The holiday season is synonymous with the Hallmark Channel’s Countdown to Christmas, and with the annual event just days away, it felt like a good time to explore five hotels and resorts where you can also experience one of those magical Hallmark Holiday moments with your loved one, or family. Or perhaps go on a solo trip in search of that special someone – we don’t judge at Luxe Getaways.
From tree-lined streets adorned with thousands of twinkling lights and towering Christmas trees to ice rinks and lobby displays with personal photographers, here are a few small-town destinations and hotels to further explore…
Grand Adirondack Hotel, Lake Placid, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel | Lake Placid, NY
Ideally situated on Lake Placid’s tree-lined Main Street, the Grand Adirondack Hotel reopened in August 2022 under a new name following a full-property renovation across the hotel’s 92 guest rooms, three food and beverage concepts and public spaces that combine the whimsy of the great outdoors with the laid-back luxury of the area’s historical Great Camps tradition of the Adirondacks.
Holiday Movie Moment: Lace up a pair of skates and glide along the historic Olympic Oval surrounded by festive lights, mountain views and the adjacent Olympic Center.
Grand Bohemian Lodge Greenville, Autograph Collection| Greenville, SC
Opened in August 2022, the Grand Bohemian Lodge is perched on the falls of the Reedy River overlooking Falls Park in the heart of downtown Greenville. The 187-room, park-side hotel offers a luxurious experience with floor-to-ceiling windows throughout the property to take in surrounding nature views, earth-inspired design, an on-site spa, art gallery, a fitness center, two restaurants, and hiking trails that meander the idyllic grounds.
Holiday Movie Moment: Downtown Greenville’s charming Main Street is transformed into a winter wonderland during the holidays, with a 30-foot Christmas tree adorned with more than 25,000 LED lights and holiday window displays from local merchants.
Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center | Aurora, CO
Standing at the edge of the Front Range, Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center showcases the state’s alpine charm and offers guests a welcome reprieve from typical mountain resort stays. Guests can indulge in winter wonderland-inspired eucalyptus treatments at Relâche Spa, or “freeze the day” at the hotel’s annual holiday tradition ICE! And other festive attractions like the Yuletide Street Market in Mistletoe Village which features wall-to-wall holiday gifts, collectibles, toys, plush, home décor, apparel, ornaments and more.
Holiday Movie Moment: Using more than two million pounds of ice, the classic holiday story and animated special, “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” will be brought to life by a team of 40 ice artisans who work for approximately six weeks to create the 17,500-square-foot, frozen attraction. ICE! will feature more than 10 scenes from “A Charlie Brown Christmas” and classic characters including Charlie Brown, his canine sidekick, Snoopy, and the rest of the Peanuts gang.
Residence Inn by Marriott Pigeon Forge | Pigeon Forge, TN
Opened in May 2022, the new Residence Inn by Marriott Pigeon Forge offers comfortable accommodations in spacious studio and one-bedroom suites with fully equipped kitchens and a complimentary hot breakfast. Guests can bring their furry companions to the pet-friendly property which has its own dog park on-site.
Holiday Movie Moment: Just a short drive from the hotel is Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas Presented By Humana, where the annual tradition includes more than 5 million twinkling lights surrounded by dozens of Christmas trees that tower up to 12 feet tall and heartwarming award-winning holiday shows.
The Ritz-Carlton Reynolds, Lake Oconee | Greensboro, GA
Set along the waterfront just outside of Atlanta, Ga., the resort offers five-star amenities, natural beauty and a quiet escape from everyday life. At the holidays, the lobby transforms into a Christmas fairy tale with a one-of-a-kind, life-sized Gingerbread Cottage, where the resort’s complimentary photography concierge can capture the perfect Instagram-worthy shots to highlight this ultimate winter escape.
Holiday Movie Moment: Step into the property’s Winter Forest which encompasses a 5,000-square-foot ice rink, a Snow Globe Photo Booth, and a holiday-themed retro trailer Sand Bar serving up warm classics such as hot cocoa, apple cider and hot toddies. Plus, don’t forget the legendary s’mores each evening at the fire pit!
