Smartphone Light Shows, Live Music, Fireworks? Hotels.com Uncovers Five Unique New Year's Eve Experiences

DALLAS, Dec. 12, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- 3…2…1….Happy New Year! Want to launch the New Year with a large, distinctive experience? Hotels.com® has compiled a list of five of the most diverse New Year's Eve celebrations around the world for travelers to enjoy either this year or in the future.

(Photo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20121212/DA27979)

"New Year's is a fun and festive time to travel and also a great time to resolve to travel more," said Taylor L. Cole, director of public relations and social media, North America at Hotels.com. "Whether looking to book a last minute getaway for New Year's Eve, vowing to unwind on a spa weekend getaway or promising to hit the slopes during a ski vacation, Hotels.com wants to help you fulfill your travel resolution in the upcoming year and find the perfect place to do it." 

Most Interactive Celebration

As one of the first cities to celebrate the New Year, Sydney, Australia, is known for going above and beyond to ring in the New Year. This year the city of Sydney is inviting revelers to download an app and participate in smartphone-generated light shows coordinated with one of the largest firework celebrations in the world - 11,000 shells, 100,000 phyrotechnic effects and 25,000 shooting comets.

Largest Open-Air Celebration

Known as one of the biggest open-air New Year's Eve party in the world, Berlin's New Year's festivities attract over one million travelers. With the Brandenburg Gate as the backdrop, partiers can enjoy over two kilometers of party fun between the Brandenburg Gate and the Victory Column. Enjoy live music and DJs, bars, laser shows, international food vendors, and dance floors. The best part? The party does not require a reservation or a name on a list to attend; it's open to the public!

Highest Firework Celebration

Standing 160 stories tall, the Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building, in downtown Dubai plays host to the world's tallest pyrotechnic displays. The extravagant firework show commences at the stroke of midnight and is broadcasted live to over two billion homes globally. This year, guests can see Snoop Dogg in concert with Faithless, Gorillaz and Armand Van Helden. The Queen Elizabeth 2 will also be docked in Dubai and play host to a New Year's Eve Gala Dinner.

Most Expensive Celebration

Are diamonds, champagne and caviar your style? Then consider kicking off the start of 2013 in South Beach at the club WALL. Costing $700 per ticket, travelers can enjoy an exclusive live performance by world-renowned artist OTTO KNOWS, gain general admission to the club, WET, and enjoy the live New Year's Eve countdown.

Longest Celebration

Hogmanay, the Scots word for the last day of the year, is a three day New Year's Eve celebration in Edinburgh, Scotland, packed with live music, carnivals, torchlight processions, film screenings, a New Year's Day triathlon and Dogmanay (dogsled racing). On New Year's Eve, join 80,000 of your closest friends on the streets below the famous Edinburgh Castle for live music and entertainment, DJ's, outdoor bars and food vendors and the Midnight Firework display.

Find the latest hotel deals and seasonal sales in these fabulous destinations by adding them to your wish list in the Hotels.com Deals For You app on Facebook. To book your last minute New Year's Eve getaway or to get started on your New Year's travel resolution, visit www.hotels.com, call 1-800-2-hotels, use our mobile apps.

Press Contacts:

Megan Tyrie, Finn Partners for Hotels.com
Phone: 212-593-5815
Email: [email protected]    

Taylor L. Cole, APR
Hotels.com North America
Phone: (469) 335-8442
Email: [email protected]

About Hotels.com^®

Hotels.com is a leading online accommodation booking brand. Through its global network of websites, Hotels.com, LP connects travelers with over 160,000 properties around the world, ranging from international chains and all-inclusive resorts to local favorites and bed & breakfasts, together with all the information needed to book the perfect stay. Hotels.com, LP benefits from one of the largest hotel contracting teams in the industry, obtaining the best rates for its customers, and offers frequent sales, special deals and promotions. There are more than 7 million Guest Reviews on the websites from users who have actually stayed in the hotels to ensure customers can make an informed choice when booking. Through Hotels.com, LP's industry-leading loyalty program Welcome Rewards^®, customers can earn a free night for every 10 nights stayed at more than 85,000 hotels. Under its Price Match Guarantee, if a customer can find the same deal for less on a prepaid hotel, Hotels.com, LP will refund the difference. Travelers can book online or by contacting one of the multilingual call centers. Special apps for mobile phones and tablets can also be downloaded at www.hotels.com/deals/mobile_app/ enabling customers to book on the go with access to 20,000 last minute deals. Hotels.com publishes an award-winning twice-yearly review of international hotel room price trends called the Hotels.com Hotel Price Index™, which is now produced in 31 individual country editions, with North American data available at www.hotel-price-index.com. Follow Hotels.com on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Hotels.comUS, on Twitter at www.twitter.com/hotelsdotcom and on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/user/hotelsdotcom. Hotels.com. LP is part of Expedia, Inc., the largest online travel company in the world with an extensive portfolio that includes some of the world's best-known brands. 

Hotels.com, Finding You The Perfect Place and the Hotels.com logo are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Hotels.com, LP. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners. © 2012 Hotels.com, LP. All rights reserved. CST # 2083949-50

SOURCE Hotels.com