The hot list: Where to travel in January
January in the UK may not guarantee sunshine – but we know plenty of destinations that can
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We’re not even a week into January and we’re already dreaming of a holiday. As the UK braces for more icy showers, sleet and snow, sun-drenched spring days and warmer weather couldn’t feel more out of reach. The good news? Guaranteed sunshine is just a flight away. We’ve scoured the globe for the best sunny destinations to visit this month, spanning Spain to Scottsdale, all boasting balmy 20°C+ temperatures. Here’s where to travel in January – and the best luxury hotels to book while you’re there. See you at the airport.
Atlas Mountains, Morocco
Average temperature in January: 20°C
Morocco in January offers the perfect blend of mild weather, vibrant culture, and historic charm. With daytime temperatures averaging a comfortable 20°C, it’s the perfect month for exploring the country’s bustling souks, ancient palaces, and Marrakech’s enchanting Jardin Majorelle without the intense summer heat. Those looking to escape the hustle and bustle of one of Morocco’s four Imperial cities, however, should head to the storied Atlas Mountains, just one hour from Marrakech by car. Separating the Sahara Desert from the Med and Atlantic Ocean, this mountain range has been home to the indigenous Amazigh (Berber) people for millennia. Scenic tours and treks are abundant, and are best enjoyed before cosy nights unwinding by riad fireplaces.
Where to stay: Kasbah Tamadot
Meaning ‘soft breeze’ in Berber, Kasbah Tamadot offers a breath of fresh air just one hour from Marrakech. Surrounded by the rugged peaks and green valleys of the Atlas Mountains, this three Michelin key hilltop resort offers the height of North African luxury hospitality. Take your pick from 42 guestrooms and suites, luxury Berber-style tents, and private riad homes before retreating to the on-site spa for the ultimate R&R. Featuring a Turkish bath, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, and tennis courts, while also offering an array of treatments using locally sourced products such as argan oil and black beldi soap, it’s hard not to relax at Kasbah Tamadot.
Elsewhere, dine on both traditional Moroccan and international flavors at the Kanoun or Assays restaurants, helmed by executive chef Yassine Khalal. For those looking to explore, Kasbah Tamadot offers a range of scenic treks through the Atlas Mountains and nearby villages, while adrenaline junkies can also opt for mountain biking or mule-back tours. Better yet, Kasbah Tamadot is a member of the I Prefer Hotel Rewards programme, meaning you can earn points to use towards future travel and access benefits such as discounted nights and complimentary upgrades with every stay. Simply click here to sign up for free.
From £524 per night.
Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka
Images: Shutterstock
Average temperature in January: 24°C
Nestled in Sri Lanka’s tea country, Nuwara Eliya is a hilltop city that was colonised by the British in the 19th century as a cooler escape amid the island’s tropics. It has since earned the nickname ‘Little England’ thanks to its smattering of Victorian houses, colonial bungalows, post offices and even golf clubs. Today, though, it is renowned for its Ceylon tea and coffee production, as well as its breathtaking highland landscape featuring rolling, emerald green plantations, gorgeous waterfalls (don’t miss Lover’s Leap) and tranquil lakes (head to Gregory Lake). Naturally, it’s also home to an abundance of wildlife, including bear monkeys, blue magpies, Sambar deer herds and even elusive leopards. It’s a must-visit on any Sri Lankan itinerary.
Where to stay: Uga Halloowella
Perched on a hilltop within a 252-acre tea estate, Uga Halloowella opened last year as the luxury hotel group’s sixth property. Accessible via helicopter or by scenic drive, and on the doorstep of the famous Pekoe Trail, it’s enveloped within the cool climes and quiet hills of Hatton and overlooks the stunning Castlereagh Reservoir. The colonial bungalow sits on the sprawling former estate of Major Elton Lane, a First World War fighter pilot for the RAF, and has been lovingly restored by Uga alongside renowned Sri Lankan architect Channa Daswatte.
The six exclusive guest suites provide old-world sophistication together with all the luxurious comforts for which Uga is renowned. Three suite categories – Planter’s, Pekoe and Lane – feature design cues taken from the property’s colonial past combined with ultra-modern amenities: expect floral wallpapers, earthy textures and historic art. The signature restaurant, meanwhile, features an indoor dining room and outdoor terrace and takes guests on a culinary adventure around Sri Lanka using fresh produce from the surrounding highlands. Plus, don’t miss the array of curated experiences, including kayaking in the cool waters of Castlereagh Reservoir, guided tea country hikes, educational visits to a historic tea factory and bike tours in the hills.
From £875 per night.
