Nestled in the heart of Carmel is one of the most elegant and luxurious places in Indiana: the Hotel Carmichael. The first time I got to experience a stay at Hotel Carmichael was back in April, when Donavan and I had the most amazing weekend staycation, but this time around we got to experience it during the magic of the holidays – and it was even more perfect. From drinks at their Adagio Lounge being serenaded by the piano, the luxurious rooms, a festive walk through the Carmel Christkindlmarkt, to a divine meal at their restaurant, Vivante, it is the perfect place to celebrate the holiday season.

Even though I have walked through this hotel countless times, I am always in awe as I first enter the doors. The lobby is composed of black-and-white checkered floors, glass chandeliers, a grand stairwell, large arched windows, and just the perfect amount of Christmas decor. It’s tasteful and refined, leaving you no doubt that your visit will feel the same. If you arrive right at 4 p.m., you’ll be just in time for their daily champagne toast in the Adagio Lounge that honors The Great American Songbook, which inspired the hotel’s aesthetic. And let’s be honest, who doesn’t love being greeted by a complimentary glass of bubbles?

We checked into our room, which is, of course, just as elevated as the lobby: a king-size bed, a velvet chaise, another glass chandelier, the most spacious bathroom, and a window overlooking the Christkindlmarkt below. I unpacked my suitcase and hung my clothes in the wardrobe and prepared myself for my favorite part of any hotel stay: getting ready for the night out. My ritual has become ordering a glass of champagne to the room, taking a long shower, putting on the hotel robe, and getting all glammed up in the luxurious vanity (*cue Kris Jenner’s famous line, “I know, it’s my dream.”). After taking my time and enjoying getting ready, I was all set for our evening activities.