As the air gets crisp and the leaves turn yellow, it’s hard not to feel a pang of sadness knowing winter is on its way. Out are the romantic, golden sunsets and in are red noses, wind-whipped faces buried beneath scarves, and toes that never seem to warm up.
Let’s face it, to make it through winter, you have to romanticize it a little. And what better way to do that than to plan your perfect getaway? From a Central Park staycation to a white sand Caribbean beach chalet to Nordic saunas, we’ve found the spot where you’ll be welcoming the season in style.
The Maybourne Riviera, Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, France
The French Riviera has always attracted artists like Claude Monet and Pierre-Auguste Renoir. The great Modernists flocked to the seaside enclave between Monaco and Menton in southeastern France, lured by the golden hues of the sun and the blue and pink silhouettes of towering mountains in the distance. To this day, its hold on discerning aesthetes is unmatched. The Maybourne Riviera, with its impeccably designed, Mid-century Modern-inspired suites in cream and cobalt, sets the stage for a getaway worthy of an Impressionist painting. In the winter, catch the in-town celebrations for the Fête du Citrón, honoring the fruit of lemon trees that have grown in groves since the 15th century, or hike the Chemin des douaniers trail. In the evening, return to a suite with a sweeping view of the sunset over the Mediterranean, or dine at the panoramic sea view Riviera Restaurant.
Aman New York, New York
There’s nothing quite like Christmas in the big city. Aman New York, nestled high above the bustle of Midtown Manhattan, offers a one-of-a-kind view of snow blanketing the East Coast hub and carriages pulling bundled-up travelers through the wintry streets. Aman is best known for its luxury retreats in far-flung natural enclaves—from the beaches of Bali to the French Alps to the tea fields of Hangzhao—but its New York location offers the sensation of seclusion while seamlessly slipping into the city’s fabric. The landmark Crown Building, dating back to 1921 with its Beaux-Arts limestone exterior, was the first home of the Museum of Modern Art. Now, the sumptuous suites are influenced by Japanese minimalism with light-filled panels, reminiscent of shoji screens, and elegant woven details that bring warmth and texture to the space.
COMO Parrot Cay, Turks and Caicos
Throw away all your cares in the northern Caribbean on this private island retreat. Not convinced of the location’s singular beauty? This getaway location in Turks and Caicos also has private villas owned by Donna Karan, Keith Richards, and Bruce Willis. At COMO, guests stay in their own one-bedroom beach villas, all sun-bleached wood and white sand shores. Food is focused on what’s fresh—in the Caribbean, that means lots of seafood staples like lobster and snapper, but also Caribbean-inspired barbecue and heaps of seasonal produce. During the day, charter a boat or dive deep to explore the pristine reefs of the region, bustling with sea life.
The Palms Hotel and Spa, Miami Beach, Florida
Those looking to melt away the winter chill need look no further than this boutique hotel on the water, tucked safely away from the chaos of South Beach. With its turquoise pools, rattan furniture, and broad palm leaves, it exudes Old Florida meets Havana glam. For sun-bathing, there’s not much more required than parrots and piña coladas in a hammock by the pool, but the Palms Hotel and Spa has it all and more—from Ayurvedic massages and hot stone therapy in bamboo cabanas to beachfront terraces. This spot is ideal for a romantic getaway or just those who want to catch a warm sea breeze without the buzz of balmy beachside bars.
Le Blanc Spa Resort Los Cabos, Mexico
Far from the city, tucked at the tip of Baja California, there’s a reason why Los Cabos is called the aquarium of the world. From December to April, the world’s largest mammals, the blue whales, migrate to the warm waters of the Sea of Cortez, alongside basking sea lions and bustling schools of tropical fish. Guests can set sail around the picturesque coves during sunset or the more adventurous can ride camelback along the shore. Back at the hotel, accommodations include basalt infinity pools lined with enormous palm trees and billowing white-curtained cabanas. No less than eight restaurants give guests a wealth of options from French classics to avant-garde Lebanese cuisine.
Park Hyatt Paris-Vendôme, Paris, France
For the discerning Paris traveler, the Park Hyatt Paris-Vendôme surpasses flashier locales by staying entirely classic. Its Haussman-style exterior is a simple beige limestone, but its interiors never fail to amaze. Designed by American architect Ed Tuttle, the warm neutrals, golds, and ambers exude a feeling of intimacy. Think floor-to-ceiling mahogany and a tasteful mixture of antique and modern furnishings. The hotel’s restaurant, PUR’, holds a Michelin star and specializes in fare both deeply personal and meticulously constructed: try exceptionally smoked beef with grape vine shoots, mesquer squab with sweet clover, or figs baked in their leaves. In the evening, look out over the roofs of Paris, including that of the ever-breathtaking Place Vendôme.
Experimental Chalet, Verbier, Switzerland
For those more inclined to hit the slopes this winter, look no further than the Experimental Chalet 5,000 feet above sea level in the Swiss Alps. Verbier has earned the nickname “the alpine Ibiza” for its relatively young crowd and vibrant nightlife. But the vibe here is more design nerd than apres-ski party fever. There are the classics like a roaring fireplace and a deer antler chandelier paired with more left-field choices like vibrant sorbet tones, textured boucle armchairs, and mirrored panels on the walls. The slopes are easily accessible from the chalet and, to thaw out, the fireside cocktail lounge promises avant-garde cocktails like the cognac and cardamom kissed Backflip or the X-presso, a sesame-scented riff on the espresso martini.
Eriro Alpine Hide, Ehrwald, Austria
Nothing makes for a relaxing winter retreat like a Northern European sauna. This hotel is truly a place to unwind and get away from it all. The shriek of car horns is replaced with the gentle clanking of cowbells and animals grazing along the craggy cliffs of Zugspitze, Germany’s largest mountain. In fact, guests have to take a gondola up to their cozy wood lodgings. Down the hill is the Loisach river, which attracts all manner of woodland creatures, and up the mountain are two crystalline alpine lakes, certainly worth the hike. It is, of course, the spa that’s the main event: thermal relaxation pools, a sauna, and infrared treatment.
Bulgari Resort, Bali, Indonesia
Ditch the scooter-packed streets of Bali’s Canguu district and head straight for the Bukit Peninsula; it’s the best of Indonesia without the crush of tourists. The Bulgari Resort cuts a striking figure with jasmine and bougainvillea in bloom alongside infinity pools and the finest chalets that Southeast Asia has to offer, crafted from Javanese mahogany, thatch, and jade. These private lodgings are a little slice of paradise, complete with waterfalls, frangipani trees, and unerringly attentive service. Traditional melukat purifying ceremonies, Balinese cooking classes, a spa, yoga, and kamsan painting—they have it all.
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