Hotel at a Glance: Santa’s Lodge

It feels like it’s Christmastime at Santa’s Lodge, no matter what the calendar says. Inside the lobby, a 37-foot-high vaulted ceiling—hand-hewn from the timbers of a 19th-century barn that once stood on the property—soars over festive decorations, including Christmas trees, Santa Claus statues, a horse-drawn sleigh, and two stories worth of antiques. A stay at Santa’s Lodge is the perfect way to get in the holiday spirit all year long.

• Make a splash in the hotel’s year-round indoor or seasonal outdoor pool.
• Nearby attractions: Holiday World and Splashin’ Safari (1 mile), Christmas Lake Golf Course (3 miles), and Frosty’s Fun Center (0.2 miles).

Santa Claus, Indiana: Year-Round Festive Cheer in Historical Town

According to local legend, the early settlers of present-day Santa Claus had a problem: every time they agreed upon a name for the town, they’d discover it was already taken. In fact, the small community was known as the “nameless town” until Christmas Eve of 1852. On that wintry night, the villagers were debating names in a log-cabin church, when a gust of wind blew open the door. The unmistakable sound of sleigh bells could be heard over the falling snow. The children cried out, “Santa Claus!” and the town finally had a name. Each December, the Santa Claus Post Office is flooded with hundreds of thousands of letters addressed to ol’ St. Nick. Each letter received by December 21 receives a reply.

Naturally, the town—which is Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler’s hometown—is a magnet for all things Christmas. Built in the mid-1930s as part of a now-defunct holiday theme park, Santa’s Candy Castle remains a local landmark. Here you can buy gourmet candy canes, hot chocolate, and other handmade confections. Pop into the Santa Claus Museum to learn more about the history of the town through documents, photos, and artifacts.

Other Details

Room Details

Double-Queen Room

• Two queen beds
• Standard occupancy: 4
• Maximum occupancy: 4

Hotel Policies

• Check in: 3 p.m.
• Check out: 11 a.m.
• Parking: free
• Smoking policy: no smoking inside the property.
• Pet policy: pets are not allowed inside the property.
• Accessibility: please contact property for handicap accessibility requests or options.
• Room upgrades: upgrades may be available during booking or at check-in for an additional cost.