We're officially in February, yay! That means winter is finally coming to a close and a warm spring awaits us, the perfect time to start planning our holidays for 2024. And where better to draw inspiration than from the star-studded sets of celebrities, influencers and royals who seem to jetset all year around?
From Oxfordshire to Europe and the Caribbean (if the tan is starting to fade) here's Grazia's holiday edit of the best A-list approved locations, hotels and hangouts Including the city that's hosted Meghan and Harry, Idris Elba, Madonna and half of the fashion pack...
Palm Jumeirah, Dubai
Celeb count: With roads lined with supercars, Dubai is a celebrity destination like no other. Their favourite hotel is FIVE Palm Jumeirah, visited by the likes of Ronaldinho and Connor McGregor as well as Cristiano Ronaldo, French Montana and Usain Bolt. Influencers flock their too, including Charlotte Crosby, Dawn Ward and Sophie Kasaei.
Why they love it: Famed for its luxurious beach and pool parties, nothing captures Dubai glamour quite like the Insta-worthy FIVE Palm set against the backdrop of Dubai Marina’s iconic skyline across 150 meters of private beach.
It’s not just the vibrant pool parties that draw A-listers to FIVE Palm, it’s the culinary excellence across their award-winning restaurants too. Our favourite? The Penthouse, a chic rooftop restaurant and club that takes gourmet dining to new heights, literally. Cinque is a standout too, offering authentic Italian dishes and top tier service.
The spa, ReFive, is a must-visit for ultimate relaxation at the hands of their exceptional masseurs (seriously, the number of times you may fall asleep mid-massage is a testament to their unrivalled skill). Choose from 470 rooms or suites with ocean or city views, then make sure to spend a day at the iconic Beach by FIVE for at least one picture in their on-beach infinity pool!
Lowdown: Rooms start at 750 AED per night (£161) plus tax and suites from 1000 AED (£215) plus tax depending on the season you travel. Visit: https://palmjumeirah.fivehotelsandresorts.com to find out more.
Los Cabos, Mexico
Celeb count: a mere two-hour flight from LA, the southern tip of Mexico’s Baja California Peninsula is Hollywood’s playground for guaranteed sun – and fun. Jennifer Aniston hosted a girls-only retreat here for Courteney Cox’s 55th, Jamie Foxx and Katie Holmes chose Cabo to enjoy the early days of their romance in secrecy, Justin Bieber likes to see in new year on the beach, while Cindy Crawford dines out at local restaurant, Tequila.
Why they love it: as well as idyllic white beaches and a coral reef to snorkel, the Los Cabos resort area (based around the towns of Cabo San Lucas and san José Del Cabo) boasts a sophisticated nightlife. celebrity haunt Nobu – owned by Robert De Niro and chef Nobu Matsuhisa, and frequented by stars such as Naomi Campbell, Leonardo DiCaprio and Bella and Gigi Hadid – has just arrived, in the form of the brand’s first hotel in Mexico.
Nobu Hotel Los Cabos is set on its own private beach, within the grounds of a golf course designed by Tiger Woods. it has 200 rooms, four pools and three restaurants, including the flagship Japanese Peruvian restaurant. Breakfast is best enjoyed at Malibu farm, before a lazy day spent ordering Nobu’s famous sushi poolside. later on, tequila tasting with the charming and knowledgeable barman, Nestor, at the pacific restaurant is a must. The rooms are tranquil havens of zen; the spa world-class.
Lowdown: Rooms from £350 without breakfast; nobuhotelloscabos.com. Fly from London to Los Cabos via Mexico City from £849 return with aeromexico.com
Seville, Spain
Celeb count: Penélope Cruz and a plethora of Game Of Thrones stars have been spotted here, while the Spanish city was all over the Beckham family’s Instagram feed a few weeks ago.
**Why they love it:**Seville offers sun-soaked cobbled streets lined with brightly coloured houses, and pinky sunsets over the water of the río Guadalquivir. The Palacio de Villapanés, an 18th-century Moorish palace turned five-star hotel, is where the Beckhams stayed. With a rooftop pool and greenery galore, it is an oasis so calm you’ll never guess that the sights of the city are still right on your doorstep. The sophisticated suites, with high windows, feather-so beds and fancy mod-cons (hello, iMac!) are the standouts – especially Suite Torreno. Under the palace’s soaring, domed roof, you will find a freestanding 19th-century marble bathtub – which is comfier than you might think – as well as a spacious private terrace with views for days.
Lowdown: Rooms start at around £160 per night; palaciovillapanes.com. Ryanair, BA and easyJet all fly direct to Seville.
Great Tew, Oxfordshire
Celeb count: The location makes sense when you discover that this small village is where you’ll find Soho Farmhouse. There are so many stars chilling out that there’s a no-photos policy enforced. Meghan Markle reportedly held her hen do here, while Posh and Becks have a house nearby.
Why they love it: The original farmhouse is now a sprawling complex dedicated to R&R. Dip into the outdoor swimming pool, try out the vast gym plus spinning room, or spend a rainy afternoon in the cinema (but book ahead). Most fun of all is a clay-pigeon shooting session. In the rooms, you’ll find Cowshed products and fresh cookies.
