About Time: You Chased the Winter Sun in 2017By Alicia Grimshaw
Looking for the best winter sun holidays in 2017? We’ve got you covered. If the slight chill of October is bugging you already, there’s only one thing for it: time to jet off to warmer climes. Pack your suncream and buy a bikini – it’s about time you chased the winter sun:
Winter Sun Holidays in 2017: India
1. For a Girls Holiday: THE Park Calangute Goa, India
What: THE Park Calangute Goa is a chic seafront hotel perfect for gals looking for a fun getaway in the sun this winter. Situated on Calangute Beach, one of Goa’s Flagship beaches, THE Park Calangute Goa is a lively spot and the ultimate party playground. The perfect place for jet-setters and A-listers alike, attracting both a local and international crowd.
The Run-Down: The hotel’s 30 beautifully designed rooms offer a stylish retreat to suit all travellers with Deluxe, Luxury and Suites available. During the day, relax on the daybeds and cabanas next to the pool overlooking the ocean, or indulge in a rejuvenating spa treatment. Below the skybar is the breezy and comfortable restaurant with direct access to the beach and to the swimming pool. And as the sun goes down, savour the sight of the chef’s specials being prepared in the open kitchen whilst enjoying the Bartender’s classic tipples with some chilled out music.
Price: Rates at THE Park Calangute Goa start from £117 per room per night, based on two sharing a double room on a B&B basis. For further information, see here.
Winter Sun Holidays in 2017: Morocco
2. For Peace and Quiet: Pullman Marrakech Palmeraie Resort and Spa, Marrakech
What: 5-star Pullman Marrakech Palmeraie Resort and Spa hotel is surrounded by 42 acres of palm trees and olive trees. Peace and quiet is the name of the game at the Pullman, and each of the well-equipped rooms and suites have a balcony or terrace overlooking the magnificent gardens.
The Run-Down: The hotel is built in traditional Moroccan style, inspired by the city’s historic palaces, and offers pristine upscale decor alongside sustainable development efforts – the latter of which can be found across the hotel’s own vegetable and fragrant herb gardens. There’s an oversized swimming pool to bathe in when the sun‘s high, as well as a tennis court, fitness centre, jacuzzi and massage services. On the dining front, the hotel boasts fine regional delights, international cuisine, sweet Moroccan pastries and cooling drinks across five unique restaurants and bars.
Price: Available between November 2017 to March 2018, from £179 per person for 2 nights.
3. For Water Sports: Paradis Plage, Agadir
What: French for ‘Paradise Beach’, Paradis Plage is an idyllic surf, yoga and spa holiday based in Morocco. Open since early 2012, this healthy holiday destination is kept up to date with modern facilities and design. Located in the coastal region of Agadir in southwest Morocco, Paradis Plage is set away from the hustle and bustle of the usual tourist crowds. Facing onto a private beach, its coastline location offers you a variety of water sports and surfing activities.
The Run-Down: The Paradise Spa offers a wide range of traditional French and Moroccan therapeutic treatments conducted with the highest quality local products. The spa also has both a traditional and a modern sensorial hammam to provide a variety of luxury steam therapies. Fuel up on fresh and healthy meals at one of their 4 restaurants, or have your food delivered direct to your room so you can eat in relaxed surroundings on your own private terrace.
Price: Health and Fitness Travel offers 7 nights at Paradis Plage from £650pp or £850 single occupany. Price includes breakfast, return flights and transfers.
Winter Sun Holidays in 2017: Egypt
4. For a Beach Break: Somabay, Red Sea Riviera
What: One of Egypt’s best kept secrets, Somabay is situated on its very own peninsula on the Red Sea Riviera. The ten million square meters, self-contained community of Somabay is surrounded with three sides of the sea. As well as being a peaceful haven, the resort location boasts some of the most beautiful sandy beaches of the Red Sea and panoramic views of the desert mountains.
The Run-Down: If you’re looking for a place that offers rest and relaxation, the destination is home to the largest Thalasso Spa in Africa. You can also soak up the sun’s warming rays on the beach or by one of the pools with views of the Red Sea. For those who like to keep active, Somabay is considered one of the top 10 places in the world for scuba diving, and one of the top 3 places worldwide for kite surfing, so there’s no shortage of activities here.
Where: Visit Somabay this Christmas from just £969 per person for 7 nights, B&B basis at the Kempinski Hotel Soma Bay. Price includes flights, Christmas Gala Dinner and is based on 2 adults sharing a room.
Winter Sun Holidays in 2017: Sri Lanka
5. For Ocean Views: Amari Galle, Galle
What: Overlooking the Indian Ocean on Sri Lanka’s southwest coast, the brand new Amari Galle Sri Lanka is surrounded by lush greenery on a beautiful beachfront site. Set against dramatic coastal scenery, the Amari Galle Sri Lanka is a home away from home; think understated luxury, light and airy bedrooms, and a tailored service.
