The hottest holiday offers in October

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

On Kuala Lumpur’s historic mile, opposite the celebrated, 20th-century railway station that blends Neo-Moorish and Indo-Saracenic designs, this regal yet intimate hotel is divided into two different (but equally enchanting) wings. The Majestic Wing – a national heritage building from 1932 that once hosted society soirées – offers period grandeur, including 47 Art Deco-style suites. Expect clawfoot tubs, a 24/7 butler service and exclusive perks, from private check-in and check-out to Reading Room access. Meanwhile, a few steps along the glass walkway brings you to the sleek, 15-storey Tower Wing that’s all about zhuzhed-up luxury: jewel-toned shades, marble touches, lush four-poster beds. Whichever wing you settle on, the hotel’s shared splendour will transport you back in time, including bygone Malay dishes at the Colonial Café. The spa, inspired by The Willow Tea Rooms in Glasgow, even has an English afternoon tea-inspired treatment (cue the berries and garden blooms).

British Airways Holidays offers additional hotel savings up to 31 March 2027 on stays of three or more nights. Book by 31 October 2025 (exclusion dates apply). The specified offers will appear in red text during the booking process, should they be applicable. Prices shown on ba.com includes any applicable discount. Subject to availability. T&Cs apply.

Geneva, Switzerland

Sophia Loren and Martin Luther King Jr were just some of the many fans of this five-star landmark hotel in Geneva’s Diplomatic District, which is less than a five-minute walk from the United Nations Headquarters. Perched on a small hilltop away from (but still nearby) the downtown bustle, its limestone columns and sweeping staircases are matched by stunning natural surroundings: the views of Lake Geneva and the Alps are like something out of a storybook we’d happily live in forever. If that’s not dreamy enough, the elegant interiors are by New York designer Tony Chi, who has been inducted into the Design Hall of Fame (his portfolio also includes The Carlyle in NYC and Rosewood London). Of the three dining options, don’t miss Woods Restaurant, whose sumptuous Sunday brunch is a hit with locals. Top off your stay with a Balinese flowers and fruits massage at Spa Cinq Modes, and it won’t be long until you feel like the new guest of honour.

British Airways Holidays offers two nights from £449pp (and 7.50 CHF tourism tax, payable locally) from 1-31 January 2026 inclusive. Includes economy (Euro Traveller) return flights from London Heathrow Airport, one checked bag per person and accommodation. Book by 31 October 2025. The specified offer will appear in red text during the booking process, should it be applicable. Price shown on ba.com includes any applicable discount. Subject to availability. T&Cs apply.

Madeira, Portugal

Sloping terracotta rooftops, Portuguese azulejo tiles and palm-filled courtyards set the serene scene at this five-star hotel on Madeira’s east coast, hidden in the charming fishing parish of Caniçal. The feel is traditional coastal village meets luxurious retreat, with a dose of volcanic drama: a black sand beach decked out in loungers and parasols; bright, beautiful rooms looking over a sparkling sea or Mediterranean gardens. Seven spectacular restaurants offer everything from Portuguese to French and Japanese fare, and the hotel’s Unlimited Luxury package means buffets, à la carte dinners and snacks are all included, not to mention 24-hour room service and boundless premium drinks (that’s on top of welcome cocktails and a mini bar that’s restocked daily). Add poolside service across four pools – the main one spanning three tiers is divine – live entertainment each night, kids’ clubs and a glorious 900sqm spa, and you’ll begin to wonder if it really is all a dream. 

British Airways Holidays offers 20 per cent off early bookings. Book by 31 October 2025. The specified offer will appear in red text during the booking process, should it be applicable. Price shown on ba.com includes any applicable discount. Subject to availability. T&Cs apply.

