How to Choose the Right Holiday Resort for Your Family
Consider the Weather
Are you dreaming of a white Christmas in a cozy mountain lodge, or do you want to escape the cold and celebrate the holidays in the sun?
Choose Your Trip Type
Would you like a resort with lots of activities, or will you be happy with dazzling decor? Do you want to ski, lounge on a beach, go on theme park rides, or explore a city? Perhaps you’d prefer to go all in on Christmas and visit a festive Christmas town.
Book ASAP
The holidays are a busy time to travel (many Christmas resorts sell out by early fall), so book your vacation as far in advance as possible. If you already missed the boat this year, book now for next year!
Meet Santa and Mrs. Claus when you stay at the Otesaga Resort Hotel. Photo courtesy of the hotel
Best Christmas Resorts for Kids in the US: Snowy Mountain Getaways
1. The Otesaga Resort Hotel — Cooperstown, NY
This lakeside property built in 1909 features special holiday events like Breakfast with Santa, Tea with Princesses, and holiday bingo, as well as classic holiday decor, a gingerbread house display, and more. It’s the perfect place to stay with young kids while enjoying a small-town Christmas in Cooperstown, where you can visit Santa and Mrs. Claus at Santa’s Cottage on Main Street, take a holiday train ride, see a dazzling light show at Fenimore Farms, and maybe even pop into the National Baseball Hall of Fame!
2. Everline Resort & Spa — Lake Tahoe, CA
This snowy mountain resort transforms into a storybook alpine wonderland, Everline Enchanted, that the whole family will love. Wake up to breakfast with Santa, sip hot cocoa beside the giant lobby gingerbread house, and end the day with fireside bedtime stories from Mrs. Claus. There’s also gingerbread cookie decorating, ice skating with Santa, and holiday movies under the glow of the Sierra peaks. With direct lift access to Palisades Tahoe, guests can also ski to their hearts’ content.
3. Woodloch Pines Resort — Hawley, PA
If you’re up for a serious holiday splurge, this resort in Pennsylvania’s Pocono Mountains is a great pick. Hang out with Santa and his reindeer, take a wagon ride through the Festival of Lights, and hunt for the Yule Log hidden each year on the 135-acre property—usually discovered by a determined child, according to the resort. Read our full review of Woodloch Pines Resort.
4. Mohonk Mountain House — New Paltz, NY
This Victorian castle-like resort goes all out for the holidays with a walk-through light show, ice skating, The Nutcracker ballet selections, campfires, gingerbread displays, pictures with Santa, and so much more. For Hanukkah, Mohonk offers a nightly menorah lighting, Hanukkah crafts and decorating, and music by local musicians. New Year’s Eve is also a huge event with a silly photo booth, strolling magic shows, live music, fireworks, and other festivities. Check out more reasons we love Mohonk Mountain House.
5. Montage Deer Valley — Park City, UT
Skiing alone can make any holiday vacation feel festive, but this resort in the Wasatch Mountains brings even more holiday cheer with a gingerbread house display, Christmas tree and menorah lightings, a Letters for Santa mailbox, a gift wrapping station, and other holiday activities like ornament decorating and Hanukkah crafts. Kids of all ages will also enjoy the Candy Land experience, where they can collect all kinds of sugary treats.
Join Mickey and the gang for their Very Merry Christmas Party. Photo courtesy of Walt Disney World
Best Kid-Friendly Holiday Hotels in the US: Warm and Sunny Celebrations
6. Disney World Resorts — Orlando, FL
The magic of Disney World at Christmas is indescribable, and that magic carries over into the Disney World resorts with dazzling decor, Santa visits, and holiday activities. We especially love the Swan and Dolphin Resort, which offers cookie decorating at Santa’s Holiday Hangout, a nightly light show, and storytelling with Mrs. Claus (complete milk and cookies)! Many Disney bloggers also love Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, with its 60-foot Christmas tree, cozy fireplaces, and soft Christmas music playing in the lobby.
7. Disneyland Resort Hotels — Anaheim, CA
Disneyland is one of the most magical places in the world during the holidays, and each of the Disneyland Resort Hotels goes all out with decor and activities that fit its unique theme. Each hotel has a huge themed Christmas tree in the lobby, there are chances to meet Santa, and the characters wear holiday attire. Book your stay now at Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, Disneyland Hotel, or Pixar Place Hotel.
8. The Canyon Suites at The Phoenician — Scottsdale, AZ
Think you can’t get that Christmasy feeling in the desert? Think again! The Phoenician comes alive at Christmas. On select dates, kids can visit Santa in his Frosted Corner in the hotel lobby, then have dessert from the Sweet Treat Shop. Families can also enjoy gingerbread afternoon tea and Cocoa and Cactus, an enchanting holiday light display in the Cactus Garden. Keep your eyes peeled for Jingle Bella, a live Elf on the Shelf who makes merry mischief all around the resort. Holiday guestroom decor packages are available.
9. Caribe Royale Orlando — Orlando, FL
Want to visit Disney World during the holidays but don’t want to stay at a Disney resort? You’ll love Caribe Royale! It transforms into a festive wonderland at Christmas, complete with giant chocolate sculptures of Santa’s Magical Flight and the North Pole Express, a special Santa mailbox, and hot cocoa at check-in. Families can also enjoy a Christmas Eve tree lighting, menorah lightings, cookie decorating sessions, holiday movies under the stars, and more festive fun.
