4 Really Expensive Places to Spend Your Holidays

Advertiser Disclosure ▾

This page contains affiliate links from which we receive a compensation. Like many publications Wise Bread is supported by affiliate commission from partner companies whose products appear on our site. This may influence which products we write about and the location and order in which products appear. We aren't able to cover every product in the marketplace.

Wise Bread Picks

• Travel Rewards Credit Cards
• Cash Back Credit Cards
• 0% Balance Transfer Credit Cards

With Christmas Day falling on a Sunday this year, most workers will get at least a three-day weekend. Many companies even shut down for the entire week from Christmas to Jan. 2, providing as many as 10 days off in a row. That makes this a better year than most to plan a holiday getaway.

Unfortunately, you may not be the only one with that idea. Demand for vacation rentals and experiences during the holiday week drives prices up. And sure, you could find relative bargains in all the popular destinations, but just for fun, let's look at what it would cost to pass the holidays in the grandest of styles at the merriest of destinations.

1. Manhattan

What could feel more like a classic American holiday than spending it in the city of Miracle on 34th Street, Elf, and Scrooged? If you spent Christmas week at the Ritz-Carlton on Central Park, you could walk to the Wollman Rink and to 5th Avenue to admire the shop windows, and stroll the Union Square Holiday Market. You could exchange gifts under the Ritz's gorgeous lobby tree.

What'll It Cost You?

For a week, more than $32,000. A Premier Park Suite at the Ritz-Carlton is $4,500 a night. Ice skating for four at the Wollman Rink is $100. Four orchestra tickets to the Radio City Music Hall Christmas Spectacular are $660. Four tickets to Holiday Inn on Broadway are $800. A carriage ride through Central Park is $140. Two deluxe photo packages at Macy's Santaland are $120. For shopping, restaurants, taxis, and entertainment? The sky's the limit.

2. Disney World

Any time that kids are out of school is a popular time to go to Disney World, sending both the price of lodging there and wait times through the roof. Special holiday shows, parties, and decorations abound as Disney strives to present the happiest holidays, well, on earth.

What'll It Cost You?

More than $34,000. To stay in a Park View deluxe suite the Four Seasons Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort during the holiday week is $3,950 a night. Add $450 for the Dreaming of a Disney Holiday room package, which fills your suite with gifts and snacks from Mickey, Minnie, and Pluto. Five-day park hopper tickets for a family of four run about $1,700, and tickets to Mickey's Very merry Christmas Party add another $400. Because of the holiday crowds, consider engaging a VIP Tour Guide for at least one day, at a cost of $3,600 for six hours, so you can skip lines and zip from park to park through secret entrances.

3. Courcheval 1850, France

You could jet off to Vail for a holiday in powder, but why limit yourself when you could go to the Alps and perhaps find yourself hot-dogging alongside royalty?

What'll It Cost You?

More than $54,000. A five-bedroom chalet with a private ski lift at Courcheval 1850 goes for about $7,600 a night during Christmas week. (If that's not big enough, there's a $12,000-a-night place there that sleeps 12 and comes with its own butler. Haven't you always wanted a butler?) Five days of skiing there for a family of four will be just over $1,000, which is actually quite reasonable.

4. Princeville, Kauai, Hawaii

Not everyone dreams of a white Christmas. Some people dream of white caps hitting the shore as they sip cocktails out of pineapples and wear leis. For that kind of person, who is also independently wealthy or has a ton of SPG loyalty points, a stay at the Princeville St. Regis would be the perfect holiday sojourn. You can zip line and hike on the resort's 2,500 private acres, kayak the Hanalei River, swim in the pool and the ocean, and snorkel or dive without leaving the resort.

What'll It Cost You?

More than $45,000. The 1,800 square foot Presidential Suite (yes, it comes with a personal butler) is just over $6,000 a night. Playing 18 holes on the resort golf course is $200 per guest. A 90-minute Bespoke Oceanside Couples Massage is $700. Stand-up paddleboard rentals are $160 per person for two days.

Like this article? Pin it!