Christmas-Themed Hotels Around The World To Stay In This Holiday Season
For some of us, being home for the holidays can be a drag. It's cold outside, and the snowblower is on the fritz. It seems like the kitchen is never clean, and there is always more cooking to be done. Uncle Bob won't stop talking politics, and your sister is crying because she didn't get the present she wanted. But for those in the know, you don't have to stay kaput for Christmas. Instead, you can book a hotel stay — while still staying in the holiday spirit.
If you're thinking about jet-setting before the big day, there are several holiday hotels from Texas to Brazil to fill you with Christmas cheer. These Christmas-themed hotels all over the world are decked out in Christmas trees, twinkling lights, shades of red, and Santa Claus during the holiday season — or, for some, every month of the year — so you can enjoy the holidays without stress. We scoured the internet to compile this list of Christmas-themed hotels, and the ones that made it offer the best over-the-top and interesting indoor and outdoor decor, according to photos online, as well as the most robust and unique Christmastime activity calendars.
The Inn at Christmas Place – Pigeon Forge, TN
Ever wanted to experience Christmas in July — or during any other month? Then the Inn at Christmas Place in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee should be your holiday destination. That's because this hotel in the Smoky Mountains is one of the rare lodgings to stay Christmas-themed all year long, with rooms outfitted with wreaths, red comforters, Christmas trees, and Santa Claus figurines.
Even though it's the North Pole inside the Inn at Christmas Place, it's still Tennessee outdoors, which is why it also has an outdoor pool and a winding water slide that stretches to nearly 100 feet. Plus, it has a garden full of various native plants surrounding a pristine pond with a fountain. When the temperature drops, there is an indoor pool and a hot tub enveloped by Nutcrackers and potted pine trees.
All stays at the inn also include a hot breakfast that even St. Nick would approve of, which includes omelets, bacon, grits, bagels, doughnuts, and more. But if you really want the full Inn at Christmas Place experience, you need to book the Santa Suite, which is the hotel's premiere room. It includes its own hot tub and balcony overlooking the hotel grounds, as well as a fireplace next to a cozy chair and a Christmas tree. There's even a bit of mistletoe hovering nearby in case you're with your special someone.
Hotel Chapel Christmas — Osaka, Japan
Hotels that offer rooms rented by the hour generally have seedy reputations, but Hotel Chapel Christmas in Osaka, Japan is known as being holly and jolly. That's because this "love motel," which in Japan is a hotel that offers rooms by the hour, has a Christmas theme 12 months out of the year. Outside, several Santa Claus statues beckon lovers through the Christmas trees and green facade dotted with ornament paintings.
Once inside, guests can see room availability based on which numbered wreath in the lobby is lit up — no judgmental receptionists here. Then, after following a trail of Christmas lights, they can find their room, which is all adorned with an oversized green tub, bright red slippers, Christmas mugs, a massage chair, video game systems, and karaoke microphones.
It's all surrounded by plenty more Christmas lights and ornaments, although each room has a different color scheme, so you might have pink or blue Christmas trees to enjoy rather than the typical red and green. There are also vending machines galore, which is typical of many Japanese hangouts and even downtown streets. In Hotel Chapel Christmas rooms, vending machines dispense adult toys, tea, and Japanese beer.
Christmas Farm Inn and Spa — Jackson, New Hampshire
There's no guarantee that you'll have a white Christmas at Christmas Farm Inn and Spa, but this New Hampshire hotel is nestled in the White Mountains, so keep your fingers crossed. This is another rare small town where it's Christmas all the time, which was all-inspired since the hotel was once a Christmas gift to a daughter. On the 15-acre site that dates back over 200 years, guests can find plenty of North Pole-themed fun that plays homage to the hotel's past. Families can enjoy dinner, music, storytime, and a book as a gift from Mrs. Claus, all around a colossal 15-foot Christmas tree. Plus, just a 45-minute drive away is Santa's Village, a miniature North Pole-themed amusement park with rides like The Skyway Sleigh monorail, Poogee Penguin's Spin Out Coaster, Yule Log Flume, Santa's Express Train, and more.
Although the rooms lack over-the-top Christmas decor like some other Christmas-themed hotels, its design is tasteful and comfortable, with red pillows on the beds, wood-burning fireplaces, and wood floors. But each room's name is still inspired by the holiday season, with titles like Mr. and Mrs. Claus, The Dasher, Three Wise Men, Blitzen, and Sleigh Bells. Downstairs, guests can head to the Mistletoe Pub for casual American fare. But for some real luxury, guests should book an appointment at the onsite Aveda Day Spa, which has indoor and outdoor pools, a hot tub, a gym, and offerings for plenty of spa services like massages, facials, foot soaks, and more.
