From Los Cabos to London: The best hotels for doing Dry January
Overindulgence during the festive season leads to many resolutions for the new year. These range from Veganary (like the name suggests, going vegan for a month), taking out a gym membership or deciding to knock the booze on the head for January. One of the hardest things about going alcohol-free is finding adequate social situations that don't revolve around having a drink. So if you also want to get away during this bleak and gray time of year, we've compiled the top spots to do Dry January -- so you can get healthy, maybe lose a few pounds and make all your mates jealous with that perfect photo on the beach.
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Faro, Portugal
Malabar Lu Jong Retreats: This three-night retreat (January 21-24) is an introduction to Lu Jong (an 8,000-year-old practice of Tibetan healing yoga) set in the old town of Olhão on private property. It's designed to promote physical strength, flexibility, boost the immune system and sharpen senses. This is a perfect peaceful yoga intensive retreat.
Price: $1,309 per person based on two people sharing. $1,701 for single use. Prices are all-inclusive except flights.
Zighy Bay, Oman
Six Senses: This is perfect if you are in need of a bit of luxury pampering in January. This village-inspired resort has a range of villas, suites and beachfront rooms with private pools. Try the Arabian facial and spend time in the Moroccan hammam to enjoy a warm body wash and clay cleanse.
Six Senses holidays are about resting the mind and advocate good sleeping habits. There are sleep program designed by experts as well as handmade bedding and mattresses to ensure you leave rested and revived.
Price: Villas from $1,472 per night -- room only. Breakfast is $46 extra per person. This property is not yet included in the IHG Rewards Club program at the time of writing.
Kandy, Sri Lanka
Santani: This multi-award winning Ayurvedic hotel is set in the tropical hills of Sri Lanka. Luxury but minimal is the setting, with breathtaking views of this former tea plantation. The spa focuses on Ayurvedic principles (a form of ancient Indian medicine) where you can immerse yourself in a full program or pick and choose a la carte.
Price: Seven nights from $2,297 per person.
Los Cabos, Mexico
One&Only Palmilla: If one of your resolutions is to connect with your spiritual side or if you simply want to recharge, then majestic Mexico is your destination. From whale watching, horse riding, Shaman rituals, anti-aging facials to pilates on the beach, you will leave with a revived mind and body and a new sense of purpose.
Price: Prices from $4,319 for five nights per room including breakfast.
Surrey, England
Grayshott Medical Spa: Surrounded by 700 acres of National Trust reserve, this is a perfect getaway for those not wanting to go far from London but need a hit of wellness. Guests can choose from the signature gut-health regime and choose from the 65 treatments on offer including the detox massage, which is a mix of massage and lymphatic drainage plus a detox bath.
Price: Prices are from $288 per night, which includes all meals and use of the spa and classes.
Koh Samui, Thailand
Kamalaya Thailand: In need of a detox after Christmas and don't fancy doing it yourself at home? Consider a detox and a sunshine break in Thailand. This detox resort is set 50 minutes from Ko Samui. On offer are a series of detox packages, which suit the absolute beginner to a veteran detoxer. On the menu are cleansing massages each day, infrared saunas, colon hydrotherapy and a full detox menu.
Price: Detox packages start from $2,775 per person full board.
Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
Al Bait-Sharjah: If you feel like you can't trust yourself when doing Dry January, then consider heading to the "dry Emirate" of Sharjah where selling alcohol is prohibited entirely (nor can you buy duty free and consume at the hotel -- nice try). Just 30 minutes by car from Dubai, you can relax in scenes of Islamic heritage and spend your alcohol budget in the spa on nurturing envelopments, rejuvenating beauty rituals and therapeutic massages.
Price: Bed and breakfast from $183 per room per night.
London, England
Mondrian London: If you don't want to venture far from the city, then the Mondrian is perfect for a few booze-less drinks. On the menu is The Bradsell, which is made with cold brew coffee, peaches and split cream, peach shrub and ginger and soda.
Price: Rooms are from $260 per night. Mocktails are priced from $8.50.
Bottom line
After what may seem like a booze and calorie overload at Christmas, giving up alcohol for the month of January can be a great way to cleanse your system and lose a few errant pounds. But it's not always easy when it's cold and dark outside and spring seems so far away. So why not use some of your points and miles to jet off to somewhere more pleasant to detox? Or use the money you would have spent on nights out.
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.