Find Your Home Away from Home for the Holidays

Famed among skiers and snowboarders for its signature "Champagne Powder®" snow, Steamboat Springs is fantastic for active families who want to spend the holidays hitting the slopes. The historic downtown Main Street district is as charming as it is busy, with restaurants for festive family dinners and shops to grab last-minute gifts.

Rental spotlight: Cazador Lodge, Steamboat Springs, CO

Hosted by: Moving Mountains

This modern ski lodge offers sweeping views of snowy Yampa Valley and room to comfortably sleep 12. The great room offers plenty of space for holiday entertaining or relaxing with an après ski drink beside a floor-to-ceiling fireplace. Prepare holiday meals together in the gourmet kitchen, which seats eight at the granite island bar – the adjacent dining room seats more at a grand table.  Take advantage of the home’s complimentary concierge service to plan activities during your stay and enjoy complimentary use of host Moving Mountains shuttle for access to and from the slopes.

Perfect for: Skiers and snowboarders, active travelers

• 5 bedrooms, 5.5 bathrooms
• Up to 12 guests

Lake Tahoe, the largest freshwater lake in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, straddles Nevada and California and is renowned for its crystal-clear waters, stunning fir tree-lined coastline, and abundance of outdoor recreation. Come winter, travelers are drawn to the region for skiing, snowboarding, and other snow sports. During the holiday season, families will enjoy annual events like the Heavenly Holidays Family Festival, which includes daily tree lightings, ornate ice sculptures, Breakfast with Santa, and South Tahoe’s Festival of Winter Lights.

Rental spotlight: Peace of Tahoe - Lakefront, South Lake Tahoe, CA

Hosted by: Tahoe Luxury Properties

This tranquil lakefront property has an open floor plan, soaring ceilings, and slide-away walls. Gather around numerous fire pits or on the large patio to holiday under the stars; the house includes an outdoor built-in gas grill, pizza oven, and 12-person hot tub. With proximity to parks, golf courses, and recreation areas, you’ll also have easy access to winter activities like snowmobiling, snowshoeing, and more.

Perfect for: Lakefront views, outdoorsy travelers, indoor/outdoor living

• 6 bedrooms, 7 bathrooms
• Up to 12 guests

Well-heeled skiers and snowboarders travel to Vail from around the globe for both its world-renowned slopes and its upscale base village, where you’ll find high-end boutiques, bustling bars, and world-class restaurants. Throughout the holidays, the ski town turns into a winter wonderland, with outdoor skating rinks, skating shows, winter markets and parades, New Year’s Eve fireworks, and an annual “Ugly Sweater Fun Run” down the slopes.

Rental spotlight: The Lion W605, Vail, CO

Hosted by: East West Hospitality - The Lion

This luxe top floor penthouse features vaulted ceilings and floor-to-ceiling windows that reveal striking mountain vistas. Relax after a day on the slopes beside the gas fireplace or soak sore muscles in the private rooftop hot tub. Part of luxury complex The Lion, the property offers complimentary access to an infinite current lap pool, indoor and outdoor saline hot tubs, a family game room, and custom concierge service to help plan your ultimate holiday getaway.

Perfect for: Skiers and snowboarders, mountain views, high-end shopping

• 4 bedrooms, 4.5 bathrooms
• Up to 10 guests

Another west coast ski titan, Park City offers a more family-friendly alternative to some of its peers. The region receives more than 350 inches of fresh snow each year – skiers and snowboarders can bet on finding fresh powder. Holiday events are numerous, from a family-friendly Main Street Snow Globe Stroll and adults-only Santa Pub Crawl to a Grand Menorah lighting ceremony, a Christmas Eve torchlight parade, and more.

Rental spotlight: Norfolk Mountain Fantasy! 1121, Park City, UT

Hosted by: Park City Ski Chalets LLC dba SkyRun Park City

In the historic district of Old Town Park City, this contemporary home sits at the enviable address of 11th and Norfolk, steps from the slopes, along with an abundance of fine restaurants, convivial bars and pubs, and high-end shopping. You’ll also enjoy proximity to attractions like Park City Alpine Slide, Park City Adventure Park, and more outdoor recreation.

Perfect for: Skiers and snowboarders, outdoor adventure

• 5 bedrooms, 5.5 bathrooms
• Up to 11 guests

Magic abounds for the young and the young at heart at the theme parks that make Orlando a go-to destination for families. They host a variety of holiday events, from parties and parades to food festivals and fireworks. There are plenty of other family-friendly activities, too, like alligator spotting tours, minor league baseball games, and wildlife preserves.

Rental spotlight #1: TT291 The Drive-In Dream, Orlando, FL

Hosted by: Top Tier at Reunion

Great for multi-generational families, this open-concept home Is set up so that some folks can relax by the pool while others may hit the game room, fully equipped with video games, a massive Jurassic Park arcade, and a giant slide. Gather for a holiday movie in the signature room: a drive-in themed home theater (decked out with astro-turf, fake trees, and a retro pick-up truck that does double duty as theater seating and a comfy bed for tuckered out kids. Many of the eclectic bedrooms are themed (pirate ships, castles, and more).

