Coca-Cola to launch Holiday Caravan and Christmas Suites at eight resorts

Coca-Cola is partnering with Gaylord Hotels and select JW Marriott Resorts to bring its Holiday Caravan and new Coca-Cola Christmas Suites to eight U.S. resorts starting Nov. 5. The rollout adds a branded holiday experience to the company’s long-running ice! attraction and runs through Dec. 31 at participating properties.

Why it matters: - Coca-Cola is extending its holiday brand beyond retail and into destination travel, giving guests a new in-person seasonal experience. - The partnership adds another draw for Gaylord Hotels and select JW Marriott Resorts during peak holiday booking season. - The rollout ties Coca-Cola branding to ice!, one of the strongest annual holiday attractions in the portfolio.

What happened: - The Coca-Cola Company announced a first-of-its-kind holiday collaboration with Gaylord Hotels and select JW Marriott Resorts. - The program launches Nov. 5 at Gaylord Opryland Resort in Nashville, Tenn. - The activation brings the Coca-Cola Holiday Caravan and debut Coca-Cola Christmas Suites to eight resorts across the U.S. - The Holiday Caravan will travel to each participating resort through Dec. 31.

The details: - The Coca-Cola Holiday Caravan is the brand’s red holiday truck, redesigned for the season. - At each stop, guests can take part in free interactive activities, product sampling, gifting takeaways and photos with the Coca-Cola Polar Bear. - The caravan schedule includes Gaylord Opryland Resort in Nashville, Nov. 5 to 8. - The caravan schedule includes Gaylord National Resort in National Harbor, Md., Nov. 15 to 18. - The caravan schedule includes Gaylord Palms Resort in Kissimmee, Fla., Nov. 23 to 26. - The caravan schedule includes JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort in San Antonio, Texas, Nov. 30 to Dec. 3. - The caravan schedule includes Gaylord Texan Resort in Grapevine, Texas, Dec. 6 to 9. - The caravan schedule includes JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort in Phoenix, Ariz., Dec. 13 to 16. - The caravan schedule includes Gaylord Pacific Resort in Chula Vista, Calif., Dec. 19 to 22. - The caravan schedule includes Gaylord Rockies Resort in Aurora, Colo., Dec. 28 to 31. - The Coca-Cola Christmas Suite is a limited-time lodging offer available throughout the holiday season at all participating resorts. - Each suite includes immersive holiday décor and a themed Christmas tree. - Each stay includes a Coca-Cola keepsake, in-room Coca-Cola products, four tickets to ice!, seasonal treats and property-specific benefits. - Suite availability is limited. - The collaboration sits under So Much Christmas, Gaylord Hotels’ annual holiday program. - ice! began in 2001 at Gaylord Opryland Resort in Nashville. - Gaylord says ice! has drawn tens of millions of visitors over the past two decades. - Master artisans from Harbin, China hand-carve more than 2 million pounds of ice into holiday scenes, walk-through displays and two-story ice slides each year.

Between the lines: - Coca-Cola is using a familiar holiday icon to create a room-night product, which can deepen guest engagement beyond a one-day visit. - The hotel partnership gives the brand a controlled environment to showcase seasonal nostalgia, sampling and merch-like perks. - The expansion also shows how major hospitality brands are packaging existing attractions with limited-time experiential offers to drive demand.

What's next: - Guests can book Caravan dates, Christmas Suite reservations and ice! tickets at So Much Christmas. - The Coca-Cola Christmas Suites will remain available only during the holiday season while inventory lasts. - The Holiday Caravan will continue its resort tour through the end of December.

The bottom line: - Coca-Cola is turning a holiday marketing campaign into a travel experience, and the hotels are getting a new seasonal hook in return.