like a hallmark movie

Get immersed in Hallmark Channel Christmas at Texas hotel holiday suite

It's that time of year again, when the airwaves are flooded with that holiday staple known as the Hallmark Channel Christmas movie.

Legions of fans know the plots by heart. Big-city gal returns to her small town, finds love and saves Christmas. Or the family business. Or a lost kitten. Two colleagues who can't stand each other discover they have more in common than ever imagined and find love. And save Christmas. Or the family business. Or a lost kitten. Three generations of family at loggerheads re-connect after finding themselves stranded in a cozy cabin in the woods. And save Christmas. Or the family business. Or a lost kitten.

Photo by Christy Radecic

Definitely like a Hallmark holiday movie.

Now, fans who love the genre for its uplifting messages and smiles-through-tears can experience the movies in a whole new way. The Hilton Americas-Houston is offering a limited-time Hallmark Channel “Countdown to Christmas” Holiday Suite by Hilton, available starting November 1 and running through January 1, 2024. The hotel is one of only three Hilton properties across the country to offer this one-of-a-kind festive dreamscape.

In H-Town, guests can book the Hilton Americas-Houston's "Haul Out the Holly" suite, which offers a cascade of seasonal cheer, and is based on the all-new, original Hallmark holiday movie of the same name. Look for jaw-dropping holiday designs and light treatments throughout the suite, including enchanting light pillows, a light-up holiday village that will dazzle the world’s biggest Christmas enthusiasts, a custom holiday light decorating station, a gingerbread bar, and more.

Expect special surprise-and-delight moments like a festive oversized game, a custom Hallmark Channel light-up marquee, and even a twinkling Christmas light ceiling. This exceptional stay will allow guests to embrace the essence of the sequel film, starring beloved Hallmark star Lacey Chabert and centering on the iconic residents and ongoing HOA decorating competitions – and infamous citations – of the ever-festive Evergreen Lane.

"We're thrilled to partner with Hallmark for a collaboration that embodies the joy of the holiday season and brings to life the light and warmth of hospitality we show our guests every day,” said Matt Schuyler, chief brand officer, Hilton in a press release announcing the initiative. “This is a great representation of Hilton’s commitment to delivering immersive and unforgettable experiences during every stay. Our collaboration with Hallmark allows us to leverage timeless storytelling to bring an added level of excitement during the holidays.”

The "Haul Out the Holly" suite, like its counterparts the “Hallmark’s Holiday Sweetest Suite” at the Hilton New York Times Square and the “Santa Summit” at the Hilton Chicago, includes a custom-decorated Christmas tree and complimentary hot cocoa station.

To keep the holiday cheer going all season long, each of these special guest suites also include Hallmark Channel-branded takeaways that guests can enjoy with their loved ones during or after their holiday stay. Think Hallmark Channel Wine, Bissinger’s cocoa mix and hot cocoa bombs, Republic of Tea products, wine glasses, mugs, and more.

Rates start at $1,050 per night. Reservations can be made online.

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New $18 million AC Hotel by Marriott to land near DFW Airport

Photo courtesy of Marriott

New AC by Marriott, scheduled for landing in Grapevine in 2027.

A new five-story, 200-room AC Hotel by Marriott is set to open in 2027 in Grapevine, not far from both DFW Airport and the city's touristy Main Street.

Construction is to get underway in March on the $18 million, nearly 122,000-square-foot upscale hotel, located at 1701 State Hwy. 26 at Bass Pro Court, according to a filing with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.

The AC Hotel will feature a ballroom, meeting rooms, a fitness center, a swimming pool, a full-service restaurant and bar, and an owners club.

Grapevine-based Type Six Design and Development Services is the architect for the project.

More than 250 AC Hotel properties are located in 33 countries, including five Dallas-Fort Worth locations. Two of the local hotels are in Dallas, with one each in Fort Worth, Frisco, and McKinney.

Hotels close to the AC Hotel site in Grapevine include Hilton, Comfort Suites, Embassy Suites by Hilton, Homewood Suites by Hilton, Residence Inn by Marriott, and TownePlace Suites by Marriott. Also nearby are Marriott’s Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center, the Grapevine Mills outlet center, a Bass Pro Shops sporting goods store, and LEGOLAND Discovery Center Dallas/Fort Worth.

Both DFW Airport and Grapevine's Historic Main Street (which gets particularly busy around the holidays in the "Christmas Capital of Texas") are just three miles away.

The AC Hotels chain targets business travelers and solo travelers as guests, particularly millennials.

Marriott says that at AC Hotel properties, “every moment has been designed, refined, crafted, and considered to create a seamless guest experience. Each AC Hotel features purposefully designed signature spaces that strike the perfect balance of form and function.”

Marriott debuted the AC Hotel brand in North America in 2014. The concept started in Spain in 1998.

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