Maldives
Average temperature in January: 29°C
Boasting unique geography, this archipelagic state dotted across the Indian Ocean comprises almost 1,200 coral islands, which are grouped into 27 atolls. Just south west of Sri Lanka, the majority of the islands are privately owned and the country is home to roughly 1,000 luxury resorts, with almost all of them promising exclusive occupancy of one or more islands. Overwater villas, speedboat tours, palm tree-fringed sandy shores and impeccable service come as standard here – the only thing you need to contemplate is which five-star resort to book…
Where to stay: Gili Lankanfushi
Set to be one of 2026’s most popular destinations for castaway escapes, Gili Lankanfushi is an award-winning eco-resort comprising 45 sumptuous overwater villas, including seven Crusoe Residences and the Private Reserve: one of the largest overwater villas in the world. Boasting a hard-to-rival location, just a 20-minute speedboat ride from Malé, all categories of villas and residences come with a dedicated Mr/Mrs Friday butler service, stunning natural surroundings and laidback luxury.
New for 2026 is the Digital Detox experience. In an era dominated by constant notifications and endless scrolling, Gili’s new offering provides guests with thoughtful alternatives that allow them to experience the island without constantly reaching for their phones. On arrival, each guest will receive a camera to capture their favourite moments, with printed photographs to take home as lasting mementos of a truly unplugged stay. Plus, their butler will deliver a curated morning news selection over breakfast, featuring key global headlines tailored to individual interests, and a book of choice will await in each villa to replace digital distraction. Say hello to paradise.
From £1,097 per night.
Lanzarote, Canary Islands
Average temperature in January: 21°C
Known for its year-round warm weather, black sand beaches and volcanic mountains, Lanzarote is one of the most popular destinations in the Canary Islands archipelago. Situated just north west of Africa, in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, this small but mighty island combines sun and sea with nature and outdoor excursions to create a sought-after holiday that entices three million Brits every year. Head to Timanfaya National Park to see Lanzarote’s basalt landscape in all its glory, and visit Teguise Market – the largest market in the Canaries – for a taste of island life via local artisan produce. Top beaches include Famara, a popular spot for windsurfers and surfers, and Playa Blanca. Hiking and walking routes are scattered across the island, but the Caldera Blanca is the most famous thanks to its 9.5km walk fringing the island’s largest crater, offering views of the volcanoes and lava fields below.
Where to stay: César Lanzarote
Opened in 2023, César Lanzarote is an adults-only hotel set in the volcanic heart of the island, conceived as a contemporary tribute to Spanish artist and sculptor César Manrique. Located between La Geria and Los Volcanes Natural Park, the property reflects Manrique’s belief in harmony between nature and architecture while nodding to its former life as a school and later as the home of Manrique’s father. Interiors throughout were designed by Virginia Nieto, whose palette of soft whites and greens is paired with stone, wood, linen and polished cement to create calming, comfortable spaces.
Inside, the property comprises 20 individually designed rooms and suites, many with private terraces and views across vineyards, volcanoes or the Atlantic. Start your morning with outdoor yoga and Pilates sessions on the terrace, lounge under the Lanzarote sun at the organically shaped saltwater swimming pool, before dining on Spanish cuisine while overlooking volcanic gardens and the ocean beyond. Sounds dreamy to us.
From £500 per night.
Scottsdale, Arizona, USA
Average temperature in January: 20°C
Fun fact: Scottsdale is home to the highest number of spas per capita in the whole of the United States – so there is no better place to seek a little January wellness than this sandy swathe of Arizona. Resetting in warm desert surroundings might just be the perfect antidote to the cold month of January, with temperatures reaching 20°C, while the striking landscapes and clear air makes it one of the best stargazing spots in the world. The city is also a haven for golf enthusiasts, boasting fairways and courses spanning the cacti-dotted hills of the Sonoran Desert to the lake-fringed rolling green plains in the centre of the city.
Where to stay: Boulders Resort and Spa
The secluded and natural haven of Boulders Resort and Spa offers the perfect setup for those looking to recharge and relax in Scottsdale. Named after the 12-million-year-old granite rock formations that dot the north Arizonan landscape, the resort offers beautiful mountain views at every turn, with many of the comfortable casitas also overlooking the property’s namesake boulders, emerald golf fairways, and the duck pond’s grassy knolls where Gambel’s quail and desert cottontails play. The spa menu takes its cues from the desert’s bounty, highlighted in the Desert Rose Ritual body treatment which utilises jojoba and desert rose exfoliation and a soothing aloe mask from the local succulent plants. Dine at laidback all-day diner Paolo Verde, which overlooks the duck pond and south golf course, or the Spotted Donkey for some of the best Mexican food in Scottsdale.
From £350 per night.
