ETG Hotel Hotlist: Top 5 Winter Sun Escapes

Tempted to swap the dreaded drizzle for sunlit shores this autumn/winter? Me, too. I’ve been mulling over which hot hotels are calling my name…

As there are a fair few of them, I turned to our trusty Travel Team to help narrow down the options. Here are our top 5 recommendations for soaking up the sun – from now ‘til the late autumn, and well into winter – all tried, tested, and loved by the entire ETG team:

Song Saa Private Island, Cambodia

Most private island stays in Southeast Asia end up feeling the same: overwater villa, infinity pool, room service. Song Saa is different because the island itself has something to offer. It sits in the Koh Rong archipelago inside a protected marine reserve, and the snorkelling is genuinely exceptional rather than incidental. Two jungle-clad islands linked by a footbridge, coral reefs on the doorstep, and a quietness that feels earned rather than manufactured. If Cambodia is already on your itinerary, this is the finish it deserves.

Stay here during your Luxury Cambodia Adventure.

The Sarojin, Thailand

Khao Lak gets overlooked because Phuket is an hour away and most people stop there. That’s exactly why The Sarojin works: quieter beach, no party scene, and a hotel that’s put the effort in rather than coasting on location. Around 60 suites and residences, all with outdoor baths or plunge pools, dining that operates at a level you wouldn’t expect at this price point, and enough to do nearby (private boat trips, jungle treks, cooking by a waterfall) that you never feel stranded. I’d choose it over most of what Phuket has to offer.

Stay here on your Jungle & Secret Island Adventure.

Koh Jum Beach Villas, Thailand

For an alternative beach stay in Thailand, my colleagues and I love this collection of villas on Koh Jum. They’re in a lovely location (an undeveloped, unspoiled island with idyllic views), and you have free rein to be as low- or up-tempo as you like: have a relaxing massage under the shade of a sala or grab a snorkel and dive right into the sea on your doorstep.

Settle in for a few sunny days here as you discover Thailand’s Hidden Hotels and Secret Adventures.

Tekanda Lodge, Sri Lanka

If you’d like to shake things up, why not head into the hills rather than base yourself on the beach? I’ve just the place in Sri Lanka: a spacious and airy eco-lodge surrounded by 10 acres of private land, where tea-clad terrain rolls into sprawling jungle and the Indian Ocean lines the horizon. Sunbathe by the pool before sipping a G&T on your verandah at sunset. It’s magic.

Enjoy staying at this hidden gem of a hotel on a personalised luxury holiday in Sri Lanka.

Birds Murmur Camp, South India

In my eyes, South India is an underrated winter sun destination. Most tourists head to Rajasthan, but there are plenty of places in the lower part of the country where you can enjoy the temperate weather and far fewer crowds. Birds Murmur Camp is in a particularly pretty spot and really lives up to its name: the birdlife here is insane.

Spend a few nights here as you soak up Calm Kerala.

To get your autumn/winter 2026 getaway in the diary, get in touch with our trusty Travel Team and we’ll get your holiday plans in motion.

FEELING INSPIRED TO STAY AT ONE OF THESE HOTELS?

Please get in touch on 020 7924 7133.

Alternatively, fill out an online enquiry form to start your journey.

Winter escapes

India

Calm Kerala

13 Days

Thailand

Jungle & Secret Island Adventure

15 Days

Luxury

Cambodia

Luxury Cambodia Adventure

17 Days

Thailand

Hidden Hotels and Secret Adventures in Thailand

16 Days

Author

Melissa Nicholas

About Melissa

Melissa is responsible for shaping the product at Experience Travel Group, drawing on a career that combines hotel experience, long-haul travel and destination knowledge.

She began working in hospitality at an early age before travelling extensively across Australia and Asia, funding her journeys through roles in high-end hotels.

After returning to the UK, she moved into travel consultancy, where she developed a detailed understanding of airlines, routes and global travel logistics.

Since joining ETG in its early stages, Melissa has played a central role in building and refining the company’s portfolio. She focuses on ensuring each destination, hotel and experience earns its place within a trip.

Her approach is methodical and informed. She balances creativity with practicality, ensuring that ideas translate into trips that run smoothly in reality.

She continues to travel regularly, maintaining a current view of how destinations and properties are evolving.

Song Saa Private Island, Cambodia

The Sarojin, Thailand

Koh Jum Beach Villas, Thailand

Tekanda Lodge, Sri Lanka

Birds Murmur Camp, South India

FEELING INSPIRED TO STAY AT ONE OF THESE HOTELS?

Winter escapes

Calm Kerala

Jungle & Secret Island Adventure

Luxury Cambodia Adventure

Hidden Hotels and Secret Adventures in Thailand

Author

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