Where To Go In March 2024

The Mexican state of Oaxaca is the Central American destination everyone is talking about: with its slew of designers, artisans, food culture, and art scene — as well as the heady mix of city, coastline, heritage, and tradition. Start your journey in Oaxaca City at Hotel Escondido Oaxaca, which combines old-world architecture and local artisanal touches, as well as a Piedmontese menu in the restaurant. Spend your days sampling its top-notch street food, its textile history as well as new art hubs such as Toro Galeria. When it comes to drinking, it is all about mezcal, so make time to taste its endless varieties in bars such as La Mezcaloteca and In Situ. Next, head to the coast and hunker down in Hotel Escondido on an unspoiled stretch of Pacific coastal beach near to Puerto Escondido. In early spring, the weather is perfect.

The capital of Rajasthan, Jaipur is calling this spring with its palatial lodgings, kaleidoscopic colors, and pulsing bazaars filled with vibrant fabrics and gems. March is an especially special time to visit the ‘Pink City’, since the Holi season — a festival of light and color — takes place. Stay at The Johri, a boutique hotel transformed from a 19th-century merchant’s haveli in the Jewellers’ district where scalloped edges archways mingle with antiques and Pichwai artworks. It has five generous suites whose color palettes are inspired by the jewels they are named after — we love the Neelam, which is guided by all things sapphire.

Combine it with a booking at the fabulously maximalist Villa Palladio, a recently opened country estate that takes its design cues from the grand hotels of a bygone era. From your two bases, you can explore Jaipur’s exceptional sights: from the Hawa Mahal, a pink sandstone palace with 953 tiny windows called jharokhas; the Green Gate at the City Palace, which represents spring and is in homage to Lord Ganesha; and the Water Palace, Jal Mahal, which floats in the middle of a lake.

The Balearics off-season is a revelation — not least Mallorca, which begins its spring bloom in March with almond blossom making its gentle mark on the beautiful, mountainous island. Bed down at Finca Serena, a 40-acre estate enveloped in lush Mediterranean gardens, olive groves, and vineyards. There are 25 calming rooms to choose from, as well as the fantastic Jacaranda restaurant with its two Michelin stars and a Unico spa to ensure you barely need to leave the grounds. Walking through the lavender fields, yoga sessions and mindfulness classes add to the tranquil vibe. If you do feel like venturing further afield, it is only 20 minutes in the car to sexy Palma. Get lost in the labyrinthine old town of Mallorca’s capital, before stopping in at the Hotel Sant Francesc’s rooftop for a sundowner. Beautiful Deia is also worth the one-hour drive, to see why this hilltop village has played muse to so many artists, writers, and poets.

Read our Insider’s Guide to Palma here.

Seville is having a moment. The beguiling heart of Andalucia, it is a mishmash of architectures, styles, and cultures that never fails to seduce. Drenched in year-round sunshine, March is a fantastic time to go, before it properly heats up and the orange blossom-lined streets start to swelter. As well as the time-worn delights of its old town and sherry culture, there are contemporary art galleries, slick new tapas spots, and seafood market bars like La Cantina to try out. Our favourite place to stay is the family-owned Hacienda San Rafael, a 17th-century Andalucian farmhouse, whose rooms are set around a beautiful courtyard flowing with bougainvillea and gardens strewn with wisteria. With this home-from-home as your base for Seville, you can have the best of both worlds — city and countryside.

The Dolomites are perfect for winter sports enthusiasts who also like their mountain breaks to come with a side order of gastronomy and second-to-none scenery. Start in Corvara, an absurdly picturesque and high-up town in the UNESCO-rated Alta Badia region, which is ringed by the Stella Massif. Stay at the family-run La Perla, which is renowned for its exceptionally warm service, classic Ladin style, and its four restaurants — make a booking at the Michelin-starred La Stüa de Michil.

Next, head west, to the village of Villanders, a charming Alpine village that is the home of Felder Alpin, an 11th-century farmhouse. Felder Alpin combines rustic comfort with the trimmings of modern luxury and a sustainable mindset. Sitting at an altitude of 1,200 meters, the private lodge has breathtaking views of the surrounding Dolomites and is a short distance from Bolzano, the beautiful capital of South Tyrol. The owner Tom, your mountain guide Matthias, and the manager Claudia will make your stay as dreamlike and adventurous as possible—with the lodge’s Pinzgauer on hand to chauffeur you around. For those who wish to arrive by air, there is a helipad.

For more tips, read our Bolzano and Alta Badia insider guides.

Glamorous Zermatt is the highest ski resort in Europe, making this towering Swiss spot for a March ski trip. It’s a car-free village where life revolves around its dramatic main peak, the Matterhorn, and the surrounding mountains: its visitors either schuss down them, climb them, or simply gaze at them. Our favorite address to stay at is the equally glamorous The Omnia: a quintessentially American mountain lodge reimagined for the Swiss Alps. Enjoying a kind location, perched like an eagle’s nest over Zermatt, The Omnia has epic views over the Matterhorn, luxurious rooms, and a lift that whooshes you through the cliffside to connect you with the main square and the ski lifts. When you are not chasing powder, stop in for lunch at Chez Vrony — it’s a local institution with more than 100 years of tradition and family history under its belt. For apres-ski, we love the legendary Champagne Bar (formally known as Teehäuschen Flora, which you hit on the descent from Sunnegga back down to Zermatt. It’s the ideal way to end your skiing day before you head back to the hotel and freshen up for dinner at Spycher.

Read our Full Insider’s Guide to Zermatt here.

Newly opened this season, Le Club Chalet is a new project from 84 Rooms in the picturesque village of Rougemont in the Gstaad Valley. Featuring freshly renovated interiors that nod to the 60s and 70s alpine culture, its private hilltop position and seven bedrooms make it ideal for big group gatherings or a couple of families. Whatever their age, everyone will appreciate the dazzling 360-degree views of the surrounding Pays d’Enhaut and the Saanenland from its generous outdoor terrace. The Videmanette lift is a five-minute drive away, connecting skiers to the Gstaad Eggli resort, and the infamous Tiger Run on the Wasserngrat mountain. For those otherwise inclined, there are cross-country tracks and winter hikes that start right from the front door. After a day in the great outdoors, warm up in the Finnish sauna, before tucking into a feast by a private chef, or head into the village for the best raclette and fondue at Le Cerf.

March availabilites. Book your stay here.

84 Rooms recommends: Celia Solf’s Insider Guide To Bolzano And South Tyrol, and Where To Find Winter Sun In 2024.