Kiwi Curated
11 Winter Sun Getaways
by Darren DunneAs the northern hemisphere trudges toward winter, thoughts invariably turn toward escapism. There are those who embrace the cold season and head for the ski slopes, and there are those who’d rather sweat it out on a sandy beach. For the latter category, 11 hotels for achieving warm winter getaway goals.
11 Winter Sun Getaways
In the Thai language, Kanda literally translates as “beloved,” an idea which permeates the guest experience. Located on Koh Samui, its 33 villas typify peace, tranquility and privacy, with each one featuring a private pool, outdoor sala and sea views. At Kanda Residences RockPool restaurant, an intimate venue built on a platform above the ocean, romance comes easy. Its cuisine is a masterful mix of French classics with a sprinkling of Thai staples.
11 Winter Sun Getaways
First opened in 1994, Banyan Tree Phuket pioneered the concept of the tropical garden spa resort. Days here are spent indulging in yoga and meditation as tropical waters lap against the coastline of Bang Tao Bay. Directly outside reception, the 18-hole Laguna Phuket golf course winds through coconut groves and tranquil lagoons.
11 Winter Sun Getaways
The island of Racha Yai has cultivated a reputation as one of the world’s premier diving and snorkeling destinations, but in recent years it’s become just as notable for the boutique resorts that have sprung up. One such resort is The Racha, reached in just 30 minutes south of Phuket by a thrilling speedboat transfer. The resort appears as if out of a postcard, with gleaming white villas, white sand beaches and seclusion. There’s no town center on this quiet island, but the five-storey lighthouse should be explored.
11 Winter Sun Getaways
Stretching for 17 kilometers across the northwest coast of Phuket, Mai Khao beach is a national landmark in Thailand. It’s also home to Maikhao Dream Villa Resort and Spa, a tropical escape focused on wellness and relaxation. This intimate venue includes just 22 pool villas, as well as the Maikhao Dream Spa offering 50 treatments and remedies.
11 Winter Sun Getaways
Spa Village Resort Tembok Bali is set against a backdrop of dramatic volcanic rock on Bali’s northeastern shore. The central tenet of this adults-only resort is holistic wellness, achieved through organic cuisine and spa treatments delivered by thoughtful practitioners. During your stay, take the time to explore the nearby ancient village of Tembok, a site of great spiritual importance.
11 Winter Sun Getaways
Nestled within a dense patch of rainforest, Gaya Island Resort offers an eco-friendly way to explore Borneo. The resort is located within a national park, and guests pay a conservation fee upon check-out that goes toward its upkeep. Its 121 Hill Villas offer views over the leafy canopy, and a marine reserve, spa and meditation center provide worthwhile distractions.
11 Winter Sun Getaways
Condado Vanderbilt celebrates its centenary in 2019, showcasing the results of a recent refurbishment alongside a dedication to service that’s decidedly old-school. Boasting French doors, private balconies and bird’s-eye views over the Atlantic Ocean, the guest accommodations are a study in refinement. That polish extends to the 1919 Restaurant, the hotel’s gourmet offering helmed by Michelin-starred Executive Chef Juan Jose Cuevas.
11 Winter Sun Getaways
With its rooftop pool, full-service beach access and central location on Collins Avenue, Hyatt Centric South Beach ticks all the sun getaway boxes. The hotel hit icon status upon opening thanks to its distinctive art-deco glass façade — and with just 105 rooms it’s pleasantly small for such a prestigious location. Despite the boutique-like size, it features a full fitness center, restaurant with a view and trendy bar.
11 Winter Sun Getaways
At the heart of Delray Beach’s arts and entertainment district, The Seagate Hotel & Spa offers a relaxed, low-slung take on a sunshine break. Perched one block from the beach, the hotel counts a fine-dining restaurant, spacious spa, and a prestigious country club among its roster of delights.
11 Winter Sun Getaways
There are but 28 rooms, spread across19 acres of land, at The Inn at English Harbour. This colonial-style retreat offers a throwback to a time when the sun didn’t set on the British Empire, with a look that’s utterly authentic. Two restaurants and a small spa are the perfect size, while the inn’s two tennis courts are lit for nighttime play.
