12 festive U.S. hotels that go all out for the holidays

Look no further than Loews Miami Beach Hotel for a warm-weather winter getaway filled with holiday cheer. The family-friendly resort offers a slew of festive activities like holiday movie screenings, chef-led cookie decorating classes and live performances. Don’t miss one of the special holiday dining experiences, including one inspired by a traditional Italian holiday celebration, the Feast of the Seven Fishes, at the brand-new Rao’s Miami Beach (yes, that Rao’s). Meanwhile, the property’s spectacular decor—think twinkling light-adorned palm trees and a gold ornament surrounded by poinsettias in the lobby—is just the icing on the cake.

Lotte New York Palace’s courtyard Christmas tree—one of the most Instagrammable in all of NYC—will make its grand (re)debut this holiday season. Expect an array of holly-jolly holiday programming and pop-ups, including the al fresco Winter Bar, which serves hot chocolate, hot toddies and hot buttered rum, among other seasonal delights like holiday cookies. Meanwhile, little ones can send letters to Santa (and even receive a hand-written reply from Old Saint Nick himself!). There's also an over-the-top Gingerbread Palace (made with over 100 pounds of flour and fondant) and visits with Santa and the Rockettes. The Ultimate Holiday Package—which clocks in at $100,000, all of which goes to charity—includes a three-night stay in the 5,000 sqft Champagne Suite penthouse, four tickets to the Rockefeller Center Tree Lighting, a private tour of the FAO Schwartz toy store, a $1,500 shopping spree at Sak’s Fith Avenue and so much more.

The Penisula Chicago is among the Windy City’s most luxurious properties, and it is no surprise that it pulls out all the stops for the holidays. Enjoy Holiday Afternoon Tea in an elegant setting surrounded by a 20-foot-tall Christmas tree and over-the-top decor—plus live string quartet performances and visits with Santa. The hotel also offers a 2,100-square-foot ice rink where locals and guests can skate, sip hot beverages at the adjacent Chalet and listen to holiday tunes. The sweeping city views and twinkling lights only add to the cheery ambiance. Consider splurging on the Holly Jolly Family Package or the Merry and Bright Package, including an in-room Christmas tree or menorah. Last but not least, foodies will love the multi-course Christmas Eve dinner—complete with live jazz, no less—and a one-of-a-kind Christmas Day buffet (think lobster, king crab, oysters, sushi and sashimi).

Just an hour’s drive from Washington, D.C., lies the sprawling Salamander Resort, which, come the holiday season, is outfitted with Christmas trees, wreaths, lights, and garlands galore. The weeks leading up to Christmas are jam-packed with festive events like a Christmas tree lighting ceremony, interactive Elf on the Shelf programming, Santa meet-and-greets, a holiday-themed BBQ and wine-tasting dinner, gingerbread house decorating, and mouthwatering Christmas meals. Animal-loving children will especially enjoy “Deck-The-Stalls,” which offers them the chance to decorate a stocking—and fill it with candy canes, apples, and carrots—for their favorite horse at the on-site equestrian center.

Nemacolin in Pennsylvania transforms into a true winter wonderland each holiday season. The resort comprises five different hotels and kicks off the festivities with the annual light show, Light Up Night, on Black Friday. New this year is Hardy's Holiday Village, which features live dance performances, charming boutiques for holiday shopping, cheery entertainment, an outdoor ice skating rink, and a gingerbread decorating contest. Guests can also choose from an array of themed culinary offerings, including The Hot Cocoa Hideaway, Mr. Sandman’s Gum Drop Dreams, Merry Merry Macarons and Mrs. Clause’s Gingerbread Bakery.

Escape to the dreamy Sonoran Desert this holiday season with a stay at the luxe Fairmont Scottsdale Princess in Scottsdale. The resort’s annual Christmas at the Princess festival offers something special for guests of all ages, including ice skating, character and Santa meet-in-greets, choreographed light shows, and s’mores roasting, among a handful of other must-do activities. Alas, the fun doesn’t stop there: Don’t miss the 95-foot-tall Ferris wheel, the swanky ice lounge and the nativity garden—as well as a jaw-dropping four-story tree, a whopping 128 fireplaces and igloos, and 6.5 million (!) LED lights.

