While social media influencers are a relatively new cultural phenomenon, it’s easy to forget we have all long been influenced by another social sect: the rich and famous. While we obsess about what they wear and the company they keep, we also enjoy finding out exactly where celebrities go to enjoy some five-star respite away from the spotlight. While most of us gear up for a chilly winter, it’s no secret that the well-heeled crowd will instead jet off for sunnier destinations in the Caribbean and Maldives, or colder climes on the slopes of Switzerland and the US. So, where exactly do The Beckhams enjoy winter sun, and where are you most likely to spot royalty at apres-ski? We’ve scoured the globe to bring you the ultimate guide to where celebrities holiday in winter. After all, if you can’t beat them, join them. 

Aspen, Colorado

Who: Leonardo DiCaprio, Jack Nicholson, Heidi Klum

The likes of Leonardo DiCaprio and Heidi Klum regularly fly into Aspen/Pitkin County Airport via private jet to enjoy the region’s skiing, dining, and shopping, while Jack Nicholson liked it so much, he bought a second home here. We can see why; home to glamorous ski slopes and serene seclusion, Aspen is situated in a remote area of the Rockies, and is therefore a natural choice for skiers looking to get away from it all. 

Here, you’ll find the Maroon Bells – one of North America’s most photographed mountain landscapes – while those who fancy skiing have several areas to choose from, including Snowmass, Aspen Highlands and Buttermilk. Beyond the slopes, culture vultures will enjoy Aspen Art Museum, which regularly hosts exhibitions and residencies, while savouring Aspen’s acclaimed dining scene, from cozy farm-to-table restaurants to lively après-adventure bars. 

Where to stay: Viceroy Snowmass

As the only ski-in, ski-out luxury resort in Snowmass – which enjoys more than 300 inches of snow annually and has one of the longest ski seasons in the Rockies – Viceroy Snowmass set the standard for Rocky mountain luxury when it opened in 2009. Inside, guests can discover an intimate collection of spacious guest suites, as well as four dining outlets.

Priding itself on offering the local flavours of Colorado’s High Country, those looking for something more continental will find Latin flavours at Toro and, new for the 2025 season, the Lift Line Tavern, serving comfort food classics you’ll be yearning for after a day on the slopes. Last but not least, unwind at the expansive 7,000 square foot spa with outdoor pool to soak up Aspen in style. 

From £270 per night. 

Miami, Florida

Who: The Beckhams, Shakira, Lionel Messi, the Kardashians, Rihanna

Board a nine-hour flight from London heading west and you’ll touchdown in America’s holiday haven: Florida. Boasting a balmy 24°C throughout the winter months, the most south-easterly state in the US benefits from the Gulf of Mexico lapping its shores on one side, and the Atlantic on the other. Orlando is family-friendly, Tampa is where to get a taste of classic American hospitality, but all the glitz and glamour is saved for the bright lights of Miami, which has attracted the likes of the Beckhams, Lionel Messi, DJ Khaled and Shakira. There’s plenty to entertain here: visit the city’s oldest neighbourhoods, Opa-Locka and Allapattah, and spending an evening in Little Havana is a must. 

Where to stay: The Setai

A beacon of style in Miami Beach, The Setai has long been a celebrity hangout (Beyoncé and Rihanna are regulars) and offers an ultra-luxe oceanfront escape on the fringes of South Beach. Designed to capture the warm essence of Asian hospitality, the luxury resort is well versed in both privacy and exclusivity, allowing guests to choose from Art Deco rooms, Ocean Suites, or the crown jewel penthouse. 

The Setai, however, would be nothing without its Instagrammable restaurants. For a party, head to Jaya to enjoy nightly live entertainment, while for something more relaxed, dine overlooking Miami waters at beachfront restaurant, Ocean Grill. If you prefer to be the first ‘in’, book Japanese-inspired Japón now as it only opened in early October. 

From £490 per night. 

Maldives

Who: The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh (and practically every other celebrity you can think of)

The Maldives is a (relatively) new travel phenomenon. Having welcomed its first well-heeled guests in 1972, it has since become a global destination for those looking to enjoy their own sandy slice of secluded paradise, comprising 26 atolls and countless luxury hotels. Once the preserve of the rich and famous – who could afford to splash more than £2,000 per night on a room and complete the 12-hour plane journey to this remote country in the Indian Ocean – prices are getting more reasonable (and by reasonable, we mean you can find some all-inclusive packages for £700 per night). The enduring allure of its crystal clear waters, sandy white beaches and palm-tree dense islands, though, isn’t going anywhere – and has captured the attention of the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, the Kardashians and Gordon Ramsay, who have all been known to holiday here. 

