Skip to content

Top Navigation

Southern Living Southern Living
  • Food
  • Holidays & Entertaining
  • Home & Garden
  • Style & Culture
  • News
  • Video

Profile Menu

Your Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Logout

More

  • Give a Gift Subscription this link opens in a new tab
Login
Subscribe
Pin FB

Explore Southern Living

Southern Living Southern Living
  • Explore

    Explore

    • These Haircuts Are Going To Be Huge in 2021

      The trendy haircuts you’ll be seeing everywhere next year. Read More Next
    • How To Season A Cast-Iron Skillet

      Learn how to season this Southern kitchen staple in five easy steps. Read More Next
    • The Right Way to Heat a Pre-Cooked Ham

      It's so easy, trust us. Read More Next
  • Food

    Food

    See All Food

    Lost Cakes of the South

    These simple and spectacular Southern cakes deserve a comeback
    • All Food
    • All Recipes
    • Holidays & Occasions
    • Quick Fix Suppers
    • Slow Cooker Recipes
    • Desserts
    • Casseroles
    • Healthy Recipes
  • Holidays & Entertaining

    Holidays & Entertaining

    See All Holidays & Entertaining

    70 Wedding Vow Examples That Will Melt Your Heart

    Fight writer's block and find ways to express your love with these romantic, funny, and short wedding vow examples.
    • Christmas
    • Entertaining
    • Thanksgiving
    • Southern Weddings
    • Easter
    • Kentucky Derby
    • Valentine's Day
    • 4th of July
    • Mother's Day
  • Home & Garden

    Home & Garden

    See All Home & Garden

    7 Paint Colors We’re Loving for Kitchen Cabinets in 2020

    ‘Tis the season to ditch your all-white palette in favor of something a little bolder and brighter.
    • Home Decor Ideas
    • Idea Houses
    • Before & After
    • Inspired Communities
    • Curb Appeal
    • House Plans & Builders
    • The Grumpy Gardener
    • Plant Names A-Z
  • Style & Culture

    Style & Culture

    See All Style & Culture

    50 Books Everyone Should Read in Their Lifetime

    Curl up with a classic!
    • Southern Culture
    • Hair
    • Travel
    • Beauty
    • Pets
    • Southern Fashion
    • Healthy Living
  • News
  • Video

Profile Menu

Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
Your Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Logout

More

  • Give a Gift Subscription this link opens in a new tab
Login
Sweepstakes

Follow Us

  1. Southern Living
  2. travel
  3. Where to Spend Christmas Away from Home

Where to Spend Christmas Away from Home

By Katherine Owen
December 19, 2016
Skip gallery slides
Save FB Tweet
Credit: Ball & Albanese
There are a lot of songs about both coming home for Christmas (or begging others to), and also about getting away. Like when Jimmy Buffett ponders, “How’d you like to spend Christmas on Christmas Island?” Honestly, we’d sure like to. Because while it is indeed the most wonderful time of the year, it certainly seems to also be a stressful, schedule-packed, high-pressure time of the year where the house must be constantly prepped for company and the oven barely turns off. And since Christmas comes every 365 days, why not spend this one away? This time, gather up the family, pack your bags, and head to a Christmas getaway where someone else is in charge of the overseeing the kitchen, making the beds, and making sure everyone’s glass stays (at least) half full. All you have to decide is mountains, coast, city, or country; we’ll point you to some of the Best Southern Resorts for the holidays.
Start Slideshow

1 of 13

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Here Are Our Favorite Spots

Which would you pick?

