WASHINGTON -- Historic Hotels of America, the official program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation for recognizing and celebrating the finest historic hotels in the U.S., has named the top 25 Historic Hotels of America Gingerbread Displays list.
The fresh-baked holiday displays described below were unveiled in historic hotels in November and early December 2025 and will be available for the public to see and enjoy through the end of the month or the first week of January 2026.
Historic Hotels of America determined these displays to be “magnificent” for their large size, creativity, or artistic detail.
“The tradition of gingerbread fairytale houses reportedly started in the United States more than 200 years ago with German immigrants to Pennsylvania. Today, travelers can view life-size historic hotels, national monuments, historic buildings, and historic main streets made of gingerbread,” said Lawrence Horwitz, Executive Vice President, Historic Hotels of America and Historic Hotels Worldwide.
The displays featured on The 2025 Top 25 Historic Hotels of America Most Magnificent Gingerbread Displays list are the result of thousands of hours of culinary, pastry, confectionary, engineering, and carpentry teams or amateur gingerbread contest contributors working for weeks, and even months, to design, create, mix, bake, build, and, of course, decorate.
Collectively, the ingredients of these displays add up to thousands of pounds of sugar, eggs, and flour; hundreds of pounds of spices; more than 10,000 individual candies; and hundreds of gallons of molasses and honey.
The program determined the following displays to be “magnificent” for their large size, creativity, or artistic detail and they are presented in order of the date the hotel was established:
The Red Lion Inn (1773) Stockbridge, Massachusetts
Weighing 120 pounds, The Red Lion Inn’s gingerbread and candy replica inn has returned for this year’s holiday season. Measuring 62 inches long, 21.5 inches wide, and 31 inches tall, this sweet display of gingerbread and royal icing packs on the candy (which is listed below). Transportation of the gingerbread inn from the staging area to the historic Main Dining Room—where it is on display behind the famous Rockwell Table— required six team members.
Woodstock Inn & Resort (1793) Woodstock, Vermont
The Woodstock Inn & Resort gingerbread house has been a beloved tradition at the historic inn for at least 10 years and is a well-known holiday landmark in the village of Woodstock, Vermont. Every holiday season, the life-size gingerbread house created by the Woodstock Inn & Resort's pastry team is a truly magnificent feat.
Among the decorations, holiday creatures and woodland animals are nestled in the branches and nooks of the display. The gingerbread woodland cottage required 220 pounds of flour, 120 pounds of sugar, 3,000 eggs, 10 pounds of ginger, and a plethora of candy. The holiday display was completed during the first week of December and will be up through January 1, 2026.
Omni Bedford Springs Resort (1806) Bedford, Pennsylvania
The 2025 gingerbread display at Omni Bedford Springs Resort in Bedford, Pennsylvania, is a heartwarming, life-size gingerbread house inspired by the magic of Christmas morning. Designed by Executive Pastry Chef Harshal Naik and his pastry team, the 14-foot-wide, 9-foot-deep, 11-foot-tall edible house is surrounded by a whimsical gingerbread family: Mr. Gingerbread Omni, his wife, Mrs. Honey, and their four excited children discovering Santa’s gifts. Santa can be spotted humorously stuck in the chimney as he makes his exit. The theme celebrates family, joy, and the wonder of holiday traditions.
The Willard InterContinental, Washington, D.C. (1818) Washington, District of Columbia
Gingerbread displays are a time-honored tradition at The Willard InterContinental, Washington, D.C., an iconic Grande Dame located across the street from the White House. The 2025 display was crafted in collaboration with Chef Gianpier Flores, Executive Pastry Chef of The Occidental, the adjacent restaurant originally established in 1906 and reopened under Stephen Starr in 2025. Unveiled on December 3, the display reimagines the historic Willard Center, home to both The Willard InterContinental and The Occidental.
The gingerbread display features the hotel lobby’s iconic marble columns cast in chocolate and finished with edible gold, more than 100 hand-cut gelatin windowpanes glowing from the interior light, and rooflines crafted from embossed fondant to emulate tiles. The tallest tower reaches 30 inches, while the full structure spans more than 6 feet, stretching from
French Lick Springs Hotel (1845) French Lick, Indiana
Made from sugar (more than 450 pounds) and spice (6 pounds of ginger, cloves, cinnamon, and nutmeg) and everything nice, the magnificent 8-foot-tall gingerbread house at French Lick Springs Hotel in French Lick, Indiana, is an annual tradition that guests look forward to every holiday season. This year’s display theme is Santa’s Sweet Shoppe, depicting a charming golden-brown gingerbread structure, with sage-green trim, that is bursting with all things sugary and decadent: frosted cupcakes and towering layer cakes; colorful “fruit pies” filled with M&M’s candies; and swirly cinnamon rolls.
