What really matters over the festive period is spending time with your family and friends. To maximise the good times and eliminate the stress, get away from it all and spend Christmas 2016 on a beach and leave the Christmas preparations in the hands of the very experienced staff.
Here are our top picks of amazing places to stay at over the festive period.
Sandy Lane, Barbados
Star treatment comes as standard from Sandy Lane’s wonderful staff and being treated like royalty, especially at Christmas, is always an essential in our opinion. This prestigious resort certainly deserves its place as one of the world’s most luxurious and elegant hotels, the gourmet dining at Sandy Lane is always a treat and the beachside brunch at Bajan Blue is an absolute must. Instead of watching repeats of Only Fools and Horses on Boxing Day, why not swap it for a day in the world class spa, or play a round of golf on the award-winning golf course, which overlooks Barbados’ platinum coastline.
PER AQUUM Huvafen Fushi, Maldives
Spending Christmas at Huvafen Fushi will be one to remember. This resort is a luxury playground waiting to be explored. Spend Christmas day playing with the hotel’s watersports toys, including paddleboards, catamarans, kayaks, jet skis or their high performance Seabobs. And when you’ve had enough of making a splash in the ocean, take some time to relax and hire your own private boat and set sail to watch the sunset on what will be the end of 2016.
Viceroy Riviera Maya, Mexico
Escape Christmas tradition at this adult only hideaway in the heart of the Riviera Maya. The jungle and seaside setting and intimate and eco conscious atmosphere make this a truly unique retreat. Relax on the beach and enjoy an afternoon picnic of savoury bites and tropical cocktails, or explore the Mayan ruins of Tulum which is just a short drive up the coast. The Viceroy has everything you need to create a Christmas which is far from the norm.
Shangri-La’s Le Touessrok Resort & Spa, Mauritius
For an unrivalled standard of personal service, Shangri-La’s Le Touessrok offers a new level of luxury for its guests in Mauritius and the resort prides itself on customising its service to meet every guest’s individual needs. What is really nice about the resort is the history and legacy that is still very apparent in the unique layout. Immerse yourself in culture with a huge variety of entertainment on offer, from traditional Mauritian/African dancers at Sega Bar to the enthralling fire dancers at Republik. Thanks to Shangri-La, luxury doesn’t have to cost the earth, and with offers such as kids stay and eat free year round, you can enjoy a Christmas family break for a reasonable price.
The BodyHoliday, Saint Lucia
If a Christmas where you can work off the mince pies before you’ve even eaten them sounds like your idea of heaven, then we highly recommend choosing The BodyHoliday in Saint Lucia. With a whole host of activities, sports and fitness classes to get you motivated and energised, this resort offers the best of both worlds; amazing food and unlimited drinks, plus the ability to burn it off again. Enjoy all this paired with daily spa treatments, outstanding service and a wealth of island exploring.
One&Only The Palm, Dubai
If you don’t want to travel too far but still want Christmas in the sun, then Dubai is the perfect solution. With a flight time of around 6 hours, you will be beach bound in no time and One&Only The Palm is our pick for its laid-back luxury. This boutique resort with an exclusive marina is a great choice for a relaxed break and offers service second to none. It is also in an ideal location, rimmed with a stunning secluded beach and enjoying impressive views of Dubai’s skyline. There is always something exciting taking place over the festive period, and if you decide to stay in Dubai to welcome in the New Year, the fireworks on the Palm are out of this world.
