Photo courtesy of Bellagio Resort & Casino
One of the joys of traveling throughout the holiday season is seeing the spectacular lights and decorations at hotels and resorts. Many even choose to go all out in ways that are unique to the destination or that specific hotel. We’ve rounded up 20 special spots to stay that are sure to inspire some seasonal cheer.
From Christmas trees made of wine bottles to immersive natural exhibits to massive sparkling light displays that dazzle, these hotels create unforgettable experiences for guests every year.
Photo courtesy of Hotel Del Coronado
Hotel Del Coronado - San Diego, California
The holiday season is a magical time at the Hotel del Coronado. This year, you can celebrate the theme "Frosted by the Sea" as this resort is transformed into a sparkling oasis. Thousands of twinkling lights drape the signature red turrets, and there are large Christmas trees and many other decorative touches throughout The Del. Visitors can also enjoy skating by the sea at the hotel’s oceanfront ice rink, a holiday festival and a spectacular light show.
Photo courtesy of Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel
Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel - Santa Monica, California
‘Tis the season for lights and luxury at the Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel. The holiday decor is elegant and contemporary with a coastal vibe, and there’s a huge menorah lighting every night during Hanukkah. The hotel is decorated with over 65 trees this year, and it has one of the tallest indoor Christmas tree displays in the Los Angeles area.
Photo courtesy of The Towers
The Towers - Natchez, Mississippi
The historic Towers Mansion in Natchez, Mississippi is adorned each holiday season with thousands of pieces of vintage costume jewelry. The special, ornate jewelry is beautifully presented in holiday vignettes, and it covers all the trees and other surfaces of the mansion. Each year, there’s a dazzling display of diamonds in the inn’s “Jeweled Christmas” tours.
Photo courtesy of The Beverly Hills Hotel
The Beverly Hills Hotel - Beverly Hills, California
The Beverly Hills Hotel is an icon within an iconic city. It becomes even more special when it decks the halls for the holidays. Its elegant lighting displays and inspired decorations include garland, display presents, wreaths, trees and the famous Beverly Hills Hotel nutcrackers. Tens of thousands of lights are strung between the front of the hotel to the trees and through all of its garland.
Photo courtesy of The Liberty Hotel
The Liberty Hotel - Boston, Massachusetts
Boston’s Liberty Hotel in Beacon Hill is a national historic landmark, and it honors both the past and the present with its stunning holiday displays. It showcases upside-down Christmas trees that are suspended in the hotel lobby’s 90-foot rotunda. Each tree shines with lights, ornaments and a touch of acrylic paint to give it some extra sparkle.
Photo courtesy of Hilton Waikoloa Village
Hilton Waikoloa Village - Waikoloa Village, Hawaii
Hilton Waikoloa Village on the Kohala Coast of the island of Hawaii has a grand tradition of displaying a variety of tasteful but elaborate holiday decorations, going with a special theme each year for the adornments. The resort has a giving tree in the lobby, and guests who visit during the festive season receive a unique commemorative holiday gift.
Photo courtesy of Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center
Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center - Nashville, Tennessee
Celebrating the holiday season at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center in Nashville, Tennessee is unlike anywhere else. In addition to its elaborate decorations, you can become part of the story with ICE! featuring Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. It’s a wonderland that is carved out of two million pounds of colorful ice, to help tell the story of this classic holiday tale. It includes larger-than-life sculptures – and you can have fun going down slides made completely of ice.
Photo courtesy of ADERO Scottsdale, an Autograph Collection
ADERO Scottsdale, an Autograph Collection - Scottsdale, Arizona
Have you ever wanted to live inside your own little cozy snow globe? You can get a taste of that at ADERO Scottsdale, as it offers something special at the holidays. Guests can dine in their own holiday igloo bubble, which are set up for dining under the stars in warmth and comfort. And carolers sing to guests to offer an extra treat and help get them in the holiday spirit. There are also themed festive craft cocktails.
Photo courtesy of Historic Hotel Bethlehem
Historic Hotel Bethlehem - Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
During the holiday season, your view from the mezzanine level of Hotel Bethlehem is a sight to behold. You can gaze at the spectacular decorations in the lobby and see the gorgeous hand-painted nativity display that sits over the hotel’s main entrance. Another must-stop spot is the Grand Ballroom that’s decorated for the holidays with wreaths, garlands and Christmas trees that stand 15 feet tall. More than 35,000 Christmas lights are used throughout the hotel each holiday season.
Photo courtesy of JW Marriott Orlando Bonnet Creek
JW Marriott Orlando Bonnet Creek Resort & Spa - Orlando, Florida
From its beloved tree lighting to its attention to detail with its holiday décor, the JW Marriott Orlando Bonnet Creek Resort & Spa is a cool spot to stay during the holidays. In addition to its annual decorations, this year, the resort is also offering a “Deck the Halls” package where a guest room is beautified for Christmas with a fully decorated tree, customized stockings for guests and a seasonal present directly from the resort.
