Who doesn’t love going all out for a special occasion? I know I do! Whether it’s a birthday, anniversary, work win, or just a holiday you’ve been romanticizing, one of my favorite ways to celebrate is by booking a hotel stay that feels a little extra luxe. Because let’s be real… when the hotel is that good, the location could literally be anywhere and still feel like a dream.
A lot of hotels actually offer celebration packages with fun little perks like champagne in your room, complimentary breakfast, or other sweet surprises. So if you’re planning a getaway to mark a special event, you’re in the right place I’m sharing my go-to tips for finding hotels that know how to help you celebrate in style.
Hotel Booking for Special Occasions
You’ve probably heard of hotels offering group rates for wedding receptions or conferences but here’s something you may not know: a lot of them also have mini celebration packages that are perfect for things like a birthday weekend, anniversary trip, or bachelorette getaway.
You don’t need a giant guest list to make it special sometimes it’s just about you, your person (or your besties), and a hotel that gets the assignment. Whether you’re celebrating something big or just romanticizing life, there’s totally a package out there with your name on it.
We’ve booked hotels for plenty of special occasions over the years, and honestly? Some of our most memorable moments have come from those little getaways. My bachelorette party in Chicago was filled with drinks, snacks and skyline views, while my 30th birthday in Paris included waking up to the Eiffel Tower right outside our window (a major bucket list moment!) We’ve also done cozy anniversary stays, spontaneous Valentine’s Day staycations, and those “just because” weekends that turn into the best stories.
What I’ve learned? When you find a hotel that knows how to make a celebration feel extra, it’s always worth it. A welcome bottle of champagne, late checkout, room upgrades, or even just a handwritten note can make the whole trip feel like a core memory in the making.
How to Celebrate a Special Occasion in a Hotel
Arrange a surprise room decor setup.
One of my favorite ways to instantly make a hotel stay feel extra special is by adding a surprise touch of celebration magic to the room. Whether it’s rose petals and champagne for a romantic vibe or balloons and fun decor for a birthday or girls’ weekend, it seriously sets the tone the moment you walk in.
And here’s a tip: don’t be shy about asking the hotel for a little help! A lot of places are more than happy to add a few festive touches if you let them know you’re celebrating something special.
When we checked into our suite for my bachelorette party weekend, my maid of honor and bridesmaids took the lead on decorating the room, and it turned out SO cute. But what really made it extra fun was that the hotel surprised us with a few treats of their own, including a chilled bottle of champagne for a welcome toast. It instantly took the already beautiful room from chic to celebration-ready, and it was the perfect way to kick off the weekend.
Upgrade your room or book a suite.
If your budget has a little wiggle room, this is totally the time to treat yourself and upgrade your room or even book a suite. Special occasions call for special vibes, right?! And here’s a little pro tip: if you let the hotel know ahead of time that you’re celebrating something (like a birthday or anniversary), they might just surprise you with a complimentary upgrade. It never hurts to ask and it might turn your stay into something seriously unforgettable.
For our girls’ trip, we were originally planning to book a bunch of separate rooms, but when we talked to the hotel, they suggested upgrading to one of their popular suites with a connecting room instead. Game changer. Not only did it give us a big common space to hang out together (think room service spreads and getting-ready selfies), but it also made the whole experience feel more fun and cohesive. Honestly, it ended up being perfect for our large group, and we’d totally do it again.
Order room service or plan an in-room picnic.
There is nothing more main character energy than ordering room service during a special occasion getaway. Just picture it: lounging in plush bedding, wrapped in a cozy robe, sipping a mimosa while your fave show plays in the background. It’s giving “this day is all about me.” Whether it’s breakfast in bed or late-night dessert delivery, room service just hits different when you’re celebrating something special.
Book a day spa or in-room massage.
If there’s ever a time to treat yourself, it’s during a celebration trip! Book a spa day or an in-room massage and let the stress melt all the way off your shoulders. Whether it’s a birthday, anniversary, or just a well-earned escape, there’s nothing better than starting your day totally relaxed, with a clear mind and loose muscles. You deserve to feel your absolute best while you’re celebrating!
Enjoy a fancy hotel bar or rooftop lounge.
Put on your favorite outfit, swipe on some lip gloss, and head to that hotel bar or rooftop lounge to kick off the celebration. Whether it’s a classy cocktail or your go-to drink, treat yourself because, you deserve it. It’s not every day you get to sip something delicious in a luxe setting with next-level vibes and top-tier service.
I almost always make booking a hotel with a great rooftop bar or onsite restaurant a priority. It’s usually our very first stop after dropping the bags in the room and freshening up—no reservations needed, no extra planning required. It just makes everything feel so easy and elevated right from the jump. Plus, it’s the perfect way to kick off a special weekend without even having to leave the hotel. Soak it up. Snap the pics. Make it a moment!
Book a pet-friendly stay (because pups deserve a getaway too).
If you’re traveling with your furry BFF, don’t sleep on booking a pet-friendly hotel that really rolls out the red carpet. Some of these spots go all out—with branded water bowls, plush dog beds, mini robes, treats, toys, and even room service menus just for pets. We once did a little staycation with our pups and the hotel seriously went above and beyond. It made the whole experience extra fun, and honestly, our dogs may have had an even better time than we did.
Whether you’re bringing your dog on a weekend getaway or planning a full-blown birthday trip (pup party, anyone?), choosing the right pet-friendly hotel means you don’t have to compromise on comfort or style. Everyone deserves a little pampering, even the four-legged guests!
