2022 Holiday Getaways Just In the (Saint) Nick of Time

With the holidays quickly approaching, new data from PwC states that nearly 47% of Americans will travel this holiday season, as compared to 40% last year and 33% in 2020.

Whether viewing dynamic light shows from a rooftop in Minneapolis, strolling through a winter garden in Paris, or taking over an entire boutique hotel in the picture-perfect Catskills, here are some winter destinations that are sure to lift holiday spirits this season.

Hotel Lilien | Catskills, NY 

This holiday season friends and family have an epic way to compensate for recent holidays spent in smaller numbers: take over an entire boutique hotel and invite e-v-e-r-y-o-n-e you know. Hotel Lilien, the newest boutique property to the Catskills, is offering a complete property buyout this December 24 through December 26 including:

Overnight accommodations for 42 guests (18 guest rooms) between December 22 and December 26, 2022

Halls decked with custom holiday decor tailored to unique family traditions

All-you-can-eat and drink holiday meals on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day prepared by a mystery chef

White glove service to keep the wood-burning stove alight, guide your group on nature walks, distribute complimentary snow shoes, sleds, and games, and provide aprés ski bar service

A perfectly festive holiday atmosphere complete with floor-to-ceiling windows for watching the snowfall

A stocking and gift for every member of the group

A custom cocktail named for your group on Hotel Lilien’s public bar menu for one month

Available to just one lucky family this holiday season, Hotel Lilien’s unique holiday package begins at $70K and can be booked directly by calling 925-597-3204. The deadline to book is December 2, 2022.

Grand Adirondack Hotel | Lake Placid, NY 

Escape the busyness of the holidays to enjoy a modern-day winter wonderland: Lake Placid. Nestled in the shadow of Whiteface Mountains and on the shores of Mirror Lake, Lake Placid is the perfect winter weekend getaway. The Grand Adirondack Hotel, having just opened this past August, embodies the soul and spirit of Lake Placid. Winter activities include the annual Holiday Village Stroll (Dec. 9th-11th), ice skating at the Olympic Skating Oval and downhill winter sled riding. Just about five hours away from Manhattan, Grand Adirondack Hotel is the perfect long-weekend getaway to escape the city buzz. Located on Lake Placid’s Main Street, the property has a rich history as a fifth-generation hotel occupying this enviable location, the first of which was the Hotel Marcy constructed in 1927. Inspired by the original look of Hotel Marcy, today’s hotel features 92 guestrooms, a rooftop space, a new brick facade and more.

The Joule | Dallas, TX | 

Located in the heart of Downtown Dallas, The Joule is a boutique luxury hotel perfect for staying at during the holiday season. Upon arrival, guests will be greeted by stunning holiday decor, displayed throughout the lobby and common spaces. CBD Provisions, The Joule’s modern Texas brasserie, will serve holiday-themed cocktails like The Grinch Sour, with chambord and Maker’s Mark, as well as the Sleigh Queen, a peppermint chocolate martini, all December Long.

Guests staying over Christmas can also enjoy a feast on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day at CBD Provisions, including special plates like Duck Confit, Braised Beef Cheek, and Sticky Toffee Pudding. The Joule’s refined Italian concept Sassetta will offer a modern take on the Feast of the Seven Fishes on December 23 and 24. The seven-course celebration will include courses like Scallop Crudo, Branzino al Forno, and much more. Midnight Rambler, an award-winning cocktail bar, will also offer a menu of festive cocktails for the holiday season plus pop-up events.

Turtle Bay Resort | Oahu, Hawaii 

Set to complete a full-scale renovation in 2023, the iconic Turtle Bay Resort has been transformed into an enclave of naturalistic design and engaging experiences of the North Shore’s unique culture. Spanning nearly 1,300 acres of beaches, gardens, and still-wild public spaces, Turtle Bay Resort is the ideal escape for travelers chasing the sun this holiday season. Seasonal offerings include:

On Sunday, December 18th from 6 – 9 pm, Turtle Bay Resort will be welcoming 6-time Grammy Award Nominee Amy Hānaialiʻi for a one-night-only dinner and show featuring special guests Kulāiwi with Kawika Kahiapo, Lehua Kalima, Shawn Pimental, and a hula performance by Pono Fernandez. Guests can enjoy a decadent, three course, pre-fixe dinner prepared by Executive Chef Lyle Kaku. Guests can purchase tickets here.

