6 wondrous winter escapes to give you wanderlust for 2021
While travels continue to be put on pause amid the pandemic, we can’t help but imagine the trips we’re longing to take when it is safe to do so again. From tropical-island getaways to ice-capped spas and cozy country retreats, these are the hotels to fantasize about. By KATIE BERRINGTON
FOR COUNTRYSIDE COZINESS
Heckfield Place, England
A historic haven in the heart of the English countryside, Heckfield Place is surrounded by sweeping grounds and the lovingly restored Georgian house is a homey, welcoming retreat. The food is a celebration of all things local and seasonal – ingredients are sourced predominantly from the Home Farm – with luminary chef Skye Gyngell at the helm of the culinary offering. The Hearth restaurant is particularly snug, with a tasting menu cooked on the open fire in the center of the dining room. The hotel’s elegant interiors offer a plethora of plush sofas to sink into, sumptuous rugs and inviting firesides to relax next to, while the walled gardens, lakes, woodland and lawns are perfect for a wintery wander.
FOR A SNOW-CAPPED SPA
Le Grand Bellevue, Switzerland
With the soaring, surrounding Alps as its backdrop, the Swiss town of Gstaad makes for a majestic winter retreat. Like its name suggests, Le Grand Bellevue is palatial in appearance, with sleek chalet vibes inside. While the skiing here is renowned, you’ll first have to tear yourself away from the hotel’s sprawling subterranean spa – one of Switzerland’s largest – which is “inspired by the fresh air, health-giving botanicals and ice-capped peaks of the Swiss Alps”. Guests can journey through the hotel’s incredible thermal oasis, which boasts 17 wellness zones, from soothing steam baths to a revitalizing ice fountain, a herbal sauna and salt-inhalation grotto, as well as a starlit outdoor pool. There is an extensive treatment menu from Bamford and Cellcosmet, plus state-of-the-art fitness facilities. Equally indulgent is Le Grand Bellevue’s culinary offering, with dining options including the elegant Leonard’s restaurant, the excellent Sushi Bar, and the more traditional Le Petit Chalet, where a mountain fondue is not to be missed.
FOR WINTER SUN
Six Senses Yao Noi, Thailand
There’s a reason why November to March is considered peak season in Phuket – the days are usually sunny and dry, ensuring the optimum climate for a paradise-island escape. With thatched-roof, private pool villas looking out over the glittering ocean and the limestone karsts of Phang Nga Bay, Six Senses Yao Noi is an idyllic sanctuary where you can revel in its magnificent setting. Whether you’re basking on the golden-sand beaches, beside the cliffside infinity pool or in the Zen garden spa, this is the stuff that winter-getaway dreams are made of.
FOR SPECTACULAR SCENERY
Forestis Dolomites, Italy
In this serene retreat up in the clouds, there is much to marvel at. Forestis Dolomites is located 6,000ft above sea level and enjoys a stunning panoramic of the Unesco World Heritage Site of the Dolomites and the South Tyrolean wild forests. Floor-to-ceiling windows connect guests to the breathtaking vista, while the interiors, consisting of mostly natural materials, take inspiration from their surroundings. In fact, nature is at the heart of this boutique hotel – from the healing spa treatments to the ingredients sourced from the forest and local farmers to use in the restaurants. There are plenty of outdoor spaces to soak up the mountain air, but for those wanting to get even closer to nature, there are excellent hiking trails and snow sports galore.
FOR WARM ADVENTURE
Shinta Mani Wild, Cambodia
If a more sunshine-filled adventure is what you seek for invigoration in the long winter months, then the Cambodian rainforest offers an ideal climate between November and March and an abundance of opportunities for wanderlust-worthy escape. Shinta Mani Wild is a see-it-to-believe-it base from which to explore the jungle surroundings, with ultra-luxe tents providing the accommodation (each complete with an outdoor bath tub to relax in at the end of the day). There won’t be time for all the endless activities you’ll want to do – from foraging and cooking classes to birdwatching and boating, hiking and mountain biking. You can even arrive by zip wire, should you wish. Moreover, conservation is at the core of Shinta Mani’s ethos and its practices – it works with the Wildlife Alliance to carry out vital work in its surrounding area. Particularly now that we have a great deal of time to plan and consider our future travels, ensuring a positive imprint for the people and places we visit should be at the forefront of our minds.
FOR EXHILARATING ACTIVITY
Deplar Farm, Iceland
In the Fljót Valley of northern Iceland’s Troll Peninsula, Deplar Farm is a beautifully converted sheep farm that offers true off-grid adventure, with a tranquil and luxurious base from which to explore. For the adrenaline-driven, there’s a whole host of activities, including whale watching, off-road fat biking, snow-shoeing, hiking, snowmobiling and cross-country skiing across the other-worldly landscape. Back at the lodge, however, there is just as much to keep guests occupied – from the geothermal-heated indoor/outdoor pool to Isopod flotation tanks and an outdoor Viking sauna. And, in the winter season, the Northern Lights may put on an evening show, too.