Twixmas, that space between Christmas and New Year’s is a time to re-set whether you are in Europe or Australia here are some sanctuaries to escape to.
Twixmas is that fleeting interlude between Christmas and New Year’s beckons like a whispered promise—a rare pause where the world slows, decorations soften in the light, and the soul craves renewal.
Forget the frenzy of family gatherings or the pull of impending resolutions. This is an invitation to slip away to havens of unhurried elegance, where crisp linens replace rumpled throws, and horizon views eclipse holiday clutter.
From winter to summer, these seven retreats, from sun-kissed orchards to fjord-edged hideaways, craft intimate escapes blending restorative rituals, exquisite flavors, and landscapes that realign the spirit.
Marrakech’s Citrus Kingdom: The Oberoi, Marrakech
Nestled amid 28 acres of fragrant orange groves with the Atlas Mountains as a majestic backdrop, The Oberoi, Marrakech transforms Twixmas into a sunlit reverie.
Private pool villas invite languid mornings of dipping into cool waters, while the architecture—echoing the ancient Madrasa Ben Youssef—whispers of timeless grandeur.
Trade turkey remnants for aromatic tagines at Siniman restaurant, then surrender to the spa’s immersive hammam, where rose-scented steam and expert exfoliation dissolve the year’s tensions. The Medina’s vibrant souks await for a measured wander, but returning to this palatial serenity feels like the truest indulgence—a golden intermission before January’s rhythm resumes.
Renae says: Request a private dinner beneath the stars amid citrus trees, where candlelight dances on silver service.
Mayfair’s Regal Retreat: The Lanesborough, London
Overlooking Hyde Park’s winter hush, The Lanesborough embodies Regency splendor without the crowds. Each of its 93 rooms and 43 suites, draped in silks and velvets, comes with a dedicated butler to orchestrate flawless unpacking, bespoke baths, or a curated in-room bar. Linger over afternoon tea or the Grill’s spiced Coronation crab and Beef Wellington, then retreat to The Lanesborough Club & Spa.
Hydrotherapy pools, Tata Harper rituals, and thermal suites melt away festive excess, leaving only poised tranquility amid twinkling lights and hushed corridors. London’s post-Christmas glow feels intimate here, a velvet-gloved welcome to nonchalance.
Renae says: Let your butler unveil the library bar’s 1770s vintage Cognacs—an evening of liquid history.
Nordic Wilds: 62° Nord, Norway
In Sunnmøre’s dramatic fjords, 62° Nord’s portfolio—from Ålesund’s Art Nouveau warehouse to remote lighthouses and Hotel Union Øye’s fjordside majesty—delivers profound hygge amid Arctic silence.
Late December’s velvet darkness amplifies the magic: private RIB boat safaris to thundering waterfalls, snowshoe treks to boat-only peaks, and evenings of locally foraged Nordic plates paired with sommelier selections.
These orchestrated adventures yield to fireside repose, where the northern lights might pierce the crisp night sky. It’s escapism distilled—wild yet refined, coaxing deep appreciation for nature’s quiet theater.
Renae says: Venture out at midnight; the inky skies prime you for aurora sightings.
Theatrical Hideaway: Civilian Hotel, New York
New York’s Theater District sheds its holiday frenzy at the Civilian Hotel, a plush backstage fantasy with velvet curtains and vintage Broadway relics. Snug rooms glow with mood lighting, mere steps from the High Line or MoMA, yet worlds away from Times Square’s pulse.
Sip a Sazerac at Rosevale Cocktail Room—dotted with actual props—before a matinee, or ascend to the 27th-floor Starchild Rooftop for jazz-kissed skyline panoramas. Twixmas here trades tinsel for timeless drama, a glamorous intermission in the city’s glittering narrative.
Renae says: The rooftop’s live DJs and Midtown vistas make sunset the showstopper.
Rioja’s Architectural Dream: Hotel Marqués de Riscal
Frank Gehry’s titanium-wrapped masterpiece crowns Elciego’s vineyards, turning Twixmas into a vinous symphony. Caudalie Spa’s grape-infused therapies—facials, wraps, soaks—rejuvenate amid futuristic curves overlooking medieval hamlets.
Michelin-lauded cuisine at the hotel restaurant pairs bold vintages from ancient cellars, while 61 sleek rooms frame endless vine-scroll vistas. Stroll Añana’s salt pans or Vitoria-Gasteiz’s lanes by day; by night, the pink-gold-silver roof gleams like a wine bottle uncorked. Pure, poetic decompression.
