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mother's day surprise

Stay Reel: Surprise and delight

From planning a secret birthday trip to exploring haunted hotels this spooky season, embrace the element of surprise with a one-of-a-kind stay.

By Alison Cavatore | October 31, 2024

Alison Cavatore

Alison Cavatore is the Assistant Editor for the Content Marketing team at Hilton. She has written and copyedited for numerous print and digital publications in the U.S. and abroad. Born in Pittsburgh, PA, Alison has lived in Miami, Scottsdale, Holland, France, Switzerland and Canada. She currently resides in the Washington, D.C. area.

Headshot of author Alison Cavatore

Boo! Fall is in full swing, and in the spirit of the spooktacular season, we’ve rounded up unique getaways that take an inviting approach to the thrill of a surprise. Whether you’re planning a secret trip for a loved one or want to delight in the culture, history and beauty of haunted hotels, these stays are guaranteed to ignite the magic of the season.

Suite surprise

There’s no limit to what a mother will do for her children, so when your mom is about to celebrate a milestone birthday, planning an unexpected getaway is just the trick to making her moment extra special. When TikTok creator, Nelle, posted about treating her mom to her first stay at a hotel for her 50th birthday, the Hilton social team reached out to extend the celebration with a complimentary suite upgrade at Hilton Toronto plus two nights free for a future stay with Hilton. Upon arrival at Hilton Toronto, Nelle and her mom were welcomed to the Kensington King Suite on the top floor of the hotel with balloons and cute trinkets. With their hotel ideally located downtown, the traveling duo were within walking distance of some of the city’s most desirable sights, including the CN Tower, Royal Ontario Museum and more, so they could easily access the best of Toronto. Only the best for mom!

Spooktacular stays

If you enjoy a haunting presence with a hint of history, nothing will send a thrilling chill down your spine quite like staying in a historical hotel that has a spooky tale to tell. This autumn, make your way to some of the grandest hotels that (may) include ghosts who refuse to check out. Honor the resident spirit at The Seelbach Hilton Louisville with a Lady in Blue craft beer at The Old Seelbach Bar or shake off the hushed whispers about a reoccurring ghostly appearance of a man on a balcony during tropical getaway at Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort. The spirited stories that live on within the hotels provide a unique — and perhaps even enticing — twist on a fall getaway. Expand your mind and embrace the paranormal; you never know what surprises you’ll discover!

Distinguished delights

Forget the tricks and treat yourself to a stylish Florida escape that will have you in awe from the moment you check in to the time you (reluctantly) check out. Whether you want private transportation to nearby theme parks, personalized golf lessons on a championship course or attentive poolside service from Aquamarine, Waldorf Astoria Orlando is a haven of curated delights. Soak up the sun during the day and then indulge yourself with reimagined steakhouse classics prepared tableside at Bull & Bear. Skip the supernatural and embrace an out-of-this-world experience you won’t soon forget.

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