It does stand out in the Christmas lights department.

The Coeur d'Alene Resort is getting the gift of validation this Christmas, by earning the eighth place out of 16 on Travel and Leisure magazine's list of Best U.S. Hotels for the Holidays.

The list gives a nod to establishments that go tastefully overboard on holiday fare, warming folks into the Christmas spirit with extravagances like carriage rides, sprawling gingerbread villages and Dickensian decorations.

The point, the magazine indicates, is to help guests feel like they're still getting the holiday experience they do at home, and then some.

Good to know The Resort is getting that done, said Jerry Jaeger, president and co-owner of the Hagadone Hospitality Company.

"I think one of the things that's so important at the holidays is time for families, and our programs are really designed for families to enjoy the holiday season, and enjoy each other," Jaeger said.

The magazine's list includes the Waldorf-Astoria in New York City (fifth place) and the Hotel Vintage Park in Seattle (second).

It's hard to deny The Resort has earned its spot. The magazine features a photo of The Resort's Holiday Light Show, the largest in the country with 1.5 million lights twinkling over buildings and hedges.

The magazine also notes The Resort cruises to Santa's workshop at the North Pole and the world's tallest Christmas tree, where Santa reads off names of the children passengers.

Jaeger said the combined activities, including the new G.I. Holiday Jukebox production, cost hundreds of thousands of dollars.

"We have a wonderful team of people, and they work all year long," he said. "As soon as this show's over, they begin planning the 2012 show."

The Resort's holiday efforts started modestly in 1986, he noted, when a fire engine rumbled up to the hotel canopy and turned on its siren.

"It's progressively grown," Jaeger said, adding that there are still new additions this year like a new North Pole shop for Santa.

The efforts, he said, have boosted room bookings during the usually sluggish winter season.

"(The number of winter guests) is growing every year," Jaeger said. "We have bus tours from across the country coming in."

The holiday fanfare at The Resort has gotten attention before, notably when the light show was featured on "Good Morning America" in 2007.

Steve Wilson, CEO and president of the Coeur d'Alene Chamber of Commerce, said the Resort's thousands and thousands of lights have become a terrific regional draw.

"Just the promotion of that and the notoriety that Coeur d'Alene's received, not only from this publication but from such shows as 'Good Morning America,' you can't purchase that kind of publicity," Wilson said. "It certainly attracts people in the wintertime. It sets us aside as a brand, that this is a happening spot."

Wilson noted that the hotel's holiday programs also enhance the season for local residents. His own children enjoyed the holiday cruise to Santa's workshop, he said.

"Anybody who's got kids has taken them on the Christmas cruise and seen their eyes light up when Santa calls their name," he said with a chuckle.

To check out the list of Best U.S. Hotels for the Holidays, visit: http://www.travelandleisure.com/articles/best-us-hotels-for-the-holidays/1.

Jaeger said that though The Resort staff often hears compliments from guests for the holiday pomp, the abundant outdoor decorations are intended for the entire community to enjoy.

"First we want the program to be for our friends and neighbors who support our businesses year round, and secondly for our visitors," Jaeger said. "It's important our neighbors can enjoy a special holiday."