8 Historic Southern Hotels That Go All Out for the Holidays

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Some hotels decorate for the holidays. Others turn it into an event. Historic Southern hotels have a long tradition of going big in December, with towering trees, garlands, gingerbread, and seasonal traditions that draw visitors even if they are not staying overnight.

Here are eight historic hotels across the South known for their holiday displays and traditions. Each one has a long history, a grand lobby, and a reason to visit in December. Rates vary widely by date and room type, so check current prices and book early for holiday weekends.

8 Historic Southern Hotels Worth a Holiday Stay

1. Omni Grove Park Inn, Asheville, North Carolina

The Omni Grove Park Inn opened in 1913 on the slopes of Sunset Mountain in Asheville. Its stone construction and huge fireplaces make it a natural fit for winter.

The inn is known for the National Gingerbread House Competition, an annual event that fills the hotel with elaborate gingerbread creations. Displays are typically on view from late November into early January. Non-guests can often view them at certain times, with parking fees or restrictions, so check before you go.

2. The Roosevelt New Orleans

The Roosevelt, now part of the Waldorf Astoria brand, opened in the late 1800s and was later renamed in honor of Theodore Roosevelt. Its long lobby is one of the most famous hotel spaces in New Orleans.

Every holiday season, the lobby is transformed with lights, garlands, and white branches, creating a winter scene that draws locals and visitors. It is a popular spot for photos. The hotel’s Sazerac Bar is a classic stop for a holiday cocktail.

3. The Jefferson Hotel, Richmond, Virginia

The Jefferson Hotel opened in 1895 and is one of Richmond’s landmark buildings. Its grand staircase and ornate lobby are said to have inspired the staircase in Gone With the Wind, though that story is debated.

The hotel decorates heavily for the holidays, with a large Christmas tree in the lobby and seasonal events like holiday teas and dinners. It is a Richmond tradition for many families to visit during December.

4. The Peabody Memphis

The Peabody Memphis, which opened in its current building in 1925, is famous for its ducks. Every day, ducks march from their rooftop home to the lobby fountain and back, a tradition that dates to the 1930s.

During the holidays, the lobby is decorated with lights and a large tree, and the duck march takes on a festive feel. The hotel hosts seasonal events and is a popular stop for holiday visitors to Memphis.

5. The Greenbrier, White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia

The Greenbrier traces its resort history to the late 1700s and has hosted presidents and celebrities for generations. Its bold interiors, designed by Dorothy Draper, are especially striking in December.

The resort offers holiday programming, from decorations to seasonal activities and dining. It is known for its historic bunker tour as well, a reminder of its Cold War role as a secret government relocation site.

6. The Omni Homestead Resort, Hot Springs, Virginia

The Omni Homestead traces its history to 1766, making it one of the oldest resorts in the country. It sits in the Allegheny Mountains and is known for its hot springs and historic architecture.

During the holidays, the resort decorates its grand lobby and hosts seasonal activities. Winter guests can enjoy the springs, the spa, and, when conditions allow, winter sports on the property.

7. The Brown Hotel, Louisville, Kentucky

The Brown Hotel opened in 1923 and is famous as the birthplace of the Hot Brown, an open-faced turkey sandwich with bacon and Mornay sauce. Its lobby is an ornate example of 1920s design.

The hotel decorates for the holidays, and its restaurants serve the Hot Brown year-round. A December visit makes for a classic Louisville outing. The hotel sits downtown, close to theaters and shopping.

8. The Grand Hotel, Point Clear, Alabama

The Grand Hotel on Mobile Bay traces its history to 1847. Today it is a resort with gardens, a beach, and views across the bay.

The resort decorates for the holidays and hosts seasonal events. Mild Gulf Coast weather makes it a pleasant December getaway, especially for travelers who want holiday cheer without snow.

Why Historic Southern Hotels Go Big for the Holidays

Grand hotels have long been gathering places for their cities. Holiday decorations draw locals, boost restaurant business, and create traditions that bring families back year after year.

Historic buildings also lend themselves to decoration. High ceilings, grand staircases, and big fireplaces give decorators room to work. The result can be a scene that feels like a step back in time.

