There’s something quietly magical about traveling in December. The pace slows. The light softens. Whether you're wrapped in a robe near a crackling fireplace, wandering festive city streets, or standing barefoot on a winter beach, December reminds us to pause and savor the season. These getaways offer more than comfort—they offer connection. To a place, a person, and a version of ourselves we’ve been missing.
Each of these destinations gave us something different: a snow-covered silence, a festive flicker, or the chance to simply rest. In a time of busy calendars and crowded days, these moments felt rare—and real. I remember thinking, “This is what it feels like to end the year with intention.”
Best December Vacations:
Rediscovering winter stillness at the Morris Inn
Snow drifted softly over the Gothic rooftops of Notre Dame as we arrived, campus lights glowing golden through the trees. The Morris Inn felt like coming home to something older than memory—warmth, ceremony, and quiet pride in the air. The hush of snow, carols drifting from the Basilica, and the clink of glasses in the tavern all blended into a kind of December magic. I remember thinking, “This is how winter should feel—gentle, meaningful, and close.”
What I Loved Most: Wandering the quiet campus paths hand-in-hand beneath Christmas lights, with hot chocolate and no rush to be anywhere else.
My Highlights? Dinner at Sorín’s, right inside the inn. I had the pan-seared duck breast with cranberry port glaze and rosemary potatoes. Paired with an Indiana Merlot and the soft hum of holiday conversation—it was perfect.
Travel Tips:
- Location: South Bend, Indiana
- Vibe: Collegiate, warm, historic
- Highlights: Campus walks, holiday concerts, lakeside stillness
- Best Time to Visit: Early to mid-December for a quiet, festive atmosphere
- Cost: $$–$$$ depending on room type
- Hours: Open year-round
- Address: 1399 N Notre Dame Ave, South Bend, IN 46617
Unwinding in timeless style at The Oxford Hotel
Outside, the Denver streets buzzed with twinkling lights and the crisp energy of the season. Inside The Oxford Hotel, time moved differently—slower, more graceful. The lobby smelled of fir and old books, with fireplaces flickering behind velvet chairs. It felt like stepping into a holiday novel, one where we had nowhere to be but exactly here. I remember thinking, “Even in the city, peace has its corners.”
What I Loved Most: Sitting at the bar under pressed-tin ceilings, sipping bourbon by candlelight while the snow started to fall.
My Highlights? Brunch at Urban Farmer downstairs. I had the cornbread Benedict with jalapeño hollandaise and a side of crispy sweet potato hash. Comfort food, with just enough edge to feel like Denver.
Travel Tips:
- Location: Denver, Colorado
- Vibe: Classic, urban, festive
- Highlights: Union Station lights, holiday markets, downtown strolls
- Best Time to Visit: December through New Year’s for full holiday charm
- Cost: $$$ boutique rates
- Hours: 24-hour check-in
- Address: 1600 17th St, Denver, CO 80202
Breathing in snowlight at the Inn at Round Barn Farm
Everything looked dusted in powdered sugar—the barns, the bare-branched trees, the distant Green Mountains. This was Vermont in winter, wrapped in silence and snow. The Inn at Round Barn Farm felt like a warm breath in the cold, with flickering candles in the windows and the faint smell of cider in the air. I remember thinking, “Sometimes, romance is just the absence of noise.”
What I Loved Most: Snowshoeing through quiet fields, returning with flushed cheeks and a sense of calm I hadn’t felt in months.
My Highlights? The farmhouse breakfast at the Inn’s own kitchen. I had Vermont maple pancakes with cinnamon butter, thick-cut bacon, and fresh local yogurt. Every bite felt like love in edible form.
Travel Tips:
- Location: Waitsfield, Vermont
- Vibe: Rural, cozy, romantic
- Highlights: Snowshoeing, fireplaces, fresh breakfast
- Best Time to Visit: December–February for snowy serenity
- Cost: $$–$$$ depending on suite
- Hours: Seasonal check-in; breakfast daily
- Address: 1661 E Warren Rd, Waitsfield, VT 05673
Drifting through fog and flavor at L’Auberge Carmel
Carmel by the Sea was quiet in December—sea mist curling through cypress trees, waves sighing against the shore. L'Auberge Carmel felt like a European escape tucked into the California coast, its ivy walls glowing with soft light. There was something hushed and sacred about it all. I remember thinking, “Luxury isn’t loud—it’s felt in the pauses.”
What I Loved Most: A morning walk to the beach wrapped in scarves and sea air, then retreating to our suite for a long, slow soak before dinner.
My Highlights? The five-course tasting dinner at Aubergine. I had truffled pasta with Dungeness crab and lemon beurre blanc, followed by a pear tart so delicate it melted on the plate. Sublime.
