15 Best Hotels for Winter Sun

The Venetian Resort, one of the largest hotel complexes in the world, surrounds you with the mood of romantic Renaissance Venice. Admire the exact replica of the famous St. Mark’s Campanile bell tower or take a gondola ride along the gorgeous canals that run right through the Venetian’s shopping centre. If you’d like to get even closer to water, the Venetian has multiple pools and an award-winning spa.

When it’s time to rest your legs, you’ll be happy to know that every room is a suite about twice the size of the average hotel room. Relaxing in the Italian marble bath is the perfect way to get ready for an exciting evening in Las Vegas.

The Naples Grande Beach Resort is a wonderful location to bask in the Florida sun, whether you prefer the beach or staying poolside. After swimming and relaxing on the lovely white-sand beach why not hit the Rhode’s End, right there on the beachfront, for lunch or cocktails? Not to be outdone, the Gulf Coast Oasis pool bar has you covered if you chose the hotel pool instead. Try the Oasis Punch or Blueberry Vo-Hito cocktails.

Should you prefer staying indoors, the luxurious Naples Grande spa offers massages and aromatherapy, as well as a huge fitness centre. If more activity is needed, the Naples Grande Golf Course is just a quick drive away.

La Zebra is a gorgeous beachfront destination for some guaranteed winter sunshine on the Caribbean shore, near the important Mayan ruins of Tulum, Mexico. You can choose from 7 different room categories, all just a few steps away from the crystal-clear waters. The dining room serves up world-class Mexican cuisine using ingredients from all around the country. Don’t miss out on the inspired cocktails by the acclaimed master mixologist Jasper Soffer.

After taking in everything the Tulum area has to offer, such as the ancient ruins, incredible cenotes, and nature parks, you can relax in La Zebra’s own spa. And do remember that you can also use the facilities of the other Colibri Boutique Hotels in Tulum: Hotel El Pez, Hotel Mi Amor, and Mezzanine.

The Caribe Royale Orlando is the perfect sunny escape from the daily routine. The suites are spacious and if that isn’t quite enough for you, you can enjoy the sunsets peacefully from the patio of a 2-bedroom villa. The resort has a variety of restaurants, from fine dining in The Venetian Chop House to frozen drinks in Calypso’s Pool Bar and Grille. Later in the evening, you can roll up to the Rum Bar for a nightcap.

Caribe Royale is close to an amazing group of major attractions. The entrance of the Walt Disney World Resort is less than 2 miles away. Here, you’ll find the wonders of Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and much more.

The Pelican Grand Beach Resort is a luxurious private slice of Atlantic coast. You can go surfing and bodyboarding without leaving the site. The whole family can enjoy the beachside pool and the Lazy River. After a day spent in the water, you can get pampered in the PURE Spa or simply kick back in a beach chair.

The outside activities might well make you really hungry and that’s when the OCEAN2000 restaurant comes to the rescue with mouth-watering seafood. The O2K Lounge has your back if you’re looking for lighter, tapas-style food. There is even an ice cream parlour on the premises if you still have a little room for dessert.

Hotel Californian is located on the American Riviera in Santa Barbara. Its style, by celebrated designer Martyn Lawrence Bullard, is eye-catching even among luxury hotels: Spanish Colonial Revival meets Moroccan influences for a modern nostalgia hit. Each guestroom is unique, and they are also accessible for people of all abilities.

The hotel features no less than 4 individual venues for wining and dining. Should that somehow prove insufficient, you’ll be happy to know that Hotel Californian lies in the heart of Santa Barbara’s food and wine scene, known as the Urban Wine Trail.

1 Hotel Hanalei Bay is a true haven by the ocean amidst the stunning scenery on Hawaii’s Kauai Island. It sits on a hill surrounded by the tropical nature of Kauai’s North Shore, a protected area. The hotel overlooks the bay it is named after, and you can drive down there in 15 minutes.

The hotel is also one of the world’s leading wellness destinations. Guests can enjoy a personalised programme for fitness and nutrition. The 1 Kitchen restaurant focuses on hyper-local and sustainable cuisine and features one of Kauai’s most comprehensive wine lists.

The Turtle Bay Resort is a hideaway for both body and spirit on the North Shore of Oahu Island in Hawaii. As the waves roll in you can enjoy gentler waters in the Nalu Spa. Its treatments use sustainable natural ingredients. The spa also houses a fitness centre that offers personal training and private yoga lessons.

