Holiday Hideaways: The Most Festive US Hotels to Visit This Season
The scent of pine needles, the sparkle of a hundred thousand twinkling lights, the comforting chime of a holiday bell—it is the season to escape the everyday, and nothing promises a more magical getaway than checking into a hotel that takes its holiday decor very, very seriously. Forget a single tree in the corner; these iconic US hotels transform into absolute winter wonderlands, offering not just a festive stay, but an immersive, unforgettable holiday experience.
First stop, the Big Apple, where the legendary **The Plaza Hotel** in New York City is all about timeless elegance and a touch of Hollywood nostalgia. For 2025, the grand lobby will glow with a beautifully decorated Christmas tree, and guests can step into a fairytale with the “Suitest Season of All” package, which includes a fully decorated, seven foot tall Christmas tree right in their luxury suite. And, of course, for fans of classic holiday films, there is always the option to relive the most iconic moments from a certain movie about being “Lost in New York.”
Heading south for a different kind of glow, the **Roosevelt New Orleans** pulls out all the stops for its annual “Waldorf Wonderland.” The hotel’s historic block-long lobby becomes a dazzling walkway thanks to a jaw dropping display of more than 112,000 twinkling lights, 1,600 feet of garlands, and over 4,000 glass ornaments. It is a tradition for locals and visitors alike to stroll through this illuminated corridor, perhaps enjoying a seasonal cocktail at the Sazerac Bar or booking the famous Teddy Bear Tea for the little ones.
If your idea of a perfect holiday involves a bit of warm sunshine, look no further than Florida’s Palm Beach and the opulent **The Breakers**. This oceanfront masterpiece takes its Italian Renaissance architecture and decks it out in full holiday splendor. You will see thousands of soft white lights wrapped around the hotel’s 100 majestic royal palms, lining the 1,040 foot main drive. Inside, the display features 170,000 twinkle lights, 8,000 ornaments, and two soaring 18 foot evergreen trees, creating a luxe, tropical take on seasonal cheer.
For a true spectacle of light, you must head to the desert at the **Fairmont Scottsdale Princess** in Arizona. The annual “Christmas at the Princess” festival goes massive, boasting an incredible 16 million lights across the property. Guests can enjoy ice skating, choreographed light shows, and even take a spin on a 95 foot tall Ferris wheel, all set against the dramatic backdrop of the Sonoran Desert.
Finally, we find a beachside winter fantasy at the **Hotel del Coronado** in San Diego. The resort’s iconic red turrets are trimmed in thousands of sparkling lights, and the holiday season features a special theme, with 2025 ushering in “A Holiday in Oz.” The unique Californian touch? You can still lace up your skates for “Skating by the Sea,” an outdoor ice rink right on the beach, complete with views of the Pacific Ocean and a 35 foot shimmering Christmas tree. So whether you crave snowglobe charm or sun drenched sparkle, these hotels prove the magic of the holidays can be found anywhere across the nation, as long as they go all-out.