the best luxury beach vacation destinations this winter

Love it or hate it, winter is here. Team Snow loves the season, finding joy in the crisp air and zooming down the slopes. Meanwhile, Team Sand (aka Team #lovesummerhateeverythingelse) is counting the days until the first signs of spring arrive. Have no fear, summer-loving friends. There are plenty of sun-drenched beaches to escape to as a cure for the winter doldrums. Dreaming of the best luxury beach vacation ever? Here’s our list of the best luxury beach vacation destinations this winter.

where’s the best luxury beach vacation?

So much sand, so little time.

The best luxury beach vacation destination this winter really depends on what kind of vacation you’re after. Whether it’s deep-sea diving  or just unwinding by the shore, these hot spots will have you ready to pack your bags and head out the door.

And just think – once you’re there, with the sand between your toes and a cold cocktail in hand, your winter blues will melt away almost as fast as the ice in your drink.  Ah, yes…

the best luxury beach vacation destinations this winter

Herewith, an overview of some of our favorite places to soak up the sun. There are places for every kind of beach-goer.

Glamorous getaways.

1. Cabo San Lucas

At just a two-hour flight from Los Angeles, it’s no wonder Cabo San Lucas has become a mainstay for folks looking for a little rest, relaxation and a couple of margaritas on the side. The town boasts many types of resorts, including ultra-fancy options and family-friendly ones. We love the new 4-star Auberge property Chileno Bay Resort & Residences because it’s both sophisticated and hip. And it sits along one of Cabo’s only swimmable beaches, which is a huge plus. The resort has a contemporary take on the classic Baja escape, with an airy, open aesthetic that blurs the line between indoor and outdoor with private terraces in each guest room.

2. St. Barth’s

After devastating hurricane damage in the fall of 2017, we’re thrilled to report that St. Barth’s is open for business. This glamorous Caribbean island once again boasts glitzy nightlife, including several upcoming New Years Eve celebrations. Just in time for the holidays, luxury 5-star favorite Le Sereno has reopened. The property sports a new restaurant, all new re-designed rooms (including new family suites) with private pools, a new gym, and enhanced spa facilities. The supremely sophisticated lodgings along the Grand Cul de Sac beach are like a private sanctuary for guests, providing the ne plus ultra of elegance on the island.

3. Tahiti

The atoll of Tetiaroa was once the retreat of Tahitian kings, and later the private refuge of Marlon Brando. The actor fell in love with French Polynesia while filming Mutiny on the Bounty. Today, it’s home to 5-star resort The Brando, a luxurious and eco-friendly retreat with 35 villas dreamed up by the actor himself as a way to preserve the remarkable culture, beauty and biodiversity of Tahiti.  Here, you’ll find plenty of pristine white sand, indulgent spa treatments and lush nature to help you unwind.

Adventures of a lifetime.

1. Kangaroo Island

Adventure seekers will love Australia’s Kangaroo Island. True to its name, you can see the famous marsupial there – along with koalas, wallabies, wombats, penguins, cockatoo, and sea lions while out trekking this 1,700 square mile haven. Guests at the island’s secluded 5-star property Southern Ocean Lodge can partake in private guided evening “Kangaroos and Kanapés” excursions. There are also half-day tours that take in seal colonies, the island’s oldest lighthouse, and remarkable rock formations for guests in the mood to explore.

2. The Philippines

Thanks to abundant marine life, colorful reefs and pristine beaches, the Philippines is a great place for outdoor adventures. At the luxury eco-resort El Nido Resort on Pangulasian Island, guests can enjoy scuba courses and access to more than 20 dive sites, as well as boat tours of mangroves and secret lagoons.  There’s also a reef for snorkeling, and 25 kayaks for guests to use. An added benefit? Also known as the “Island of the Sun”, Pangulasian has breathtaking views of both the sunrise and sunset. 

3. Ixtapa, Mexico

Who said an adventure vacation has to be limited to the great outdoors?  In Ixtapa, Mexico you can partake in a culinary adventure at Cala Del Mar. Experience the country’s rich (and delicious) food history by learning how to make the perfect margarita with a resident mixologist. Take guided market tours of Petatlán with the resident chef to pick out fresh, local ingredients to prepare a traditional Mexican dish together.

Family fun.

1. Dubai 

Dubai is one of the most sought-after warm weather holiday destinations, and it’s easy to see why. Think places like the massive Dubai Mall and Wild Wadi Water Park. The 5-star Le Royal Meridien Beach Resort & Spa is a great choice for families, thanks to its Kids Club filled with fun things like clay modeling, badminton and sandcastle competitions. And while kids are enjoying the club, adults can enjoy the resort’s nine restaurants and bars, spa and three pools.