Perfect for: Large multi-generational groups, movie buffs, gamers

• 7 bedrooms, 7.5 bathrooms
• Up to 18 guests

Rental spotlight #2: Isole Villa, Orlando, FL

Hosted by: Reunion Resort and Golf Club

This 25,000-square-foot villa spares no amenity, from a multi-level saltwater pool to a sauna featuring a Turkish steam room and redwood sauna to a private basketball court. Get everyone together for a classic holiday movie in the private screening room, hit the entertainment lounge for a round of billiards or an arcade tournament, and work off your holiday feasting in the fully equipped home fitness center.

Perfect for: Large multi-generational groups, multiple families, luxe amenities

• 15 bedrooms, 19.5 bathrooms
• Up to 30 guests

This small, sandy island near Savannah cultivates a warm, community feel, making it a fine destination for a holiday gathering. Tybee Island’s palm trees get the full festive treatment, strung with lights and holiday decorations, and the island hosts an annual Christmas lights parade, a New Year’s Eve fireworks display, and a New Year’s Day polar bear plunge.

Rental spotlight: 1801 Chatham Ave B + C, Tybee Island, GA

Hosted by: Southern Belle Vacation Rentals

This charming property is close to beaches and downtown shopping, dining, and recreation. The two-story home features wraparound covered porches and balconies with plenty of indoor/outdoor living space, plus a large outdoor pool. (There’s also a heated outdoor pool owned by the rental company that you can access.) The comfy living room features a large sectional and super-size TV for holiday movie nights, and the kitchen has all you need for preparing cozy holiday brunches and big family dinners.

Perfect for: Quiet getaways, Southern beachy living

• 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
• Up to 6 guests

Bordered by Alabama and Georgia, just north of the Gulf of Mexico, the Florida Panhandle comprises roughly 200 miles of white sand beaches, along with emerald waters and easy-going beach towns. The Panhandle attracts snowbirds seeking warmth and festive fun for the holidays, including festivals, parades, and light shows.

Rental spotlight: Something Salty, South Walton, FL

Hosted by: Nocturne-Exclusive 30A

Congregate at this stunning home on a quiet street just 350 yards from the beach near Seagrove, a close-knit community. Staying here tees you up for relaxation, with a private six-seater golf cart to access the beach and nearby shops and restaurants, a pool that can be heated by request, and a chef’s kitchen complete with a butler’s pantry. The house also comes with four bicycles; use them to cycle down the road to the Eastern Lake Boat Launch where you can enjoy the water by kayak or paddleboard rental.

Perfect for: Laid-back living, beach seekers, water recreation

• 4 bedrooms, 4.5 bathrooms
• Up to 15 guests

The Hawaiian Island of Kauai is a great destination for outdoorsy travelers, with its famed networks of white sand beaches and scenic hiking. Enjoy a proper "Mele Kalikimaka" holiday experience with annual events like the Kauai Festival of Lights, luau shows, towering palm trees strung with twinkling lights, and holiday concerts. Work off the feasting by hiking some of the island’s famed trails – options for both beginners and experts abound, offering beautiful Hawaiian vistas as a reward for your efforts.

Rental spotlight: Ke Kai Nui at Kukuiula, Kauai, HI

Hosted by: Gather Vacations

Meaning “The Great Sea”, Ke Kai Nui channels its namesake, featuring soothing ocean blue tones, coastal accents, and indoor/outdoor living space to fully embrace Hawaiian living.  Each of the bedrooms comes with ocean views and direct lanai access. Spend your holiday hitting the links at the adjacent golf course, soaking in the sparkling infinity pool, or sunbathing at the beach. The home features a fully-equipped kitchen, but holiday meals can also be cooked under the stars using the open-air kitchen with built-in barbecue – and enjoyed beside the fire pit.

Perfect for: Ocean views, beach seekers, indoor/outdoor living

• 4 bedrooms, 4.5 bathrooms
• Up to 11 guests

Must be 21 years of age or older to consume alcoholic beverages. Please drink responsibly.

Fewer than 50 miles north of San Francisco, Sonoma is a popular destination for both serious oenophiles and those who simply enjoy a nice glass of vino. Sonoma Valley wine country cultivates more than 60 grape varietals, most notably Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Pinot Noir. Whether you’re seeking a romantic holiday getaway or a laid-back family stay, you’ll eat and drink well.

Rental spotlight: Morningside Estate, Sonoma, CA

Hosted by: Beautiful Places

A refined holiday awaits at this 3,500-square-foot stucco estate in the heart of wine country, a short drive from vineyards and restaurants. The main house features one bedroom, while additional guests can settle into the two-bedroom house and the pool house, which includes a sleeper bed and bathroom. The main house’s interior is marked by terracotta tiled floors throughout, a chef’s kitchen, and multiple cozy fireplaces. The property boasts ample outdoor entertainment space, with numerous patios, a wisteria-covered pagoda, outdoor dining table, swimming pool, and its own bocce court.

Perfect for: Wine lovers, scenic views, a relaxing stay

• 4 bedrooms, 5.5 bathrooms
• Up to 8 guests