Cancun, Mexico

There’s good reason this tropical all-inclusive earned a spot in the Top 100 Hotels & Resorts at the Luxury Lifestyle Awards just last year. On one side, secluded soft sands cradle calm turquoise waters; on the other, protected mangrove forest creates a lush green home for herons and iguanas. Together, this means 100 acres of pristine paradise (you’d never guess Cancun International Airport is just a 15-minute drive). Chic rooms nod to Mexican heritage – think pops of rustic reds and indigos and local art and textiles – with swim-up rooms making for the ultimate luxury. Then there are the resorts’ infinity pools, offering cinematic sights of the Caribbean Sea (active adventurers can admire it from their paddleboard or kayak, too). The fun isn’t just for adults, either, as little jetsetters are kept entertained with art and DJ workshops before everyone reunites for a decadent dinner at one of 12 restaurants –our favourite is Maxal’s authentic, regional dishes – followed by a captivating cultural performance.

British Airways Holidays offers an additional hotel discount for stays until 30 April 2027. Exclusion dates apply with a four-night minimum stay. Book by 31 October 2025. The specified offer will appear in red text during the booking process, should it be applicable. Price shown on ba.com includes any applicable discount. Subject to availability. T&Cs apply.

Seattle, USA

With spaces inspired by iconic Seattle indie label Sub Pop, a local craft beer hour and ‘insider perks’: boutique Hotel Max celebrates the city’s grunge routes and creative character. Set in the trendy Denny Triangle (don’t miss the Museum of Pop Culture), the hotel’s bike rentals by Public offer a fun way to explore the nearby neighbourhoods of artsy Belltown and maritime-influenced Ballard. Return to the lobby’s original Andy Warhol piece, and one of the most comfortable beds you’ve ever slumbered in – there’s also a bed for four-legged friends, plus a bowl and treats. In the mood for artistic elegance? Check in to The Alexis Royal Sonesta Hotel in downtown Seattle, just three blocks from the waterfront and around the corner from Pike Place Market (home to the original Starbucks). The hotel’s art-inspired Signature suites feature everything from hand-blown glass to music memorabilia and the Bookstore Bar and Café is the definition of chic cosiness, serving local coffee, pastries and a whiskey selection as impressive as the literature.

British Airways Holidays offers a fourth night free at Hotel Max until 30 September 2026, and five per cent off at The Alexis Royal Sonesta Hotel until 31 March 2026. Book by 31 October 2025. The specified offers will appear in red text during the booking process, should they be applicable. Prices shown on ba.com includes any applicable discount. Subject to availability. T&Cs apply.

Austria, the Czech Republic, Germany and Hungary

Mulled wine, carollers and that fuzzy, festive feeling: Christmas market season is around the corner, and we’ve rounded up the best destinations to experience the enchantment. In Austria, Salzburg’s snow-sprinkled Alps and Baroque architecture create a fairytale backdrop for its largest and most traditional market, Salzburger Christkindlmarkt. From 20 November, twinkling lights, joyful brass bands and more than 100 stalls are dotted across the historic city centre (don’t miss Mozartkugeln marzipan and chocolate balls). Meanwhile, in southeastern Austria, British Airways’ new route to Graz delivers a cosy, castle-style setting and markets aplenty, from Hauptplatz Christkindlmarkt and its towering tree adorned with 25,000 lights to Graz’s oldest setup in the Franciscan Quarter (blown-glass decorations, Styrian farm-produced cheeses and spiced punches are all part of the fun). 

Just as dreamlike is Budapest’s market in Vörösmarty Square, where folk dancing, wooden ornaments and lángos (deep-fried bread covered in sour cream) captivate. In Germany, the cheer comes in spades: Stuttgart’s market dating back to 1692, Hanover’s traditional Christmas pyramid soaring 18m high at Kröpcke Square, and Nuremberg’s cheerful children’s activities such as its carousel, puppet theatre and candle making. For mediaeval magic and a life-sized nativity scene, there is Prague’s famous Staromestske Namesti market – its trdelník (chimney cake) will inspire both children and adults to stay on Santa’s nice list for many Christmases to come.

British Airways Holidays offers £50 off on three-night stays to selected Christmas market destinations for travel from 1-31 December 2025. Book from 6-27 October 2025. The specified offer will appear in red text during the booking process, should it be applicable. Price shown on ba.com includes any applicable discount. Subject to availability. T&Cs apply.