Winter Holiday Showdown: Snow vs. Sun

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It’s the ultimate winter holiday dilemma: do you embrace the cold or grab your sunscreen and escape to warmer climes? Wherever you choose to go, with Christmas and New Year rapidly approaching, it’s better to start making plans now, as China’s most popular destinations get booked up quickly.

Now is the perfect time to book with Accor’s Double 11 flash sale. For 48 hours only, organize your stays for the rest of the year and enjoy up to 50% off some of the most luxuriously comfortable suites available, with more than 140 hotels to suit all budgets and tastes available in the sale.

From November 10-11, 2021, members of ALL - Accor Live Limitless can enjoy the following discounts and benefits when booking participating Accor hotels (for stays between November 10 and December 31, 2021):

- Up to 50% off suites with complimentary breakfast.
- 30% discount on basic room types. Accor Plus members enjoy an additional 10% discount. 

Read on to discover two of our favorite destinations this winter.

Hit the slopes at Changbai Mountain

Beijing may be hosting the 2022 Winter Olympics, but you need to travel a bit further north to find China’s best slopes.

Located in Jilin province at the border of China and North Korea, Changbai Mountain (aka Changbaishan) is on a similar latitude to Switzerland and is one of the best places in China to enjoy snowy scenery. The mountain is actually a dormant volcano, and an incredibly picturesque lake, known as Heaven Lake, sits in the caldera at the top.

Both the north and west slopes of the mountain are open to tourists (the east slope is off limits as it is in North Korea!), but the west slope offers both the best access to Heaven Lake and better skiing. There are slopes to suit skiers of every level, from beginners to challenging red and black runs and even International Ski Federation certified cross country runs. Equipment rental is available at hotels or the scenic area.

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As one of China’s premier skiing destination, Changbaishan boasts a wide range of hotels to suit every family. Lean into the Swiss connection at Swissôtel Resort Changbaishan, which blends Swiss ski resort style with local northeastern Chinese characteristics. The hotel features 684 rooms built right into the mountains, including 24 individual family lodges constructed from imported pine wood. Inspired by healthy, outdoor lifestyles, Swissôtel incorporates the concept of “Live It Well” into every detail, from sleeping to dining in one of the hotel’s four uniquely-themed restaurants.  

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Mountain views are built into every aspect of The View Changbai Mountain MGallery, the area’s only high-end boutique hotel, boasting just 49 rooms. Nestled in the heart of the forest and with majestic Changbai Mountain rising in the distance, serenity is the watchword here, the perfect place to refresh body and mind. For a unique experience, relax in the outdoor infinity pool and jacuzzi while enjoying the views.

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The Pullman Changbaishan Resort is just 3 minutes away from the entrance to the west slope scenic area, with easy access to two famous ski resorts, Luneng and Wanda. The winter forest location is thoughtfully integrated into every part of the resort — the buildings are connected by a glassed-in corridor so guests can enjoy the snowy scenery without catching a chill. Both parents and kids alike will love finding out more about the unique culture of this part of northeastern China in the guest hub, which is also home to two friendly sika deer, which are native to this region.

Work on your tan in Sanya

For a fun beach getaway, it doesn’t get better than “the Hawaii of China”: Hainan. Most families rightly head to Sanya for its long sandy beaches and tropical weather — especially perfect during the winter dry season. If you want to escape the crowds, Haitang Bay is our top choice, home to a number of newer, high-quality hotels.

Haitang Bay is also the perfect place to get the whole family involved with water sports. For example, just across the water from Haitang Bay, Wuzhizhou Coral Island offers fantastic opportunities for snorkeling in its crystal clear waters.

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Fairmont Sanya, the Fairmont brand’s latest hotel in China, is a 15-minute ferry ride away from Wuzhizhou, and water is built into every aspect of the hotel, too. The Yun River seawater canal, the first of its kind in a hotel, snakes around the property and can be toured in a dragon boat steered by staff of in your own paddle boat — think Venice, but with tropical temperatures. The outdoor pool has multiple areas for kids to play and parents to relax, and there is a kids club to keep young hands occupied while parents tour the on-site Wood Art Gallery, filled with Ming and Qing-era wooden treasures.

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A few minutes from Fairmont Sanya, Sofitel Sanya Leeman Resort celebrates the “Art de Vivre,” with Sofitel’s signature thoughtful French touches incorporated into everything from dining to room amenities from Lanvin or L’Occitane. There are fun-filled activities for kids and adults alike, including helicopter sightseeing, Le Bakery, indoor go-karting, tennis courts, a kid’s club and kid’s pool, and more.

For a true escape from it all, Raffles Hainan is a tropical hideaway in the quieter Clearway Bay. As one might expect from Singapore’s most famous hotel brand, the whole resort has a truly Southeast Asian feel to it, incorporating a mix of Balinese and local Hainan ethnic architecture. The extensive tropical grounds stretch right down to the white sandy beach, with multiple pools to explore. Raffles’ Rascals Kids Club will entertain the little ones while adults enjoy a spa treatment or a signature Hainan Sling cocktail in the Long Bar. Seven restaurant and bar choices, from fresh seafood to Italian cuisine to Hainan specialties will make sure no one goes hungry.

Ever wanted to have your own yacht? You can get at least a taste of the highlife by hiring a private yacht for a few hours at nearby Clearwater Bay Yacht Club. Prices are surprising affordable (ask the hotel concierge to help with pricing and bookings), and the boats usually anchor out in the bay so you can enjoy water sports like jet skiing.

Images: courtesy of Accor, Shutterstock/kikujunboyCC Shutterstock/ZCFei

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