For those of us in the UK living through the greyest days of the year, there could be no greater Christmas gift than a spell in the sun. Everybody needs that vitamin D boost to help them through the darkness of December. Curated by our expert travel team, here we bring you our top five winter sun destinations in the hope they will inspire you and uplift your spirits.
DINAROBIN BEACHCOMBER GOLF RESORT & SPA, MAURITIUS
The Dinarobin Beachcomber Golf Resort & Spa is the perfect destination for those looking to melt away those icy winter blues. Sited beside the glittering Indian Ocean on the magnificent Le Morne Peninsula, the hotel boasts a peaceful setting and top-of-the-range all-suite accommodation.
The resort has no fewer than eight first-class restaurants, five swimming pools, a superb spa, an array of free land and water sports and a highly-rated 18-hole golf course (as well as privileged access to two other golf courses on the island.)
Dinarobin Beachcomber: left, main pool; right, Beachfront Junior Suite.
Beyond that, Dinarobin Beachcomber also offers the ideal opportunity for families to unwind this Christmas with top-notch facilities for children. Parents seeking a little time for themselves can either call on one of the hotel’s babysitters or leave their children at the kids’ club, which enjoys lovely views of the island.
There, the youngsters can meet new friends in the Wendy House and indulge in a whole range of activities. They can take cake-baking lessons, go on a snorkelling adventure or be taught how to kite surf.
They will also be encouraged to take part in treasure hunts, Mini-Olympics tournaments, hide-and-seek games, as well as learn about the local culture. In addition, children can participate in craft activities such as drawing, painting or collage.
Dinarobin Beachcomber is an excellent “get-away-from-it-all” winter sun destination. More information and reservations HERE.
Beachcomber runs several luxury resorts in Mauritius such as the Trou aux Biches Beachcomber Golf Resort & Spa, the Royal Palm Beachcomber, and the Paradis Beachcomber Golf Resort & Spa.
ALPHONSE ISLAND, THE SEYCHELLLES
Christmas on Alphonse Island in the Seychelles involves sun, sea and sand rather than snow, sleet and shivering. This breathtaking hotel, which occupies the entire remote island of Alphonse in the Indian Ocean, is one of the great unspoiled destinations on Earth.
Travellers to the hotel can look forward to a Christmas light-years away from traditional British celebrations. The festive programme on the island, a beguiling car-free, sandy paradise, is aimed at everyone from multigenerational families to solo adventurers.
Families can have fun together engaging in such child-friendly activities as scavenger hunts, tree decorating, and seasonal arts and crafts.
Alphonse Island: left, lunch on The Flats sandbar; right, snorkelling in the pristine waters of the Alphonse Atoll.
The Christmas Eve celebrations on Alphonse Island will be enlivened by a band and a grand buffet at the Beach Bar. On Christmas Day, Santa will arrive on the island bearing gifts, and games will be organised for the kids.
Then everyone can sail off to enjoy the iconic Flats Christmas Lunch, which takes place on a spectacular sandbar in the middle of the Indian Ocean. New Year’s Eve celebrations will come alive with a beach party featuring a live DJ, fireworks, and a marvellous dinner to kiss goodbye to 2024 in style.
The festive season doesn’t get any more stunning than this.
More about Alphonse Island HERE. Bookings and reservations, HERE.
REGENT SEVEN SEAS CARIBBEAN CRUISE
A Caribbean cruise at Christmas – it’s not just an empty, alliterative phrase, but the trip of a lifetime. This December, travellers can take the dreamy “Season of Sunshine” voyage, passing palm trees, placid seas and pristine beaches en route.
The luxurious Seven Seas Navigator ship sets sail from Miami on Friday 6th December. It will then glide through the Florida Straits chasing the winter sun to such relaxing places as Cozumel in Mexico, George Town in the Cayman Islands, Port Antonio in Jamaica and Great Stirrup Cay in the Bahamas. The trip ends back in Miami on 13th December.
