3 reasons why to book a hotel for Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving in 2026 falls on Thursday, November 26th—the fourth Thursday of November, as always. It’s the perfect opportunity for a long weekend getaway, with many people enjoying time off to relax, travel, or reconnect with loved ones..

From the sun-soaked beaches of Miami to the snow-capped mountains of Colorado, there's no shortage of great places across the US for a Thanksgiving getaway. If you're looking for an action-packed 3-day escape, popular destinations include Montana's Big Sky and Arizona's Flagstaff, where November brings the first dusting of snow and the start of the winter sports season. Want to use the holiday to reconnect with family? Spots like Palm Beach, Florida, and Charleston, South Carolina, offer a mild climate that's ideal for travelers of all ages.

Popular Thanksgiving destinations in California are as varied as the state itself. From the endless beaches of Santa Barbara to the rolling hills of Napa Valley, there's something to satisfy sun-seekers and wine-lovers alike—all with a healthy dose of California sunshine. Looking for something a little different? With a raft of unique hotels in quirky destinations like Joshua Tree and Ojai, there's sure to be a one-of-a-kind Thanksgiving hotel deal waiting for you on the West Coast.

Countless people spend the Thanksgiving period in a hotel—and for good reason. There's no cooking or cleaning to contend with, and plenty of space for even the biggest families to come together and enjoy the holiday as a group. And with most hotels offering Thanksgiving specials, you needn't worry about a lack of atmosphere, either: Many properties pull out all the stops to make Thanksgiving one of the most memorable days of the year.

Thanksgiving can be a surprisingly affordable time to travel, if you're prepared to be flexible. Lots of hotels run cut-price Thanksgiving hotel deals, offering reduced room rates or all-in packages to attract travelers looking for a bite-sized 1-night break. It's worth keeping an eye out for last-minute bargains, too: Hotels with vacancies often slash their prices to fill their last remaining rooms—meaning that you could enjoy a Thanksgiving getaway for less.

From turkey to stuffing, sweet potato casserole to pumpkin pie, Thanksgiving dinner is a veritable feast—and it can come at a corresponding cost. Alongside its countless components (which require no small amount of work by kitchen staff), the meal's price tag is also impacted by staffing expenses on a day when servers would prefer to be at home with their families. In exchange, though, you get to enjoy all of the Thanksgiving food we know and love—with none of the cooking or cleaning up.

From catching up with your extended family to detaching from the daily grind, there are all kinds of options for a 2-night hotel stay over the holiday weekend. Beach breaks in destinations such as Key West and Destin are popular picks for intergenerational Thanksgiving getaways, as relatives old and young can swim, snorkel, and sunbathe to their heart's content in balmy temperatures, whereas couples looking for a weekend of unplugged downtime often head to national parks like Yellowstone or Acadia to escape the crowds.

You’ll find discounts and great deals on hotels, but even flights, vacation rentals, and packages across Hotels.comOpens in a new window, VrboOpens in a new window and ExpediaOpens in a new window. These include last-minute deals, family-friendly stays, beach destinations, and more.