Best hotels for a hot Christmas or New Year

Best for: Restorative wellness amid natural beauty

The moment you step into this northwest coast sanctuary, tucked right up against Turtle Bay’s protected marine park, you feel your shoulders drop about three inches. If you are looking to completely reboot before the New Year kicks off, this is the place to do it. Start off strong with a 60-minute tension-melting massage at the Heavenly Spa, then ease into a sound healing session with the local pros. Your days here can take on a wonderfully lazy rhythm: wandering through lush garden paths, tucking into farm-to-table lunches made using herbs and veggies grown right on site, and trying out delicious dishes across the resort, such as aromatic Indian spices at Kangan or fiery Pan-Asian plates over at Mystique. Spend hours reading under rustling palms, take dips in the sparkling ocean-facing pools, or grab a mask and snorkel just off the beach, where you might be lucky enough to spot shoals of bright tropical fish. Framed by rolling sugar-cane fields and dramatic dark lava-rock shores, this resort is perfect for a peaceful, deeply restorative escape, designed to reset your body and mind before January arrives. By the time you head back to the airport, you will feel completely recharged beneath the Indian Ocean sun.

High Life says: Treat yourself to a session at the Juicery Bar to craft and taste plant-based elixirs, made with ingredients picked fresh from the resort’s own organic garden.

Best for: All-ages festive fun on the Riviera Maya

Hidden away on a quiet stretch of coast backed by lush mangroves, this resort gets the balance between family fun and adult downtime just right. It features two huge oceanfront infinity pools, cool splash parks for the kids (who will never be bored) and peaceful, private cabanas for adults who just want to sink into a new book with a cold drink. The food scene is a massive hit with all ages, featuring wood-fired pizzas, fresh beachside tacos, a great speciality grill and a famous all-day ice cream and churro shop that stays busy for good reason. Evenings bring live music and traditional Mexican performances, though you can just as easily retreat to your balcony for quiet ocean views. If you’re looking for a sunny, fuss-free resort where the whole family stays entertained, this hits the mark.

High Life says: Head around the back of the churro shop at 4pm for an off-menu secret: the chefs serve up rich hot chocolate infused with local habanero and spiced vanilla.

Best for: Timeless riverside elegance and legendary galas

With its distinctive wave shape towering over the Chao Phraya River, this classic retreat ensures that no matter which room you book, you’re guaranteed sweeping (and show-stopping) waterside views. It keeps you connected to Bangkok’s electric pace while providing a quiet, refined sanctuary to return to after a day in the city. Carve out time to float in the dazzling three-tiered pool tucked into tropical greenery, browse local contemporary art in the gallery or take off on a private tuk-tuk to explore hidden alleyways and ancient temples nearby. Come December, the hotel pulls out all the stops: think massive, jaw-dropping lobby displays, sparkling light installations and an iconic New Year’s Eve gala packed with incredible food, live music and fireworks exploding right over the water. Foodies are in for a serious treat, too. You can feast on high-end Cantonese delicacies at Mei Jiang or share candlelit Thai dishes under the trees at Thiptara. Where the hotel genuinely shines, though, is in its hospitality – the kind where staff somehow remember your drinks order by day two and make sure you never have to think about a single detail.

High Life says: Spoil your companions with an exclusive tea service as you glide past the illuminated Grand Palace on the hotel’s restored 1920s teak rice barge.

Best for: Sophisticated adults-only romance

This adults-only hideaway operates on a generous Unlimited-Luxury set-up, which basically means gourmet à la carte dinners, first-rate drinks and around-the-clock room service are all included. No hidden costs, no budgeting stress – just pure holiday mode. How do we recommend spending your time here? Perhaps by floating around the tiered oceanfront pools, sipping freshly made cocktails on giant daybeds, or sneaking off to the spa for a breezy massage right by the water… The list goes on and on. Framed by green mountains and the bright turquoise ocean, nights here are a lively, candlelit affair with live music, cool themed beach parties and romantic dinners right on the sand. Whether you favour yoga on the beach or sharing a bottle of wine under the stars, everything is built around relaxation and connection – making this a perfect spot for couples who just want to turn off their phones, soak up some quality time and be properly looked after.

High Life says: Splash out and ask the concierge to set up a candlelit table in the orchid garden, where a chef will cook for you over open coals.

Best for: Marine life and island living

This unpretentious island makes observing marine life as simple as wading off the beach with a mask, thanks to its position beside a nutrient-dense ocean channel in the North Malé Atoll. Sea turtles, stingrays and blacktip reef sharks are regularly spotted cruising through the shallows from the shore – keep your eyes peeled and you might be lucky enough to spot them yourself. The contemporary Sentido villas feature clean-lined décor and many have private plunge pools, while the broader resort offers four varied dining venues and sunset dolphin-watching cruises. It is a wonderfully relaxed spot to switch off, eat well and lean into island life (read: excellent for negating post-Christmas indulgence).

High Life says: Channel 1, the deep-water passage just off the reef, is frequented by nurse sharks that can often be observed at a respectful distance.

