Instead of: Christmas in Hawaii

Head to: Sanya's beautiful beaches

They might be the antithesis of snowscapes and curling up by the fireplace with a mug of cocoa, but Christmas beach getaways are a classic. Nicknamed the Hawaii of the East, Hainan shares the same latitude as the famed Pacific island chain and boasts just as perfect a climate. The city of Sanya, on the island’s southernmost tip, features long stretches of beach and an ocean that stays at entirely mellow temperatures.

While there’s some exploring to be done (visiting the giant Guanyin statue of Nanshan Temple, sampling the famous coconut chicken hotpot), kicking back and unwinding are really what island life is about. Luckily, plush resorts you won’t want to leave are in no short supply here. With 506 guest rooms all facing the hotel’s private beaches, The Sanya Edition offers the style and polish now synonymous with the boutique brand. As romantic a getaway as it is a kid-friendly destination, it comes with sprawling grounds that allow ample room for couples to cosy up in peace or for families to enjoy to special holiday meals together.

Or splash out on one of the five underwater suites at Atlantis Sanya, where sea creatures float past your bedroom window. During the day, you can swim with dolphins and sea lions, scuba with sharks and stingrays or shoot down the waterslides at the resort’s Aquaventure Waterpark. For extra holiday cheer throughout December, the resort hosts festive programming, including themed children’s activities and a show featuring scuba divers dressed in Santa costumes.