Grand Fiesta Americana Puerto Vallarta. Credit: Grand Fiesta Americana Hotels & Resorts
For many, the new year is a time to start over, to reflect on the past 12 months and resolve to make changes that will lead to a more fulfilling life. But a journey of self-improvement doesn’t have to be intimidating.
In fact, hotels across the globe offer ample opportunity to cross bullets off your bucket list, including cultural adventures, family activities and health-focused workshops. No matter your New Year’s resolution for 2019, you can accomplish it at one of these luxurious addresses.
Get More Rest
What’s more relaxing than an all-inclusive tropical getaway on Puerto Vallarta’s white-sand beaches? When that escape takes place at an ultra-luxe adults-only resort, of course.
Unwind early in 2019 by booking yourself an ocean-view room at the gorgeous Grand Fiesta Americana Puerto Vallarta and prepare not to lift a finger — if only for a few days.
Home to Haixa Spa (opt for the chocolate wrap), a smorgasbord of international restaurants (naturally, the tacos are a highlight) and a jaw-dropping infinity pool overlooking the Pacific, this chic oasis will teach you to regularly schedule some R&R.
Westgate Park City Resort & Spa. Credit: Westgate Resorts
Be More Adventurous
Retreat to the Rockies to make this resolution a reality, especially when you stay at Forbes Travel Guide Recommended Westgate Park City Resort & Spa. Boasting ski-in, ski-out service, a cozy lodge-like ambiance and a Four-Star spa for some post-snow relaxation, this high-end resort hits all the luxe high notes.
Knock your thrill-themed pledge out of the park with the property’s Powderbird Helicopter Skiing experience, where you’ll hop onto a chopper and head up into Utah’s Wasatch Mountains for the backcountry skiing adventure of a lifetime. But be sure to book before April, when Park City’s snow begins to melt.
The Lodge at Sonoma Renaissance Resort & Spa. Credit: The Lodge at Sonoma Renaissance Resort & Spa
Lose a Few Pounds
Rather than sticking to a boring regimen, let California’s abundant sunshine and healthy habits be your guide to shedding that holiday weight.
Situated just off the beaten path in Wine Country, The Lodge at Sonoma Renaissance Resort & Spa is everything you could want from a NoCal wellness escape.
Its bright and airy accommodations will inspire you. Rise to a nutritious breakfast at Carneros Bistro & Wine Bar (a vegetable-loaded egg white frittata and a kale-and-quinoa breakfast bowl both grace the morning menu) before biking through the surrounding vineyards, jogging around the property’s 14 acres or strolling to charming Sonoma Plaza.
The Ritz-Carlton, Cleveland. Credit: The Ritz-Carlton, Cleveland
Do More With Your Family
There’s no better way to reconnect with loved ones than with a group getaway. For prime bonding time, skip the irritating crowds at the usual theme parks and beach towns and opt instead for a trip to a more charming destination.
Home to a stellar aquarium, a wildly popular zoo and an immersive science center, Cleveland is the underrated kid-friendly destination you never knew you needed to see.
Make your stay even easier by reserving a room at Four-Star The Ritz-Carlton, Cleveland, a stylish gem situated within a 10-minute drive from the aforementioned city highlights. The elegant hotel is also just a few blocks from the Indians’ Progressive Field, the Cavaliers’ Quicken Loans Arena and the world-famous Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
Four Seasons Hotel Buenos Aires. Credit: Four Seasons Hotels Limited
Go Somewhere New
Break out of your usual vacation rut and plan your next adventure at Four Seasons Hotel Buenos Aires.
Not only is the Four-Star Argentina stay a gorgeous cultural gem, it also offers 20 percent off when you stay two nights or more thanks to the Discover Four Seasons Buenos Aires package.
The property’s location in the city’s posh Recoleta neighborhood provides plenty of places to explore. Soak up the sun by the Instagram-worthy pool, people watch at Patio Bullrich (a high-end shopping mall within walking distance of the hotel) or lounge by the fire pits in the secret garden.
Hacienda Del Sol Guest Ranch Resort. Credit: Hacienda Del Sol Guest Ranch Resort
Acquire a New Skill
Grab some desert sun while accomplishing this goal when you sign up for horseback riding lessons at Tucson’s Hacienda Del Sol Guest Ranch Resort.
This historic Forbes Travel Guide Recommended retreat has welcomed the likes of Katharine Hepburn, Spencer Tracy and John Wayne, all of whom immersed themselves in the cowboy lifestyle at this sun-drenched stay.
Learn to saddle up like the stars during a one-hour trek through the desert, a picture-perfect sunset stroll on your noble steed or, if you don’t exactly feel like Buffalo Bill on horseback, opt for a lead line ride, where your horse will be tethered to the instructor’s mount.
The Ritz-Carlton, Chengdu. Credit: The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company LLC
Learn About Another Culture
Known for spicy, Sichuan-style cuisine, vibrant markets and historic teahouses, Chengdu is the destination for those looking to broaden their cultural horizons in China.
Start your adventure by checking into The Ritz-Carlton, Chengdu, a sophisticated address that offers easy access to some of the city’s most popular landmarks (it overlooks iconic Tianfu Square) and plenty of local flavor.
Make the most of your stay by reserving the hotel’s Discover with You package, which includes two tickets to one of the region’s most popular attractions: the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding. Get a close-up look at the cuddly bears in their natural habitat and explore the venue’s museum to learn even more about these endangered gentle giants.
Marco Polo Ortigas Manila. Credit: Marco Polo Ortigas Manila
Treat Yourself More
Opulence reaches new heights at Marco Polo Ortigas Manila, a sleek Five-Star tower in the Philippines capital.
Treat yourself to an indulgent stay here by checking into a Continental Club room — these ultra-luxe 23rd- and 24th-floor accommodations provide knockout city views and access to the exclusive Continental Club, a lounge with express check-in/checkout services, a private reception area and an array of complimentary culinary presentations.
If you can tear yourself away from your posh perch, visit the 22nd floor for a dip in the indoor pool or a hot-stone massage at the spa.
No matter how you spend your days, be sure to end your evening at Vu’s, the property’s 45th-floor sky bar and lounge where creative cocktails, trendy tapas and a lineup of live performers set the mood seven nights a week.
Grace Bay Club. Credit: Grace Bay Resorts
Show Your Romantic Side
Whisk you significant other away from winter’s chill with an escape to Turks and Caicos’ dreamy Grace Bay Club. Boasting white-sand beaches, three sparkling pools and a 90-foot-long infinity bar, this tropical Four-Star resort ticks all the boxes for lovebirds.
Be sure to request your room on the adults-only side of the property for optimum serenity. If you do have your tots in tow, however, you can always drop them off at Kids Town for at least an afternoon of alone time.
Either way, your significant other will love spending time together, be it in the form of a massage for two at Anani Spa, a day-long deep-sea fishing excursion or an elegant wine-paired meal at waterfront restaurant Infiniti.
Dossier. Credit: Dossier
Try Solo Travel
If you’ve been known to do your travel daydreaming via Instagram, try something new in 2019 and book a break to an easy-to-get-to destination — no passports or language lessons required.
With its down-to-earth dining, trendy bar scene and plenty of in-town attractions, Portland, Oregon, is an ideal getaway for those looking to broaden their horizons without traveling too far from home.
Nestled just north of downtown, Dossier offers modern-chic surroundings with plenty of locally inspired touches, from the artwork and minibars to even the Oregon-made toiletries.
But if traveling solo still gives you a hint of anxiety, the urban hotel accommodates four-legged friends (official emotional support animal or not) with plush beds, bowls and treats.
