According to HuffPost, travel experts have weighed in on the upcoming holiday travel season, and we should expect it to be busy. Whether you plan to hit the road or fly off into the sunset, traveling during the holidays offers its own magic. From checking off bucket list trips to reconnecting with loved ones, Hilton Grand Vacations Owners have a long list of destinations from which to choose to make their holiday season unforgettable.
Hilton Grand Vacations Owners on Vacation Ownership and Traveling During the Holidays
Thanksgiving
For many people, Thanksgiving is the official start of the holiday season. “Thanksgiving has always been my favorite holiday because it’s a chance to embrace the upcoming season’s excitement,” explained Greg B., a Hilton Grand Vacations Elite Premier Owner. “With so many things to do at Elara, a Hilton Grand Vacations Club, our family decided to spend Thanksgiving there. I couldn’t wait to combine two of my favorite things.”
Gratitude filled Greg’s family holiday getaway the second he arrived at Elara. He recalled “dedicated Team Members working hard to bring life to the holiday traditions and make your family vacation memorable.”
It was important to Greg’s family that the resort could accommodate a large gathering of family and friends for this special holiday, and they appreciated the spacious 2- and 3-Bedroom Suites.
“Elara also has a 4-Bedroom Penthouse Suite. Imagine having 2,324–2,902 square feet to kick back and enjoy with up to 10 friends and family — with Las Vegas city views as your backdrop for Thanksgiving dinner. Talk about a gratitude-worthy experience,” he said. “Besides being one of my favorite days to celebrate family, it’s also when families like mine venture out to find the best bargains and fight the large crowds of non-apologetic holiday shoppers on Black Friday.”
With adjoining access to the shops and restaurants of Miracle Mile, spending Thanksgiving at Elara made holiday shopping convenient and fun for Greg’s family. However, he stressed, “Don’t worry if you prefer to skip the shopping crowds; you won’t lack for things to do.”
Christmas
Christmas in Florida is an ideal choice for travelers seeking warmth and sunshine. Between world-famous theme park festivals in Orlando to 825 miles of sandy beaches and plenty of flora and fauna to explore, there’s something for everyone.
Hilton Grand Vacations Owner and Central Florida local Kassi P. enjoyed a trip to St. Augustine’s Nights of Lights.
“The holidays are truly one of the best times to visit St. Augustine, thanks to the annual Nights of Lights, which takes place from mid-November to the end of January,” shared Kassi. “However, our most recent winter getaway to Florida’s oldest city was memorable because of the holidays and because my husband and I were celebrating our first wedding anniversary. So it was a perfect winter escape.”
The pair stayed at Embassy Suites by Hilton St. Augustine Oceanfront, using Hilton Honors™ Points, and soaked up all the historic city offers.
“The entire city lights up in a beautiful holiday display. St. Augustine is a walkable city, making it convenient to appreciate the lights as you stroll through the various areas around town,” said Kassi. “Still, you can climb aboard a trolley or cozy up for a horse-drawn carriage tour. Regardless of what you choose, it is quite a sight.”
Adventure travelers can consider a holiday vacation tucked away in the Rocky Mountains of Breckenridge, Colorado, at Valdoro Mountain Lodge, a Hilton Grand Vacations Club. Enjoy skiing and winter sports, soaking in the heated pool or strolling down Main Street, enjoying the holiday lights and small-town charm.
“It’s about to get magical here in Breckenridge,” said Missy B., the general manager at Valdoro Mountain Lodge. “Once the official lighting of Breckenridge occurs and everything is covered in snow, it becomes a winter wonderland.”
For many travelers, Christmas in the Big Apple is a bucket-list trip. Jan K., a Hilton Grand Vacations Elite Premier Owner, traveled to New York regularly for years but had always longed to travel to the city during the holidays. Her dreams came true.
Jan used HGV ClubPoints and Hilton Honors Points to book 10 rooms for 15 family members at West 57th Street, a Hilton Club, for a trip of a lifetime. “I loved arriving to see the welcoming faces of Team Members who’ve become my friends over the years. The reception area was decorated beautifully for the holidays with a lighted Christmas tree, Hanukkah menorah and seasonal orchids,” recalled Jan warmly.
“December in New York City is a can’t-miss travel experience. The holidays come to life throughout the city with the help of beautiful decorations,” she said. “The Rockefeller Center Christmas tree was even more spectacular in person, and the lights at Saks were gorgeous. It was worth braving the cold weather to view them at night.”
The family also enjoyed a Broadway production and shared breakfast, afternoon coffee and cookies in the Owners Lounge. As for Jan’s favorite part?
“Naturally, we had to attend the Radio City Rockettes Christmas Spectacular’s matinee performance for my first trip during the holidays. The synchronized moves are even more incredible than I had imagined.”
New Year’s Eve
If your idea of celebrating the season includes ending the year with a bang, consider a trip to Sin City. Each year, Laurie L., an HGV Max and Hilton Grand Vacations Elite Premier Owner, celebrates New Year’s Eve in Las Vegas and loves it.
“When our Sales Executive suggested we consider purchasing New Year’s week in Las Vegas, also known as owning an ‘Event Week,’ I had my doubts,” she shared. “I wondered if we would go to Vegas every year for New Year’s Eve. That was about six years ago, and except for pandemic-related interruptions, we’ve gone every year.”
Known for its year-round glitz and glamour, the Strip goes all out for New Year’s Eve — even shutting down to make way for a pedestrian walkway.
“We’re Owners at The Boulevard, a Hilton Grand Vacations Club, and a little older. So we enjoy watching the fireworks display from the Strip from our room,” said Laurie. “Considering that festivities get a little crazy, we like to enjoy the shutdown of the Strip early in the night. We start at the south part of the Strip and walk up to the Boulevard.”
“We end up going against foot traffic, but it’s our thing. The fireworks displays from the Strip’s various hotels are amazing, and all the rooms facing the Stratosphere get a top-notch view of those fireworks,” she said.
Read “12 Travel Tips to Make Holiday Travel a Breeze” for more holiday travel inspiration.