Fresh, fluffy snow, a sack full of cashmere and a warm hut with a crackling fireplace – these are the ideal winter vacation for some people. Others want to relax on a tropical beach with a good book and a strong drink. Discover the best hot destinations for winter 2021.
Los Cabos, Mexico
Long a favorite of Hollywood greats, the Baja California resort has seen rapid development in recent years. That means there is an abundance of beautiful luxury hotels to choose from for a vacation like Jennifer Aniston (she prefers the One & Only Palmilla, the most opulent hotel in Cabo). Tucked away amid sand dunes along the spectacular coastline, the Zadn is one of the newest hotels in the area. It is the latest addition to the Ritz-Carlton Reserve Collection, known for its exquisite service, luxurious accommodations and the enjoyment (and seamless integration) of its natural, exotic surroundings.
The Berkshires
This majestic Italian-style mansion, built in 1893 and now a boutique hotel, looks like a European chalet in winter. Imagine a cozy atmosphere with crackling fireplaces and warm wood elements, as well as breathtaking views of the Berkshires (there are only 19 rooms on the premises). Snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and snowboarding are popular activities on the local routes.
Lexington, Kentucky
Are you still a fan of The Queen's Gambit? One of the rooms at the 21c Museum Hotel in Lexington, Kentucky has been transformed into a 1960s chess paradise that would make Beth Harmon proud — and all of her Instagram followers jealous. There's even a chess sculpture on the ceiling meant to represent Beth's nightly deliriums. While you could spend the entire day playing your own game of chess, you could also tour the city (where The Queen's Gambit is located) and take a self-guided tour of the locations that inspired the program.
Lake Placid, New York
The cozy fireplaces in the rooms, the warm, homemade cookies at bedtime and the 86 hiking trails on neighboring Whiteface Mountain are just the thing when the nightly s'mores are on campfire not enough to lure you to the beautiful Whiteface Lodge in the Adirondacks. After a day in the snow, snuggle up under a wool blanket and gaze at the sky while sipping whiskey and munching on hors d'oeuvres by the fire.
Stowe, VT
Ski-in / ski-out is a four-word phrase. That alone would be enough to bring The Lodge on Spruce Peak into the hearts of many comfortable skiers and snowboarders, but the fact that the gondola to the slopes of Mount Mansfield contributes Stowe is only a few meters away, it certainly helps too. Dog sledding, ice climbing and sleigh rides are also on the program in winter. Don't feel like being in the great outdoors? Then swim in the heated outdoor pool, read in front of the stone fireplaces, or relax in the 21.000 square meter spa.
Las Vegas, USA
The strip, a 2,5 mile stretch of Las Vegas Boulevard that runs northeast to southwest through the city is where the action takes place. Most people think of Las Vegas as a strip lined with huge entertainment palaces, many of which have a specific theme and are home to performance venues, luxurious hotel rooms and excellent restaurants.
Strolling the Strip and looking at the view is a must for any visitor to Las Vegas. It's most impressive at night, when the city is lit up by a never-ending stream of glowing neon signs. This place is a never-ending sensory overload.
The Las Vegas Strip generally stretches from the Mandalay Bay Hotel to the Treasure Island Hotel. Stay on the Strip, especially at one of the big resorts, for the full Las Vegas experience.
Not to be forgotten are the casinos. Everyone knows that Las Vegas is famous for its casinos where you can spend movie-worthy evenings playing slot machines or poker.
Riviera Maya, Mexico
Don't be fooled by the Riviera Maya’s proximity to Cancun - there are worlds between it and the infamous resort. This beautiful stretch of coast is known for its white sandy beaches and breathtaking blue sea. Fairmont Mayakoba, an AAA 5 diamond and Rainforest certified all-inclusive family resort, has it all: golf, spa, and a plethora of activities from paddleboarding to coral reef diving.
Greenough, Montana
Montana and The Resort at Paws Up, one of the best luxury ranch lodges in the west, are the ideal place for a winter vacation. They have dog sledding, skijoring (skiing while being pulled by a horse), snowmobiling, snowshoeing, snow tubing - you get what I mean - for all snow-related sports this is the place.
Raton, New Mexico
Vermejo, a Ted Turner reservation, is the largest property owned by the media mogul's hotel brand and encompasses 550.000 acres of unspoiled nature in northern New Mexico and southern Colorado. Vermejo is home to a variety of restoration initiatives, including the American bison and the Rio Grande cutthroat trout, thanks to Turner's commitment to conservation. There are also numerous amenities such as five-star accommodations, world-class spa treatments and excellent cuisine.
Palm Beach, Florida
Palm Beach has a lot to offer culturally, from the Flagler to the Norton Museum of Art, plus warm weather, beaches, and great shopping (not to mention great people-watching opportunities in high season). White Elephant Palm Beach, an offshoot of the famous Nantucket hospitality business in the Sunshine State, is the latest addition to the city's historic buildings (see: The Breakers, The Colony, and the Brazilian Court Hotel).
Do you already know:
- Gifts for hikers
- Buying a hiking backpack – what you should know before you buy it
- winter boots for wide feet
- Packing list winter vacation
Text: This article is a guest article.
Photos: Copyright Monika Fuchs, TravelWorldOnline
