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For many individuals, the vacations spark photos of waking as much as snow-covered environment, sledding, and consuming cocoa across the hearth with family members. Whereas nostalgic traditions and winter wonderland settings have lengthy outlined the previous couple of weeks of December, it’s definitely not the one solution to make seasonal recollections.
Ski resorts, alpine chalets, and mountain lodges are enchanting, however have you ever ever seen halls decked with driftwood and shells, watched Santa arrive on a jet ski, or opened presents whereas a pod of dolphins frolicked a number of yards away? If the reply isn’t any, it is perhaps time to hunt out Yuletide cheer with an ocean view.
Our favourite beachfront motels for the vacations have one thing for everybody, whether or not you’re planning a multigenerational trip with grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins or a romantic {couples} getaway. There are lovely actions like writing letters to Santa and cookie-making for teenagers, whereas adults sip sundowners and relish seasonal spa remedies. The entire crew can come collectively to admire the lovely decorations, watch traditional motion pictures, and sing carols on the sand.
With a mixture of sunshine, swimsuit climate, and festive programming, these seaside resorts are good for the vacations.
Mandarin Oriental, Canouan, St. Vincent and the Grenadines
Courtesy of Mandarin Oriental, Canouan
If all you need for Christmas is an island escape, head to the Mandarin Oriental, Canouan. Yuletide chasers will get pleasure from experiences like native Vincentian rum and chocolate tastings, festive afternoon teas, and a Papa Noel household brunch, plus a New 12 months’s Eve celebration with a DJ, saxophonists, and beachside fireworks. In between getting your repair of all issues merry and vivid, catch some rays on the white-sand seashores, strive kayaking and windsurfing, do a guided hike to Mount Royal, and seek for resident red-footed tortoises. In step with the charitable spirit of the season, the Caribbean sanctuary will donate 10 % of the income from stays beginning on Nov. 15 to the Canouan Resilience Fund.
Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi
Courtesy of Hilton
Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi places on a spectacle that may make even the Grinch really feel heat and fuzzy. Every season, the five-star property ranges up the magic and merriment. This yr’s theme celebrates ’60s glamour — anticipate larger-than-life blue bows and reward containers and trimmed bushes. It’s not simply the jaw-dropping visuals which might be assured to fill visitors with glee, although. The month of December is jam-packed with enchanting occasions like a tree lighting, family-oriented seaside soccer and volleyball tournaments, Santa’s arrival by parasailing, seaside events, fireworks shows, and a New 12 months’s Eve gala dinner beneath the celebrities.
Dorado Seaside, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, Puerto Rico
Luxurious lovers (particularly households) flock to Dorado Seaside, A Ritz-Carlton Reserve. December is prime time to take in the sunshine and native tradition. Culinary delights embrace Noche Puertorriqueña (Christmas Eve dinner), with reside leisure and cooking courses to discover ways to make a number of the island’s most scrumptious vacation dishes. Look out for festive family-friendly actions, starting from ornament-making classes and constructing gingerbread homes to Santa’s scavenger hunt, traditional film nights beneath evening sky, and singing native Christmas songs. Want slightly R&R? Ebook the apple cinnamon scrub and therapeutic massage on the spa.
4 Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea, Hawaii
Courtesy of 4 Seasons Resorts
The 4 Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea — one of many finest resorts in Hawaii for 2024, as voted by T+L readers — brings countless pleasure to visitors whatever the season, so it’s no shock the legendary property pulls out all of the stops for the vacations. This yr, native artist Noah Harders will deck the halls with winter wonderland-inspired floral preparations full with billowing clouds of white hydrangeas, gold orbs, and lights. Highlights for kiddos embrace Santa’s arrival by outrigger canoe on Christmas Eve (simply envision the thrill on their faces when Saint Nick paddles his means by the waves) and cookie adorning. These sticking round slightly longer get to ring in 2025 on the New 12 months’s Eve celebration with reside music and a stunning fireworks show at midnight.
Rosewood Baha Mar, Bahamas
Courtesy of Rosewood Baha Mar
When December rolls in, Rosewood Baha Mar transforms right into a holly-jolly haven that blends beachfront magnificence, eye-catching decorations, and family-friendly programming. There’s an outside screening of “The Night time Earlier than Christmas” on Dec. 22 and a menorah lighting for Hanukkah. On Christmas Eve, visitors are invited to assemble for caroling, adopted by festive storytelling for households on the Rosewood Explorers Membership. The following morning, Santa makes his grand entrance on the seaside. Between occasions, Junkanoo dance courses immerse guests in Bahamian vacation traditions. And since it’s higher to present than to obtain, the resort encourages visitors to pack important provides to donate to kids in Nassau.