Santa's Cottages — Santa Claus, Indiana
Santa's Cottages takes its hometown name of Santa Claus literally. This collection of cottages in the open landscapes of Indiana features five different types of red-roofed lodgings surrounded by Rudolph Stroll walking path, Elf Park, and the Reindeer Express Train, which takes guests throughout the property so they can see it all. But it also has all of the practical amenities a family could need, including fire pits and grills, linens and sheets, swings, televisions, and more, making for a rustic yet comfortable trip and home away from home.
Onsite, there's also a fish pond, playgrounds, zipline, and sandbox, so both the kids and adults never run out of things to do outside of the cabins. Of course, though, the beds feature festive red comforters and shower curtains, wood details, and a few wreaths for Christmas cheer — no matter what season it is.
During Christmastime, Santa's Cottages, which is family-owned and operated, also has a special that celebrates its favorite season. Guests may receive discounts per night on the cottages, as well as free extra attractions like a ride on the Reindeer Express Train. The entire resort is also just a short drive away from Holiday World, a theme park with one of the world's longest water rides, as well as plenty of roller coasters that even Santa's sleigh would approve of.
Hotel Casa da Montanha — Gramado, Brazil
Brazil is a destination for tourists looking to escape chilly conditions due to its year-round high temperatures. But at Hotel Casa da Montanha, tourists can also enjoy the holiday season while still surrounded by sunshine. The respite in the mountains of Brazil is filled with lush red velvet furnishings, roaring fireplaces, and plaid wallpaper throughout its common areas. All of its rooms and suites also have homey, cozy touches, such as exposed wood beams, hot tubs, wood floors, and huge windows ideal for checking out nature right outside the walls. But for a real taste of Christmas from October through January, guests should book the Christmas Suite, which features a holiday tree, Christmas lights draped across the ceiling, and tartan chairs.
The holiday magic for kids starts as soon as they enter the hotel when they receive a "Santa's Helpers Academy" kit and a list of instructions. Once they finish everything on the list, including making a toy for donation at the in-house Toy Workshop, they'll earn a certificate from St. Nick. Kids can also head to Santa's office, a photo opportunity for parents, where kids can tell Santa what they're hoping to receive on Christmas morning. Plus, the city of Gramado goes all-in once it's Christmastime. Holiday-themed events take over the city's list of things to do, and at the center of it all is Mother Church — a church that is bathed in lights and surrounded by Christmas trees.
French Quarter Inn — Charleston, South Carolina
With its storied history, stunning architecture, and old-world charm, Charleston is a Christmas hotspot despite the hot temperature and humidity. That's perhaps best evident at the French Quarter Inn, which is at the center of the city's magic on Church Street. Here, the Sleigh Bell Suite is every Christmas fanatic's favorite place to unwind. It makes guests feel at home — with a luxe touch — complete with an elaborate Christmas tree, perfectly placed mistletoe, and stockings hanging on the fireplace. Guests of this suite also receive daily cookies "for Santa," as well as eggnog with a bourbon kick.
But if the Sleigh Bell Suite, which starts at nearly $650 per night, isn't in your budget, there are plenty of other holiday happenings at the French Quarter Inn to enhance its holiday appeal. On Christmas Eve, Christmas movies will play, Santa will read "'Twas the Night Before Christmas," and carolers singing Christmas tunes will fill the hotel. Guests only need to walk outside their hotel doors to find even more holiday cheer — and they shouldn't go home without watching the Sound of Charleston theater's holiday performance, which presents Christmas tunes amid stunning holiday lights. This theater is also one of Charleston's best spots for live music year-round.
The Resort at Paws Up — Greenough, Montana
Spread over 37,000 acres — often covered in snow, which allows guests to cruise by on snowmobiles, sleds, and dogsleds —The Resort at Paws Up might as well be the North Pole during the holiday season. The Montana resort offers a special holiday package for the occasion, starting at $4,390 per night (with a five-day minimum stay). But it includes much more than a personal Christmas tree (although it has that, too). The package features a luxury home to spend the holidays in, a visit with St. Nick on Christmas Eve, entry into a gingerbread home-building contest, and more. Guests can choose from 27 homes for their stay, all with various styles, featuring rustic details with lots of stone and timber nestled throughout nature, helping guests feel a million miles away from any city.
Throughout the grounds of the resort, there are tons of outdoor activities that allow guests to experience the best of winter. They can book sleigh rides led by Norwegian Fjord horses, where a guide will tell riders about the history and nature that surrounds them as they sip on coffee, hot chocolate, or apple cider. Holiday visitors can also hop on a dog sled pulled by Alaskan huskies for an hourlong ride and learn how to drive the sled themselves on a once-in-a-lifetime experience. But don't worry, animal lovers — you'll also get to pet the friendly pups after the ride as you enjoy hot chocolate.
Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center — Kissimmee, Florida
Florida is the home of snowbirds everywhere — and Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center, which doesn't mess around when it comes to Christmastime. Each year, it hosts its ICE! Holiday celebration featuring fun for the whole family. One of the most popular attractions is the "A Charlie Brown Christmas" display, where nearly 2 million pounds of ice are transformed into the movie's characters.
Both adults and kids alike will love the "Cirque: Spirit of Christmas" show at the hotel, where acrobats perform the story of one child who has forgotten the true meaning of Christmas. Visitors can also check out the hotel's gingerbread house decorating workshop (which includes a real-life gingerbread man), a mountain perfect for snow tubing, and the Elf Workshop, where kids can learn to make their own toys.
Even the rooms at the Gaylord Palms Resort provide special experiences. Guests can choose from rooms that overlook the theater, so they can watch the hotel's holiday shows whenever they please, or rooms that overlook the hotel's astounding atrium decked out in holiday lights and décor. Rooms have modern amenities and cozy vibes, outfitted with pops of color, accent walls, patterned floors, and other creative touches. Onsite, there's also a spa, waterpark, and nearly a dozen restaurants and bars, so it's easy to stay at Gaylord Palms Resort for the holidays without ever setting foot outside the front door.
Hotel del Coronado — Coronado, California
For decades, Hotel del Coronado has attracted fans of all things paranormal due to the ghosts that supposedly haunt its floors, with unexplained phenomena ranging from furniture moving on its own to strange voices and footsteps that can't be attributed to a live person. However, Hotel del Coronado, one of the most beautiful hotels in the world, gets much jollier during the Christmas season.
The ice skating rink, called Skating By The Sea, neighbors the Pacific Ocean and the Frostbite Lounge, which features Christmas-themed cocktails, snacks, and cozy firepits to warm up at. On weekends, families flock to the firepits to roast s'mores. Blankets are available to purchase, making for a cozy experience (and a special holiday souvenir!). Plus, visitors won't want to miss the free annual "All That Jazz" Lightshow Spectacular, with lights set to music on the spacious Founders Lawn.
Also outside, photos with Santa will take place every weekend through Christmas Eve. Kids also love the hotel's elf deliveries, in which "elves" deliver Christmas toys and snacks to guestrooms. On Christmas Eve, the hotel will host a holiday buffet dinner; on the big day itself, there will be a midday brunch buffet. It's all set amid The Del, outfitted in troves of Christmas lights — as are its surrounding pine and palm trees — for a spectacular holiday on the beach.
The Roosevelt New Orleans — New Orleans, Louisiana
It may seldom snow in New Orleans during the winter — let alone on Christmas Day — but that doesn't stop the Roosevelt New Orleans from celebrating the holidays for kids and adults alike in this elegant and upscale Waldorf Astoria hotel. The lobby and Roosevelt exterior are covered in white lights, wreaths, and red bows, and the hotel offers an annual collector's ornament featuring the hotel facade that's for sale in the gift shop. Inside the gift shop, there are also lots of other artisan ornaments and one-of-a-kind holiday decor for sale made by local vendors.
For guests of all ages, the Teddy Bear Tea session is a must-do holiday activity. Adults can enjoy flutes of champagne while kids munch on pastries and hot chocolate as Mr. and Mrs. Claus put on a performance and read holiday tales. If you're in New Orleans on Christmas Day, then book a seat for the Roosevelt's holiday brunch, which costs $129 per adult. Those looking for just a sip of Christmas can also stop by the Sazerac Bar in the hotel for cocktails like the Candy Cane and the Christmas Cookie.
But perhaps the most unique foodie offering at the Roosevelt is its Reveillon dinner, available through Christmas Eve. These dinners are New Orleans traditions brought to life more than 200 years ago when local French parishioners would eat a mix of breakfast and dinner items after getting home from Christmas Eve midnight mass.
Inns of Aurora Resort & Spa — Aurora, New York
The Inns of Aurora Resort & Spa may have five separate inns on site, but staff still work painstakingly to decorate all of them with thousands of lights, wreaths, Christmas trees, ornaments, and more. Even more impressive is that each inn has its own holiday theme and décor. The main inn, the Aurora Inn, goes traditional with red ribbons, hand-painted ornaments, and garland behind the red brick facade.
The whimsical E.B. Morgan House themes its Christmas decor with shades of pink and green, with standout decorations including stunning amaryllis flowers as tree ornaments to match the home's curtains, as well as evergreen garland surrounding its engraved glass doors. Meanwhile, at the Zabriskie House, everything is white and blue. The resort also holds a regular tour to show guests the decor of all of the inns.
Throughout the Christmas season, there are also tons of other holiday activities for guests to do at the resort. Those with (and without!) a creative touch can learn to expertly decorate Christmas sugar cookies and also bring three of them home with them. There's also an ornament-making class where visitors can make their own ornament out of dough.