1 of 13

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 13

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

The Mountains: Big Cedar Lodge

Credit: Nancy Nolan

Ridgedale, MO
From $208 Per Night

This rustic wilderness resort is tucked away in the Ozark Mountains, about 10 miles from Branson, Missouri. Spend the holiday cozied up in a log cabin overlooking serene vistas. Starting December 13, the lodge kicks off its own “12 Days of Christmas,” with musical acts, special tastings, and dance performances.
bigcedar.com

2 of 13

3 of 13

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

The Mountains: The Greenbrier

Credit: Ball & Albanese

White Sulfur Springs, WV
From $313 Per Night

This American institution goes all out for Christmas. (See the full scoop in our December 2016 issue!) Book a holiday here and participate in the tradition that is Christmas at the Greenbrier with wine tastings, worship services, The Nutcracker ballet, children’s cookie decorating workshops, and a packed itinerary of more festivities.
thegreenbrier.com

3 of 13

Advertisement

4 of 13

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

The Mountains: The Omni Homestead Resort

Hot Springs, VA
From $207 Per Night

Stay in the same halls that have hosted 23 U.S. presidents, thanks to its Southern hospitality and timeless approach to comfort. The mountain setting abounds with winter activities like skiing the Allegheny Mountains, ice-skating, and tubing on the snow. The more than 40 Christmas trees dotting the property, including the 22-foot-tall behemoth in the Great Hall, make the resort feel extra-special around Christmas.
omnihotels.com/hotels/homestead-virginia

4 of 13

5 of 13

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

The Coast: The Breakers

Credit: Ball & Albanese

Palm Beach, FL
From $849 Per Night

It may be quite a splurge but this resort has defined luxury for 120 years. Another presidential favorite, the property has hosted at least six U.S. presidents. Come during winter for Christmas (and New Year’s!) in paradise with holiday teas, Christmas brunch, cocktails, formal balls, and more than 170,000 twinkling lights.
thebreakers.com

5 of 13

6 of 13

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

The Coast: Montage Palmetto Bluff

Bluffton, SC
From $350 Per Night

Catch a breath of salty air at this new development, situated on 20,000 acres of pristine Lowcountry nature. See the resort all gussied up in festive adornments during the holiday season while it plays hosts to a whole slew of celebratory events, like breakfast with Santa, special spa treatments, movie screenings, and hot chocolate on its 1913 antique yacht.
montagehotels.com/palmettobluff/

6 of 13

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 13

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

The Coast: The Pearl

Credit: Robbie Caponetto

Rosemary Beach, FL
From $216 Per Night

If tropical breezes and soothing waves are more your speed, head to The Pearl in Rosemary Beach, a spot we voted one of our favorite hotels in 2015. This 55-room gem is Rosemary Beach’s only full-service resort, so though it may be too chilly for beach lounging, there’s still plenty of trouble to get into with a swanky spa and onsite bar and restaurant. Or check out the endless charm of 30A.
thepearlrb.com

7 of 13

8 of 13

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

The City: The Hermitage

Credit: Raymond Boyd/Getty Images

Nashville, TN
From $269 Per Night

This 106-year-old Nashville icon is as stately and inviting today as ever. Spend the holiday in Music City and indulge at the Hermitage’s annual Christmas Day Feast or Christmas Dinner in Capitol Grille, the property’s signature restaurant.
thehermitagehotel.com

8 of 13

9 of 13

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Hotel Moteleone

Credit: James Shaw

New Orleans, LA
From $129 Per Night

Head to a city full of bright lights, endless music, and food that’s famous for good reason for a colorful holiday. This French Quarter classic opens its doors to guests during the holiday season with its Papa Noel special that is a steal starting at $129—15% off normal rates so you can experience all the Crescent City has to offer during Christmas.
hotelmonteleone.com

9 of 13

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

10 of 13

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

The City: The Peabody

Credit: Nancy Nolan

Memphis, TN
From $162 Per Night

Nab one of The Peabody’s 464 rooms during the holiday season for a total bargain thanks to the Home for the Holidays special (which includes a Peabody Christmas ornament!). See the famous Peabody ducks make their march twice daily to the fountain, then head to the hotel’s restaurants for Christmas Day brunch and dinners.
peabodymemphis.com

10 of 13

11 of 13

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

The Country: Blackberry Farm

Credit: Heather Anne Thomas

Walland, TN
From $845 Per Night

Splurge at this pastoral escape in rural Tennessee, about 40 minutes south of Knoxville. During the Christmas season, the property, which is home to rolling hills and a true operating farmstead, offers all the classic Christmas festivities: holiday movies, cookie decorating, family activities, and a visit from Santa.
blackberryfarm.com

