Tag Archives: Stay

Cabo Resort
Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, Stay, Trip Ideas

Cabo San Lucas’ Best Luxury Hotels

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Of the many fine resorts in the Cabo San Lucas area, a handful stand alone. These are the places that draw the rave reviews and extra stars in the guidebooks, and justify premium rates. They sit on the best beaches, command the most amazing views, feature the best restaurants and offer the highest level of personal service. Some welcome families and groups, others are best enjoyed as a couple, or even alone. No matter whether you are planning a quiet getaway or a celebratory splurge, one of these four top- ranked properties will fit the bill.

One & Only Palmilla

Baja’s original upscale escape has been hosting the elite and discrete since the 1950s. Now affiliated with the One & Only hotel family, this venerable landmark property is better than ever, thanks to a recent nine-figure renovation that left the familiar red-tile roofs intact, but touched most every other aspect of the resort. The feel is hacienda traditional, with whitewashed stuccoes, fountained courtyards and tropical landscaping. Interior upgrades are more obvious, and combine rich hand-carved furnishings and exposed- beam ceilings with warm-tone terracottas, granites and marbles. All accommodations feature ocean views, lavish bathrooms, separate sitting areas and private terraces with day beds and telescopes for spotting the whales that migrate just offshore.

Cabo One And Only Resort

The One & Only Palmilla is Cabo’s original upscale getaway resort, and thanks to more than $100 million in recent upgrades, it remains one of the region’s premier properties. Photo: Barbara Kraft/One & Only

One quality of Palmilla that that hasn’t changed over the years is the resort’s ability to accommodate a wide range of guests. Those who want to relax in privacy can tap into private butler services and cloistered cabanas, or arrange for a private beachside dinner under the stars. But Palmilla also hosts its share of wedding parties and special celebrations, and is far more family friendly than other high-end properties in the area. There’s plenty to do on site, as the resort overlooks one of the area’s best beaches, and encompasses an acclaimed 27-hole golf course, four restaurants, spa, fitness center, two infinity-edge pools, tennis courts and a children’s club.

Las Ventanas al Paradiso

At the upper end of the resort spectrum, the experience is as much about the service as the amenities. Las Ventanas al Paradiso excels in both categories. Sitting on a private section of coastline half way between Cabo San Lucas and San Jose Del Cabo, and convenient to both, Las Ventanas offers a collection of suites and beachfront villas that blend privacy with views, and include intimate touches such as wood-burning fireplaces. Living quarters begin at 1,000 square-foot suites and range up to three bedrooms villas larger than the average home. Whitewashed stuccoes, native woods and cascading water elements set a tone that complements rather than competes with the magnificent sea views found at every turn.

Cabo Las Ventanas

In a setting that highlights ocean views, Las Ventanas al Paradiso combines the comforts of spacious suites and beachside villas with an unrivaled focus on personal service. Photo: Blake Marvin/Las Ventanas al Paradiso

All the expected amenities of a five-star Rosewood property are in evidence, including fine dining, spa services and luxurious beach cabanas with private plunge pools and Jacuzzi tubs. What truly sets Las Ventanas above most other luxury properties in the region is an unrivaled level of personal and personable service. From the moment guest are greeted upon arrival, requests are not just met, they are anticipated, and the staff has perfected the art of providing warm, attentive interaction without overstepping the bounds of the service relationship. It is this human factor that creates the lasting memories, which continue to win this premier property top accolades from its guests.

Esperanza

Sink into the spa tub on your private terrace, watch the surf crash just below, and you might never want to leave your room. But should you get the ambition to go deep sea fishing, or heed the siren call of Cabo’s legendary night life, you won’t have far to go. Esperanza sits three miles up the coast from downtown Cabo San Lucas, which is just far enough to keep drive times short while providing ample insulation from the Medano Beach party scene. The resort commands its own stretch of waterfront, with rock bluffs bookending the compact beach, and also delivers spectacular cliffside views from the adjacent two-tiered infinity pool.

Cabo Esperanza

The Esperanza resort perches on a low rock bluff, with commanding views of the Sea of Cortez. A private beach is just steps away. Cabo San Lucas is a short cab ride to the south. Photo: Erhard Pfeiffer/Esperanza

Earth tone stuccoes, rough-hewn woods and thatch roofs set the tone for the 17-acre compound. Interiors continue the theme, creating an inviting atmosphere that delights, but also complements rather than distracts from the ocean views that await on the private outdoor terraces. All guest quarters are spacious, ranging upward from 900-square foot Casitas to four-bedroom villas, and the beachfront suites are literally a stone’s throw above the surf. Esperanza draws its share of A-list celebrities, who come for the same attentive yet professionally discrete service all guests will enjoy. The resort’s signature Cocina del Mar restaurant serves inspired seafood creations, and includes outdoor dining spaces that extend out onto the rock headland, placing diners right above the surf line. The on-site spa has also earned a reputation as one of the region’s best.

The Resort at Pedregal

On a side street near downtown Cabo San Lucas, a tunnel disappears into the hillside. At the other end of this chandelier-lit passage is a resort like no other. The Resort at Pedregal sits in isolated splendor on the west side of the peninsula, facing endless views of the Pacific Ocean. Every element of the architecture celebrates the location, from the outdoor tables of the cliffside El Farallón restaurant and the new cliffside Champagne Terrace to the private infinity-edge plunge pools that turn each private balcony into an extension of the seascape. Modern adobe, native rock and natural woods set earth tones that blend with and mirror the hues of beach and cliff, while interiors are warmed by browns and bronze tones, with in-room fireplaces and hand- crafted furnishings and fixtures. Especially luxurious are the spacious bathrooms, which include both open showers and stand-alone soak tubs.

Pedegral Cabo

A fire pit greets guests arriving at The Resort at Pedregal. To reach this property from Cabo San Lucas, guest travel through a tunnel that leads to an isolated section of beach. Photo: Robert Reck/The Resort at Pedregal

The surf-washed beach is best enjoyed by strolling rather than swimming, but just yards away from the high tide line are two infinity-edge pools, which create the appearance of melding right into the waves. The larger of the two pools includes an enticing swim-up bar where one can order up a Margarita and a nosh of fresh guacamole seasoned by salt air. Other water elements on the grounds include a series of rooftop cascades, which feed a separate indoor/outdoor saltwater pool that extends into the treatment chambers of the Luna y Mar Spa. At the spa, one can indulge in a decadent range of soaks, scrubs and rubs, or tap into traditional Mexican folk healing arts, with treatments that include a spiritual cleansing by a native shaman.

Cambridge Beaches Bermuda
Bermuda, Caribbean, Stay

Bermuda’s Beachfront Resorts

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Bermuda has some of the loveliest beaches in the world. Perched above some of these pink and cream-colored strands are grand resorts that provide striking vistas and pleasant ocean breezes. Three of the island’s most venerable properties not only bring in the big view, but also provide the traditions of hospitality that Bermuda is known for. All have a storied past yet each has added fresh additions and upgrades bringing them up to contemporary standards and expectations.

