Glide into winter on a glistening sheet of ice. Hotels around the world have constructed rinks for the holiday season and many are available for private events. Here’s 12 of our favorite picks (no judging scandal involved).
The Arrabelle at Vail Square, A RockResort in Vail, Colorado
Show off your triple axel at Alderhof Ice Rink, just a few strokes outside of The Arrabelle at Vail Square. Now, that would be a great party trick. Guests will feel like they were transported to a European village at this picturesque rink. The Arabelle has 81 guest rooms and 5,200 sq. ft. of meeting space.
The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas
Las Vegas is known for lucky sevens, but you can perfect your figure eights at The Cosmopolitan. Ice skating is all the rage on The Strip now that the NHL expanded to Sin City. It’s the inaugural season for the Golden Knights, but the sixth year of The Cosmopolitan’s rooftop winter wonderland, which is open from Nov. 20 to Jan. 10. Olympic gold medalist Kristi Yamaguchi will be on hand to light the Christmas tree on Dec. 4. The 4,2000-square-foot ice surface has 13 rinkside fire pits available for group reservations to roast s’mores, in addition to a menu of wintery cocktails such as Egg Noggy Nog, Scrooged and Rebel Without a Clause. The Cosmopolitan has 3,027 guest rooms and 150,000 sq. ft. of meeting space.
Dolder Grand in Zurich, Switzerland
Sharpen your blades cause it’s time to skate at Dolder Grand in Zurich. Built in 1930, the 64,000-square-foot Dolder Kunsteisbahn is the largest open-air ice rink in all of Europe. It is lit with 11,000 LED lights and torches. In addition to skating, Dolder Sports offers activities for groups of up to 150 guests, including curling and snow sculpture building. Guests can enjoy fondue and other treats at the rinkside chalet. The hotel has 175 guest rooms and 30,000 sq. ft. of meeting space.
Fairmont Scottsdale Princess in Scottsdale, Arizona
Go for the gold at Fairmont Scottsdale Princess, where you can skate in the middle of the desert. The 6,000-square-foot rink invites ice princesses (and princes) to skate under the stars each night from Nov. 22-Dec. 31 during the annual Christmas at the Princess festival. Luxury fire pits are available for rental to roast s’mores and cozy up underneath warm blankets. Local figure skaters entertain during the “Magical Moments on Ice” recital. Through Cox Charities, the winter celebration is raising money for the #LoveUp Foundation, which supports foster children. The AAA Five Diamond resort has 750 guest rooms and more than 150,000 sq. ft. of meeting space, the most of any property in the worldwide brand.
Grand Hyatt Seoul in Seoul, South Korea
Get in Olympic shape in time for February’s Winter Olympics in South Korea. The ice rink at Grand Hyatt Seoul will return on Dec. 1 for its 21st season and close in late February, 2018. Up to 150 skaters can take laps on the rink, which is the site of the hotel’s pool in the summertime. The cliffside venue offers such beautiful views of the city, it has been featured in films and is a popular, romantic proposal site. Grand Hyatt Seoul has 601 guest rooms and 35,000 sq. ft. of meeting space.
Hotel del Coronado in San Diego
At Hotel del Coronado, you can skate right next to the Pacific Ocean. Skating by the Sea is the hotel’s beachfront rink. Returning for its 13th year on Nov. 23 until Jan. 1, the seaside skating rink has pledged to donate a portion of its proceeds to Make-A-Wish San Diego. Group discounts and private party reservations are available. Hotel del Coronado has 679 guest rooms, plus 78 cottages and villas, along with 65,000 sq. ft. of meeting space.
Hotel Plaza Athenee in Paris
Paris is at the cutting edge of high fashion…and skating. From Nov. 26 through Jan. 29, put on your best lace and sequined skating dress and go for a spin at Hotel Plaza Athenee’s quaint La Cour Jardin ice rink. According to The World’s 50 Best Restaurants, the hotel’s Alain Ducasse au Plaza Athénée eatery ranks no. 13. The hotel has 208 guest rooms and 4,000 sq. ft. of meeting space.
Keystone Lodge & Spa in Keystone, Colorado
Straight out of a scene from a holiday card or Hallmark Channel movie, the 5-acre frozen lake at Keystone Lodge & Spa is the largest Zamboni-maintained outdoor rink on North America. Located at the Lakeside Village, skates, hockey sticks and pucks are available to rent in the Adventure Center. Keystone has not only one, but two ice skating rinks. A second skating surface is located in nearby Dercum Square at River Run Village. Keystone Resort & Conference Center is the largest meeting venue in the Colorado Rocky Mountains. It has 150 guest rooms and more than 100,000 sq. ft. of meeting space.
Mohonk Mountain House in New Paltz, New York
The Zamboni is the vehicle of choice at Mohonk Mountain House’s award-winning skating rink. While guests rest their aching feet, they can stay warm next to a 39-foot-tall stone fireplace and enjoy the sites of this castle-like winter paradise. Besides traditional skating, meeting professionals can book a special team-building exercise called human ice bowling. One person sits on a saucer sled and gets bushed across the ice to slide into bowling pins. Admission and rental skates are complementary to overnight hotel guests. Mohonk has been hosting meetings since 1869. It has 259 guest rooms and suites, in addition to five cottages, and 10,000 sq. ft. of meeting space.
Omni Mount Washington Resort in Bretton Woods, New Hampshire
Lace up at Omni Mount Washington Resort in Bretton Woods, New Hampshire until March 26. Admission is free to hotel guests, but skates cost $10 to rent. The rink is also available to book for private events. Omni Mount Washington has 200 guest rooms and 30,000 sq. ft. of meeting space.
The St. Regis Atlanta
Careful not to slip at The St. Regis Atlanta. Skate under the big top at the Astor Holiday Ice Rink beginning November 24. Meeting professionals can rent the rink for private functions and treat their guests to a full menu of tasty delights. The AAA Five Diamond hotel has 151 guest rooms and more than 16,800 sq. ft. of meeting space.
The Watergate Hotel in Washington, D.C.
One of the liquids you’ll find at The Watergate Hotel this winter is frozen. In its inaugural season, Top of the Skate lets you skate right up to the ledge of the roof and up to the Top of the Gate bar for a drink. The synthetic ice surface is much smaller than a traditional rink, but it offers 360-degree views of the nation’s capital unlike any other. When not gliding around, guests can make a reservation to kick back in four heated igloos that seat up to eight people apiece. Four dining experiences are offered, ranging from a three-course tasting menu with wine or tea pairing to a whisky flight accompanied by burgers and cigars or afternoon tea. The Watergate Hotel has 336 guest rooms and 27,000 sq. ft. of meeting space.