In every corner of The Set, Christmas takes on a life uniquely its own. Across continents and cultures, each destination captures the season’s universal spirit – warmth, generosity, and connection – while celebrating the local traditions that make their festive moments truly unforgettable.
Barefoot Wonder – Nay Palad Hideaway, Siargao
At Nay Palad Hideaway in the Philippines, Christmas is an intimate, soulful celebration of community and culture. Guided by the Filipino spirit of bayanihan (togetherness), guests become part of an extended family, feeling relaxed, joyful, and reflective.
One of the most cherished traditions is Noche Buena, a midnight Christmas feast shared under palm-fringed skies. Grilled seafood and fish are the stars of the festive menu – including kinilaw na tanigue (Siargao’s ceviche) infused with coconut, calamansi, and island spices.
Decorations reflect Nay Palad’s sustainable philosophy: iridescent capiz shells illuminated by candlelight, and handcrafted wooden Christmas trees decorating each villa. Little ones can craft their own parol – the iconic star-shaped lantern symbolising the victory of light over darkness – or learn the art of puso weaving, the woven rice pouch that symbolises the heart of Nay Palad.
Timeless Warmth – Round Hill, Jamaica
In Jamaica, the festive season carries its own rhythm. Traditions include sipping extra-spirited sorrel, enjoying rum-soaked fruitcake, and revelling at Grand Market on Christmas Eve. The celebrations continue with Jonkonnu masquerade bands parading through the streets and legendary dancehall events like Sting on Boxing Day.
As Round Hill’s Managing Director Josef Forstmayr shares:
“Christmas is the ultimate family reunion. You feel you check in as a guest and leave as part of the family.”
True to Jamaican tradition, the resort undergoes its annual Christmas Clean each September, emerging refreshed and glowing for December’s festivities. This year’s theme, Coral & Champagne Dreams, draws inspiration from the sea. Local artisan Richard “The Strawboss” creates coral-inspired décor from natural materials, while vibrant reds of sorrel blossoms and poinsettias infuse the resort with festive colour.
The soundtrack to the season is unmistakably Jamaican – live Mento and Reggae fill the air. Culinary creations by Chef Martin Maginley feature curried goat, gungo peas and rice, and baked Christmas ham, all sourced locally through the resort’s Living Green initiative.
A Season of Contrast and Connection – The Upper House, Shanghai
In Shanghai, where old-world elegance meets modern innovation, The Upper House celebrates Christmas as an opportunity to pause and reconnect. Although not a public holiday, Christmas is widely embraced as a time for social gatherings and gratitude.
Guests enjoy cookie and gingerbread baking sessions, festive movie nights, and moments of quiet reflection amid the scent of fresh pine and warm spices.
The culinary experience is a fusion of East and West. Chefs Anthony and Tony craft menus that blend classic Christmas comfort with Shanghai sophistication – from roast turkey and mulled wine to spiced duck, seasonal dim sum, and desserts infused with osmanthus and black sesame.
The Spirit of Gratitude – Mykonos, Greece
In Mykonos, at Myconian Deos, Christmas is a time for rest and reflection as the hotel closes for the season and reopens in spring. The island itself, however, glows with quiet celebration.
Homes are filled with the scent of melomakarona and kourabiedes, sweetened with honey, cinnamon, and roasted nuts – scents that evoke childhood memories. Children sing kalanda (carols) door-to-door, their small triangles ringing in the streets as families welcome them with sweets or coins.
On the Greek islands, it’s traditional to decorate wooden boats, symbols of hope and safe return for sailors. Today, these glowing boats share space with Christmas trees in village squares – a beautiful blend of old and new. Candles flicker in whitewashed churches, and the island feels at peace. It’s a tender, human side of Mykonos that few ever see.
Theatrical Splendour – Hotel Café Royal, London
In London, the Christmas lights of Regent Street sparkle as carol singers gather beneath the Trafalgar Square tree. It’s the season of ritual, warmth, and wonder – of mince pies, mulled wine, and magical performances.
This year, Hotel Café Royal embraces The Nutcracker as its festive theme, filling its grand halls with toy soldiers, live ballet performances, and enchanting décor. The spirit extends to the kitchens: whimsical desserts at Albert Adrià’s Cakes & Bubbles, elegant tasting menus at Alex Dilling’s two-Michelin-starred restaurant, and Afternoon Tea featuring chocolate choux and chestnut confit in the gilded Café Royal Grill.
At the Green Bar, guests sip aromatic mulled wine and spiced apple on the winter terrace aglow with shimmering lights – a quintessential London Christmas.
Many Stories, One Sentiment
Across The Set, Christmas takes many forms – from bamboo and coral to honey and song – yet its essence remains the same: a shared experience.
Whether on the white-sand shores of Siargao, under the Caribbean sun, amid Shanghai’s skyline, by the Aegean Sea, or near the chimes of Big Ben, each celebration reflects one simple truth:
The greatest luxury of all is connection.
Warmth. Generosity. Togetherness. This is how Christmas is celebrated across The Set Collection.