Cambridge Beaches Resort & Spa, Sandys Parish

To really get away from any hustle & bustle head to Somerset, the quiet western end of Bermuda. Here on a peninsula surrounded by two bodies of water sits Cambridge Beaches, a collection of individual cottages. For more than 100 years this gracious retreat has received its share of visiting luminaires and extended families.

Bermuda Cambridge Beaches

Tucked away between ocean and bay, the grounds of the Cambridge Beaches Resort & Spa offer water views from many of the 96 cottages scattered across this historic property. Photo: Debbie Snow

One-of-a-kind cottages are spread out on 30 rolling acres of green lawns punctuated by flowering gardens, statues and benches. Many of the 96 cottages are named after guests who have been coming for generations. Amenities and activities include a fitness center, yoga on the beach, tennis, and a spa with pools, baths and steam areas, three restaurants and an infinity pool with several layers of sun decks. There are four beaches to choose from, each with a different vibe. Long Bay Beach is the main stretch of sand and the hub of water sports activities. The sea is typically calm here, making it the perfect setting for an intro to paddle boarding. After a full day, you can also take in the sunset at the beachside Breezes restaurant. Turtle Cove Beach is more secluded, perfect for a private day at the beach or a romantic candlelight dinner on the sand. Morning Beach and Pegem Beach are two small coves that provide an oasis of tranquility.

Elbow Beach Resort, Paget Parish

Steeped in history, Elbow Beach Resort dates back to 1908, when it was the first guest cottage to be built along the beaches of the famous South Shore. Overlooking one of Bermuda’s renown pink sand beaches, the enclave sits on lush green lawns that slope gently to the shore. Guest rooms and suites provide intimate hideaways and are scattered about the 50 acres of tropical gardens, all an easy stroll to the beach. Buildings follow Bermuda’s traditional architectural style of pastel walls topped with white-tiered roofs. Many of the 98 cottage-inspired rooms offer direct sea views from the bedroom and patio, while others are tucked away in private gardens.

Bermuda Elbow Beach

A view from the bedroom at the Bird of Paradise cottage at the Elbow Beach Resort. Named after it’s mile-long pink sand beach, this resort sits on 50 acres of landscaped grounds that slope to the sea. Photo: Elbow Beach Resort

The resort’s pale pink namesake beach stretches for almost a mile, curving like a bent elbow. A line of protective coral reefs fronts the sands, keeping the waters calm and perfect for a swim. Beach attendants are on hand with chilled towels and food service delivered right to your chaise lounge, or you can dine at a table on the sand at Mickey’s Beach Bistro & Bar. A favorite indulgence is a private candlelight dinner.

The Reefs Hotel & Club, Southampton Parish

Set on a limestone cliff that towers over a pink sand beach, the salmon-colored-toned walls of this south coast resort mirror the beachfront setting. A favored perch at the resort is the Coconut Bar, where the deck is best enjoyed at sunset with a signature cocktail such as the Dark & Stormy in hand. Below, the pink sands are dotted with swirls of pink and white beach umbrellas, and each end of the beach is flanked by wave-washed boulders that create a private setting. Beachside food and drink service is on hand, and for guests feeling a bit more energetic there are kayaks, paddle boards and snorkeling gear ready and waiting for a day of exploration.

Bermuda The Reefs

The landmark salmon-tinted structures of The Reefs Hotel & Club perch on a seaside cliff in Bermuda’s Southampton Parish. Rocky escarpments create privacy at the resort’s pink sand beach. Photo: The Reefs

Family owned and run, The Reefs is the sort of place where guests return year after year, and are known by the attentive staff. Built on the ruins of a 1680 farmhouse the resort offers three cottages overlooking the private beach, 62 rooms, each with an ocean view and 19 club style condos. True to Bermuda’s tradition, guests are greeted with a warm smile and a Rum Swizzle as they are escorted to their room.

 

Puerto Rico St Regis Bahia
Caribbean, Dominica, Nevis, Puerto Rico

Caribbean Turtle Beaches

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Caribbean beaches attract more than vacationing humans. Each year, momma sea turtles travel thousands of miles back to their nesting ground on island sands. They are returning to the place where they were hatched, where they will lay their own eggs. The hatching process takes approximately 60 days from when the female first digs the nest until the hatchlings head for the sea. Turtles will lay hundreds of eggs, and may create more than one nest a year. That’s a lot of babies, but in nature, only one in a thousand will survive to maturity. And that’s before poaching, habitat loss, and other environmental factors take their additional toll. To even the odds, several Caribbean resorts have started conservation programs to ensure that more of these hard-shelled mariners survive and grow.

Nevis Four Seasons Sea Turtle

A juvenile green sea turtle swimming in the coastal waters of Nevis. Thanks to programs such as the Four Season’s nest monitoring, local sea turtle populations are rebounding. Photo: Zoonar/Four Seasons Nevis

Rosalie Bay, Dominica

Dominica Sea Turtle

A newly hatched leatherback crawls across a strand of sea grass at Rosalie Bay. Photo: Rosalie Bay

Tucked into the southeast coast of Dominica, this 29-room eco- resort fronts the Atlantic Ocean and has the Rosalie River flowing along the property edge. The resort’s 22 acres sustain the lush landscape that is the essence of Dominica, the nature island. Guest suites are in buildings that resemble an island village and are enveloped in indigenous vegetation and tropical fruit trees.

As part of its sustainable ethos, Rosalie Bay now provides proactive protection for nesting turtles and maintains a turtle nursery. This program was founded by resort owner Beverly Deikel 10 years ago when she recognized the black sand beaches at Rosalie’s doorstep were important nesting grounds for the endangered leatherback sea turtle that is native to the island. Thanks to her efforts and the training of staff and residents, over the course of a decade turtle’s nests at Rosalie Beach have grown from seven to more than 80 a season.

Turtle nesting season runs from May to October and at that time guests can witness 800-pound turtles crawling ashore to nest, or hold new hatchlings and help them along their first journey to the sea. Guests also help patrol the beach to protect nesting turtles, assist researchers in collecting data, and observe the relocation of turtles to the turtle hatchery. There is also the option to be “on call” when baby sea turtles hatch which could happen in the middle of the night.

Dominica Rosalie Bay Lobby

The lobby as well as the guest suites of Rosalie Bay embraces the local environment. Sherbet colored buildings resemble local villages of Dominica. Photo: Debbie Snow

St. Regis Bahia Beach, Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico St Regis Sea Turtle

A female leatherback turtle makes her way onto the sand at Puerto Rico’s Bahia Beach. Photo: St. Regis Bahia Beach

Long before the St. Regis Bahia Beach Resort was built in 2010, the beaches of Bahia Bay were under the watchful eye of biologists and environmentalist. These sands are key habitats for nesting sea turtles, including the endangered leatherback.