Renae says: The roof’s hues mirror Rioja’s wine—pink for liquid, gold for netting, silver for foil.
Alpine Joy: La Folie Douce, Chamonix
Chamonix’s La Folie Douce channels après-ski joie de vivre in a ski-in/ski-out palace facing Mont Blanc. Pristine slopes greet early arrivals, yielding to heated pool dips and Feel Good Club spa sessions that soothe taut muscles. Playful French interiors—chic yet whimsical—pair with terrace revelry, no lift required. Days blend exhilarating descents with pampering rituals, the perfect antidote to holiday haze, all under snow-dusted peaks.
Renae says: Choose Mont Blanc-view rooms; dawn’s glitter is slope-bound motivation incarnate.
Geothermal Glow: Hilton Reykjavík Nordica, Iceland
Reykjavík’s Scandi-minimalist gem positions you for winter’s raw poetry: northern lights hunts, geothermal soaks, and VOX Brasserie’s pristine seafood—New Nordic mastery swapping puddings for foraged purity.
Vast windows frame sea-mountain expanses from generous beds; the spa’s saunas and hot tubs embody restorative isolation near a vibrant capital. Twixmas Iceland thrums with vital quietude, maximum wonder with effortless grace.
Renae says: Sample a street pylsa—Iceland’s hot dog obsession warms from within.
Bangkok’s Wellness Nirvana: Aman Nai Lert
For an urban soul-reset, Aman Nai Lert Bangkok marries serene luxury with vibrant energy. Nestled in the city’s heart, its pavilions and gardens evoke timeless calm amid temple spires.
The Aman Spa’s Thai healing arts—aromatherapy balms, herbal compresses—restore deeply, while shopping beckons: nearby Siam Paragon and IconSiam overflow with artisanal silks, jewels, and bespoke fashion. Dine on refined Tom Yum at the pavilion restaurant, then wander night markets.
This is Twixmas elevated—wellness woven with worldly allure.
Renae says: Plan to spend as much time as possible within the hotel as it is just so extraordinary.
Bali’s Global Sanctuary: COMO Shambhala Estate
COMO Shambhala Estate in Bali stands as the pinnacle of holistic renewal, cradled in Ubud’s jungle-clad hills. Bespoke wellness journeys—yoga atop rice terraces, Ayurvedic cleanses, nutrient-packed elixirs—recalibrate body and mind amid cascading pools and bird-song mornings.
Private residences with plunge pools ensure seclusion, while organic farm-to-table feasts at Glow restaurant nourish profoundly. It’s the world’s ultimate retreat: transformative, immersive, eternal.
Renae Says: Spend 2 additional nights at COMO Uma Ubud just down the road for the ultimate re-set.
Sentosa’s Seaside Serenity: All Villa Raffles Sentosa, Singapore
Raffles Sentosa Singapore reimagines Twixmas as an intimate island idyll, where all-villa privacy meets Raffles’ legendary polish on Sentosa’s palm-fringed shores. Each standalone villa—crafted with teak accents, sunken bathtubs, and private gardens—offers seclusion steps from a pristine beach, just two minutes away by footpath. Mornings unfold with waves lapping nearby, afternoons in gentle sea breezes, and evenings under lantern glow.
The incredible spa elevates renewal with rainforest canopies enclosing vitality pools, Thai herbal steam caves, and signature Raffles Ritual massages blending Eastern meridians with cooling balms. It’s a sanctuary where time suspends, tensions evaporate amid cascading water features and aromatic compresses. Dine poolside on Peranakan fusion at the resort’s jewel-box restaurants, then retreat to your villa for unscripted bliss.
Renae says: Book in-villa dining for the ultimate private sanctuary indulgence, where silver-domed trolleys arrive under stars, curating flavors just for you.
Maldives’ Overwater Eden: Cheval Blanc Randheli
In the Maldives, Cheval Blanc Randheli crowns Twixmas with barefoot opulence. Overwater villas with private pools float above turquoise infinity; the Guerlain Spa’s marine therapies—seaweed wraps, coral-infused scrubs—renew amid atoll whispers.
Jean Imbert au Cheval Blanc crafts French-Maldivian tasting menus of lagoon lobster and caviar. Days dissolve into snorkeling, sunset cruises, and starlit suppers—paradise distilled for the interlude.
Renae says: Try the Ocean Treasures spa treatment which includes a full sensory experience of the body, face and scalp.
