7 Best Hotels with Holiday Decor and Festive Atmosphere
Look, we all love the holidays. Theoretically. But let’s be real for a second: the reality usually involves tangled string lights that don’t work, a turkey that’s somehow both burnt and raw, and relatives asking you why you’re still single. Sometimes, the best move is to just bail. Pack a bag, grab your credit card, and escape to one of the best hotels where the decorations are professional and—most importantly—someone else does the dishes.
If you are looking to escape the chaos this year, you need to know where to go. We aren’t talking about a Motel 6 with a sad wreath taped to the vending machine. We’re talking about the heavy hitters. We’ve scoured the lists to find the absolute best hotels that go so hard on festive decor it puts your neighbor’s inflatable Santa to shame.
Here are the spots where you can live out your main character fantasy this winter.
The Plaza Hotel, One Of The Best Hotels In New York City
You knew this was coming. You can’t talk about holiday hotels without mentioning The Plaza. It is literally the setting for “Home Alone 2: Lost in New York”, which is arguably the most important Christmas movie of our time (don’t @ me).
If you have ever wanted to live like Kevin McCallister with his dad’s credit card, this is it. They actually offer a “Fun in New York” package that includes a four-hour limo ride. A limo! Besides the obvious nostalgia, the lobby is decked out to an insane degree, and Santa holds court there. If you want to feel fancy, hit up the Palm Court for tea. If you want to feel festive and slightly buzzed, hit the Champagne bar. It’s expensive, it’s iconic, and it’s exactly the kind of over-the-top energy we need right now.
The Roosevelt, New Orleans
New Orleans knows how to party, and The Roosevelt (a Waldorf Astoria joint) does not mess around. They call it the “Waldorf Wonderland,” which sounds like a marketing pitch until you see the stats. We are talking about 112,000 lights. Imagine the electricity bill.
They line the lobby with over a grand’s worth of garland and thousands of glass ornaments. But the real draw for the adults? The Sazerac Bar. It’s the birthplace of the Sazerac, but during the holidays, you can grab a “Candy Cane” or “Christmas Cookie” cocktail. It’s the perfect way to soak up the festive vibes without having to listen to “All I Want For Christmas Is You” on repeat.
The Peninsula, Chicago
Chicago in the winter is brutal, but The Peninsula makes the frostbite worth it. Immediately after Thanksgiving, they turn the place into a glittery spectacle that rivals the actual skyline. They drop a 20-foot tree in the lobby that smells like money and pine needles.
But here is the kicker that makes this place actually cool: The Z Bar hosts an “Ugliest Christmas Sweater Party.” It’s happening for the seventh time this year. It’s refreshing to see a luxury hotel that doesn’t take itself too seriously. You can drink top-shelf liquor while wearing that hideous knitted vest your aunt gave you in 2014. That is true luxury.
The Greenbrier, West Virginia
This place calls itself “America’s Resort,” which feels like a bold claim, but they back it up. The vibe here is massive. We’re talking a 60-foot tree. That is not a typo. It’s ringed by a “toy train” that is the size of an actual locomotive.
The Greenbrier is basically a holiday DLC map. They have ice skating, sleigh rides, and they light up the entire exterior like it’s the Griswold house. If you want that classic, snow-covered, “I’m in a Hallmark movie but with a higher budget” feeling, this is where you go.
Wynn Las Vegas
Vegas does not know the meaning of the word “subtle,” and thank god for that. The Wynn takes holiday decor and turns it into an edible art project.
They don’t just do a gingerbread house; they do massive sculptures made of sugar, fondant, and chocolate. In the past, they’ve done a confectionery white tiger. A tiger! Made of sugar! The Buffet displays these edible marvels, which is just cruel because you can’t eat the art. Meanwhile, the Atrium turns into a winter forest with poinsettias and “snow.” It’s excessive, it’s shiny, and it’s very Vegas.
Animal Kingdom Lodge, Orlando
If you are a Disney adult (no judgment, mostly), you probably already know this one. While the Grand Floridian is usually the go-to for gingerbread houses, it’s under renovation this year. So, the crown goes to the Animal Kingdom Lodge, easily one of the best hotels for over-the-top holiday magic and immersive festive decor.
The tree here is massive and covered in African handicrafts, which is a cool departure from the standard shiny balls you see everywhere else. Plus, they usually have gingerbread animals—think giraffes and zebras—to match the actual live animals wandering around outside your window. It’s the only place on this list where you can wake up, look at a Christmas tree, and then see a giraffe eating breakfast.
Biltmore, North Carolina
Okay, so this is technically a house, but it’s a house built by the Vanderbilts, so it’s bigger than your entire neighborhood. Staying here feels like time-traveling to the Gilded Age, back when “holiday stress” just meant your corset was too tight—and it absolutely earns its place among the best hotels for unforgettable, over-the-top holiday grandeur.
They shove a 35-foot fir tree inside the Banquet Hall. Inside. The logistics alone are mind-boggling. They have dozens of trees, thousands of lights, and enough poinsettias to drown in. It’s historic, it’s grand, and it firmly earns its reputation as one of the best hotels for jaw-dropping holiday decor, making you feel incredibly underdressed no matter what you are wearing.
The Bottom Line
As the season unfolds, choosing from the best hotels means stepping into a world where holiday magic is thoughtfully designed down to the smallest detail. From grand trees to twinkling lights, the best hotels create a festive atmosphere that feels indulgent, cozy, and completely stress-free. When you stay at one of the best hotels, you’re not just booking a room—you’re gifting yourself an experience that captures the joy of the season without the hassle. This year, let the decorations dazzle, the service spoil you, and the memories come effortlessly.