11 of 13

12 of 13

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

The Country: The Inn at Dos Brisas

Washington, TX
From $260 Per Night

Escape to this cushy ranch between Austin and Houston, which offers privacy, relaxation, and luxe haciendas and casitas for accommodations. Dine on provisions from the inn’s organic farm and keep an eye out for Santa while stargazing under the expansive Texas sky.
dosbrisas.com

12 of 13

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

13 of 13

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

The Country: Inn at Shaker Village

Harrodsburg, KY
From $253 Per Night

Keep it simple in Shaker style this season at Kentucky’s 3,000-acre historic landmark, home to pared-down rooms and countryside views. The village will be decked out in its classic holiday ornamentation for families to enjoy alongside tea time with Mrs. Claus, Christmas brunches, holiday caroling, toy crafting with elves, and a timeless favorite: hot chocolate around the bonfire.
shakervillageky.org

13 of 13

Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook

Up Next

By Katherine Owen

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook
Trending Videos
Advertisement
Skip slide summaries

Everything in This Slideshow

Advertisement

View All

1 of 13 Here Are Our Favorite Spots
2 of 13 The Mountains: Big Cedar Lodge
3 of 13 The Mountains: The Greenbrier
4 of 13 The Mountains: The Omni Homestead Resort
5 of 13 The Coast: The Breakers
6 of 13 The Coast: Montage Palmetto Bluff
7 of 13 The Coast: The Pearl
8 of 13 The City: The Hermitage
9 of 13 Hotel Moteleone
10 of 13 The City: The Peabody
11 of 13 The Country: Blackberry Farm
12 of 13 The Country: The Inn at Dos Brisas
13 of 13 The Country: Inn at Shaker Village

Share options

Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Login

Southern Living

Magazines & More

Learn More

  • About Us
  • Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
  • Books from Southern Living
  • Contact Us
  • Advertise
  • Content Licensing this link opens in a new tab
  • Sitemap

Connect

Follow Us
Subscribe to Our Newsletter
Other Meredith Sites

Other Meredith Sites

  • 4 Your Health this link opens in a new tab
  • Allrecipes this link opens in a new tab
  • All People Quilt this link opens in a new tab
  • Better Homes & Gardens this link opens in a new tab
  • Bizrate Insights this link opens in a new tab
  • Bizrate Surveys this link opens in a new tab
  • Cooking Light this link opens in a new tab
  • Daily Paws this link opens in a new tab
  • EatingWell this link opens in a new tab
  • Eat This, Not That this link opens in a new tab
  • Entertainment Weekly this link opens in a new tab
  • Food & Wine this link opens in a new tab
  • Health this link opens in a new tab
  • Hello Giggles this link opens in a new tab
  • Instyle this link opens in a new tab
  • Martha Stewart this link opens in a new tab
  • Midwest Living this link opens in a new tab
  • More this link opens in a new tab
  • MyRecipes this link opens in a new tab
  • MyWedding this link opens in a new tab
  • My Food and Family this link opens in a new tab
  • MyLife this link opens in a new tab
  • Parenting this link opens in a new tab
  • Parents this link opens in a new tab
  • People this link opens in a new tab
  • People en Español this link opens in a new tab
  • Rachael Ray Magazine this link opens in a new tab
  • Real Simple this link opens in a new tab
  • Ser Padres this link opens in a new tab
  • Shape this link opens in a new tab
  • Siempre Mujer this link opens in a new tab
  • SwearBy this link opens in a new tab
  • Travel & Leisure this link opens in a new tab
Southern Living is part of the Meredith Home Group. © Copyright 2021 Meredith Corporation. Southern Living is a registered trademark of Meredith Corporationthis link opens in a new tab All Rights Reserved. Southern Living may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice. Privacy Policythis link opens in a new tab Terms of Servicethis link opens in a new tab Ad Choicesthis link opens in a new tab California Do Not Sellthis link opens a modal window Web Accessibilitythis link opens in a new tab
© Copyright . All rights reserved. Printed from https://www.southernliving.com

View image

Where to Spend Christmas Away from Home
this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines.