10 luxury hotels that go all-out for the holidays
As the holiday season approaches, the spirit of festivity is palpable across the globe, marked by twinkling lights, seasonal treats, and joyful gatherings. For those looking to immerse themselves in this enchanting atmosphere, several hotels are going above and beyond to create memorable holiday experiences. From lavish decorations to unique activities, these properties promise a magical escape that can be booked using points through major hotel loyalty programs or luxury credit card booking options.
One standout destination is the **Palace Hotel** in San Francisco, celebrating its 150th holiday season with an array of festive activities. Guests can partake in a grand tree lighting ceremony, enjoy a themed afternoon tea with Santa, or even join a Tipsy Gingerbread Workshop for adults. Rates start at $256 or 57,000 Marriott Bonvoy points, making it an accessible choice for those eager to experience a historic hotel steeped in tradition. Meanwhile, for those seeking a warmer holiday retreat, the **Conrad Punta de Mita** in Mexico offers a beachside escape complete with discounts on stays and up to $500 in resort credits. Rates here begin at $337 or 92,000 Hilton Honors points, providing a blend of relaxation and holiday cheer.
Across the Atlantic, the **Raffles London at The OWO** invites guests to indulge in a festive afternoon tea inspired by Christmas carols, all while enjoying views of Buckingham Palace. Rates start around $1,141, and the hotel engages guests with live music and sumptuous pastries. For a more tropical holiday experience, **Gili Lankanfushi** in the Maldives offers a unique twist on traditional festivities, featuring themed activities like gingerbread house decorating and visits from Santa. Rates here start at $1,919.25, and the hotel is currently promoting a complimentary third night free stay. With options like these, travelers can find the perfect backdrop for their holiday celebrations, whether they prefer the cozy charm of a winter wonderland or the sun-soaked beaches of the tropics.
In the heart of New Orleans, **The Roosevelt New Orleans, A Waldorf Astoria Hotel**, dazzles with its extravagant holiday decorations, featuring 46 Christmas trees and 112,000 lights, a tradition that dates back to the 1930s. Rates start at $154 or 52,000 Hilton Honors points, making it a festive yet affordable option. For a quintessential New York City experience, the **Lotte New York Palace** offers lavishly decorated suites and a stunning gingerbread palace in its lobby, with rates starting at $495. Each of these hotels not only provides luxurious accommodations but also a rich tapestry of holiday-themed events and activities, ensuring that every guest can create lasting memories during this special time of year.
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’re looking to travel somewhere this year that really gets into the holiday spirit, consider heading to a hotel that takes the season seriously by decorating every square inch in tinsel, serving classic and modern holiday meals, inviting Santa to come say hello and maybe even transforming the grounds into a winter wonderland. Plus, these properties are all bookable using points, either through a
major hotel loyalty program
or through a
luxury credit card booking program
.
From hotels with ice skating rinks to holiday-themed igloos serving seasonal drinks, here are some of the best hotels to celebrate the most festive time of the year.
The Palace Hotel, a Luxury Collection Hotel, San Francisco
Palace Hotel, a Luxury Collection Hotel, San Francisco
Talk about long-standing traditions: This is the Palace Hotel’s 150th holiday season, and it’s ready to celebrate in style. Originally built in 1875, the Palace Hotel was San Francisco’s first luxury hotel and the largest in the world at the time. It’s still famous for its Garden Court lobby restaurant, complete with an enormous stained-glass skylight roof, and the Pied Piper bar, famed for the enormous Maxfield Parrish painting of the same name that hangs over the bar.
This Marriott Luxury Collection property is offering a
festive lineup of holiday experiences
that will turn the property into a “The Nutcracker”-inspired wonderland, complete with a grand tree lighting ceremony in the historic Garden Court on Dec. 5. Stop in for Santa Afternoon Tea, Seasonal Strings Lunch or a Tipsy Gingerbread Workshop (adults only, please) in the Garden Court lobby as well as a festive Christmas brunch. Or book the Holiday Nights & Cable Car Rides package that includes two cable car tickets, a 150th anniversary mug and Ghirardelli hot chocolate (from $375 per night).
Rates at
The Palace Hotel, a Luxury Collection Hotel, San Francisco
start at $256 or 57,000 Marriott Bonvoy points.
Conrad Punta de Mita
CONRAD
For those who wish to escape the cold and jet off to sunnier climes — and perhaps make use of hard-earned
Hilton Honors points
— Conrad Punta de Mita is just the ticket, especially given the hotel’s cheerful holiday offerings.