On December 24th and 25th, Alaia will be hosting a three-course, pre-fixe, family-style Christmas dinner. The pre-fixe menu serves two and includes one appetizer, one dessert, and one of two entreés: Tomahawk Steak or Whole Fish and Bouillabaisse. Guests can make reservations here.

Dash down from your rooms and into Alaia for Christmas Day celebrations filled with a Brunch Buffet, Bubbles specials, live music, photos with Santa, and s’mores, eggnog, and hot cocoa by the firepit. Guests can make reservations here.

Guests staying on property can participate in festive activities all week, including cookie decorating, coconut frond ornament decorating, Christmas stories, movie nights, reindeer rides, and surfing carolers. Want to continue the holiday traditions in your home away from home? Turtle Bay can decorate your room with a Christmas tree and an Elf on the Shelf.

Equinox Golf Resort & Spa | Manchester, VT 

Nestled in the Green Mountain National Forest, The Equinox Golf Resort & Spa serves as Manchester Vermont’s hidden gem. This expansive 914 acre Equinox Preserve serves as a picturesque place for a family holiday getaway. Centrally located between Stratton and Bromley Mountains, The Equinox offers world-class winter recreation on and off property including ice-skating, nearby skiing, snowshoeing, tubing and so much more. Seasonal offerings include:

Breakfast with Santa at The Marsh Tavern: Children of all ages and their families can enjoy a festive, fun-filled morning complete with a holiday breakfast buffet, with a visit from Santa Claus. Guests can make reservations (here) and view the menu (here).

Christmas Brunch at The Colonnade: Guests can make reservations (here)

The Holiday Snow Package offers discounted prices, a daily breakfast to start each ski day sunny side up, and one s’mores kit to end the evening by the fire pit.

Rand Tower Hotel | Minneapolis, MN 

Rand Tower Hotel, a 270-guest room hotel, in the heart of downtown Minneapolis is a luxury, historical property that features amenities and activities that elevate the entire guest experience, with elevated food and beverage venues and beautiful rooftop views. Guests can watch the historic Rand Tower during the holiday season in wonder as it displays its dynamic lights with a themed light show throughout the holiday season. Each night will honor the holidays in a special way starting at sunset on December 18th through January 1st, perhaps red and green for Christmas, white for a wedding, or a birthday guest’s favorite color.

Guests will also be able to experience and enjoy the spirit of the season with Art Deco era inspired decorations and a grand tree display in their hotel lobby. Guests can also enjoy what Minneapolis has to offer during the winter time, as it is a bustling metropolis with different activities to take part in, like the Great Northern Festival. Additionally, with the Target Center less than half a mile away, there are always sports games and live performances nearby.

Spiegelworld | Las Vegas, NV

Las Vegas for the holiday season is magical, and no one throws a better party than entertainment provocateurs Spiegelworld. Below are a few of their unique offerings if you’re heading to The Strip.

At Ski Lodge, a speakeasy-style cocktail bar at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, enjoy a series of festive cocktails perfect for sipping by the fire, created by Niko Novick, Spiegelworld’s Executive of Beverage. Options include the Hot Buttered Barump A Rum Rum (Amaro, Rum, spices, served with an Oreo Frosting garnish), Grinchhopper (Fernet, Creme de Menthe, Creme de Cacao, served with a Candy Cane garnish), and Coquito Magnifico (Rum, Bailey’s, coconut milk, cinnamon, served with a frosting rim).

