Beach, Cabanas and Coral: Beat the Winter Blues with a Fairmont Getaway

Craving a winter escape to the tropics? From Mexican reef diving, to paddling in Hawaii, beach dining in Barbados and lazing in Puerto Rico, Fairmont has you covered.

Plus, make your tropical adventure even more enjoyable with an exclusive offer for CAA Members: Enjoy 15% off daily rates and receive a $50 dining credit at participating Fairmont Hotels & Resorts until January 15, 2022!

Relax on the Riviera Maya

Thick tropical jungle surrounds Fairmont Mayakoba, a sleek retreat on Mexico’s Caribbean coast. Renovated casita rooms overlook lush mangroves, lagoons and winding canals, while sophisticated seaside suites with private rooftop plunge pools are steps from the white sand shore. If you’re in the mood for a round of golf, tee off at the resort’s Greg Norman-designed El Camaleón, a challenging par-72 course set amid wetlands. Private yacht charters and scuba diving excursions transport you to the vividly coloured coral and fish of the world’s second largest barrier reef. Or unwind in the spa with a “Chocolate, Food of the Gods” cacao body wrap. Top off your day with inventive Mexican plates and mezcal at La Laguna or head to Tauro Steakhouse, which combines Mexican ingredients with classic steakhouse techniques and recipes.

Aloha Hawaii

Lava-carved landscapes, plunging forest waterfalls and phenomenal beaches: Hawaii checks all the boxes for adventure and reinvigoration. On the west coast of the Big Island, Fairmont Orchid, Hawaii sits on the Pacific’s doorstep. Its private lagoon in Pauoa Bay teems with marine life such as darting manta rays and sea turtles. The resort celebrates traditional Hawaiian culture through initiatives that include the Ulu Pono Garden Experience, a weekly tour of the chef’s garden involving native plant harvesting, tasting and storytelling. Over on Maui, Fairmont Kea Lani  has a choice of stylish suites and 2-story oceanside villas next to Polo Beach. Whether you’re paddling an outrigger canoe, learning the ukulele or lazing in a poolside cabana, you’ll discover the aloha spirit here.

Winter, Bajan-Style

Facing the brilliantly turquoise waters of the Caribbean, Fairmont Royal Pavilion blends understated elegance with exceptional customer service. Updated rooms and suites are right on the beachfront, and spacious garden villas include luxury airport transfers and daily afternoon tea. By day, you can while away the hours beneath lofty palm trees at the Beach Club, chilling on a lounger and filling up on signature fish sandwiches and coconut mojitos. After dark, you can choose a romantic candle- and tiki torch-lit meal for two on the sand or savor elevated dishes made with sustainably sourced ingredients at the ocean-view Palm Terrace restaurant, helmed by executive chef Tim Palmer.

Playtime in Puerto Rico

Fairmont El San Juan Hotel has been a byword for glamour since opening in 1958, welcoming such superstars as Frank Sinatra and Nat King Cole to perform on its stage. Only minutes from San Juan Airport, the landmark hotel puts you in the heart of Puerto Rico’s buzzing beach scene with water sports, luxe, seaside cabanas, and four pools featuring comfy day beds and live entertainment. Sunset meditation sessions take place under a mighty, 300-year-old banyan tree, while late-night action includes dancing at chic Club Brava and gaming at Foxwoods El San Juan Casino. The cobblestone streets and brightly painted houses of Old San Juan are a short drive, as are the hiking trails of El Yunque National Park, which weave among the biodiverse rainforest that’s home to more than 200 tree species.

Take advantage of the Fairmont CAA Offer and click here to receive 15% off your stay & a $50 dining credit at participating hotels.

ALL Safe and Well Program: We are committed to ensuring that you stay safe and stay well in all of our hotels. To learn more about our enhanced sanitation program and standards, click here.

Please note that travel requirements and regulations may differ for each destination. We invite you to visit the Canadian Government website and the tourism board website of your destination for more information.

Susie Henderson is passionate about travelling and has written articles and travel guides for numerous publications and websites, including the World Travel Guide, Sky News online, MSN Travel, Mail Travel, The Independent and The Independent on Sunday. She’s lived in the UK, France, Spain and the US and is now based in Victoria, BC.