A Gift to You: These Holiday Destinations Still Have Festive Availability
October 19, 2019 by Allison Reiber DiLiegro
All of a sudden, the holidays are practically here. For travelers still planning holiday trips, hope is not lost. We’ve assembled a list of properties you might not have considered that still have availability. Here are a few ideas to get the holiday inspiration flowing.
Sunny Escapes
North Malé Atol, Maldives
Fresh off a renovation, Gili Lankanfushi is back just in time for the holidays (and looking better than ever). Set on a private island in the baby blue Indian Ocean, this sleek Maldivian hideaway is all about exclusivity. The overwater villas are outfitted with expansive sun terraces, open-air showers, water hammocks, and some with glass-bottomed pools so you can watch the sea life below. Each villa comes with a private butler so everything you need can be brought to you.
Riviera Maya, Mexico
Set on a stretch of prime beachfront on the Riviera Maya, Chablé Maroma is the answer to your sun-and-sand cravings. The property has 70 luxury villas, with sprawling beachfront options and private pool villas. In addition to the beachy beauty, Chablé Maroma is renowned for its Mayan-inspired spa program dedicated to full-body wellness. There’s a beach yoga deck, fitness classes, and a range of purifying spa journeys.
Yucatán Peninsula, Mexico
Travelers looking to reset for the New Year can cleanse body and soul at Chablé Resort. Chablé Maroma’s sister property on the Yucatan Peninsula offers an award-winning wellness program that’s deeply rooted in Mayan mysticism. The property is housed in a beautifully restored hacienda from the 17th century. The highlight is the spa built around a cenote, or a natural cave filled with mineral-rich waters. The spa offers traditional Mayan rituals, beach yoga classes, and sweat sessions in the traditional temazcal saunas.
Malibu, California
As we easily forget, beautiful beachfront options can be found stateside, too. Malibu Beach Inn is a chic boutique hotel with 47 rooms and suites with private balconies. While the weather won’t be tropical come December, Malibu is home to an active local community, with plenty of runners, surfers, (and book-readers) on the beach all winter long. With beachfront restaurants and gorgeous sunsets over golden sand, it’s a perfect place to escape the winter chill. A treatment at the spa, offering a menu by Veronica Skin & Body Care, is an indulgent gift to give yourself.
Christmastime in the City
Havana, Cuba
For those seeking the best of both worlds, there’s city and sunshine in Havana. With clear skies and temperatures in the 80s, Cuba is an easy escape (just 90 minutes from Florida) for travelers seeking a sunny getaway that’s packed with culture. HabanaLive arranges bespoke itineraries that cover history, art, music, or all of the above. After days exploring Havana’s time capsule streets, continue on to a private villa on the beach, all arranged by HabanaLive.
The Beaumont + In Any Event Tours
London, England
London might be at its most charming during the holidays. The Beaumont, with its Roaring Twenties glamour, pulls out all the stops. Stay over December 24-27 for a winter wonderland with mulled wine, vintage movies, homemade mince pies, and a traditional Christmas dinner in the Colony Grill Room. For those seeking an insider’s look at the city, In Any Event Tours (IAE) is our favorite local DMC. IAE offers privileged access to the city’s top sights as well as insider tours of lesser-known attractions.
Stockholm, Sweden
Set in the heart of Stockholm, Et Hemm is an impeccably intimate hotel in a 12-room townhouse. Decorated by British designer Ilse Crawford, the interiors blend classic Scandinavian design with modern elements for an effect that’s impossibly chic. Stockholm’s winters are dark, but the city is at its coziest, with Christmas lights decorating the streets and ample glogg (mulled wine) to warm you from the inside out.
Cozy Countryside Retreats
Méribel, France
Perched along the slopes close to Le Rond Point des Pistes, Le Coucou Méribel is a hideaway offering picturesque sweeping snow-capped mountain views of the Tarentaise Valley in the French Alps. With ski-in, ski-out accessibility, spa, and alpine dining, discover Maisons Pariente’s newest 55-room hotel including two four-bedroom private chalets. Opening December 2019.
Iceland & Scandinavia
For a White Christmas that’s practically guaranteed, Nordic Luxury plans custom itineraries to Iceland, Greenland, Norway, Finland, Denmark, Sweden, and the Faroe Islands. Itineraries range from hot springs, ATV rides, and a snowmobile safari to snowshoeing and dog-sledding in Norway. Perhaps the most festive destination of them all is Finnish Lapland, filled with snowy evergreens, reindeer, and snowmobile safaris. This part of the world is particularly majestic in the winter months. The sky gets dark early but you might catch the Northern Lights. How’s that for Christmas lights?
Scottish Highlands, UK
Set in the Scottish Highlands, the Fife Arms offers a magical, art-filled retreat during the holidays. To celebrate, the team has taken inspiration from the traditions of a Victorian Christmas. The rooms and grounds will be decorated with festive decorations and foraged plants. On Christmas Eve, families can gather to make Christmas ornaments and decorate gingerbread followed by roasting chestnuts, mulled wine, and Christmas carols in The Flying Stag, the charming pub. On Christmas Day, expect a full Scottish breakfast with Champagne, a four-course Christmas lunch, and a treasure hunt for kids.
Hampshire, England
Just outside of London (a 75-minute drive), Heckfield Place is an idyllic escape into the countryside. Set inside a revamped Georgian home, the property is designed to feel like a home away from home, making it a perfect place to celebrate the holidays. Spend Christmas morning by the fireplace before enjoying a farm-fresh Christmas lunch at Hearth, the cozy restaurant for guests only.
Availability is always changing. Contact the team at Hidden Doorways at mail@hiddendoorwaystravel.com for more Festive options.
