Sun And Sand Is Worth The Splurge

It should come as no surprise that the past couple of winters have driven Canadians to seek warm climates as a respite to a combination of bone-chilling cold and unrelenting snowfalls.

According to the latest Hotels.com Hotel Price Index (HPI), not only are Canucks heading south, they’re also choosing to spend the big bucks to do so.

Taylor L. Cole, APR, travel expert for Hotels.com, said: “Island destinations known for their crystal clear waters and idyllic beaches are the preferred retreat for Canadians who don’t mind spending a little extra for sand, sun and luxurious accommodation.”

Cole noted that: “The big difference between these island retreats over many of the popular resort destinations is that they typically focus more on exclusive experiences for the high-end traveller.”

The islands of Turks and Caicos had the highest average hotel rates globally, with Canadians paying a healthy CDN$480 per night. As the only country to break the $400 mark, it’s a favourite getaway for the rich and famous. Oprah and Rolling Stones guitarist, Keith Richards, are just a few notable celebrities with homes here.

Along with Turks and Caicos, other more expensive destinations attracting Canadians include St. Lucia, French Polynesia, Antigua and Bermuda.

South of the border, warm weather destinations dominated the list of most expensive cities for Canadian travellers (alongside the usual suspects of New York and Geneva) recording rates upwards of $250 a night. Cities in Hawaii, California and Florida were included, along with Paradise Island, Punta Cana, Rio de Janeiro, and Ocho Rios.

For more, go to http://www.hotel-price-index.com .