During our magical one-night Christmas adventure in Leavenworth, we chose the Icicle Village Resort as our home base. Located just a short walk from downtown Leavenworth’s Bavarian-themed attractions, this resort promised both convenience and comfort for our festive getaway. Here’s our comprehensive review after experiencing Icicle Village Resort during the busiest and most enchanting time of the year.
Icicle Village Hotel Location: ★★★★☆
Icicle Village Resort sits at the western edge of Leavenworth, approximately a 10-minute walk from the heart of the Christmas festivities. While not directly in the center of town, we found this slight removal to be a blessing during the holiday season. The short walking distance provided a peaceful buffer from the crowds while still offering easy access to all attractions.
The property backs up to stunning mountain views, and the pathway into town is well-lit and festively decorated during December, making the walk itself part of the Christmas experience. For those less inclined to walk in winter weather, the resort offers a convenient shuttle service to the downtown area during peak hours.
Check-In Experience: ★★★★★
We arrived at the resort around 3 PM, just as the winter afternoon light was beginning to fade. The lobby was warmly decorated with a massive Christmas tree, garlands, and tasteful holiday displays. The reception area was busy with fellow Christmas tourists, but the staff handled the volume efficiently.
The front desk attendant was cheerful and informative, providing us with a map of both the resort facilities and downtown attractions. They also gave us a schedule of the day’s lighting ceremonies and performances in town, which was a thoughtful touch that helped us plan our limited time.
The complimentary hot apple cider and holiday cookies available in the waiting area helped make this delay more pleasant. And obviously don’t forget to ask for the hot chocolate packs… they were just what we needed to warm ourselves as we got settled in our room.
The Room: ★★★★☆
We booked a Premium King Room with Mountain View, which proved to be a wise choice for our Christmas stay. The room was spacious at approximately 400 square feet, featuring a comfortable king bed, a small sitting area with armchairs, and a gas fireplace that added both warmth and atmosphere. The mountain view was spectacular, particularly in the morning when we woke to see fresh snow dusting the peaks.
The bathroom was clean and well-appointed with Alpine-inspired toiletries, though nothing exceptional by luxury hotel standards. The room featured a small refrigerator, microwave, and coffee maker—all useful amenities for a winter stay.
The walls seemed a bit thin, as we could occasionally hear our neighbors’ celebrations, but this was a minor issue and not unexpected during such a festive time of year.
Amenities: ★★★★★
For a one-night stay, Icicle Village Resort offers an impressive array of amenities that made our brief visit feel much more substantial:
Indoor Pool and Hot Tub: The highlight after a cold evening exploring Leavenworth’s Christmas lights was returning to soak in the large hot tub. The pool area features floor-to-ceiling windows with mountain views and was festively decorated for the season. Despite the resort being at capacity, the area never felt overcrowded.
Alpine Spa: Though we didn’t have time for treatments during our short stay, the spa menu looked enticing with holiday-themed massages and facials.
Game Room: A surprisingly extensive arcade and game room provided entertainment when we needed a break from the cold. During Christmas season, they had added a holiday scavenger hunt for younger guests.
Complimentary Breakfast: The included breakfast buffet exceeded our expectations with both standard offerings and German-inspired options like apple strudel and breakfast bratwurst, keeping with the Bavarian theme.
Complimentary Parking: There are ample parking on the property and we were able to park the car at the hotel and walked to the festive parts of town to avoid the traffic and parking.
Outdoor Fire Pits: Several fire pits with surrounding seating areas offered perfect spots for evening cocoa while enjoying the snow and mountain air.
The resort also decorated the grounds extensively for Christmas, creating numerous photo opportunities without needing to brave the downtown crowds.
Service: ★★★★☆
The staff throughout Icicle Village Resort embodied the Christmas spirit, from the cheerful housekeepers who left peppermint candies during turndown service to the maintenance worker who helped scrape ice off our car window the next morning.
The front desk was knowledgeable about local events, and when we asked about the best viewing spot for the lighting ceremony, they provided insider tips that helped us secure an excellent vantage point.
The only service hiccup occurred when we requested extra blankets, which took over an hour to arrive—understandable given the full occupancy but worth noting.
Value: ★★★☆☆
Let’s be transparent: staying anywhere in Leavenworth during Christmas season comes at a premium, and Icicle Village Resort is no exception. Our one-night stay in December cost approximately $500 (not including taxes and fees), which is significantly higher than off-season rates. Luckily, we had some TD points to offset the cost and was able to redeem a free night out of it.
While this might seem steep for a non-luxury property, the comprehensive amenities, complimentary breakfast, and ideal location during the area’s most popular season made it a reasonable value compared to other options. Had we stayed longer, the in-room kitchenette could have offset costs by allowing for some meal preparation.
For a special Christmas experience, we felt the convenience and festive atmosphere justified the seasonal pricing, though budget-conscious travelers might want to consider visiting during less popular times.
Overall Impression: ★★★★☆
Icicle Village Resort provided the perfect home base for our one-night Christmas adventure in Leavenworth. The combination of comfortable accommodations, festive atmosphere, and convenient location allowed us to maximize our limited time and fully immerse ourselves in the holiday experience.
The resort successfully balances catering to tourists with creating an authentic mountain retreat feeling. Rather than feeling like an impersonal hotel, the property’s design and amenities fostered a cozy alpine village atmosphere that perfectly complemented Leavenworth’s Bavarian Christmas theme.
For those planning a short Christmas season visit to Leavenworth, we would recommend Icicle Village Resort with the advice to book many months in advance, as they sell out quickly for December weekends.
Tips for Future Guests
- Request a room on the mountain side of the property for the best views and quieter atmosphere
- The Alpine building rooms are closest to the pool and amenities
- If visiting during Christmas season, book at least 6-9 months in advance
- Take advantage of the resort shuttle service when the weather is particularly cold
- The breakfast buffet gets busiest between 8-9 AM; go earlier or later for a more peaceful experience
- Rooms with fireplaces are worth the upgrade during winter stays
