James Bond, Lady Gaga, and a Volcano Trip: Over-the-Top New Year's Eve Celebrations
(Photo: Keith Saunders)
By Jennifer Ceaser
Don’t spend another New Year’s Eve with Ryan Seacrest, watching the ball drop in Times Square from your living room sofa. Usher in 2015 at one of these big-time blow-outs — from Vegas to Paris to Bali.
“Casino Royale” party, Banyan Tree Samui, Thailand
(Photo: Jason Lang & Christopher Wise/ROADSHOW IMAGES)
Get your 007 on at this gala dinner soiree, which pays homage to everyone’s favorite British spy (scenes from the “The Man with the Golden Gun,” were filmed in Thailand). The secluded luxury resort, which sits on the Gulf of Thailand in Koh Samui, will be festooned with casino-style decorations throughout, and guests are encouraged to don their finest as they indulge in a special buffet dinner at either the Saffron or Edge restaurant. After dining “like royalty,” head down to the private beach to continue the party, with dancing, fire shows, live music and, of course, champagne to toast the New Year. (dinner party, $430; rates from $1,250)
Las Vegas
It’s all about live music on NYE in Vegas, and casinos up and down the Strip are hosting some of the year’s hottest acts. At The Cosmopolitan, Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga share the stage at The Chelsea (individual tickets are sold out, but room/ticket packages are available from $1,700), and Drake will perform and host the countdown at Marquee Nightclub, where there’s an open bar from 9-11 p.m. (from $150). Wynn Resort’s Tryst Nightclub will ring in the New Year with a party hosted by Bruno Mars featuring DJ Jermaine Dupri (from $75), and Grammy Award-winning DJ Zedd will perform at the resort’s indoor/outdoor XS Nightclub (outdoor tickets from $20). And at Brooklyn Bowl at The LINQ promenade, you can catch New York City’s own The Roots (tickets from $82.50; hotel/concert packages from $699).
Related: The Most Expensive Bottle Service in the World—$500,000 for Champagne in Vegas
Zippin’ Lava Eve, Hawaii, the Big Island
(Photo: KapohoKine Adventures)
This is a whole different kind of party, for thrill-seekers only. KapohoKine Adventures’ inaugural “Zippin Lava Eve” starts with a pickup in Kona and then a drive to Hilo, where you’ll soar 160 feet above waterfalls and the rainforest along an eight-line zip course. Next up is a tour of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park — and once night has fallen, you’ll head to the overlook to see the lava glow reflected in steam at the bottom of Halemaumau crater. Time to party! Check in to the Volcano House — set on the rim of the Kilauea Volcano caldera — where dinner awaits, along with dancing and champagne. ($2,999 for up to four guests, includes round-trip transportation, one-night at Volcano House and all meals)
(Photo: The Peninsula Hotels)
It’s the perfect place to celebrate the New Year — after all, George Gershwin wrote “An American in Paris” while staying at the hotel in 1928. Now the just-reopened, refurbished landmark is ready to show off its shiny new self for the holiday. There will be parties throughout the entire hotel and all promise to be super swanky: The LiLi and L’Oiseau Blanc restaurants will both have a seasonal seven-course menu, while at the Kléber Bar, unlimited caviar will be served alongside champagne. Then it’s down to the grand New Year’s Eve party in the Lobby, which will have a dance floor and live music to count down to 2015. (Gala dinner and lobby party, from $620; rates from $2,232)
Related: Ring in the New Year Like a Baller — The Most Decadent Parties Around the World
White Party 2014, Uma by COMO, Ubud, Bali
Even if Diddy isn’t hosting, this will be a white party for the ages: three different events at different venues at the hotel, which will feature all-white decor throughout — including white orchids, white tablecloths, white candles, and hanging white lights. Guests, who are encouraged to wear head-to-toe white, will feast on a six-course dinner at Kemiri restaurant — which includes lobster with coconut chili jam and tropical fruits — then move on to a dessert buffet at the Uma pool bar, where there will be live music. Then it’s on to Uma Cucina for a New Year’s Eve party with a live DJ. (Dinner, dessert and party, $110; rates from $535)
Related: Where Will You Count Down? A New Year’s Eve Destination for Every Type
Opera and Fireworks, Sydney, Australia
Choose from two different operas in what is one of the world’s most iconic buildings: One is a “greatest hits” of opera and popular music — the lineup includes “Nessun Dorma” (from “Turandot”) and “I Could Have Danced All Night (from “My Fair Lady”) — the other is an award-winning production of “La Bohème,” which features a fully rotating set. At intermission, take in the first of two fireworks shows over the Sydney Harbor — you’ve got just about the best vantage point — and again, once the performance has ended, at midnight. (Ticket for either opera, from $261)
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