During the resort’s development phase, a team of engineers, environmentalists and architects were tasked with preserving as much of the flora and fauna as possible. This resulted in a property that includes just 129 rooms set on 483 acres, with more that 65 percent of this land maintained as green space. This led to Bahia Beach being certified as a Gold Signature Sanctuary by Audubon International-the first and only resort in the Caribbean to have such recognition.

The St. Regis partnered with existing conservation initiates and created a unique guardian program that encourages guests to observe or participate in protection efforts. Working within guidelines established by biologists, guests can report on nesting activity or monitor hatching events. It is after emerging from their shells that baby turtles are most vulnerable, as they must climb out of the sand and make their way to the water. This is when guests may be able to guide the hatchlings by making a runway out to the sea. Guests can also help by patrolling beaches and notifying biologists if they see a turtle or any turtle tracks, and they are sometimes able to ride along when the staff is patrolling beaches during the day.

Puerto Rico St Regis

Puerto Rico’s Bahia Bay is one of the Caribbean’s most important nesting sites for leatherback turtles. The St. Regis resort overlooks the bay, but does not disturb the habitat. Photo: Debbie Snow

 

Four Seasons Nevis

Nevis Turtles Four Seasons

Guests at the Four Seasons Nevis watch a female green sea turtle make her way back to the ocean. Photo: Four Seasons Nevis

The Four Seasons sits on 350 acres of green rolling hills that blends into the natural environment, with Nevis Peak, the 3,232 cloud-shrouded sleeping volcano, in the background. This classic resort overlooks the four-mile stretch of Nevis’ Pinneys Beach. Endowed with golden sands and calm turquoise water, this is the island’s’ most popular beach—and it’s also a favorite with nesting sea turtles. To accommodate turtles, the beach bars scattered along the beach are set back from the water, and nighttime lighting is often muted.

During the height of turtle nesting season which runs from June through October, guests can join nighttime turtle watch walks, observe nesting and hatchlings. Guests can also assist marking nests and gathering scientific data, which may assist in tracking migratory paths of turtles. The Four Seasons provides an additional range of ecological-themed activities for all ages. During summer, children can attend Sea Turtle Camp, where they learn about these animals through a series of interactive programs.

The highlight of this program is the Sea Turtle Conservancy Weekend, held each July in partnership with the International Sea Turtle Conservancy and the Nevis Turtle Group. A range of additional activities is scheduled for the weekend, and guests of all ages are invited to join the program. While protecting turtles is high on the list, the resort also has other inhabitants, the socially active vervet monkeys. The best time to see a troop is on one of the Sunset Monkey Excursions with a resident monkey expert. These tours are a highlight for adults as well as kids.

Nevis Four Seasons

Nevis Peak looms over the grounds of the Four Seasons Nevis. Lush landscaping provides habitat for birds and monkeys, while the beach is prime nesting for sea turtles. Photo: Debbie Snow

 

 

 

St Maarten Sonesta
Caribbean, St. Martin/St. Maarten, Stay, Trip Ideas

St. Maarten’s Best All-Inclusives

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Planning a vacation can seem like work, from budgeting for meals to planning activities and finding the right accommodations. All- inclusives take a lot of the legwork out of travel preparations, and bring everything you need under one roof. On the Dutch half of the island known as St. Martin/Sint Maarten, Sonesta dominates the all-inclusive game, with two of its properties located in the busy Maho area, and one just outside the lively capital of Philipsburg.

Sonesta Maho Beach Resort & Casino

Watching a giant passenger jet drop in and pass just over beach- goers’ heads at Maho Beach is a can’t-miss experience, and at Sonesta Maho Beach Resort & Casino, you can watch the planes come and go at Princess Juliana International Airport day in and day out. The hotel overlooks Maho Beach, and offers fantastic sunset views over the ocean. Rooms on the eighth floor and above also have the perfect vantage point of the busy runway. Families and budget-conscious travelers will find everything they’re looking for at this 3.5 star all-inclusive in Dutch St. Maarten, from five onsite restaurants and bars to tennis courts, a pool with cascading waterfalls and swim-up bar, kids club, casino, nightclub, and more.

St Maartin Maho Beach Sonesta

Sonesta Maho Beach is a family-friendly property with something for everyone, from a kid’s club to an on-site casino. West-facing rooms enjoy spectacular sunsets and up-close views of landing airplanes. Photo: Yotam Sandak/Sonesta Maho Beach

Sonesta Great Bay Beach Resort

If you like to keep busy on vacation, the adults-only Sonesta Great Bay is a good choice. Explore and play in surrounding waters with PWC tours, scuba diving, boat charters, snorkel trips, kayaks, boogie boards, and more. Guests can watch cruise ships come and go in the nearby bustling Dutch capital of Philipsburg while relaxing at the resort’s two pools. A short walk finds you in the port city, where duty free shopping reigns. Escape the heat with some down time at the onsite spa, or browse Great Bay’s mini shops. Il Pescatore, the resort’s seafood restaurant, earns high marks from guests.

St Maarten Great Bay Beach Sonesta

On the western end of the beach, within walking distance of Philipsburg, the adult-oriented Sonesta Great Bay overlooks its namesake bay, which is ideal for a wide range of water sports. Photo: Sonesta Great Bay

Sonesta Ocean Point Resort

Every last detail at this brand new, five-star property exudes luxury. All rooms face popular Maho Beach; rooms on the lowest level are swim-out, offering direct access to a pool, while rooftop suites offer the kind of sweeping ocean views that extra altitude affords. Service is top-notch, from welcoming eucalyptus-scented cool towels on arrival to a poolside sunscreen butler to mitigate the hot Caribbean sun’s effects on your skin. If you can tear yourself away from the comforts of this resort, check out Sonesta’s Great Bay and Maho properties, where Ocean Point guests are afforded full access. Ocean Point is an adults-only resort, so leave the little ones behind and enjoy true peace and solitude.

Sonesta Ocean Point St Maarten

The latest addition to St. Maarten’s all-inclusive scene is the upscale Sonesta Ocean Point. This five star property offers exclusives such as private butlers and VIP concierge services. Photo: Yotam Sandak/Sonesta Ocean Point

Miami Art Basel
Eat, Florida, Miami, Miami Beach, Plan, South Beach, Stay, Trip Ideas

Miami’s Fabulous Five

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Sun-washed, cosmopolitan and infused with multi-cultural energy, Miami is a marvelous destination at any time of the year. But there are certain dates on the calendar that almost demand to be circled in red, signifying those times when art, fashion, food and fun come together in events not to be missed. Here are five of our favorite such happenings that deserve space on your calendar.