Guests in search of a festive beachside getaway to this secluded Riviera Nayarit gem can book the
Seaside Greetings package
and enjoy 20 percent off stays completed through Dec. 20, 2025, or 15 percent off stays completed from Dec. 21 and onward. Depending on what kind of accommodations you book, from standard rooms up to opulent beachfront two-bedroom suites, you can get up to $500 in resort credits to use at the hotel — maybe to be used for a rejuvenating massage at the property’s on-site spa, which borrows methods from ancient Huichol culture for its treatments.
Rates at
Conrad Punta de Mita
start at $337 or 92,000 Hilton Honors points.
Raffles London at The OWO
ERIC ROSEN/THE POINTS GUY
Edwardian opulence is already a key theme at Accor-owned
Raffles London at The OWO
, making it a fitting holiday destination with its large Christmas trees and decor both inside and out and a range of
special holiday offerings
. This year, the Festive Afternoon Tea is taking inspiration from favorite Christmas carols; think White Christmas and Deck the Halls pastries, all accompanied by a live pianist and views of the Household Cavalry at Buckingham Palace. Festive celebrations will continue through New Year’s Eve when The Spy Bar, located in the Old War Office’s original secret service rooms, will host a sultry celebration with vinyl records, Louis Roederer Champagne and canapes.
Rates at
Raffles London at The OWO
start around $1,141. This Accor-operated hotel participates in the
Accor Live Limitless
loyalty program. Members can earn points on stays when booking directly through Accor at a rate of 25 points per 10 euros ($11) spent and redeem them in increments of 2,000 points to save 40 euros ($44) on hotel bills.
Gili Lankanfushi Maldives: Lankanfushi Island, Maldives
GILI LANKANFUSHI MALDIVES
Who says you have to embrace winter in order to celebrate holiday festivities in style? For those who prefer to enjoy the holidays paired with a healthy dose of vitamin D, Gili Lankanfushi is the way to go.
This private island paradise goes all-out for the festive season, with cheerful experiences like gingerbread house decorating for the little ones, and a new theme, “Chronicles of Gili,” with a mix of Narnia and Wonderland infused into visits with Santa and even Wonderland-inspired costume making that includes a traditional Maldivian parade. Of course, guests can luxuriate in all this bucket-list-worthy property has to offer, including overwater bungalows and wellness treatments like yoga, meditation and breathwork.
Rates at
Gili Lankanfushi
start at $1,919.25. This property is bookable via
Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts
and is currently offering a
complimentary third night free promotion
.
Related:
Our favorite American Express Fine Hotels + Resorts properties where you can get elite perks
The Roosevelt New Orleans: New Orleans
JOSH BRASTED/GETTY IMAGES
New Orleans
might be most famous for its Mardi Gras celebrations, but at The Roosevelt New Orleans, A Waldorf Astoria Hotel, Christmas is about as glamorous as it gets.
It’s part of the
Hilton Honors
family, so guests who spend the holidays at The Roosevelt can earn and redeem points while soaking up the sparkle of the spacious hotel lobby’s ornate decorations, a tradition dating back to the 1930s. To put it in 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, served in the hotel’s “North Pole.” The time-honored tradition features singing, dancing, storytelling and appearances from Santa and Mrs. Claus.
Rates
The Roosevelt New Orleans, A Waldorf Astoria Hotel
start at $154 or 52,000 Hilton Honors points.
Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center: Nashville
GAYLORD HOTELS
For a southern take on Christmas, why not make it a little country with a trip to
Nashville
and the larger-than-life Gaylord Opryland Resort? There, check out the property’s holiday decorations while enjoying a
boat ride down the indoor river
, take a thrill ride in a bumper car specially designed for the ice rink (or just go ice skating) and go ice tubing.
Holiday highlights at Gaylord Opryland Resort
this year include “A Charlie Brown Christmas” brought to life through giant, colorful ice sculptures and “Pomp, Snow & Cirqueumstance,” a new holiday musical/circus show. There is also a gingerbread-making station, ice tubing and an interactive scavenger hunt. If that’s not enough, skip the winter cold and hit up the indoor section of the resort’s water park,
SoundWaves
.
Rates at
Gaylord Opryland Resort
start at $311 or 39,200 Marriott Bonvoy points.
Related:
Something for everyone: 6 things to know before you visit a Gaylord resort
Lotte New York Palace: New York City
LOTTE NEW YORK PALACE
Ah, Christmastime in
New York City
— it’s simply too iconic to pass up. And Lotte New York Palace might just be one of the very best places in the city to embrace the festive season.
