Travel the Portfolio
By Newport Hospitality Group
Courtyard Somerset, New Jersey, Small-town sparkle with city-light access
There’s a comforting ease to Central New Jersey in late fall—the kind of place where holiday lights quietly appear in windows, local shops lean into seasonal charm, and everything feels close, welcoming, and unhurried. Courtyard by Marriott Somerset sits in the middle of it all, offering a warm, modern stay with an indoor pool, fresh spaces, and The Bistro serving breakfast and Starbucks coffee. It’s the kind of hotel where you can start your day slowly, wrap it around local discoveries, and return to a quiet room that feels like a soft landing. Member-exclusive Bonvoy rates and mobile key access add a little extra value to end-of-year travel, especially when you want more comfort and fewer logistics.
Somerset Seasonal Highlights
Somerset County Holiday Events
Tree lightings, concerts, Santa visits, and community celebrations across the county.
Info: https://www.visitsomersetnj.org
Bridgewater Commons Holiday Calendar
Photos with Santa, extended shopping hours, and festive programming.
Details: https://bridgewatercommons.com
Somerset County Events Calendar
Markets, family activities, and seasonal happenings throughout November and December.
Guide: https://www.visitsomersetnj.org/events/
Whether you’re here for local charm or slipping into New York City for a day of big-city glitter, Somerset makes the in-between moments feel easy—morning coffee at The Bistro, an unhurried dinner nearby, and quiet nights tucked away from the rush.
Book Courtyard Somerset:
https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/soscy-courtyard-somerset/overview/
Fairfield Inn & Suites New York Brooklyn, Skyline views and Brooklyn’s holiday glow
Brooklyn in December has its own pulse—creative, joyful, and effortlessly cool. Fairfield Inn & Suites New York Brooklyn, located in Boerum Hill, gives you a comfortable base with a surprising standout: a rooftop terrace with striking skyline views that make even the coldest nights feel cinematic. Rooms are simple, clean, and cozy, breakfast is complimentary, and you’re a short walk or subway ride from some of NYC’s most iconic holiday experiences. Bonvoy member rates are available with mobile key, and points earned on each stay add value, especially when you pair holiday sightseeing with year-end travel goals.
Seasonal Must-Dos
Lightscape at Brooklyn Botanic Garden
A mile-long illuminated trail of glowing installations and music—an annual favorite that sells out early.
Info & tickets: https://www.bbg.org/lightscape
Dyker Heights Christmas Lights
Brooklyn’s most over-the-top holiday tradition. Think jaw-dropping home displays, guided tours, and full-on festive cheer.
Info: https://www.dykerheightschristmaslights.com
NYC Holiday Markets & Events
From Bryant Park’s Winter Village to pop-up markets and seasonal shows, there’s no end to the December sparkle.
Guide: https://www.timeout.com/newyork
You’re minutes from Manhattan’s classics—Rockefeller Center, Fifth Avenue windows, skating rinks—while rooted in a neighborhood with its own cafés, bakeries, and charming streets to wander. The rooftop becomes your nightly ritual: step outside, breathe in, look up.
Book Fairfield Brooklyn:
https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/nycbf-fairfield-inn-and-suites-new-york-brooklyn/
Hilton Garden Inn Brunswick, Georgia, Coastal cheer on the Golden Isles
If your idea of holiday spirit includes twinkle lights in palm trees, mild breezes, and evenings wrapped in coastal calm, Hilton Garden Inn Brunswick is the place to land. Just off I-95, it’s minutes from downtown Brunswick and a short drive to St. Simons and Jekyll Island. Guests love the spacious rooms, indoor pool, and the ease of having a full-service restaurant and bar on-site offering live entertainment and daily specials—perfect after a day of island hopping. Earn points, enjoy a digital key, and benefit from exclusive Hilton member rates, all while taking in a slower, softer version of the holidays.
Golden Isles Holiday Traditions
Jekyll Island’s Holly Jolly Lights & Peppermint Land
A dazzling, whimsical island-wide celebration with trolley tours and festive displays.
Info: https://www.jekyllisland.com/events/hollyjollyjeykll/
Brunswick Christmas Parade
Floats, marching bands, and hometown warmth through the streets of historic downtown.
Details: https://www.brunswickga.org/downtown-dev/page/christmas-parade
Mistletoe Market, St. Simons Island
Local artisans and makers—perfect for unique, meaningful gifts.
Info: https://www.goldenisles.com/event/mistletoe-market/111216/
It’s the antidote to cold-weather chaos: a breezy, oak-shaded, coastal holiday softened by sea air. You still get the lights, the markets, and the traditions just with a gentler pace.
Book Hilton Garden Inn Brunswick:
https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/ssibrgi-hilton-garden-inn-brunswick/
Explore all Newport destinations →
Read last month’s issue: Coastal Calm to Brandywine Color →
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