According to Booking.com, 2024 will be the year for travel to cooler climates. As temperatures rise around the world, travellers are increasingly drawn to cold escapes, the notion of which has become romanticised worldwide. In light of this, see below our choice of cool-cation that will satisfy cravings for a wintry fix.
Verbier | W Verbier
Throughout much of the year, Verbier guarantees a picture-perfect skiing or snowboarding escape surrounded by the snow-dusted Swiss peaks. A ‘cool-cation’ doesn’t have to have a traditional skiing angle, however. Hiking the Alps in the winter has become a favourite among adventure-seeking travellers. At the foot of prestigious peaks, the region of Verbier offers a rich and varied choice of walks and hikes. Why not leave the hub of Verbier behind and hike on foot to the ruins of Le Chateau along a winter trail through the woods with stellar views of Valais and the Rhone Valley? Hiking Verbieer in the winter can still allow you to enjoy the town’s renowned mountain restaurants and take in some of the best views in the valley with the 4 Vallées’ best winter hiking routes.
For a cosy place to rest your head between hiking or partying in Verbier’s esteemed bars, W Verbier has it all. Perched in the Swiss Alps at 1,531 meters with direct access to over 400 km of skiing and hiking terrain, W Verbier Retreat mixes urban design with an alpine touch. This luxury ski hotel offers a wide range of culinary options, including the bistronomic Bô!, the Eat-Hola Tapas Bar and the best mixology at W Living Room. Guests can unwind in 1,300 sqm. of Alpine oasis at the hotel’s spa that features a sauna, hammam, whirlpool, treatment rools, and a pool that spans from outside to inside.
Norway | Moxy Tromsø
For travellers in pursuit of something extraordinary, the Arctic city of Tromsø stands as an exceptional destination. Given Tromsø’s northern positioning, temperatures hover around freezing for much of the year. Generally speaking, the best time to see the northern lights in Tromsø is from mis-September to April. Surrounded by breathtaking Arctic landscapes and the mesmerising spectacle of the Aurora Borealis, travellers will be transported to a world of wonder. As an epicentre for outdoor adventures, visitors can seize the opportunity to experience dog sledding, glimpse reindeer in their natural habitat, and even embark on thrilling humpback whale safaris.
Moxy Tromsø proudly stands as Marriott Bonvoy’s northernmost property, providing a chic and inviting retreat from the Nordic playground of adventure. With its central location, the hotel serves as the ideal launchpad for unforgettable Arctic experiences. After a day filled with exploration in this Arctic capital, the Sky Bar Moxy, perched on the 11th-floor rooftop, offers a space to savour undisturbed views of the fjord and mountains. Here, you can unwind with a ‘Got Moxy’ cocktail in hand.
Hungary | Moxy Copenhagen
Copenhagen is an ideal destination for cold-seekers. With the exception of the summer months, a trip to Hungary is synonymous with wrapping up warm and enjoying crisp air outdoors and cosy comforts indoors. At Christmas time, unsurprisingly the city comes into its own. For a truly hygge Christmas market experience, head to Copenhagen’s famous amusement park, the Tivoli Gardens. An inspiration for Walt Disney’s Disneyland, the Tivoli Gardens are a magical destination for the whole family all-year round; but at Christmas time, they truly come into their own. The gardens light up with a Christmas market, lined with dazzling lights and stalls selling sweets, decorations, and everything else. There are live music and entertainment performances for kids and grownups alike, and the park’s usual amusement rides are in full swing. With more than one million lights decorating the space, 40km of Christmas tree chains lining the gardes and 11,800 litres of mulled wine flying around every festive season, there is a thrilling festive adventure to be had for all the family this Christmas.
When: November 19th – December 31st
While you visit Copenhagen, the whole family can enjoy a stay at Moxy Copenhagen Sydhavnen, which means staying in one of Europe’s leading sustainable hotels. As the second Danish hotel to receive the highest possible LEED Platinum certificate for green building, the hotel is committed to reducing its environmental impact further by operating on 100% renewable energy. Ideally situated to enjoy Copenhagen’s world-famous pastry shops, excellent restaurants and picturesque architecture, this will make for an unforgettable family escape.
Japan | The Ritz-Carlton, Nikko
During the winter, the timeless beauty of Nikko takes on an ethereal charm that can’t be missed. With a history steeped in royal retreats and natural splendour, Nikko emerges as the perfect destination to embrace the tranquility of the snowy season, from December til March. Secluded along Lake Chuzenji and overlooking Mount Nantai, The Ritz-Carlton, Nikko breathes luxury and peacefulness. Drawing on its natural surroundings, this serene resort sits next to the majestic Lake Chuzenji in the mountains, making for the perfect setting to see nature’s seasons unfold and a white veil of snow submerge the region.
The property takes wellness to a whole new level, with a range of indulgent treatments at the spa and the Nikko Onsen hot-spring facility, where cares slip away in the healing geothermal waters. Drawing natural hot spring water direct from Nikko Yumoto Onsen, a renowned hot spring destination since its discovery more than 1200 years ago, the hotel invites guests to immerse themselves in the warm embrace of relaxation to soothe the body and soul. The Spa & Onsen is complemented by a range of local well-being experiences that offer a spiritual journey, including the Morning Zazen Meditation with a monk or the Fire Pray Ritual, an exclusive experience in which guests can take part in the burning of holy cedar sticks by chanting monks at Chūzenji Temple.
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