The Run-Down: The hotel houses 172 modern rooms and the suites feature private balconies, ideal for watching the sun set over the ocean. A multi-tiered pool deck with direct beach access is ideal for days spent lounging in the sun, and Amari’s signature Breeze Spa offers exclusive treatments inspired by the local area, comprised of Ceylon tea leaves, aromatic vanilla and cinnamon. Dining options include a rooftop bar and Ahara Gourmet Gallery, serving exciting Asian dishes freshly prepared at live cooking stations.
Price: Best at Travel is offering seven nights for the price of six at the brand new Amari Galle Sri Lanka from £1,035 per person, on a bed and breakfast basis. The offer includes airport transfers and flights from London Heathrow with Qatar Airways. Valid for departure 1 November – 4 December 2017.
6. For a Luxury Stay: Shangri-La’s Hambantota Golf Resort & Spa, Hambantota
What: Located along the tranquil coast of Hambantota, this new Shangri-La property fuses Asian design with exceptional service and innovative features. Browse the onsite artisan crafts centre, tee off on an 18-hole golf course or learn to waterski, and watch your freshly caught seafood meal being prepared on an open fire at the Beach Grill.
The Run-Down: The luxury resort spans 58 hectares, making it the largest resort in Sri Lanka, and boasts 300 spacious rooms, including 21 suites, all surrounded by stunning tropical gardens. Play at the first and only resort golf course in Sri Lanka, for a memorable golfing experience with spectacular views of the Indian Ocean. Take part in recreational activities like the 7-metre high trapeze, or head over to the outdoor water park. And on top of all that, the resort also offers 3 swimming pools and a health club.
Price: 7 nights for the price of 5 from £919pp. Valid for travel on selected dates from 1st November to 15th December 2017. Return Emirates flights from London Gatwick.
Winter Sun Holidays in 2017: Italy
7. For a Countryside Escape: Prati Palai, Lake Garda
What: Prati Palai is a lovingly restored 16th century farmhouse, offering just eight spacious suites and one double room. Set in 18 hectares of woodland, gardens and olive groves, this unique rural retreat co-exists within the soul of one of Europe’s most beautiful landscapes.
The Run-Down: Prati Palai isn’t your conventional hotel however; its idea of hospitality towards guests is closer to a private country house, with all the comforts and services of a resort, but with a personal touch. With picture-perfect views of Lake Garda, Prati Palai’s rooms combine rustic beamed ceilings and polished wooden floorboards with contemporary amenities such as air conditioning and satellite TV. Outside guests will find a charming swimming pool surrounded by olive trees, and woods with hiking trails and picnic spots.
Price: Room rates start from 200 euros per night. Prati Palai is also available for exclusive hire.
Winter Sun Holidays in 2017: Jamaica
8. For an All-Incusive Resort: Melia Braco Village, Montego Bay
What: Experience the perfect blend of a private colonial villa and the Caribbean sea breeze at the Melia Braco Village, located 45 minutes from Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay, Jamaica. The all-inclusive hotel has a variety of rooms on offer like the upscale Beach Front room, literally a few steps from the beach. Nothing like waking up to the sound of the ocean.
The Run-Down: The resort has two swimming pools overlooking the sea with four bars and six restaurants offering a wide variety of national and international cuisine. Settle on a sun lounger on the hotel’s own private beach, take a dip in the pool, work up a sweat in the fitness centre, or unwind in the spa and wellness centre.
Price: Prices start from £197. See here for more details.
9. For Tropical Vibes: Half Moon, Montego Bay
What: Set on 400 acres of lush tropical grounds, the five-star Half Moon resort boasts two miles of private beach wrapped around a half-moon-shaped bay that used to house the loading dock for the historic Rose Hall sugar plantation. Half moon features beautiful colonial-style buildings peppered throughout the parkland, home to suites and elegant ocean side villas.
The Run-Down: The hotel is home to 197 individually-appointed rooms and suites and 31 villas, most of which have views of the Caribbean Sea. Guests can enjoy the extensive facilities of this destination, which includes the largest award-winning spa oasis in Jamaica, an 18-hole par-72 championship golf course, Half Moon’s own equestrian centre with 28 horses and the Sugar Mill, awarded as Jamaica’s best restaurant.
Price: Visit the website for more details
Winter Sun Holidays in 2017: United Arab Emirates
10. For Wellness: Jumeirah Al Naseem, Dubai
What: Anchored on a stunning endless stretch of coast sits Jumeirah Al Naseem, bringing a new wave of energy, exuberance and excitement to Dubai. Jumeirah Al Naseem’s extensive lush gardens edge the sandy beach, providing pockets of privacy and peacefulness, and the 387 rooms and 43 suites are spacious and open plan, accented with Arabian touches delivering a strong sense of place.
The Run-Down: For the ultimate detox experience, relax on the 2km of private beach, or head to the Talise Spa for an outdoor massage in the Secret Garden. There’s even full-moon yoga and sunset paddle-boarding experiences on offer, so guests can find their inner zen and reinvigorate their body.
Price: Prices from £1,700pp for 7 nights on half board basis. For bookings, see here.
