If you need a quick dose of the Christmas spirit, a tour of the Biltmore, the largest privately owned home in the U.S in Asheville, North Carolina might help. The estate and grounds include more than 100 decorated trees, 1,000 wreaths and bows, 1,800 poinsettias and thousands of ornaments and lights. It's pretty hard to hold onto your humbuggery amidst the elegant spectacle of this grand estate wreathed in holiday magic.

Individual rooms are decorated according to a theme that changes each year, this year it's "Christmas Traditions from Around the World," which turns each room into a microcosm of Christmas traditions in a country. The estate also hosts "Christmas Candlelight Evenings" which feature entertainment by carolers, ballet dancers and puppeteers. Free seminars for daytime guests through Nov. 23, offer instruction on subjects such as decorating your home and tree, making a gingerbread house, pairing wine and cheese, and crafting a wreath or centerpiece. Admission for adults starts at $55.

[via USA Today]

Gentlemen, save the date: From Thursday, October 16 - Sunday, October 19, The Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa in Phoenix is offering the ultimate guy getaway: the Stogies & Sticks Foursome Mancation. Brace yourselves for a long weekend of lighting up fine cigars, sipping premium bourbon, dining on delectable American Lodge Cuisine and teeing off on two of Phoenix's best golf courses.

The three-night/four-day vacation package for four kicks off at with a Bourbon & Cigar Dinner in the resort's signature restaurant, Wright's at The Biltmore. An array of top-brand cigars will be offered and selections from the Jim Beam Small Batch Bourbon Collection will be poured. Friday and Saturday will be golf days on the Arizona Biltmore's two outstanding courses, with 18-hole Adobe one day and 18-hole Links the next.

The mancation package includes accommodations for three nights, the Bourbon & Cigar Dinner, and two rounds of golf with daily breakfast: $450 per person, double occupancy, per night. Add three days of golf ­and a total of 54 holes with an instructional option at the Hilton Golf Academy: $300 per person.

I'm officially calling this a trend now that I have seen it being done in several places (most notably the Ritz-Carlton), hotels are creating VIP services for those who make frequent visits. The Biltmore in Miami has a new VIP guest program called the Biltmore 100. The program includes unlimited greens fees at the golf course, VIP suite check-in, unlimited golf and tennis instruction, special spa perks, town car service, luggage storage and a whole bunch of other amenities. The program costs $10,000 per year with two VIP cardholders per household.

[via Hotel Interactive]

The Biltmore in Palm Beach is one of the classic buildings in Florida. The luxurious condo has tennis courts, an exercise room, oceanfront beach club and many other amenities. One of the most expensive condos in the building is this two bedroom. One of the reasons it is so expensive is because it offers striking views to the East, South and West. The home has been beautifully decorated in what appears to me be to be a very ladylike style. Other condos in the building have recently sold in the low millions. This one is listed at $9.995 million. After the jump, a very tiny gilded bathroom.