We love over-the-top holiday decorations and these five properties certainly deliver!

We love the Holiday Season! It’s the happiest time of the year and destinations around the world pull out all the stops to put up lights, decorations, and lots of greenery and welcome travelers through the winter months! Is there anything as beautiful as the holiday lights of Paris twinkling in the snow? How about the over-the-top Holiday Installations at the Four Seasons George V?! Check out 5 of our favorite hotels for the holidays!

1 Four Seasons George V: With a perfect location in the heart of Paris’ Golden Triangle, the Four Seasons George V is a perennial favorite for travelers year-round. During the holiday season the hotel steps it up and takes inspiration from the sparkling light displays of the Champs Elysées to create a winter wonderland! Our favorite way to experience the holiday spirit is enjoying afternoon tea or a festive cocktail hour in the Marble Courtyard!

2 Fairmont Scottsdale Princess: Christmas at the Princess has been a Scottsdale tradition for over a decade but travelers from further afield are discovering the appeal in recent years. The resort transforms itself every year with over 6 million sparkling lights, an ice skating rink and even a full winter village with 120 ft sledding mountain! We recommend hitching a ride on the Princess Express train for a relaxing journey through the resort’s decorations!

3 Hotel Sacher Vienna: It’s hard to think of a destination more charming holiday destination than Vienna! Christmas Markets offer up great gift buying options, the notes of classical concerts echo in the streets, and – if you’re lucky – snowflakes float through the air. To top off this festive atmosphere the iconic Hotel Sacher fills their hallowed halls with holiday trees, sparkling lights, crackling fires, and delicious treats for guests to enjoy! Make sure to indulge in a warm beverage and a slice of their world famous Sacher Torte after a long day of holiday shopping.

4 St. Regis Aspen: Nothing screams “HOLIDAYS!” like a charming mountain town and Aspen is no exception! The Grande Dame of holiday decorations in Aspen has to be the St. Regis Aspen who hosts a lighting ceremony for their 30 foot Christmas tree that rivals Rockefeller Center, not to mention a variety of holiday events throughout the month of December. The real gem of their holiday decorations is the life sized gingerbread house that’s created yearly and honors the hotel’s history! We love enjoying a warm beverage and holiday treats after indulging in a horse-drawn sleigh ride.

5 Gleneagles: Nestled in the Scottish Highlands is one of our favorite places to while away the holidays, Gleneagles Hotel! Every corner of the estate hides holiday details like Poinsettia floral displays, glittering pinecones, garlands, and of course – Christmas trees! Spend your days outdoors hiking the beautiful countryside or learning how to train falcons then retreat indoors for an indulgent fireside dinner. With a fully inclusive holiday package offer all you have to do is concentrate on enjoying the time with your loved ones!

Still looking for holiday plans? Reach out to your River Oaks Travel advisor for some hotels with availability! Plus, check out our recent post about the best gifts for the traveler in your life for more holiday inspiration!