8 family hotels that look like a winter wonderland

I like winter. While my friends dream of tropical vacations with sand and sea, I wait for frigid days and snowflakes. Winter isn’t your favorite season? Stay in a comfortable hotel with snow-covered views, a fireplace, and soul-warming food and you might change your mind.

Embrace the elements with a winter vacation that tends to be cold and snowy. I’ve rounded up eight hotels with plenty of winter wonderland charm, fun family activities, and indoor amenities to warm you up as you come in from the cold.

Mohonk Mountain House, New Paltz, New York

Mohonk Mountain House is a Victorian castle surrounded by mountains, just 90 miles from New York City. In winter, you could easily mistake this property for the inside of a strange snow globe.

This rambling property is the launching pad for a variety of cold weather sports. Ice skate on a rink perched high above a pristine lake, go snow tubing, or try your hand at cross-country skiing on 30 miles of groomed trails. The large indoor pool offers stunning views of the Catskill Mountains.

The rooms are decorated with antique furniture. Some rooms have stone fireplaces and private balconies, and there are no televisions in the rooms unless requested.

As a bonus, there are no big surprises when it comes time to pay the bill, as activities and three delicious meals are included in the all-inclusive rate.

Camp Richardson Resort, South Lake Tahoe, California

On the south shore of Lake Tahoe, Camp Richardson Resort is a place of majestic natural beauty. This rural property has been around since the late 1880s; many families have been visiting for generations and return every year. Winter is a peaceful time to enjoy the snow-covered views on Nordic skis or snowshoes (available for rental) while admiring the lake and the Sierra Nevada Mountains. For downhill skiers, Heavenly Lake Tahoe is just eight miles away.

Many guest accommodations, including historic hotels, lakeside inns, and winter cabins, are available year-round. The Grove’s on-property restaurant is open year-round serving delicious burgers, sandwiches and appetizers topped with pie or brownies a la mode.

Lodging in Jackson Hole, Jackson, Wyoming

Located on the doorstep of Grand Tetons National Park, the snow-covered views of The Lodge at Jackson Hole are simply breathtaking. An indoor-outdoor pool and hot tub combine with practical amenities like a free shuttle from the lodge. Even though Jackson Hole is a very expensive town, The Lodge at Jackson Hole (and its sister property The Wyoming Inn) keeps prices fair without sacrificing creature comforts.

The rooms, decorated with interesting local artwork, are spacious and modern. The common area is decorated with a fireplace and a number of bear carvings that add whimsy and sense of place.

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Active visitors can downhill ski at Snow King and Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. For winter wildlife encounters, book an eco-tour or backcountry snowshoe tour with an amazing guide at Ecotour Adventures. Don’t miss a visit to the mountaintop Snow King Observatory and a dip in the six thermal pools at family-friendly Astoria Hot Springs.

Intercontinental Boston, Boston, Massachusetts

For a comfortable, cosmopolitan atmosphere, meet the Intercontinental Boston. Step into the modern lobby and you’ll be greeted by a fireplace and soaring ceilings. The patio, overlooking historic Boston Harbor, offers individual fire pits with S’mores Boxes containing everything you need to make this nostalgic treat. And the creative menu of hot toddlers will have the adults in your group happy in no time.

Families come for the spacious rooms and indoor pool. Make the best of it and book a room with access to Club Intercontinental, an exclusive lounge with a variety of guest amenities, from a breakfast buffet to a collection of teddy bears waiting to be cuddled.

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Its location, a two-minute walk from the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum and a few steps further from the Boston Children’s Museum, is perfect for families.

Grand Mountain View Resort & Spa, Whitefield, New Hampshire

Nestled in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, Mountain View Grand Resort & Spa is a storybook setting for families looking to reconnect in the winter. Active guests can spend their days snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and sledding on property. Indoors, relax in the heated pool or catch a private movie screening.

A campfire with s’mores under the stars is offered every Friday and Saturday, and a sleigh ride takes place every Saturday. Visit the resort’s farm, home to friendly animals whose wool is sourced from buttery soft Mountain View Farm Blend yarn.

Skytop Lodge, Skytop, Pennsylvania

Skytop Lodge is a relaxing and elegant resort in the Pocono Mountains, just hours from New York City and even closer to Philadelphia. Traditions like afternoon tea and cake and evening bonfires blend with endless outdoor fun on the property’s 5,500 acres. Cold weather options include ice fishing and ice skating on frozen lakes, indoor ice skating, snowboarding, and a small hill for downhill skiing. The aquatic center’s new indoor swimming pool is an all-weather splash pad.

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Rooms at inns, inns and cottages offer rustic charm. The on-site restaurants and eateries range from upscale to casual, with children’s menus that go beyond the standard chicken fare.

Liberty Hill Farm & Lodge, Rochester, Vermont

Families who crave a nature-connected experience should consider a farm vacation. Liberty Hill Farm & Inn is a Vermont dairy farm open to overnight guests year-round. Here, you can watch cows being milked, help farmers with simple chores, snowshoe, or ride a sled down a hill. If you want to escape the hustle and bustle of life, this is a chilled-out paradise.

The rooms are comfortable and delicious breakfasts and home-style dinners are included in the rate. The hands-on owner was very welcoming, setting the stage for a magical vacation.

Williams Inn, Williamstown, MA

If you want to explore snow-capped hills and quaint villages, the Berkshires are for you. Williamstown is one of the area’s most charming places, with a college spirit thanks to Williams College and the Clark Art Institute’s distinguished collection of Impressionist art. As the flakes fly, Project Snowshoe Clark provides free snowshoes in a variety of sizes, allowing visitors of all ages to traverse the 140-acre campus in powder-packed style.

In the heart of town is the Williams Inn, an upscale boutique hotel that prioritizes hospitality. The design and decor take inspiration from New England farmhouses, with barn doors and Berkshire stone and wood accents. And the outdoor fire pit is amazing when it snows.

A roaring fireplace in the lobby, classic board games, and a restaurant serving ingredients sourced from local fields and farms are welcome additions.

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