You won’t have to travel all the way up north for a classic holiday experience. These beautifully nostalgic hotels in the Carolinas bring the magic of the season closer to home.
Charleston, South Carolina’s The Cooper and The Charleston Place will transport you to the perfect holiday environment. In Asheville, North Carolina, the Biltmore Estate will fulfill every dream of a classic and festive Christmas. Charleston’s historic streets, waterfront experiences, and mild coastal weather along with Asheville’s mountain scenery and Gilded Age Christmas traditions expertly combine the holidays with Southern charm.
The charm of The Charleston Place in South Carolina
The Charleston Place is a classic luxury hotel in the center of downtown Charleston, perfect for the holiday. From Nutcracker Tea with live ballet dancers, cookie decorating, live music, and nightly lobby treats, to club level experiences including Santa visits, hot cocoa stations, and holiday drinks served by butlers, The Charleston Place will bring the holidays to life. As for Thanksgiving festivities, the Palmetto Café Thanksgiving feast will outdo any traditional at-home dinner.
With all that is offered by the hotel, you won’t want to leave. But if you do, the holiday experience doesn’t end there. Nearby, guests can find a tree-lighting ceremony, holiday markets, carousels, Santa and Mrs. Claus visits, and American Gardens’ holiday programming. In Charleston, your holiday getaway will feel like a classic Christmas movie with twinkling lights, festive decorations, and plenty of Southern charm around every corner.
The Cooper; a waterfront resort for the holiday
The Cooper is a new luxury waterfront resort experiencing its first holiday season in Charleston. Guests will enjoy 12 Days of Cocktails, s’mores and fire pits, and Santa’s arrival by boat to kick off the season. At The Cooper, the holiday season extends beyond traditional Christmas programming. Night swimming with warm cocktails, boat excursions aboard the property’s Hinckley, and seasonal hot-and-cold spa treatments add to the resort’s perfect balance of waterfront relaxation and holiday festivities.
If you’re thinking New Year’s Eve, you have found your destination. The Cooper will curate a grand atmosphere with poolside festivities, fireworks, and an over-the-top celebration. Keep an eye out as more details are still to come regarding what will be an iconic celebration.
Asheville, North Carolina’s Biltmore Estate
Biltmore Estate is celebrating 131 Christmases this year and is sure to satisfy your dream of a classic Christmas. Guests will experience the childlike wonder of the holidays once more with the larger than life tree in the Banquet Hall, flickering candles, sentimental decor, the smell of fresh pine, and the undeniable rich holiday history.
The Biltmore has been making holiday dreams come true since 1895, and the magic is endless. Nearly 100 Christmas trees, thousands of sparkling lights, traditional and Gilded Age-inspired decorations, and local musicians all come together to curate a nostalgic holiday atmosphere. In just a few months, from November 3rd, 2026 to January 10th, 2027, the most perfect holiday joy will be a short drive away.
Plan your southern holiday escape
Whether you’re looking for a classic downtown Christmas, a waterfront holiday escape, or a historic, mountain Christmas, the South offers plenty of ways to celebrate the season. The upcoming holidays are sure to be the best yet when visiting The Charleston Place, The Cooper, or Biltmore Estate. From festive traditions and twinkling lights to cozy fireside moments and unforgettable seasonal experiences, these destinations offer a holiday getaway that feels both magical and distinctly Southern.
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