Grand Hotel Golf Resort & Spa (1847) Point Clear, Alabama
Situated on 550 acres on Mobile Bay in Point Clear, Alabama, Grand Hotel Golf Resort & Spa has been known as The Queen of Southern Resorts for over 175 years, and has provided a magnificent gingerbread replica of the resort for guests to enjoy during the holidays for nearly two decades. The sweet replica resort recreates the historic Main Building, Bucky’s Lounge, Bayside Grill, the games lawn, and other charming features of the resort with delectable icing, candy, and spice cake. Because of the many resort-specific details that appear in the display, it doubles as an “I spy” game, and the pastry team provides guests with a list of hidden references for them to discover.
Mohonk Mountain House (1869) New Paltz, New York
The annual gingerbread display at Mohonk Mountain House in New Paltz, New York, consists of a whimsical and delicious collection of displays selected from the annual Hudson Valley Gingerbread Competition, hosted by the resort and in its 10th year in 2025. Competition Day is a festive, busy day every year, and includes a Public Viewing as well as an Awards Ceremony. This year, the competition was held on December 7. From over 40 entries, judges selected 20 gingerbread displays as winners in various categories, and these entries were installed throughout Mohonk Mountain House the next day.
The Mission Inn Hotel & Spa (1876) Riverside, California
For over three decades, The Mission Inn Hotel & Spa has illuminated Riverside, California, during the holidays with the Festival of Lights, renowned for its breathtaking display of over 10 million dazzling lights that has earned it the recognition as the Best Public Holiday Lights Display by USA TODAY 10Best Readers' Choice Awards.
Standing at 10 feet tall and 8 feet wide, the gingerbread house was created with 1,500 real gingerbread pieces and 85 pounds of candy, including giant lollipops, gumdrops, candy canes, and colorful cookies. Visitors coming to the annual Festival of Lights can participate in their own gingerbread house decorating on Saturdays and Sundays through December 21, with festive drinks and Casey's Cupcakes included.
Hotel Colorado (1893) Glenwood Springs, Colorado
The life-size, interactive holiday gingerbread display at Hotel Colorado in Glenwood Springs, Colorado, wraps around the hotel’s Legends Coffee & Gift Shop, and invites guests to enjoy a seriously sweet shopping experience. The gingerbread house is 16 feet tall, 12 feet long, and 14 feet wide, and was built using 311 pounds of gingerbread and 8 gallons of frosting. Four team members worked together for over a week to bake, build, and decorate the sweet and spiced gingerbread display. The gingerbread display at Hotel Colorado is a time-honored tradition and has been a major part of the hotel’s holiday displays for the past 16 years.
The Jefferson Hotel (1895) Richmond, Virginia
Each year’s gingerbread display at The Jefferson Hotel in Richmond, Virginia, is life-size and spectacular—and visitors will not be disappointed in 2025. Now through January 4, guests can enjoy a 180-degree view of the hotel’s fragrant Christmas Village, located in the Palm Court lobby. Inspired by memories of the charming ceramic houses that her grandmother displayed every holiday season, Executive Pastry Chef Sara Ayyash designed the display with four gingerbread structures, an 8-foot-tall candy-trimmed gingerbread tree, and two lampposts that are a nod to those beloved Christmas village collectibles.
Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa (1901) Honolulu, Hawaii
As the first hotel in Waikiki, Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa, has enchanted guests every holiday season with its joyful ambiance and festivities for 124 years. Gingerbread displays are a tradition at this hotel, and usually the theme is a playful homage to pop culture holiday icons like the Grinch, but this year, the historic hotel leans into its heritage with a gingerbread hotel replica. Specifically, the display depicts the Historic Banyan Wing of the hotel, which celebrates its 125th anniversary in 2026.
