Thanksgiving is the *New* Christmas and Travel is Half the Price

Thanksgiving is typically a time for family gatherings at home, but with vaccination rates continuing to grow worldwide and many schools giving students a full week off for Thanksgiving break, why not take the stress out of the holiday season this year by gathering your loved ones together for a well-deserved Thanksgiving getaway. Connecting with friends and family and experiencing a new place together is the perfect way to count all of your blessings and give thanks. For families who typically find Christmas travel too pricey, this is the perfect opportunity to take advantage of a more affordable alternative. Regardless of whether you want to spend your Thanksgiving weekend skiing in the mountains or lying on a beach, there’s somewhere that’s perfect for you. Here are four of our favorite places to escape for Thanksgiving.

Montage Deer Valley ~ Park City, Utah

Say hello to the ski season by celebrating Thanksgiving at the Montage Deer Valley. The property offers premier access to over 2,000 acres of Deer Valley’s gorgeous mountain setting right outside the doors of this true ski-in/ski-out retreat. Nearly every room boasts stunning views of the snowy peaks, but this Thanksgiving, go for the splurge and book one of the luxe residences, which are outfitted with private balconies, fireplaces, and fully equipped kitchens. Cooking is totally optional, of course: the hotel will prepare a turkey dinner to be enjoyed in the privacy of your home-away-from-home. 

There’s also plenty of entertainment for the family. Participate in archery lessons or play a game of flag football on the front lawn. If you’re looking for something more relaxed, there are cookie decorating classes, a hot chocolate bar, and live entertainment. At Daly’s Pub & Rec, you and your family can bowl, play at the vintage video game arcade and shoot darts. And for young ones between the ages of 5 and 12, there’s a kids club called Paintbox, with fun daily activities such as hiking, crafts, and karaoke.

Blackberry Mountain ~ Walland, Tennessee

The Blackberry Mountain retreat in the Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee is quintessential Americana, making it a perfect place to celebrate the most American of holidays. You’ll get a delicious Thanksgiving feast, of course, plus all the season-appropriate activities, from flag football games to hiking amidst stunning fall foliage. Holidays at Blackberry Mountain invite you to enjoy fun and festivities reimagined in an incredible setting, prime for making special days feel even more magical. Come with family and friends, enjoy the occasion, and create new traditions as we celebrate together.

JW Marriott Los Cabos Beach Resort & Spa ~ San José del Cabo, Mexico

Thanksgiving may not be a Mexican holiday, but it is celebrated in absentia by some 10,000 U.S. citizens who now call the area their home, as well as the tourists who flock to the region to escape chilly temperatures north of the border. The JW Marriott Los Cabos offers family-friendly amenities and a location in San Jose del Cabo, a short distance from Cabo San Lucas and JW Marriott’s Nak Grill serves up an impressive family-style Thanksgiving dinner complete with live music.

No matter the visitor—young couple, multi-gen family, groups of adults, parents traveling with little ones—this hotel is set up to cater to them. Families love the kids’ club and other child-friendly amenities, couples love the adults-only pool area with swim-up bar, and retirees and larger groups love the hotel-within-a-hotel Griffin Club section. This resort ticks off all the boxes: great food and drink, ideal location, spa, proximity to quality vacation experiences, and plenty to keep you busy if you don’t want to leave the hotel. It’s luxury, but in an approachable, family-friendly way. 

Mandarin Oriental ~ New York, New York

Thanksgiving in New York City is a magical time. Millions of people around the world tune in on their televisions to watch the famous Macy’s New York Thanksgiving Parade. It’s one thing to watch the Macy’s Parade at home on TV, but the spectacle takes on an entirely new dimension when you can watch the vibrant floats, festive marching bands, dance troupes, celebrity guests, and those massive helium balloons pass by in person. The Mandarin Oriental is the best choice in the city for travelers who want to celebrate Thanksgiving in style. Premier Central Park View rooms and suites on the 43rd to 54th floors have superb parade views through floor-to-ceiling windows, and guests who book the “I Love A Parade” package can watch from the 6,000-square-foot ballroom.

When not watching the parade, pass the time in the hotel’s renowned spa and fitness center, or frolic in the pool. Special services for families include babysitting, a children’s menu in the restaurant, roll-away beds, childproofing accessories, bottle warmers, highchairs, coloring books, storybooks, and kids’ DVDs. 

Contact the team at Royal Travel to learn more about booking your Thanksgiving getaway for 2021 and beyond.