Best for: An arty city break with a serious food scene

Right in the heart of Singapore’s Orchard Road, The Singapore EDITION manages to feel both plugged into the city and blissfully removed from it. Its 204 rooms and suites have that pared-back, quiet-luxury feel that is EDITION’s signature, but downstairs the spaces become more alive. There’s the pink-backlit Lobby Bar, the Yves Klein-blue Punch Room and the rooftop, wrapped in lush greenery and overlooking the hotel’s 43-metre rooftop pool. Ease into the day with a dip in the aforementioned pool, retreat to the spa for a treatment or settle into a fiery feast at Tanica, where local flavours take centre stage with the smoky Josper grill humming along in a space inspired by the Singapore Botanic Gardens. Speaking of the gardens, they’re just 20 minutes’ walk away – head out early in the morning to explore or join the morning runners trying to get ahead of the humidity. Art is woven throughout the property, too. There are antique pieces alongside contemporary commissions, including cinematic black and white scenes of the Li Jiang River by local photographer Russel Wong, and a tapestry by British artist Christian Furr, inspired by historic Chinese junk boats and Singapore’s trading history. Our favourite pieces, though, are the bright red Mark Rothko-esque canvases from Spanish artist Johina Garcia-Concheso.

High Life says: Ring in 2027 in the hotel’s lobby bar – there’s a countdown party and live band from 9pm onwards.

Words: Matt Richardson-Wood

Best for: Architectural design and harbour views

Housed in the converted grain silos of a historic building on the bustling V&A Waterfront, this hotel is an absolute knockout. Its huge, geometric glass windows flood the interiors with light and frame stunning views of Table Mountain, the harbour and the Atlantic Ocean. Inside, it is an art-filled paradise where industrial history meets high-end luxury. You can easily spend sunny December days lounging by the rooftop pool, unwinding in the subterranean spa or enjoying warm summer nights with rooftop cocktails while festive fireworks light up the bay. Saturated in bold hues and adorned with local art, each suite offers a characterful retreat in the heart of the city. Perfectly positioned near Cape Town’s top attractions, The Silo sets the stage for an unforgettable New Year under the South African sun.

High Life says: Tour the hotel’s contemporary art collection, then head to the rooftop for a glass of local MCC, South Africa’s answer to Champagne.

Best for: Unapologetic Maldivian luxury

If your idea of a dream holiday involves total barefoot indulgence, this South Malé Atoll hideaway delivers big time. We are talking private infinity pools, overwater slides that shoot you straight into a crystal-clear lagoon and even a beachside ice-skating rink set right under the tropical sun. The resort’s all-inclusive Reserve Plan takes care of everything, from fine French dining and starlit beach barbecues to top-shelf wine, meaning you never have to think about a bill. Meanwhile, the team at the overwater ELE|NA Spa is ready to rub away every last drop of year-end stress with amazing holistic therapies. Standout experiences include boat trips out to secluded sandbanks to look for wild dolphins, and free-flowing bubbles served on the sand at midnight on New Year’s Eve. Whether you’re drifting in your private pool or dancing under the palms, a stay here makes ringing in January feel completely effortless.

High Life says: Villa guests can request a telescope for their room for intimate stargazing sessions.

Best for: Festive park thrills with a tropical twist

This lively, Caribbean-themed resort whisks you straight into island mode with stone waterfalls cascading into a lagoon, swaying palms and a massive pool area complete with its own sandy beach. When you are ready for rollercoasters, theme park rides and festive parades, free water taxis zip you straight to Universal Studios, Universal Islands of Adventure and Universal CityWalk in minutes, saving you from messing around with traffic or car parks. Staying in a Universal Orlando Resort hotel also gets you Early Park Admission (valid theme park admission required; select attractions), allowing you to enter select Universal parks up to one hour before regular guests. After an action-packed day out, head back to base to sample rare rums and tasty tapas at the popular Strong Water Tavern before crashing into a super comfortable, island-inspired room. The bright décor, great food options and thoughtful perks make this property a total winner for laidback kids and adults alike.

High Life says: Stroll the winding trails to find the secluded, cascading waterfalls that give the resort its name.

Best for: Serene urban sanctuary vibes

A cool, ultra-modern contrast to Delhi’s traditional palace hotels, this minimalist masterpiece has huge bronze pillars, clean lines and peaceful reflecting pools surrounded by tall, rustling bamboo trees that shut out city noise. When the festive season rolls around, the property transforms into a chic, lantern-lit haven for locals and visitors looking for stylish outdoor celebrations away from the usual crowds, though you may find it hard to tear yourself away from its serene rooms, which feature raw stone and polished wood to calm the mind. Split your time between feasting on modern Indian tasting menus and holistic treatments at Aheli Spa, designed to leave you feeling balanced and relaxed before New Year arrives. Everything about this hotel is carefully curated to deliver a peaceful, high-end stay.

High Life says: Reserve a waterfront table at the hotel’s Chi Ni restaurant to try its modern Chinese menu alongside tea-infused cocktails.

Best for: A vibrant city-meets-resort New Year celebration

Set right on the edge of Beira Lake, this hotel brings full resort-style living into the heart of the city, while keeping you just minutes from Colombo’s vibrant street markets, historic temples and cultural sights. An expansive pool area surrounded by coconut palms sits directly by the water, offering a surprisingly quiet sanctuary from the urban rush. The dining scene is equally varied, spanning refined Thai, classic Cantonese and lively open-kitchen buffets. Once the festive season is under way, the entire property transforms with elaborate festive light displays, lavish multi-course gala dinners and a waterfront countdown party to ring in the New Year with real energy. If you hanker after a relaxed New Year’s break with a side of city exploration, this is the destination for you.

High Life says: Get in touch with Colombo’s spiritual side by treating yourself to a tour guided by a Cinnamon Ranger to the many sacred sites, from temples and mosques to resplendent gardens.