Some of the most luxurious hotels around the world have collaborated with artists, top designers and brands to provide the most festive, unique and enchanting holiday tree displays. Each tree features a creative flair of art, fashion and a little whimsy.
The history of Christmas trees goes back to the symbolic use of evergreens in ancient Egypt and Rome. The tradition continues with the German candlelit Christmas trees first brought to America in the 1800s. Queen Victoria had her trees decorated in candelit, making it fashionable.
Most 19th-century Americans found Christmas trees an oddity. With the German and Irish immigrants in the 19th century, the first record of a Christmas tree on display was in the 1830s by the German settlers of Pennsylvania.
Combined with gift giving, a festively decorated tree became the centerpiece of the holiday celebrations in homes, public places, hotels and lodges.
The unveiling of Claridge's in Mayfair Christmas Tree draws visitors and Londoners to marvel at its magnificent Louis Vuitton design. Known as a long time friend of Claridge's hotel, the Louis Vuitton eye-catching sculpture exudes luxury on the white and black marble grand lobby.
Back in the 1850’s, Monsieur Louis Vuitton was appointed to Empress Eugénie, wife of Napoleon III, around the same time that The Empress made Claridge’s her winter residence.
Louis Vuitton packed the Empress’s trunks himself for her stays at Claridge’s. The Maison’s first London store opened in 1885 around the corner from Claridge’s. This legendary Louis Vuitton’s trunk has crossed the Mayfair hotel’s threshold holding thousands of guests' precious and valuable items.
Both Claridge's and Louis Vuitton celebrate the Art of Travel in this year's theme tree. Two oversized emblematic wardrobe trunks tower and envelope a magical Christmas tree inside. The trunks display historic Claridge's travel stickers and an extra large Louis Vuitton luggage tag. The tree is made of 15 different size chrome trunks to create a silhouette of a traditional Christmas tree, and is reflective of the Art Deco architecture. Scattered atop the silver trunks amidst a snowy landscape are 21 Louis Vuitton Vivienne mascots.
The popular Riggs Washington DC has partnered with luxury cashmere brand Lingua Franca to display a striking all hand-stitched holiday tree. There is luxe garland and custom ornaments displaying thought provoking messages.
Lingua Franca is a culturally resonant label that handmakes by women ethical products in New York City. It's amassed an A-list clientele that includes actress and producer Resse Witherspoon, and activist Joan Fonda.
This season besides the unique tree, there is a Lingua Franca Cashmere Pop-Up in the lobby for shoppers to create their own custom cashmere sweaters, and giftables for everyone on their list.
Pulitzer Amsterdam Christmas partnered with modern and elegant fashion brand ROKSANDA for their festive seasonal decorations. The creative craftsmanship combines ROKSANDA's signature color with eye-catching depth of fabrication.
The ROKSANDA x Pulitzer Amsterdam Christmas tree takes initial inspiration from the work of Norwegian textile artist Hanne Friis. Friis is renowned for her sculpture, tactile pieces, and challenges tradition with an organic expression of nature and the human body. Swathing large organic forms with richly textured and vibrant material, chromatically and compositionally resonant with many archival ROKSANDA designs.
The project explores tactility and movement, boldly transcending the threshold between fine art, craft, design, fashion and the domestic space. Combining ROKSANDA’s signature surprising color blocking with eye-catching depth of fabrication, the Pulitzer x ROKSANDA Christmas Tree offers seasonal cheer and joy to the brands’ merging communities.
On Oahu's beautiful North Shore, Turtle Bay Resort, Epic Entertainment Group and native artist Jack Soren have designed an enormous and colorful surfboard tree sculpture. Made of 52 six-feet tall surfboards, Jack Soren is deeply rooted in North Shore's surf culture.
Soren taught surf lessons at Turtle Bay before becoming a full-time artist. He believes this sculpture showcases the community's spirit and highlights the idea of celebrations and celebrating. The impressive graphics are marked by lei patterns and abstract tree designs, embodying the essence of the North Shore.
The Dewberry Charleston collaborated with Schumacher, an American design house known for its eye-catching textiles and wallpapers, as its 2023 holiday tree and décor partner. Founded in 1889, Schumacher is one of the world’s premiere family-owned design companies with its fabrics, wallpapers, trims found in homes and favorite spaces worldwide.
Decking the halls of the mid-century modern hotel for the festive season, The Dewberry is one of Charleston’s most buzzed about destinations during the holiday season. The bow-crowned fir tree in the Living Room is a celebration of the seasons along with Schumacher touches. The tree design draws inspiration from the fabrics, textures and colors.
Festive Christmas décor fills some of the national park lodges operated by Xanterra Travel Collection®. The elegant Oasis at Death Valley is decorated for the magic of the holidays. This historic Inn in Death Valley overlooks the sometimes snow-capped Panamint Mountains. Natural springs run right through the hotel and along towering palm trees and flowering bougainvilleas.
The Inn features newer casitas, two spring-fed pools kept at 87 degrees and classic California desert style.
