So what if we complained all summer about it being way too hot? Autumn is now here, according to the calendar, and we’re desperately seeking our next hit of sun. The question is not whether we will be escaping the British winter for a dose of vitamin D. It’s where to. The old standbys are there, but who doesn’t love something new?
We’ve rounded up some of the hottest picks for this coming winter sun season, whether you’re craving stylish sunloungers, a family-friendly adventure or a cruise through tropical waters.
Be ridiculously well-organised and book now — trust us, come January you’ll say thanks…
The glam city break
Dubai
Following Foreign Office damnation this spring Dubai was on hiatus, but it’s back on the menu for winter and it could be a good time to bag a deal. Book into one of the new offerings for the season, such as the shimmering Baccarat Hotel (opening soon, baccaratresidencesdubai.com). Or head for Six Senses The Palm Dubai (from £1,100, sixsenses.com), which combines the brand’s signature wellbeing ethos with a prime beachside location.
The new route
Phuket, Thailand
The Thai island fantasy moves a little closer to reality with the launch of direct flights with Virgin Atlantic from October 18. Phuket has a booming wellness culture — exhibit A, the new Banyan Tree Phuket Spa Pool Villas (from £499, banyantree.com), where each 550sq m space comes with its own private spa pavilion and a daily 60-minute massage. Or try the newly renovated spa at Trisara (from £900, trisara.com), opening November, where programmes will combine mindfulness, movement and considered nutrition. If you’ve even more time, hop on the speedboat ride to newly opened OUTRIGGER Phi Phi Island Resort (from £148, outrigger.com) where sun-drenched shores de-stress with their natural wow-factor.
The family adventure
Morocco
Two weeks on a beach not for your brood? Blending a rich and distinct culture, reliable sunshine and easy access — capital Marrakech is only a three-and-a-half hour flight from London — Morocco provides an enticing mix. The only question is how to put a complex itinerary together with juniors in tow. Part of a newly launched portfolio of luxury family tours, Intrepid’s 10-day Morocco Premium holiday sees you and your kiddos team up with other families to visit Casablanca, Fes, Chefchaouen and a Sahara desert camp. Suitable for children over five, the trip balances private time and transfers with social group activities. From £1,995, departing on December 18, intrepidtravel.com.
The plush cruise
The Seven Seas Prestige
Regent Seven Seas has introduced a new top tier of swanky cruising. The Seven Seas Prestige, which hits waters in time for Christmas, has plush suites akin to swish city hotels, private butlers, plentiful balconies and loads of dining options. There’s still space on February’s Panama City to Miami sailing which, over 11 nights, takes in lesser-explored ports in Honduras, Belize, Guatemala and the Cayman Islands. From £8,329, rssc.com
The luxe group getaway
Seychelles
La Réserve properties combine glamour with intimacy, fun and style. Now it’s landing in the Seychelles, opening its first exclusive-hire Private Homes outside Europe. On the sugar-sand island of Praslin, six ultra-private villas will come with indoor-outdoor spaces, romantic four-posters coddled in gauze — and private chef-catered meals, concierge and butler included (from £4,700 a night, lareserve.com/seychelles). If a single villa isn’t big enough, take the party to private Seychellois island Fregate (from £10,073 per night, fregate.com), which is reopening this winter. The size of Monaco, the isle is home to giant tortoises and rare birds, plus a private peninsula where The Owner’s Estate has a helipad, spa, cinema, pool and private marina access. Or maybe you’d prefer to take your crew onboard the Indian Ocean’s blue seas. Book on to just-launched floating superyacht Aqua Lares, which has 30 guests and a 1:1 staff ratio. Five-night sailings from £6,858, aquaexpeditions.com.
The social initiative
Helpaws, St Lucia
Ever spotted a stray pup on holiday and wished there’d been something you could do? You’re not alone. St Lucian charity HelpAWS (helpaws.com) has opened a puppy café at Anse Mamin Beach, by luxury hotel Jade Mountain (jademountain.com), to give visitors the chance to support the rehousing of rescue dogs by purchasing coffees, smoothies and desserts. Should you fall deeply in love with any fluffballs on site, there’s an adoption programme, too.
The under-the-radar pick
Coorg
If you’re never heard of Coorg — dubbed “the Scotland of India” for its lush green highland landscapes — it’s time to add this pocket just north of Kerala to your Indian wishlist. Amid fragrant spice plantations, abundant coffee production and wildlife ranging from tropical birds to tigers, you’ll also discover the newly opened Leela Coorg Forest Sanctuary (from £550, theleela.com), a plush-yet-intimate set of villas. Did we mention the weather? Sunny days in the mid-to-high 20s, with refreshing nights.
The road trip
Western Cape, South Africa
If you’ve been to The Newt in Somerset, then you’ll know billionaire owners Karen Roos and Koos Bekker don’t do hospitality by halves. So the opening of their BLOU (blouinkeurbooms.com) beachside, self-catered cottages in Keurbooms in the Western Cape is exciting stuff — particularly once you learn booking is restricted to those who have already stayed at a sister property. Such exclusivity is the perfect excuse to road trip from their winelands farm Babylonstoren, 500km to the west, taking in the famous Garden Route, virgin beaches and wildlife on the way. The five-night Berg to Beach itinerary costs from £2,200 for two people, babylonstoren.com.
The spa day
Atacama, Chile
Pair a visit to the vast Atacama in Chile with a trip to the Puritama Hot Springs, a thermal oasis in the depths of an Andean canyon. Your stay includes views of surrounding cliffs, remote bush-studded landscapes and darting wildlife on a reserve spanning 7,000 hectares. An excursion to the springs is now available through Nayara Alto Atacama (from £900 full-board, nayaraaltoatacama.com).
The foodie hideaway
The Selvedge, California
Hot on the heels of opening their spectacular multi-course dining room SoNoMa at the Capella in Kyoto, the three-Michelin-starred, three-Michelin-keyed SingleThread team have turned their sights on reimagining a boutique stay closer to home. Housed in an 1895 mansion in Healdsburg — home to one of Sonoma’s first female winemakers — 11-room property The Selvedge, A Singlethread Inn (from £740, theselvedge.com) opens on November 9, operating on an all-inclusive basis serving up everything from botanically infused white negronis to gourmet brekkies. Overall, the vibe will echo owners Kyle and Katina Connaughton’s time spent in Britain, but with better weather. Expect uplifting sunny days, in the balmy 20s even in deep winter.
The nature escape
Dominica
Dominica is a raw and wild corner of the Caribbean where trekking, waterfalls and nature rule. But things are changing. The opening of the highly anticipated new Boiling Lake Cable Car (dominicacablecar.com) at the end of this year will give access to some of the island’s most spectacular views in a 20-minute ride — rather than the previous six-hour hike — while the country’s first international airport is due to be completed in 2027. Meanwhile, the Sanctuary Rainforest Eco Resort & Spa (rainforestecoresort.com) is set to fling open its doors any day now. With so much happening, little wonder luxury operator Audley Travel has launched tailormade trips to the country. Nine nights cost from £5,225 including flights, transfers, accommodation and an excursion, audleytravel.com.
The remote journey
Phong Nha, Vietnam
Home to Unesco World Heritage site Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, Phong Nha has absolutely spectacular water caves but a distinct drought of great hotels. At least that used to be the case: the recent opening of Auko Eco-Wellness Lodges has set a new luxe — but environmentally sensitive — standard with its plush tented lodges. Go hiking, biking, boating, support community projects; you’ll do the lot, plus stay at the hotel, on a holiday with Fleewinter (16 nights from £3,820 including transfers, activities, guiding and more, fleewinter.com).
