The Seagate Hotel & Spa

Our favorite beach hotels off the beaten path.

The venerable game of golf originated on the rugged links of Scotland, but nowadays over 50% of the world’s courses are located in the United States, and there are courses set in diverse locales such as deserts, mountain passes and tropical rainforests. With such a buffet of options, it can be difficult to hone in on the best venue, but we hone in on ten hotels where spectacular golf is central to the guest experience.

For those living in the low slung islands of the Seychelles the realities of climate change strike perilously close to home. Roughly 80% of the population and economic activity is located in coastal areas, while the main airport and fishing port are both at risk to even a small rise in ocean levels. It’s an issue that resonates at the highest levels of local government, with the Seychelles taking the dramatic step of naming an Ambassador for Climate Change, Ronald Jumeau, who is based at the United Nations in New York. Unlike other countries, the Seychelles doesn’t have the resources to invest in defenses against the rising tides, so a policy of education and enlightenment was deemed the best path forward. With most in close proximity to the coast, many of the nation’s hotels and resorts are playing a leading role in the charge for sustainability, championing eco-friendly practices and conservation. One resort showing remarkable results is Constance Lemuria, where a resident Turtle Manager presides over an innovative preservation program.

While those in more northern climes are putting on winter tires and wrapping up warm, the locals in Florida are putting on another layer of sunscreen and wrapping themselves in a beach towel. It’s all too easy to picture one’s self relaxing under a swaying palm in the middle of December and the Sunshine State offers the perfect venue for a winter escape. Read on as we share some of our favorite winter sun destinations in Florida.