CHICAGO – October 6, 2014 – From tree lighting ceremonies to bedtime tuck-ins from Santa’s elves, members of Preferred Hotel Group’s collection of Preferred Family Certified hotels and resorts are enticing families to leave home for the holidays by presenting a flurry of festivities, sights, and seasonal offerings. Guests who visit any of the collection’s family-friendly destinations across the United States from late November through New Year’s Day can create unforgettable memories and spark new traditions, whether unwrapping gifts beachside or decorating cookies with Mrs. Claus.
Highlights of the festive happenings that will brighten this holiday season at more than 110 Preferred Family hotels and resorts across the United States include:
- The Wigwam—Litchfield Park, Arizona
Stretched over hundreds of acres in the Sonoran Desert, The Wigwam is a festive, luxurious oasis for families. This season, The Wigwam is offering a variety of daily events such as gingerbread house-making, evening train rides through its vibrant holiday light display, and a nightly “Elf Tuck-In” service that includes a special visit from one of Santa’s elves who will delight the little ones with a treat of cookies and milk and a special holiday stocking gift before lulling them to sleep with a Christmas bedtime story. (Elf Tuck-In costs $20 per child. Rates from $199 per night.) - Makena Beach & Golf Resort—Maui-Wailea, Hawaii
While this resort celebrates ohana (families) year-round, the holiday season at Makena Beach & Golf Resort is an especially festive time, filled with a line-up of enriching seasonal activities that are both traditional and native to Hawaiian culture. Families can embrace the spirit of the islands with lessons in coconut husking and lei making and poolside entertainment by a Keiki Polynesian children’s dance troop. On Christmas Eve, both locals and guests come together for the resort’s annual “Here Comes Santa Claus” event when Santa Claus makes a surprise visit – typically marked by a grand entrance via jet ski, canoe, and, even once, on a yacht accompanied by a crew of merry elves! (Activities offered December 20, 2014 to Friday January 2, 2015. Fees for certain events may apply. Rates from $525 per night.) - Boston Harbor Hotel—Boston, Massachusetts
Families dreaming of a (probably) white holiday season can pack their bags with extra hats and gloves and head east to Boston Harbor Hotel. This architectural treasure celebrates the season by opening the city’s most picturesque ice-skating rink right under the iconic archway along the Boston Harbor waterfront. Both local Bostonians and hotel guests alike can take in the views while gliding across the rink before heading inside to warm up with hot cocoa and s’mores. In between practicing jumps and twizzles, families can shop the city’s holiday markets, stroll through Stone Zoo’s annual light show, and partake in countless other New England winter traditions. (Ice skating rink is open November 22, 2014 through mid-March 2015. Fees may apply. Rates from $340 per night.) - Montage Beverly Hills—Beverly Hills, California
The city of stars shines brighter than ever throughout the holiday season, acting as a playground for the young (and young at heart). Montage Beverly Hills is a five-star haven for families, hosting “Santa’s Workshops” for the parents looking to keep their children busy with spirited activities while they sneak in some holiday shopping on world-famous Rodeo Drive. For young guests who made Santa’s “nice” list this year, parents can arrange in-room surprise deliveries of a holiday stockings filled to the brim with treats to make the trip even more magical. (Santa’s Workshop offered December 14 -25, 2014. Certain fees for events and services may apply. Rates from $555 per night.) - Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Golf Resort—Kiawah Island, South Carolina
Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Golf Resort is a seaside source of active family-fun for all seasons, but winter is an especially exciting time for travelers to gather at this award-winning property due to its diverse itinerary of activities, which include pumpkin hockey games, oil painting lessons, a Fall Quidditch Cup, cookie decorating, and evening s’mores and stories with Mrs. Claus. Ensuring that everyone can revel in the celebrations, the resort offers spacious two- and three-bedroom cottages that can comfortably fit the entire crew – even families’ cherished four-legged friends! (Events offered on select dates throughout November and December. Fees may apply. Rates from $207 per weeknight, $305 per night on weekends, and $325 on December 25.)
Recommendations for additional family-family hotels and resorts to visit throughout the 2014 holiday season include Park Lane Hotel® New York (New York, New York); The Lodge & Spa at Cordillera (Vail Valley, Colorado); Hawks Cay Resort (Duck Key, Florida); Kingsmill Resort (Williamsburg, Virginia); Montage Deer Valley (Park City, Utah); Hotel Monteleone (New Orleans, Louisiana); Topnotch Resort (Stowe, Vermont); Hotel 1000 (Seattle, Washington); Hanover Inn Dartmouth (Hanover, New Hampshire); Beaver Creek Lodge (Beaver Creek, Colorado); The Atlantic Hotel & Spa (Fort Lauderdale, Florida); and Brasada Ranch (Bend/Powell Butte, Oregon).
For more information or to book a Preferred Family stay this holiday season, visit www.PreferredFamily.com
About Preferred Hotel Group™
Preferred Hotel Group represents more than 650 of the finest hotels, resorts, and serviced residences in the world. Preferred Hotel Group’s brands include Preferred Hotels® & Resorts, Summit Hotels & Resorts™, Sterling Hotels™, Summit Serviced Residences™, Sterling Design, and Preferred Boutique™. Travelers gain valuable benefits through branded programs iPrefer™, Preferred Family, Preferred Pride, Preferred Golf™, and Preferred Residences™. For more information, visit www.PreferredHotelGroup.com and follow the brand on Facebook and Twitter.
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Caroline Michaud
Director, Public Relations
Tel: +1 312 542 9218
cmichaud@preferredhotelgroup.com
Megan Breehl
Coordinator, Public Relations
Tel: +1 312 542 9271
mbreehl@preferredhotelgroup.com
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