InterContinental Phuket Resort, Thailand
Courtesy of IHG
It’s nicely price hopping on a long-haul flight (or two) to achieve the InterContinental Phuket Resort, tucked between the jungle and ocean on one in all Thailand’s most well-known islands. The property treats visitors to a mega dose of seasonal magic. Twinkling lights, a shimmering Christmas tree, and gleaming decorations set the merry temper. The seven bars and eating places serve up festive fare, from the southern Thai Christmas Eve tasting menu at Jaras to the indulgent tropical-style beachfront dinner that ends with fireworks at midnight to ring within the new yr. On the Planet Trekker children membership, it’s all about crafts (suppose: Christmas bushes and handmade wrapping paper), which make the proper presents for family members.
The Ritz-Carlton, Naples, Florida
Courtesy of Ritz Carlton, Naples
One of many finest family-friendly seaside resorts within the U.S., The Ritz-Carlton, Naples rolls out the pink (and inexperienced) carpet for sunseekers of all ages. Seasonal cheer is available in many kinds. In fact, the halls are decked and the bushes trimmed, but it surely’s the heartwarming vacation happenings that basically take the jubilation up a notch. The revealing of the life-size gingerbread home is a beloved annual exercise (it’s additionally an excellent backdrop for Christmas playing cards and frame-worthy photographs to reward family members again house). Households can create candy recollections by adorning mini gingerbread masterpieces collectively. The whimsical Teddy Bear Tea options tasty kid-approved treats, festive decor, and joyful music. Friends have entry to all of the festivities at The Ritz-Carlton Naples, Tiburón, too — notably the particular vacation market and ice-skating rink among the many palm bushes.
Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai
Courtesy of Madinat Jumeirah
Vacationers in search of an over-the-top vacation trip ought to board a flight certain for the Metropolis of Gold. Dubai does essentially the most on a regular basis — and, unsurprisingly, the vacations aren’t any exception. Perched on 1.2 miles of prime beachfront actual property, Madinat Jumeirah boasts an enormous quantity of merriment. The festooned resort decks the halls (and lobbies) with practically 200 Christmas bushes and 400,000 twinkling lights. Throughout the month of December, Fort Island additionally will get a winter wonderland makeover courtesy of a snow park, a Ferris wheel, a Venetian carousel, a mini prepare, bungee leaping, retailers only for children, reside music, festive meals and beverage huts, and wood abra boat rides with Santa and his elves.
Eden Roc Cap Cana, Dominican Republic
Courtesy of Eden Roc at Cap Cana
A playground of white sand, crystal water, and luxurious landscaping, Eden Roc Cap Cana, the one Relais & Châteaux property within the Dominican Republic, goes all out for households throughout the festive interval. Kiddos may have a blast designing Christmas playing cards, occurring treasure hunts, performing within the expertise present, and visiting with Santa on Christmas Day. Whereas little ones are entertained, grown-ups can sip on one thing refreshing on the tequila and Champagne tastings and sundown pleased hours or get a leap begin on New 12 months’s wellness resolutions with day by day health courses and revitalizing spa rituals. The Christmas Eve social, traditional vacation film nights, and themed dinners deliver the entire crew collectively.
Eteréo, Auberge Resorts Assortment, Mexico
Courtesy of Auberge Resorts Assortment
Located alongside the Riviera Maya Eteréo, Auberge Resorts Assortment supplies sandy seashores and loads of palm-fringed vacation marvel. This yr, the resort will accomplice with famend Mexican design studio Mestiz to amp up the seasonal spirit by immersive installations and decor with a vibrant, artsy twist. Guests in want of a sunbathing break have the chance to hitch in festive occasions such because the Christmas Eve dinner impressed by regional recipes, an oceanfront breakfast with a shock go to from residents of the North Pole, a seasonal candle workshop, a Christmas card sketching, and extra. Want some last-minute items? Store Mercado del Solsticio that includes Mexican designers and artisans equivalent to La Troupe, Frailes Atelier, By James, and Xhsula (Dec. 20 to 22).
Cheval Blanc St-Barth
Courtesy of Cheval Blanc.
