Jingle all the bells! The holidays are here at Accor hotels across North & Central America. For the first time since 2019, travelers can get back to making their winter wonderland dreams a reality thanks to hotels redoubling the holiday spirit. Here’s a full guide courtesy of Accor to make sure your holidays are the most merry and bright, even at the very last minute, whether you’re looking to take in the season’s spirit surrounded by snow or city lights.
*HOLIDAY PHOTOS AVAILABLE HERE*
A Guide to Spotting Santa
Swissôtel Chicago
For its ninth consecutive season, Jolly Old Saint Nick will be checking into Swissôtel Chicago’s 2,000-square-foot Presidential Suite up until December 18. Guests are invited to visit Santa’s Presidential Pad to enjoy the numerous glistening Christmas trees complimented by sweeping views of the magical cityscape, Chicago River and Lake Michigan. Book your Santa visit here.
The Plaza, A Fairmont Managed Hotel (New York)
Santa will be spreading cheer throughout the iconic hotel for overnight and dining guests this festive season. Throughout December (up until the 24th!), he’ll be greeting guests in the Champagne Bar and Palm Court and on select Fridays and Saturdays, Santa will be hosting story time in the Rose Club. Find the full schedule of events here.
Fairmont Le Manoir Richelieu (Charlevoix, QC)
Guests can book the HO-HO-HOlidays Package in Charlevoix, Québec, for the ultimate winter getaway. From December 23 to January 8, guests who book this offer enjoy all the ho-ho-holiday attractions the resort has to offer, including decorations, family activities (snowshoeing, ice skating, snow volleyball), themed workshops, a visit from Santa on Christmas morning, signature menus, a relaxing spa, pools and much more! Complete holidays program here.
Fairmont Chateau Whistler
Several opportunities to spot Santa and his entourage are available at this ski-in, ski-out landmark in Whistler, Canada. Families can have fun looking for the property’s festive gnome, Fitzjingle, through December 24. Each day, Fitzjingle has a merry time exploring the resort, and those who find him and snap a photo with him will have the chance to receive some special gifts. On December 23, the resort is hosting a Merry Mingle with Santa, where Whistler Singers and the Whistler Children’s Chorus will be singing festive carols from Fairmont Chateau Whistler’s rooftop while guests are treated to a marshmallow roast. And on December 24, children can join Mrs. Claus for bedtime stories. Complete menu of holiday activities here.
Festive Suites for Holiday Sleeps
Fairmont Banff Springs
Make this season unforgettable and experience the magic of Christmas at the Castle with a stay in one of Fairmont Banff Springs’ luxurious Santa Suites decorated by Cory Christopher. Available to book all the way up to January 5, 2023, Santa Suite stays include daily breakfast, valet parking and a festive welcome amenity.
Fairmont San Francisco
Available through January 1, 2023, Fairmont San Francisco’s Santa Suite includes overnight accommodations in a family-friendly, luxury specialty suite, decked out in Santa-inspired décor, breakfast for up to four guests, an inspired holiday-themed hot chocolate amenity (with ingredients for both kids and adult beverages), a DIY gingerbread house kit, a complimentary movie so you can enjoy a holiday classic and overnight parking for one vehicle.
Fairmont Austin
Book by January 6, 2023 to experience the ultimate in holiday cheer with Fairmont Austin’s Santa Suite. Guests who book the Santa Suite enjoy all of the benefits of St. Nick’s luxe home away from the North Pole, including a festively-decorated One-Bedroom Grand Suite and $100 food and beverage credit to elevate your very merry visit.
Swissôtel Chicago
Swissôtel Chicago is offering a Holiday Penthouse Package for guests to enjoy the hotel’s 2,000-square-foot Santa Suite, which sleeps up to six guests at $1,600/night, or the 1,200-square-foot, two-story Duplex Suite, which sleeps up to eight guests at $1,300/night. In both, guests will be welcomed with a cheerful pop of Champagne, holiday treats, toys, games, holiday crafts, letter-writing to Santa, cookie decorating and a build-your-own Swiss hot cocoa bar. Daily in-room breakfast, including Loaded Belgian Waffles, Veggie Herbed Scrambled Eggs, Applewood Smoked Brown Sugar Bacon and more, is also included in the package, along with overnight parking and a $50 donation to SOS Children’s Villages Illinois. Available to book Mondays through Thursdays through December 28.
