THEY are the magical backdrops to the most iconic Christmas movies ever.
From the Plaza Hotel in Home Alone 2 to the swanky apartment in Elf, Christmas films boast some of the most amazing properties.
Kevin’s hotel in Home Alone 2 offers a special treat for fans
But did you know that some are available not just to visit, but rent?
Here’s some of the most recognisable places to stay.
Home Alone 2
Kevin! Christmas isn’t Christmas without this festive feel-good movie which sees a young kid left all alone as his family jet off on holiday.
The 1990 film was a hit with millions as Kevin McCallister, played by Macaulay Culkin, booby trapped his house to deal with the world’s worst burglars, played by Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern.
Kevin meets Donald Trump during the movie
Home Alone 2 sees the useless burglars chase Kevin around New York two years after he defended his home.
Kevin gets lost but luckily has his dad’s credit card at hand and books into the Plaza where he meets Donald Trump long before he was President.
The Plaza runs a Home Alone package at Christmas which will set a family of four back about £2,600 for one night.
Included in the package is an ‘over-the-top’ ice cream sundae from room service, just like the one Kevin had in the film.
The hotel concierge will also arrange for guests to experience film location sites, like the Empire State Building, Wollman Rink and a limo trip through the city.
Elf
Will Ferrell is hilarious as Buddy, the human brought up as an Elf in Santa’s toy workshop.
When he realises the truth Buddy seeks out his dad and, in true Xmas style, turns him from a grumpy businessman to a true festive believer.
Elf drove dad Walter crazy by decorating every corner of his New York apartment
Elf’s dad owns an apartment in the art deco building which was also the location for the Ghostbusters film
But his patience is tested when the giant elf decorates his New York apartment – leading to a funny scene which sees Ferrell cling onto a falling tree.
New Yorker’s love Elf because it shows off the best landmarks, from the Lincoln Tunnel to The Empire State building.
Buddy’s dad Walter Hobbs’ apartment is in the same Central Park West building featured in Ghostbusters, where flats are available on Air bnb for around £250 a night.
The Christmas Chronicles 2
Fancy Christmas in the heat at the Fairmont Mayakoba, Riviera Maya?
Inside the swanky Fairmont, which is featured in The Christmas Chronicles 2
When brother and sister Kate and Teddy Pierce set a tripwire to catch Santa in the act, he loses all his reindeer and gifts and it’s up to the kids to help save Xmas.
Goldie Hawn and long-term partner Kurt Russell play Santa and Mrs Claus in the movie.
While most of the first film takes place in Massachusetts and Chicago, the second starts in Mexico.
Kate is now a cynical 13-year-old spending the holiday in Cancun, Mexico, with her mum and her mum’s new boyfriend. She decides to run off but her and her brother and step-sibling are whisked off to the North Pole to help Santa.
Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell as Mr and Mrs Claus
The warm holiday scenes were filmed at the Fairmont Mayakoba hotel, 30 miles from Cancun, a luxury resort which has won loads of awards.
Predictably it’s not cheap and seven nights will set you back around £2,800 per person.
A Christmas Story
The Christmas Story House is a museum – but you can also spend the night
The famous Hicbees store in the film
This 1983 classic is about a little boy who dreams of getting a BB gun for Christmas.
Set in the late 30s, the comedy stars Ralph who really, really wants Santa to bring him a Red Ryder BB gun.
He’s initially left disappointed until the last gift but it all ends in disaster when Ralph shoots himself in the face when the bullet bounces off a sign.
As the story unfolds we see comedy vignettes as the family struggle with their wreck of a fireplace, Ralph stands up to neighbourhood bullies and the neighbours The Bumpuses cause havoc.
The movie got a reboot last month on HBO in a Christmas Story Christmas in which Ralph returns to his hometown.
It was filmed in Cleveland, Ohio, where the famous Higbee store still stands, and in Toronto, Ohio.
Holiday-makers can stay in Ralph’s home, which has been preserved as the 80s original, or next door at the Bumpuses at Christmas.
But Santa might have to bring a sack of money as two nights costs around £2,800.
The Polar Express
All aboard the Polar Express
Tom Hanks plays the conductor in the Polar Express
It’s all aboard for a mystical ride in this Tom Hanks movie.
As you might have guessed, you can’t sleep on the Polar Express, but you can buy a ticket for the real train and stay close by.
The 2004 movie was a marvel for its computer animation back in 2004 and was based on a children’s book of the same name by Chris Van Allsburg.
It tells the story of a young boy who sees a train bound for the North Pole outside his home and gets on at the request of the conductor (Hanks).
The movie spawned train trips based on the cartoon journey all over America and Canada, under licence from Rail Events Inc.
The Polar Express in Wensleydale is the largest of four experiences in the UK, which also include Birmingham, Norfolk and Seaton, Devon.
In St Louis in America you can book a Hilton Hotel at St Louis Union Grand Station. Junior suites are around £200.
And if you’re just all in…..
Go Xmas movie crazy at the Wonderful Lifetime House
The It’s a Wonderful Lifetime Holiday House
If you can’t resist a cheese-tastic Christmas film you can book an £80-a-night stay at the house of the Lifetime movie channel.
The channel is renowned for its festive films, which mostly seem to revolve around the plot of girl meets boy when she goes back to her old town.
Now guests can watch 34 Lifetime movies on a loop at the “It’s a Wonderful Lifetime House’ in Connecticut in New England.
The fully-decorated house includes trees, fake snow, wreaths, crackers and a life-sized Santa.
All the rent goes to charity.
