Five places to escape to for winter fun
As resorts prepare to welcome you back with revised safety protocols and procedures, the idea of travel seems more possible.
These sunny destinations may tempt you to begin packing sooner rather than later.
Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo
Seamlessly integrating the peninsula’s vibrant landscape with the amenities of a contemporary eco-luxury hotel, the
Forbes Five-Star luxury, 182-room resort will deliver the vacation you’ve been yearning for.
Tap into the “pura vida” lifestyle (it’s for real) and choose from a long list of adventure, spa, fitness and wellness opportunities served up in a relaxed and welcoming indoor-outdoor environment. Access kayaks, paddleboards and jet skis from the beach, take an electric bike tour or relax by one of several pools overlooking the volcanic sand beach areas.
For a family-friendly introduction to the exotic fauna and flora of Costa Rica, take a guided tour of the Trail of the Giants, a scenic adventure that showcases the region’s birds, monkeys, iguanas, butterflies and giant trees while providing views of the resort’s Arnold Palmer golf course and the Pacific Ocean. The Kids For All Seasons club features a kid-sized pool and junior lounge chairs as well as a range of immersive programs to entice the young
est guests.
Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa, Ko Olina, Hawaii
As the resort continues a phased reopening, families can look forward to swimming and boogie boarding, snorkeling, paddle boarding and simply relaxing under island skies.
If you love spa vacations, parenthood is no reason to give up the soothing sessions you once enjoyed. Ask about massages and facials for new and expectant moms. Discover how spa guests, 12 and under, might sample the aloha way, learning new hairstyles using flowers and pixie dust, choosing a manicure and pedicure or getting a fresh haircut. Boys can opt for a new haircut or experiment with temporary tattoos. Teens may have access to Painted Sky, their very own spa center, where age-appropriate treatments mix with wellness events.
Sink into the Yucatan Cenotes, Mexico
Choose to dive, snorkel or swim in the gem-colored waters near Tulum on Mexico’s Caribbean coast. More than 6,000 natural limestone sinkholes, some with large pools, others small and sheltered, once provided fresh water for the Mayan people and were considered portals to the gods. In fact, the word “cenote” means sacred well. Today, visitors can explore the craggy depths surrounded by colorful fish and turtles or swim on the surface, relishing the clear water that has been filtered by the earth. Some cenotes, like the Gran Cenote of Tulum, are popular with tourists. Others are more remote and frequented by locals. Ask your hotel concierge or fellow travelers to find one that suits your style and interests.
Four Seasons Resort Lanai, Lanai City, Hawaii
It’s a lush island of contrast, where sea-faring activities and land adventures compete for your attention. Play a round of sunset golf on the oceanside Jack Nicklaus Signature Manele Golf Course, where the views will take your breath away. Playing the course built on lava outcroppings, you’ll be hardpressed to keep your eye on the ball. Your biggest hazard on at least three holes? The Pacific Ocean. Complimentary clubs, including sets for junior players, are available. Off the course your family can relax amid towering pines, tropical flowers and brightly hued birds on the property. Spend a day at the beach where surfing, snorkeling, kayaking and turtle watching are on the itinerary. Top off the day by savoring your favorite sushi in the cliff-side NOBU restaurant.
JW Marriott Miami Turnberry Resort & Spa, Aventura
This South Florida resort, set within 300 sundrenched acres, provides a sanctuary for guests as well as more than 40 species of tropical birds, botanical fauna, and the chef’s herb and tropical fruit garden. However, the kids will be more interested in the Tidal Cove Waterpark. It’s a five-acre fun zone comprised of a 60-foot tower with seven water slides, a 4,000-square-foot kids pool with an aquatic play area, and a triple Flow
Rider simulation pool, among the first of its kind in the country. The 42-footwide surf simulation machine incorporates elements of surfing, bodyboarding, skateboarding, skimboarding, snowboarding and wakeboarding. The most recently added water features connect with a Lazy River, a zero-entry pool and 25 luxury cabanas for privacy and relaxation.