Celebrate the magic of the season at hotels that beckon with their own holiday traditions. From outrageous decorations to special seasonal events for kids and their parents, here are some fantastic getaway locations for a weekend or holiday getaway.
The Broadmoor, Colorado
Winter Lights at Seven Falls kicks off the holiday season on November 18 at The Broadmoor (Colorado’s Forbes Five Star/AAA Five Diamond, which turns 100 in 2018) with LED lights illuminating the beautiful box canyon and Santa arriving on a zip line. The lights remain illuminated for the holiday season and are a treat for Coloradans to explore and different from the usual holiday lights offerings. Holiday celebrations at The Broadmoor also include live holiday dinner shows (think Radio City Music Hall Christmas show), breakfasts with Santa, cookie decorating with the pastry chefs, and a massive gingerbread cathedral. Rates start at $265 per night.
Dukes London
Revered for its long-established holiday traditions and elaborate trimmings, Dukes London is spreading yuletide cheer with holiday packages and experiences that will delight discerning international travelers. The historic boutique hotel, located on a quiet courtyard on St James’s Place in Mayfair, will be unveiling celebratory traditions amid a show-stopping decorative backdrop, which is unmatched in the city of London. To ring in holiday cheer, guests can delight in satsumas and mulled wine in the lobby and drawing rooms throughout December. Extravagant Christmas decorations are found throughout the property, with real Christmas trees in all of the Deluxe One-Bedroom Suites and the Penthouse Suite, as well as stockings for all guests at the hotel on Christmas Day. The Buzztones, London’s premier acapella group, will perform classic Christmas carols in the lobby of the hotel on select nights throughout the month.
The Grand Canyon Railway & Hotel
Visit the Grand Canyon at winter and enjoy the POLAR EXPRESS™ Package, which features overnight accommodations as well as POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride tickets for guests. Included in this package is the POLAR EXPRESS™ train excursion, a one-night stay at the Grand Canyon Railway Hotel, and breakfast and dinner at the Grand Depot Café.
Grand Velas
This Christmas, Mexico’s Grand Velas Resorts bring the joy and wonder of the holiday season to guests with their en suite tree decorating, holiday-themed activities, and additional “gifts.” When booking by November 30th, up to two children (ages 4 -12) are complimentary at the resorts in Riviera Maya and Riviera Nayarit. Stays at Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit also include a $50 spa or golf credit per adult per night, $30 spa credit for teen treatments, 45% discount on nightly teen (ages 13-15) rates and 10% discount in the resort’s boutique. At Grand Velas Los Cabos, holiday travelers also receive 50% off kids and teen rates, a $50 spa credit per adult per night, 10% discount in the resort’s boutique, and early check-in or late check-out. Rates start at $495 at Grand Velas Los Cabos, $497 at Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit and $783 at Grand Velas Riviera Maya.
Ocean House, Rhode Island
The leading Relais & Châteaux resorts are announcing their Season by the Sea holiday series with more than 25 special events and activities, ranging from evening visits from Santa Claus and a Christmas Tea with live penguins for families, to a traditional Feast of the Fishes culinary workshop and a James Bond-themed New Year’s Eve black tie celebration for adults. The 2017 Holiday celebration also includes the Ocean House’s acclaimed “12 Days of Christmas.” Starting December 12, the Ocean House welcomes travelers and residents to experience daily and magical events and offers to add cheer to the holiday.
Omni Berkshire Place
Come celebrate the holidays this year at Omni Berkshire Place, perfect for the whole family. The iconic Manhattan hotel, situated in the heart of Midtown, will be decorated from top to bottom with holiday cheer. From multiple Christmas trees, to carolers in the lobby and visits from Santa on the weekend, the hotel truly makes traveling families feel like they’re home for the holidays. Grab a warm blanket and head up to the 17th floor St. Patrick’s Terrace after paying a visit to the weekly Pop-Up Hot Cocoa Bar in the lobby (offering spiked varieties for parents too!), to enjoy panoramic views of the Manhattan skyline. The hotel is taking it one step further this year with its new “Create Your Own Christmas” offering. Guests of Omni Berkshire Place can curate their own family Christmas experience while staying during the holidays with a little help from the concierge team, including on-demand Christmas shopping to personalized gift wrapping and in-room holiday decorations. Omni Berkshire Place’s youngest guests will also enjoy surprise holiday-themed in-room amenities, including custom welcome notes from Santa and milk and cookies.
Willard InterContinental Washington, D.C.
Perhaps one of the more cherished customs at The Willard is their passion for holiday décor. In particular, attention falls upon The Willard’s legendary Christmas Tree, proudly standing tall in the hotel’s lobby each year and adorned exclusively with the White House Ornament Collection – the only hotel in this city to feature these special ornaments. Started by the White House Historical Association in 1981, the ornaments chronologically honor a different president or special White House event each year, and 2018 will commemorate Franklin D. Roosevelt. The Willard’s Pastry Department also works to create a gingerbread display in the lobby that pays tribute to an iconic memorial, monument or museum in D.C. This year, the pastry team will pay homage to Mount Vernon.