When it comes to travelling during the winter holidays and carving out that precious end-of-year time for ourselves and those we love around us, the question is, head for the hills or make for the beach? Something fast-paced and urban, or remote, wild, and unreachable by the modern world? No matter what your heart yearns for, there is a destination, hotel, and experience out there that will make wrapping up December ever so sweet.
Aman Le Mélézin
It’s officially ski season at Aman Le Mélézin, and the belle of Les Trois Vallées has a few new tricks up its sleeve to welcome powderhounds back to the slopes of Courchevel 1850. Aside from relishing the resort’s superb facilities and attentive hospitality, guests can now hop aboard a snowmobile-drawn sledge or horse-drawn carriage and allow themselves to be ferried to Les Prés de la Croix, a charming mountain chalet where a rustic cheese-fondue culinary experience is served. Off-piste moonbiking and snowbiking are on the agenda, and Aman Le Mélézin has also reintroduced the instructor-guided First Tracks adventure for hotel guests to take in the breathtaking views of Mont Blanc and La Grande Casse from the highest point in the valley before gliding down the unspoilt Combe de la Saulire ski run.
Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, a Belmond Train
Experience an overnight trip not only to the majestic French Alps, but also back in time to the golden age of continental rail travel aboard the unparalleled Venice Simplon-Orient-Express as it transports holidaymakers through some of the most picturesque landscapes in Europe over the winter season. Following the recent addition of eight glamorous suites, the opulent train will bring its blue-and-gold carriages from Paris to alpine destinations Albertville, Moûtiers, and Bourg-Saint-Maurice, where guests can easily journey on to their preferred ski resort. On board, indulge in Jean Imbert’s fine seasonal cuisine for dinner, cocktails and live music in Bar Car 3674, and a leisurely breakfast in bed the next day.
Song Saa Private Island
Escape the cold and blissfully soak up sun, sea, and sand on the tropical shores of Song Saa in Cambodia’s Koh Rong archipelago. Bring the whole family and celebrate Christmas with a snorkelling safari to discover the thriving aquatic ecosystem around the island, learn about local fauna through the guided Koh Bong nature walk, step into the new year with a water blessing performed by local Cambodian monks, commemorate the holidays with a film screening under the stars, experience the unique bioluminescent plankton that light up the beach, and marvel at the Khmer Apsara dance and acrobatics performed by the Phare Circus. On New Year’s Eve, the Song Saa Foundation will also put on an auction to support charity and community projects, and host a thrilling entertainment-filled countdown to 2024.
Joali Being
Swap the snow for sand and have yourself a merry little Christmas in the Maldives with Joali Being. From marine explorations and health and fitness classes to festive workshops and child-friendly activities, Joali Being’s holiday programming promises fun for guests big and small. Adults travelling in twos and groups can immerse themselves in the extensive well-being treatments and the serenity of their private villas with infinity pools, while families can engage their little ones in hands-on learning sessions and underwater adventures. For the occasion, Joali Being has also curated traditional Yuletide events such as building gingerbread houses, a tree-lighting ceremony, and a meet-and-greet with Santa.
Rosewood Kauri Cliffs
How about embarking on a great nature escape for the holidays? One of three existing New Zealand properties to have been newly added to the Rosewood Hotels & Resorts portfolio, Rosewood Kauri Cliffs sits on 6,000 acres of countryside, overlooking a sizeable championship golf course designed by David Harman and the Pacific Ocean. Guests can make themselves at home in well-appointed open-plan suites or multi-bedroom villas with private pools, all facing the water for incredible views from day till night. Explore the area’s untouched natural splendour through guided fishing sessions on the Northland coast, equestrian outings, private barbecues on Pink Beach, and heritage discovery tours, and leave the speed of the city behind. Paul Froggatt at The Dining Room marries European cuisine with sublime New Zealand ingredients to create ever-changing à la carte menus.
Shishi-Iwa House
Japan’s winter landscapes are mesmerising year after year, but if you are looking for a slower-paced alternative to Niseko, Hakuba, and the like, look to the lesser-explored Karuizawa instead, about two hours from Tokyo by car. Book yourself in for a stay at the boutique Shishi-Iwa House, a small collection of contemporary nature retreats, and let it become your adventure base for exploring the surrounding protected woodlands and national parks, or a serene sanctuary to disconnect from the outside world. Pritzker Prize-winning architects Shigeru Ban and Ryue Nishizawa designed the three houses, each offering only about a dozen rooms, to provide an escape from urban life, and the minimalist structures, led by clean lines and natural materials, blend right into the forest. Communal spaces like the Teahouse and Bathhouse allow for guests to come together and experience physical and mental wellness. Masashi Okamoto leads the dining programme at Shola, working with local ingredients and farmers to craft the Japanese-inspired French menu.
Andaz Pattaya Jomtien Beach
Opt for slow days of rest and relaxation at the idyllic Andaz Pattaya Jomtien Beach, where balmy temperatures, spacious suites and villas, outdoor swimming pools and beaches, a luxury spa, and diverse gastronomy experiences await. At the resort, guests can engage in cultural workshops and wellness activities, and unwind at leisure across expansive green spaces and communal pavilions or in the comfort of their suites, some with direct lagoon access. Peaceful, exclusive, and lush, Andaz Pattaya Jomtien Beach offers guests the perfect setting for rejuvenation and rebalancing. Meanwhile, the attractions of Pattaya City and the surrounding countryside is only a 30-minute drive away.