Art Basel

Art Basel is a glamour-filled art gathering that fuses contemporary collectors, entourages and global gallerists into one of the city’s coolest scenes each December. The convergence of 70,000-plus attendees evolves into one enormous party, and Miami Beach’s Convention Center is the hub for top talent and art devotees. Intriguing satellite fairs in boutique hotels dot Collins Avenue, while in Midtown in the Wynwood Arts District, there’s Art Miami’s 125,000 square-foot pavilion with video installations and a fab V.I.P spot for popping champagne corks between big-time deals. artbasel.com; art-miami.com

Stay the Night: The Sagamore Hotel at 16th and Collins is the art hotel; its gallery ambience runs inside and out. sagamorehotel.com

Art Basel Miami

Patrons pause to relax on a faux-grass relaxation station set within the Miami Beach Convention Center during the annual Art Basel exhibition of modern and contemporary works. Photo: Art Basel

South Beach Wine & Food Festival

The Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival is one hot ticket. There are more than 50 ways for foodies to sample bites and sip wine across four days of culinary exposition and excitement, with Food Network stars, the likes of Bobby Flay, hosting events. In its 14th year, this February, the shindig draws crowds with an appetite, so buying tickets early is imperative. The most popular gatherings offer everything from swanky surroundings to hobnobbing with noteworthy chefs, and of course, chowing down. Don’t miss Moet Hennessy’s The Q, the Burger Bash and Best of the Best. sobefest.com

Stay the Night: Loews Miami Beach is the host hotel; it’s abuzz with a who’s who of chefdom. loewshotels.com/MiamiBeach

South Beach, Miami Food and Wine Festival

The scene at Mix It Up with Morimoto & Friends at the Shelborne Hotel, one of the many such events that take place during the Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival. Photo: Ilya S. Savenok/South Beach Wine & Food

Miami International Boat Show

When the Miami International Boat Show unfurls, there’s a wealth of goings-on for anyone longing to setting sail or simply discover the latest in nautical niceties that make boating more pleasurable. Mariners shod in docksiders traverse three land and water locales jammed with more than 3,000 boats. Over the course of five days in February, 2,000 companies show off the latest in luxury motor and sailing yachts, family cruisers, marine gear and more at the Miami Beach Convention Center, the Sea Isle Marina & Yachting Center and Miamiarina at Bayside. miamiboatshow.com

Stay the Night: The JW Marriott Miami downtown with its stellar views of Biscayne Bay, is near to the action at Bayside and Miami Beach. marriott.com

Miami Boat Show

During the Miami Beach International Boat Show, the marina at the Miami Biscayne Bay Marriott is filled with boats waiting to take potential buyers out for a cruise. Photo: Tim McAfee Photography/iStock

Miami Fashion Week

It’s a style bonanza. Miami Fashion Week is runway spectacular with four non-stop model-traipsing days of womenswear, menswear, resort wear, eveningwear, prêt-à-porter and more. For chic enthusiasts, this May happening lures global designers who showcase sizzling collections as jetsetters fill runway VIP seats by the dozens. Tickets are precious, as the fashion collective of beautiful people permeate Miami Beach. Live streaming of the shows is a new addition. Master classes pull in wanna-be fashionistas, as do pop-up boutiques with designs that are provocative, classic, and undeniably edgy. Late night afterglow parties at trendy hotspots are the places to be. miamifashionweek.com

Stay the Night: The boutique Surfcomber Hotel is A-lister worthy. Its Social Club is beyond hip. surfcomber.com

Miami Fashion Week

Swimwear chic takes to the runway during Miami’s 2014 Fashion Week. Other womenswear and menswear showings range from resort casual to eveningwear, and everything in between. Photo: Angel Valenti/Miami Fashion Week

Coconut Grove Arts Festival

President’s Day weekend is synonymous with the colorful Coconut Grove Arts Festival. Crowds of 120,000-plus meander what has become the granddaddy of all art shows, winding through the streets for more than a mile, from McFarlane Road to South Bayshore Drive. The first show in 1963 had only a handful of artists; today it garners international notoriety as more than 350 craftsman and fine artists show their work to a backdrop of shady banyan trees. When hunger strikes, traditional pushcart vendors follow the route; a culinary village in Myers Park offers plenty to satiate thirsty and hungry festivalgoers. The packed three-day festival includes tunes too, from smooth jazz to Latin fusion, performed adjacent to glistening Biscayne Bay on the lawn of Peacock Park. cgaf.com

Stay the Night: The Mayfair Hotel and Spa is in the heart of it all on Florida Avenue; walk to the art festival then bask later in the rooftop pool. mayfairhotelandspa.com

Coconut Grove Art Festival, Miami's Fabulous Five

From modest beginnings, the Coconut Grove Art Festival has grown to one of the nation’s premier outdoor art exhibitions, with the added enticement of music and food. Photo: Coconut Grove Art Festival

 

 

 

 

 

Costa Rica Punta Uva Tree House
Central America, Costa Rica, Stay, Trip Ideas

Costa Rica’s Favorite Beach and Jungle Lodges

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Costa Rica is the leading destination in the America’s for tropical ecotourism. It’s also home to some world-class beaches, many of which haven’t yet seen a high-rise resort. Instead, you’ll find smaller properties with unique personalities, some truly rustic, others that maintain their off- grid and sustainable principles while also providing a full range of creature comforts. From this list, we’ve selected three truly memorable lodges that combine a beachfront setting with a jungle backdrop to create a thoroughly unforgettable stay.

Tree House Lodge, Punta Uva

When it comes to original and eclectic, this property stands alone. Sitting on 10 wooded acres facing Punta Uva Beach and the Caribbean Sea, the Tree House Lodge has just four self-catering guest cottages. Calling these accommodations mere cottages, however, doesn’t do them justice. There is a Swiss Family Robinson style tree house, set 20 feet off the ground and reached by a wooden suspension bridge. Other aspects of the property are similarly whimsical, with rooms built entirely from fallen trees, kitchen counters emerging from curvilinear adobe walls, and a bathroom set into a Daliesque dome dappled with a multitude of tiny, multi-colored glass windows that create a kaleidoscopic effect in the sunlight. Open air showers and cloistered hot tubs are tucked into hidden alcoves, while sleeping areas are left open to expansive views of forest or ocean (but can be curtained if so desired). The entire compound is built from sustainable materials and fed by solar power, with a portion of guest revenue going to fund a green iguana conservation program. For recreation, there’s snorkeling, surfing, sunning and beach volleyball, kayaking in nearby mangrove lagoons, and the Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge, which offers a full range of land adventures.

