Escape the Cold: 10 Amazing Tropical Island Getaways
It’s beginning to get cold outside (don’t forget the numbing windchill), your fingers are ready to fall off, and while the windswept hair and rosy cheeks look pretty good on you, you just can’t take it anymore. We hear you. Which is why we’ve rounded up 10 islands for you to escape to this winter. Leave behind the frosty, bone-chilling weather: Pack that sunscreen, pull those bathing suits out of the back of your closet, and get ready to soak in some rays.
Photo: Courtesy of Maalifushi by COMO1/10Maldives
The undisputed ultimate luxury when it comes to island escapes is overwater bungalows, and that is exactly what the Maldives has come to be synonymous with. With direct access to the ocean just steps away from your villa’s private terrace, there truly is no other option but to enjoy the unparalleled beauty of the crystalline waters. At Maalifushi by Como, enjoy the views from your room (which, by the way, also has its own plunge pool to boot) and take in the sounds of the waves from the spa. Over on the Malé Atoll, sink into a netted hammock suspended over the lagoon at one of One&Only Reethi Rah’s suites while you bask in the sun. And if you want an island all to yourself, Outrigger’s resort on Konotta Island is the only property on-site. Talk about paradise.
Photo: Courtesy of Hotel Le Toiny2/10St. Barth’s
Perched on virtually untouched land, the recently renovated Hotel Le Toiny offers 15 villa suites, all with ocean views and private heated pools. With the property’s recent renovation came the new Toiny Beach Club—an idyllic location for enjoying a cocktail in a coconut grove surrounded by pineapple trees and a lush garden. And one of the island’s best restaurants is on-site: Le Toiny Restaurant (formerly Le Gaïac) offers innovative takes on French cuisine, including its signature dish: spaghetti with black truffles prepared tableside in a wheel of Parmesan cheese.
Photo: Courtesy of Anatara The Palm Dubai Resort3/10Palm Islands, Dubai
Palm Islands is composed of two man-made, palm tree–shaped archipelagos, Palm Jumeirah and Palm Jebel Ali, the latter of which is still under construction while the former is already filled with luxurious resorts. At the top of the list is the uniquely devised Anantara, with Thai-inspired accommodations placed around a weaving lagoon pool; Jumeirah Zabeel Saray with its grand architecture reminiscent of Ottoman-era imperial palaces (the spa has three Turkish hammams . . . three!); and One&Only, featuring rooms with contemporary Arabian interiors and impressive architecture that blends Moorish and Andalusian designs.
Photo: Courtesy of andBeyond4/10Benguerra Island, Mozambique
Come here as an alternative to the Galápagos Islands. Benguerra Island was named a national park in 1971, is home to approximately 140 species of birds, possesses pristine coral reefs, and the surrounding waters harbor the remaining population of Africa’s rare and elusive dugong. AndBeyond’s property sits on the west end of the island, surrounded by a casuarina pine forest on one side and views of the crystal-clear waters of the Indian Ocean on the other. Take in the beauty of the island via horseback riding, delight in a castaway picnic for lunch, journey off into the sunset on a dhow in the late afternoon, and enjoy an alfresco dinner on the beach or on your room’s private veranda.
Photo: Courtesy of Marina Bay Sands5/10Singapore
While not immediately recalled as an island, the city-state set off from Malaysia is indeed just that and is the site of the popular Marina Bay Sands. Composed of three towers, this hotel houses the world’s largest rooftop infinity pool (measuring 150 meters), which stretches across said structures and delivers a jaw-dropping view of Singapore’s skyline. And even the most avid shopper will be impressed by the Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands, which holds more than 170 luxury brands, including favorites like Chanel, Saint Laurent, Tom Ford, and Céline. And if you’re in Singapore in December, a stroll along the Christmas-light-filled Orchard Road is a must.