Travel Tips:
- Location: Carmel-by-the-Sea, California
- Vibe: Refined, coastal, quiet
- Highlights: Beach walks, fine dining, spa tubs
- Best Time to Visit: Early December for peaceful beauty
- Cost: $$$$ boutique luxury
- Hours: Check-in 3pm / Check-out 12pm
- Address: Monte Verde at Seventh Ave, Carmel, CA 93921
Warming up to winter at Castle in the Country
It snowed the whole drive in, and by the time we arrived, the entire property looked like something out of a fairytale. Castle in the Country stood quiet among the trees, firelight flickering through its leaded-glass windows. It wasn’t just romantic—it felt enchanted. I remember thinking, “This is where winter begins to feel like a gift.”
What I Loved Most: The two-person whirlpool tub by the window, and watching snow fall over the frozen pond while holding hands in total silence.
My Highlights? The candlelit breakfast in the dining room. I had the almond croissant French toast with warm apple compote and fresh cream. It was so good I forgot to speak for a moment—just smiled and took another bite.
Travel Tips:
- Location: Allegan, Michigan
- Vibe: Whimsical, quiet, storybook
- Highlights: Whirlpool suites, fireplaces, winter trails
- Best Time to Visit: December–February for snowy romance
- Cost: $$$ for suite stays
- Hours: Check-in 3pm / Breakfast 9am
- Address: 340 M-40 South, Allegan, MI 49010
Letting go in the hush of Sleeping Lady
Set against a backdrop of towering pines and snow-blanketed mountains, Sleeping Lady felt like a sanctuary tucked deep in the heart of winter. The air smelled of cedar and distant snowfall, and the silence settled into our bones in the best way. I remember thinking, “This is what peace sounds like.”
What I Loved Most: Soaking in the hot outdoor rock pools after a snowshoe trek, steam rising in the cold air like prayers.
My Highlights? Dinner at Kingfisher Restaurant. I had the roasted wild salmon with spiced squash puree and a cranberry reduction, followed by chocolate mousse with smoked sea salt. Earthy, wintry, and deeply nourishing.
Travel Tips:
- Location: Leavenworth, Washington
- Vibe: Tranquil, rustic-luxe, nature-driven
- Highlights: Mountain views, spa, outdoor soaking pools
- Best Time to Visit: December for snow and serenity
- Cost: $$$ mountain resort rates
- Hours: Check-in 4pm / Check-out 11am
- Address: 7375 Icicle Rd, Leavenworth, WA 98826
Feeling the festive rhythm at Hotel Le Marais
In December, the French Quarter sparkled with garlands and gaslamps, music curling through the air like cinnamon smoke. Hotel le Marais offered the perfect balance—elegant and quiet, just a half-step from the lively streets. We could dip into the buzz and retreat just as easily. I remember thinking, “Romance doesn’t have to whisper—but it does need space to rest.”
What I Loved Most: Sipping a sazerac in the courtyard under twinkling lights, jazz spilling softly from a hidden speaker, and the whole city breathing easy around us.
My Highlights? Breakfast beignets at Café Beignet just around the corner. I had three, still warm and dusted thick with powdered sugar, with a café au lait in hand and the sound of someone playing saxophone just down the block.
Travel Tips:
- Location: New Orleans, Louisiana
- Vibe: Festive, refined, historic
- Highlights: Courtyard, Bourbon Street proximity, heated saltwater pool
- Best Time to Visit: Early December before the holiday rush
- Cost: $$–$$$ boutique pricing
- Hours: 24/7 front desk and concierge
- Address: 717 Conti St, New Orleans, LA 70130
Planning Your December Escape
If you’re still dreaming up the perfect way to close the year, here are a few more ideas to explore:
- Places to Visit in December
A handpicked guide to U.S. and international destinations for winter getaways, from snow to sun. - Key Largo Beaches, Florida Keys
Explore warm December beach options in the Florida Keys—perfect for escaping the chill. - Big Island Beaches, Hawaii
Discover tropical sands and crystal-clear water on the Big Island—ideal for a warm winter retreat. - Things to Do in Texas
From holiday lights to Hill Country wine tastings, see how Texas shines during the season.
Jump to a Spot...
- • Rediscovering winter stillness at the Morris Inn
- • Unwinding in timeless style at The Oxford Hotel
- • Breathing in snowlight at the Inn at Round Barn Farm
- • Drifting through fog and flavor at L’Auberge Carmel
- • Warming up to winter at Castle in the Country
- • Letting go in the hush of Sleeping Lady
- • Feeling the festive rhythm at Hotel Le Marais