These One-of-a-Kind Travel Experiences Won’t Fit Under the Christmas Tree

These One-of-a-Kind Travel Experiences Won’t Fit Under the Christmas Tree

Unique travel experiences make the best holiday gifts. These luxury hotels and destinations are offering over-the-top and personalized experiences ideal for all types of travelers—such as a sensorial beauty retreat, forging a one-of-a-kind knife, VIP NBA experience, and chartering a private yacht in Mexico.

FOR THE THALASSOPHILE

Mayakoba | Riviera Maya, Mexico (pictured, image credit: Mayakoba)

Carefully designed to enhance the beauty of the native landscape, the 620-acre destination of Mayakoba is home to four celebrated hotels – Andaz, Banyan Tree, Fairmont and Rosewood, each connected by waterways. Mayakoba praises its connection to nature, culinary excellence, notion of wellbeing, cultural & sports activities and a variety of accommodations and features a little something for everyone, no matter their age or interest.

Package Details: Discover the crystal-clear water of the Caribbean and the world’s second-largest barrier reef via private charters of Mayakoba’s Van Dutch Yacht. Delivering all the luxury, exclusivity and power a $1.7M, 55’ yacht can buy, it’s the perfect way to enjoy the unparalleled beauty of the Riviera Maya. Guests can charter Mayakoba for their own bespoke voyage including a catered lunch plus an array of water activities, whether that be snorkeling, scuba diving, jet skiing or even using our underwater scooters. Or, choose to enjoy the day by sunning on the stern. There’s really something for everyone in the family to enjoy.

Booking Details: Excursions range from four to full-day, eight hour trips, and can fit up to eight guests. Rates start from $3,100 - $11,000 and change seasonally.

FOR THE NOSTALGIC TRAVELER

Grand Hotel | Mackinac Island, MI 

Package Details: This season, the iconic and historic Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island, MI, announced a new partnership with Pentastar Aviation to provide the ultimate in luxury, private travel to this off-the-beaten-path destination in the Great Lakes. Guests can book the “Grand Discovery” package to take advantage of the new partnership and arrive at Grand Hotel in style. The package includes:

Private round-trip charter flights directly to Mackinac Island from airport hubs across North America
Horse-drawn carriage taxi airport transfer to Grand Hotel
A four-night stay in the four-bedroom private Masco Cottage for up to eight guests
Breakfast, lunch and dinner included
One private dinner prepared by Grand Hotel’s executive chef in the Masco Cottage with cocktails and hors d’oeuvres
$100 daily resort credit
Fully stocked refrigerator and bar customized to guest’s preferences
Private carriage tour of Mackinac Island

Booking Details: Contact media@grandhotel.com to book; rates start at $95K

FOR THE WELLNESS GURU

Four Seasons Resort Los Cabos at Costa Palmas | East Cape of Los Cabos

Package details: Created exclusively for Four Seasons Resort Los Cabos by beauty and wellness pioneer Tata Harper, Tata Harper’s Sensorial Beauty Retreat synchronizes nature in an itinerary that engages all five senses. Throughout the two-day retreat, guests will indulge in luxurious spa treatments, relax with sound meditation, enjoy many of Tata Harper’s signature beauty products, and more.

Booking Details: $2,000 USD per person

FOR THE BASKETBALL FANATIC

The Kimpton Sawyer Hotel | Sacramento, CA 

Package Details: The Sawyer has brought back its signature NBA experience, King for a Day, offering guests insider access and an exclusive, VIP experience with its hometown team, the Sacramento Kings. Guests who book this bucket list experience enjoy private jet travel from any West Coast city, luxury transportation in and around Sacramento, courtside seats, behind-the-scenes access on game day, fine dining and penthouse accommodations, and other exclusive on- and off-court treatments. Guests are also granted pre- and post-game access to the Golden 1 Center lounges via the Sawyer’s exclusive, underground tunnel entrance typically only reserved for players and club members. The package includes:

A private jet from any West Coast city (California, Washington, Oregon)
Limo pick-up and drop-off at the airport
Penthouse Suite accommodations at the Sawyer hotel for two nights with a Sacramento Kings welcome amenity
VIP table at Revival, the hotel’s rooftop bar overlooking the Golden 1 Center
Private, luxury transportation in and around Sacramento to see the sights and explore the city
$100 in-room dining credit for breakfast and late check-out
Signed basketball by top Kings players
Two signed Kings jerseys to wear to the game
Kings player meet and greet
Access to watch the pre-game practice
Pre- and post-game access to the Golden 1 Center lounges via the hotel’s exclusive tunnel entrance underneath the stadium typically reserved for players and VIPs only
Two courtside seats to a Sacramento Kings game at the Golden 1 Center

Booking Details: Priced at $30,000; contact sales@sawyerhotel.com to book

FOR THE CHEF-IN-TRAINING

Four Seasons Resort Hualālai | Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

Package Details: A unique excursion, the Neil Kamimura Bladesmith Experience starts with a meet-and-greet with master Hawaiian Blacksmith Neil Kamimura at his shop learning about the trade, Kamimura's inspirational background and distinctive techniques. After an initial consultation, guests’ journey to a secluded coffee farm on the hills of Hualālai where Neil Kamimura crafts his state-of-the-art specialty knives. Here, guests assist Neil in creating a unique, personalized knife: forging, pounding, and adding a custom handle to complete the one-of-a-kind chef's knife to use, or to treasure as a piece of art. The day includes a bento lunch by Kamimura's wife, a gourmet chef by trade, featuring local ingredients and dishes. Upon returning to the resort, guests will be presented with the finished product and take a knife skills class with one of Hualālai’s expert chefs. Press release here.

Booking Details: $12,000, excluding accommodations. To make a reservation, call 808-325-8000.

FOR THE ADVENTUROUS OENOPHILE

Montage Healdsburg | Healdsburg, CA

Package Details: Embark on the adventure of a lifetime aboard a Bell 407GX helicopter and take in spectacular views of the Sonoma County countryside from above. This Northern California helicopter tour and private tasting experience will follow the Russian River out to the Pacific Ocean with sights of Penny Island and Sonoma Coast State Park to name a few. Upon return, guests will have the choice to land at one of three winery locations and enjoy an exclusive tasting experience.

Booking Details: Package starts at $3,900; click here to book.

Malibu Beach Inn | Los Angeles, CA  

Package Details: Malibu Beach Inn’s Dierberg Suite - in partnership with Santa Barbara County’s renowned Dierberg Estate and the family’s Star Lane Ranch (typically closed to the public) – is a new exclusive, one-of-a-kind experience for guests to experience a private tour of the winery and subterranean caves followed by a curated tasting of wines directly from the Dierberg family’s private cellars. The experience will be completed with a catered gourmet lunch overlooking Happy Canyon and Star Lane Ranch. On the evening prior to the journey (via private transfer to and from Malibu and Santa Barbara County), guests will enjoy award-winning wines from Dierberg Vineyard and Star Lane Vineyard in the comfort of the hotel’s oceanfront Dierberg Suite.

Booking Details: 4,000 per night; package must be reserved 72 hours in advance of arrival date with two night minimum stay.