Cheaper rates and new perks lure travelers off-season

If you couldn’t take the summer vacation of your dreams this year, blame airline chaos — and the jetset who booked out Mediterranean hotels at insane prices — and reschedule for winter.

Flight prices are forecasted to fall from the astronomical rates we were seeing, but also, many hotels that typically operate with seasonal openings are now expanding their calendars. Particularly hotels in destinations better known for summer holidays, like Provence, Mallorca, and Cape Cod, are welcoming guests for shoulder and off-season bookings.

“While the main season in Provence lasts from May to end of October, we do see — and believe we can further create — increased demand for the off-season by appealing to guests who prefer peace, more quiet, private space, who enjoy villages which are not crowded by hordes of tourists and fresher temperatures than they would typically find in the hot summers,” said Alain Bachmann, general manager of Coquillade Provence Resort & Spa, located about an hour from the historic city of Avignon.

But reasons to remain open longer than usual aren’t all guest-facing. Kennebunkport’s Yachtsman Hotel & Marina Club, which usually closes its doors from late October until the first week of May, is now open year-round so that they can try to grow occupancy by 32.7% in 2023.

Both Yachtsman and Grand Hotel Kronenhof, a luxury property 10 minutes outside of glamorous St. Moritz, Switzerland, cite staffing issues as a factor, too. Because of the pandemic, hospitality outfits have been struggling to hire and keep team members, and months-long closures only add to the problem. Seasonal workers who leave a property for a few months may never return. A lengthier season (or becoming a year-round hotel) seems to be helping keep staff on the payroll.

No matter why they’re doing it, it’s the guests who win. These properties are slashing rates (at Coquillade, off-season prices are $500 less than during the summer) and introducing never-before offered activities to seduce bookings.

Here, six hotels to consider for an off-season getaway.

Coquillade Provence Resort & Spa, France

This vineyard-surrounded 100-acre resort in Provence’s Luberon Regional Nature Park closed for 20 months during the pandemic, during which time a comprehensive makeover was completed. When it reopened in July 2021, it debuted a transformed lobby, redesigned restaurants, and plans to keep its doors open through the festive season instead of shuttering in October.

A slew of brand-new activities have since been incorporated into Coquillade’s laundry list of amenities including themed week-long Ayurveda wellness programs, truffle hunting excursions, and various parties to celebrate holidays like Halloween and New Year.

From $750 a night.

This traditional Kennebunk River-facing hotel in Maine’s ritziest resort town is all about summer fun. So, to accommodate the cozy season crowd, some winterization was in order.

Last year, romantic gas-burning fireplaces were installed in the Yachtsman’s 26 rooms and themed holiday programming (like mulled cider and stocking stuffers for every guest), wellness weeks and activities including guided winter walks and snowshoeing will be rolled out this winter.

“We are hoping to attract travelers who have always had Kennebunkport on their bucket list but didn’t want to visit with the summer crowds,” said Justin Grimes, regional managing director at Kennebunkport Resort Collection.

From $189 a night.

Since opening last year, the plan for this 10-room farmhouse-style hideaway in Mallorca’s Tramuntana mountains was always year-round activity. After all, owner Toni Durán says that the hotel never stops showing off.

“During the winter we have olive oil pressing and the orange groves are at their peak,” Durán said. “How could we not share this with guests?”

Plus, tons of complimentary activities are included in your stay, like guided hiking tours, wine tasting with sommelier Amy, and cooking workshops.

From $200 a night.

Grand Hotel Kronenhof, Switzerland

For the first time since it first opened in 1848, this historic grand dame in the Engadine Valley will remain open from June 2022 until April 2023, effectively combining its summer and winter seasons into one 10-month operation.

A week-long late-autumn trip can start with hiking and mountain biking and finish with winter activities; at 6,000 feet of elevation, chances of snow in the village of Pontresina in November are high. But a pre-dinner appointment in the 21,527-square-foot spa can be part of your daily itinerary.

From $395 a night.

To offer New Englanders more staycation options in late 2020, this 429-acre Cape Cod resort decided to remain open during the winter months.

But to make the switch to year-round operation, the resort needed to transform many of its on-property venues into seasonal concepts suited for the colder temperatures.

Now, its La Salette dining room, for instance, becomes an art gallery with a roaring fireplace. While Ocean Terrace, summer’s main restaurant, is redecorated with whimsical dining igloos to become winter’s Frost Bar.

From $135 a night.