12 Ways Fairmont Hotels are Celebrating the 12 Days of Christmas and More

Take a break from planning Christmas festivities and shopping and treat yourself to Christmas cheer, Fairmont-style. Get into the spirit of the season with a dozen merry programs at Fairmont Hotels & Resorts throughout North and Central America– from ugly sweaters to a Thirsty Elf, a Home Alone tribute in New York, and Holiday Hula in Hawaii. 

 

In a nod to the 12 Days of Christmas, 12 of the family of hotels and resorts have devised their own unique ways to make the holiday bright for guests this season:

 

For more than a century, Fairmont San Francisco has enchanted guests with joyful holiday festivities and exuberant seasonal ambience. Back this year is the hotel's annual life-sized Gingerbread House on display from Thanksgiving through the New Year. Featuring hundreds of bricks of real gingerbread (baked by the hotel's pastry team) and pounds of See's Candies, the Gingerbread House takes a whooping 600 hours each year to construct.

 

For an extra magical experience, you can book a private dining experience inside the Gingerbread House (for up to 12 guests) and take in the scents and sounds of the holiday season.

 

Toronto's favorite holiday-themed pop-up bar is returning this year to Fairmont Royal York.

 

 

'The Thirsty Elf' will keep the drinks flowing until December 22. Offering a curated holiday-themed menu of festive cocktails like 'The Naughty List' featuring Crown Royal, Benediction, Apple Cider, Spider Maple, Orange and Whipped Cream, the twinkling pop-up bar features kitschy and cheery décor and is guaranteed to make your spirits shine bright.

 

Guests of Fairmont Century Plazawill be transported to the ski slopes this holiday season through the hotel's Swiss Chalets. Featuring cozy decor, fire pits and all of the delicious tidings of an idyllic winter getaway, the chalets offer a one-of-a-kind moment in the heart of the city.

 

 

In partnership with Who What Wear, the hotel has devised even more fun for guests, with movie nights, cookie making, challah baking, photo opportunities and more.

 

Guests and locals can skate into a winter wonderland at Fairmont Grand Del Mar's unique Glice Skating rink, designed for eco-friendly recreation.

 

Round out a day of outdoor fun by reserving exclusive cabana chalets complete with firepits, and indulge in the festive spirit with holiday-themed beverages, seasonal treats, and s'mores by the fire. Santa Clause and his jolly helpers pop in for some photo ops.

 

New York's most famous hotel, The Plaza, was famously the setting for Home Alone 2. Now, the hotel is inviting guests to live out their Kevin McCallister dreams by recreating some of your favorite scenes.

 

 

Book the hotel's 'Home Alone 2 - Fun in New York' package, and get a private limousine ride around New York City to visit the famous filming locations while devouring your very own delicious hot cheese pizza. Afterwards, return to your room where 'one of those little refrigerators you have to open with a key' awaits and call down for an over-the-top ice cream sundae delivered right to your bed. Sounds like the perfect way to pass along the fun of a favorite holiday film to a new generation!

 

 

If you dream of trading in your winter boots for flip flops, Fairmont Orchid invites you to make Hawaii your home for the holidays.

 

The resort’s very merry holiday hula celebration (pictured, top), with traditional Hawaiian live music, hula school performances and hot cocoa kicked off transforming Fairmont Orchid into a tropical winter wonderland for the season. The resort’s pastry team unveiled a life-sized chocolate gingerbread hale (hut) fashioned in the tradition of a Hawaiian plantation-style home in the hotel's lobby for guests to walk through and enjoy.

 

Overlooking Victoria's sparkling Inner Harbor, Canada's iconic 'Castle on the Coast' sets the bar for coastal luxury. This holiday season, locals and guests can cozy up on Fairmont Empress' Festive Veranda around a crackling fire and indulge in breathtaking views, seasonal cocktails and cheese and chocolate fondue.

 

 

You can also take also take advantage of Fairmont Empress' night-life atmosphere during evening “Sunset Sips:” a new cocktail and culinary experience on select evenings throughout December, visitors can enjoy crafted holiday-inspired cocktails served in glass teapots and tiers of festive nosh, a nod to the property's beloved afternoon tea service that guests have been indulging in for over a century.

 

Santa's sleigh bells will be ringing at Fairmont Washington D.C., Georgetown, where a whimsical Santa Suite will be open on weekends in the run up to Christmas.

 

All children - naughty and nice - are invited to stop in and say hello to Santa while enjoying the sights and sounds of the merry suite, including decorated twinkling trees, gingerbread displays and much more. Making the season even warmer, all proceeds go to Horton's Kids, a locally-based organization that provides clothing, food and personal care items for under-resourced families.

 

In British Columbia, Fairmont Chateau Whistler and Mountain Galleries (located inside the hotel) have partnered to present 'Trees of Hope' – a unique art auction featuring paintings donated by fourteen Canadian artists.

 

The artwork will be available for purchase through silent auction until January 31, 2024. All proceeds go to Canuck Place Children's Hospice, which provides palliative and respite care services for sick children in British Columbia. Last year the auction raised tens of thousands of dollars for a good cause that warms every heart for the holidays.

 

In downtown Vancouver, the historic Fairmont Hotel Vancouver has magically transformed into a holiday winterland through its annual 'Festival of Trees.' A cherished community tradition for over 30 years, each year the hotel partners with the BC Children's Hospital Foundation to deck their lobby halls with dazzliong trees donated by local companies to help raise funds. This year's festival is on display until January 3, 2024.

 

Get ready to unwrap tropical holiday magic at Fairmont Mayakoba. Nestled in the heart of the Riviera Maya, the resort transforms into a festive wonderland with immersive festive activities for the entire family that infuse the warmth of Mexican traditions with the festive spirit to create unforgettable memories.

Guests can enjoy a tree lighting and drone show, holiday movies on the beach, kids activities including Santa's arrival, Disney shows and Mexican holiday parties, as well as spa holiday treatments and special dining experiences.

 

This holiday season guests can mingle alongside sleighs and skyline views at 'The Ugly Sweater' holiday pop-up bar at Fairmont Austin's Rules & Regs.

 

Enjoy nibbles and nog while sporting your best festive attire to fit the very merry vibes of the hotel's vibrant 7th floor rooftop bar. Guests can expect twinkling lights, an abundance of kitschy holiday cheer and lively libations.