Holiday Gift Guide 2022: Unique Hotel Gifts

Luxury hotels are all about experiential joys; not just linen and bathrooms but everything that contributes to the mood-creating mise-en-scene of a stay; the crockery, fragrance, lighting and furniture. In recent years, hotels are also expanding into luxury goods such as luggage or accessories that will fit into a stay at the world’s finest hotels.

Claridge’s Mayfair hamper

A traditional gift of well-heeled, well-connected Brits at Christmas, a wicker hamper (aka gift basket) stuffed with luxury foods is a chance to bestow largesse in the most generous way possible. Claridge’s hotel in London has eleven to choose from but the Mayfair Hamper (£795) is particularly redolent of hotel’s many charms, including star-cut coupe glasses, its own Claridge’s gin, cookery books from the hotel’s kitchen and bar, plus jams and chutneys galore, parmesan-infused drinks biscuits or a slice of spiced Christmas cake and chocolate-coated hazelnuts are the perfect accompaniment. (£795)

Glenmorangie A Tale of The Forest whisky

Incorporated within luxury behemoth LVMH, the venerable Highland distillery of Glenmorangie now has a luxury hotel with six maximalist bedrooms and three cottages within a 300-year-old farmhouse and parts of an 18th-century house and walled gardens that feed into an acclaimed dining room. For a taste of its expansiveness, a bottle of its most recent blend should hit the spot. Director of Whisky Creation, Dr Bill Lumsden, brought back an ancient method of kilning barley with botanicals for A Tale of The Forest (£75). In this case, he chose juniper berries, birch bark and heather flowers. (£75)

Marriott Luxury Collection Globe-Trotter suitcase

Enabling you to make a sterling first impression, stalwart British company Globe-Trotter has collaborated with Marriott’s Luxury Collection of hotels. Designed by Sofia Sanchez de Betak, these suitcases (€2,192) (56x38x20cm) aim to transport their owners to the Med. Outside, they are a sunny blend of blue and white, with black leather trim and gold-coloured hardware. The interior of each piece is lined with cotton linen and features a colorfully illustrated map of one of four destinations, inspired by Mykonos, Athens, Santorini, and Messinia.

Olebar Brown swimming trunks

Perfect to flag up a forthcoming holiday to this most culturally resonant of St Barts resorts, these exclusive edition swim shorts (£300) have been custom designed by Orlebar Brown, with a photographic print of Eden Rock hotel. Featuring a mid-rise waist with adjustable side fasteners, these mid-length shorts have quick-drying fabric for all-day wear.

Aman shoulder bag

Founded by cerebral hotelier Adrian Zecha, this hotel group has now introduced a small selection of – very discreetly branded – gifts, including this shoulder bag (from £2,220) made in Italy from the finest calfskin leather, which comes in both black and mink. Lined in soft goatskin, the bag’s interior has several compartments including a central zip pocket. Currently only available within Aman resorts and shops, should you need an excuse to head to the new Aman New York

Edition Hotel pouf

Famed hotelier Ian Schrager’s collaboration with Marriott, Edition hotels like to play with expectations. This pouf (£1,449) made in Italy is a striking and witty example. Created to look like marble but soft enough to sink into, it was designed by Maurizio Galante with a 48cm sphere shape.

Orient Express Au Depart Tote

An amuse-bouche while Accor readies its new Orient Express hotels and trains launches in 2023 is a luggage collaboration with Au Depart, a French company that has been making understated but very luxurious accessories since 1834. Responsible for the luggage of explorer and writer Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, this very elegant travel tote (€3,950) is designed for a weekend jaunt, the tote features Au Départ’s signature three-dimensional monogram in Italian calf leather.

Fife Arms candle holder

The Fife Arms in Braemar – owned by gallerists Hauser & Wirth – sets new standards for hotel gifts by concentrating on the local and sustainable and a particular focus on artisan crafts. This silver-plated candle holder (£50), created by McLean of Braemar, has been made using a red deer antler from the estates surrounding The Fife Arms.

The Newt Cosy Night In Hamper

In the heart of Somerset, The Newt – sister hotel to Babylonstoren in South Africa brings winter warmth to the fore with its Cosy Night In hamper (£165). Unpack its contents and you’ll find a Kendal throw in gray herringbone, plus a candle scented with Heliotrope plus a bottle of Babylonstoren Cabernet Sauvignon and candied ginger dark chocolates

Mama Shelter table china

A collaboration between the Mama Shelter group and graphic artist Juliette Seban, this crockery brings a playful approach to French history. With a conscious ditching of formality, the range (from €6) even includes a pizza plate and is made in Portugal. Prices are delightfully reasonable too.

Gleneagles woolen blanket

In Scotland, a posh picnic is never complete without a blanket (£110) and Gleneagles has selected a version in 2-ply luxury Saxony lambswool in two colourways, inspired by the autumnal landscape around the hotel.The pure wool blankets are woven by Lovat Mill, in the town of Hawick in the Scottish Borders are designed to be robust enough for picnics yet soft enough for use in the home.