When you’re in an active mood, there’s a wide variety of things to do outside. You can enjoy a horseback ride or rent a mountain bike and take to the well-maintained trails. If you want to leave dry land behind, why not go on an outrigger canoe or kayak tour or learn how to surf with a certified instructor?

The La Cantera Resort & Spa lies in scenic Texas Hill Country, a quick trip away from city centre San Antonio. It offers a championship golf course that used to be part of the PGA Tour. Then there’s a nature trail that runs along the golf course and separate running trails. Swimmers will love La Cantera’s 5 pools, which include a kids’ pool with water slides.

After working up a sweat, cool down in the Loma de Vida spa. Then you’re sorted for a difficult quest: trying to pick your favourites from the 8 restaurants and bars. We recommend the Signature Restaurant for fine dining and the Sire Bar for cocktails.

The Fairmont Scottsdale Princess is a luxurious resort and spa in the always-sunny and always-picturesque Sonoran Desert. Besides the spa, there are 6 outdoor pools and a white sand beach area. You can also go hiking in the desert or try the 2 golf courses. For a peaceful time outdoors, there are stargazing events at night. The desert sky gets serenely dark.

The resort hosts all kinds of celebrations and events around the year. During the festive months, you can admire the winter holiday light shows in the Enchanted Plaza. Before you leave, don’t forget to check out the curated shops at the Princess.

The Coral at Atlantis is in the Bahamas within the Atlantis Paradise Island resort. Guests have access to the Aquaventure Water Park which offers no less than 11 swimming pools, high-speed water slides, many beaches, and private cabanas when you want to catch your breath. The island also boasts a huge open-air marine habitat where you can observe sea creatures from small tropical fish to sharks.

But don’t think The Coral’s just about water. There are over 20 cafes and restaurants, many shops and boutiques, as well as a large casino. The resort is highly family-friendly too. Your children can find fun activities in the Atlantis Kids Club.

Viceroy Los Cabos is the luxury resort for you if you appreciate gorgeous architecture. Its striking design is by Miguel Angel Aragonés. Floor-to-ceiling windows let you enjoy the sunlight to the fullest and you will also have a private balcony or patio. The resort overlooks the Sea of Cortés in Baja California, so you can be sure of getting your share of warmth.

The nearby historic town of San José del Cabo offers a counterpoint to the hotel’s modern stylings. When you return, try the holistic spa and the resort’s 6 lounges and restaurants. Crown your winter sun escape with a visit to the Otro Bar and sip a handcrafted cocktail.

The Dreams Sapphire Resort & Spa is the perfect spot to spend a family holiday in luxury. It’s just a 15-minute drive from Cancún airport. You can truly relax knowing that the 24-hour concierge and room service will cater to your whims. The resort is all-inclusive, so every family member can indulge to their heart’s content.

You can burn off some of those calories with the numerous activities on offer, including themed parties, water sports, and golf. Remember to visit the spa and enjoy the wide range of indigenous treatments such as hydrotherapy and massages.

The Grand Fiesta Americana is an all-inclusive spa resort on the most exclusive beach in Cancún. The lavish Coral Beach Gem Spa has the coveted 4-star rating from Forbes Travel Guide, so why not start there? After you’ve settled down, sample the menu of Infinite Experiences. For example, you could go to a wine tasting while the children watch a magic show.

The resort has numerous restaurants to cover all possible mealtimes, and in-suite dining is available too. We like Le Basilic, an AAA Five Diamond-rated restaurant that focuses on French and Mediterranean cuisine. Finally, don’t leave without digging your toes into one of the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean.

Bahia Principe Fantasia Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic offers an all-inclusive, beachfront paradise with a free water park where the bleak mid-winter is but a distant memory. This upscale resort provides a perfect combination of luxury, entertainment, and family-friendly features in a beautiful Fantasia-themed setting, complete with castle-like architecture and whimsical decor.

You’ll have easy access to the pristine white-sand beaches and crystal-clear waters, perfect for relaxation and water activities. In the on-site spa, you can pamper yourself with a vast range of treatments and services. When hunger strikes, you’ll find local and international delicacies in the hotel’s numerous restaurants. Here you can beat the winter blues and make wonderful sun-filled memories to last a lifetime.