Tree House Lodge Costa Rica, jungle lodges

A wooden suspension bridge provides access to one of the Tree House Lodge’s four self-catering suites. Each offers a strikingly unique design and indoor/outdoor spaces. Photo: Tree House Lodge

Tiskita Jungle Lodge, Playa Pavones

When Costa Rica native Peter Aspinall moved to a remote parcel of land on the Pacific coast, near the country’s southern border, his intention was to create a personal homestead and grow fruit. To accommodate visiting friends and family, a guest cabin was added to the homestead. Fast forward 30 years and that first cabin has grown to nine, with a total of 17 guest rooms, and the Aspinalls now manage a full-fledge eco resort. But the original vision was not lost as the business evolved. Today, Tiskita is not only a lodge, but also a private biological reserve that protects some 800 acres of tropical rainforest, and supports an organic orchard where 125 types of tropical fruit are harvested. Guests can wander wooded trails in a forest that is home to more than 275 species of birds and endangered endemic species such as the Central American squirrel monkey. The property overlooks the Pacific, and is not far from the famous surf break known as Pavones. Guests no longer have to ford jungle streams to reach the property, thanks to improvements in roadway infrastructure, and there’s also a private airstrip nearby that can accommodate charter flights from San Jose. No longer an entirely off-grid outpost, Tiskita now offers a reasonable range of creature comforts, and yes, there’s WiFi for those who can’t unplug.

Tiskita Lodge Pool Costa Rica

Tiskita began as a family orchard with a guesthouse for friends. Over the years, it evolved into a 17-room lodge, but fruit trees are still raised on the property. Photo: Tiskita Jungle Lodge

Casa Corcovado Jungle Lodge, Drake Bay

The Osa Peninsula is Costa Rica at its wildest and best. Vast tracts of this jungle wilderness, the largest remaining lowland rainforest in Central America, are under the protection of the Corcovado National Park. Guests at the Casa Corcovado are in a prime position to explore the natural attractions of the park, and are also just steps away from pristine stretch of palm- fringed Pacific beach. Perched on a low hilltop that takes advantage of sea breezes and provides views of both land and sea, the lushly landscaped grounds of the resort incorporate a collection of well-appointed bungalows that can provide privacy for couples or comfortable accommodations for families. Eco-minded guests can take comfort in the fact that this off-grid property engages in a wide range of sustainable practices, while those who also appreciate their comforts will be reassured to know that a combination of solar and hydropower ensures 24-hour electricity to power those little indulgences we all appreciate. With airy beamed ceilings and architectural details hand-crafted by local artisans, rooms have an earthy and spacious feel that blends with the surroundings and frames the sights and sounds of the rainforest.

Casa Corcavado, Costa Rica

Overlooking the Pacific Ocean, on the shore of the wild Osa Peninsula, Casa Corcovado is an off-grid property that combines sustainable practices with civilized touches. Photo: Casa Corcovado

 

Caribbean Hammock
British Virgin Islands, Caribbean, Cozumel, Mexico, Nevis, Stay, Trip Ideas

Six Caribbean Resorts Where Irresistible Hammocks Await

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The word comes to us from the Taino people: amaca. These woven strands evolved from fishing nets into chairs, beds and carry sacks. Sailors slung them in the holds of their trading vessels and jungle explorers carried them in lieu of bedding. Today, hammocks evoke relaxation and provide a perfect place to rest or nod off for an afternoon nap as a sea breeze tempers the heat of the day. Whether suspended over lush green grass, beachfront or just outside your private palapa, a hammock is always a welcome site when you arrive at a Caribbean resort.

USVI Zo Zo night shot
Caribbean, Stay, Trip Ideas, U.S. Virgin Islands

St. John’s Most Romantic Resorts

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A tandem stroll on a quiet beach, an intimate candlelight dinner overlooking the sea, private conversations on a moonlit terrace. These are the moments when romance blossoms. The trick is finding the appropriate combination of ambience and amenities that encourage passions to ignite or rekindle. One such place where these elements come together is on the island of St. John. Reached only by ferry or private boat from nearby St. Thomas, this smallest and quietest member of the U.S. Virgin Islands is far from the cruise ship crowds, yet easy to reach, and rich in scenic beauty. Though much of the island remains in a natural state as the Virgin Islands National Park, there is an idyllic harbor town graced with a collection of excellent restaurants, and a select number of upscale resorts that are perfect for couples seeking to celebrate new love or fuel an existing flame.

USVI Caneel Bay Aerial View

The expansive Caneel Bay Resort includes both manicured grounds and green spaces left for wildlife habitat. The property also encompasses seven beaches. Photo: Steve Simonsen/Caneel Bay

Caneel Bay Resort: Leave the World Behind

This north shore resort oozes with as much charm and grace as its founder, Laurance Rockefeller, who purchased the Caneel Bay Plantation in the 1950s with the goal of creating the perfect vacation spot. And if disconnecting from the technological tethers of modern life and digging your toes into the sands of seven gorgeous Caribbean beaches is your idea of a perfect vacation, it’s safe to say Rockefeller achieved his goal. Traditional island stonework, Danish modern furnishings and 1950s beach style come together in the guestrooms, which are devoid of telephones and TVs. Turn off your smartphones and you can suspend all reminders of the outside world as you watch deer and donkeys graze Caneel’s beautifully manicured grounds, where trim lawns span the distance between 18th century sugar plantation ruins. While each of the resort’s seven beaches is magnificent in its own right, one of the best spots for couples seeking solitude is at the far end of Scott Beach. There is a great snorkel spot nearby, and Caneel’s chefs can provide delicious picnic lunches to bring along. Later, you can celebrate a day of doing almost nothing with dinner at ZoZo’s Ristorante, where the weathered stone remains of a historic sugar mill have been transformed into the island’s finest dining experience, complete with enthralling sunset views of the Caribbean. 

Caneel Bay Cottage, USVI, St. John's most romantic resorts

Once the private estate of Laurance Rockefeller, Caneel Bay’s Cottage 7 is popular with honeymooners, as it offers both privacy and dramatic water views. Photo: Michael Grimm/Caneel Bay

Westin St. John: New Beginnings and Romantic Returns

The beachside gazebo at the Westin St. John has certainly seen its share of nuptials, and for good reason. This premium Starwood property provides the full range of amenities and services needed to please not only the newlyweds, but also any family and friends they choose to invite, be they young or old. Happy couples take note: The same offerings that put the Westin high on many a bride’s wish list are equally suited to staging a romantic anniversary or family reunion. Brick pathways meander through impeccably landscaped grounds where 96 guestrooms are spread out in clusters. A recent renovation to both interior and exterior gives the property a fresh new feel. While the new couple may just want to retire to their room, other members of the wedding party can head to the resort’s massive pool, a full quarter acre in size, and framed by an equally expansive deck. A sugar-sand beach and the shimmering turquoise waters of Great Cruz Bay are just steps away, and the Westin’s water-sports staff can arrange all manner of aquatic adventures. Ashore, there are tennis courts and a fitness center for the ambitions, a full-service spa for the self-indulgent and a Kid’s Club that accommodates toddlers to 12, plus a teen program. Iguana feeding, a favored activity for youngsters staying at the Westin, has given rise to a healthy population of these prehistoric reptiles, which skitter along resort pathways and through the property’s mature trees. A trio of on-site restaurants are convenient for mealtime meetups, but it’s equally easy to slip away to one of the many fine restaurants in the nearby village of Cruz Bay. 

