8 Relaxing NYE Destinations to Ring in the New Year

There’s no better way to toast 2021 than staying at Temecula’s top winery hotel, South Coast Winery Resort & Spa. Inspired by the movie, “A Walk in the Clouds,” owner Jim Carter decided to create a winery and resort on land he owned in the Temecula Valley in the 1990s. Today, the family-owned winery, which was the first in Southern California to win California State Winery of the Year, produces a wide selection of red, white, and sparkling wine ; the classic Brut is a must for your midnight toast. While winery tours are on hold due to COVID-19, outdoor wine tastings are an ideal way to relax away an afternoon. The reds flight makes for perfect winter sipping.

Plan to ring in the new year with a retro evening at the resort’s Vineyard Rose Restaurant. You’ll be greeted by waiters in vintage tuxedos and be treated to a menu of classic gourmet favorites, including Oysters Rockefeller, Caesar Salad, Lobster Thermidor, Petit filet Oscar with lump crab meat, duck a la Orange and Baked Alaska for dessert.

Families will want to book the two-bedroom Winemaker Suite, featuring two king bedrooms, extra large soaking tubs and a private balcony to enjoy the sunset and a bottle of the Vineyard Rosé sparkling.

The GrapeSeed Spa is a must to experience a relaxing South Coast classic massage. The soothing Swedish massage, coupled with the glass of wine post-treatment, is sure to calm the stresses 2020 piled on your body. Make sure to have the concierge book you on an early morning hot air balloon ride floating above the Valley’s many vineyards. It’s perfect for memory making and Instagram posting.

Although you’re just a stone’s through from San Antonio, Hotel La Cantera Resort & Spa feels like you’re ensconced on a sprawling traditional Texas Ranch. This private enclave is ideal for your group or family to celebrate a socially distanced New Year’s Eve.

The four-diamond resort boasts 34 villas set on the property, with a separate pool and several fire pits solely for villa guests. Don’t miss booking a CBD massage, (the best of my life), in the spa’s al fresco Sky Loft to ring in the New Year relaxed and rejuvenated.

For those that do want to socialize on the big night, Primero Canteen is holding two dinner sittings, and SweetFire Kitchen is hosting a Casino Royale themed dinner. The lobby bar will feature live music and a champagne toast at midnight.

What better way to usher in 2021 than staying on a literal vortex of positive energy? Enchantment Resort in Sedona is located on such a vortex in stunning Boynton Canyon.

Set amongst towering red rocks, the luxury resort invites guests to connect with the jaw-dropping natural surroundings on a privately guided hike or mountain bike ride that leaves from the resort’s brand new Trail House.

Afterwards, soothe your sore muscles at Mii Amo, the resort’s spa that’s been voted best in the world many times over. A new year is the ideal time to book the Native American inspired Soul Seeker, combining massage, guided imagery and breath work. The spa is wildly popular, so make sure to book treatments well in advance.

Fresh from a room renovation, Enchantment offers a two-bedroom, 2,340 sq. ft. Hacienda Suite that can sleep up to 10 people. With a kitchen, dining room, outdoor grill and deck, it’s ideal for families wanting to stay in to welcome 2021.

A warm-weather island getaway without leaving the United States is just what the doctor ordered for this New Year’s Eve. That’s exactly what you’ll get at Marriott’s Barony Beach Club on Hilton Head, South Carolina.

Located along the beach in the exclusive Port Royal Plantation, the property boasts two-bedroom villas with kitchen, two swimming pools and a spa.

Outdoor activities abound on Hilton Head. It’s a golf and tennis paradise, with 24 championship golf courses and both clay and grass tennis courts. Hike on the Hilton Head Island Birding Trail, kayak through the low country marshland or take a family bike ride on the island’s 60+ miles of trails.

For a memorable New Year’s Eve feast, plan a low country boil picnic on the beach with Lowcountry Boil Company’s to-go boil feasts.

The combination of Midwestern charm with five-star luxury is what awaits New Year’s revelers at The American Club in Kohler, Wisconsin. For over 100 years, the stately property has welcomed guests with its impeccable rooms, four championship golf courses and one of only 35 spas in the world with a Forbes Five star designation.

Purchase a pass for the 500-acre River Wildlife Preserve, reserved exclusively for Kohler guests, and take advantage of winter activities like cross-country skiing or snowshoeing.

Book early to spend NYE at The Immigrant Restaurant, named the top hotel restaurant in the country by USA Today. Plan to have an aperitivo in the restaurant’s intimate wine cellar, featuring a 1,000 plus bottle wine list – all rated 90 or above from Wine Spectator Magazine.

For an idyllic New England winter getaway, The Inn at Round Barn Farm is unparalleled. The cozy bed-and-breakfast gives guests more than 250 acres to explore. The property was originally a dairy farm, and boasts one of only five round barns left in Vermont. With just 12 rooms, a large group of family and friends could rent out the property and make it their own for New Year’s.

Whether you spend your day exploring the natural beauty of the Mad River Valley, or curled up fireside with a good book, do not miss the hearty breakfast using only local ingredients, many grown on the property.

After the stress and anxiety overload that 2020 caused, ringing in 2021 in a Zen spa resort seems apropos. Ten Thousand Waves started as a spa inspired by Japanese hot springs resorts and grew to also include a Japanese ryokan to let spa goers keep the relaxation going. Book the High Moon to enjoy the most secluded house on property.

While the communal hot tubs are on an indefinite COVID halt, the spa has converted all its bathing areas to private environments – featuring a hot tub, sauna and private shower and changing rooms. Book The Grand Bath for the most authentic onsen experience in North America. This bath can accommodate six people with appropriate distancing. Don’t miss the chance to have a Shiatsu massage using the traditional Japanese technique.

Located just eight minutes from Grand Teton National Park, this private home is the ultimate luxury mountain getaway that can sleep up to 24 of your closest friends. With views of the Teton Mountains from nearly every window and private decks and balconies from many bedrooms, the natural tranquility can’t be beat.

It’s ideally located to enjoy skiing, snowboarding and other snow-filled adventures during the day, along with dinners catered by the house’s private chef at night. Meg, the home’s personal innkeeper, will help you plan meals, arrange activities and generally ensure that everything runs smoothly on your trip.

With a home like this and a chef, celebrating NYE in with a festive gourmet feast is the way to go. Cap the night watching the fireworks from the celebration in Teton Village.