Find out what these destinations are offering this holiday season from riverside Christmas markets in Savannah and alpine escapes in Vail, to Mozart-inspired celebrations in Salzburg and culinary fairy-tales in Munich.
For the Entertainment Enthusiast – Savannah, GA Savannah sparkles at Christmastime, and nowhere is the celebration bigger than at Plant Riverside District. The riverside destination transforms into a winter wonderland with its annual Savannah Christmas Market, complete with twinkling lights, artisan stalls, and live music along the waterfront. Guests can sip mulled wine under towering trees, browse holiday gifts in boutique shops, and enjoy nightly performances from local musicians and carolers. With festive dining across its eclectic collection of restaurants and family-friendly activities like Santa meet-and-greets and cookie-decorating, Plant Riverside District has become the city’s must-visit holiday hub for locals and travelers alike.
For the Nature Lover – Greenville, SC Greenville’s charming downtown and surrounding Blue Ridge Mountains create the perfect backdrop for a cozy holiday escape. At the Grand Bohemian Lodge Greenville, set along the Reedy River Falls, the season is marked by natural beauty paired with festive flair. Guests can warm up by lodge fireplaces with holiday cocktails, admire locally inspired holiday décor, and enjoy holiday menus at Between the Trees, the property’s signature restaurant overlooking the falls. Seasonal experiences range from Christmas Eve dinners to live music in the Bohemian Garden, offering a festive atmosphere that celebrates both the region’s natural wonder and the Kessler Collection’s artful spirit of hospitality.
For the Adventurer – Vail, CO Vail offers the ultimate alpine holiday escape, where powdery slopes and twinkling lights set the scene for an active, family-friendly Christmas. At Grand Hyatt Vail, guests can pair days on the mountain with festive après-snowshoeing and après-yoga sessions, cozy hot cocoa stations, and traditions like Christmas breakfast with Santa. With ski-in/ski-out access and a lively après scene, the property captures the magic of the Rockies during the holiday season.
For the Snowbird – Santa Monica, CA
Santa Monica offers sun-drenched days, ocean breezes, and the quintessential California beach lifestyle, perfect for snowbirds looking for West Coast warmth. Shutters on the Beach, the city’s idyllic seaside mainstay, transforms into a holiday beach house with sparkling lights, seasonal decor, and sweeping ocean views. Nestled directly on the sand, the luxury resort embodies Santa Monica’s laid-back sophistication and creative spirit. And while travelers chase the sun, the city keeps the festive mood alive with Ice at Santa Monica, holiday markets, and seasonal celebrations. Even the iconic Santa Monica Pier stays open on Christmas Day, creating an atmosphere unlike anywhere else.
For the Festive Family – Kailua-Kona, Hawaii
With holidays heavily focused on spending time with one’s family, the island of Hawai’i offers a family-friendly escape that prioritizes togetherness and true connection. For 2025 festive season, the luxurious Kona Village, A Rosewood Resort, will offer local twists on traditional holiday activities tailored for the whole ohana, from Gingerbread Hale making contest and cookie decorating to a seaside Christmas market with local artisans and a beachfront Santa meet-and-greet. The programming will carry travelers into the new year with an evening of traditional Hawaiian dancing and fireworks for New Year’s Eve, followed by a morning paddleboard session to welcome 2026 on January 1st, serving as a chance to reflect and set intentions for the new year.
For the Eclectic Shopper — Santa Fe, NM
Santa Fe is a treasure trove for the eclectic holiday shopper, where centuries-old adobe streets glow with farolitos and the Plaza transforms into a marketplace of art, jewelry, and Native crafts, including the renowned Santa Fe Winter Indian Market. Just steps from the heart of it all, Rosewood Inn of the Anasazi offers an inviting retreat after a day of browsing boutiques and galleries for those last-minute, one-of-a-kind gifts. Guests can return to the crackle of adobe-style fireplaces, cozy evenings in the library, and festive dinners crafted by new Executive Chef Cristian Pontiggia, a James Beard semi-finalist celebrated for elevating the region’s flavors. Adding to the experience, new Destination Ambassador Peter Camara can curate private excursions from artisan studio visits to historic walking tours, while traditions like choosing between red or green chile (or “Christmas”) infuse the season with a uniquely local touch. Here, holiday shopping becomes cultural immersion, where every purchase feels meaningful and carries the spirit of the Southwest.
For the City Traditionalist – New York City, NY
There’s nothing quite like New York City during the holidays, and The Wall Street Hotel is the perfect place to soak it all in. Set in the heart of the Financial District, the hotel offers a stylish retreat surrounded historic buildings dressed for the season and the iconic Christmas tree at the New York Stock Exchange. Guests staying at the hotel can enjoy special seasonal touches, from complimentary hot cocoa carts in the lobby each afternoon to gingerbread cookie decorating kits available through in-room dining or at the Lounge on Pearl. Kids can also drop letters to Santa in the hotel’s festive mailbox, a favorite holiday tradition. Even visitors and locals who are just stopping by can experience the hotel’s seasonal offerings, including a holiday-inspired afternoon tea and the 12 Days of Adventinis (December 13–24), where a new limited-edition cocktail is unveiled each evening.