St. John Westin

The centerpiece for relaxation is this oversize pool at the Westin at St. John. The resort boasts 47 tropical acres overlooking Great Cruz Bay. Photo: Brian Minnich/Westin St. John Resort

Gallows Point Resort: Just You, and Rooms with a View

What could be more romantic than playing house in the Caribbean? Sharing a morning cup of coffee in your private sitting room as trade wind zephyrs filter through open French doors that frame an electric- blue sea just beyond. This scenario is best played out in living quarters a bit grander than your average hotel room, and one of the Caribbean’s best places to turn this fantasy into reality is at the Gallows Point Resort. Cloistered on the end of an elevated peninsula on the south side of Cruz Bay, at the mouth of the town’s harbor, this all-suite property encompasses a collection of one-bedroom residences. All include full kitchens and separate living areas, and some place the bedroom and an additional half bath in an open second-story loft. Reserve an ocean view room for the ultimate combination of stunning nightly sunsets and the gentle sound of waves lapping at the shore, or a harbor side room where you can keep tabs on the comings and goings of island ferries, and sometimes hear hints of music carried from town on the night winds. The resort pool and hot tub are positioned to take maximum advantage of water views, and while there is no sandy beach to speak of, water access is easy via steps that lead to fish-filled shallows and a floating dock. Gallows has the lushest and most intricate landscaping of any St. John resort, hands-down, plus two oceanfront gazebos complete with swings begging for a romantic interlude. 

St. John Gallows Point, USVI

The villas at Gallows Point Resort sit on a peninsula at the mouth of Cruz Bay, surrounded by lush landscaping and offering private balconies with water views. Photo: Steve Simonsen/Gallows Point

Grande Bay: A Getaway Close to the Action

Whether it’s just a couples’ thing or the little ones or loved ones are invited, Grande Bay’s in-town location provides an ideal base of operation for island-wide activities, as well as a luxurious retreat once the day is done. A relative newcomer to the St. John’s resort scene, the property offers an upscale and immaculately finished collection of studio to three-bedroom suites, all with private terraces overlooking the harbor at Cruz Bay. Rather than expand outward, resort amenities stack upwards, as the pool sits rooftop to provide sweeping island views, and the glass-walled fitness center takes in equally inspiring vistas. Kitchens, which are fitted with top-of-the-line appliances, may tempt you to stay in and cook dinner together. If not, many of the island’s best restaurants and most popular bars are just steps away. Cruz Beach is also just across the road, while a rental car is the best way to discover all the island’s beaches and scenic destinations. You’ll get your own parking spot at Grande Bay’s parking garage—the only one on island. For the ultimate in personal space, choose the one-bedroom Yemaya penthouse, which devotes nearly 2,000 square feet to private indoor and outdoor living space and delivers elevated and unobstructed views of Cruz Bay, Pillsbury Sound and St. Thomas, all for just the two of you. 

 

Belize Black Rock Lodge
Belize, Central America, Stay, Trip Ideas

Top 4 Jungle Lodges In Belize

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Sun and sand draw vacationers to the shores of Belize, but an ever-growing number of travelers are also looking inland. Here, verdant rainforests are cut by jungle streams, and mountain ranges are perforated by caves and underground rivers. The lost cities of the once-mighty Mayan empire lie waiting to be discovered, and the forests are alive with exotic animals such as peccaries, jaguars and monkeys, along with more than 300 species of birds.

Scattered through this lush landscape is a collection of small resorts. Unlike the glass-and-concrete monoliths of urban and beachfront settings, these are simpler abodes fabricated from native materials and constructed in traditional styles of the region. They are Belize’s jungle lodges, places where one can wake to bird calls, dine on locally grown foods under a thatched palapa, and discover medicinal plants, birds and butterflies along wooded paths. Many of these same lodges also offer a reasonable dose of civilization, with on-site spas, eco-friendly swimming pools and—for those who just have to stay connected—WiFi service. Destinations in their own right, they also serve as base camps for a wide range of jungle adventures, everything from horseback rides and tours of archeological sites to zip-line flights and inner tube floats through river caves. Much of this activity centers around the Cayo district and the town of San Ignacio. Several first-class jungle lodges are located within this region. Here are four of our favorites.

Belize Chaa Creek swimming pool

The Lodge at Chaa Creek blends select luxuries such as a freshwater pool and available WiFi with opportunities for off-grid stays at a more secluded jungle camp. Photo: Chaa Creek Lodge

The Lodge at Chaa Creek

Belize’s original jungle lodge has evolved from a pair of cottages accessible only by river into one of the world’s best known and most highly awarded eco resorts. Today, a collection of 23 bungalows combine the rustic thatched-roof appeal that started it all with creature comforts that range from charmingly basic to downright decadent. At Chaa Creek, guests can bunk down in the rustic comfort of the Macal River Camp, which is unplugged, but far from uncivilized; those who want WiFi coverage along with their time in nature can stay closer to the central compound at one of several electrified suites, complete with a private Jacuzzi tub. All guests can dine on locally sourced meals at the resort’s highly acclaimed dining room, lounge by the eco-friendly pool or book a treatment at the on-site spa.

The owners, Mick and Lucy Fleming, have expanded their original farm plot into a 365-acre rainforest reserve that includes organic gardens, a natural history center, a butterfly farm and a trail system that gives access to Mayan cultural sites and a medicinal plant repository. On-property activities include canoeing on the Macal River, morning bird-watching sessions with a staff naturalist, visits to Mayan farms, and horseback and mountain bike rides. The lodge can also bundle a wide range of off-property adventures into a stay, and 10 percent of all accommodation revenue is set aside for environmental education and community-enhancement projects. 

Belize Black Rock Lodge Dining Area

The communal dining area at Black Rock Lodge sits on the edge of a high bluff overlooking its namesake canyon, with the Macal River flowing hundreds of feet below. Photo: Black Rock Lodge

Black Rock Lodge

The most remote of the San Ignacio area jungle resorts, the Black Rock Lodge is a 45-minute drive from town, with the final six miles along an unpaved track. The rewards for this isolation are a commanding view of the Macal River, snaking its way through the Black Rock Canyon below, and proximity to Elijio Panti National Park. The lodge’s 14 hillside cabins are constructed of native wood and slate rock, with vaulted roofs and large screened windows to take advantage of the mountain breezes. Interiors are simply but tastefully furnished and decorated with the work of local artists and craftsmen. Front porch hammocks are a favorite place to take in river views and rest after a day’s adventure.

