Whether you are planning a holiday trip to a nearby resort or to a tropical beach, there are many great Christmas vacations to choose from. The places that made our list offer travelers something unique: spectacular views, luxurious spas and activities for kids.
Christmas in California
West Coast travelers can plan a relaxing family Christmas in California where charming coastal towns offer a number of holiday events. Visit unique museums in Newport Beach, wineries and shops in Carmel-by-the-Sea, attractions in Monterey, and other amazing places in California. San Diego is a popular place to visit with kids, home to the San Diego Zoo, USS Midway Museum, the Maritime Museum of San Diego and other family-friendly attractions.
Christmas Getaways in Florida
Florida is a great destination to visit for Christmas and New Year’s because of warm sunny weather, a diverse choice of activities and endless romantic beac views. Head to tropical Key West, relax in Miami and explore other coastal cities and towns. Plan a weekend getaway or a week-long vacation during the holidays. For complete privacy and seclusion, check into one of the Florida island resorts where you will be surrounded by pristine beaches.
International Christmas Vacation
Christmas is a great time to plan a trip to a unique destination that your family has always dreamt to visit. From exotic resort towns and islands to famous cities, there is plenty to choose from around the world. Warm-weather Christmas getaways include the Caribbean islands, the Maldives, Bali, Mauritius, and New Zealand.
Ski Vacation in North America
Whether you would like to visit one of the best family ski resorts in North America or head to a slope near you, a snowy Christmas is a lot of fun, especially for kids. Both grown-ups and kids can take a skiing or snowboarding class, go sledding, ice skating, a sleigh ride, and relax with a cup of hot chocolate at the end of the day. Many ski hotels offer great spas with saunas, indoor swimming pools and massages.
Omni Tucson National
Check into the 650-acre Omni Tucson National Golf Resort & Spa in Arizona which offers luxury rooms & suites, 36 holes of golf and a spa.
The Lodge at Sea Island
The Lodge at Sea Island Golf Club is a relaxing beach getaway in southeastern Georgia. The hotel is set along five miles of private beach and has 40 luxury guest rooms and suites, offering guests privacy and five star service. Vacationers have access to an array of activities and facilities, including the Learning Center, tennis center, boating, fishing, and a 65,000-square-foot spa and fitness center.
Casa Del Mar in Santa Monica
Casa del Mar is a luxury hotel in Santa Monica, a renowned Southern California seaside community.
Gaylord Palms in Orlando
Gaylord Palms Hotel is a fun getaway, offering a choice of accommodations, dining and activities. The hotel is near Walt Disney World and other Orlando theme parks. The property in features 4.5 acres of gardens and waterways, a full service spa and fitness center and a pool for adults in Florida. For kids, there is a dedicated pool and playground with a water slide, waterfall and sand play area which is great for little ones. Coquina Dunes Recreation Park has a golf putting course where you can have fun with the whole family. Other great activities include sand volleyball and croquet lawn. There are five restaurants and lounges, live entertainment nightly and many shops.
Manoir Hovey in Quebec, Canada
Celebrate Christmas surrounded by snow and ice at the picturesque Manoir Hovey in Quebec. If you are looking for Christmas family vacation ideas, the hotel is offering the "Christmas Celebration" package which includes a 2-night stay, Holiday Brunch, a horse-drawn sleigh ride through the North Hatley village center, followed by s'mores by the fireplace. Le Hatley restaurant will treat you to a 4-course traditional festive dinner and a gourmet breakfast in the morning. Manoir Hovey is set on 20 wooded acres next to the scenic Lake Massawippi. There are many winter activities to choose from that the whole family can enjoy, including relaxing spa treatments, snowshoeing, a private cross-country ski trail, skating and downhill skiing.
Terranea Resort in Southern California
A quick weekend vacation from Los Angeles, Terranea Resort in Southern California is a spectacular getaway for the senses. You'll be surrounded by unobstructed views of the Pacific Ocean in your room, suite, by the pool (Video) and while getting pampered at the spa.
Most of the rooms and suites face the ocean and measure at least 450 square feet in size, giving you plenty of space. Ask for a room with a view of the ocean. The Spa is a 50,000 square foot oasis with scenic views and an array of treatments. Signature services include an invigorating foot treatment which incorporates Crystal Quartz.