Those passing through can enjoy a signature hot chocolate at Winter Bar (open Wednesday through Sunday) and marvel at the decked-out tree in the courtyard. But those who plan to stay overnight — and really want to do it up big — have quite the opportunity in store.
This year, the hotel is again offering festively decorated
Palace Holiday Suites
(from $2,795 per night, available Nov. 24, 2025, to Jan. 5, 2026) in collaboration with holiday home decor brand Balsam Hill. Each suite — including the red and white Apres Ski suite, the cream and blush Parisian Palace suite, and the gold and crystal Golden Glow suite — will put you in the holiday spirit with a Christmas tree, holiday cookies and a keepsake ornament. Other Lotte New York Palace holiday traditions include a gingerbread palace on display in the lobby — a true masterpiece that takes more than 300 hours to create — and visits with Santa on Sunday afternoons.
Rates at
Lotte New York Palace
start at $495. This property is bookable using Chase Ultimate Rewards via
The Edit by Chase Travel
.
The Peninsula Chicago: Chicago
THE PENINSULA CHICAGO/FACEBOOK
If you’re willing to brave the Windy City during the holiday season’s blistering cold and snow, The Peninsula Chicago, perfectly positioned to explore the Magnificent Mile, is a top-tier hotel to make a home base.
This year, the hotel is celebrating the season with a handful of jolly good offerings. Consider booking the
Holly Jolly Family Holiday Package
(from $1,175, available Nov. 28, 2025, to Jan. 6, 2026), which features an in-room tree or menorah, daily breakfast for four, complimentary treats and access to the hotel’s library of holiday books, movies and games.
In the lobby, Santa visits on the weekends by the grand 20-foot Christmas tree that shines with twinkling lights and red ornaments. The hotel’s
Holiday Afternoon Tea
features finger sandwiches, petite pastries themed to the season and English teas. Giving back is also an important part of the holidays at The Peninsula Chicago. A portion of every afternoon tea will be donated to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago.
Rates at
The Peninsula Chicago
start at $420. This property is bookable via
Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts
and is currently offering a
complimentary third night free promotion
.
Related:
The best Chicago hotels
Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia at Comcast Center: Philadelphia
FOUR SEASONS HOTEL PHILADELPHIA AT COMCAST CENTER/FACEBOOK
Of all the world’s
Four Seasons hotels and resorts
, the one in Philadelphia (in the city’s tallest building) might just be the most spectacular. While it’s got a lot going for it — including an indoor infinity pool on the 57th floor with incredible views of Philly — the place takes on a whole new level of grandeur during the holidays. This year, the hotel’s artistic director, Jeff Leatham, is bringing the season to life with modern and edgy decorations, such as a mirrored polar bear and a life-size geometric reindeer, in the Sky Lobby.
To best experience
Four Seasons holiday magic in Philadelphia
, head up to SkyHigh on the 60th floor for special brunches and holiday dinners with live music, Christmas carolers and holiday-themed cocktails like a hot apple toddy. Come for Christmas brunch, but stay long enough to celebrate the new year because this incredible hotel is also one of the best places in town to catch fireworks over the Delaware River.
Rates at
Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia at Comcast Center
start at $1,140. This property is bookable using Chase Ultimate Rewards via
The Edit by Chase Travel
.
Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek: Dallas
ROSEWOOD HOTELS & RESORTS
Texas
may not be the snowiest place in the world, but that doesn’t mean there’s not a little holiday magic in the air. At the Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek, a luxury hotel tucked among some of Dallas’ most popular neighborhoods, it’s easy to feel like you’ve been transported back to the golden days of the holiday season. In fact, Rosewood Hotels & Resorts is celebrating “The Art of Hosting” this holiday season with unique offerings at every Rosewood property.
At Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek, “The Art of Hosting” includes Christmas trees adorned with silver and white ornaments and garlands alongside redesigned suites where guests get the opportunity to have an in-room tree decorated and waiting for them — or they can have it brought up and left to decorate themselves. The Mansion Restaurant brings a new sense of grace and elegance to the holidays.
Rates at
Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek
start at $652. This property is bookable via
Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts
and is currently offering a
complimentary third night free promotion
.
Related reading:
The best hotel credit cards
Get free breakfast, upgrades and more with the Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts program
The best hotel rewards programs in the world
The best premium credit cards: A side-by-side comparison
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
