Whether your idea of fun is plunging into the clear waters of the Indian Ocean, coming face-to-face with African wildlife, schussing a Swiss mountainside, or lounging in the temperate heat of the world’s largest uninterrupted sand desert, we’ve unearthed some of the most luxurious and unique resorts around the world, where adventure awaits and winter is but a distant memory.
DESERT: Escape to an oasis
InterContinental Montelucia Resort & Spa in Scottsdale, Arizona icmontelucia.com
Best time to visit: January through April.
Boasting architecture and décor inspired by the beauty of Andalusia in Southern Spain, the InterContinental Montelucia Resort & Spa, located at the foot of the Camelback Mountains just outside Scottsdale, is the perfect destination for those looking to enjoy an international experience without traveling abroad.
Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort in Abu Dhabi qasralsarab.anantara.com
Best time to visit: February through April; October through November.
Located in the legendary Liwa Desert, the world’s largest uninterrupted sand desert, the Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort offers breathtaking views of the desert’s vast horizon and towering dunes from the comfort of its luxurious rooms, villas, and suites. A myriad of desert activities are available, from camel trekking to desert walks.
Arizona Biltmore in Phoenix, Arizona arizonabiltmore.com
Best time to visit: January through May.
Hailed as the “Jewel of the Desert,” the Arizona Biltmore, built under the consultation of Frank Lloyd Wright, features lush gardens, eight swimming pools, seven tennis courts, an award-winning spa, and two premier golf courses at the adjacent Arizona Biltmore Country Club.
SAFARI: Indulge in luxury, naturally
Sanctuary Swala in Tarangire, Tanzania
Best time to visit: June through December.
Situated in a secluded section of the Tarangire National Park, Sanctuary Swala offers guests the opportunity to observe wildlife while basking in a luxurious canvas pavilion
comprised of plush furniture, an en suite bathroom with both indoor and outdoor showers, and a personal attendant. The resort is within eyesight of a nearby water hole frequented by leopards, lions, and bull elephants.
Sanctuary Chichele Presidential Lodge in S. Luangwa, Zambia sanctuaryretreats.com
Best time to visit: June through October.
Originally built in the 1970s for former Zambian President Kenneth Kaunda, this hilltop lodge is located in an ideal location in Zambia’s South Luangwa National Park, well known for its walking tours and home to a high population of hippos, lions, and elephants.
TROPICAL GETAWAYS: Pamper yourself on the beach
Viceroy Anguilla in the Caribbean viceroyhotelsandresorts.com
Best time to visit: January through March.
Part of the distinguished Viceroy Hotel Group, this oceanfront resort boasts two white sand beaches, water sports and programs designed for families and children, and five restaurants and lounges offering premier views of Barnes and Meads Bays.
Mustique Island in the West Indies mustique-island.com
Best time to visit: December through April.
Mustique, a private island located in the Eastern Caribbean, is known as much for its beauty as its celebrity visitors, including Hugh Grant, Kate Middleton, Mick Jagger, and Princess Margaret. Comprised largely of privately owned villas, 74 residences, ranging from two to nine bedrooms, are currently available for weekly rental.
Naladhu in the Maldives naladhu.anantara.com
Best time to visit: January through October.
The luxurious experience at Naladju, Maldivian for “beautiful island,” starts the minute you exit the airport, when your personal concierge and butler escorts you to the resort on a speedboat stocked with cocktails and snacks. A private wine cellar and other luxuries await in your secluded beachfront house.
SKI RETREATS: Perfect for exhilaration and relaxation
Victoria-Jungfrau Grand Hotel & Spa in Interlaken, Switzerland victoria-jungfrau.ch
Best time to visit: January through September.
Situated at the foot of the infamous Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau Mountains, the Victoria-Jungfrau Grand Hotel & Spa features superb restaurants, lavish rooms, two in-house spas and relaxation centers, and the highest standards of Swiss hospitality.
Snake River Lodge & Spa in Jackson Hole, Wyoming snakeriverlodge.rockresorts.com
Best time to visit: November through March.
Located slope-side at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, Snake River Lodge & Spa offers luxurious lodging, an abundance of spa treatments, numerous family activities planned by professional concierges. and is just minutes away from the famed Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks.
CRUISE: Enjoy the journey, not just the destination
Cunard Line cunard.com
Journeys to various destinations offered year-round.
The illustrious Cunard Line, including the Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria, and Queen Elizabeth, caters to travelers who want to experience the world’s most beautiful places while enjoying the atmosphere of an opulent liner truly “fit for royalty.” Cunard is the only cruise line to offer regularly scheduled Transatlantic crossings between New York and Southampton. (pictured below)
Sanctuary M.S. Nile Adventurer sanctuaryretreats.com
Best time to visit: January through April; October through December.
Enjoy the beauty and history of Upper Egypt while delighting in international cuisine and luxurious amenities onboard the recently renovated and extravagant Sanctuary M.S. Nile Adventurer. History buffs will delight the onboard lectures and discussions conducted by Egyptologists.
-Ashleigh Martinez
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