Photo courtesy of The Osthoff Resort
The Osthoff Resort - Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin
The Osthoff Resort in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin is massive and beautiful throughout the year, but there’s something magical about a visit during December. Twinkling Christmas lights along with ribbons and garland add an extra oomph to the holiday elegance. The resort’s annual Old World Christmas Market is offered in early December every year, and it’s the idyllic place to do your holiday shopping. Paying homage to centuries-old holiday markets in Germany, the festive fun includes booths with hundreds of handcrafted artisanal goods.
Photo courtesy of The Logan
The Logan - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
As you arrive to The Logan during the holiday season, you’ll see elaborate trees with decorations and lights that cast a warm glow on this Philadelphia hotel. When you go to check in, you’ll see that pencil trees with sparkling white lights adorn the common areas of the hotel during the holiday season, as do lovely lanterns, wreaths, garlands and other warm, wintry decor.
Guests can choose to book a stay in the hotel's signature James Logan Suite that’s transformed for the holidays each year. That suite comes with a personal Christmas tree, holiday lights, wreaths, tinsel, nutcrackers and a specialty holiday menu for room service.
Photo courtesy of Ocean House
Ocean House - Westerly, Rhode Island
Located in Watch Hill, Ocean House strives to create a winter wonderland for visitors with dynamic holiday decorations and different themes each year. There are even interactive experiences such as themed ornament-making workshops and competitions. In addition, Ocean House’s Gondola Village is a whimsical, French-inspired outdoor village that’s perfect for the holidays. Christmas events include the annual tree lighting ceremony, meals with Santa, film screenings and Christmas parties.
Photo courtesy of The Kentucky Castle
The Kentucky Castle - Versailles, Kentucky
As a boutique hotel with a ballroom, spa and its own bourbon university, The Kentucky Castle is a welcoming haven during the holidays in Versailles, Kentucky. Its decor is a bit different each year, but it goes all out with garland, lights and a gorgeous, massive Christmas tree. The entire property is decorated, and each room typically gets its own tree.
Photo courtesy of Mohonk Mountain House
Mohonk Mountain House - New Paltz, New York
Located in New York’s Hudson Valley, the Mohonk Mountain House celebrates December with a Victorian holiday theme. The hotel offers Christmas tree tours where guests can see the uniquely decorated Christmas trees throughout the common rooms of the castle resort. Victorian carolers liven things up by singing classic holiday carols throughout the season. The winter activities include winter hiking on over 85 miles of trails, ice skating in the pavilion, winter forest bathing sessions and cross-country skiing.
Photo courtesy of Willard InterContinental
Willard InterContinental - Washington, D.C.
The Willard InterContinental hotel in downtown Washington, D.C. honors its history while going all out for the holidays. It displays dozens of extravagantly decorated Christmas trees which look beautiful with the hotel’s already elegant decor. The hotel’s holiday centerpiece is a giant tree in the lobby. Perhaps the most beloved tradition, however, is the Lincoln Library with its trees that display the White House Ornament Collection. Each ornament in the collection honors a U.S. president or a special event that took place at the White House.
Photo courtesy of Chateau Elan Winery & Resort
Chateau Elan Winery & Resort - Braselton, Georgia
Located in Georgia’s rolling foothills, the Chateau Elan Winery & Resort celebrates the holidays with original, wine-inspired decor. Upon arrival, guests are wowed by a Christmas tree that’s made of Chateau Elan glass wine bottles. They also have a variety of fun activities for families, such as breakfast with Mr. and Mrs. Claus. For adults, there’s the “Naughty or Nice Cocktail Crawl,” where guests can enjoy a holiday-themed cocktail at all the resort’s restaurants.
Photo courtesy of Caribe Royale Orlando
Caribe Royale Orlando - Orlando, Florida
Elegance meets family fun at the luxurious Caribe Royale Orlando. The all-suite resort is located near Disney World and offers complimentary transportation to and from the four Disney theme parks. In addition to the gorgeous decor in the lobby that transforms the hotel into a winter wonderland, the Caribe Royale Orlando is starting a new holiday tradition with its Caribe Royale North Pole Express train display.
Photo courtesy of Bellagio Resort & Casino
Bellagio Resort & Casino - Las Vegas, Nevada
The Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Gardens at the Bellagio Resort & Casino offer a fully immersive holiday experience with an elaborate natural display. The magnificent fragrances and captivating colors found here dazzle guests as much as the decor. The lobby of the resort is decked out in holiday adornments that match the conservatory, and the iconic Fountains of Bellagio dance to holiday songs during the season.
Photo courtesy of Barbara Kraft
Encore Boston Harbor - Everett, Massachusetts
With 4,000 poinsettias, over two dozen Christmas trees, lovely 6-foot-tall wreaths and thousands of stunning holiday lights strung throughout the hotel’s exterior, the Encore Boston Harbor creates its own winter wonderland each year. The lobby also dazzles guests with its holiday light display, and they’ll find ornaments and other decor throughout the hotel.
