While there’s certainly no place like home for the holidays, there is a collection of hotels in Florida that provide some steep competition. Boasting meet and greets with Santa, winter-themed activities, and live entertainment, these holiday havens offer the perfect place to soak up the festive atmosphere, adorned with show-stopping decorations, towering Christmas trees, and dazzling light displays. Read on to discover the top hotels in Florida that go all out for Christmas.
Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, Orlando
One of the most decorated properties in Disney during Christmas, Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa in Orlando offers an elegant take on the holidays. Boasting an elegant Victorian charm, the highlight of the decorations is undoubtedly the life-sized gingerbread house made from real ingredients. Doubling as a refreshment stand, you can order gingerbread shingles and other holiday treats. Of course, you can’t miss the beautiful 40-foot-tall Christmas tree in the lobby of this top-rated Orlando hotel.
4401 Floridian Way, Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830, USA— +1 407-939-1936
The Boca Raton, Boca Raton
Celebrate the holiday with a little sunshine at the Boca Raton, one of Florida’s top beachfront hotels. Attend the annual Christmas Tree lighting ceremony followed by a Character Parade. On Christmas Day, you can attend the Family Beach Bonfire and sit by the fire and enjoy complimentary s’mores, hot chocolate and apple cider while listening to live music or dig into the Grand Christmas Dinner in the Mizner Center. There’s even a gingerbread house decorating event with crafts, cookies, and photos with Santa. Alternatively, they have an annual Menorah lighting followed by a special feast in the Mizner Center.
Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center, Kissimmee
Known for its holiday events and activities, Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center in Kissimmee is where to take the kids to see elaborate ice and light displays and go snow tubing. Guests can also decorate gingerbread houses, make real snowballs for the snow-making machine, and check out Christmas Tree Trail to see eight beautifully decorated Christmas trees.
6000 W Osceola Pkwy, Kissimmee, FL 34746, USA— +1 407-586-0000
The Breakers, Palm Beach
If you like your Christmas holiday with a little luxury, head to The Breakers in Palm Beach to spend your days seaside at this upscale resort. Stroll through the resort’s beautifully decorated grounds, featuring larger-than-life trees and a dazzling outdoor light display. Enjoy daily highlights like the Candy Cane Carnival, gingerbread house decorating, fireside s’mores, movie nights, and games of laser tag. Warm up with hot cocoa in the evening as you soak in the holiday magic. And make sure to check out the Winter Blast Carnival, complete with caricature and balloon artists, ice cream treats, a wildlife encounter, and a ventriloquist show.
The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island
The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island, offers you plenty of face time with Santa. It hosts a Breakfast with Santa event with a pancake station and holiday cookie station, while the Santa Tuck-ins is where the big guy himself brings cookies and milk and reads a holiday story. Attend Santa’s Storybook Tea for an Amelia Island tradition, where a fireside holiday storybook read by Santa is paired with afternoon tea and finger sandwiches, cakes and pastries. But don’t miss the chance to build a Gingerbread house with pastry chefs or marvel at the world’s largest gingerbread pirate ship.
4750 Amelia Island Pkwy, Amelia Island, FL 32034, USA— +1 904-277-1100
The Ritz Carlton, Sarasota
The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota is inviting guests to the “Gulf Pole” this holiday season. Families can get into the Christmas spirit with breakfast with Santa and enjoy a full range of activities, like writing letters to the North Pole, finding holiday gnomes at a scavenger hunt, and receiving daily updates from Mr. and Mrs. Claus via the Santa Hotline. Santa himself will visit the hotel, while a special holiday photo op is perfect for souvenirs. You can even decorate a tree in the comfort of your guest room, sign up for Gingerbread House Decorating and Polar Express Movie Night, or enjoy some adult-only time at the spa with its Winter Wonderland massages and Peppermint Mocha pedicures.
1111 Ritz Carlton Dr, Sarasota, FL 34236, USA— +1 941-309-2000
Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World, Orlando
The Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World has a variety of special holiday activities planned. The Resort features the Explorer Island waterpark, complete with heated infinity-edge pools and a lazy river. New offerings include the Epilogue speakeasy for adults, a Retro Roller-Skating Rink, and the Holly Jolly Poolside Cabana adorned with festive decorations. From December 20, 2024, through January 4, 2025, the complimentary Kids For All Seasons program offers holiday-themed activities such as “Christmas Carol-oke,” gingerbread house decorating, and visits from Santa and Mrs. Claus. Enjoy poolside peppermint hot cocoa, s’mores stations, and holiday movie screenings.
10100 Dream Tree Blvd, Lake Buena Vista, FL 32836, USA— +1 407-313-7777
Orlando World Center Marriott, Orlando
Christmas is a magical time at Orlando World Center Marriott. From December 25 to December 30, 2024, enjoy a nightly holiday drone show featuring over 200 drones performing a coordinated display above the Falls Pool Oasis. Throughout the season, participate in themed dinner buffets, character meet-and-greets, and poolside activities like dive-in holiday movies, live music, and trivia. The resort also offers in-room seasonal décor packages, including Christmas trees and stocking deliveries.
8701 World Center Dr, Orlando, FL 32821, USA— +1 407-239-4200
Isla Bella Beach Resort & Spa, Marathon
Isla Bella Beach Resort & Spa is a luxury beachfront getaway at the threshold of Florida’s iconic Seven Mile Bridge. Sitting on 24 waterfront acres, it boasts a private, mile-long coastline as well as a lavish spa, five oceanfront pools, and multiple on-site dining options. For the holidays, there’s a special Christmas Day buffet and you can meet Santas reindeer, while the hotel also boasts a synthetic ice rink so you can pretend you’re in a winter wonderland. The party continues into New Year’s Eve with a celebration that includes food and drinks and a fireworks show.
1 Knights Key Blvd, Marathon, FL 33050, USA— +1 305-481-9451
Rosen Shingle Creek, Orlando
There are a lot of Christmas events happening at Rosen Shingle Creek in Orlando in December, as the hotel’s scenic rose garden is aglow with spectacular lighting and impressive holiday decor. The lobby showcases “A Tree-Mendous Affair,” featuring Christmas trees decorated by local nonprofit organizations and you vote for your favorite tree, with the winning organization receiving a $5,000 donation from the Harris Rosen Foundation. On Christmas Day, Café Osceola hosts a lavish buffet brunch and for dinner, A Land Remembered presents a three-course prix fixe menu. You can also ring in the New Year with an extravagant dinner buffet at Café Osceola.
9939 Universal Blvd, Orlando, FL 32819, USA— +1 866-996-6338
Waldorf Astoria Orlando
A great place to create memories with the entire family, Waldorf Astoria Orlando offers a range of exciting activities, from roasting s’mores poolside to nightly views of Disney’s famed fireworks show. You can fill up with buffet favorites at Oscar’s restaurant or a four-course dinner at Bull & Bear, while the hotel even brings the holidays into your room with artificial Christmas trees. Don’t miss the decadent selection of chocolate hand-crafted by the pastry team.
14200 Bonnet Creek Resort Ln, Orlando, FL 32821, USA— +1 407-597-5500
Gasparilla Inn & Club, Boca Grande
Gasparilla Inn & Club in Boca Grande is popular for its annual Twelve Days of Christmas program, where you’ll find festive decorations, cheery music and holiday treats. From a cookie decorating event to caroling, classic holiday movies and gingerbread house decorating, you’ll be full to the brim with festivities. You can squeeze in an afternoon of kayaking or cycling, then return to the hotel for an evening of milk and cookies in the living room and movies in the Pelican Room.
