Whether you’re ready or not, the holidays are here, and that means twinkling lights, garlands, hot cocoa, decorated trees, menorahs, and — for many people around the world — travel.
If you want to travel somewhere truly festive this year, consider visiting a hotel that takes the season seriously, decking every inch with tinsel, serving classic and modern holiday meals, inviting Santa to say hello, and even turning the garden into a winter wonderland. Additionally, these hotels can all be booked using points, whether through major hotel loyalty programs or through luxury credit card booking programs.
From hotels with ice skating rinks to holiday-themed igloos offering seasonal drinks, here are some of the best hotels to celebrate the most festive time of the year.
Palace Hotel, a Luxury Collection Hotel, San Francisco
Talk about a time-honored tradition: It’s the Palace Hotel’s 150th holiday, and we’re ready to celebrate in style. Built in 1875, the Palace Hotel was San Francisco’s first luxury hotel and the largest hotel in the world at the time. It is still famous for its Garden Court lobby restaurant, with its huge stained-glass skylight roof, and the Pied Piper Bar, famous for the huge Maxfield Parrish painting of the same name that hangs above the bar.
This Marriott Luxury Collection hotel offers an array of holiday experiences, transforming the hotel into a wonderland inspired by “The Nutcracker” and hosting a grand Christmas tree lighting ceremony on December 5 in the historic Garden Courtyard. Enjoy Afternoon Tea with Santa, Seasonal String Lunch or Tipsy Gingerbread Workshop (adults only) and Festive Christmas Brunch in the Garden Court Lobby. Or book the Holiday Night and Lift Tour package, which includes two lift tickets, a 150th Anniversary mug and Ghirardelli hot chocolate (from $375 per night).
Room rates at The Palace, a Luxury Collection Hotel, San Francisco start at $256 or 57,000 Marriott Bonvoy points.
Conrad Ponta de Mitta
For those looking to escape the cold and jet off to sunnier climes, and perhaps take advantage of those hard-earned Hilton Honors points, the Conrad Punta Mita is the hotel for you, especially considering the hotel’s delightful holiday offerings.
Guests looking for a festive beachfront getaway in this secluded Riviera Nayarit gem can book the Beachfront Greetings package and receive 20% off their stay before December 20, 2025, or 15% off their stay starting December 21st. Depending on the type of accommodation you book, from a standard room to a luxurious oceanfront two-bedroom suite, you can earn up to $500 in resort credit that can be used at the hotel—perhaps toward a rejuvenating massage at the on-site spa, which draws on healing practices from the ancient Huichol culture.
Room rates at the Conrad Punta Mita start at $337 or 92,000 Hilton Honors points.
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OWO Raffles Hotel London
Edwardian opulence has become a key theme at Accor’s OWO Raffles London, with a giant Christmas tree, indoor and outdoor decorations and a range of special festive offerings making it a fitting holiday destination. This year’s festive afternoon tea draws inspiration from beloved Christmas carols; think White Christmas and Deck the Halls pastries, all accompanied by a live pianist and views of Buckingham Palace’s Household Cavalry. The festive celebrations will continue until New Year’s Eve when the Spy Bar, located in the original Secret Service Room of the Old War Office, will host a lively celebration with vinyl records, Louis Roederer champagne and canapés.
Prices at The OWO Raffles London start at approximately $1,141. This AccorHotels hotel participates in the Accor Live Limitless loyalty program. Members can earn points by booking directly with Accor, earning 25 points for every €10 ($11) spent and redeeming them in 2,000-point increments, saving €40 ($44) on their hotel bill.
Gili Lankanfushi, Maldives: Lankanfushi, Maldives
Who says you have to embrace winter to celebrate the holidays in style? For those who like to enjoy their vacation and get a healthy dose of vitamin D, Gili Lankan Fuji is the perfect choice for you.
This private island paradise goes all out for the holidays, offering joyful experiences such as decorated gingerbread houses for the little ones, as well as a new theme, The Gili Chronicles, that incorporates Narnia and Wonderland into Santa’s visits, and even Wonderland-style costume creations, including a traditional Maldivian parade. Of course, guests can indulge in everything this go-to hotel has to offer, including overwater bungalows and wellness treatments like yoga, meditation and breathing.
Prices for Gili Lankanfushi start at $1,919.25. The hotel is bookable through Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts and is currently offering a third night free promotion.
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The Roosevelt Hotel New Orleans: New Orleans
New Orleans may be best known for its Mardi Gras celebrations, but at the New Orleans Roosevelt Waldorf Astoria Hotel, Christmas is at its most enchanting.
It’s part of the Hilton Honors family, so guests vacationing at The Roosevelt can earn and redeem points while enjoying the splendor of the spacious hotel lobby, a tradition that dates back to the 1930s. To put it into perspective, the display includes 46 Christmas trees, 112,000 lights, 1,610 feet of branches, 4,000 glass ornaments and 300 hand-tied bows. Teddy bear tea is a highlight of the season for families and is served in the hotel’s “Arctic”. This time-honored tradition includes singing, dancing, storytelling and appearances by Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus.
