There’s still hope for anyone who can’t face turkey with all the trimmings this Christmas. A few magnificent hotels have space for guests who want to leave the cold behind and embrace comfort and joy in a warmer setting.
Bask in Tropical Tranquility
At Regent Phu Quoc, travelers will ditch the Christmas jumper in favor of their best swimwear and hop aboard this elegant resort’s catamaran to explore the unspoiled southernmost tip of this beautiful Vietnamese island or take in spectacular sunsets while quaffing champagne. They can take their pick of beauty treatments that are either the last word in technology or inspired by nature to emerge from the Christmas break looking sleek and well-rested. They’ll be well fed too, dining on oysters and ceviche at a Christmas Eve ocean-inspired buffet and a sumptuous ten-course Omakase menu on Christmas Day. There will not be a sprout in sight.
The Regent Phu Quoc is a luxurious all-suite resort on the verdant Vietnamese island of Phu Quoc. With half the island as a UNESCO biosphere and fringed by white sand beaches, this is the antithesis of and antidote to the stresses and strains of Christmas ‘en famille’.
To book visit Regent Phu Quoc
An Exotic Moroccan Interlude
Regularly voted one of the world’s best hotels, La Mamounia, an antique palace in Marrakech is a supremely glamorous location to hole up for Christmas. Gorgeous gardens bathed in sunlight, exotically styled suites and surroundings, a plethora of drinking and dining options, and a top-notch spa and Hammam mean that many guests don’t actually want to leave the hotel. But the excitement of Marrakech’s bustling Medina is just a short walk or taxi ride away, as is the stunning Koutoubia Mosque, a gem of 12th century architecture surrounded by beautiful gardens. In the days before Christmas there’s a charming arts and crafts market at La Mamounia to stock up on last-minute gifts. Then on the 25th itself, guests can choose from the informal indulgence of a poolside buffet or a festive menu at L’Italien par Jean Georges that starts with caviar and fresh pasta with black Périgord truffle, continues with roast capon, and ends with the sweet treat of a Yule Log by Pierre Hermé.
To book, visit La Mamounia
Nutmeg-Scented Serenity
Escape commercial chaos and discover the gentle allure of a Grenadian holiday, as the Isle of Spice’s signature scent infuses a season of barefoot relaxation at the award-winning Spice Island Beach Resort in Grenada. Located on Grand Anse Beach – regularly considered one of the finest beaches in the Caribbean – this family-owned and operated luxury resort offers a quintessential Caribbean experience, perfect to escape the winter cold.
With festive activities and games in the complimentary Nutmeg Pod ensuring even the most excited children are entertained, parents will be able to rejuvenate mind and body this Christmas – whether relaxing in Janissa’s Spa, taking in the expansive ocean vistas from the beachside yoga pavilion, savoring the flavors of the Spice Isle in a Christmas dinner with a twist, or simply enjoying a “white” Christmas on the sprawling sands of Grand Anse Beach.
To book and for further information visit Spice Island Beach Resort
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All imagery courtesy of Regent Phu Quoc, La Mamounia and Spice Island Beach Resort.