The Best Place for a Luxury Winter Weekend Vacation

What’s the best way to survive the long midwinter stretch of January and February? Get out of town! At least for the weekend. Our correspondent Jillian Tangen has curated a list of the 10 top destinations perfect for everyone looking to enjoy a luxury winter weekend vacation this winter.

how to survive the midwinter blues

Though only filled with 60 days, the months of January and February together tend to feel like one of the longest stretches on the calendar. Blame it on the post-holiday doldrums or the fact that there are roughly still about five months until the start of summer, but these winter months can feel endless at times.

So what is one to do to pass the time between now and the coming of spring? Plan a long weekend winter getaway, of course. And with long weekends that include MLK Day and President’s Day, it couldn’t be easier to escape the office for a just a little bit.

And whether you are looking for a glamorous weekend to help you make the most of the cold conditions, or are looking for a family-friendly sand-infused warm-up, we’ve found 10 winter long weekend worthy destinations that are guaranteed to warm your soul and wash those winter blues away.

The Best Places for a Luxury Winter Weekend Vacation

Here are our top picks for long weekend luxury vacations this winter:

glamorous getaways

1. st. barth’s

After devastating hurricane damage in 2017, St. Barth’s is back and better than ever. This glamorous Caribbean island boasts delicious food, a glitzy nightlife and plenty of sun-soaked beaches. A perfect mix of relaxing during the day and partying it up all night. Book a stay at the recently reopened Eden Rock, a longtime St. Barth’s favorite, situated above St. Jean Bay. 

The rebuilt hotel, with 37 rooms, features a restaurant by Jean-Georges Vongerichten.  It also features a bar designed by the Swedish interior designer Martin Brudnizki and a new spa.  This spa includes beachside treatments (as well as child-friendly ones), a frosé trolley, professional sunscreen attendants and access to a new nature lagoon.

2. st. moritz

The oldest winter sports spot in the world is also one of the most glamorous. Switzerland’s St. Moritz has played host to two Winter Olympics and offers top notch off-piste skiing. Not into skiing? Other winter sports include dog sledding, snowshoeing, polo, horse racing and ice cricket. The alpine town is home to countless chic hotels and gourmet restaurants that attract a steady clientele of A-list guests. 

Our Style Council says that the top place to stay is Badrutt’s Palace Hotel located on the majestic shores of Lake St. Moritz. In addition to spectacular spa facilities and a stately indoor/outdoor infinity pool, the hotel boasts an impressive list of bars and restaurants. Among them are Japanese-Peruvian cuisine at La Coupole – Matsuhisa; Swiss specialties at Patrizier Stuben; and afternoon tea in the fabulously elegant Grand Hall.

3. london

Those of us who travel to London for work are sometimes quick to forget that the town has a wealth of options for a wonderful vacation. It is ideally suited for lovers of glamour and luxury. From five-star hotels and Michelin-starred restaurants to celebrity hangouts and high-end shops, there’s a wealth of options. 

Make the most of a non-work related stay in this city and book a room at the newly-opened Vintry & Mercer. The 92-room hotel features velvet headboards, vintage navigation maps and colorful ceramic tiles in the baths that will subtly remind you that London isn’t only all business

family friendly

4.  stowe, vermont

The ski resort at Stowe has become the ideal East Coast destination for families who are in search of the perfect snow vacation. Now under the ownership of Vail Resorts, the family focus has become even better.

Located at the base of Mount Mansfield, The Lodge at Spruce Peak is Stowe’s only ski-in ski-out resort. With gondolas and lifts just steps from the door, the proximity to the mountain is second to none. If that was not enough, Valet ski service makes family skiing easy and efficient. There is no worrying about lugging boots, skis, helmets and goggles for the whole family.

5. antigua

As much as we love a great family ski weekend, we can’t help but also love the idea of a family beach getaway. On this trip, we can leave all the layers of wool, fleece and mittens behind. With amazing beaches, warm turquoise seas and plenty of direct flight options from the east coast, Antigua is a perfect spot for families.