Cheval Blanc St-Barth shines oh-so vivid across the holidays. Moreover its picture-perfect beachfront setting enhanced by subtle decorations, the legendary St. Barts resort provides loads of seasonal upgrades. Between Dec. 24 and Jan. 6, White Bar hosts reside jazz music and pours inventive cocktails. There are gourmand Christmas Eve and New 12 months’s dinners ready by chef Jean Imbert. The latter culminates with a fireworks present at midnight. The next day, chef Antony Clemot cooks up a celebratory lunch (in fact, the booze and bubbly move). When you’d quite skip the Jan. 1 revelry, the spa awaits for a extra serene begin to the yr.
The St. Regis Bahia Seaside Resort, Puerto Rico
Courtesy of St Regis Bahia Seaside
Set alongside the coast, between the El Yunque Nationwide Forest and Espíritu Santo River State Protect, The St. Regis Bahia Seaside Resort is a bastion of pure magnificence and seasonal spirit. The roster of day by day actions will get the festive remedy. Enhance gingerbread homes, snuggle up for themed film nights beneath the celebrities, collect for the nightly menorah lighting throughout Hanukkah, and roast s’mores by the hearth. Festive feasts embrace Christmas Eve dinner and the New 12 months’s celebration on the Property Garden. In any case that enjoyable, plus feeding koi fish and turtles, hen watching, climbing on the playground, and doing seasonal arts and crafts on the Tortuga Youngsters Membership, kids will go to mattress with extra than simply visions of sugar plums dancing of their heads.
4 Seasons Resort Peninsula Papagayo, Costa Rica
Courtesy of 4 Seasons Resorts
You definitely received’t miss the snow when heading all the way down to Central America’s happiest nation in December, particularly upon checking into the 4 Seasons Resort Peninsula Papagayo, Costa Rica. A little bit vacation cheer makes a trip at one of many finest seaside resorts in Costa Rica much more magical. The calendar is filled with particular occasions, together with a Costa Rican Noche Buena (Christmas Eve) that includes tamales and different Latin dishes, the family-friendly Santa’s Seaside Social gathering (rumor has it the Grinch likes to crash the festivities) on Christmas Day, the biannual Papagayo Avenue Honest on Dec. 26, and the large New 12 months’s Eve bash at Virador Seaside Membership. A driftwood tree embellished with twinkling lights within the rotunda is the icing on the cake — ahem, Christmas cookie.
Kimpton Seafire Resort + Spa, Grand Cayman
Courtesy of IHG
Jingle all the best way to the Kimpton Seafire Resort + Spa for an island-style vacation filled with enjoyable within the solar and jubilant programming. The festive season kicks off on Dec. 17 and runs by Jan. 3. Throughout that point, you’ll discover gourmand feasts just like the beloved ugly sweater and Christmas Day brunches and a Caribbean Christmas Eve celebration on the sand. Between swimming on the pool and constructing sandcastles, tiny vacationers will love creating seashell ornaments and adorning cookies at Camp Seafire, the enjoyable zone for kids ages 5 to 12. Add to that the prospect to craft household handprint playing cards and snap complimentary photographs with Santa.
Cap Juluca, a Belmond Lodge, Anguilla
Courtesy of Belmond
The vacations are sunny and spirited at Cap Juluca, a Belmond Lodge, on Anguilla. Festive occasions vary from a Christmas feast at Cip’s by Cipriani to a beachside barbecue on Boxing Day to a New 12 months’s Eve celebration with fireworks over Maundays Bay. Even Scrooge couldn’t cross up a seasonal cocktail-crafting class. Friends seeking to dive into extra than simply the waves can study concerning the island’s wealthy cultural heritage by Johnnycake-making classes, musical workshops led by an area calypsonian, and costume constructing. Don’t miss Santa’s arrival on the pristine, white-sand seaside on Christmas Day and the Anguilla Craft Market on Dec. 28.
InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort
Courtesy of IHG
Few locations unfold cheer fairly just like the InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort. The crew at this personal island oasis breaks out all of the festive trappings, bringing some vacation magic to the tropics. Ballet performances, hearth reveals, illusions, a tree lighting, Santa’s arrival, Christmas dinner, and the elements-themed New 12 months’s Eve celebration are just some of the various jolly happenings. The enjoyable doesn’t cease and finish with particular occasions. Enchanting decorations and kid-approved actions like themed crafts, pool Olympics, and pirate treasure hunts sweeten the deal.