Last-Minute Sunny Getaways for Winter Break

Image courtesy of 1 Hotel South Beach

Sometimes, holiday plans come together at the last minute. And sometimes, those spontaneous, spur-of-the-moment celebrations are the most memorable. Luckily, hotels in sunny destinations around the world still have spots available this holiday season, and they’re more likely to reserve such prime space for preferred partners. Please note that availability, especially this time of year, is highly volatile. At the time of writing, the hotels mentioned below do indeed have availability, but this may change. Even more reason to reach out to snag your last-minute spot. Here’s where to go.

Mexico

Image courtesy of Chablé Yucatán

Mexico’s coastal areas are perfect in the winter. The weather is warm and pleasant without being stiflingly hot. The luxury resort area Punta Mita gives you discreet, secluded luxury, which is especially ideal during the festive season, when crowds tend to flock to the region. The Yucatán is ideal for authentic cultural immersion, while Cancún is primed for relaxation — and higher energy when you want it.  

Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita: This beachfront resort caters to every traveler, but it’s especially great for families. There are numerous activities and restaurants on site, plus sprawling accommodations, including family-friendly casitas and residences. For adults who drink, the tequila-mixing class is a must.

• When you book Four Seasons with us, you will enjoy exclusive Four Seasons Preferred Partner amenities. We’ll be pleased to give you more details.
  

Naviva, A Four Seasons Resort: Fifteen ultra-luxe tents comprise this bucket-list property, which straddles jungle and beach. Here is not the place to bring the kids. Reserve for a magical solo trip, romantic getaway or small group of friends. Get ready for immersive, even life-changing, wellness programming.

• When you book Four Seasons with us, you will enjoy exclusive Four Seasons Preferred Partner amenities. We’ll be pleased to give you more details.
  

Chablé Yucatán: This dreamy jungle escape is a former hacienda estate. The food is locally sourced or grown in the hotel’s organic garden, the staff are incredibly friendly (you’ll become fast friends) and the spa centers on lush cenote brimming with birdsong. You won’t want to leave. 

• Our perks include £75 hotel / resort credit, breakfast daily, an upgrade and extended check-in/out whenever possible.
  

NIZUC Resort & Spa: For a sleek, contemporary resort experience, head to NIZUC in Cancún. Try each of the six on-site restaurants, relax in the infinity pools and book a treatment at ESPA.

• Our perks include a hydrotherapy experience for two, one-way airport transfer,  welcome amenity, breakfast daily, an upgrade and extended check-in/out whenever possible. 
  

Miami

Image courtesy of Faena Hotel Miami Beach

People are flocking to Miami these days — and for good reason. The city has a legendary party scene, of course, but there is more to the Florida destination. Exhibit A: art. Miami Beach hosts Art Basel every December (perfect timing!); it’s the famed art fair’s sole American outpost. Restaurants range from homey and initiate to vibey and clubby. In other words, you get the best of several worlds: party, beach, culture, gastronomy, shopping. Miami’s personality-driven hotels only add to the city’s draw. Here’s where to stay.

1 Hotel South Beach: You’ll love the eco-chic aesthetic and pervasively cool vibes at this breezy hotel. And they’ve got an amazing gym to boot (finally, a fitness center that’s not an afterthought).

• Our Perks include £75 hotel / resort credit, breakfast daily, an upgrade and extended check-in/out whenever possible.
  

Faena Miami Beach: Faena excels at art and culture. Their vibrant, bold, playful hotels are essentially breathing art museums. Expect animal print, crystals, tasteful maximalism and the brand’s signature splashes of red.

• Our Perks include £75 hotel / resort credit, breakfast daily, an upgrade and extended check-in/out whenever possible.
  

The Standard Spa Miami Beach: There’s a reason “spa” is in the hotel name. The brand brings its signature playfulness and vibrancy (bold décor, a youthful edge), but with a focus on wellness, including. It’s the adults-only destination spa you didn’t know you needed.

• Our Standard Secret Agent perks include hotel credit, breakfast daily, an upgrade and extended check-in/out whenever possible.
  

The Caribbean

Image courtesy of Four Seasons Resort Nevis

Sometimes, the holidays are stressful. The Caribbean is your perfect antidote — and the region has variety. Go to the British Virgin Islands for sophisticated exclusivity. St. Kitts and Nevis are a paradisiacal duo perfect for eco-friendly exploration and nature-based activities. You’ll immediately fall in love with Barbados’ people, and in Jamaica, posh resorts overlook postcard-worthy views.

