DreamWorks "Merry Madagascar" graces the Gaylord National through early January.

3 Great "Staycations" in DC This Winter

Yes, the Cayman Islands would feel glorious in December, and so would the slopes of Copper Mountain, Colo. But if you’d like to be a tourist in your own town, there are some solid hotel options for quick “getaways” in town.

Staycations are nothing new, of course. But in a town like Washington, they can be repeated so often—and in different venues around the city, depending on the occasion—each trip will feel new.

Three spots I like this winter for family, romance and the almighty long weekend.

Family—Gaylord National

I recently checked out the Gaylord National (gaylordhotels.com/gaylord-national) with my family and took in the so-called DreamWorks Experience Package—it’s two nights at the resort with tickets to the “Merry Madagascar” ICE show, which is this frozen wonderland of 2 million pounds of carved ice sculptures and slides. The package also includes a DreamWorks themed scavenger hunt, along with a Shrek-Feast brunch.

Trying to gauge if the package is right for the age of your kids. If they watch and love, Shrek, you’re golden. But what about that tricky demographic that scares parents trying to plan a perfect family getaway: tweens and teens? You needn’t worry here.

My son, now a freshman in high school, wasn’t impressed with the DreamWorks characters parading around hotel, naturally, but he could have moved into the buffet permanently, and he loved the Gaylord’s game room for older kids with a pool table, video games and huge indoor pool.

The promotion runs through early January.

Romance—The Jefferson Hotel + Plume Restaurant

On recent Friday evening, my wife and I shuttled the kids to my folks’ house, and we headed to The Jefferson Hotel (jeffersondc.com) on 16th Street downtown. It’s quiet and historic with incredible service.

And if you’re looking for a holiday getaway with your spouse or a significant other, this is one of those places where you don’t mind splurging, because it’s memorable.

The Jefferson has two winter packages to think about—the first is its holiday package, including two welcome cocktails, a bottle of wine, breakfast for two and dinner at Plume.

Dining at Plume, the hotel’s signature restaurant, is an exercise in pacing. By all means, get the tasting menu—and relax for two hours. You’ll also find 1,300 wines here, along with dessert-cheese cart the size of Prius. The setting helps the experience, too. Think cozy fireplaces and a series of dining nooks where you can spend a couple hours hanging out and enjoying some of the best food in the city.

And for those who want to experience shopping in the city, the Jefferson also has a “Shop Till You Drop” winter package that includes spa reflexology treatment for two, rides to and from the Mall, and complimentary gift-wrapping.

Funky and Affordable—Topaz Hotel

We’re lucky to have several Kimpton Properties around town—these are boutique hotels such as the Monaco, Hotel Rouge—and near Dupont Circle, the 99-room Topaz Hotel (topazhotel.com) that just completed a $2.3 million renovation.

From Dec. 15 through the end of the month, the hotel offers something called the “All the Trimmings Package,” which starts as low as $119 for deluxe accommodations, free breakfast in the hotel’s swank lounge and two free cocktail vouchers.

The only catch is it’s a three-night minimum—but for a long weekend of hanging out with someone, three nights downtown during the holiday season might beat the wind chill on Copper Mountain.