From neighbors’ houses adorned with twinkling lights to the surprising chill in the air, there’s no denying that the holiday season has officially arrived in Austin. Even if you don’t want to travel too far this year, there are plenty of unique places where you can sip a winter cocktail, enjoy some festive decor and have a laugh with friends or family.
Whether you’re snapping photos next to a festively decorated Texas-shaped swimming pool in Houston or racing down an icy indoor mountain in San Antonio, there are plenty of distinctive ways to celebrate the season in the Lone Star State. Here are four Texas hotels ideal for holiday family fun.
JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort and Spa, San Antonio
If you’re looking for close-to-home holiday fun, look no further than the JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort and Spa, where ICE!, an immersive Christmas experience that includes life-sized sculptures, walkthrough scenes, two-story ice slides, awe-inspiring passageways, and photo-worthy moments hand-carved from more than 2 million pounds of ice, returns for a second year. This year’s theme is “Frosty the Snowman.”
The JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort’s ICE! attraction has a “Frosty the Snowman” theme this year. Kristin Finan photo
ICE!, which will be kept at a chilly 9 degrees Fahrenheit, will be at the resort through Jan. 4, 2026, and will be open to both resort guests and the general public. To stay warm, guests will be provided with signature blue parkas to wear while enjoying the attraction.
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Photos with Santa are among the options at the JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort. Kristin Finan photo
In addition to ICE!, the JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort and Spa will also be transforming the Exhibit Ballroom into “Reindeer Ridge” that will include 40,000 square feet of beloved Hill Country Christmas activities, including:
- Snow Flow Mountain, a multi-lane tubing hill made of real snow and providing hours of alpine fun for all ages.
- Snowball Build & Blast, an interactive game where guests can make and throw snowballs to score points, boosting the power of the snow-making machine.
- Claus’ Christmas Traditions, which is hosted by Mrs. Claus and includes a retelling of “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas” and a sing-along of holiday carols, complete with Santa’s favorite cookies and milk.
- Gingerbread Decorating Corner, where guests can decorate gingerbread houses with sweets and treats and even meet Nutmeg the gingerbread man.
Learn more at JWHillCountryChristmas.com.
Marriott Marquis Houston
Gingerbread-themed pillows, candy cane blankets, festive treats and a towering Christmas tree adorned with red and green ornaments and twinkling white lights greeted us as we entered our guest room at the Marriott Marquis Houston. If we weren’t in the holiday spirit already, we sure were now.
Holiday themed rooms are among the offerings at Marriott Marquis Houston. Kristin Finan photo
During a late-November stay at Marriott Marquis Houston, where we booked a limited-edition themed holiday guest room that came with everything mentioned above, my daughters and I were elated to immerse ourselves in a variety of holiday activities, including the fantastic Texas Winter Lights, which has returned for its sixth consecutive year and runs through Dec. 31.
Transforming the hotel’s Altitude Rooftop — which is already famous for its unforgettable Texas-shaped lazy river, which snagged the No. 1 spot in Travel + Leisure’s Amazing U.S. Hotels with Lazy Rivers — Texas Holiday Lights features more than 100,000 twinkling lights incorporated into a variety of Western-inspired displays. Expect live music, festive bites, visits from Santa Claus, holiday-themed cabanas, and much more.
The Marriott Marquis Houston’s Texas Holiday Lights event is centered around the hotel’s Texas-shaped lazy river. Kristin Finan photo
And don’t forget your swimsuit — the lazy river is heated, and floating it offers a fun and unique way to experience Texas Winter Lights.
Can’t make it over the holidays? Consider a spring visit to the hotel, which features 1,000 guest rooms, over 150,000 square feet of meeting space — including Houston’s largest ballroom — a full-service spa and fitness center, and six food and beverage outlets, including MLB legend-owned Biggio’s, where we loved the decadent warm brownie served with an ice cream baseball.
Learn more at https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/houmq-marriott-marquis-houston.
Fairmont Dallas
Fairmont Dallas, a luxury hotel with 545 guest rooms in the heart of the Arts District in Downtown Dallas, always offers guests a magical blend of timeless elegance and modern amenities. But during the holidays, it truly transforms into a winter wonderland complete with gorgeous trees, festive lights, and so much more.
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Another highlight of the hotel is that it’s within walking distance to amazing attractions and entertainment venues like American Airlines Center, Dallas Museum of Art, Meyerson Symphony Center, and The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza.
The pool terrace also offers a rooftop urban oasis featuring a large Junior Olympic-sized swimming pool, gorgeous Downtown Dallas skyline views, and seasonal poolside services with specialty cocktails, lunch, and drinks. I will also say that during my fall visit, the hotel showcased some of the most magnificent customer service I’ve ever received, ensuring that my daughter felt loved and celebrated on her 17th birthday.
While you’re in the Dallas area, consider making a stop by the seventh annual Cowboys Christmas Extravaganza, which includes a dazzling performance by the world-famous Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, followed by the lighting of a 67-foot LED Christmas tree by a Dallas Cowboys football legend. This free show runs Fridays and Saturdays at 6 p.m. through Dec. 21.
Learn more at https://www.fairmont.com/en/hotels/dallas/.
Four Seasons Austin
Temperatures may not be freezing, but don’t let that keep you from slipping into a pair of skates this holiday season and taking a spin around the rink. The Four Seasons Hotel Austin makes it easier than ever to embrace this holiday tradition thanks to its annual Ice Rodeo, a sparkling outdoor rink overlooking Lady Bird Lake, complete with larger-than-life decorations and luxurious lakeside cabins. Skating is available to the public through Jan. 4.
Sample gourmet s’mores at Four Seasons Austin. Contributed by Four Seasons Hotel Austin
While you’re there, don’t miss the other exciting features, including the 120-foot Tunnel of Stars, a Teddy Bear Brunch, a holiday afternoon tea, themed spa treatments, and much more.
Learn more at https://www.fourseasons.com/austin/seasonal/.