2. Antigua

If your family loves outdoor activities, Antigua is the perfect place to head to to escape the cold.  Curtain Bluff Resort offers the best of both worlds. First, each of the resort’s rooms look out over south-facing Surf Beach, where waves lap against golden sand providing you with relaxing views. Second, on the other side of the resort is Bay Beach, where all of the family-friendly activities take place. A coral reef shields it from the waves, making it a great spot for swimming, snorkeling, sailing and kayaking.

3. Maui, Hawaii

Every family should take a trip to the blue waters and lush greenery of Maui at some point.  Learning the hula and sharing a luau together is something you’ll never forget. Book a room at the 24-acre beachfront Montage Kapalua Bay; it offers a wide range of accommodations for families, including six “grand residences” that sleep 8 to 10 people. The property also has 50 suites, each equipped with a full kitchen. Adults can escape to the spa, or enjoy dinner at the intimate Cliff House restaurant. Meanwhile, kids can enjoy themed arts and crafts activities and games via the on-property children’s program, Paintbox.

Romantic retreats.

1. Bora Bora

Bora Bora is one of those places that many of us hope to visit in our lifetimes. When you go, consider staying at the ultra chic Four Seasons Resort. It features the romance of over-water bungalows with thatched roofs on stilts. Guests can enjoy romantic strolls across wooden walkways linking various islands. More adventurous activities? Feeding the sharks, paddleboard yoga, and snorkeling with a professional marine biologist.

2. Bali

Stretch out on isolated beaches, stroll through paddy fields or indulge at luxurious spas – Bali is as romantic as it gets.  If you’re in search of a private paradise, The Mulia is a dreamy all-suite hotel with stunning uninterrupted views of Nusa Dua Bay. In addition to breathtaking views of the ocean, this seaside oasis lets you take in Bali from the sky, thanks to their private helicopter tours. Guests can soar over iconic landmarks including temples, volcanoes, rice fields and untouched beaches.

Aman devotees take note: one of our roving correspondents reports that Amanusa is only a short stroll from The Mulia. While it’s not right on the beach, it is ultra-luxurious, private and secluded. Some of the villas there are still being managed by Aman, but part of the property is now being managed by Revivo, an Asian-led group of holistic wellness resorts.

3. Vietnam

If your idea of romance is seclusion from the outside world, consider Six Senses Ninh Van Bay in Vietnam. Getting there requires a private speedboat to whisk you across glittering teal waters to a sheltered cove. There, a collection of teakwood, eco-chic villas hides away on foliage-graced hillsides and along the rocky beachfront. Romance reigns here, with big, comfy beds draped in elegant white silk, open-air showers and private plunge pools.

 

Places of respite.

1. South Beach

Our first suggestion for utter rest and relaxation may surprise you: it’s Miami. More specifically, and probably even more surprising, South Beach. Okay, it’s not exactly South Beach. But 10 miles south on Collins Boulevard, serenity reigns at the Acqualina Resort & Spa. It feels worlds away from the see-and-be-seen vibe of South Beach. Instead, you’ll find an awe-inspiring and opulent retreat, with service that goes above and beyond. Guests can summon a beach attendant by simply raising a flag. Not that there’s much need to ask for anything, because every hour on the hour, the pool and beach teams pass out complimentary amenities like refreshing smoothies or frozen grapes to keep you cool and calm.

2. Kood Island, Thailand

A veritable paradise of sugar-white sand, crystal clear waters, and dramatic scenery, Thailand’s tropical beaches are renowned around the globe for their beauty, making it a perfect place to retreat from winter. If your idea of relaxing includes wellness programs like yoga, organic cuisine and sustainable living, then the Soneva Kiri By Six Senses is the perfect stop for you.  Located at the remote end of the Thai island named Kood, the resort is nestled in the lush tropical rain forest with beach access. The property features bamboo structures that are the epitome of barefoot luxury style.

3. The Maldives

Dream of relaxing in a beautiful over-water bungalow? Then head to The Maldives. Dream of balancing all that relaxation with a healthy dose of activity? You should still head to the Maldives. Just be sure to stay at the Velaa Private Island. This turtle-shaped oasis somehow contains a José Maria Olazabal-designed golf academy with nine tees, six greens, seven bunkers, and a lake; a grass tennis court and squash court; and water sports from wake-boarding to kite surfing. After experiencing all that, you can retreat to the region’s only snow room, to boost your circulation and quite literally chill you out.

Alternatively, another interesting new property has just opened in the Maldives. The new resort on Muravandhoo Island, Joali Maldives, is the Maldives’ first and only “art immersive hotel,” with each piece commissioned specifically for the property and based on the island’s natural environment. In addition to luxury over-water bungalows and white sand bike paths, walking around the 98,000-square-meter island in the Raa Atoll is like wandering through an outdoor art gallery.

For even more ideas, check out Beaches, Islands, & Coasts, the New York Times round-up of vacations near the sea.

Ready to roll? Now that you’ve seen some of the options for the best luxury beach vacation destination this winter, get your Kindle loaded up with everything you’ve been dying to read since last summer. And prepare for pure bliss.

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