All-inclusives out West, in Caribbean offer respites

By Robert J. Nebel
Editor, Men's Traveler

Let’s face it: with bulkier luggage overflowing with sweaters and flights delayed because of snow, winter travel is a hassle. That’s why when winter arrives, all-inclusive resort vacations are appealing. Nothing beats plopping your bags down at your destination and never having to lug them around until you check out. From as far as the Caribbean to as "nearby" as South Carolina, there is a resort that can fit your lifestyle and budget.

The Switzerland of America

Located about 50 miles from Telluride, Colorado’s Elk Mountain Resort offers spectacular vistas, unlimited recreation and luxurious accommodations. This year-round retreat, set in the state’s rolling San Juan Mountains, is home to 21 lodge rooms and 18 three-bedroom, two-story cottages.

From spa services and in-room treatments to a 10-acre snowmobile park, this new resort knows how to treat its guests. It’s no wonder travel aficionados have dubbed Elk Mountain “the Switzerland of America.”

The resort’s restaurant, Tarragon at Elk Mountain, is a first-rate dining experience. Located in the resort’s rustic main lodge, Tarragon features the regional and Pyrenees cuisine of chef Richard Chamberlain.

Elk Mountain’s winter activities are plentiful. In addition to snowmobiling, you can get a workout through cross country skiing on the resort’s property as well as in the nearby Uncompahgre National Forest. Have an itch to go to nearby Telluride? The resort will take you there for a day of skiing.

Ice climbing, ice skating and dog sled tours and even helicopter skiing are available through the resort’s services. The resort also offers the state-of-the-art Valhalla Shooting Club, with an indoor pistol range and clay shooting fields.

Your own private getaway

Unlike Colorado’s Elk Mountain, the West Indies Jumby Bay resort lets you forget about winter. At the resort, located on a 300-acre private island in St. John’s, Antigua, visitors will find exotic flowers, soaring white egrets and roaming Spanish sheep.

Accessible only by boat, Jumby Bay resort is one of those Caribbean properties that conjure up scenes from TV’s “Fantasy Island.” When guests arrive at Antigua’s airport, they are greeted by a resort representative who takes them to the resort’s dock, where they’re ushered onto boats for a seven-minute ride to Jumby Bay. The cost for the round-trip boat ride is $50 per person.

Jumby Bay has 40 refurbished suites and 11 villas that are spread over a third of the island. Its Oceanview Rooms, Jumby Bay Suites and the Rondavels — which are housed in octagon-shaped buildings — are comfortable, spacious and loaded with amenities such as Caloi bicycles and mini bars.

The open-air architecture on many of the island’s buildings is what makes this a classic Caribbean resort. That ambience is especially felt at The Verandah restaurant, which features an open grill and offers light Caribbean and European fare.

A trip to Jumby Bay in the winter season is one of those “trips of a lifetime.” The rates are at their highest levels through mid-April. But if you’re willing to spoil yourself during these cold gray months, then go for it.

Closer to home

For those who are already breaking the piggy bank this holiday season, a drive to Wild Dunes Resort near Charleston, S.C. might be more in line. Wild Dunes is located on the Isle of Palms barrier island. It features a variety of accommodations, including the Boardwalk Inn, villas and home rentals.

With its natural beauty, Wild Dunes is hard to pass up. The lowcountry island is home to loggerhead sea turtles, egrets, heron, alligators and dolphins. Wild Dunes Resort is fun for the whole family. Eco-tours, tennis, golf and teen activities such as volleyball make Wild Dunes a favorite for vacation spot year-round.

Wild Dunes is also perfect for those planning a last-minute New Year’s trip. The resort is offering a New Year’s package that includes two nights at The Boardwalk Inn, champagne upon arrival and two tickets to the resort’s New Year’s Eve party. The offer is based on availability.

More Info

Elk Mountain Resort

1-877-355-9255

Jumby Bay Resort

Wild Dunes Resort

Did you know?

Elk Mountain Resort is located in the San Juan Mountains, which contain a dozen peaks that rise to or above 14,000 feet.

In 1992, the James Beard Foundation nominated Tarragon at Elk Mountain chef Richard Chamberlain for “The Best Chef of the Northwest” Award.

Both the U.S. dollar and Eastern Caribbean dollar are accepted on Antigua, where Jumby Bay Resort is located.

Wild Dunes Resort has more than 350 vacation rentals, villas and homes — oceanfront and just steps from the beach — ranging from one to 11 bedrooms.

Sources: Elk Mountain Resort, Jumby Bay Resort, Wild Dunes Resort

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