The most stunning vistas on the property are from the high-roofed dining palapa, which sits on the edge of a slope, above the river. The lodge is energy independent, generating all power from solar and hydroelectric sources, and most of the organic fruits and vegetables served in the restaurant are grown here. From the resort, hiking trails lead to the river and the national park’s adjacent 13,000 acres. By foot, mountain bike or horseback, guests can visit sites such as Vaca Falls or Flour Camp Cave, which is filled with ancient Maya pottery. A second community palapa, half way to the river, is ideal for birding and serves as the site of daily yoga classes. A culmination highlight of each day is the four-course dinner served family style against the waning evening light in the gorge. 

Belize Jungle Lodge, black rock lodge

The Macal River begins in Belize’s mountainous interior and flows through Black Rock Canyon before emerging into the lowlands. Several jungles lodges line its banks. Photo: Black Rock Lodge

Mystic River Resort

One of Belize’s newest jungle lodges has already earned accolades for guest service, including the Belize Hotel Association’s award for Hotelier of the Year. Located seven miles upstream of San Ignacio on the Macal River, the Mystic River Resort is the dream of Canadian expats Tom and Nadege Thomas, who welcomed their first guests in early 2009. Like other eco- themed lodges along this stretch of the river, this property is committed to sustainable tourism. There is an ongoing program to replant indigenous hardwoods, and the resort generates its own electricity, maintains an organic garden to supply the kitchen and purifies its own water.

Accommodations currently include five studio suites and three single- bedroom bungalows, with two additional suites to be completed by late 2014. Another recent expansion was the opening of the on-site Jasmine Spa in the fall of 2013. This facility is surrounded by lush jungle foliage and water features that add a natural ambience to the spa experience. The resort has a pool, but guests can also enjoy a dip in the cool river waters. Other highlights of a stay include sampling Nadege’s freshly made goat cheese, exploring the foothills of the Maya Mountains by horseback, or sharing libations and conversation at the Palapa Bar. The staff can also coordinate a full range of day trips and tours or suggest self-guided activities, such as a hike to a nearby waterfall. 

Crystal Paradise Resort

The Tut family’s Crystal Farm was named for the clear waters that welled up when they first dug an irrigation pond for their crops. In the late 1980s, they began supplementing farm income with on-site lodging. From simple beginnings, this expanded into a full-fledge resort offering a collection of 18 attractive Belizean-style cottages and thatched-roof cabanas. The closest jungle lodge to the town of San Ignacio, Crystal Paradise Resort provides an ideal combination of access, amenities and natural attractions. Reliable on- grid electricity, telephone and WiFi service, hot water and available air conditioning are provided for those not quite ready to go native. But aside from these creature comforts, the overall vibe is pure jungle, with open-air dining under an expansive palapa, and more than 150 species of plants and trees growing on the lushly landscaped property. The 21-acre resort is crisscrossed with walking trails and home to more than 250 species of birds. An above-canopy observation platform stands ready for would-be ornithologists, and three resident naturalists are available to help with identification. In addition to hospitality, the Tut family delivers adventures, as they also own and operate Paradise Expeditions. This full-service tour company can arrange everything from airport transfers to visits to Mayan ruins, caving expeditions and river trips. 

 

Hawaii Fairmont Orchid Spa
Hawaii, Hawaii-Big Island, Maui, Oahu, Stay, Trip Ideas

Best Hawaiian Resorts for Island-Style Spa Treatments

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A visit to a spa in Hawaii is somewhat different from a stateside pampering. In the islands the experience goes tropical with pineapple, coconut and lime fragrances and earthy with volcanic mud and lava rocks playing a role in your treatment. The islands’ big-name resorts go all out in creating not only fantastic treatments you won’t find back on the mainland, but the perfect surroundings that only a tropical Hawaiian island can provide. So if it’s time to detoxify, relax, get healthy or just spoil yourself, these resort spas are so worth a visit.

Fairmont Orchid, Kohala Coast, Big Island of Hawaii

Pampering in the Hawaiian Islands means connecting with nature and being outdoors where water, wind and the fragrance of the island create a relaxing environment for a spa treatment. At the Fairmont Orchid resort the spa is actually called, the Spa Without Walls, which makes perfect sense. Guest treatment rooms include outdoor huts near waterfalls and oceanfront cabanas where the soothing sounds of water mix with ocean breezes. In this setting, it’s only appropriate to indulge in a lomi lomi massage, one of the most traditional Hawaiian massages. It was used in ancient Hawaii by native healers. Therapists move their forearms and hands in long gliding, rhythmic movements and use medium pressure to relax muscles. They work gently, yet deeply into the tissue, and the continuous flowing strokes, combined with loving touch, ease muscle tension so internal energy can better flow.

Hawaii's Fairmont Orchid Spa

The Fairmont Orchid resort’s Spa Without Walls takes advantage of the Big Island of Hawaii’s waterfalls to create areas for reflection and relaxation. Photo: The Fairmont Orchid, Hawaii

The Kohala Coast is known for its high-end resorts, and the Fairmont Orchid is right up there with the top properties. Its grounds can rightly boast some of Hawaii’s most impressive tropical gardens and cascading waterfalls, plus a white sandy beach on Pauoa Bay. Rooms have lanais with views of the Pacific Ocean or the lush gardens, and the bamboo- style four-poster beds bring the tropical theme inside. Thatched umbrellas and a tiki bar make the alfresco Hale Kai restaurant an inviting spot for lunch or dinner. 

Mauna Lani Bay Hotel & Bungalow, Kohala Coast, Big Island of Hawaii

A trip to the spa at the Mauna Lani Bay Hotel is like a visit to a Hawaiian village. Thatched-roof huts for treatments and meditation are surrounded by jungle-like foliage and dramatic rocks. Natural lava saunas and a Watsu pool are part of the spa too. The names of the treatments alone are tantalizing: Papaya Pineapple Body Treatment, Kona Mocha Body Scrub, Seaweed Therapy and Lava Flow Body Wrap. If you want to detoxify from all the work-related stress you left behind or too many libations the night before, the Lava Flow Body Wrap is for you. Therapists apply volcanic mud and then wrap your body; the results are smoother skin and the remineralizing of your body. The Lava Watsu Experience is pure stress relief. In the comfort of a pool, where the water is the perfect temperature for your body, a therapist helps you to relax through flotation and rhythmical movements said to relieve pain and promote flexibility.

