Celebrities' Favorite Sun-Drenched Getaways Slideshow
Gisele Bündchen and Tom Brady
This gorgeous power couple has been known to frolic on many a beach, from Los Cabos, Mexico, to Rio de Janeiro. And their hotel of choice in Rio is the grand and historic Copacabana Palace, where suites start at $900 per night and dinners come courtesy of none other than Cipriani.
Oprah, Mariah Carey, and Kate Winslet
One of the most out-of-reach places for those who aren't on Richard Branson's speed dial is his Necker Island, and it happens to be a favored sun-drenched escape for many household names like Oprah, Mariah Carey, and Kate Winslet. Winslet was on the island when it caught fire this summer, but all is well on Necker Island now — Branson's daughter just got married there in December.
Jennifer Aniston and Jessica Alba
Los Cabos, Mexico, seems like it's filled with celebrities at all times, and there's one hotel that accommodates the vast majority — Las Ventanas al Paraiso, where a suite starts around $1,000 per night. Jennifer Aniston, Jessica Alba, and Diane Kruger and Joshua Jackson have been spotted strolling past its dreamy infinity pool and into the tequila, ceviche, and sushi bar.
Tom Cruise, Suri Cruise, and Katie Holmes
When the Cruise clan needs a sun-filled break, they've been known to hole up in a $1,100 per night suite at the modern luxe Mandarin Oriental in Miami. Tom, Katie, and little Suri were spotted playing by the pool and lounging on the beach before, we're sure, refueling at the hotel's alfresco Café Sambal. Penélope Cruz and Mick Jagger have also been seen walking the halls here. Separately, of course.
Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi
There are a few places synonymous with celebrity sightings and sky-high accommodations prices, and St. Bart's is one of them. The island boasts only 20 small hotels, so celebrities can choose to stay in any for great service and privacy. Ellen, Portia, Miranda Kerr and Orlando Bloom, and Gwen Stefani, though, are likely to be found at Eden Rock or Hôtel Le Toiny, where the Restaurant Le Gaiac is critically acclaimed and has its own organic greenhouse on site.
Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez
This extraordinarily popular (and affectionate) duo has vacationed in several sun-drenched spots, from Madrid to Mexico, but they recently stayed in a $10,500 per night suite, along with Bieber's mother, at the Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea. We're sure they felt right at home with a Spago on site and then probably indulged in some wood-fired pizza at the open-air Ferraro's.
Penélope Cruz and Javier Bardem
These Spanish sun-worshippers were married in the Bahamas, vacationed in the Maldives, and recently introduced their son Leo to the sun in Capri, Italy, a favorite jet-set destination. The happy couple rented their own private villa, but had Capri's hot spots like Il Riccio and Aurora for indulging in fun, food, drink, and the tourist-free scene of the off-season.
Kate Moss
Jetting to warmer climates doesn't always have to equal a beach vacation. Kate Moss and Justin Bieber are noted fans of the very luxurious Sabi Sabi Private Game Reserve in South Africa's Kruger National Park. Each lodge is beautifully outfitted with local crafts and wares, and the property hosts themed dinners, so A-list guests can still whip out their designer goods while on safari.
Elle Macpherson, Katherine Heigl, Robert De Niro
Not all hotels in the Bahamas are created equal, and most A-listers skip Nassau's giant Atlantis hotel for the uber-exclusive Pink Sands resort on nearby Harbour Island. The small, chic hotel has hosted everyone from Lenny Kravitz to Cher and keeps drawing in Hollywood's elite with laid-back luxury, alfresco cocktails, and mouthwatering cuisine, despite a $900 per night price tag.
Katy Perry and Russell Brand
Katy Perry and Russell Brand used to pack up their wild outfits and piles of hair products when headed somewhere good together, like their honeymoon at the super exclusive Soneva Fushi resort. Suites start at $1,100 per night and guests dine alfresco by the beach.With their recent divorce filings, though, we wonder who'll get dibs this Maldives resort.
Leonardo DiCaprio
Leonardo DiCapro takes his winter sun with a side of gambling at the Monte-Carlo Beach Club. We assume his poker game went well, since he was spotted smoking a cigar on the hotel's terrace. The hotel's nautical-chic Elsa restaurant and its sunny Le Deck caf played host to Leo during his stay, which cost him upward of $900 a night.
Jay-Z and Beyoncé
The coolest couple in music, Jay-Z and Beyoncé, escape any unwanted wintry weather at The Setai on Miami's South Beach, where rooms run from $1,400 per night. The sleek and modern hotel has a zen feel, a gorgeous restaurant with an open kitchen, a courtyard that serves classic cocktails beneath the stars, three pools, and private access to South Beach.