Fairmont San Francisco (1907) San Francisco, California
For more than a century, Fairmont San Francisco has enchanted guests with its joyful holiday festivities and seasonal ambiance in “The City by the Bay.” One of the hotel’s most spectacular annual traditions is its stunning gingerbread house. At the end of November each year, the hotel lobby transforms into one of the world’s most beloved holiday destinations, where cherished memories are made by locals and visitors alike. The highlight of this awe-inspiring exhibit is the glowing two-story, Victorian-style gingerbread house, adorned with more than 1,900 pounds of sweets, and located in the hotel’s grand lobby. The gingerbread house was lovingly crafted by Fairmont San Francisco’s talented culinary and engineering professionals under the direction of Executive Chef Kevin Tanaka.
The Otesaga Hotel (1909) Cooperstown, New York
Located within the Cooperstown Historic District in Cooperstown, New York, The Otesaga Hotel has a long tradition of celebrating the holidays in grand fashion, but this year's gingerbread village display was notably elevated and expanded from previous iterations. The 2025 gingerbread village depicts recognizable Cooperstown landmarks in edible form, making it both a local tribute and a stunning seasonal attraction. It is a handcrafted gingerbread recreation of The Otesaga Hotel and Cooperstown’s historic Main Street, complete with the iconic flagpole intersection, Lake Street homes, winter trees, and a fully functioning Lionel O-Scale holiday train circulating through the village. LED tea lights are embedded within the buildings to make their windows glow.
JW Marriott Savannah Plant Riverside District (1912) Savannah, Georgia
Located in a repurposed historic power plant that dates to 1912, the stylish JW Marriott Savannah Plant Riverside District in Savannah, Georgia, is a contemporary waterfront retreat. In December, visitors can get into the holiday spirit while taking in the hotel's magnificent gingerbread display, as well as the Savannah Christmas Market, holiday dinners, and cookie decorating. Gingerbread is an annual tradition, with a fresh design selected each year. This year’s edible display required over 300 pounds of gingerbread and over 250 pounds of candy, and it was inspired by the festive spirit of the city’s Christmas market and the hotel’s own holiday traditions. Crafted as a whimsical window into Santa’s sweetest workshop, it invites guests to step into a world where cheerful elves mix ingredients, shape treats, and prepare for the holiday rush. Special animated touches bring the scene to life: a fridge door that gently opens and closes as elves gather chilled ingredients, and a dough mixer that churns butter in a steady, magical rhythm—just the way that the elves like it.
The Gasparilla Inn & Club (1913) Boca Grande, Florida
During the holiday season, The Gasparilla Inn & Club in Boca Grande, Florida, transforms into a festive haven, offering a variety of activities perfect for corporate groups and families alike. Gingerbread displays have been a tradition at the inn for many years. Last year, the inn erected an impressive candy lighthouse; this year’s gingerbread display is an edible Santa’s Sleigh, filled with stacks of presents made from chocolate. Eighteen team members contributed to the creation of the sweet sleigh, which required over 15 pounds of gingerbread, 100 pounds of candy, 60 pounds of chocolate, 800 macarons, 500 profiteroles, 350 butter cookies, and 750 meringues, and took three days to decorate.
Omni Grove Park Inn (1913) Asheville, North Carolina
For more than three decades, the annual National Gingerbread House Competition at the Omni Grove Park Inn has brought joy, artistry, and wonder to all who gather to experience it. The gingerbread competition began with a small group of gingerbread houses built by Asheville, North Carolina community members as another way to celebrate the holiday season, with no plans to continue the following year.
The Broadmoor (1918) Colorado Springs, Colorado
From life-size trains and boats to cars and golf carts, The Broadmoor’s annual gingerbread display is a tradition like no other. The tradition began with little gingerbread house displays, then a larger gingerbread village, until The Broadmoor’s gingerbread displays became extravagant celebrations of the season. In celebration of the winter athletes competing in Italy in the 2026 Winter Olympic Games, the 2025 gingerbread display depicts Santa on a candy-covered gingerbread bobsled.
The Royal Sonesta Chase Park Plaza St. Louis (1922) St. Louis, Missouri
For the first time since the pandemic, The Royal Sonesta Chase Park Plaza St. Louis in St. Louis, Missouri, has unveiled a holiday gingerbread replica of the historic hotel and surrounding neighborhood. The display also includes an ode to St. Louis, with the Gateway Arch standing as its impressive focal point. Located in the sparkling, tree-lined lobby, construction required approximately 100 pounds of gingerbread, 80 pounds of royal icing, and 25 pounds of assorted candies.