11 Winter Sun Getaways
All-inclusive and adults-only, Namale Resort & Spa is authentically Fijian, with a pulsating Lali drum announcing the start of breakfast each morning. The resort has attracted a notable clientele, including Anthony Hopkins, Edward Norton, Russell Crowe and NBA coach Pat Riley. Fiji is known as the “Coral Capital of the World”, and as a PADI 5-Star Resort, Namale offers thrilling dives at world class sites.
In the Thai language, Kanda literally translates as “beloved,” an idea which permeates the guest experience. Located on Koh Samui, its 33 villas typify peace, tranquility and privacy, with each one featuring a private pool, outdoor sala and sea views. At Kanda Residences RockPool restaurant, an intimate venue built on a platform above the ocean, romance comes easy. Its cuisine is a masterful mix of French classics with a sprinkling of Thai staples.
First opened in 1994, Banyan Tree Phuket pioneered the concept of the tropical garden spa resort. Days here are spent indulging in yoga and meditation as tropical waters lap against the coastline of Bang Tao Bay. Directly outside reception, the 18-hole Laguna Phuket golf course winds through coconut groves and tranquil lagoons.
The island of Racha Yai has cultivated a reputation as one of the world’s premier diving and snorkeling destinations, but in recent years it’s become just as notable for the boutique resorts that have sprung up. One such resort is The Racha, reached in just 30 minutes south of Phuket by a thrilling speedboat transfer. The resort appears as if out of a postcard, with gleaming white villas, white sand beaches and seclusion. There’s no town center on this quiet island, but the five-storey lighthouse should be explored.
Stretching for 17 kilometers across the northwest coast of Phuket, Mai Khao beach is a national landmark in Thailand. It’s also home to Maikhao Dream Villa Resort and Spa, a tropical escape focused on wellness and relaxation. This intimate venue includes just 22 pool villas, as well as the Maikhao Dream Spa offering 50 treatments and remedies.
Spa Village Resort Tembok Bali is set against a backdrop of dramatic volcanic rock on Bali’s northeastern shore. The central tenet of this adults-only resort is holistic wellness, achieved through organic cuisine and spa treatments delivered by thoughtful practitioners. During your stay, take the time to explore the nearby ancient village of Tembok, a site of great spiritual importance.
Nestled within a dense patch of rainforest, Gaya Island Resort offers an eco-friendly way to explore Borneo. The resort is located within a national park, and guests pay a conservation fee upon check-out that goes toward its upkeep. Its 121 Hill Villas offer views over the leafy canopy, and a marine reserve, spa and meditation center provide worthwhile distractions.
Condado Vanderbilt celebrates its centenary in 2019, showcasing the results of a recent refurbishment alongside a dedication to service that’s decidedly old-school. Boasting French doors, private balconies and bird’s-eye views over the Atlantic Ocean, the guest accommodations are a study in refinement. That polish extends to the 1919 Restaurant, the hotel’s gourmet offering helmed by Michelin-starred Executive Chef Juan Jose Cuevas.
With its rooftop pool, full-service beach access and central location on Collins Avenue, Hyatt Centric South Beach ticks all the sun getaway boxes. The hotel hit icon status upon opening thanks to its distinctive art-deco glass façade — and with just 105 rooms it’s pleasantly small for such a prestigious location. Despite the boutique-like size, it features a full fitness center, restaurant with a view and trendy bar.
At the heart of Delray Beach’s arts and entertainment district, The Seagate Hotel & Spa offers a relaxed, low-slung take on a sunshine break. Perched one block from the beach, the hotel counts a fine-dining restaurant, spacious spa, and a prestigious country club among its roster of delights.
There are but 28 rooms, spread across19 acres of land, at The Inn at English Harbour. This colonial-style retreat offers a throwback to a time when the sun didn’t set on the British Empire, with a look that’s utterly authentic. Two restaurants and a small spa are the perfect size, while the inn’s two tennis courts are lit for nighttime play.
All-inclusive and adults-only, Namale Resort & Spa is authentically Fijian, with a pulsating Lali drum announcing the start of breakfast each morning. The resort has attracted a notable clientele, including Anthony Hopkins, Edward Norton, Russell Crowe and NBA coach Pat Riley. Fiji is known as the “Coral Capital of the World”, and as a PADI 5-Star Resort, Namale offers thrilling dives at world class sites.