Somewhere between the shopping and the shipping deadlines, the holidays stopped feeling like holidays. Fairmont noticed. This season the luxury brand is rolling out Fairmont holiday experiences built around a radical little idea: be where you are, with the people you came with.
The campaign is called Wrapped in the Moment, and it runs across more than 90 Fairmont properties in over 20 countries. It is organized around four pillars — craft, storytelling, lobby life and unplugged wellness — and every property tailors its programming to its own city, culture and community. There is also a charitable spine. Fairmont’s multi-year global partnership with Make-A-Wish shows up on the ground this season, from holiday postcards designed by a Make-A-Wish child to cocoa served for a cause.
Why These Fairmont Holiday Experiences Land Differently
Most hotel holiday programming is decoration. This one asks for your participation — and, quietly, your attention.
Make Something With Your Hands
Fairmont Cheshire, The Mere hosts a florist-led wreath workshop on November 26, mulled wine and mince pies included. Fairmont Tokyo turns its festive display team loose on guests in a guided Christmas workshop. At Fairmont Le Château Montebello, Santa’s Workshop takes over the weekends of December 6 and 13 with letters to the North Pole, candle-making and wool crafts.
Elsewhere: chocolate bark at Fairmont Chateau Whistler, ceramic painting at Fairmont Tremblant, ornaments at Fairmont El San Juan Hotel, gingerbread houses with the chefs at Fairmont Amman.
Stories by the Fire
Fairmont Grand Del Mar installs Santa in his own chalet, with daily story time and a Christmas Eve reading of The Night Before Christmas. Whistler goes delightfully off-script on December 19 with a fireside bear talk from a local wildlife expert, then returns to tradition on December 24 with bedtime stories from Mrs. Claus. Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa pairs Mrs. Claus with its historic lobby.
The Lobby Is the Whole Party
Fairmont New Orleans opens November 2 with Martinis, Marys & Mistletoe at Café by Emeril — think Creole spice, pickled okra and Gulf shrimp as garnish. Fairmont Royal York dresses CLOCKWORK for Festive Afternoon Tea from November 21 through January 3, live piano included. In Abu Dhabi, Fairmont Bab Al Bahr pours Wishworthy Hot Cocoa all December at AED 55 a cup, benefiting Make-A-Wish UAE. Rio brings an afternoon tea on December 19 and Orquestra do Forte, a social project lifting young musicians from the city’s favelas, on December 20.
Permission to Unplug
Fairmont Mayakoba leans into vinotherapy and a New Year temazcal ceremony. Fairmont El San Juan offers moonlight sound healing beneath its Banyan tree. Whistler sends guests cross-country skiing. Fairmont Singapore keeps it charmingly low-tech with 12 Days of Festive Pause — one small prompt a day on the in-room screen.
Book It
Availability varies by property, and some experiences welcome locals as well as guests. Check the individual hotel, reserve early, and plan to arrive with nowhere else to be.