Year-Round Holiday Stays
In one of his most popular holiday songs, Elvis Presley wondered, “Why can’t every day be like Christmas?” Today, thanks to a bit of ingenuity and a dose of creativity, the King of Rock and Roll’s question has been answered with a resounding “It can be!”
From Pennsylvania to Pasadena, destinations abound that celebrate Christmas all year long—and it’s not the only festivity to garner such treatment. Those who prefer the spooky more than the merry can also find numerous locales honoring Halloween year-round. Book a stay at one of these unique accommodations to indulge in holiday fun no matter what season it is.
Halloween haunts
If you look forward to the thrills and chills of Halloween for months ahead, you must check out one of these scary-good experiences.
The Roxbury (Roxbury, New York)
Located in the Catskills, the Roxbury actually has two locations with multiple properties—tower cottages, a mansion, and a motel—each of which features dazzling themed rooms. For those who love Halloween, check out the motel room that boasts both “an enchanted forest vibe” and a “Snow White’s evil stepmother” theme, transporting you straight into a fairytale. Want something a bit more daring? There’s also the wonderfully macabre yet elegant Dracula’s Fangs cottage, which boasts a gothic castle interior and dramatic red-and-black decor throughout.
The Stanley Hotel (Estes Park, Colorado)
The Stanley, Stephen King’s muse for The Shining, embraces its history in every way imaginable. This is especially true this October, when it will offer haunting special events hosted by paranormal experts. But its creepy vibes can be felt throughout the year as well thanks in part to its tours, which include one inspired by the novel/movie and one conducted at night for added eeriness. And if you’re feeling truly brave, book one of the Stanley’s four reportedly haunted “spirited” rooms—including Room 217, where King stayed and was inspired to write his 1977 book.
SugarMynt Gallery (South Pasadena, California)
With a tagline of “Where every day is Halloween,” it’s no surprise that this place goes all out with the thrills, especially since it’s located in the city where the original Halloween movie was filmed. In addition to offering horror and spooky artwork for purchase and various exhibits to tour throughout the year, SugarMynt provides stays at its ScareBnB, a crimson-colored room strewn with ghoulish decor. Best of all? The building sits right next door to the Halloween house. You can almost hear Michael Myers’s footsteps!
Christmas classics
Who wants to wait until after Thanksgiving to deck the halls? Take a trip to one of these destinations, where you can get a jump start on the most wonderful time of the year.
Papa’s Christmas Cabin (Gouldsboro, Pennsylvania)
If you prefer the benefits of a house, then this privately owned two-bed, two-bath cabin in northeastern Pennsylvania might just be the perfect Christmas stay. It’s decorated from top to bottom, inside and out in rustic holiday chic, with its cozy bedrooms decked in holiday-hued greenery and red plaid and its grand living room featuring a garland-adorned fireplace and fully lit Christmas tree. Entertainment options abound as well thanks to the house’s proximity to Pocono Mountain ski resorts, water parks, and shopping outlets.
The Inn at Christmas Place (Pigeon Forge, Tennessee)
Perhaps no place in the country goes all out with its year-round celebration of Christmas like this establishment, starting with its eye-catching tree-lit pond and Bavarian architecture that greet you upon arrival. The stunning front lobby takes it one step further with elegant Christmas displays in every corner, and as you head downstairs into the lower lobby, you’ll find a 25-foot-tall glockenspiel that plays Christmas music at the top of every hour. Add in a singing Santa, holiday-themed rooms and suites, and the South’s largest Christmas store right across the parkway, and you have a perfect holiday destination tied up in a bow.
Hotel North Pole (North Pole, Alaska)
Yes, you can actually visit the North Pole! (Well, the town, anyway.) Located right on North Santa Claus Lane a mere fifteen minutes or so from Fairbanks, this stay gets you as close as humanly possible to Santa’s mythical workshop. The Santa Suite—the only holiday-themed room in the hotel—is a particular favorite of couples and military families alike for special occasions, and parents can opt for the Santa Experience, which includes a visit from Saint Nick and stockings for each child. Even better, the merriment extends beyond the hotel grounds since it’s conveniently located less than a mile from the Santa Claus House gift shop.
The excitement of the holidays is no longer confined to a few months per year, thanks to accommodations such as these. By enjoying the season whenever you wish, you can revel in the joy of being a kid again any time your heart desires.