The idea of being home for the holidays might be a little less tempting in 2020, a year most of us spent staying at home. It’s not too late to hop in the car for a holly, jolly getaway – and we recommend making Greenville, SC (the home of our sister market, GVLtoday) your destination for a last-minute holiday adventure that’s as convenient as it is merry.
This time of year, Greenville looks more like Red-and-Greenville. Its bustling downtown streets are decked out in holiday decor, and there’s a calendar packed out with social distance-friendly festivities the whole fam will enjoy. Ice skating + hot chocolate, anyone? Bonus: Most hotels across Greenville are offering great rates (some at less than $70 a night) with easy access to all the holiday cheer.
To help you plan, we made a list (and checked it twice) of hotel recs + must-do holiday activities in Greenville that even the Grinch himself would enjoy.
A downtown winter wonderland for less than 100 bucks a night:
○ Hyatt Regency Greenville, 220 N. Main St.
○ Rates: Starting at $86/night
○ Details: Located right on NOMA Square (that’s downtown GVL’s largest outdoor plaza), the Hyatt Regency will transform into a true winter wonderland, with large and totally-decked-out trees on display outside as part of the annual Bon Secours Festival of Trees. It’s one of three hotels participating in the event, and they – the Courtyard by Marriott Greenville Downtown and Embassy Suites by Hilton Greenville Downtown RiverPlace – are all great hotel options as well.
○ Perks: It’s located about half a mile from the Upcountry History Museum, which will be hosting a very merry exhibit – and the North Pole itself will be popping up inside over at the nearby Children’s Museum of the Lowcountry.
A sleek stay perfect for the savvy traveler:
○ Aloft Greenville Downtown, 5 N. Laurens St.
○ Rates: Starting at $133/night
○ Details: Want a truly metropolitan feel? Aloft offers swanky design + stunning views of the city.
○ Perks: Part of the mixed-use hub ONE Greenville, Aloft neighbors several shops perfect for picking up a last-minute gift for your fam.
If you’ve been singing “All I Want For Christmas Is You” by Mariah Carey since October:
○ Crowne Plaza Greenville, 851 Congaree Rd.
○ Rates: Starting at $68.66/night
○ Details: At just under $70 per night for an average stay over the holidays, you can’t beat the price of the Crowne Plaza. Located right off I-385, less than 10 minutes away from the Mauldin Cultural Center. Visit this month for their Holiday Spectacular, featuring live performances of your favorite holiday hits.
○ Perks: There’s a heated indoor pool open all day (currently by appointment only), so you can pass on the polar bear plunge and enjoy a comfortable dip in the water instead.
Treat yo’ self this holiday season:
○ The Westin Poinsett, 120 South Main St.
○ Rates: Starting at $144/night
○ Details: This AAA Four Diamond hotel is located inside a renovated 1920s building in the heart of downtown GVL.
○ Perks: Book a pre-dinner massage at the spa next door, or hit the hotel’s gym to try out one of their Peloton bikes – just in case someone gives you one for Christmas. Later, you can head around the corner to the United Community Bank Ice on Main, an ice skating rink open daily through Jan. 21. Pro tip: Be sure to order a hot chocolate while you’re there.
Hit a ho-ho-hole in one:
○ Embassy Suites by Hilton Greenville Golf Resort & Conference Center, 670 Verdae Blvd.
○ Rates: Starting at $95/night
○ Details: Still riding that high from last month’s Masters Tournament? Here’s where you’ll want to book your stay. Channel your inner Dustin Johnson at the Preserve at Verdae, a championship golf course located right next to the resort.
○ Perks: There’s an on-site restaurant with an outdoor bar and fire pit for some true chestnuts-roasting-on-an-open-fire vibes. Ⓟ
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