Where to stay: Soneva Fushi

Soneva Fushi is no stranger to hosting celebrities: Salma Hayek saw in the new year here in 2021, and Sophie Turner and Joe Jonas chose this island as their honeymoon destination. It’s easy to see why A-listers return here again and again, with 24-hour butlers coming as standard with every suite and personalised itineraries available at the click of a button, allowing guests to glide through the treetops on a zipline adventure, snorkel alongside graceful manta rays at Hanifaru Bay or cast away on an island for a private picnic. 

Soneva Fushi is built on one of the Maldives’ largest and most unspoiled islands, and is home to 71 private villas hidden within a verdant expanse of rich jungle or perched above sparkling waters. By day, venture along secluded jungle pathways and enjoy transformative wellness at Soneva Soul, while by night, embark on a stargazing journey at the island’s observatory or dine at one of the hotel’s 14 restaurants, nestled in the treetops or poised over water. 

From £2,455 per night. 

St Moritz, Switzerland

Who: Brigitte Bardot, Coco Chanel, Alfred Hitchcock

Flying via private jet into Samedan Engadin Airport is the chicest way to arrive at Europe’s highest runway, positioned at an elevation of more than 1,700 metres, and also the gateway to its most sophisticated Alpine town. Famous for being the birthplace of ‘winter chic’ – a term coined by the town’s biggest advocate, hotelier Johannes Badrutt (see below) – it made its mark when it hosted the Winter Olympics in 1928 and 1948, and soon Hollywood, namely Marlene Dietrich, Rita Hayworth and Brigitte Bardot, began flocking to its snow-capped slopes. Today, St Moritz is as glamorous as you’d expect, attracting the British, Spanish and Monegasque royalty, who all enjoy its plethora of five-star hotels, designer boutiques, Michelin-starred restaurants and 190 acres of white-powder pistes. 

Where to stay: Badrutt's Palace Hotel

Since its opening in 1896, Badrutt's Palace Hotel has served as the alpine hideout of the elite, with names like Coco Chanel, Alfred Hitchcock, Audrey Hepburn and Charlie Chaplin featuring in its guestbook. Standing proudly on the shores of St Moritz Lake in the Engadin Valley, Badrutt’s Palace is situated at the heart and soul of one of the world’s most dazzling alpine regions.

Badrutt's Palace Hotel features 159 suites and rooms, all offering views of the lake or charming village centre. The Serlas Wing – inaugurated in early 2025 and designed in collaboration with Loro Piana Interiors – will be available to guests from the start of the 2025 winter season (from 4 December). Elsewhere, discover 11 restaurants, two bars and a nightclub, including a restaurant led by acclaimed British chef Jason Atherton, and the 364-year-old Chesa Veglia: a former farmhouse with regional Swiss flair that houses Chesa Veglia Pizzeria, widely considered the most sought-after table in the region.

From £1,400 per night. 

St Barths, Caribbean

Who: Paul McCartney, Beyoncé, Paris Hilton

Paris Hilton spends Easter here, Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez honeymooned here, and Paul McCartney, Beyoncé and Jay-Z are all regulars: St Barths is, quite simply, synonymous with luxury. Many arrive via private jet into Gustaf III Airport, also known as St Jean Airport, but there are also plenty of marinas, including Port de Gustavia Marina, to dock your yacht at before island hopping to nearby Saint Martin and Anguilla. On dry land, discover St Barths’ signature white sand beaches, designer boutiques, and historical attractions, such as the Wall House, which harks back to the island’s Swedish colonial era, and Fort Karl, where you can make a splash in azure Caribbean waters with historic surroundings.

Where to stay: Cheval Blanc St-Barth

The only hotel in the Caribbean granted Palace distinction – an award by the French government recognising uber-luxurious hotels – Cheval Blanc St-Barth is the place to go for the royal treatment. A frequent haunt of Beyoncé and Jay-Z, the five-star, 61-key hotel is situated just a stone’s throw from one of the island’s finest beaches, Baie des Flamands, and offers the only Guerlain spa in the Caribbean. Fine dining French restaurant La Case is a celebrity hotspot in itself, while the more casual, feet-in-sand La Cabane serves Caribbean classics such as traditional fish fritters, poke bowls and crab sando sandwiches.

From £1,315 per night.

Read more: The holiday hot list: Where to travel in October