9 Idyllic Destinations For A Winter-Sun Vacation
Dreaming of warmer, sunnier climes? From tropical-island oases to charming seaside settings and wild, breathtaking landscapes, these seven incredible vacation destinations are perfect if you’re looking for a mood-boosting, sun-soaked escape right now. By KATIE BERRINGTON
Phuket, Thailand
A long-loved tropical-island escape, Phuket’s scenery is so spellbindingly cinematic that it provided the setting for season three of The White Lotus. On its north-western coast, Trisara has an unrivaled location – straddling a secluded private beach with crystalline waters and 14 hectares of lush, protected rainforest. The vast suites and villas sit on the hillside, sheltered by towering palm trees and with superlative vistas of the Andaman Sea. There are six dining destinations – including PRU, Phuket’s only Michelin-starred restaurant and the first in Thailand to receive a Michelin Green Star for its zero-waste approach – and the incredible Jara Spa, which melds ancient Thai healing traditions with modern holistic therapies for an immersive wellness experience.
Musandam Peninsula, Oman
The dramatic beauty of Oman makes for an epic winter-sun getaway, and it remains more laid-back and less crowded as a vacation spot than some of its fellow Middle Eastern destinations. The Musandam Peninsula, in the north, is particularly picturesque, as it’s the ethereal meeting point between towering, chiseled mountains, glittering emerald sea and white-sand beaches. Six Senses Zighy Bay is a gem in Oman’s hotel crown. The village-like resort boasts private-pool villas and suites – all personal oases that are dotted along sandy pathways and decked out in soothing natural stone and timber.
Riviera Maya, Mexico
Powdery beaches, emerald jungle, ancient ruins and vibrant nightlife: this stretch of Caribbean coastline on Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula is one of the country’s most in-demand destinations. The climate comes into its most comfortable from November through March, and the beautiful resort of Maroma, A Belmond Hotel, is a sanctuary of tranquility, away from the bustle. It has recently undergone an immaculate renovation under the direction of designer Tara Bernerd, who has incorporated the work of local artisans to honor Mexican heritage in the calming design. The centerpiece is the cenote-inspired swimming pool – lined with turquoise-hued tiles, handmade from volcanic stone – alongside which a mezcal can be sipped in the shade of the palm trees.
Tangalle, Sri Lanka
With coconut-palm beaches and cerulean seas in abundance, Sri Lanka offers the epitome of a tropical retreat. On the country’s south coast, the quiet area of Tangalle is a blissful place to soak up the natural beauty of jungle, ocean and national parks – with wildlife safaris, ancient temples and tea plantations all nearby as well. Amid the verdant landscape, Amanwella is found in a serene and secluded position, opening out onto a horseshoe beach, with the suites – each complete with a private pool – looking out over the Indian Ocean. For guests who wish to get closer to the inviting waters, activities on offer span surfing, snorkeling and whale watching.
Windhoek, Namibia
Winter-sun vacations aren’t solely for beach days: there are myriad inland adventures to be had, too. While the safari opportunities in Namibia are at their peak between May and September, the natural wonders of the sub-Saharan plains can be experienced year round. Amid a 51,000-hectare nature reserve, Habitas Namibia is perfectly positioned for you to relish the wild landscape, as well as to enjoy the versatility of Namibian cuisine and local ingredients, plus a curated arts and culture program. The rocky swimming pool is a panoramic place to cool off, while the wellness offering includes restorative treatments and meditation in the bush. The Habitas brand prides itself on committed sustainability initiatives, including integrating endangered species into the reserve and the Habitas Rise program, which aims to empower local communities through employment opportunities and training in the hospitality sector.
Beau Champ, Mauritius
A quintessential winter-sun destination, Mauritius brings an appealingly warm climate, a stunning landscape and plenty of outdoor opportunities to enjoy both. Four Seasons Resort Mauritius at Anahita has undergone an impressive renovation this year, unveiling redesigned villas and residences with incredible indoor-outdoor living areas (each with their own private pool and garden) to maximize on the surroundings. A jewel in the crown of the resort is the sublime overwater spa, perched above the lagoon, which is now taken to even greater heights with the debut of the Royal Spa Suite, boasting its own steam room, stone tub and a relaxation area with views across the mangroves.
Pine Cay, Turks & Caicos, Caribbean
One of the Caribbean’s most exclusive and secluded private islands, Pine Cay’s pristine white sands and sun-drenched shores are just a 20-minute boat ride from mainland Turks & Caicos. The elegant 12-beachfront-room hotel sits on the edge of the world’s third-largest barrier reef, with boundless ocean blues stretching as far as the eye can see. Whether on the cerulean water or land, the opportunities to marvel at the surroundings are second to none – from snorkeling and paddleboarding to biking and birdwatching – and the resort, set amid 800 acres of glorious wilderness, serves up barefoot-island living at its most serene.
Palm Beach, Florida, US
Gilded-Age favorite, golden-sand-laden Palm Beach has beckoned with a new allure of late, while still retaining the old-school glamour that made its name. The weather is perennially obliging, meaning long days can be spent at its stretches of sun-drenched shoreline. The local arts and culture scene features a treasure trove of works from the likes of Picasso, Warhol and Banksy, and received a reinvigoration last year with a $100 million renovation of the Norton Museum of Art. It’s also the chosen spot of the anticipated US debut from Oetker Collection – the hoteliers behind iconic European properties Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc, Le Bristol Paris and Hotel La Palma. The Vineta Hotel is slated to open at the end of the year: the landmark building, complete with charming pale-pink, green-windowed façade, has been restored to its historic splendor by designer Tino Zervudachi.
Tabanan, Bali, Indonesia
An irrefutable bucket-list favorite, Bali has long beguiled visitors with its combination of tropical beaches, lush and rugged jungle, waterfalls, rolling rice paddies and rich culture. Avoid the island’s most crowded locales and stay in a quieter corner of the south coast for a peaceful immersion into the idyllic surroundings. Nirjhara is a luxuriously unpretentious retreat that blends beautifully into a glorious landscape of forest, rice fields and volcanic-sand beaches, with the Tanah Lot temple nearby. The accommodation encompasses canopy treehouse suites, with roof decks perched amid coconut groves, and capacious villas with their own infinity pools. To venture a little further afield, the coastal village of Canggu is close by, with the towns of Seminyak and Ubud just under an hour away by car.