What are the Best Hotels with Special Event Packages?
Fairmont Hotels
If you’re looking to go all out for your next celebration, the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess totally understands the assignment. They offer amazing celebration packages for everything from birthdays to bachelorette parties think luxe decorations, exclusive foodie tastings, and even a dedicated celebration concierge to make it all feel effortless.
Four Seasons
The Four Seasons is basically the blueprint for luxury and when they do celebration packages, they do not mess around. At select locations (like the dreamy Four Seasons Hotel Westcliff in Johannesburg), you can book a romantic celebration package that includes a daily signature breakfast for two, a four-course “Taste the Flames” dinner (yes, please!), and sparkling wine and truffles waiting in your room.
Just be sure to check your location ahead of time to see if they offer the package because if they do? It’s so worth it!
Kimpton Hotels
Kimpton Hotels totally get the vibe when it comes to celebrating in style and they’ve got locations all over the world that come through with fun, exclusive stay packages.
For example, the Virgilio Kimpton Hotel in Mexico City has a super cute “Romantic Escape” package that includes a bottle of bubbly, a fresh bouquet, and a box of chocolates waiting in your room yes, it’s giving rom-com energy.
More of a foodie? Their “Taste the Experience” package hooks you up with complimentary breakfast and 10% off all food and drinks. Check with the Kimpton in your dream destination they’ve always got something special up their sleeve.
The Peninsula
If you’re craving a next-level hotel experience, The Peninsula hotels are chef’s kiss for a luxury stay. With dreamy locations like Beijing, Paris, Tokyo, New York, Bangkok, and Hong Kong, it’s basically a bucket list hotel brand and their packages? So good!
One of my absolute favorites I have seen while browsing is the “More Time with Our Compliments” suite package (seriously, the name alone is iconic). You get a complimentary extra night when you book three, plus daily breakfast, luxe limousine transfer, access to the pool and fitness center, and 25% off spa treatments. Yes, please! While this deal is currently available at their Beijing location, every Peninsula has its own set of offers, so definitely peep their site for something special wherever you’re headed.
Hilton Hotels
Hilton Hotels totally have a range, and I mean range. Whether you’re booking a chill weekend at the Hilton Garden Inn, going a little extra with Embassy Suites, or living your luxe life at the Waldorf Astoria there’s a Hilton spot for every vibe and every celebration.
No matter your budget or occasion, they’ve got everything you need to make it feel special from comfy rooms to on-site restaurants and all the little extras that turn a trip into a celebration. So whether it’s a birthday, anniversary, or just a treat-yourself moment, Hilton’s got you covered.
How to Book Hotels for Special Occasions
Step 1: Define the occasion.
What’s the vibe for your celebration? Are you dreaming of something romantic and cozy with your person? Think rose petals, room service, and all the heart eyes. Or, are you planning a luxurious girls’ getaway with spa days, fancy cocktails, and matching robes?
Getting clear on how you want to celebrate sets the tone for everything from the destination to the hotel you choose. Once you know your vibe, the rest falls into place like magic.
Step 2: Set your budget.
Trust me, I’m right there with you; we all dream about that IG-perfect getaway. But let’s be real those dreamy views and luxury resorts can come with a not-so-dreamy price tag. So before you start flight-searching and planning your big celebration moment, take a sec to figure out your budget.
Ask yourself: are you down to splurge a little more on a fab hotel to make it extra memorable, or do you want to keep it cute and cozy without going overboard? Either way, having a budget in mind makes planning way less stressful.
Step 3: Find the right hotel.
Okay, so now that you’ve locked in your vibe and your budget, it’s officially time to start the fun part finding the hotel that fits your celebration energy.
Hop on sites like Booking.com, Expedia, Kayak, or Hotels.com and start browsing your faves. Check out all the pics (yes, even the ones from past guests!), read the reviews to get the real tea, and make sure the location is close to everything you want to do. Because the hotel isn’t just where you sleep it’s part of the whole experience.
Step 4: Check for special packages.
Alright, so you’ve got your hotel short list yay! Now it’s time to dig a little deeper and see if any of them offer special perks or packages for your celebration. The easiest way? Send a quick message through the booking site you’re using or pop over to the hotel’s official website. Even better, shoot them an email or give them a call (old-school, I know, but it works).
Ask if they have any packages for birthdays, anniversaries, or just celebrating you. And if they don’t? No worries at all you can still create your own magical moments. It’s all about the little touches.
Step 5: Add a special request.
When you’re booking your hotel room, keep an eye out for that little “special requests” box that’s your moment to shine. This is where you let the hotel know you’re celebrating something fun. And hey, sometimes hotels go the extra mile with a surprise upgrade, a little bubbly, or something sweet to make your stay even more special. It doesn’t hurt to ask and it just might make your trip that much more memorable.
Book a hotel for your next special occasion and make it a trip to remember!
There are so many reasons to celebrate love, birthdays, anniversaries, promotions, life wins, or just making it through a tough week. And honestly, what better way to make it feel extra special than booking a hotel with celebration perks and packages?
Now that you’ve got all the tips and tricks up your sleeve, you’re totally ready to book a stay that matches your moment. Whether it’s luxe and romantic or chill and fun, you’re gonna make it unforgettable.
If you are interested in more resources for planning your trips, check out my my reviews of M Social Hotel, Myriad Hotel in Louisville, or The Galt House Hotel, and this post on hotel booking for solo travelers. And, you can always follow me on Instagram at @sierrainthecity for endless inspo!
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