Carlisle Bay offers five star family friendly suites where little ones can dig in the sand and explore a beach filled with starfish right outside your door. Meanwhile, you can keep watch while you enjoy your morning coffee from a Provençal-painted wicker chair. And when you are ready for a little down time of your own? The onsite kids’ club accepts children from six months of age, so you can enjoy the tennis courts or a trip to the spa.

romantic sojourns

6. paris

Never have truer words been spoken than when Audrey Hepburn said, “Paris is always a good idea.” From the language to the culture sites to the wine and fashion, Paris makes for a delightful romantic escape no matter the season. 

Make the most of the weekend with a stay at one of the most buzzed about hotels that opened late last year, the JK Place Paris. The 30-room hotel is located between Boulevard St.-Germain and the Seine in the 7th arrondissement. It’s just a few yards away from the Musee D’Orsay, home to the world’s largest collection of Impressionist and Post-impressionist works by artists including Monet, Degas, Renoir, Cézanne and van Gogh.

7. baja sur’s east cape

Looking for a complete escape with the one you love? Bypass the nightlife of Los Cabos for something a little more serene and secluded. The East Cape of Baja Sur, where the desert, mountains and water meet, is the perfect escape. 

There you will find the newly opened Four Seasons Resort Los Cabos at Costa Palmas, with 141 rooms overlooking the placid Sea of Cortéz. With six pools, and a half-mile of Four Seasons–dedicated beach, you’ll always have someplace to relax. Alternatively, if you like your romance with a side of adventure, the hotel has partnered with Aventura, the activity team at Costa Palmas, for a roster of adventures that reveal the East Cape’s wild side.

8. mont tremblant

We are firm believers that ski vacations are perfect for lovers. Not convinced? Have you ever curled up in a cozy lodge by the fire? Add to that a charming village, and we rest our case. For a European-style ski trip, we love Mont Tremblant. It offers not only pristine powder, but a village that is absolutely charming, too. 

Nestled at the foot of Tremblant mountain is the Fairmont Tremblant, the only ski-in, ski-out hotel in town. The property recently underwent a multi-million-dollar renovation to celebrate its 20th anniversary. After a day at the slopes, take a relaxing plunge into any one of the hotel’s four outdoor pools.

restful retreats

9. chicago

Looking for one of those rare city moments where you can enjoy some peace and relaxation without having to actually leave the city? Look no further than the dreamy Waldorf Astoria Chicago. 

The hotel is home to an award winning spa that is perfect for a weekend of pampering.  It has amenities like a lap pool, health club and some extraordinary spa treatments. They include everything from silk peel facials and deep tissue massages to in-room children’s spa services, so that you can relax even with the kids around.

10. sweden’s lapland

There are few destinations that deliver on the notion of a “Winter Wonderland” better than the Swedish Lapland. With snowy forests, icy lakes and impeccable Northern Lights viewing, it’s the perfect place to unwind. 

Book a stay at the Arctic Bath, a floating hotel and sauna in the middle of the Lule River. The wellness center has just 12 cabins: six over-water ones connected to the shore by footbridges, and six on land. And for those looking for the ultimate refreshment? Take a plunge right into the icy river before retreating to a little sauna.

The Best Place for a Luxury Winter Weekend Vacation

There you have it, our top ten choices for long weekend escapes this winter to help you pass the time between now and summer. Only 145 days to go, but who’s counting?

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Jillian Tangen is the Head of Research at Dandelion Chandelier and a former Senior Research Analyst at McKinsey & Co and Analyst at Shearman & Sterling. She is an avid fan of Nordic design, having owned an independent lifestyle store and sales agency focused on emerging Scandinavian design. Jillian lives in New York and is married with three young children. She loves cross-country skiing, the New York Rangers, reading, travel and discovering new brands

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