**Lowdown:**It’s the first summer fort the new Piglet cabins, which are surrounded by wild flowers and totally luxurious inside. Prices start from £170 per night; sohofarmhouse.com
Marrakech, Morocco
Celeb Count: Marrakech is having a moment, from Idris Elba and Sabrina Dhowre’s wedding, to Madonna’s five-day 60th birthday bash. The city also played host to Dior’s Cruise show, attended by Jessica Alba and Lupita Nyong’o, while Meghan and Harry visited in February.
Why they love it: Winter sun, sublime cuisine and endless shopping in the souk. Kate Moss’s favourite hotel, Es Saadi Marrakech Resort boasts the city’s biggest pool and 200 acres of tranquil gardens. It also featured in The Night Manager.
Lowdown: B&B from £270 per night; essaadi.com. Return flights from London start at £62 with easyjet.com
St Bart's, Carribbean
Celeb count: From rock stars to royalty, Saint Barthelemy has long been an exclusive enclave where the rich and famous dock their super yachts.
Why they love it: With glorious white tropical beaches and exquisite seafood, this island is Caribbean paradise with a super-luxe feel. Nikki Beach Club, nestled on Saint-Jean beach, is the place to party in style: Mariah Carey hosted her New Year’s Eve bash here this year. The nearby Eden Rock hotel is owned by the family of Pippa Middleton’s husband, James Matthews, and the ‘sub-royal’ Middletons regularly head here for winter sun along with Pippa’s in-laws, Made In Chelsea’s Spencer Matthews and his wife Vogue Williams, while Rihanna and J-Lo are also fans.
Lowdown: Rooms from £797, including breakfast; edenrockhotel.com, saint-barth. nikkibeach.com. Fly from London to St Barthelemy return, via Amsterdam and St Maarten, from £849 with klm.com
Craigellachie, Scotland
Celeb count: The Primrose Hill set’s Highland hideaway, The Craigellachie Hotel, is a Scottish gem set on the banks of the River Spey, 45 minutes from Aberdeen. Kate Moss, Noel Gallagher, Sadie Frost and Nick Grimshaw have all done their share of partying at the hotel, which is owned by nightclub supremo – and Guy Ritchie’s best mate – Piers Adam.
Why they love it: Despite the clientele, the hotel does not feel like a swanky celebrity haunt, more a cosy rural retreat – albeit done to the highest standard, with lashings of local cashmere. The menu at the on-site gastro pub, the Copper Dog, features delicious locally sourced food (think Aberdeen steak and smoked salmon) and was designed by foodie Tom Parker-Bowles. The Quaich bar, meanwhile, boasts the second largest whisky collection in the world.
Lowdown: Rooms from £150, including breakfast; craigellachiehotel.co.uk. Fly from London to Aberdeen return from £83 with British Airways; ba.com
Malibu, California
**Celeb count:**Just 45 minutes up the highway from LA, Malibu is where the elite weekend. Walks along Colony or Zuma beach are almost guaranteed to yield spottings of local stars such as Miley Cyrus and Liam Hemsworth, Ellen DeGeneres or Matthew McConaughey, while the restaurants and bars – Nobu, Cafe Habana, Maibu Farm Pier Caféa and Geoffrey’s – are also A-list havens.
**Why they love it:**This beach town epitomises So Cal’s laid-back glamour. The perfect place to stay is at beautiful boutique hotel, The Surfrider. Just a stone’s throw from Malibu pier, this former 20-room motel boasts one of the best rooftop views in town from its roof deck bar, while serving up locally sourced, organic ‘anti-hotel food’. Zoë Kravitz and the Beckhams are known to be fans.
Lowdown: Rooms from £327, including breakfast; thesurfridermalibu.com. Fly return from London to Los Angeles from £436 with virginatlantic.com
The Côte D’azur, France
Celeb count: From St Tropez to Monaco, the French Riviera has long been associated with the A-list – especially during the first two weeks of May, when all of Hollywood decamps for the Cannes Film Festival. From Brad Pitt to Bradley Cooper, Cate Blanchett to Chloë Sevigny, it’s practically wall-to-yacht celebrity.
**Why they love it:**Arguably the most stunning coastline in Europe, the glamorous beach clubs, yacht cruises and glorious French cuisine – never mind the gallons of rosé. (Despite their recent divorce, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie still own the Château Miraval vineyard together near Aix-en-Provence – the rosé is that good!) The magnificent Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc is the most exclusive of all celeb hang-outs, but another A-list gem is the gorgeous Hotel Belles Rives in Juan-les-Pins. One of Gwyneth Paltrow’s favourite haunts (she recently raved about it on Goop), it used to be the home of F Scott Fitzgerald. Now it’s a hit with the likes of Kendall Jenner and Helena Christensen, too.
Lowdown: Rooms from £120, not including breakfast; bellesrives.com. Fly return from London to Nice from £68 with easyjet.com