Four fabulous party hotels to put the sparkle into 2022
Hedonism has been in short supply in recent times, so it's little wonder that so many are yearning for the party palaces of Ibiza, Dubai or Hollywood. Here's hoping the 2022 is the year when people can really let their hair down once and for all.
For spotting celebs in the bar, getting that perfect poolside Insta snap, or simply dressing up to the nines and hitting the nearby nightclubs, few places can beat these four glamorous hangouts.
Montrose West Hollywood
Los Angeles, USA
Best for: Rock’n’roll vibes
This cool, low-key hotel, just off Sunset Boulevard, is THE place to sight A-listers. Celebs have been known to hang out by the discreet rooftop pool, which has comfy loungers (perfect for posing), a buzzy bar and views over the whole of La La Land. Our room was enormous – big enough for an after-party – with a dramatic black living room area, rock’n’roll music posters and guitars on the walls, along with a bar trolley and giant gold hand-shaped chair. The highlight, though, is its location in Los Angeles’s most star-studded neighbourhood, a stone’s throw from the city’s most iconic nightclubs, including The Viper Room (once part-owned by Johnny Depp) and Whisky-a-Go-Go, which has live music: glam-rock band LA Guns are playing on New Year’s Eve.
Stella loves: The staff – full of local knowledge and recommendations, whether you want to know the coolest live music that evening or the best bagel store.
Out and about: It’s a 10-minute stroll (or two-minute Uber – no one walks here) to members’ club Soho House West Hollywood, which is the place (if you’re a member, of course) to soak up the city: all slouchy sofas, excellent cocktails, beautiful people and a buzzy vibe (sohohouse.com). If you still haven’t spotted enough stars, join a Celebrity Bike Tour, a gently paced 10-mile ride (easier still if you upgrade to an electric bike) that takes you past Rodeo Drive, Paul Smith’s Pink Wall, and homes of the rich and famous, led by a charismatic actor-guide (from ￡55 per person, bikesandhikesla.com). Stock up on reading material for the flight home at local indie bookshop, Book Soup, which has great recommendations from knowledgeable staff and regular live reading events (booksoup.com). And for more ideas for New Year’s Eve parties, see visithollywood.com
How to do it: Rooms from ￡215 a night; montrosewesthollywood.com. Read the full expert review here
For more inspiration on where to stay, read Telegraph Travel's guide to the best hotels in Los Angeles
Pikes
San Antonio, Ibiza
Best for: An A-list atmosphere
This flamingo-pink palace, dedicated to fun, famously starred in the video for Club Tropicana – and still has the same palpably hedonistic feel. Its 25 individually themed rooms are clustered around the iconic pool, with loungers reserved for guests only. As for those guests… since it was founded in the 1970s by the late Tony Pike (it was taken over and restored by Dawn Hindle and Andy McKay in 2011), it has hosted Kurt Cobain, Grace Jones, Freddie Mercury, Kate Moss and many more, whose pictures you’ll find painted on the walls in this meandering property. All the action is overlooked by the Sunset Terrace Bar, with its stunning views, and the excellent restaurant Pamelas, which is built around a palm tree (order the tandoori tofu tikka masala). Cat lovers will be in heaven: the resident felines rule the roost.
Stella loves: The inimitable Director of Vibes, Sunny, whose job title could not be more apposite.
Out and about: You’ll need something fabulous to wear, and there is nowhere more fabulous than luxury and vintage boutique Annie’s (Carrer de la Santa Creu, 5, Ibiza Town, anniesibiza.com). Ibiza has beach clubs aplenty – most are closed in winter season but if you’re heading there next summer, our pick is the chic Beachouse (Platja D’en Bossa, beachouseibiza.com), where the food is superb (order the sharing desserts – we loved the Rocher chocolate mousse) and, bonus: you can enjoy it in absolute peace while your little ones have a blast at the superb kids’ club. For a restorative day out, head to the oasis of Santa Gertrudis, where you’ll find pavement cafes and irresistible shopping – you’ll need an extra suitcase after visiting homewares store Siempre (Paseo de Santa Gertrudis, 14).
How to do it: Rooms from ￡160 a night, b&b (note: hotel currently closed but reopens 24 April for the 2022 season); pikesibiza.com. Read the full expert review here
For more inspiration, read Telegraph Travel's guide to the best hotels in Ibiza
Caesars Palace
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Best for: Sheer opulence
This gleaming palace hotel, found on Bluewaters Island across from the famous Dubai Marina is stunning to behold, while inside, the decor is sleek with Romanesque twists. An excellent shout for families, there’s a children’s club, complete with YouTube projector and screening room, and plenty more to entertain, including paddleboards, kayaks and banana boats available on the beach. Meanwhile adults should take advantage of the beachfront waiter service – the frozen margarita and mango mochi from Neptune Bar is highly recommended. There are 10 restaurants and bars to choose from – one of the standouts is Gordon Ramsay’s Hell's Kitchen, which serves an excellent Caesar salad and a mean sticky toffee pudding.
Stella loves: The tranquil Qua Spa – the 30-minute back massage eases working-from-home tension.
Out and about: The sprawling food court, TimeOut Market in Dubai Mall, hosts the best culinary talent in the city (timeoutmarket.com). If you’d like to explore beyond the city, Platinum Heritage’s tours are a good shout – they offer nighttime desert safaris as well as nature ones where you are accompanied by a falconer (platinum-heritage.com). Closer to the hotel is Ain Dubai, the world’s highest observation wheel (it stands at 240m) – private cabins can be booked for special celebrations (aindubai.com). There’s plenty going on across Dubai on New Year’s Eve but we’d recommend heading to Downtown and booking a table at one of the restaurants near skyscraper Burj Khalifa, which will be hosting a pyrotechnic show. Dubai Opera is also hosting a Roaring Twenties-themed gala celebration on 31 December, with a DJ, dancers and three-course dinner (tickets at dubaiopera.com).
How to do it: Five nights from ￡1,429pp, half board, including flights from London Gatwick (book by 30 January 2022); visitdubai.com. Read the full expert review here
For more inspiration on where to stay, read Telegraph Travel's guide to the best hotels in Dubai
Villa Marie
Saint Barthélemy, Caribbean
Best for: Tropical chic interiors
Located high on a hill overlooking the island, this 21-room boutique hotel is an easygoing antidote to the glitz and glamour elsewhere on St Barths. The fashionable interiors have a touch of C?te d’Azur about them, mixed up with furniture sourced from India and Indonesia, and lush tropical plants. A highlight is the pool, surrounded by cacti and mango trees, and home to beautiful, colourful birdlife. Service is first class but delivered with discretion everywhere – from the Fran?ois Plantation restaurant to the small but lovely spa. (Tip: try the coconut scrub.)
Stella loves: The wooden-walled almost-outdoor en-suite bathrooms.
Out and about: There are a handful of beaches and coves a short stroll but it’s worth the 45-minute walk to Gyp Sea beach, home to a bohemian beach club complete with live DJ, cigar cellar and excellent cocktail list (gypsea-beach.com). For a special New Year’s Eve, head to the port of Gustavia, where the start of 2022 will be marked by megayachts wailing their sirens and a firework display.
How to do it: Bungalows from ￡400 a night, B&B; en.saint-barth.villamarie.fr. Read the full expert review here
For more travel inspiration, read Telegraph Travel's guide to the best hotels in St Barts
Edited by: Laura Powell