Prices at the New Orleans Roosevelt Waldorf Astoria start at $154 or 52,000 Hilton Honors points.
Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center: Nashville
For a taste of Christmas in the South, why not make a little trip to Nashville and the legendary Gaylord Opryland Resort? There, you can take a boat ride on the indoor river, admire the hotel’s holiday decorations, ride thrills on bumper cars designed for the rink (or just go ice skating), or go ice tubing.
This year’s holiday highlights at Gaylord Opryland Resort include “A Charlie Brown Christmas” brought to life with giant colorful ice sculptures and the new holiday music/circus show “Pomp, Snow and Circus.” There are also gingerbread making stations, ice piping and an interactive scavenger hunt. If that’s not enough, skip the winter chill and head to SoundWaves, the indoor portion of the resort’s water park.
Rates at the Gaylord Opryland Resort start at $311 or 39,200 Marriott Bonvoy points.
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Lotte New York Palace: New York City
Ah, Christmas in New York City—it’s too iconic to miss. Lotte New York Palace is probably one of the best places in the city to welcome the holidays.
Visitors passing by can enjoy signature hot chocolate at the Winter Bar (open Wednesday through Sunday) and marvel at the beautifully decorated trees in the courtyard. But there are quite a few opportunities for those planning a night out and really want to do something big.
This year, the hotel has once again partnered with vacation home décor brand Balsam Hill to offer beautifully decorated Palace Holiday Suites (from $2,795 per night, available November 24, 2025 to January 5, 2026). Each suite—including the red and white Après-Ski Suite, the cream and blush Paris Palais Suite, and the gold and crystal Glitter Suite—will get you into the holiday spirit with Christmas trees, holiday cookies and souvenir decorations. Other holiday traditions at Lotte New York Palace include the lobby display of the gingerbread palace – a true masterpiece that took more than 300 hours to create – and a Sunday afternoon visit with Santa Claus.
Rates at the Lotte New York Palace Hotel start at $495. This hotel is bookable with Chase Ultimate Rewards through The Edit by Chase Travel.
The Peninsula Chicago: Chicago
If you’re willing to brave the cold and snow of the Windy City during your vacation, The Peninsula Chicago is a top-notch hotel ideal for exploring the Magnificent Mile.
This year, the hotel has launched a range of delightful treats to celebrate the season. Consider booking the Holly Jolly Family Vacation Package (from $1,175, available Nov. 28, 2025 to Jan. 6, 2026), which includes an indoor Christmas tree or menorah, daily breakfast for four, complimentary gourmet meals and access to the hotel’s library of holiday books, movies and games.
On weekends, Santa Claus visits in the lobby by the 20-foot-tall Christmas tree, lit with twinkling lights and red ornaments. The hotel’s Holiday Afternoon Tea includes finger sandwiches, seasonal-themed pastries and English tea. Giving back to the community is also an important part of a vacation at The Peninsula Chicago. A portion of each afternoon tea will be donated to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago.
Room rates at The Peninsula Chicago start at $420. The hotel is bookable through Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts and is currently offering a third night free promotion.
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Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia at Comcast Center: Philadelphia
Of all the Four Seasons hotels and resorts in the world, Philadelphia’s hotel (housed in the city’s tallest building) may be the most spectacular. While it has a lot going for it—including an indoor infinity pool on the 57th floor with incredible views of Philadelphia—during the holidays, the place takes on a whole new level of grandeur. This year, hotel artistic director Jeff Leatham is breathing life into the season with modern, edgy touches like mirrored polar bears and life-size geometric reindeer in the Sky Lobby.
To best experience the holiday magic of Philadelphia’s four seasons, head to SkyHigh on the 60th floor for signature brunch and holiday dinners, live music, Christmas carols and holiday-themed cocktails like the Hot Apple Toddy. Come for Christmas brunch, but stay long enough to celebrate the New Year, as this incredible hotel is also one of the best places in town to watch the Delaware River Fireworks.
Room rates at Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia at Comcast Center start at $1,140. This hotel is bookable with Chase Ultimate Rewards through The Edit by Chase Travel.
Rosewood Turtle Creek: Dallas
Texas may not be the snowiest place in the world, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t a little holiday magic in the air. It’s easy to feel like you’ve stepped back in time to the golden days of the holiday season when you stay at the Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek, a luxury hotel located in some of Dallas’ most popular neighborhoods. In fact, Rosewood Hotels & Resorts is celebrating the “Art of Hospitality” by launching unique offerings at each Rosewood property this holiday season.
At Rosewood Turtle Creek, “The Art of Hospitality” includes Christmas trees decorated with silver and white ornaments and garlands, and in redesigned suites, guests have the opportunity to have a tree decorated in their room, waiting for their arrival—or they can pick it up and leave it to decorate themselves. The Mansion Restaurant brings a new sense of elegance and elegance to the holidays.
Rates at the Rosewood at Turtle Creek start at $652. The hotel is bookable through Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts and is currently offering a third night free promotion.
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