Take advantage of sublime October weather at these 7 hotels
Rain, snow and sleet will absolutely not be keeping you from your destination
If ever given the chance to stay at the awe-inspiring Royal Thanda Club in South Africa or picturesque Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons in England, take it. And if you are going to capitalize on such an opportunity, why not plan your visit during the most optimal time? A season when the weather hits that perfect sweet spot of not too cold, not too humid and not too rainy. At these six properties, October is precisely that time.
Aleenta Hua Hin - Pranburi, Hua Hin, Thailand
The only distractions here are the lapping waves of the water during the day and the twinkling stars overhead at night. Aleenta Hua Hin - Pranburi on Pak Nam Pran bay is designed for rest and relaxation: There are no televisions on the premises, and guests can choose one of three wellness paths, Active, Rest or Nature, to follow during their stay. These are customized for each participant and might include meditation, massages, biking through farmland trails or trekking to the historic Phraya Nakhon Cave.
Grand America Hotel, Salt Lake City, Utah
Having afternoon tea in the Lobby Lounge is a must when staying at the Grand America Hotel, and that goes double during October, when Halloween is on the menu. The Witches Tea Experience is a wickedly fun way to enjoy dainty sandwiches and scones, with costumes not required but encouraged. The Grand America is Salt Lake City's "most opulent hotel," Fodors said, and that extends to the suites. These "big, sumptuous" accommodations average 700 square feet and feature floor-to-ceiling windows offering sweeping views of the Wasatch Mountains.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Hotel Paracas, Paracas, Peru
Three hours south of Lima is the Paracas National Reserve, a protected expanse of desert, ocean and islands. The Hotel Paracas is a gateway to the reserve and the Ballestas Islands, where visitors will find wildlife like guanay, booby and zarcillo birds, sea lions and Humboldt penguins. The accommodations have an "earthy feel," Condé Nast Traveler said, with wooden floors, bamboo-covered walls and "textiles modeled after pre-Columbian designs." For those seeking sunshine, there is a "glitzy pool" surrounded by daybeds, where waiters "fetch a steady supply of passion fruit sours and ceviche."
Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons, Oxford, England
This exquisite country manor is "truly exceptional," The Week U.K. said, and has received "extra-stellar reviews" since opening 40 years ago. The property's garden-to-table dining approach shot Le Manoir "into the stratosphere" with two Michelin stars and "never came down again." Guests can learn from the best in gastronomy during their stay, taking a class at the Raymond Blanc Cookery School. That might mean spending a full day focused on stocks and sauces or a half-day in front of the stove before a seasonal three-course meal. After all that time in the kitchen, retreat to your sanctuary, one of the hotel's 32 individually designed rooms.
Romer Waikiki at The Ambassador, Honolulu, Hawaii
Get the feel of Hawaiian beachfront living without having to empty your checking account. The Romer Waikiki at the Ambassador offers a "more affordable" hotel option just a "few streets back from Waikiki's golden sand," the Sydney Morning Herald said. The rooms have a mid-century modern feel, and several come with spacious lanais designed for peak ocean, mountain and sunset views. In between treks to the beach, head to the hotel's third floor, home of Waikiki Swim & Social. Here you can hang out in the pool or in a cabana and enjoy tropical cocktails and small bites.
Rosewood Kauri Cliffs, Matauri Bay, New Zealand
Perched above the Pacific and the pristine Northland coastline is Rosewood Kauri Cliffs. Guests are "sure to be enchanted by the magic." Vogue Australia said, with the suites and villas featuring terraces that look out at the ocean and championship Kauri Cliffs golf course, ranked one of the world's best by Golf Digest. Take a swing or experience the "indulgent" spa, where each treatment room opens up to an outdoor space.
The Royal Thanda Club by Thanda Safari, South Africa
Any safari experience is unforgettable, but some are just the right kind of extra. The Royal Thanda Club's luxurious residences are inside Thanda Safari's private game reserve set back in the hills of northern KwaZulu-Natal. "Authenticity plays a major role" in the club's essence, Elite Traveler said, with guests able to go on twice-daily game drives to see the Big Five wildlife, take bush walks led by specialist guides and learn more about Zulu culture. This is a pricey venture. For those who want to have the Thanda experience on a smaller yet still lavish scale, consider booking the Thanda Safari Lodge.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Catherine Garcia has worked as a senior writer at The Week since 2014. Her writing and reporting have appeared in Entertainment Weekly, The New York Times, Wirecutter, NBC News and "The Book of Jezebel," among others. She's a graduate of the University of Redlands and the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.
-
The long road ahead to rebuild life in Gaza
The Explainer As the Israel-Hamas ceasefire takes effect, Palestinians return to find 90% of homes destroyed, health and water infrastructure in ruins, and acute food poverty
By Elliott Goat, The Week UK Published
-
Why trout is the new salmon
The Week Recommends Oven-roasted, hot-smoked or topping a jacket potato, trout is winning favour over salmon for its sustainability and delicate flavour
By Irenie Forshaw, The Week UK Published
-
The never-ending wonder of Pompeii
In The Spotlight A luxury bathhouse is the latest treasure to be uncovered at the 'gift that keeps on giving'
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
The 8 best items to buy from beloved museum gift shops
The Week Recommends Enjoy these artsy products from the comfort of home
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US Published
-
Hang 10 at El Zonte, a surfer's paradise in El Salvador
The Week Recommends Catch some waves and a great cup of coffee
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US Published
-
Explorations Company: a Kenya safari adventure beyond the expected
The Week Recommends Experience Kenya's wild beauty on a safari that combines close wildlife encounters with conservation and community initiatives
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
4 tips for keeping your resolutions
The Week Recommends New Year's resolutions seem made to be broken, but with a few adjustments, you can give yourself a shot at sticking with it
By Theara Coleman, The Week US Published
-
Chemnitz: an 'unlikely renaissance' for the 'forgotten' town
The Week Recommends The birthplace of Germany's industrial revolution is hoping to reinvent itself
By Irenie Forshaw, The Week UK Published
-
TV to watch in January, including 'Severance' and 'The Night Agent'
The Week Recommends Two hit series are back this month for much-anticipated second seasons
By Anya Jaremko-Greenwold, The Week US Published
-
Movies to watch in January, including 'Wolf Man' and 'The Last Showgirl'
The Week Recommends A creature feature, a bizarre biopic and a haunted house movie from the ghost's POV
By Anya Jaremko-Greenwold, The Week US Published
-
8 eagerly awaited hotels opening in 2025
The Week Recommends A new year means several anticipated hotel openings are on the horizon
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US Published