where to travel right now

Holiday travel in Texas right now: Santa-themed suite & more hot tips

We hear Santa can also visit hotels on Christmas night.

Photo courtesy of The Ritz-Carlton Dallas, Las Colinas

Winter has arrived in the Lone Star State, which means there is an abundance of fun-filled and holiday-themed vacation ideas and events to experience in December. Texans looking for ideas for where to travel can find them here, in our big monthly roundup of top tips around the state.

ICYMI: CultureMap has rounded up the best holiday light displays to visit in Dallas and Fort Worth this winter. We've also got you covered with the best holiday lights across Houston, Austin, and San Antonio, too.

Hill Country

It's never too late to get out into the Hill Country for a luxe glamping trip under the great Texas sky. Star Studded Nights, a 14-acre private glamping site in Valley Mills, has everything travelers need to enjoy a comfortable stay: Fully furnished (and temperature controlled) safari tents with plush bedding and ensuite bathrooms, a common area with a firepit and outdoor games, and a provisional store for any last-minute necessities or s'mores ingredients. Nightly rates begin at $229.

San Antonio

The innovative culinary scene in San Antonio has helped the city earn a new title as one of the best places to travel in 2025, according to a recent report by Travel + Leisure. The publication's annual "Where to Go" list reviews nearly 120 notable places around the globe and chooses only 50 for its collection of best destinations. T+L named two recently opened hotels in its report: Kimpton Santo, a boutique hotel that repurposed 19th century schoolhouses, and the fully renovated InterContinental San Antonio RiverWalk.

Guest room at the Kimpton Santo The Kimpton Santo is situated on a historic property. Photo by Garrett Smith

Gulf Coast

If a wintry camping trip is on the itinerary this month, South Padre Island is the place to be, according to online campsite marketplace Campspot. A recent survey by the website ranked South Padre Island the No. 5 best destination in the South for travelers seeking "nostalgia-driven escapes" that remind them of the "straightforward charm" of the 1980's. Nearby campgrounds that Campspot highlighted included Brownsville's 55-plus Winter Haven Resort, We RV Champions of Rio Hondo, and more.

Austin

Guests who want to spend part of their happy holidays hanging by the pool at the Downright Austin can use the promo code "HOL" to get a holiday-themed welcome amenity, a $20 daily credit to the hotel's breakfast and lunch bar Morningbird, and a one-time $20 food and beverage credit for Morningbird or Swim Club. And starting December 15, Swim Club will transform into a winter wonderland pop-up called Après Swim, complete with holiday-themed cocktails, bites, and various holiday events. Nightly rates at Downright Austin begin at $264 in December.

Those traveling with dogs might be intrigued by the pet-friendly amenities the Hotel Van Zandt has to offer, including complimentary Yeti brand dog bowls, plush pet beds, and special dog guest door hangers. The hotel is additionally offering branded dog robes for purchase, so your furry best friend can relax in style. Hotel Van Zandt doesn't employ size, weight, or breed restrictions for dogs, and there is no extra charge for bringing Fido along for the stay. Room rates start at $195 a night.

The Omni Barton Creek Resort and Spa is all dolled up for Christmas with an impressive lineup of holiday offerings for guests and visitors alike. The resort boasts two luxurious experiences for December stays: An exclusive "Santa Suite" package with a 20 percent discount on stays in one of the whimsical holiday-themed suites, plus a $100 hotel credit; And a "Magical Memories" package that includes 20 percent off stays with a $25 food and beverage credit. The Santa Suite package is valid for stays through January 3, while the Magical Memories package is available through January 19. Room rates begin at $329 per night.

Dallas-Fort Worth

The Adolphus in Dallas is ready to provide the coziest stays this winter, starting with the hotel's "Holiday Glow Package" that provides guests with a a $100 dining credit and an Adolphus Signature Holiday Candle, handcrafted in partnership with Dallas-based fragrance designer Niven Morgan. The package is valid for stays of two nights or more, and can be booked using the code "ES6" for stays from now until December 30. Rates at The Adolphus begin at $254 per night.

For those that want to ring in the New Year in style, The Ritz-Carlton Dallas, Las Colinas has a luxurious "Diamonds & Bowties" package that includes luxury accommodations, two Diamonds & Bowties New Year’s Eve Event Tickets featuring live entertainment from Jordan Kahn’s Manhattan Orchestra, a New Year’s themed amenity, complimentary valet parking, late checkout, and more. The package is valid for one-night stays on December 31, and includes two tickets to the hotel's Diamonds & Bowties New Year's Eve party. Rates start at $1,039.

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Airline News

Frontier Airlines adds two new destination cities out of DFW Airport

Frontier Airlines/ Facebook

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Low-cost Denver-based Frontier Airlines has launched nonstop service from Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) to two new destinations in Central America.

According to a release, the carrier will offer the following new flights:

Guatemala City, Guatemala (GUA) - weekly
San Salvador, El Salvador (SAL) - 2x/week

With these new routes, Frontier will serve 40 destinations nonstop from DFW, exemplifying Frontier’s impressive network growth as it continues to add more affordable and convenient travel options across the U.S., Caribbean, and Latin America.

The frequency of the flights is a little confusing. Guatemala City is "weekly" which seems to imply "once a week." San Salvador is "2x/week" which seems to imply two flights a week. However, if you try to book a flight to either city, you get all sorts of options, including weekends and a few randomly spaced weekdays. And the flight availability extends only through January.

Frontier Airlines VP of network and operations design Josh Flyr says in a statement that "there’s a lot to be excited about" including their expanding network and their rolling out First Class in early 2026.

Other changes at Frontier include UpFront Plus seating, an upgraded seating option with extra leg and elbow room in the first two rows of the aircraft, with choice of a window or aisle seat with extra legroom and a guaranteed empty middle seat.

To celebrate, they'll offer a fare sale starting at $79. Tickets must be purchased by 10:59 pm Dallas time on December 30, 2025. Sale fares are valid for nonstop travel on select days of the week January 5-April 13, 2026. Blackout dates apply on March 9 and March 31, and from April 1-6. And a 14-day advance purchase is required.

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