Every year, as the lights twinkle and the holiday playlists return, we revisit the films and music videos that shaped the way we picture Christmas. But behind the magic are real hotels—grand, charming, sometimes quirky—where iconic holiday moments were filmed. From Home Alone 2’s Plaza Hotel to the mountain backdrop of Wham!’s Last Christmas, these hotels have become part of our festive pop-culture heritage. Here’s a look inside the world’s most legendary holiday stays.
The Plaza Hotel is pure Christmas magic, immortalized by Kevin McCallister’s unforgettable adventure in Home Alone 2! Fans around the world adore this movie, watching it year after year, laughing, gasping, and reliving every hilarious and heartwarming moment. Its glittering lobby, towering Christmas tree, and echoing marble halls became the perfect stage for Kevin’s mischievous exploits and dreamy New York adventures. Even today, walking through The Plaza’s iconic doors feels like stepping into the movie itself—where holiday lights twinkle brighter, the air smells sweeter, and childhood wonder comes alive all over again! It’s not just a hotel—it’s a living, breathing piece of beloved Christmas history!
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Step into the snowy magic of Saas-Fee, where George Michael and Wham! filmed the iconic Last Christmas music video in autumn 1984. The Walliserhof Grand-Hotel & Spa became the backdrop for one of the world’s most beloved holiday songs—a song that, year after year, captures the bittersweet joy and nostalgia of Christmas like no other. Fans around the world still sing along, feeling that perfect mix of warmth, longing, and festive spirit. Today, the hotel celebrates that legendary stay with a modern twist—offering guests the chance to relive George Michael’s visit through special cocktails, culinary delights inspired by his personal requests, and even an augmented reality scavenger hunt featuring a virtual George Michael guide. Walking through the Walliserhof today, with its cozy alpine interiors and sparkling winter views, it’s easy to imagine the superstar and his crew creating that timeless magic. Staying here isn’t just a luxury escape—it’s stepping into a living holiday memory, wrapped in music, snow, and the unparalleled feeling of Christmas that only Last Christmas can give!
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The Lanesborough in London has a unique claim to cinematic fame: it hosted Stanley Kubrick during the filming of his final masterpiece, Eyes Wide Shut, the most spirited Christmas film of all time! The story intriguingly begins on Christmas Eve, setting a festive backdrop for an intensely mysterious tale. Kubrick transformed the hotel’s Royal Suite into a hauntingly intimate billiard room, where Bill (Tom Cruise) and Ziegler (Sydney Pollack) circled a red pool table, unpacking the secrets of the previous night’s enigmatic party. For ten days of the film’s 400-day shoot, this suite became a center of suspense, drama, and meticulous cinematic craft. You don’t need to book the three-bedroom Royal Suite to visit The Lanesborough, but walking through the hotel today still lets you sense the tension, intrigue, and timeless elegance that once made it the setting for one of cinema’s most mysterious holiday openings.
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Nestled in the snowy slopes of Deer Valley, the Stein Eriksen Lodge became a magical winter wonderland when Lindsay Lohan filmed her holiday rom-com Falling for Christmas. With its cozy alpine charm, roaring fireplaces, and breathtaking mountain views, the lodge perfectly captured that warm, festive feeling of Christmas in the Rockies. Fans of the movie can now imagine themselves strolling through the same glittering snow paths, sipping hot chocolate by the fire, and soaking in the luxurious comfort that made the lodge the ultimate romantic getaway on screen. From ski slopes to elegant suites, every corner of Stein Eriksen Lodge radiates the charm, sparkle, and cinematic magic that make it a must-visit for holiday lovers and movie fans alike.
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From the glittering lobby of The Plaza to the snowy glamour of the Walliserhof, and from London’s mysterious Lanesborough to Utah’s cozy Stein Eriksen Lodge, these hotels have brought Christmas magic to life on screen. Whether you’re a movie buff, a music fan, or simply chasing the holiday spirit, staying in—or visiting—the hotels that inspired these iconic scenes is a chance to step into your favorite festive stories. If you want to discover even more hotels where celebrities stayed and made holiday memories, visit our website and start planning your own magical Christmas escape!