03 February 2026
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There’s something about a beach in winter. The emptiness of the coast, the drama of the crashing waves, the thick fog rolling in and the quiet, expansive stretches of sand. And while most travelers choose to chase the sun to tropical destinations in winter, an off-season hotel on a beach or coastline offers solitude, atmosphere and the luxury of a smaller crowd. Many of these exceptional properties have ample spas and restaurants holding up spirits during shorter days, too.
The teams at the hotels that stay open through the cold months — from the rocky cliffs of Cornwall to the pine-forested coast of South Korea — know winter at the shore offers its own kind of escape, where travelers join locals in enjoying lower rates and moody, contemplative walks along the empty beaches.
Below, our picks for the best off-season beach and coastal retreats in the world.
Gurney’s Montauk Resort and Spa — Montauk, New York
What it’s all about: A historic resort in New York’s ritzy Montauk on a long, picturesque shore.
The End, as some lovingly call Montauk, sits at Long Island’s farthest reaches. New Yorkers know it as the pinnacle of summer escapes, a small town with a proud history, relaxed lifestyle and long stretches of uninterrupted shoreline for swimming and surfing. Gurney’s has held court here for nearly a century, presiding over a private beach and a beautiful stretch of Atlantic shoreline that is scenic even in winter.
Modern additions to Gurney’s, such as the massive seawater spa, Gigi’s for seafood and prix fixe menus, and the seasonal heated igloos for small bites and cocktails overlooking the ocean, more than make up for time usually spent in the waves. Not to mention overnight rates dip to a third of their peak in summer.
Carbis Bay Estate — St Ives, UK
What it’s all about: A large Cornish estate where the Victorian main house and modern beach lodges lose none of their charm in the coldest months.St Ives has pulled tourists to Cornwall for generations, and Carbis Bay Estate features the best of its dramatic coastal views, excellent seafood and British approach to seaside leisure. And while brave guests can still opt for cold open-water swimming in winter, consider instead the year-round heated outdoor pool, spa treatments with views of the bay and jazz shows from the restaurant overlooking the coast.
Rooms are spread around the estate, but the coziest winter options may be in the 1894 Main House, with its gold touches and chandeliers among modern interiors, or the private cottages set a quick walk from the beach within a wooded valley on the estate.
Le Brittany — Roscoff, France
What it’s all about: A centuries-old manor, now a luxe hotel on the Breton coast with One Key and its own Starred restaurant.In the seaside town of Roscoff, known for its charm, cobbled streets and famous onions, Le Brittany has its own fascinating story: A local businessman relocated a historic manor to this site in 1973, anticipating the town’s impending tourist appeal with the addition of a new ferry port.
Today, a striking expansion accounts for the property’s modern appearance, and while summer guests may take boats to the beaches of Île de Batz, cool winters are for walks in the historic town center, moments at the spa and indoor pool, and sitting fireside at the renowned One-Star Nori, known for showcasing the finest in Breton produce and seafood.
Akelarre — San Sebastián, Spain
What it’s all about: A Two-Key hotel that’s host to a Three-Star temple of Basque cuisine overlooking the coast.The hotel will point you to several nearby beaches in the summer, but as this is the rare Spanish luxury boutique devoted to a single chef, it’s uniquely positioned to thrive with little regard to dropping temperatures. Set on the Basque coastline, Akelarre’s stunning modern architecture is the foundation for a small handful of rooms, a full spa and Pedro Subijana’s legendary restaurant Akelaré.
Larger than average, the accommodations have space for massive soaking tubs and vast windows framing the ocean, and the spa’s heavy stone architecture nods to Peter Zumthor’s famous Swiss Alpine baths. But the main attraction — magical in all seasons — is Subijana’s Three-MICHELIN-Star cuisine. After 50 years at the restaurant, one of the founding fathers of the New Basque Cuisine movement is still offering a magical perspective on contemporary recipes. Rooms here in summer can span rates three times those in winter.
The Ritz-Carlton, Okinawa — Okinawa, Japan
What it’s all about: A tranquil escape in Okinawa’s wild north, overlooking Nago Bay and surrounded by ancient forests.In the quiet northern reaches of Okinawa, this One-Key hotel offers an opportunity for deep breaths and disconnection. A balmy spot in summer, the weather remains pleasant and sunny in winter, when ocean dips may give way to whale sightings and an uptick in time spent in soaking tubs within lavish bedrooms. Besides the beaches, there are forests, castle ruins and gorgeous gardens to explore throughout the island.
Traditional and notably healthy Okinawan cuisine is on offer at one restaurant, while another features an Italian menu and a third focuses on Japan’s famous Wagyu beef. Golf is another year-round activity, and the spa operates in its own freestanding building at an appropriately nurturing speed.
Castle Hill Inn — Newport, Rhode Island
What it’s all about: A marine biologist’s 19th-century mansion, where dramatic winter seascapes unfold across 40 acres of oceanside retreat.The location alone makes the case for this charming Two-Key Newport inn: Stuck out on a promontory in the middle of Narragansett Bay, the old Agassiz Mansion was ideal for its original owner, a Harvard marine biologist, to study the coastal waters. Today, it’s one of Rhode Island’s top hotels, spread across 40 acres along a private beach where dramatic winter weather creates a spectacular show against the rocks.