For the Music Aficionado – Salzburg, Austria Salzburg shines at Christmas with snowy baroque streets, Advent markets, and music honoring its most famous son, Mozart. At Rosewood Schloss Fuschl, the festive season unfolds with Mozarteum concerts in the ballroom, a Mozart-inspired Afternoon Tea, whimsical baking workshops set to The Magic Flute, and elegant holiday dining. Lantern-lit lake walks and New Year’s fireworks make this alpine escape a true symphony of culture and celebration.
For the Island Escapist – Bermuda
Bermuda’s pink sands and pastel-hued charm make for a holiday season filled with warmth, playfulness, and togetherness. At Rosewood Bermuda, the festivities come alive with spirited traditions that blend island heritage with lighthearted fun: sip mulled wine at the Annual Carols Evening, don your most outrageous holiday sweater for a festive tennis social, or test your knowledge at the Great British Christmas Pub Quiz hosted by local personality Mike Hind. Families can bond over Gingerbread House Decorating or gather seaside at The Beach Club for celebratory feasts. The season continues with a Turkey Shoot golf tournament, Rum & Eggnog toasts, and signature holiday cocktails highlighting Bermuda’s Goslings rum. Guests ring in the new year with the annual Bloody Mary Tournament and Tucker’s Point Plunge—an invigorating dip into the Atlantic, followed by champagne at the Fizz Bar.
For the Festive Foodie – Munich, Germany Munich is a culinary capital in winter, best known for its legendary Christmas markets filled with mulled wine, roasted chestnuts, and Bavarian holiday specialties. In 2025, Rosewood Munich adds to the festive flavor by transforming into a Brothers Grimm-inspired fairy-tale setting. Guests can enjoy a Snow White Afternoon Tea in the Wintergarten (Nov. 24–Jan. 1), children’s Hänsel & Gretel gingerbread workshops (Dec. 7 & 14), and festive dining at Brasserie Cuvilliés with multi-course Christmas Eve and New Year’s feasts.
For the Heritage Traveler – San Miguel de Allende, Mexico
A UNESCO World Heritage city, San Miguel de Allende comes alive during the festive season with longstanding traditions, from the feast of Día de la Virgen de Guadalupe to the nine nights of Las Posadas, reenacting Mary and Jospeh’s journey. At Rosewood San Miguel de Allende, guests are invited to join the festivities with a traditional callejoneada—a musical walk led by mojigangas—and a traditional posada featuring piñata-breaking, carols, and seasonal favorites like tamales, atole, and buñuelos. To mark the season, the luxury property will host a Christmas tree lighting with the St. Michael the Archangel Parish choir, honoring local traditions with Mexican sweets and punch.
For the Master of Mindfulness/for the Wellness & Spiritual Guru – Riviera Nayarit, Mexico
At Rosewood Mandarina, the Asaya Spa offers an approach to wellness that is both deeply spiritual and uniquely tied to the land. Inspired by the wisdom of the indigenous Wixárika community and the resort’s setting between mountains, ocean and flatlands, Asaya invites guests to embark on rituals that restore balance and connection. Treatments such as the Tamatsime “Deer Journey” massage, the Yurianaka “Mother Earth” body experience, and the Haramara “Mother Sea” therapy draw on sacred stories and elements of nature to create a sense of grounding and renewal. Couples can share in transformative moments with rituals like Sacred Heart Under the Stars, while guided meditation and restorative massage offerings nurture mindfulness and presence. During the holiday season, these evergreen programs offer guests a chance to celebrate through restoration, reflection and harmony with the spirit of place.
For Those Escaping the Holiday Chaos — Worldwide (at sea)
The holiday season can be equal parts magic and mayhem, but there’s a way to savor the sparkle without the stress: set sail. Silversea’s holiday sailings transform the world’s most breathtaking destinations into festive escapes, where ships glitter with seasonal décor, menus feature timeless holiday dishes alongside gourmet luxuries, and evenings brim with caroling, menorah lightings, and celebratory soirées. Celebrate the season in unforgettable ways: join lively parades in Uruguay, welcome the New Year beneath fireworks over Portugal’s coast, swap snow for backyard cricket and carols by candlelight in Australia with seafood feasts from the Coral Sea, or take the plunge — literally — with a Santa’s Polar Plunge in Antarctica. With every suite attended by a butler, Silversea makes room for both cherished traditions and new ones, offering joy without the hassle and memories that last long after the decorations come down.
