Willemstad, Curaçao
Located only five minutes from Curaçao’s capital, Willemstad, Curaçao Marriott Beach Resort sits on six acres of oceanfront property and is perfect destination for the active traveler who enjoys diving and swimming, alongside relaxing and enjoying the island’s famous tropical weather. Located on the fringes of the hurricane belt, Curaçao Marriott Beach Resort’s prime location means tropical hurricanes are typically not a threat to vacation plans! With many different cultures and ethnicities present on the island such as European, Afro-Caribbean, Asian and Latin American, Curaçao is rich in diversity. Perfect for the budget-conscious traveler due to newly added North American flight routes from Newark and Miami, the property has recently added a Covid-19 testing facility onsite and is currently investing in new property additions such as a dive shop and a palapa.
Alaia Belize – San Pedro, Belize
Spread holiday cheer in Belize this December, Caribbean-style. On Ambergris Caye, the San Pedro town hosts the annual Holiday Boat Parade in early December, where locals decorate their boats all-out with Christmas trees, lit reindeer, inflatable Santas, and more. The boats are paraded along the coast of Ambergris Caye, stopping at iconic beach bars like Wayo’s and Palapa. Each boat is judged by local Belizeans who announce their picks at the Awards Ceremony, granting the prize of $10,000 split by a few different category winners. The Boat Parade is an ideal way to get in the holiday spirit while remaining COVID safe. Located just outside the town, Autograph Collection Alaia Belize, the first Marriott-affiliated property in the country, is an ideal spot to stay to experience it. The hotel will hold its own celebration with a Tree Lighting Ceremony on December 2 a few days before the town festivities, an event for the entire family to enjoy before Santa’s arrival. To save on a trip to Alaia this season, book with their More Belize offer where you can pay for 5 nights, stay for 7. The offer is available to book now for stays through November 2022 and the two free nights qualify for Bonvoy points.
Grand Hyatt Baha Mar
A quick flight from most southeastern U.S. states, this luxury oceanfront resort offers travelers a tropical yet close-to-home respite for the holidays. With 1,000 acres of outdoor space woven with holiday décor, the resort offers unlimited holiday fun for every type of traveler, including: seven elaborate pools complete with swim-up bars, private poolside cabanas, and aquariums; festive drinks and holiday treats at over 40 international dining spots, including the new Marcus at Baha Mar Fish + Chop House, helmed by six-time James Beard award-winning Chef Marcus Samuelsson; holiday-themed activities for kids like arts & crafts, scavenger hunts, and culinary lessons at the Explorer’s Club; and 24 water slides, interactive rides and a lazy river at new family-friendly luxury oceanfront waterpark Baha Bay. Guests can also book a multi-bedroom suite in The Reserve – a hotel-within-a-hotel concept with a private entrance and 24/7 butler service – and utilize the resort’s private concierge service, which can decorate the suite with holiday decorations including garland, mistletoe, and twinkling lights upon request.
Club Med Québec
Escape to a close-to-home winter wonderland at the new Club Med Québec, Club Med’s first resort in Canada opening December 3. This four-season, all-inclusive mountain resort is low in density and spread across 300+ acres, featuring picturesque views of the surrounding snow-covered mountains and St. Lawrence River as well as 302 rooms and a private Exclusive Collection (5-star) space with 25 suites. Families, couples, and groups alike can enjoy festive activities like elegant holiday feasts prepared by world-class chefs, holiday-themed parades and shows, and meet-and-greets with Santa, as well as unlimited ski-in/ski-out access, highly customized kids’ clubs, and activities like ice skating, dog sledding, and first-of-its-kind ski workshops – taking guests on an immersive journey through the wonderous ski domains of Le Massif de Charlevoix.
Rio Grande, Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico is known for the longest Christmas celebration from the day after Thanksgiving to mid-January. Hyatt Regency Grand Reserve Puerto Rico offers a slice of paradise on a private peninsula and will be offering special holiday programming exclusive to its guests. The resort offers all-suite, bungalow-style accommodations; three pools including Puerto Rico’s largest lagoon-style pool, Puerto Rico’s first floating waterpark over the ocean, a full-service spa, five on-site culinary eateries and two 18-hole world-class Tom Kite-designed golf courses. Off property, travelers can explore the waterfalls in El Yunque National Rainforest, kayak in one of the three bioluminescent bays on the island or see American history firsthand by touring the 18th century fortress Castillo San Cristóbal in nearby San Juan. Puerto Rico is one of the most accessible destinations for travelers from the U.S. right now with the convenience of travel without a passport.
