The Dream Downtown takes the cake for the most over-the-top holiday decor. The hotel has, once again, transformed its lobby into a winter wonderland filled with taxidermic animals owned by taxidermist Frank Zitz. The menagerie includes a polar bear, elk, snow leopard, wolf, and owl, all nestled in a forest of 12' pine trees.

For one of the city's grandest hotels, only the most extravagant of decorations will do. The Palace fills its courtyard with a large tree bedazzled with glittering lights, two more trees greet visitors inside the lobby at the top of the grand staircase. More than 1,700 ornaments and 200,000 LED lights were used, and there is 350-feet of hand-spun garland throughout the common spaces made of "magnolia, bay leaves, and old world style ornamentation."

Outside, the Peninusla Hotel is decked with sparkling garland and two silver carousel reindeer sit atop the awning. Inside, the lobby host several Christmas trees, more reindeer, and every available railing is covered with poinsettias and more garland.

The Plaza went with a Great Gatsby theme this year, hiring designer Catherine Martin to decorate the tree. She created a veil of glass snowflakes that hangs around the tree, and hung lights, glittering garland, and bulbs on the 18' tall pine, which stands on a rotating turntable.

This year, the Four Seasons' ceremonial tree is dressed to the nines, and spotted with a few holiday-themed TY beanie babies.

Two large-scale toy nutcracker greet visitors to the St. Regis, where lighted garland and mini pine trees adorn the entrance. Inside, the hotel's annual Christmas tree sits in the library.

The Pierre has no shortage of holiday trees. Nearly every common space has at least one, and all are shining bright with lights and ornaments. The trees in the lobby are accompanied by faux fireplaces hung with stockings.

The decor of the legendary Gramercy Park—tapestried walls, velvet furniture, warm jewel tones, leather-topped tables—is fit for a luxurious holiday any day of the week, but for the holidays, the hotel adds to the atmosphere with a glowing Christmas tree and lobby decorations.