Regent Seven Seas Navigator: left, enjoy a day on a white-sand beach at Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas; right, Regent Seven Seas Navigator.
Along the way, passengers can make the most of a wide choice of facilities, including five restaurants. These stretch from the casual Pool Grill to the fine-dining Prime 7.
They can go to lavish theatre shows, too, such as “Broadway in Concert,” featuring some of the top tunes from the musicals, and “The Great American Song Factory”, which celebrates “The Brill Building Sound”.
In addition, travellers can enjoy social and competitive bridge and receive professional instruction from ACBL Certified Bridge Masters. Regent Seven Seas is clearly playing a winning hand this Christmas.
More information and bookings HERE. Learn about Regent’s newest ship, Seven Seas Grandeur HERE.
CAP ST GEORGES HOTEL & RESORT, CYPRUS
Christmas at the Cap St Georges Hotel & Resort is a very enticing prospect indeed. This outstanding luxury hotel has epic views of the Mediterranean Sea. Ringed by verdant gardens with centuries-old olive trees, the resort reflects the rich culture and landscape of Cyprus in its groundbreaking architecture.
The resort has a wondrous variety of facilities, including a 130-metre beach, three outdoor pools, a heated indoor pool, a playground, a spa, a fitness centre, 10 restaurants and bars, a nightclub, a high-end boutique, a shop with bio-organic Cypriot products and a jewellery shop.
From lavish dinners to special spa festive packages and activities for children, Cap St George has everything the whole family may wish for to celebrate Christmas in full luxury.
The Cap St Georges has really gone to town with its Christmas festivities this year. There is a dizzying selection of seasonal activities on offer. The children’s program alone features such fun events as Christmas shows, a Treasure Hunt, an Elf Crafts Workshop, a Handmade Christmas Ornament Class, Magic and Bubble Shows, a Christmas Crafts Corner, and Face Painting. Hotel staff will even help youngsters write a letter to Santa, who will be making an appearance to distribute presents on Christmas Day.
Adult guests, meanwhile, can enjoy such delights as a Make-Up Tips and Tricks Class and a six-course gala Christmas Eve dinner accompanied by a saxophonist.
What better way to bring the whole family some most welcome Christmas cheer?
More information about Cap St Georges HERE and bookings, HERE.
HOTEL BEL-AIR, LOS ANGELES
The Hotel Bel-Air in Los Angeles is a splendid setting for a celebration of the most wonderful time of the year. Since opening in 1946, the hotel has become an essential part of upscale LA’s fabric. It says “Hollywood” as loudly and as clearly at the area’s world-famous sign.
Located in the picturesque, palm-fringed canyon hills, this tranquil hotel is undisturbed by the hustle and bustle of modern life beyond its gates. The Bel-Air estate is a sophisticated 12-acre oasis of calm.
Over the festive season, there is much to enjoy in this elegant environment. For instance, families can settle down to a series of must-see holiday movies. These will be shown on a giant outdoor screen topped by sparkling lights and even more sparkling stars.
Bel-Air Hotel: left, Patio Suite, designed in mid-century Southern California style; right, Canyon Suite with its own private pool.
Encircled by the Front Lawn’s festive décor, guests can watch such family favourites as Elf, Dr Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas and A Christmas Story.
Their only interruption might be the odd visit to the snack bar to help themselves to popcorn, chocolate and candy. They can also snuggle up beside a private fire pit.
Guests can also enter into the Christmas spirit by taking part in a holiday-inspired cake decorating contest led by executive pastry chef Christophe Rull (featured on Netflix’s Bake Squad) and his expert team.
The idea of staying in this gorgeous, exclusive, sun-kissed hotel would surely even put Scrooge in a good mood.
More information and bookings, HERE.
Author: James Rampton
Opening picture: Beachfront Dinarobin Beachcomber Golf Resort & Spa, Mauritius.
Show Comments +