated by amã Stays & Trails. Picture champagne welcomes, heated-pool soirées, candlelit dinners in a 14-seater hall with carved lion motifs, and guided tastings led by an in-house sommelier.

With vineyard-view suites, sunlit conservatory lounges, landscaping for fire lit strolls, and menus paired to perfection, this wine-country retreat transforms NYE into an indulgent, sensory escape: a quiet luxury celebration where the final toast lingers longer than the clock striking midnight.

Check them out here.

 Cinnamon Life, Colombo

This New Year, step into a world of celebration at Cinnamon Life Colombo – South Asia’s largest integrated resort and a striking architectural landmark by Cecil Balmond. As Colombo sparkles through the festive period, the destination welcomes guests for a refined winter retreat with 687 elegantly crafted rooms and suites, the serene Kurundu Wellness Spa and a sweeping infinity pool overlooking the Indian Ocean and Beira Lake. Located in the heart of the city’s cultural district, it seamlessly blends design-led luxury, festive vibrance and thoughtful relaxation for a truly elevated New Year getaway.

Over the year-end period, Cinnamon Life transforms into a vibrant celebration hub, bringing together global culinary journeys, indulgent brunches, high-energy New Year’s Eve parties, and thoughtfully curated experiences for all ages. Guests can look forward to signature dining experiences across restaurants such as Quizine, Staten & Bistro, Sapphire Dragon, Yoroko, and Indiya, alongside festive high teas, curated wine experiences at Cloud Wine, and cocktail-led soirées at Gatz and Flux. The revelry culminates with a spectacular New Year’s Eve, featuring glamorous rooftop countdowns, curated fine-dining NYE menus, live entertainment, club-style parties and a grand ballroom celebration at the Lumina Ballroom, creating a season where every moment feels indulgent, immersive and unforgettable.

Check them out here.

Cheetahgarh Resort & Spa, Jawai

Cheetahgarh Resort & Spa in Jawai is rolling out a vibrant festive calendar this season, combining wilderness adventure with luxurious celebrations. Set amid granite hills and the scrub forests that are home to Jawai’s legendary leopards, the resort offers guided safaris with a high likelihood of sightings, along with encounters with the region’s rich birdlife and surreal rockscapes. Guests return to elegant villas: some featuring private temperature-controlled pools, and can unwind with spa therapies or quiet moments overlooking the wild.

The festivities begin on 30 December with a beautifully curated Rajasthani Theme Night, featuring authentic regional cuisine, live barbecue, folk music and dance performances, and a lively celebration of local culture. On 31 December, the resort hosts a grand New Year’s Eve Gala, complete with a live band, DJ-led dancing, global and local culinary selections, interactive barbecue counters, premium beverages, bonfires under the stars, and engaging activities for children. It’s an immersive mix of wilderness, culture, and festive cheer: ideal for families, couples, and groups seeking a distinctive way to welcome 2026.

Check them out here.

Udaipur Marriott Hotel

Ring in the new year with a regal escape at Udaipur’s first-ever Marriott property. Located near the majestic Aravalli Hills and overlooking the serene Fateh Sagar Lake, Udaipur Marriott Hotel offers the perfect setting to begin the year with elegance, renewal, and quiet indulgence. Step inside to discover hand-painted Pichwai art, ornate jharokhas, and a sweeping chandelier staircase that reflect the grandeur of Mewar.

With 226 beautifully designed rooms framing panoramic views of the lake or hills, every moment feels effortlessly celebratory. Whether you’re welcoming the year with loved ones, prioritising wellness, or indulging in elevated dining, spend your days rejuvenating at Quan Spa, enjoying alfresco meals at Okra, and savouring the refined flavours of Ayana, the hotel’s newest rooftop restaurant inspired by India’s royal culinary traditions.

Check them out here.

A New Year getaway isn’t an escape; it’s a quiet edit. A choice to begin again without spectacle. Because sometimes, the most luxurious way to enter a new year is simply not being where you were.

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