5 Destinations to Spend Christmas Drinking Tropical Cocktails

There’s no need to suffer through sleet, blizzards and freezing temperatures this holiday season. Instead of traveling to Aunt Edna’s house in the snowbelt, book your Christmas vacation to one of these tropical destinations instead. Because while we love our Hot Toddys and Glögg, life is just better when sipping Piña Coladas in the warm sun.

Courtesy of Grand Solmar Land's End

Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

Located at the southern tip of Mexico’s Baja California peninsula, Cabo San Lucas is rife with luxurious resorts and adventure activities to keep you occupied this holiday season. At The Cape, a Thompson Hotel, enjoy a festive Christmas Eve buffet and roast some Christmas Day s’mores while you sip tropical cocktails like the Remedy—made with spiced rum, coconut, majoram, lemongrass tea, pineapple and lime. Or find yourself tucked between the cliffs and the sparkling Pacific at Grand Solmar Land’s End Resort & Spa where you can indulge in a five course Christmas Eve pairing menu at La Roca Restaurant to experience the local cuisine and cocktails.

AYANA Resort & Spa

Bali, Indonesia

This idyllic island is known for its volcanic mountains, beautiful beaches and colorful coral reefs. If you want to get away from it all, AYANA Resort & Spa is offering a #FestiveSeaSun escape for the holidays so you can enjoy things like a tree lighting ceremony with Eggnog and Christmas carols in addition to sipping Mai Tais at the swim-up pool bar. At far-out “studiotel” Luna2, guests can escape on a three-night Christmas getaway where they’ll enjoy a cosmic Christmas lunch in between sipping Champagne cocktails at the property’s pool and rooftop bars.

Sugar Beach

St. Lucia

This Caribbean island is a slice of pure paradise and the perfect place to get away if you’re looking to avoid the cold and snow. Sugar Beach, A Viceroy Resort is hosting a Reggae BBQ Brunch on Christmas Day, complete with a hangover recovery station, in case you drank one too many Passion Fruit Mojitos the night before. At the luxurious all-inclusive Coconut Bay Beach Resort & Spa, spend Christmas week sipping Dirty Bananas and Bay Breezes (along with their hefty list of premium wines and spirits) for 50 percent off the regular rate.

Courtesy of Halekulani

Waikiki, Hawaii

Known for its surfing beaches and high-end retail, Honolulu’s Waikiki neighborhood is the perfect mix of bustling city and tropical paradise. At luxury resort Halekulani, guests can experience the property’s annual 12 Days of Christmas program, which includes gingerbread workshops, a lei making class and live entertainment at the manager’s cocktail reception. If boutique accommodations are more your style, Waikiki Parc has a slew of Hawaiian-inspired holiday events during its 12-day Christmas at the Parc series. Take a surf lesson, then unwind at a “dive-in” holiday movie at the hotel pool while you sip on seasonal punch under the stars.

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Miami, Florida

Miami is just a hop, skip and jump away, especially if you live on the East Coast, which makes it the perfect place to escape the December cold for a few days. Pan-Asian restaurant Jaya at The Setai is hosting an opulent Christmas brunch where guests can feast on holiday classics (leg of lamb, turkey, honey roasted ham), dim sum and a fabulous raw bar, all while enjoying the property’s massive wine selection. On December 12 at 1 Hotel South Beach, the lobby bar kicks off its 12 Days of Giving program. The bar will feature a new specialty cocktail each day and donate $1 from that drink to charity.