Mauna Lani Hotel Spa, Hawaii

Tropical foliage and thatched roofs create a Hawaiian village ambience for spa-goers at the Mauna Lani Bay Hotel on the Big Island of Hawaii. Photo: Mauna Lani Bay Hotel

Considered one of the Big Island’s most romantic resorts, you’ll be dazzled by its open-air lobby with cathedral ceilings. Koi ponds and illuminated sheets of water add to the decor. Guest rooms have a minimalist decor with graphic orchid artwork and great views of the Mauna Kea Mountain. If you want to splurge, the property’s bungalows at 2,700 square feet of living space are perfect for a long vacation. They have private pools, Jacuzzis and barbecue areas. If you need a reason to extend your stay, we’ll give you one: golf. With two courses that blend mountain and ocean and the Keiki Course for youngsters, one day of golf won’t be enough. 

Grand Wailea, Maui

This Waldorf Astoria resort has bragging rights to the largest spa in Hawaii. Its two-story Spa Grande covers 50,000 square feet and devotes one floor to dry treatments and the other floor to wet indulgences. In fact the spa is known for its Terme Wailea Hydrotherapy. Enjoyed prior to a treatment, the water therapy can include time spent in a Roman whirlpool tub followed by a quick dip in a cold plunge pool, or guests can opt to soak in the hot water of a Japanese furo bath. Another option is the cascading waterfall massage designed especially to knead the neck and shoulders with the pressure of water dropping from a height of 10 feet. The hydrotherapy also includes five Hawaiian sea salt baths and an invigorating loofah scrub. The spa organizes treatments by philosophies: water, fire, earth, air and harmony. Fire, for example, involves heat to warm the body, and the Pohaku massage, using hot lava stones, is said to be one of the most therapeutic.

Grand Wailea Maui, Hawaii Spa

The termé in the Spa Grande at Maui’s Grand Wailea resort lets guests choose their specialty bath: mud, seaweed, aromatherapy, papaya and mineral salt. Photo: Grand Wailea, A Waldorf Astoria Resort

The resort, set on 40 acres fronting the Wailea Beach on the southwest shore of Maui, is all about giving you plenty of space, whether it’s a 640-foot room or a huge pool with a swim-in grotto and 19-foot waterfall. There’s also the swim-up Grotto Bar. But guests’ favorite place, no doubt, is a table at the floating seafood restaurant, named after Hawaii’s official state fish, affectionately known as Humu Humu. Its cluster of thatched-roof Polynesian huts and the chance to pluck your own lobster from the nearby lagoon are reasons to go. 

Sheraton Kona Resort & Spa at Keauhou Bay, Kona, Big Island of Hawaii

After you’ve learned how to make a lei, play the ukulele and dance the hula, you’ll find more Hawaiian-centric things to explore at the resort’s Hoola Spa. The word hoola means to heal, and treatments here range from pure bliss to therapeutic. The Hawaiian Sugar Polish Body Treatment for sensitive skin uses Hawaiian sugar crystals and botanicals to gently scrub the body followed by a Vichy rinse. The Hawaiian Lomi Lomi Massage is the islands’ version of a Swedish massage, using techniques handed down through generations. The long, gliding strokes and gentle rhythmic motions make this a popular choice. The Hoola Spa also offers a Deep Lomi Lomi Massage for guests who want a firmer, more intense experience. The newest offering at the spa is the Himalayan Salt Spa, a room where guests inhale very fine micro- particles of salt that are said to have anti-inflammatory properties that reduce inflammation in the respiratory tract and improve the immune system.

Sheraton Kona Resort and Spa, Hawaii

Guests enjoy the warmth of the sun and the coolness of ocean breezes during a massage at the Hoola Spa in the Sheraton Kona Resort on the Big Island of Hawaii. Photo: Sheraton Kona Resort

The Sheraton Kona Resort is perched on the edge of Hawaii’s iconic lava rocks, hugging Keauhou Bay. Although the rooms are stunning with warm wood tones and crisp white linens, you’ll no doubt want to spend your days in the pool area, where a 200-foot lava tube waterslide, hot tubs and a striking view of the water and crenulated coast teases the eye. A bonus is the resort’s special viewing area where guests can see the hauntingly beautiful manta rays, with wing spans up to 20 feet, glide by most evenings. 

Trump Hotel Waikiki, Oahu

At this Trump International hotel in Honolulu, the Spa at Trump pumps up its offerings to include treatments that use traditional Hawaiian botanicals. Think pineapple, lime, coconut and sugar. What could sound more appealing to the senses than the Hawaiian Pineapple Lime Exfoliation Massage? Pineapple has natural exfoliating enzymes and nutrients to renew and revitalize the skin. The exotic combination of pineapple, lime and cane sugar in the hands of a therapist are used to gently cleanse, refresh and rehydrate your skin, before the body massage. The final touch is the application of tropical oils to conclude your hour of bliss. Another Hawaiian-centric treatment is the Kalo Coconut Wrap. Therapists use coconut and the healing kukui nut oil to condition the skin. And while you are wrapped and relaxed, your feet and scalp are massaged, leaving you with a head-to-toe pampering.

Waikiki Trump Hotel Spa, Hawaii, Oahu

Among the signature treatments at the Spa at Trump in the Trump Hotel Waikiki is the gemstone massage, using gem-infused oils that contain diamonds, rubies, emeralds and sapphires. Photo: Trump International Waikiki

After a visit to the spa, relax at the hotel’s infinity pool, where a watery view of the Pacific Ocean will keep you feeling totally de-stressed. Accommodations at the Trump Hotel include studios with kitchenettes and suites with full kitchens that spoil guests with their Bosch, Sub-Zero and Wolf appliances. And for the nights you want to dine out, BLT Steak is the top on-property restaurant where a French flair and a contemporary décor give this steakhouse its upscale appeal.

The Kahala Hotel & Resort, Honolulu, Oahu

With a guest roster that includes presidents, royalty and celebrities, the Kahala Hotel & Resort is known for its high standards, and the spa is no different. The Kahala Spa’s treatment rooms are anything but tiny, and include a relaxation area with comfy rattan chairs, a glass-enclosed shower, a soaking tub and a changing area that provides privacy. Wood flooring and slat-style windows add warmth to the room, which opens onto an outdoor area. Each treatment begins with the ritual of Hoomaka, a cleansing and relaxing foot massage. For the ultimate experience, book the Lovely Hula Hands Massage, a four-handed dancing of hands using the lomi lomi massage techniques. Two therapists work in rhythm with each other to ease you into a state of total relaxation.

Kahala Resort Spa, Hawaii

Honolulu’s Kahala Hotel & Resort’s spa suites include private indoor and outdoor relaxation areas for lounging after a treatment. Photo: The Kahala Hotel & Resort

You can follow up your treatment with a leisurely stroll on the resort’s palm tree-fringed shore or by lolling in a hammock. Your room’s lanai is another great perch where you can relax while gazing at the Koolau Mountains. Rooms are airy with a palette of light natural tones and island touches, such as tropical leaf shapes etched into the carpeting, and the luxe bathrooms have deep soaking tubs. Located just minutes from shopping and nightlife, the resort’s complimentary shuttle will whisk you into Waikiki.