The Plaza Hotel
There’s just something truly remarkable about spending the holiday season in New York, particularly Christmas. With all of the beautiful lights, colorful characters, and special Yuletide activities like skating at the square, New York is a great place to be at the most wonderful time of the year. But of course, where better to stay than at one of the city’s most iconic hotels, The Plaza Hotel? Since it first opened its doors in 1907, the Plaza has been an icon of New York hospitality with many world leaders, industry legends, and Hollywood stars staying within its halls.
Listel Hotel Whistler
Listel Hotel Whistler is a mountain getaway located in the center of Whistler Village, Canada, steps from the Conference center and 100 meters from the ski lifts. In the winter, go skiing, snowboarding and sledding, and in the summer explore mountain hiking and biking trails in the area. The property has 98 deluxe guest rooms and suites. All rooms have down duvets, full bathroom, small refrigerator, cable television, coffee/tea making facilities, Play Station, and WiFi Internet access for a fee. This is a pet friendly getaway, so you can bring your beloved pet with you on your trip.
Banyan Tree Lang Co in Vietnam
Located on the Central Coast of Vietnam, Banyan Tree Lang Co is a luxury getaway with 49 spacious private villas, each with its own pool, perfect for relaxing in the sun and getting outdoor massages on the deck.
Ojai Valley Inn
The Christmas season is serenity season at Ojai Valley Inn, especially if you are looking for relaxation.
The Breakers Palm Beach
It has been said in the past that to truly understand the allure of The Breakers Palm Beach, one must first stay there.
Hotel Plaza Athenee
Visiting an extraordinary city like Paris practically demands a stay in an extraordinary hotel like the Hotel Plaza Athenee.
Royal Mansour Marrakech
Timeless, inimitable, unforgettable – these are just a few of the words that have been used to describe the Royal Mansour Marrakech. This luxury hotel is beyond mere accommodation, it’s the ultimate example of refined luxury and a fantastic display of Moroccan culture and art. Staying at the Royal Mansour Marrakech guarantees privacy and exclusivity with a mere 53 gorgeous riads located within its sprawling grounds. When guests aren’t enjoying the beautifully designed suites and traditional architecture around the grounds, they can lounge in lush gardens, enjoy Moroccan craftsmanship, dine at spectacular restaurants, or indulge in the hotel’s 2,500-square-meter spa.
Rue Abou El Abbas Sebti, 40000 Marrakech, Morocco; Phone: 212-(0)529-808080
Willard InterContinental
Just a stone’s throw from The White House is the Willard InterContinental Hotel, an iconic structure in D.C. and the site of many historical moments since it first opened in 1818.
The Fairmont Palliser in Calgary
The Fairmont Palliser is a historical landmark hotel in downtown Calgary, Canada. The hotel offers luxury guest rooms, a health club and three restaurants. Work out at the fitness center, swim in the indoor saltwater pool and relax in the whirlpool or the eucalyptus steam room. 405 guest rooms and suites offer bathrobes, down duvets, a work desk and a coffee maker. The Rimrock offers fireside dining and a Canadian themed menu. The Death by Chocolate is a decadent dessert buffet that a chocoholic should not miss. The Oak Room, decorated with leather wingback chairs and vaulted ceilings, serves lighter fare. Obsessions Deli also offers lighter meals. Fly to Calgary in Alberta, Canada, and take a taxi to the hotel.
Viceroy Snowmass
Nothing imbibes the spirit of Christmas quite like a winter wonderland. At the Viceroy Snowmass, guests can enjoy the most luxurious of winter wonderlands over their Christmas holidays care of a sprawling 7,000 square foot Aspen sanctuary. Perfect for ski enthusiasts, the Viceroy Snowmass is a ski-in, ski-out 5-star resort that beautifully merges the best of mountain adventures and lavish vacations. When guests aren’t out on the slopes, they can enjoy top-notch treatments at a Ute Indian-inspired spa, feast on imaginative cuisine at the hotel’s restaurants, or spend some time by the pool terrace and café. If you can’t come during Christmas, don’t sweat it. The Viceroy Snowmass is a great place to visit any time of the year.
1300 Wood Road, Snowmass Village, Colorado 81615; Phone: 970-923-8000
The Langham, Sydney
The Langham, Sydney is a luxury getaway with elegant rooms and attentive service. The hotel is located near the famous Sydney Harbour Bridge and central business district. The hotel, which dates back to 1865, has 96 elegant guest rooms and suites.