Fairmont Vancouver Airport
For the most festive stopover in Vancouver, travelers can celebrate the season with a magical stay in Fairmont Vancouver Airport’s Holiday Suite, on offer until January 2, 2023. The festive experience, perfect for the whole family, includes a one-night stay in the hotel’s largest and most luxurious suite, the Jade Suite, decked out in beautiful festive décor plus a festive welcome amenity, family fun activities and breakfast in bed. A $25 donation will be made to Canuck Place Children’s Hospice for each night booked.
Gingerbread Homes
Fairmont San Francisco
For over a century, Fairmont San Francisco has enchanted guests with its joyful holiday festivities, dining and exuberant seasonal ambience. This year, the Fairmont elves, in good company with their sweet partners at See’s Candies, have worked overtime to create a hotel display like no other. Guests can stop in the historic hotel to see the lobby transformed into one of the world’s most beloved holiday destinations with a show-stopping, giant Gingerbread House adorned with thousands of delicious See’s Candies.
Fairmont Royal York (Toronto)
A treat for all the senses, Fairmont Royal York invites guests and the public to take a stroll through the Royal Gingerbread Lane now through December 31. There, visitors can marvel at the life-size, floor-to-ceiling gingerbread town; take a photo with magically lit trees and festive deer; and browse the new Fairmont Store pop-up for holiday shopping needs.
Fairmont Austin
The Austin hotel is hosting Gingerbread-making classes for adults. Friends and families can gather at Fairmont Austin to build their own gingerbread houses with guidance from the hotel’s pastry chefs while indulging in delicious bites and lively libations–a chance to come together and bring childhood visions of sugarplums to life, with spiked beverages in tow.
Ice-Skating Wonderlands
Claremont Club & Spa, A Fairmont Hotel (Berkeley)
Claremont Club & Spa’s Swiss-engineered Glice skating rink is back for another season of family fun under the Five Palms. Open through February 2023 and fun for all ages.
Fairmont Grand del Mar (San Diego)
This winter the Del Mar Social Club will be transformed into a festive holiday market for food, crafts, shopping and fun with a magical Glice rink for skating. Families can enjoy skating on the eco-friendly rink on weekends through January 14, 2023, or daily from December 19 through January 1, 2023.
Fairmont Lake Louise
The spectacular Victoria Glacier and the snow-frosted Rocky Mountains provide the perfect backdrop for one of the highest skating rinks in Canada. On New Year’s Eve, the rink will remain lit until 12:30 AM for guests who would like to glide their way into the New Year peacefully.
Fairmont Le Manoir Richelieu (Charlevoix, QC)
This majestic property, perched on the edge of a cliff overlooking the St. Lawrence River offers not one but two ice skating rinks: one immediately in front of the hotel for leisurely looping around the rink and the other for pick-up hockey games. Find all holiday activities here.
Fairmont Banff Springs
Nestled in the heart of the Canadian Rockies, guests staying in the iconic hotel can enjoy a private skating rink featuring unrivaled views of the castle and snow-capped mountains.
Here’s the Holiday Tea
Fairmont Grand del Mar (San Diego)
Guests can get in the holiday spirit with a delightful Afternoon Tea featuring holiday flavors and treats on Friday, December 23 followed by the talented dancers from Scripps Performing Arts Academy who will perform a narrated, abridged version of the magical traditional holiday ballet: The Nutcracker. A special holiday tea is also on offer daily through December 24.
Fairmont Hotel Vancouver
As the steam rises from perfectly steeped cups of tea, guests can indulge in savory fare, scones, and sweets made by the in-house pastry shop with the Notch8 Festive Afternoon Tea, offered now through December 30. If tiny tots are joining, a Children's Tea is offered that includes kid-friendly finger sandwiches, cookies, scones, and other delicious treats.
Fairmont Empress (Victoria, BC)
Guests can experience a festive spin on Fairmont Empress’ world-renowned Afternoon Tea this season with a creative assortment of holiday-inspired tea sandwiches, traditional English golden raisin scones served with house-made clotted cream and strawberry lavender jam, along with Christmas pastries. Guests are also serenaded by carols as they sip on seasonal, hand-picked whole leaf teas.
