We've got bad news: Another polar vortex is coming our way, and this one is supposed to be worse than the snowy, icy, frigid awfulness we experienced a few years ago. Eeek. But the good news is we live in an age of easy air travel (but you knew that), which means you can board a plane under grey skies and disembark a few hours later somewhere sundrenched and 80 degrees. Here, three new stunning hotels that are just a short flight away and well worth considering as your escape from the upcoming winter blahs.
Four Seasons Resort and Residences Anguilla
Anguilla is pretty much the definition of the perfect tropical island: small, gorgeous, laid-back, and blessed with 33 ridiculously beautiful white sandy beaches. For the ultimate visit here, stay at the uber-luxurious Four Seasons where the service is top-notch and you can go as over-the-top as you like with accommodations, all the way up to five-bedroom beachfront villas with private pools. In addition to the outdoor fun stuff like beach yoga and kitesurfing, there are also multiple gourmet restaurants, the stunning oceanfront Sunset Lounge serving up rum-spiked cocktails, and a top-notch spa where you can indulge in everything from a coconut-and-chocolate sugar scrub to a sun repair body wrap in case you overdo it (and who could blame you if you did.)
Beach Enclave, Turks and Caicos
No cramped hotel rooms here. Instead, you'll be wowed by these stylish and stunning villas sprinkled throughout three locations around one of this group of islands that boasts 230 miles of beach. Since the villas range in size from 7,000 square feet to 10,000 square feet each, they're perfect for big trips with the kids, extended family, and the nanny. They all come with infinity-edge pools, signature outdoor showers, outdoor terraces, and a private beach, as well as access to a full staff. And this trip will probably mark the one time you'll want to stay in for dinner on vacation as the kitchens all look like they've been plucked from Architectural Digest and would be dreamy to cook in.
Yes, it's a splurge, but we promise it's totally worth it. Set on 2,130 acres along the north coast of the island (far away from the bustle of Punta Cana), this resort is part of the high-end Aman collection. It's wedged between a lush jungle and the Caribbean Sea, making it the perfect spot for both watersports and cool hiking. (Oh, and golf too since there's a golf course on property with 10 holes right on the ocean.) The villas all have giant terraces, amazing water views and floor-to-ceiling glass so you don't miss a moment, and some also come equipped with private pools. The restaurant focuses on locally-sourced ingredients, as does the spa … and the plan, of course, would be to hit both often while there.
