15 Amazing Beach Resorts To Escape To This Winter

by Scott Laird
Last updated: 5:00 PM ET, Wed December 28, 2022

The World's Best Beach Resorts

1/16 As the winter weather sets in across much of the U.S., many travelers seek out beach escapes as an antidote to their inevitable cabin fever. Whether blisteringly tropical or cozily temperate, many year-round beach resorts are a draw for travelers during the winter months. We've rounded up a collection of beach resorts in Canada, the U.S., the Caribbean, South Pacific, and other destinations around the globe for your winter vacation inspiration.

Hard Rock Maldives

2/16 This collection of overwater bungalows and beach villas in the Maldives has a singular aim and that's to make guests feel like rockstars. Not surprising is the inclusion of a Hard Rock Cafe which turns out dishes faithful to the 1971 original. More surprising is the abundance of children's amenities-think step stools, baby baths, diaper caddies, tents, playpens, and other goodies to accommodate the youngest roadies.

Nanuku Resort, Fiji

3/16 This stunning expanse of oceanfront property on the south shore of Viti Levu has a diverse range of accommodations. Villas and suites have modern styling and residence amenities like full kitchens and washer/dryers in unit, while residences focus on traditional local construction stylings, but with many of the same amenities. Both are perfect for large family groups, with massive amounts of space, many with private plunge pools and commercial-grade kitchen appliances. Excursions include trips to an offshore private island for snorkeling, picnics, or overnight campouts.

The Royal Hawaiian Hotel, Honolulu

4/16 The second hotel in Waikiki when it opened in 1927, this beachfront pink hotel is one of the world's most famous. Guests today will still find hand-carved wood guest room doors, banana bread welcome amenities, and (of course) a lot of pink. Wile the days away at the famous oceanfront Mai Tai Bar with an eponymous cocktail (several versions, including the 1944 original, are available), or rent an umbrella on the hotel's private stretch of beach for a real treat.

Conrad Bora Bora Nui, Bora Bora

5/16 Although without the famous views of Mt. Otemanu from most guest rooms (a small number of them have terrific views through a palm-lined lagoon channel), this ocean-facing property has larger-than-life overwater and garden villas-some with private plunge pools. On the way to dinner in the spectacular French Polynesian Iriatai Restaurant, be sure to check out the owner's collection of black-and-white photos from the U.S. military installation during the Second World War, which adorn the walls of the lobby's ground floor, just next to the pearl shop.

Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa, Florida

6/16 There's something for just about everybody at this beach resort on Florida's Emerald Coast. After a day spent on the private white sand beach, guests might take in inventive cocktails, steaks, and seafood at Seagar's, or focus on ocean bounty at the hotel's sushi bar. For those who prefer pool to beach, there are three-two outdoor and one indoor.

Le Nuku Hiva, The Marquesas

7/16 The only resort on the island of Nuku Hiva is an unbeatable one: Le Nuku Hiva-part of Relais & Chateaux. A handful of self-contained bungalows dot the hillside overlooking Taiohae, the principle community on Nuku Hiva and administrative capital of the Marquesas Islands, a remote island group in French Polynesia. In spite of the remote location, the restaurant turns out three spectacular French meals each day, with specialties like Marquesan Goat Curry and locally-made fruit preserves and honey at breakfast. A private stairway cut into the hillside leads guests to a black sand beach that they'll likely have all to themselves.

Wickaninnish Inn, British Columbia

8/16 A winter beach getaway needn't necessarily be a tropical beach or fair weather. At The Wickaninnish Inn in Tofino, British Columbia, foul weather is entirely the point. Guests book oceanfront rooms for front row seat views of winter storms rolling in off the Pacific and cuisine strongly focused on Vancouver Island's all-seasons land and ocean bounties. Full rain gear is provided in each room, and guests can also borrow boots to go explore the shore (safely) during stormy days, or take spa treatments in the freestanding Cedars Sanctuary treatment room set just on the shore while the waves crash outside.

Sandals Royal Curacao, Curacao

9/16 Sandals' first resort property in the Dutch Caribbean stands out as Sandals Royal Curacao turns the all-inclusive model on its ear. Guests in select room categories can tour the island in a provided Mini Cooper, while guests booking select room categories for more than seven nights can receive a dining credit for one of eight offsite restaurants (including transfers). Onsite there are several bars and restaurants, including a collection of food trucks for guests to try when not relaxing in rooms that include oceanfront butler bungalows and others clustered around an intimate heart-shaped pool.