Rosewood Little Dix Bay: Rosewood is a master of discreet luxury, which is particularly true of their Little Dix Bay location, in the British Virgin Islands. The resort is secluded and zen; it feels worlds away in the best way. There are hiking trails, idyllic beaches, tennis and pickleball courts, farm-to-table restaurants and so much more.

• Our Rosewood Elite partner perks include £100 hotel / resort credit, a welcome amenity, breakfast daily, an upgrade and extended check-in/out whenever possible.
  

Four Seasons Resort Nevis: Four Seasons’ first Caribbean resort is bright, airy, contemporary and tropical in all the best ways. As with any Four Seasons property, families will be very happy here, especially with kid-friendly experiences like monkey spotting and lantern releasing. The hotel helps you consciously immerse yourself in Nevis’ culture, explore its marine environment, unwind and truly enjoy yourself.

• When you book Four Seasons with us, you will enjoy exclusive Four Seasons Preferred Partner amenities. We’ll be pleased to give you more details.
  

O2 Beach Club & Spa: This all-inclusive resort is great for families with older children (although the adults-only river pool provides a respite, should you need one). Expect upbeat vibes, fine dining and a sun-drenched spa complete with clean OSEA products.

• Our partner perks include a complimentary 15-minute hammam treatment, a welcome amenity, an upgrade and extended check-in/out whenever possible.
  

Round Hill Hotel & Villas: British charm meets Caribbean breeziness at this Jamaican resort, in Montego Bay. Ralph Lauren designed the rooms, so you’re in for a preppy-chic treat. Don’t miss afternoon tea, nor a pre-dinner cocktail before settling down at Seaside Terrace, the Round Hill’s farm-to-table restaurant.

• Our Perks include £75 hotel / resort credit, breakfast daily, an upgrade and extended check-in/out whenever possible.
  

Hawaiʻi

Image courtesy of 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay

It’s easy to forget Hawaiʻi is part of the US. The lush, exceptionally biodiverse state is a veritable paradise, with world-class resorts, laid-back vibes and ample opportunity to get active. It’s a great getaway for families and couples alike, especially around the holidays. You can lounge by the beach or pool, spend the day at the spa, bike up Haleakalā, sample shaved ice in local towns, hike, surf and snorkel. Here are a few favorite partner resorts that still have availability this festive season.

1 Hotel Hanalei Bay: Kauai is a nature-lover’s paradise. It’s more laid-back than some of the other Hawaiʻian islands, and has more of a local feel. 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay reflects its laid-back, under-the-radar home with its eco-chic aesthetic. Expect natural wood, muted colors and an impressive collection of plants native to Hawaiʻi.

• Our perks include £75 hotel / resort credit, breakfast daily, an upgrade and extended check-in/out whenever possible.
  

ESPACIO The Jewel of Waikiki: ESPACIO, in the state capital, is an exclusive, personal and discreet escape. Stay in one of nine suites, each of which occupies an entire floor. You’ll be surrounded by Italian marble, intricate Moroccan metalwork, a modern kitchen and a balcony hot tub overlooking the ocean.

• Our Perks include £75 hotel / resort credit, breakfast daily, an upgrade and extended check-in/out whenever possible.
  

Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort: The Andaz is sleek and contemporary, with a series of tiered infinity pools overlooking the Pacific, clean lines and satisfying geometry. Don’t miss the stylish Ka’ana Kitchen, the resort’s signature restaurant, where local ingredients compose dishes that celebrate Hawaiʻian heritage.

• Our Hyatt Privé partner perks include £75 hotel / resort credit, a welcome amenity, breakfast daily, an upgrade and early check-in whenever possible.
  

Indonesia

Image courtesy of NIHI Sumba

Indonesia’s warm culture, stunning natural landscapes and intentional, joyful way of being never fail to captivate. After you visit once, you’ll be ready to plan your return trip. Life slows down here, which is especially needed during or after the holidays. You’ll be due for some much-needed relaxation, which Indonesia absolutely delivers, but you’ll also get healthy doses of active adventure (the hikes are incredible) and culture. 

NIHI Sumba: NIHI Sumba epitomizes barefoot luxury. It’s located on a secluded island, and comprises 27 luxe villas. This holiday season, you’ll be treated to seasonal activities like beachfront bonfires and sunset rides along the beach with Santa himself. Ring in the New Year with live music and special culinary offerings. You can even have your villa bedecked in festive décor. Nothing is off limits. 