Dreaming of a white Christmas? If the answer’s yes, consider a stay at The Lodge at Spruce Peak in Stowe. With its snowglobe-like setting, this epic ski resort is a real-life winter wonderland complete with eye-catching holiday decor, plus an annual lights festival. In addition to skiing and snowboarding, the resort offers cold-weather activities like ice skating and snowshoeing; off-site adventures, such as horse-drawn sleigh rides, dog sledding, ice climbing and snowmobiling, can also be arranged. When it comes time to refuel, indulge in apres-ski faves like fire-baked raclette cheese at the WhistlePig Pavilion, which also offers private heated pergolas overlooking the slopes and ice rink.

Bask in the holiday spirit at Charleston’s Hotel Bennett. The property’s striking facade is decked out in festive decor, and the fun continues inside. Geek out at the life-sized gingerbread house while sipping hot cocoa, attend the annual tree lighting ceremony with live music and getaways, mix and mingle with Santa and indulge in holiday-themed afternoon tea. For a truly memorable stay, book the Home Sweet Hotel Bennett package, which includes suite accommodations, an in-room fully decorated Christmas tree, a keepsake ornament and complimentary hot chocolate at the aforementioned life-sized gingerbread house.

Beginning November 17, the Meritage Resort & Spa in Napa transforms into an idyllic winter village with nightly tree-lighting ceremonies, ice skating at the on-site rink surrounded by glimmering lights and a slew of special events like Tinsel Tea and Santa's Story Time. Sip vino at the on-site tasting rooms overlooking the rink or spring on a private igloo. On Christmas Day, guests are invited to feast on a delicious brunch buffet. Book the Merry Meritage holiday package, which includes up to 30 percent off stays, a $50 daily resort credit, and—best of all—unlimited ice skating for two.

Located along a prime stretch of sand, the aptly named Ocean House resort is known as a summer hotspot for luxury-loving travelers craving a beach vacation; however, it's well worth visiting during the holiday season, too. The fun begins when travelers pull up to the property, which is done with twinkling lights, a giant wreath, garlands and a towering Christmas tree. This Relais & Chateaux property also decks the halls with plenty of holiday cheer with memorable meals with Santa, cookie and cupcake decorating classes, ornament-making workshops, gingerbread-making classes and more. Watch holiday movies at the resort’s private screening rooms and cozy up with your loved ones.

The 37,000-acre Resort at Paws Up in Montana is the place to be this season—and not just because of its winter wonderland-esque surroundings (though it's definitely a bonus). Spend the holidays partaking in activities like horseback rides, snowmobiling, dog sledding, sleigh rides, ice skating, snow tubing, skiing and snowshoeing. Afterward, guests can retreat to their rustic-chic vacation home outfitted with a fully decorated Christmas tree. As part of the package at this all-inclusive resort, guests enjoy visits from Santa on Christmas Eve, a fun-filled gingerbread house-building contest and a $500 prepaid resort credit per person, per stay. Best of all, a stay here is all-inclusive.

This private island resort off the coast of Georgia is pulling out all the stops to bring holiday magic to life. Highlights include a life-sized gingerbread display of a car—which guests can admire while enjoying complimentary cider and cookies—and the annual “Elf Tuck In” (in which little ones are put to sleep by Santa’s elves with a warm cookie, milk, and a Christmas-themed bedtime story), the “Reindog Parade” (which puts furry friends at the forefront), and the Children’s Christmas Eve Party. Those staying at The Cloister and The Lodge will find festive decor all around, while Cottage guests can have the resort set up and decorate an in-room Christmas tree with their own ornaments. Other holiday-themed events include Santa meet-and-greets, wine tastings, carolers, gingerbread house decorating, live music, and ornament decorating.