Perhaps the largest temperature swing of any location on this list, the ocean is strictly scenery in winter, when bedrooms in the main house become the definition of cozy — think reading nooks and views of the windswept coastline. Winter encourages guests to find the boutique spa, explore the small, charming city, and to plan days around intimate meals at the artisanal on-site fine-dining restaurant.
The Ritz-Carlton Half Moon Bay — Half Moon Bay, California
What it’s all about: Drenched in Pacific fog on the Northern California coast, regular golf outings are supplemented in winter with top-notch wellness experiences.Just 30 miles south of San Francisco, built in a 19th-century shingle style architectural tradition, the lodge perches atop dramatic bluffs overlooking the Pacific. When fog rolls across the two golf courses, you could genuinely mistake this for the North Sea coast. All rooms lean into English country house elegance, with fireplaces — a treasure in winter — marble baths and goose-down duvets, while two-thirds offer ocean views, many from private balconies.
While winter is slightly cooler than summer in the Bay Area, it’s the energy of the property that really changes in the off season. Beyond golf, which is year-round, the 16,000-square-foot spa with a Roman bath and oceanfront Jacuzzi has a special appeal even in a California winter, while touches like afternoon tea in the salon harken to short days across the Atlantic.
Domes Lake Algarve — Vilamoura, Portugal
What it’s all about: An extravagant Portuguese resort near both harbor and beach, where a spa and wine tastings charm travelers in cooler weather.Most hotels settle for Portugal’s southern coastline, but Domes Lake Algarve adds a private lake to the equation, nearby to both Vilamoura harbor and beach access at Praia de Falésia. The terraced resort sprawls like a small city facing the sea, balancing the Greek minimalist confidence of the Domes brand with authentic Portuguese design.
While decidedly family-friendly (supervised kids’ programs are abundant here), adults have their own indoor spaces to enjoy. Mild winter temperatures keep most out of the water, so the Soma spa, personalized fitness programs and restaurants serving upscale Portuguese fare take center stage.
Doria Hotel Bodrum — Bodrum, Türkiye
What it’s all about: Understated contemporary design for beautiful Aegean views and mild winter weather in this historic port city dating to 350 B.C.The cultural legacy of Bodrum, including sites like the 15th-century castle and the ancient Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, adds depth to the traditional beach experience. The weather swelters in summer, but winter is pleasantly mild, and the 92-room Doria Hotel uses aged wood and accents of sea foam green for the mellow vibe of a seasonal reset.
Contemporary and unpretentious, the hotel lets its wonderful maritime setting do most of the heavy lifting, while its impressive common spaces, spa and stylish restaurants speak for themselves. And long off-season walks on Doria Beach are just a short drive from the hotel.
SEAMARQ Hotel — Gangwon-do, South Korea
What it’s all about: Dazzling modern architecture on a pine-covered hill between the East Sea and Gyeongpo Lake, with views in every direction.A favorite beach destination in summer, Korea’s Gangneung island is home to the SEAMARQ, a tall modern tower meant to blend seamlessly into its pine-dotted hillside next to the beach. Built to some fanfare for the 2018 Winter Olympics, Pritzer Prize-winning architect Richard Meier prioritized natural light against a light color palette for a clean design that provides plenty views of ocean, lake and green mountains.
The indoor pool makes up for the limits of the off season, while traditional Korean cuisine and an on-site spa fill the rest of days inside, and walks along the sand and visits to museums and cultural sites await outside.
Weissenhaus Private Nature Luxury Resort — Weissenhaus, Germany
What it’s all about: A historic château along the Baltic Sea, amidst acres of woodland and a renowned spa.Within expansive natural grounds along the Baltic, the beach remains an atmospheric touch throughout the cold season, when guests trade any thoughts of water sports for the hotel’s pièce de résistance: thermal baths with roots in the great spa traditions of Central Europe. Rooms are in the historic château or outlying villas or forest cottages.
One of the most impressive spaces on the grounds is the Badehäuschen, or Bathing Hut, this resort’s version of a honeymoon suite, complete with a freestanding tub in the private garden, its own fireplace and a walkway directly to the sea.
Montage Laguna Beach — Orange County, California
What it’s all about: A hotel that evokes turn-of-the-century Arts and Crafts elegance on a rugged bluff in slightly cooler Southern California weather.The weather doesn’t make too drastic a swing in Laguna Beach between winter and summer, but even a 10-degree swing in the daytime and cooler nights is enough to establish an off-season. This quiet time is ideal to enjoy one of the most beautiful hotels in the state, with interiors that showcase artwork from both contemporary artists and Arts and Crafts masters.
The sprawling resort’s winding pathways, classic stone architecture, lush gardens and tall trees sit atop a rugged bluff overlooking white sand beaches, and every room features a patio or balcony with panoramic ocean views. A massive spa overlooks the Pacific as well, offering everything from massage and hydrotherapy to yoga and tai chi. Three pools, kayaking, snorkeling, surfing, art classes, galleries and a children’s club round out its year-round programming.
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Hero Image: A winter scene at Gurney’s Montauk, among the best winter beach hotels in the world. © Gurney’s Montauk
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