Holidays in Florida look a bit different with white sands replacing a snow-filled white Christmas, however, there is holiday magic throughout the sunshine state that includes seasonal traditions and memorable experiences — starting at your hotel!

As Florida remains a top travel destination this winter, the hotels below have found unique ways for guests to celebrate the holidays while staying at a hotel. Please see a summary of creative and over-the-top holiday packages below. Let me know if you will consider these for holiday travel coverage.

A Key West Holiday at The Marker

Swap the snowmen for sandcastles and experience a tropical holiday getaway to Key West. The Marker Key West Harbor Resort’s holiday package allows guests to celebrate the holidays right from their room. The package — available upon request — includes a mini-Christmas tree, an advent calendar with the countdown to Christmas and classic holiday books such as “A Christmas Carol” in partnership with Books and Books, the iconic books shop by legendary children’s writer Judy Blume, for guests to feel the holiday coziness in the warmth of the Keys. In addition, adults can enjoy specialty holiday cocktails from waterfront Starboard Restaurant & Bar, and children can indulge in milk and cookies while writing letters to Santa – by the pool! Key West visitors can also enjoy annual holiday celebrations including the Key West Art & Historical Society Holiday Concert & Bazaar, the Harbor Walk of Lights at the Key West Historic Seaport and Key West Bight Marina, and the Key West Holiday Boat Parade. Photos HERE.

A Very Miami Holiday at Shelborne South Beach

Shelborne South Beach has been known for the quintessential Miami experience since the 1940s. For the holiday season, Shelborne is offering a Very Miami Holiday package. Guests who book the designated festive room can complete their Miami holiday with milk and cookies turndown service, cafecito and pastelitos from David’s Cafe for a  Miami spin on the traditional holiday treat and rent jet skis from Boucher Brothers for a coastal winter activity. Guests can spend family time over a game of Christmas-opoly or Tis the Season Christmas Trivia while crafting Holiday Cocktails with a Mixology Mixer “Sleighin It” Kit featuring tools, ingredients and recipes to mix three new holiday inspired cocktails: Sugar & Spice, Candy Lane, and The Grinch. Holiday offers are available upon request. Guests can also book using the Holiday in the Sun promotion to save up to 50% off the best available rate and up to $50 toward food and beverage or valet parking credit.

Photos HERE.

A White [Sand] Christmas at Sandestin

If you’re dreaming of a white Christmas, look no further than a family vacation at Sandestin Golf & Beach Resort, decked-out in holiday decor and featuring seasonal events — all along the sugar-white sands of Miramar Beach. It all begins just after Thanksgiving when Santa arrives by horse and carriage with much fanfare, live music, fireworks and in a celebration throughout the Village of Baytowne Wharf. Guests can join in on the festivities with a cozy hot cocoa in hand and enjoy refreshing temperatures in the low 70s. Hotel Effie will host holiday meals at James Beard award-winning chef Hugh Acheson’s restaurant, Ovide. Guests who book now can get up to 50% off a holiday stay. Hotel Effie photos HERE. Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort photos HERE. Holiday photos HERE. See the full list of holiday events below:

• Sparkling Wine and Holiday Lights – Nov. 20

• The Polar Express at the Village of Baytowne Wharf – Nov. 26

• Here Comes Santa Claus at the Village of Baytowne Wharf – Sept. 27

• 12 Nights of Lights – Dec. 1-25

• Tuba Christmas – Dec. 11

• Baytowne Countdown – Dec. 31

Noche Buena at The Balfour Hotel

A tribute to the Latino owners at The Balfour Hotel, its Noche Buena package celebrates the traditional holiday Coquito with a mixology demo in-room and available upon request at the bar. In addition, The Balfour Hotel would offer piñata-making kits for star-shaped piñatas — a nod to a Mexican holiday tradition. The hotel will have additional food and beverage specials for the holiday season, including the Noche Buena staple roast pig. Holiday offers are available upon request.  Photos HERE.

Holidays in the City at The Gabriel Miami

The Gabriel Miami, located in Downtown Miami, boasts views of the city most magical during the holiday season. Garlands and lights decorate the hotel interior, transforming a decked-out Alice’s Wonderland hotel playroom into a “Winter Wonderland” for guests of all ages to enjoy. The room would bring a white Christmas to Miami with lights, Christmas trees, cookie-making kits, and a station for children to write letters to Santa and drop them off in a red mailbox for Greetings from the North Pole program by USPS. Holiday offers are available upon request. Photos HERE.

An Art Deco Holiday at The Gabriel South Beach

The Gabriel South Beach, located along the lively Ocean Drive, will offer Miami-sourced gingerbread house kits for guests to build from their rooms and in-room “tropical” plants decorated for the holiday season. Santa could also make an appearance at one of the property’s pools for a private story reading of holiday classics like “Twas the Night Before Christmas” the Miami way. To top off the experience, guests can request a private screening of “The Polar Express” from the rooftop pool featuring popcorn and hot cocoa. Holiday offers are available upon request. Photos HERE.

A Tropical Holiday at THesis Hotel Miami

The tropical Coral Gables retreat has added some holiday magic to its upcoming offerings. THesis Hotel Miami will have a holiday-themed market and bar in December for hotel guests and visitors to enjoy. The market will offer handmade gifts by local artisans and holiday themed goods by local purveyors. Island-inspired restaurant Mamey, spearheaded by Food & Wine’s Best New Chef 2020 Niven Patel, will also have its very own Noche Buena celebration. Photos HERE.

Arianna

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