• Our perks include £75 hotel / resort credit, a tour of Sumba Foundation projects, complimentary daily happy hour, water activities, breakfast daily, an upgrade and extended check-in/out whenever possible.
  

Six Senses Uluwatu: Six Senses excels at finding remote, secluded, supremely special locations for their luxe resorts, and this is especially true of Six Senses Uluwatu. The hotel sits on a cliff at Bali’s southernmost tip, near the island’s famed sacred temple, Pura Uluwatu. Wellness enthusiasts will be especially happy here. Personalised treatments, natural local dining, handmade mattresses with organic bedding, meditation and holistic movement classes await.

Capella Ubud: This 21-room tented rainforest camp is vibrant and eclectic in the best way. Each room is individually designed, with different patterns, bespoke artwork, handsome wood and private salt-water plunge pools. 

• Our Perks include a complimentary 50-minute massage for two, breakfast daily, an upgrade & extended check-in/out whenever possible.
  

Australia

Image courtesy of The Langham, Melbourne

During the holidays, it’s summer in Australia. Pack extra sunscreen and a hat to combat the sun (it’s strong Down Under), and soak in all the vitamin D you’ve been deprived of these last few months. The mood seems pervasively elevated here, and the people have a witty, refreshing sense of humor that makes everything more enjoyable. 

Four Seasons Hotel Sydney: There’s a reason the Four Seasons is one of our top-booked hotel in Australia. It’s right on the city’s Circular Quay, across from the Opera House. Rooms are sophisticated and refined, and the hotel’s stellar concierge has the best recommendations for how to maximize your time in capital.

• When you book Four Seasons with us, you will enjoy exclusive Four Seasons Preferred Partner amenities. We’ll be pleased to give you more details.
  

The Langham, Melbourne: The Langham’s British sophistication and ability to enchant pairs beautifully with Melbourne, a charming coastal city with a thriving art and coffee scene. On Christmas, the hotel’s main restaurant, Melba, will be decorated to the nines and serve a festive feast. Christmas afternoon tea is available throughout December. During New Year’s watch fireworks over the Yarra River from the hotel pool — or from your room. 

• When you book Langham with a us, you will enjoy exclusive COUTURE by Langham partner amenities. Reach out to learn more.
  

qualia: Start your festive Australian vacation in one of the country’s cities. End your trip at qualia, a bucket-list-worthy resort on Hamilton Island surrounded by the Great Barrier Reef. Explore the protected natural environment via helicopter, chartered boat or paddle board. The snorkeling and diving, unsurprisingly, is prime, as are the holistic spa and locally sourced dining.

• Our Perks include a complimentary sunset cruise or Talk & Taste experience, breakfast daily, an upgrade and extended check-in/out whenever possible.
  

Costa Rica

Images courtesy of Hacienda AltaGracia

Costa Rica was an especially hot destination in 2024, and I expect its popularity to persist throughout 2025. The country is brimming with varied ecosystems, resulting in an impressively diverse array of flora and fauna. In fact, per unit of land, Costa Rica is the world’s most biodiverse country. The people are exceptionally welcoming and kind; indeed, the country is one of the safest in Central America. If a country’s national motto is pura vida, you know you’re in for a treat.

Hacienda AltaGracia, Auberge Resorts Collection: Go for the legendary, glass-walled oasis of a spa, stay for the farm-to-table, meticulously crafted food and beautiful people. (Don’t be surprised if you shed a tear upon leaving.) You’ll stay in sprawling casitas decorated with natural, local materials and a grounding airiness. Wake up to birdsong and views of the jungly, mist-covered Talamanca Mountains that surround you.

• Our perks include £75 dining or experience credit and extended check-in/out whenever possible. (All meals and non-alcoholic drinks are included.)
  

Casa Chameleon Las Catalinas: This 21-villa hillside Guanacaste retreat is beloved for its amazing staff, iconic turndown service and intimate feel. It caters to adults and couples, and activities include everything from tropical-forest hikes and canopy tours to coffee tours and surfing. 

• Our Perks include exclusive food / beverage rates, welcome amenities and an upgrade whenever possible.
  

Andaz Costa Rica Resort at Peninsula Papagayo: This hip, tropical paradise is ideal for couples and families alike. You’ll love the indoor-outdoor gym, range of restaurants (serving everything from Costa Rican to Latin American and Caribbean food), accommodations with floor-to-ceiling windows and included activities like kayaking, paddleboarding and beach games.

• Our Hyatt Privé partner perks include £75 resort credit, a welcome amenity, breakfast daily, an upgrade and early check-in whenever possible.