There are private spaces far removed from the crowds and the everyday world. Set against the grand tapestry of nature, these spaces engender admiration and enhance relaxation. These 10 resorts offer intimate dining, secluded jungle settings and personal pools.
Blancaneaux Lodge, Belize
Mountains, streams and waterfalls are the theme at this eco-lux oasis, the Blancaneaux Lodge. The resort is tucked away in the heart of Belize’s remote and pristine Mountain Pine Ridge Forest. Guests can hike and explore the forest, dine by candlelight with the flowing river nearby, swim under cascading falls and explore sacred caves. When twilight comes, relaxation is found in the sounds of bird songs and the rushing waters of a jungle stream. Magical and remote the lodge has just 20 cabanas and villas, all seamlessly blending into the stunning scenery. On the private 70 acres, there is a riding stable and an organic garden for guests to explore.
Sugar Beach, A Viceroy Resort, St. Lucia
Settle onto a shaded private terrace of your villa at St. Lucia’s Sugar Beach resort and take in the sea breezes flowing up from the Caribbean. Your personal plunge pool awaits, and far below, waves lap against the shores of Piton’s Bay. When it’s time for refreshment, a private butler is on call to bring libations and indulgences. Sip a cocktail, listen to the waves and take in the view. Wooden doors lead to the interior space where white elegance abounds. Soft white drapes blow in the breeze and white mosquito netting surrounds the poster bed. Why would you ever want to leave?
Bora Bora InterContinental
The setting is the stuff of dreams, and the shimmer of lagoon waters that surround the Intercontinental Bora Bora Resort is the very definition of the word inviting. Immersing in this liquid nirvana is as easy as stepping from the deck of an over-water bungalow. Whether you choose a dip in your private plunge pool or the sea you’ll feel completely alone in paradise. Request a candlelit dinner or a floating breakfast for an added sense of isolation and a personalized experience. A different form of hydrotherapy awaits at the nearby Thalasso Spa, where mineral-rich waters drawn from ocean depths are used to relax and rejuvenate.
Amanyara Resort, Turks & Caicos
Is it still called a day bed after the sun goes down? By whatever name, this tranquil poolside enclave of relaxation is the place to be when the stars come out. Pavilions and villas feature floor-to-ceiling glass walls that blend indoor and outdoor vistas. Private reflection pools add a layer of relaxation and a setting and ambiance ready for an in-room spa treatment. Amanyara Resort sits on a promontory on the western shore of Providenciales island, backed by a vast wilderness of protected parkland, and overlooking the pristine reefs of a marine park. Fall asleep to the sound of the wind blowing through the casuarina trees and the waves breaking along the shore.
Resort at Pedregal, Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
Kick back and watch the sun sink into the Pacific Ocean with the fire pit going and a good glass of red wine at your side. When relaxing at the Resort at Pedregal, it’s hard to believe that the bustle of Cabo San Lucas is just minutes away. But there’s literally a mountain between you and the outside world, with a private tunnel cut through guarding your serenity. Here you’ll be in an exclusive setting protected from the outside world. The resort is set on rocky cliffs where every suite has ocean views from terraces where you can swim under the stars and listen to the soundscape of ocean waves.
DoublePool Villas by Banyan Tree, Phuket, Thailand
Find your Zen at DoublePool Villas by Banyan Tree, as twilight settles over the lagoon. Here, you’ll dine under the stars at the water’s edge and gaze out on the lake with lighted lanterns floating by. Or board a traditional long-tail boat for a dinner cruise through the lagoons as traditional Thai music casts the scene and the pink clouds of sunset reflect on the water. Bodies of water surround. There are lakes, pools, ponds and the ocean nearby. Sleep in a glass bedroom where you seem to float on water, surrounded by your private wading pool. Seclusion and luxury are the heart of the experience.
Scrub Island, BVI
The view from your pool at Scrub Island takes in the occasional boat passing through the channel to Great Camanoe Island. That’s about the only signs of the outside world you will see on this private island. It’s your space, your entourage and your choice; hold up in your private villa, cocktails on your balcony, and dinner on your patio. Your self-catering home has everything you need. Should you want to visit the outside world, the marina, restaurants and bars are not far off. The North Shore Beach is a short stroll or golf cart ride away where the sea is calm and clear with great visibility for snorkeling should the notion arise.
Nayara Springs, Costa Rica
Lush tropical foliage screens the outdoor sitting area of a spring villa at Costa Rica’s Nayara Springs. Nestled in the Arenal rainforest with the volcano within view, all the visions of Costa Rica come to life. This is the perfect place to relax after a day of hiking the nearby rainforests or indulging in the resort’s award-winning spa. Have your on-call concierge deliver dinner to the room, then slip into the private plunge pool, which is fed by natural mineral hot springs. Listen to the trickling water, the distant rumble of the volcano and the breezes rustling the palms and heliconia in your own private jungle.
Little Palm Island, Little Torch Key, Florida Keys
Take a trip to a tropical paradise without leaving the States. In the heart of the Florida Keys, Little Palm Island once doubled as a movie set for an island in the South Pacific. Today, this secluded enclave is home to a low-key luxury resort where Polynesian-style bungalows nestle into fragrant gardens, and guests can retreat to intimate beachside settings to watch the sunset across turquoise waters. Guests arrive via private plane or boat. There are no cars, phones or crowds as there are only 30 freestanding bungalows each designed with a sense of seclusion with outdoor showers and private decks.
Four Seasons Landaa Giraavaru, Maldives
Your table is ready. It’s easy to see how Blu Beach got its name, as the dazzling white sands further enhance the cobalt hues of the lagoon waters. Here in the Baa Atoll UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve in the Maldives, the Four Seasons Landaa Giraavaru Resort is home to the Blu Bar, which serves up stunning views of its namesake beach. Offerings at the resort include beach villas with secluded gardens or over-the-water bungalows where private decks and pools give way to the constant view of the sea. The AyurMa Spa sits over the blue lagoon offering treatments and healing rituals in a calm and tranquil setting.
