St. Lucia’s Anse Chastanet Resort. Credit: Anse Chastanet Resort
Don’t let snow, rain, sleet and general dreariness get the best of you this season. Skip the cold-weather blues and opt for a transcendental tropical vacation, instead.
Need some inspiration? Here are seven picture-perfect spots you can plan your escape to now.
Anse Chastanet Resort
For those who yearn to be out in the elements, book at room at this St. Lucia boutique resort, set within 600 acres of private tropical paradise.
It doesn’t get much better than this jaw-dropping locale, adjacent to the twin peaks of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Pitons. The property makes the most of its sublime surroundings by removing the fourth wall in several of its accommodations, allowing the cool ocean breezes to waft right through.
But the vibrant sights aren’t just the perfect backdrop for your afternoon nap or vacation photos; dive into the azure waters to snorkel through a marine reserve, or hop on a boat to nearby Anse Mamin beach for a day of active pursuits, like jungle biking, sailing and hiking.
Grand Fiesta Americana Coral Beach Cancun. Credit: Grand Fiesta Americana Hotels & Resorts
Grand Fiesta Americana Coral Beach Cancun
Sure, Cancun is a convenient beach getaway thanks to its location alone, but it’s also a choice spot along Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula with reliably gorgeous weather. And this Forbes Travel Guide Recommended resort — nestled into a sweet, central point in the city’s main Hotel Zone — will suit your need for luxury pampering with close-up views of the turquoise sea outside your suite.
Boasting 600-plus rooms, the hotel is big and packs in plenty of luxe amenities, including a sprawling lagoon-shaped pool and three swim-up bars.
The sand itself is mere steps away, dotted with loungers that look out over the calm, clear waters. Wake up early to stake a claim on a beachfront table under the resort’s towering palapa for fresh seafood and ocean breezes.
Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo. Credit: Four Seasons Hotels Limited
Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo
If you’re dreaming of adventure this winter, but would rather surf than ski, Costa Rica is an ideal destination — especially when your hotel is a Five-Star resort with the Pacific on one side and jungle on the other.
At this recently renovated coastal retreat, expect a refreshed Four-Star spa with a brand-new hammam and 18 spa treatment rooms with waterfall showers, sauna and steam rooms, whirlpool tubs and ocean vistas. It also debuted Nemare, a Latin steakhouse with smoke-infused dishes; a concierge lounge; and a juice bar.
You can spend your days relaxing around one of the four pools, but to make the most of your trip to Central America, you’ll want to get out and explore. The hotel can arrange individual itineraries that could include guided sunset hikes, paddle boarding, kayaking excursions or surfing at legendary Witch’s Rock.
Live Aqua Urban Resort Monterrey. Credit: Live Aqua Urban Resort Monterrey
Live Aqua Urban Resort Monterrey
Blend a tropical climate, breathtaking mountain views and a chic city-center location, and the result is this stylish Mexican tower in the heart of Monterrey.
The sleek property makes the most of its prime location with floor-to-ceiling windows in almost every room that frame the city skyline and gorgeous Sierra Madre peaks.
While the surrounding metropolis is bustling, the hotel feels very much like an exclusive address with its rooftop lounge, glitzy spa and buzzy restaurant and bar scene.
Soak it all in from the comfort of the Luna Suite, an ultra-luxe accommodation featuring an oversized bathtub overlooking the city below.
The Ritz-Carlton, Aruba. Credit: The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, LLC
The Ritz-Carlton, Aruba
If you prefer white-sand beaches over fresh powder, consider a trip to this Forbes Travel Guide Recommended resort perched on a quiet stretch of Aruba’s famed Palm Beach.
Here, you’ll encounter all the trappings of a luxury Caribbean retreat — pools, beachfront cabanas and tropical spa treatments — mixed in with a few extravagant extras, including a 15,000-square-foot casino.
We’d opt for a Club Level room on the seventh floor for posh perks, such as access to the exclusive lounge with its copious culinary options and a dedicated concierge who can book you excursions like a catamaran sailing trip or deep-sea fishing.
The Ocean Club, A Four Seasons Resort, Bahamas. Credit: The Ocean Club, A Four Seasons Resort, Bahamas
The Ocean Club, A Four Seasons Resort, Bahamas
This sprawling Nassau resort is the stuff island fantasies are made of — incognito celebrity guests included. Bahamian gracefulness is alive and well here with lush gardens, colonial-era décor, genteel service and sweeping Atlantic Ocean vistas.
From standard ocean-view rooms and cottages to palatial villas, each white-washed unit (colorfully outfitted in mahogany woods and bright accents) comes equipped with a brilliant bonus: a dedicated butler.
Enjoy a sumptuous blend of past and present by strolling through the tiered Versailles Gardens, indulging at the Bali-inspired spa, exploring the 12th-century cloister ruins and, of course, sipping a cocktail at the dreamy Dune Bar.
Wymara Resort and Villas. Credit: Wymara Resort and Villas
Wymara Resort and Villas
Located on the territory‘s beautiful Grace Bay Beach, this hotel is an homage to simple, modern and stylish design.
White and turquoise hues dominate the color palette here, from the spacious guest rooms to the sparkling new four- and five-bedroom villas. As if that weren’t enough for the eyes to feast on, every single accommodation has floor-to-ceiling views of the ocean.
Wellness-minded guests will appreciate the alfresco yoga, barre and boot camp classes, as well as the 7,000-square-foot infinity pool and spa (where each treatment room has an outdoor shower).
And when the crystalline waters eventually beckon, you can take part in all sorts of activities, from snorkeling and paddle boarding to sailing and deep-sea fishing.
