Off Season

Our favorite time to visit these properties is when the crowds go home and the “bad” weather rolls in. But let’s keep this between us, okay?

Winter

Taylor River Lodge

Almont, Colorado

An off the grid hideaway framed by emerald pines and granite cliffs, Taylor River Lodge is an ode to good living -- Colorado style. One of our favorite Eleven Experience properties, Taylor River has always been known for its summertime appeal, but just last year, it stayed open for the winter months and welcomed guests to its snow-covered cabins for the first time. Now returning for its sophomore snow season, Taylor River has all the makings of a perfect cold weather vacation. We’re talking log-cabin-in-the-woods level coziness, paired with daily wellness classes and a healthy dose of adrenaline. Think kundalini yoga in the morning, followed by snowmobiling in Taylor Canyon, topped off with “Taylor Olympics” and cocktails by the fire.

Castiglion del Bosco

Montalcino, Italy

Thanks to Diane Lane and a certain sunshiney movie, everyone equates Tuscany with summertime. Which is, of course, fair, because there’s nothing more soul-satisfying than puttering down cypress-lined strade bianche in a vintage convertible Fiat, feeling the wind in your hair and the sun on your back -- but that’s not to say that winter in Tuscany is any less dreamy. In fact, many parts of the Tuscan experience feel purposefully built for winter: picture sitting by the stone fireplace of your villa at Castiglion del Bosco, while you uncork a Brunello and snack on a cheese plate. Or imagine sitting over steaming bowls of Ribollita as you plan vineyard walks or trips to medieval villages. These are the kinds of activities that practically require a sweater, so rethink that trip to the Caribbean, and book yourself a Tuscan villa this winter instead.

Spring

Hotel du Cap Eden Roc

Cap d’Atibes, France

Those who’ve summered in the South of France know the sublime pleasure of its stereo: the constant swish-swish of the Cypress trees, the steady hum of the cicadas, the crunch of rocky shorelines beneath Les Tropeziennes. Summer in Antibes is magical, but no one tells you spring in the French Riviera is a glorious secret worth keeping. Sure, the weather hasn’t warmed to peak-season yet, but that’s nothing some Breton-striped cashmere can’t fix. Visit the Marché Provençal, explore the Picasso Museum, perfect your game of tennis…spring on the coast feels like an exhilarating awakening, where everything is yours to discover, without the hinderance of summertime crowds.

Chalet Hibou

Le Miroir, France

All you winter-sports junkies out there know that the best way to celebrate the arrival of spring is traveling to a place where it’s still winter. Luckily for you, Chalet Hibou’s winter season extends through late April, so you can heli-ski, ice climb, and dog sled your way through the snow season’s final days. Like they always say…April showers bring fresh powder!

Summer

Eden Rock St. Barth’s

Saint Barthelemy, French West Indies

We know what you’re thinking. The Caribbean? In July? It goes against conventional advice, but St. Barth’s in the summer is special. Visiting in the summer means you get to experience a more local way of life on the island, one not ruled by impossible-to-get dinner reservations and crowded beach clubs. Summer in St. Barth’s is slower and sleepier, making it great for families looking to rent an Eden Rock villa and stay awhile. It’s going to be hot and humid everywhere in the summer months…might as well spend them somewhere with a really nice infinity pool.

Christian Horan Photography, Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo

Four Seasons Resort at Peninsula Papagayo

Guanacaste, Costa Rica

At the risk of sounding like a desperate salesman, rainy season in Costa Rica really is the best time to visit. And if your travel plans are taking you to the northern Guanacaste Province, you won’t have to contend with as much rain as you might if you were visiting the country’s southern regions. Green season is truly a sight to behold in Costa Rica. The lush greenery brings this Pura Vida paradise to a new level of vibrancy – well worth the price of an afternoon downpour, in our humble opinion. If you’re staying at the Four Seasons at Peninsula Papagayo, here’s how to structure your day. Spend the morning hanging at Prieta Beach Club before packing up and returning to your suite for an afternoon siesta. Take cover on your balcony and listen to the roaring sounds of an epic thunderstorm, or enjoy lunch inside while you wait for the rain to pass. Once the clouds have cleared, venture off property for a local canopy tour or treat yourself to an outdoor spa treatment.