Visiting Without Staying Overnight

Many of these hotels welcome visitors who come to see the decorations, eat in a restaurant, or have a drink at the bar. Some limit access to guests during busy times or charge for parking.

A few tips:

• Check the hotel’s website for visitor policies.
• Make restaurant reservations, which can give you access to the lobby.
• Visit on weekdays for fewer crowds.
• Respect guest areas and follow staff guidance.

Booking Tips

• Book early for holiday weekends.
• Look for holiday packages, which may include meals or activities.
• Check cancellation policies, which may be stricter during holidays.
• Ask about parking fees and resort fees.

Dining Traditions Worth Booking

Holiday visits to these hotels often center on food. A few traditions stand out:

• The Hot Brown at The Brown Hotel. Created at the hotel in the 1920s, it is an open-faced sandwich of turkey and bacon under Mornay sauce, broiled until bubbly. It is on the menu year-round, but it feels especially fitting in December.
• A cocktail at the Sazerac Bar in The Roosevelt. The bar is one of the best-known in New Orleans, and its holiday crowd adds to the atmosphere.
• Holiday teas and dinners at The Jefferson Hotel. The hotel has long offered seasonal dining events, which book up early.
• Dinner with a view at the Omni Grove Park Inn, where restaurants overlook the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Make reservations as soon as your dates are set. Holiday dining at historic hotels often sells out weeks ahead, especially around Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve.

Planning a Holiday Hotel Road Trip

Several of these hotels pair well on a single trip:

• Asheville and Richmond: The Grove Park Inn and The Jefferson Hotel are about five and a half hours apart by car, making a long but scenic route through Virginia.
• New Orleans and Point Clear: The Roosevelt and the Grand Hotel are about two and a half hours apart along Interstate 10.
• Louisville and Memphis: The Brown Hotel and The Peabody are about five and a half hours apart.
• West Virginia and Virginia mountains: The Greenbrier and the Omni Homestead are about an hour apart.

Pairing hotels lets you see two different holiday styles in one trip, from mountain resort to city grand hotel.

What Holiday Rates Look Like

Rates at historic hotels vary widely. Weeknight stays in early December are often the most affordable, while weekends, Christmas week, and New Year’s Eve command the highest prices. Resort properties like The Greenbrier and the Omni Homestead may add resort fees and parking charges, and city hotels often charge for parking.

To keep costs down, consider a weeknight stay, a package that bundles meals, or simply visiting for a meal or drink rather than staying overnight. Many travelers get the full holiday experience with a dinner reservation and a walk through the lobby.

Tips for Seeing the Decorations

Lobbies are busiest in the late afternoon and evening, especially on weekends. For photos and a calmer visit, go in the morning or on a weekday. Some hotels limit non-guest access during peak periods or charge for parking, so check visitor policies in advance. Respect guest spaces and follow staff guidance, since these are working hotels during their busiest season.

Holiday Highlights at a Glance

A quick summary of what each hotel is best known for in December:

• Omni Grove Park Inn: the National Gingerbread House Competition and giant stone fireplaces.
• The Roosevelt New Orleans: a lobby transformed into a winter scene.
• The Jefferson Hotel: a grand lobby tree and seasonal dining.
• The Peabody Memphis: the daily duck march in a festive lobby.
• The Greenbrier: holiday programming in bold Dorothy Draper interiors.
• The Omni Homestead: hot springs and mountain holiday activities.
• The Brown Hotel: the Hot Brown and a decorated 1920s lobby.
• The Grand Hotel, Point Clear: holiday cheer on mild Mobile Bay.

Pick one that fits your travel style, whether that is a city weekend, a mountain resort, or a Gulf Coast escape.

Gift Cards and Day Visits

If a holiday stay is not in the budget, many of these hotels sell gift cards for dining and spa services, and a lunch or afternoon drink lets you see the decorations for far less than a room. A day visit in early December, before the busiest weeks, is often the calmest way to enjoy the lobbies.

Why a Holiday Stay Is Worth It

A holiday stay at a historic Southern hotel combines history, hospitality, and festive decorations. It can be a special way to celebrate the season, whether you stay for a night or just visit for an afternoon.

These hotels have been welcoming guests for generations. In December, they put on their best show.