La Fonda on the Plaza (1922) Santa Fe, New Mexico
Every year in mid-December, the decorating maestros at La Fonda on the Plaza roll out a majestic 2.5-foot-long, 2.5-foot-wide gingerbread replica of the adobe hotel in Santa Fe, New Mexico, to display in the hotel’s lobby. For decades, the masterpiece was spearheaded by the hotel’s former purchasing manager, Gil Mesa. La Fonda on the Plaza continues the tradition of honoring Mr. Mesa’s legacy during the holiday season. Now,
The Queensbury Hotel (1926) Glens Falls, New York
Since 2022, The Queensbury Hotel in the heart of downtown Glens Falls, New York, has featured a grand gingerbread display in its historic lobby. Embraced by locals and visitors alike, the gingerbread displays in recent years featured a reindeer stable, a replica of the hotel, and Santa’s house. This year, the gingerbread display is a magical, life-size interpretation of Mrs. Claus’s North Pole Kitchen, designed to encourage guests to feel that they have stepped straight into the heart of her home and her holiday baking world. The 12-foot-tall display is 10 feet wide and just as long, crafted with 1,392 pounds of house-made gingerbread to resemble a cottage, and trimmed with “snow” and 250 pounds of candy-colored details.
Hilton Chicago (1927) Chicago, Illinois
The stylish and stunning Hilton Chicago unveiled its gingerbread display depicting Chicago’s urban winterscape on November 17, alongside the hotel’s decorated Great Hall. The gingerbread display was lovingly crafted by Executive Pastry Chef Wing Au and pays homage to the city of Chicago, featuring a gingerbread replica of Hilton Chicago alongside other downtown landmarks like “The Bean” and Soldier Field, and more.
Skytop Lodge (1928) Skytop, Pennsylvania
The magnificent gingerbread hotel display at Skytop Lodge in Skytop, Pennsylvania, has been a holiday tradition since 2013, and each year, it has featured a replica of the Main Lodge, with its distinctive porte-cochère. Now in its fourteenth year of gingerbread displays, this year’s gingerbread display is located in the main lobby of the Main Lodge, and measures approximately 20 feet long, 12 feet wide, and reaches a height of about 12 feet from its base. Production began in August, when the staff started baking gingerbread bricks.
Williamsburg Lodge, Autograph Collection (1939) Williamsburg, Virginia
Williamsburg Lodge, Autograph Collection, part of Colonial Williamsburg Resorts in Williamsburg, Virginia, has brought back gingerbread magic this year in a Santa’s Workshop-themed display. This year’s display features a landscape of frosted seasonal activity, where visitors can see the village miniatures caroling, skiing, and choosing their holiday tree. Elves and chefs are hard at work within frosted gingerbread walls, and, just like guests can do in Colonial Williamsburg’s Merchants Square, figurines skate on the gingerbread village ice rink.
Rancho Bernardo Inn (1963) San Diego, California
For the past 16 years, Rancho Bernardo Inn in San Diego, California, has made extravagant gingerbread displays part of the holiday guest experience and a local attraction. The luxury resort’s 2025 Gingerbread Village display is inspired by Tchaikovsky's The Nutcracker, with a color palette and design influenced by Victorian-era aesthetics. The resort’s culinary team began planning for The Nutcracker Village in August, and started working on materials in October. Ingredients include 1,000 pounds of flour, 1,000 pounds of sugar, 128 pounds of molasses, 240 pounds of eggs, and 400 pounds of candy.
Hotel Captain Cook (1965) Anchorage, Alaska
Hotel Captain Cook’s gingerbread village has been an annual tradition at the historic Anchorage, Alaska, hotel for 47 years. It was a project spearheaded by Pastry Chef Joe Hickel between 1978 and 2023, but since Hickel retired, the hotel has invited culinary students at the University of Alaska Anchorage to design its gingerbread village with help from the hotel’s own pastry team. Their goal is to honor Hickel’s tradition while putting their own spin on the village’s design.
“Both an art form for pastry chefs and a sweet treat for children, gingerbread decorating is a tradition to unite the generations,” said Horwitz. “Congratulations to the hundreds of people that worked to create The 2025 Top 25 Historic Hotels of America Most Magnificent Gingerbread Displays.”
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