The Best Hotels for Kids at Christmastime — Where Holiday Magic Actually Happens

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There’s hotel holiday cheer, and then there’s the kind of Christmastime that makes little kids’ eyes go wide and grown-ups whisper, “remember this forever.” If you want more than a tree in the lobby and a hot cocoa cart, look for places that go all-in: Santa visits, horse-drawn sleighs or carriage rides, ice skating rinks, snow tubing or sledding hills, life-size gingerbread displays, and full-on immersive holiday programming. Below are my favorite U.S. hotels that do that extra bit of magic — perfect for families who want a Christmas you can feel.

Mohonk Mountain House — New Paltz, New York

If you picture an old-school holiday postcard — a Victorian castle on a frozen lake, skaters gliding under twinkling lights, horse-drawn carriage rides, and kid-friendly events all day long — Mohonk delivers. They run a “Victorian Holidays” series with an outdoor ice-skating pavilion, family craft activities, snow tubing and carriage/sleigh options when there’s snow, plus gingerbread and tree-lighting festivities. It’s very cozy, very outdoorsy, and feels like stepping into a storybook.

The Mohonk Mountain is actually on my list of the most fun hotels for kids, no matter what time of year you visit. There are so many amazing amenities for families, making it one of the best hotels for kids in the U.S.

Omni Mount Washington Resort — Bretton Woods, New Hampshire

This grand hotel in the White Mountains is the kind of place where Santa can actually arrive by sleigh. The resort’s seasonal calendar routinely features Santa sleigh rides across the snowy grounds, holiday dinners, and plenty of winter play — think cross-country trails, skating, and views that make every snowy moment Instagram-worthy. For families wanting classic snowy-mountain Christmas activities with a stately hotel base, this is a top pick.

This resort also makes my list of the best family hotels to spend New Years Eve at.

The Greenbrier — White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia

Known as “America’s Resort,” The Greenbrier dresses up for the season like a full-scale holiday production. It’s no wonder that this is one of the best hotels for kids during the Christmas season. They offer ice skating, carriage and (when weather permits) sleigh rides across their vast grounds, regular visits with Santa during December weekends, tree-lightings, and kids’ craft workshops. And the decorations are next level. It’s big, traditional, and perfect for families who want variety and old-fashioned pageantry.

Gaylord Opryland— Nashville – One of the best hotels for kids year-round

If your kids want spectacle, the Gaylord properties are basically theme-park-meets-hotel for the holidays. Gaylord Opryland’s “A Country Christmas” features ICE! (massive indoor ice sculptures and slides), snow tubing, gingerbread activities, and a huge light show — plus lots of places inside the hotel to explore so you don’t have to brave the cold for everything. Several Gaylord hotels across the country run similar ICE! exhibits and family programming. Great when you want jaw-dropping decor and hands-on activities under one roof.

This is another one of the resorts that’s excellent for kids, no matter what time of year you visit. Christmastime just happens to be extra magical!

Omni Grove Park Inn — Asheville, North Carolina – One of the best hotels for kids at Christmastime

You might not expect Asheville for snow, but the Grove Park Inn brings Christmas to life with the National Gingerbread House Competition (huge gingerbread displays on lobby view), festive afternoon teas, and plenty of holiday programming for kids. Even if sleighs aren’t in the forecast, the oversized gingerbread displays and warm, historic public spaces create a magical, edible-art kind of Christmas.

The Plaza — New York City – One of the most iconic Christmas hotels

The Plaza is well known for being one of the best Christmas hotels in NYC. And it’s a family favorite for those seeking that classic, cinematic Christmas — think Nutcracker-themed tea in a grand Palm Court, Santa visits, and New York theatrics just outside your door. Holiday afternoon tea here is an event itself (and a lovely warm-up between skating at Rockefeller and watching the windows on Fifth Avenue). It’s more urban magic than sled hill, but unforgettable in its own glamorous way.

The Hotel Hershey — Hershey, Pennsylvania

I can’t list the best Christmastime hotels for kids without mentioning The Hotel Hershey. For chocolate lovers and tiny thrill-seekers, Hotel Hershey is a sweet holiday hub. Packages often bundle Hersheypark Christmas Candylane and Hershey Sweet Lights access (rides, visits with Santa and reindeer, and millions of lights), plus in-hotel holiday treats — think milk-and-cookies deliveries and themed family packages. It’s a great combo of a hotel stay and a full holiday amusement-park experience.

The Broadmoor — Colorado Springs, Colorado

The Broadmoor goes full holiday with classic shows, special dinner events, and festive programming. It’s a glamorous mountain resort experience with traditions like the Classic Broadmoor Holiday Show and curated seasonal packages — ideal if you want upscale dining, elegant decorations, and family entertainment in one place. If you want a polished, classic Christmas with activities nearby (and easy access to local winter pursuits), Broadmoor is worth considering.

Hotel del Coronado — Coronado, California – One of the best beach hotels for kids as well

The Hotel del Coronado turns its beachfront property into a true holiday spectacle, blending coastal charm with classic Christmas magic. The highlight is Skating by the Sea, an oceanfront ice rink where kids can glide around with waves crashing in the background.

Throughout the resort, you’ll find festive light displays, themed décor (including this year’s whimsical Wizard-of-Oz theme), and cozy experiences like beachside igloos and s’mores under the stars. Santa often makes appearances, and families can enjoy special holiday meals, tree lightings, and plenty of kid-friendly activities that make a warm-weather Christmas feel truly special. This resort is also one of the best New Years Eve family resorts with plenty of celebrations to ring in the new year.

And because San Diego tends to have nice weather year round, you can find plenty to do in Coronado during your visit. Check out these other great things to do in San Diego during the winter.

Fairmont Scottsdale Princess — Scottsdale, Arizona – One of the best hotels for kids any time of year

The Fairmont Scottsdale Princess goes all-out with its annual Christmas at the Princess celebration, transforming the entire property into a glittering winter wonderland — even in the desert. Families can ice skate on the resort’s “Desert Ice” rink, zoom down an icy slide, ride a Ferris wheel, explore a holiday light lagoon by train, and meet Santa in immersive themed experiences. Millions of twinkling lights, festive characters, s’mores fire pits, and nightly shows create a theme-park level holiday atmosphere. It’s a perfect pick if your kids want big, bold Christmas fun and you love the idea of a festive escape without the freezing temps.

Read more about Christmas at the Scottsdale Princess Hotel here.

Quick Planning Tips for a Magical Christmas Experience

• Book holiday packages early. Many hotels bundle activities (sledding, ice skating, Santa photos) into limited-time packages that sell out. And don’t assume that everything is free with your stay. Often times, the Christmas festivities still cost extra.
• Check weather contingency plans. Sleigh rides depend on snow; many resorts offer carriage rides as a no-snow fallback. If sleigh bells are a must, ask how they handle low-snow seasons.
• Ask about kid programming and supervision. Resorts that “go all out” usually have kids’ clubs, cookie decorating, or supervised events so parents can sneak in a spa visit or an adults-only dinner.
• Pack layers and warm footwear. Even hotels with tons of indoor fun will have outdoor skating, sledding, or carriage rides — and kids get cold fast.
• Look for experiential extras. Gingerbread exhibits, large tree lightings, and indoor ice attractions (like ICE! at Gaylord) give you memorable moments without long drives.

Looking for more holiday magic for the family? Check out these amazing Polar Express Train Rides throughout the U.S.

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