Four Seasons Resort Mauritius at Anahita

10/16 Whether guests spend their time on the manicured resort grounds or take a speedboat to the resort's exclusive beach on Ile aux Cerfs, the Four Seasons Resort Mauritius at Anahita is designed for maximum relaxation and memorable vacations. Many of the villa accommodations have commercial-grade kitchens, which either allow guests to cook their own meals from the resort's stock of fresh-local ingedients, or have a private chef take care of every detail-that is, if they're not indulging in one of the eight on-property bars or restaurants with cuisines ranging from local Mauritian to Italian, French or Indian.

Xinalani Retreat, Puerto Vallarta

11/16 This yoga-focused eco-retreat on Cabo Corrientes, south of Puerto Vallarta offers three-walled guest rooms and casitas cascading down the side of a mountain to a private beach only accessible by boat. Xinalani, which means "seeds" in the Indigenous nahuatl language, is meant to inspire a personal wellness transformation. Guests accomplish this onsite with vegetarian-forward meals (no red meat is served, seafood and chicken are used sparingly), yoga classes, a Temazcal sweat lodge, oceanfront spa treatments and a luscious beach bar.

Las Ventanas al Paraiso, a Rosewood Resort, Los Cabos

12/16 One of the most storied accommodations in Los Cabos, this intimate property draws inspiration from the region's natural environment, avoiding the introduction of non-native foliage and plants in the property's gardens. There are unexpected delights on property as well, like Arbol, where culinary techniques are drawn from Asian and Indian Tandoor cooking traditions, or the speakeasy-style La Botica, where artist-in-residence Rosalia de Cuba croons Latin and Afro-Caribbean rhythyms for unforgettably stylish evenings.

Palm Island Resort & Spa, The Grenadines

13/16 All-Inclusive private island resort in The Grenadines, anyone? That's the deal at Palm Island, a short ride from Union Island on the resort's guest yacht. Guests here enjoy a range of accommodations from rooms to lofts, suites, and the all-new beachfront Seahorse Villa, which is outfitted with locally-made furnishings and features spectacular views of the Caribbean and the neighboring islands of Mustique and Tobago Cays.

The Fairmont Orchid, Hawai'i Island

14/16 Occupying prime real estate on Hawai'i Island's Kohala Coast, The Fairmont Orchid is a retreat unlike anywhere else in the Aloha State. Although the rocky coast affords but a small beach, the tranquil waters and rocky bottoms are almost built for snorkeling, where guests can share space with sea turtles (from an appropriate distance). When not spending time in the Pacific, there's the 10,000-square-foot pool, the lush Spa Without Walls, where treatments are in secluded open-air hales in the garden or by the crashing surf, or one of the resort's fine restaurants to wile away the time.

For extra pampering, guests can book Fairmont Gold accommodations, which turns up the dial on the amenities, including daily breakfast and other food and beverage presentations throughout the day in the Fairmont Gold Lounge.

Rosewood Le Guanahani, St. Barthelemy

15/16 Basil and Pimento leaf were used to improve energy flow of this popular St. Barth's resort's rooms and suites when it joined the Rosewood brand during a recent renovation. Now all room categories have secluded furnished terraces, and the renovation added private plunge pools to a number of the rooms and suites. The resort sits on a peninsula overlooking both the Grand Cul de Sac and Marigot Bay, offering an envious choice of guest room views. Guests indulging in treatments at Sense, a Rosewood Spa, might enjoy some with locally-sourced botanicals such as basil, lime, or pimento leaf, designed to invigorate the senses and improve energy flow.

Mandarin Oriental Canouan, St Vincent

16/16 Nestled on St. Vincent's Godahl Beach, The Mandarin Oriental Canouan is an intimate 39 units, including several villas, all with spectacular views of the extraordinary surroundings. While rooms are designed for relaxation, active guests might take a cooking class on Vincentian cuisine with the resort's culinary team or indulge in a tasting of chocolates and local rums. That is, when they're not snorkeling, scuba diving, climbing Mt. Royal or taking in any number of local experiences, all happily arranged by the resort team.

These oceanfront hotels are the perfect antidote to the mid-winter blues.

All-Inclusive Hard Rock HotelsHilton Hotels & ResortsMandarin Oriental Hotel GroupMarriott Hotels & ResortsFour Seasons Hotels and Resorts

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