10. Hotel del Coronado — Coronado, CA
The famous Hotel del Coronado turns into a twinkling winter wonderland for the holidays. Skating by the Sea, the hotel’s beachside ice skating rink, pops up for the season, as do oceanfront igloos with fire pits. There’s also a free nightly light show set to music (complete with snow flurries), holiday movies on the beach, photos with Santa, gingerbread house decorating, and other festive activities. Wicked fans will love the Tinsel Trail to Oz, where they’ll see themed Christmas trees and meet characters from The Wizard of Oz.
11. Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa — Maui, Hawaii
Spend Christmas in paradise at this AAA, Four Diamond-rated beachfront resort. Holiday activities include caroling sessions, Christmas-themed ukulele lessons, menorah lightings during Hanukkah, and a rooftop search for Santa in the night sky on Christmas Eve. Kids will love searching the 40-acre property each day for the resident Elf on the Shelf. On Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, the resort’s Halona Kai Holiday Village includes a buffet, festive music, photos with Santa, an outdoor holiday movie, and more.
Warm cookies will await you each evening in your room at Hyatt Centric Downtown Denver.
Best US Resorts for Families at Christmas: City Escapes
12. Hyatt Centric Downtown Denver — Denver, CO
If your kiddos have ever wished they could eat Santa’s cookies, now they can! When you return to your room after a day out, you’ll find warm, homemade chocolate chip cookies and a glass of cold milk. The hotel’s lobby also transforms into a Holiday Market with local vendors selling jewelry, artwork, and other gifts. Hyatt Centric will even wrap and ship all gifts for free! Families who really want to splurge for the holidays can book the 1,000-square-foot Penthouse Suite, which has a hot cocoa bar, Colorado-made stocking stuffers, and ornament-making kits to decorate the in-room Christmas tree.
13. The Plaza New York — New York, NY
For the ultimate holiday splurge, stay at this iconic NYC hotel and soak in the Central Park views. The hotel offers a Home Alone: Fun in New York package, which comes with a limo ride around the city and an over-the-top ice cream sundae. The hotel’s Palm Court restaurant features an upscale menu and occasional visits from a classic Santa Claus, who also wanders the property and holds special storytimes in the Rose Club. A seasonal afternoon tea is perfect for a fancy outing.
14. The Windsor Court — New Orleans, LA
This luxurious hotel brings the holiday spirit with seasonally-themed afternoon teas and other festive events. You’ll also be blown away by its impressive holiday decor, which includes a nearly 20-foot Christmas tree with more than 25,000 white lights and a toy train around the base, an additional 10 trees on display throughout the hotel, six-foot magnolia wreaths in the main lobby windows, and over 1,500 feet of gold magnolia garland. Kids can also mail letters to Santa in a special lobby mailbox.
15. Westin Kansas City at Crown Center — Kansas City, MO
If you’re dreaming of a Hallmark Christmas, this Westin is the place to stay—it’s the official hotel of the Hallmark Experience, a free immersive event that transports guests into a Hallmark movie each weekend. It’s all centered around Crown Center Square, which features spectacular tree light shows, a card-sending station, a Christmas market, holiday treats, a light walk, ice skating, and Hallmark movies in the Visitors Center. There are even appearances from Hallmark stars!
Cozy up by the fire pits at Boars’s Head Resort. Photo courtesy of the resort
16. Boar’s Head Resort — Charlottesville, VA
Boar’s Head Resort is home to the popular Winter Wander Trail of Lights, an illuminated lakeside stroll of glowing installations. The Trail of Lights leads guests to the Enchantment District, where they can enjoy live music, Santa visits, outdoor games, fire pits, and food trucks. On special nights, the sky will come alive with a drone light show. Other holiday activities at the resort include gingerbread workshops and Breakfast with Santa. Charlottesville is one of our favorite Christmas towns near DC, too!
17. Fairmont Washington, DC Georgetown
Holiday festivities at this luxury hotel kick off with the annual lighting of its courtyard Christmas tree, which includes live holiday music, kids’ activities, prizes, and pictures with Santa. There’s also a gorgeous tree and a gingerbread village in the lobby, weekly Nutcracker afternoon teas, and a Christmas Day brunch. But the most unique holiday attraction is Santa’s Suite! Guests can ride the elevator up to visit Santa in his suite, which is all decked out for Christmas. It’s truly magical!
What Makes These the Best Christmas Hotels for Kids?
All of the picks on our list have dazzling holiday decor and kid-friendly holiday programming such as Santa visits, themed meals or teas, gingerbread decorating, ice skating, and more. Some of them even offer in-room decorations!
FAQ – Family Christmas Vacation Planning Guide
Q: What are the most popular family resorts for Christmas in the US?
A: The Disneyland and Walt Disney World resorts are, naturally, some of the most popular Christmas family getaways. Families also flock to Mohonk Mountain House for a mountain retreat.
Q: What’s the best warm-weather Christmas destination for kids?
A: The Hotel del Coronado in California has some of the most robust holiday programming for kids of all ages.
Q: Where can we see snow and Santa at the same resort?
A: All of the snowy mountain getaways listed above have Santa experiences, from breakfast with Santa to festive photo ops.
Q: Are any Christmas resorts all-inclusive?
A: Woodloch Pines Resort and Mohonk Mountain House are all-inclusive!
Q: When should families start booking Christmas vacations?
The answer is, yesterday! (No, seriously). Many of these Christmas family getaways book up by early fall. You might still be able to find openings for Christmas 2025, but if not, plan your trip for next year and book now!
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All photos courtesy of the hotels and resorts unless otherwise noted