If you’re looking for a show, swing by any of Spiegelworld’s three iconic shows on The Strip: ABSINTHE at Caesars Palace, OPM at The Cosmopolitan or Atomic Saloon Show at the Venetian. Great to add to any type of Las Vegas itinerary, these shows are sure to surprise and delight.

Sanderling Resort | Duck, NC 

Sanderling Resort stands as the only full-service resort on North Carolina’s Outer Banks, sprawled across 13 acres between the Atlantic Ocean and serene Currituck Sound. With the holiday season as a time to disconnect, Sanderling Resort offers a 6,000-square-foot award-winning spa featuring 10 treatment rooms, a couple’s suite, a private Vichy shower and eucalyptus steam room. Sanderling also offers vacation rentals where guests can hire a professional holiday decorator to fully deck out one of the vacation home rentals with lights and displays to make the home the ultimate winter getaway.

Sanderling season offerings include:

Christmas tree & resort Lighting

Hot Chocolate & Cookie Bar in the Beach House from Thanksgiving to New Years

Ornament Decorating

Send letters to Santa

Hot Toddy Mixology Class for the kids at heart

Home for the Holidays Package: Save up to 35% off a choice of a room or suite, with an additional $50 resort credit per stay, valid from November 20-30 and December 18-31.

Crossroads Hotel | Kansas City, MO

Centered in the city’s bustling Arts District, the award-winning Crossroads Hotel serves as Kansas City’s intersection of art, culture and history. This year, Crossroads Hotel is celebrating the holidays in style. At Lazia, the property’s signature restaurant, travelers can experience la Vigilia di Natale, or Feast of the Seven Fishes, on Christmas Eve, an authentically traditional Italian holiday celebration where each fish represents one of the seven sacraments found in Roman Catholic teachings. On New Year’s Eve, it’s all about food, friends and family at Lazia with La Fiesta di San Silvestro (Feast of St. Sylvester) featuring popular dishes including braised pancetta with scamorza cauliflower purée, frisée, soft egg, lemon vinaigrette and shaved apple. For those looking for a big party – look no further. Crossroads Hotel is hosting the best bash in the city, with performers, sweet & savory bites and four complimentary bars all set to the beats of the city’s best DJs and musicians.

Fouquet’s I Paris, France 

In Paris, the iconic Fouquet’s brasserie, serving the city for over 100 years, is also home to the ultra-luxe 101-room hotel of the same name, the last luxury hotel in Paris to still be owned by a French family. Launching this week, Fouquet’s private Winter Garden at the hotel’s other restaurant, Le Joy, offers a warm respite from the cold. Locals and guests alike can unwind with a Joy’s Mule made with French gin from Maison Drouin, brut cider, fresh lime juice, and ginger syrup. The Winter Garden is completely enclosed but open air — located within Le Joy’s private interior courtyard. With dazzling blue lights setting the hotel ablaze and a menu of all-French classics with grown-in-France ingredients (there’s not even chocolate on menu as cacao is not grown in France), Le Joy’s Winter Garden is a captivating classique experience of the City of Lights’ winter delights.

Le Majestic I Cannes, France 

New for 2023, Le Majestic will be offering a “Gourmet New Year’s Eve Getaway” package including:

Accommodation in a double room

Breakfast buffet at the hotel restaurant

New Year’s Eve Dinner at Le Fouquet’s restaurant in 6 courses with musical entertainment (excluding drinks) — menu attached

A bottle of Champagne in the room upon arrival

For families traveling over the New Year period, Le Majestic’s kids’ club offers a true immersion into French holiday traditions. Called “Le Petit VIP,” the kid’s club’s new holiday programming includes a language workshop teaching children to toast to the New Year in French and a kids cooking class to make cakes in the French tradition.

Yours Truly | Washington, DC 

Yours Truly located in the heart of DC is offering a variety of holiday activations, perfect for engaging the whole family. In the coming weeks guests and locals alike can enjoy holiday offerings like a holiday cookie cutting class, Shop Small festival, the perfect spot to buy loved ones a unique something special, and festive holiday decor.