Winter is the season for slowing down, leaning in, and letting the world feel a little more enchanted. For families who crave both comfort and discovery, the world’s frost-kissed destinations transform into storybook settings: mountains wrapped in silence, cities draped in lights, and islands where festive magic meets barefoot days in the sun.
Here is a hand-picked curation of the most luxurious and memorable escapes for winter 2025/26, each one designed for families who want to reconnect, indulge, and create golden memories that last far beyond the season itself.
Résidence Premium La Ginabelle
In Chamonix, winter feels truly cinematic: snow-covered chalets, crisp alpine air, and the eternal majesty of Mont Blanc watching over the valley. Tucked in the heart of the village sits Résidence Premium La Ginabelle, a warm, elegant 4-star sanctuary designed for families who want luxury living with effortless access to adventure.
The residence blends authentic Alpine charm with refined touches: stone fireplaces, natural wood, soft textiles, and private balconies capturing postcard-perfect mountain views. Its wellness area is a dream for weary parents: an indoor pool, sauna, hammam, and a Deep Nature Spa that feels like slipping into serenity itself after a day on the slopes.
Outside, Chamonix delivers everything from glacier walks and ice caves to ski schools, dog-sledding, and the thrilling Aiguille du Midi cable car. And because it’s accessible by train, it’s a seamless low-stress journey for families with little ones.
Weekly December rates start at £814.44 for a one-bedroom apartment, making it a beautifully approachable luxury escape.
Moseralm Dolomiti Hideaway
Moseralm Dolomiti Hideaway elevates the classic ski-in, ski-out escape into something far more refined. Relaunching this winter with a modern identity and a brand-new cable car directly behind the hotel, the property offers seamless access to Carezza’s perfectly groomed slopes: no queues, no hassle, just effortless skiing from dawn to dusk.
Inside, newly built alpine-modern suites and beautifully refreshed rooms blend natural wood, soft fabrics and thoughtful detailing, creating a space that feels both grounded and luxurious. Every guest enjoys a private ski locker complete with boot warmers, while days off the piste unfold with guided snowshoe adventures, winter hikes or golden-hour treks at sunset. After exploring the mountains, the adults-only Alm Spa awaits with panoramic saunas and the ethereal Enrosadira Sky Pool glowing against the Dolomites, while families can unwind in their own dedicated spa sanctuary.
Dining is a highlight in itself, where South Tyrolean traditions meet Mediterranean elegance for comforting yet elevated cuisine that celebrates the region’s flavours.
InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort
For families who dream of trading snow for shimmering turquoise waters, the Maldives transforms Christmas into a warm, barefoot celebration. At InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort, the festive programme “Atlantis: The Lost Kingdom” elevates island luxury into a mythical, immersive journey.
Here, festive magic feels effortless: Michelin-starred chef Tom Aikens creates extraordinary multi-course dining experiences at The Lighthouse; UK artist Florence Super leads bespoke island art sessions; and famed children’s entertainers Sharky & George curate days of treasure hunts, pirate games, and island discovery.
Wellness seekers are not forgotten: Leo Paolo Rohrmeier’s transformative sessions blend pilates, strength, and mindfulness for the most refined approach to holiday rejuvenation.
Christmas lights, Santa’s island arrival, sunset cocktails, and starlit beach dinners make this a truly once-in-a-lifetime celebration. For families who want a magical festive break without the frost, this is the winter escape that sets a new standard.
Families Worldwide Winter Magic in Northern Norway
For families seeking a winter experience rooted in nature, culture, and raw Arctic beauty, Families Worldwide delivers a trip in Northern Norway that feels almost otherworldly. This eight-day adventure blends immersive local traditions with epic, memory-making activities.
Days unfold with fjord safaris spotting dolphins and seals, guided snowshoe excursions, encounters with Sami culture, nights chasing the Northern Lights, and the thrill of dogsledding through silent, snow-covered landscapes. Younger travellers will be captivated by Sami storytellers, reindeer herding tales, and the magic of Arctic survival skills taught as if from a fairy tale.
Accommodation, meals, flights, and activities are all included: from £2,995 per adult and £2,295 per child. It’s the perfect balance of luxury, authenticity, and adventure.
Amilla Maldives
Located in the UNESCO-protected Baa Atoll, Amilla Maldives brings a global, family-focused festive celebration to its white-sand paradise. Their seasonal programme, Around the World in Wonder, transforms each day into a new cultural celebration: Spain, Venice, Rio, India, woven into special dinners, performances, workshops, and festive events.
Families can enjoy gingerbread house making, writing letters to Santa, beach cinema nights, and interactive performances, while adults revel in curated dining experiences, mixology nights, and waterside soirées.
The iconic Venetian Masquerade Ball and Tree Lighting Ceremony sets the tone for an enchanting festive season, blending island luxury with theatrical celebration beneath a sky full of stars.
Whitemead Forest Park
Set in the heart of ancient woodland, Whitemead Forest Park offers families a more grounded form of luxury: nature, warmth, and nostalgia. Their Visit Santa Glamping Experience combines the magic of the forest with the joy of meeting Santa in his grotto.
Families enjoy a cosy glamping stay, marshmallow toasting kits, festive adventure golf, creative Christmas workshops, and full access to spa pools and the leisure centre. It’s winter simplicity elevated, perfect for younger children and parents who want a relaxed, heart-centered Christmas escape.
Four Seasons Hotel London at Park Lane
Few cities shine quite like London at Christmas, and the Four Seasons London at Park Lane transforms the season into a luxurious family experience. With Hyde Park’s Winter Wonderland only moments away, world-class shopping in Mayfair, and the hotel’s iconic rooftop spa overlooking the skyline, this is winter indulgence at its most polished.
Families can enjoy festive dining, seasonal spa rituals, hot-chocolate moments, in-suite movie nights, and the impeccable service Four Seasons is known for. Add carriage rides in Hyde Park, Christmas shows, window displays on Bond Street, and ice-skating at Somerset House, London becomes pure magic.
Magic of Lapland
For families seeking the ultimate Christmas, nothing compares to Lapland: reindeer sleigh rides, Northern Lights, snowmobile safaris, and, of course, a private audience with Santa himself.
With luxury cabins, British Airways charter flights, guided activities, and personalised Santa letters, this is the kind of holiday children remember forever. Husky rides, gingerbread baking, wilderness ceremonies, and cosy evenings by the fire make this an idyllic, heartwarming festive escape.
Mar Hall, Scotland
For a more traditional Christmas wrapped in grandeur, Scotland’s Mar Hall offers a lavish three-night festive house party. Expect mulled wine by the fire, elegant dinners, Champagne receptions, Christmas Day feasts, Boxing Day roasts, and serene nights in a stately Scottish setting.
For families who want the comfort of home with the service of a five-star country estate, Mar Hall offers the most elegant kind of festive escape.
