Looking to plan a last-minute Christmas getaway? We've rounded up seven holiday boltholes that are still free this holiday season.
Craving a getaway worthy of the whole extended family this Christmas? It’s not too late to book. These spectacular, super-sized pads around the globe were still available last time we checked for a week-long stay over Christmas Day. Just let Santa know your forwarding address…
Christmas Day dips in the sea are a tradition in the UK, but you and 15 of your nearest and dearest needn’t shiver on the beach. Enjoy your own balmy festive swim at this coastal country house, fitted with a heated outdoor pool that’s open year-round. After the morning splash session, retreat to the open-plan kitchen to pour out Bucks Fizz and open prezzies in front of the living room’s log fire. Follow with rounds of table tennis, carols sung around the baby grand piano or a showing of It’s a Wonderful Life in the dedicated cinema room.
Can’t deal with the festive chill? Set between Los Angeles and Las Vegas, San Bernardino County has epic desert and moon-like rock formations to explore – plus guaranteed sun-soaked climes. Joshua Tree, a particularly photogenic corner, is home to this pad sleeping up to eight people across three bedrooms. The build’s dramatic, contemporary figure couldn’t feel further from traditional Christmas kitsch; think clean, sharp lines, a concrete-style exterior and floor-to-ceiling windows opening to a luminous turquoise pool. No prizes for guessing where you’ll be spending December 25.
It’s the ultimate Tuscany fantasy: honey-hued stone farmhouse with terracotta roof, tiled floors and beamed ceilings. Sleeping 10 people across five bedrooms, Villa Bice comes with everything you’d crave in an Italian getaway, whether you are aged one (yep, it’s baby-friendly) or 101. Gather to cook up the Christmas Day feast in the open-plan kitchen, which spills into a cosy dining room with vaulted ceiling. An 18-hole golf course next door will keep active types busy pre- and post-25th, and Florence is a short drive away when you’re craving a dose of Renaissance culture.
Between its chic beach bars, buzzy restaurant scene and glut of sights – everything from Mayan ruins to glassy sinkholes for swimming – Tulum is a no-brainer if you’re seeking a sun-drenched Christmas break. When you’ve got a big brood in tow, check into Casa Priakos, sleeping 10 people across five bedrooms in an Andalusian Moorish meets Mexican hacienda vibe that’s one-of-a-kind. A rooftop, the perfect spot for Christmas Eve cocktails, overlooks tranquil Soliman Bay; the hammocks are a low-key place to unwind with a book after gift-wrapping duties. Best of all, a chef service is included, so there’s no need to cook your own festive feast.
What’s cosier at Christmas time than a ski chalet? You’ll get wood-lined atmosphere, a private hot tub and roaring fires at this Chamonix getaway, sleeping 8-10 people in six bedrooms. A shared sauna, fitness area, cinema room and children’s playroom are on hand to keep you occupied when you’re not hitting those world-renowned slopes (Chamonix has everything from beginner-friendly runs to off-piste excitement). Rather than turkey, consider cooking up an epic big day feast of oozy fondue and raclette, followed by artisan patisserie from one of the resort’s many bakeries.
Christmas in Barbados… the phrase alone sounds dreamy. And the real-life experience for your group could be every bit as indulgent as you might imagine when you book into Sandalwood House, sleeping 12 across six bedrooms. It’s not just that the pretty Platinum Coast house comes with staff, including cook, maid service and butler. You’ll also get access to Sandy Lane beach – one of the finest stretches of west-facing sand in the country – plus extensive gardens for exploring and a private pool.
Christmas in Barbados… the phrase alone sounds dreamy. And the real-life experience for your group could be every bit as indulgent as you might imagine when you book into Sandalwood House, sleeping 12 across six bedrooms. It’s not just that the pretty Platinum Coast house comes with staff, including cook, maid service and butler. You’ll also get access to Sandy Lane beach – one of the finest stretches of west-facing sand in the country – plus extensive gardens for exploring and a private pool.
Blow the budget on this Indian Ocean stay on the paradisical isle of Bali, and your family or friends will have a Christmas they’ll remember forever. Perched on a cliff overlooking rolling surf moments from the white sands of Nyang Nyang beach, Uluwatu Retreat is the epitome of Indonesian luxe: thatched hanging lamps, landscaped gardens with tranquil pools and minimalist white and wood furnishings. You’ll have 24/7 care from a set of 20 staff, including chef, bartender and driver, so you needn’t lift a finger. Instead, unwind by exploring the island – or steaming in the onsite sauna.