The Plaza, A Fairmont Managed Hotel (New York)
Throughout the month of December, the castle on Central Park is elevating its afternoon tea offering in The Palm Court, adding holiday flavors and flair. Guests won’t want to miss the white winter wonderland theme that adorns the iconic hotel, which served as the backdrop for the holiday favorite, Home Alone 2: Lost in New York film.
Fairmont Olympic, Seattle
A Seattle tradition, Fairmont Olympic’s annual Holiday Tea is served daily throughout the month of December, featuring a special festive menu accompanied by live music and Champagne. The return of the hotel’s classic venue, The George, provides the perfect backdrop for festive cheer.
‘Tis the Season to be Spirited
Fairmont Grand del Mar (San Diego)
Guests can book a chalet cabana or firepit and gather ‘round the fire with the ones they love while making memories (and s’mores!). With a full holiday cocktail and food menu featuring festive crowd favorites, visitors are sure to Be Merry at The Grand this holiday season. Reservations can be made here.
Fairmont Royal York (Toronto)
Fairmont Royal York’s annual holiday-themed pop-up, The Thirsty Elf, is back with Christmas sweaters, kitschy décor, and cheerful, festive cocktails like the Polar Punch and Christmoose Vacation. A “Letters to Santa Wall” completes the space, serving as the perfect backdrop for spirited holiday photos.
Fairmont Banff Springs
Guests can sip festive cocktails at Fairmont Banff Springs’ new holiday bar: The Thirsty Reindeer. With floor-to-ceiling Christmas decorations, there isn't a better place to get into the holiday spirit. Open Friday to Tuesday now through January 1, 2023.
Sofitel Mexico City Reforma
Sofitel Mexico City Reforma and Moët Hennessy have come together to create a winter wonderland in the heart of Mexico City. The exclusive terrace of the front Porfirian style mansion, one of the most emblematic spots of the hotel, has been transformed to depict a holiday scene reminiscent of the North Pole. Hosted by none other than SofitELF, Santa Claus’s favorite elf, the Winter Wonderland pop-up offers holiday-themed libations through January 7, 2023, including the romantic Under the Mistletoe and energizing Rudolph’s Medicine.
Fairmont Century Plaza (Los Angeles)
Visitors to Fairmont Century Plaza this holiday season can be transported to the ski slopes of Aspen or the Alps at Los Angeles’ first-ever Apres-Ski dining experience. There, they can enjoy a curated selection of winter cocktails and choose between cheese or chocolate fondue in beautifully built and chicly appointed wood chalets. Featuring cozy décor and all of the delicious tidings of a true Alps experience, Fairmont Century Plaza’s Swiss Chalets offer a one-of-a-kind epicurean moment in the heart of Los Angeles.
Grab your loved ones. It’s not too late to celebrate the holidays near or far with Accor hotels across North & Central America.
###
About AccorAccor is a world leading hospitality group consisting of more than 5,300 properties and 10,000 food and beverage venues throughout 110 countries. The group has one of the industry’s most diverse and fully-integrated hospitality ecosystems encompassing more than 40 luxury, premium, midscale and economy hotel brands, entertainment and nightlife venues, restaurants and bars, branded private residences, shared accommodation properties, concierge services, co-working spaces and more. Accor’s unmatched position in lifestyle hospitality – one of the fastest growing categories in the industry – is led by Ennismore, a joint venture, which Accor holds a majority shareholding. Ennismore is a creative hospitality company with a global collective of entrepreneurial and founder-built brands with purpose at their heart. Accor boasts an unrivalled portfolio of distinctive brands and more than 230,000 team members worldwide. Members benefit from the company’s comprehensive loyalty program – ALL - Accor Live Limitless – a daily lifestyle companion that provides access to a wide variety of rewards, services and experiences. Through its Planet 21 – Acting Here, Accor Solidarity, RiiSE and ALL Heartist Fund initiatives, the Group is focused on driving positive action through business ethics, responsible tourism, environmental sustainability, community engagement, diversity and inclusivity. Founded in 1967, Accor SA is headquartered in France and publicly listed on the Euronext Paris Stock Exchange (ISIN code: FR0000120404) and on the OTC Market (Ticker: ACCYY) in the United States. For more information visit group.accor.com, or follow Accor on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram.