This Post Was Written In Collaboration With Swissotel; All Opinions Are My Own
 
It’s the most magical time of year, and that means it’s time for our annual Swissotel Santa Suite family trip back to Chicago to kick off the holidays (and celebrate my birthday!)  If you are a regular reader you will know that the Swissotel has become a special place of celebration for our family. From our annual Santa Suite visits to Zelda’s birthdays like Zelchella, Christmas in July, St. Patricks Day, and any other reason I can come up with to celebrate! 
 
This year we left the Rocky Mountains and headed to Chicago to cozy up at the Swissotel for a city chalet apres week of magic!  The lavish Santa Suite was decorated in over-the-top ski decor with more than 16-snow covered Christmas Trees, Santa’s chair lift, and all the amenities that only the magic of elves could create. This year was the best yet, and I can’t wait to give you a peek and share all the details because it’s too good to keep to myself. If you are in Chicago {or plan to visit during the holiday season}, take note because the Santa Suite tickets are going fast, and you don’t want to miss out. 

    

 
 
Swissotel Santa Suite

“It was so crazy, I walked in and heard Ho! Ho! Ho! from the other room. I was so excited I almost lost my mind, then I saw his black boots!”  -ZELDA

This was sweet Zelda’s response this morning when I asked her what she thought of seeing Santa in Chicago. These pure moments of love and innocence are the rewards of being a parent. When you can deliver magic, these are the real gifts in life and Swissotel does just that.

Santa gifted Zelda with a LOL Ski Chalet, because who doesn’t need a GIANT ski chalet (Thanks Santa!) Then the big man in red took the evening off from the North Pole and spent it crafting snowflakes from Make to Celebrate and making holiday cookies with Zelda and her friends. Ummmm…WHAT is this even real life!? Everyone was phones down and present throughout the evening soaking up good vibes, food, drinks, and lots of love! Santa really is magic!

Santa’s Suite is ornately decorated to represent the Swiss Alps with each tree highlighting a specific theme from the Zermatt, Matterhorn, and Mt. Pilatus trees to the bunny hill tree, fur tree, plaid tree and more. You and your crew can hop on the Swissôtel chair lift and meet Santa Claus for an unforgettable photo opportunity.

*Don’t forget: to stop by the white-out hot chocolate room for a mid-mountain warm-up {It’s also the best hot chocolate in the world, I had 7 cups, no joke!} Plus they will give you a Swissotel ornament for your tree. 

Santa Days

December 7 through December 22

Saturdays and Sundays from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m

TICKETS $15.00

 

  • Families are invited to enjoy elf-guided tours of the Suite, where Santa will be seated on his chair lift and capture memorable photos with little ones looking to make their wishes come true this holiday season. 
  • Letter-writing station for holiday wish lists
  • Face Painting 
  • Kid Crafts From Make to Celebrate
  • Complimentary hot chocolate bar and gourmet food offerings including Ginger Snap Eggnog Frosting Sandwiches, Peppermint Puppy Chow, Red Velvet Cheesecake Truffles and more.

PURCHASE TICKETS

  • Children under age 2 are free
  • Portion of proceeds will be donated to SOS Children’s Villages Illinois.

Chicago Santa Tip:

The Santa Suite is pure magic, tickets sell out fast, so don’t wait. The thought of hunting down a “good Santa” and standing in an indefinite long mall line is very 1995 friends! Why stress out in line when you can be nibbling delicious bites, hang where Santa lays his head at night, and have an afternoon filled with pure holiday joy! If I was to give you one “Chicago holiday” insider tip, this is it!

Special Events At Swissotel

 

Pancakes and PJs

Saturday, December 14th 

PURCHASE TICKETS

 New for the 2019 season, Swissôtel Chicago will also host Pancakes and PJs, a special holiday breakfast with Santa. Held in Élevé, Swissôtel Chicago’s penthouse ballroom, and feature multiple food stations including a Sugar, Spice & Everything Nice pancake station, a Potato Pancake and Pigs in the Blanket station, Hand Carved Ham Pancake Sandwiches, Pancake Dogs on a Stick, Pancake Tacos, Red Velvet Pancakes, Berry Merry Christmas Pancakes, and of course, heartfelt holiday classic breakfast offerings. Attendees will also enjoy a tour of the Santa Suite and a visit with Santa.

 

Après Ski After Dark

Friday, December 13 and Friday, December 20 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m

PURCHASE TICKETS

New for the 2019 season, Santa is welcoming guests back to his Suite on select Friday evenings for a festive night on the mountain. Après Ski After Dark attendees will enjoy a selection of festive and photo-worthy cocktails, shot skis and DJ sets, as well as the opportunity to find out if they’re on Santa’s naughty or nice list.

$30/person and include one drink with additional cocktails priced at $12.

 

 

To celebrate my birthday and ring in 38  Santa’s helpers, set up an OVER THE TOP traditional Swiss holiday dinner spread for my family and friends. Complete with Cheese Fondue, Zurich Style Beef, Creamed Swiss Chard, Swiss Alpine Macaroni, Chocolate Fondue, and the most delicious birthday cake! I must be on the good list this year to have deserved that spread because it was insane!

 

We spent the evening sipping Pomegranate Spicy Margaritas, licking icing from our fingers, and having uninterrupted adult conversations while the kids ran around hopped up on sugar in pure bliss! If you are looking to host a private holiday event in the Santa Suite, contact Brittany Robbins.

Elf Decorated Room Package

Rates starting at $359/night

Overnight accommodations in a holiday decorated room with tree, holiday treats amenity & access to the Swissotel Santa Suite (up to 4 people)

BOOK NOW

Private Events

Private events are available for groups up to 100 people. Please pass all event inquiries to Brittany Robbins at {brittany.robbins@swissotel.com}

Our family is forever thankful to the Swissotel for bringing our family back year after year to experience and share the holiday magic of the Santa Suite with all of you. Wishing each and every one of you a beautiful holiday season and hope it’s a bit more magic now that you have a new family tradition!

Santa Days from December 7 through December 22 on Saturdays and Sundays from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Photos By: Hallie Duesenberg