Capturing the Magic of the Holidays in a Hotel

PENNINGTON, N.J., Dec. 3, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Though the stockings may not be hung by the chimney with care, families that are traveling over the holidays still have plenty of festive options available to make this the most memorable holiday yet.

"Traveling over the holidays can be incredibly special," says Lissa Poirot, executive editor of the family travel site Family Vacation Critic. "Many hotels and destinations go out of their way to embrace the season, offering lots of festive events and attractions. And wherever you are, there are always ways to incorporate holiday traditions into your travels -- like writing a letter to Santa to share where he can find you, and bringing along some favorite decorations to trim your hotel room. For gifts, it can be difficult to try and pack everything; rather than trying to squeeze in everything, try taking small items that offer clues to the bigger treats waiting at home – like a bike horn for a bike, or miniature furniture for a dollhouse."

For families considering a trip during the holidays, Family Vacation Critic highlights these extra-special holiday packages that truly capture the magic of the season:

• Gaylord Opryland Resort* – Nashville, TN

Decked Out Halls: The hotel boasts two million twinkling lights, acres of festive decorations, horse-drawn carriage rides and two million pounds of carved ice sculptures and slides.

Holiday Package: "A Country Christmas" includes two- to three-night accommodations, tickets to numerous holiday shows, including ICE! featuring Frosty the Snowman, Radio City Christmas Spectacular starring the Rockettes and Lorrie Morgan's Enchanted Christmas Dinner & Show; a luncheon aboard the General Jackson Showboat and free admission to Holly Jolly Town Square and Treasures for the Holidays. Rates start at $438/person (child rates available).

* Similar packages offered at various Gaylord hotel locations nationwide

• Hershey Lodge and Hotel Hershey – Hershey, PA

Decked Out Halls: Hersheypark transforms into Christmas Candylane during the holiday season with twinkling lights, holiday decorations, and Hershey's Product Characters decked out in holiday attire.

Holiday Package: The "Christmas in Hershey Package" includes deluxe accommodations at Hershey Lodge or The Hotel Hershey, milk and cookie delivery, admission to Hersheypark Christmas Candylane, admission for one vehicle to Hershey Sweet Lights, seasonal admission to Hershey Gardens and admission to The Hershey Story's Museum Experience.

• Ritz-Carlton Boston Common – Boston, MA

Decked Out Halls: The hotel offers plenty of cheer throughout the holiday season with a Hot Cocoa Bar, Sugar Plum Fairy Tea, Nutcracker Breakfast with Mrs. Claus, and kid-friendly Christmas Buffet with live music and children's dessert decorating.

Holiday Package: "The Nutcracker Suite" is festively decorated, and offers a teddy bear tuck-in service, sugar plum-inspired bubble bath, Nutcracker CD and a satin pointe shoe signed by a Boston ballet dancer. Rates start at $995/night.

• Great Wolf Lodge – Locations nationwide

Decked Out Halls: Indoor snow showers and twinkling lights in the Grand Lobby, along with gingerbread houses and other festive decorations throughout the hotel.

Holiday Package: "Snowland" is Great Wolf Lodge's winter wonderland, where guests can dine in a life-size Gingerbread House, meet Santa or write him letters in Santa's Letter Depot, and take part in North Pole University where kids can earn their "Snowploma." Rates vary based on location and room type.

For more holiday travel ideas, visit 10 Magical Hotels for the Holiday Season and 11 Holiday Hotel Deals for Families.

About Family Vacation Critic

Family Vacation Critic^® is a comprehensive online travel resource for families that offers reviews of family hotels, resort and destinations. The site features vacation ideas, family travel tips and an online forum for family travelers. Family Vacation Critic is published by The Independent Traveler, Inc., a subsidiary of TripAdvisor, Inc.

TripAdvisor, Inc. (NASDAQ: TRIP) manages and operates websites under 21 other travel media brands: www.airfarewatchdog.com, www.bookingbuddy.com, www.cruisecritic.com, www.everytrail.com, www.familyvacationcritic.com, www.flipkey.com, www.gateguru.com, www.holidaylettings.co.uk, www.holidaywatchdog.com, www.independenttraveler.com, www.jetsetter.com, www.niumba.com,  www.onetime.com, www.oyster.com , www.seatguru.com, www.smartertravel.com, www.tingo.com, www.travelpod.com, www.virtualtourist.com, www.whereivebeen.com, and www.kuxun.cn. TripAdvisor branded sites make up the largest travel community in the world, with more than 260 million unique monthly visitors*, and more than 125 million reviews and opinions covering more than 3.1 million accommodations, restaurants and attractions.

*Source: Google Analytics, worldwide data, July 2013

Media Contact:
Aubrey Manzo
(609) 730-9155 ext. 274
[email protected]

SOURCE Family Vacation Critic