6 fancy NC hotels ready to treat you this holiday season
Let someone else play Santa this year; break from tradition and celebrate the holidays at one of these fancy North Carolina accommodations.
Holidays are built around traditions, and sometimes building something new is what you need. Keep it fresh: Celebrate in a small town, eat a fancy meal at a new-to-you restaurant, hang your stockings by the hotel bed, and see if Santa can still find you.
“I feel like more people are choosing to invest in those types of experiences over things,” says Shanell Varner, CEO of Moonglade Travel in Charlotte. “They’re more rich experiences. They create more lasting memories.”
Varner should know; she’s been running a luxury boutique travel consulting company since 2016, planning custom travel, and curating international wellness experiences for groups. Her motto is, “Put yourself on your gift list.”
This is your year to opt for something a little different. Be intentional with your holiday.
Here are six accommodations in North Carolina waiting for your arrival:
The Dunhill Hotel – Charlotte
The Dunhill Hotel, a historic property in Uptown Charlotte, opens its doors for Holiday Magic in the City. The overnight accommodations include complimentary parking, a bottle of wine, a souvenir gift, and a $50 dining credit for The Asbury restaurant or The Dunhill Bar.
Reserve a seat at The Dunhill’s Breakfast with Santa from 9 to 11 a.m. on Dec. 13, 14, 20, and 21. Meet and take photos with Santa, eat all your favorites, including pancakes, chicken and waffles, scrambled eggs, bacon, and sausage.
Choose from one of Charlotte’s annual traditions, such as the Fourth Ward Holiday Sip & Stroll, Light the Knights at Truist Field, and the Charlotte Ballet Nutcracker at the Blumenthal Arts Center.
Front Street Inn – Wilmington
The Front Street Inn, in the heart of Wilmington’s downtown, provides the romantic setting you’ve seen (and been secretly pining for) in Hallmark holiday movies. Room interiors are inspired by destinations around the globe—from Amsterdam and Switzerland to New York and London. Drink seasonal lattes and crafted cocktails around the firepit and a 25-foot Christmas tree, the centerpiece at the Concorde Espresso Bar, behind the inn.
Wilmington and area beaches “Holidays on the Water,” a series of activities such as festive cruises, home tours, shopping, and tree lightings throughout the region. The NC Holiday Flotilla, a lighted boat parade, begins in Wrightsville Beach at 6 p.m. on Nov. 29. Every Saturday at 7:30 p.m., Dec. 6 through 27, visitors can experience a Drone Show involving 100 remote-controlled aircraft flying over the water in a synchronized pattern.
The North Carolina Symphony performs Holiday Pops at the Wilson Center at Cape Fear Community College on Dec. 11. Visit the Cameron Art Museum’s annual “Art of Illumination,” Dec. 3 through Jan. 15.
Morehead Manor Bed & Breakfast – Durham
The Morehead Manor Bed & Breakfast, an 8,000-square-foot inn, serves a full breakfast each morning, welcomes extended stays during the holiday season, and is mindful of guests’ specific comforts and needs. The inn hosts the Holiday Bazaar on Dec. 6, where local artists and makers showcase handcrafted products.
Within walking distance of the Manor are restaurants, shops, and holiday attractions. Attend the city’s downtown holiday tree lighting, a concert, and a night of festive activities from 5 to 9 p.m. on Nov. 21.
On Dec. 3 at 7 p.m., Durham’s American Tobacco Campus presents its 21st annual Tower Lighting, a holiday gathering with performances and finishing with the lighting of the iconic Lucky Strike tower. The lights will shine bright through New Year’s Day.
Tickets for “A Christmas Carol” and “Elf The Musical” are available at the Durham Performing Arts Center, known to locals as DPAC.
NuWray Hotel – Burnsville
The NuWray Hotel, a historic 26-room hotel, sits on the Square in Downtown Burnsville, a bustling mountain town with more than 30 galleries, restaurants, and shops to peruse.
Reserve a seat at the hotel’s Thanksgiving Day Dinner table and enjoy three courses (and zero dishes to wash). On Dec. 12, meet at The NuWray Hotel for a tour of the town in a horse-drawn carriage at the Merry Main Street event.
Earth to Sky Park at Mayland Community College, an internationally registered Dark Sky Park with a telescope/observatory and a planetarium, hosts “The Mystery of the Christmas Star” at 2 p.m. on Saturdays through Dec. 27.
Pandora’s Manor – High Point
Treat yourself to a room at Pandora’s Manor, a luxury getaway in High Point. The staff will delight you with a full breakfast and complimentary wine and beer in the evening. Each afternoon, staff set out fruit, scratch-made cookies, and chocolates.
Each room features decor from an internationally recognized designer, including Madcap Cottage, a North Carolina-based company. Guests are welcomed with a basket filled with mostly North Carolina-made snacks. During the holiday season, guests receive a full stocking (no coal) made by Eastern Accents, a luxury bedding and home decor company. New Year’s Eve guests sip on bubbly, provided by the inn.
Holiday lights abound in High Point: The Winter Glow Experience at Truist Point Stadium, Nov. 23-Jan. 4; the High Point Holiday Party & Tree Lighting is Nov. 22; High Point Holiday Festival Parade at 3 p.m. on Nov. 23, and the High Point Holiday Stroll from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Dec. 6. The drive through High Point University’s decorated campus will delight even Scrooge.
While you’re exploring High Point, look for the Dambo Troll.
Switzerland Inn – Little Switzerland
For the first time in its history, Switzerland Inn will be open for the holidays. Through Dec. 31, celebrate “A Swiss-Mas to Remember” in an idyllic resort setting with Swiss Alp vibes and Blue Ridge mountain views. Guests receive a special turndown service with milk and cookies straight from Santa’s plate, a keepsake ornament to remember your mountain Christmas, and a $100 food and beverage credit to enjoy at The Pub.
The Christmas Eve buffet is 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Dec. 24 in The Chalet, the hotel’s fine dining restaurant. The meal includes traditional holiday carved meats, seasonal sides, farm-fresh vegetables, fresh-baked breads and pastries, desserts, and Christmas treats.
For the month of December, The Fowl Play Pub & Taproom will be transformed into the Peppermint Pub with twinkling lights, seasonal flavors, and cheerful vibes.
Note: For all overnight accommodations, check for blackout dates, holiday promotions, and offer restrictions before booking.
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