Looking for a stunning, not-too-touristy getaway in the US Virgin Islands? Unlike other islands in the area, St. Croix has largely avoided big real estate developments, focusing instead on preserving historic structures and converting them into small businesses.

“You come here, and you feel like this is what it was in the 1700s. And it’s not overpopulated with all-inclusive resorts; it’s really set up as a boutique hotel destination,” said Chris Pardo, co-founder of hospitality firm Neighborhood Establishment, which is behind some of the island’s most recent hotel openings, in an interview with Travel + Leisure.

St. Croix is home to two chic new hotels

In March 2023, Pardo and his team finished the redesign of the historic King Christian Hotel (nightly rates from USD 249/INR 20,717), which dates back to the 18th century. The 74-key property boasts four buildings on the waterfront of Christiansted and offers guests modern amenities, chic tropical-influenced decor, and the convenience of being right downtown. To maximise the property’s prime oceanfront location and stunning views, Pardo changed the layout and expanded the rooms, then furnished the spaces with materials that “blur the lines between modern and historic.”

Custom terracotta flooring, crown mouldings, tropical woods that can withstand the humidity, marble bathrooms, and hanging plants on the balconies create a sophisticated residential feel. Velvet-green drapes accessorise the windows, bringing “a richness that pulls in the tropical nature without being beachy,” he explained.

While guests can spend their days lounging by the infinity pool, the hotel has also become a favourite of the local crowd thanks to a lively bar, a Mexican restaurant facing the waterfront, a coffee shop, and an ice cream shop. The front desk doubles as the lobby bar, the Peacock Lounge, and is open 24/7 to serve guests cocktails and wine.

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Travellers craving a more intimate experience away from the hustle and bustle of downtown Christiansted should consider Pardo’s other property, Waves Cane Bay (nightly rates starting from USD 449/INR 37,357), which opened in 2021 on the quaint North Shore of St. Croix, steps away from Cane Bay Beach.

“Waves Cane Bay feels like another world to me,” Pardo said. He painted the hotel’s exterior black because he wanted the building to “become the background and let the vegetation and the ocean around it stand out.”

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With 11 suites with large private patios facing the water, guests wake up to the sound of crashing waves and the stunning scenery. Inside, soothing grey walls, natural wood from Indonesia, and all-black appliances in the kitchenettes are a calming foil to a day spent on the beach “getting blasted by the Caribbean sun,” as Pardo put it.

Another highlight of Waves Cane Bay is Ama, the property’s open-air eatery, built around a natural grotto. The restaurant sources its seafood from local fishermen and divers and pairs the dishes with a selection of fine wines and craft cocktails.

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“It’s a really romantic and soothing destination,” Pardo added.

Divers will appreciate the hotel’s proximity to one of the best diving spots in the area: The Wall, part of the Puerto Rican Trench, just 200 yards from Cane Bay Beach, where reef sharks, damsels, and other tropical fish live.

Pardo’s next project is on Protestant Cay, a few minutes by boat off Christiansted’s waterfront. The beachfront property, expected to be completed in 2025, will feature 115 rooms, a sushi restaurant, an infinity pool, beach access, and a dock with 16 boat slips. To encourage guests to explore the island, Pardo plans to make it easier for them to access the amenities of all three properties.

“St. Croix is so unique and diverse. We want people to see everything, so prompting people to see more than just staying at an all-inclusive hotel is what we’re trying to do,” Pardo said.

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(Hero and feature image credit: Meredith Zimmerman/King Christian Hotel)

This story first appeared on travelandleisure.com

All currency conversions were done at the time of writing

Related: The Best Times To Visit The Caribbean For Beautiful Weather, Fewer Crowds, And Lower Prices

When you’re on an Alaskan cruise, you’ll certainly be surrounded by the state’s rugged beauty. But will you fully comprehend the vastness of its wilderness? Well, no, probably not.

For deep Alaskan immersion, you’ll want to look to the interior — perhaps to a remote lodge perched on a 6,000-foot ridge in Denali National Park. And that’s precisely where you’ll find Sheldon Chalet, an exclusive accommodation that feels just about as remote as it can get. Thanks to its location on a nunatak, which is an exposed peak jutting out of a glacier, the lodge is only accessible by helicopter, and it’s surrounded by nothing but ice, mountains, and sky.

Sheldon Chalet gives you an exclusive experience in Alaska

The five-acre property is the only privately owned land in Denali National Park and belongs to the Sheldon family, who has welcomed guests here since 1966. The original structure, the historic Sheldon Mountain House, was a rustic 212-square-foot hut with a wood-burning stove, four bunks, and an outhouse.

Today’s guest accommodations, however, were built in 2014 and are much more spacious and well-equipped. There are five bedrooms to accommodate up to 10 guests at a time, as well as a living room with a fireplace, a full kitchen, and, perhaps most importantly, indoor plumbing.

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But there is one thing that’s intentionally missing: Wi-Fi. When you’re a guest at Sheldon Chalet, you’re invited to disconnect from the outside world and immerse yourself in the world right outside the door. And there’s certainly plenty to do.

Since the chalet is exclusive-use, guests are free to devise an itinerary that suits their interests. There’s ample opportunity to be active, whether you’d like to try your hand at ice climbing, glacier snowshoeing, or snow cavern spelunking — beginners will receive plenty of instruction and a safety briefing. Or if you’d simply like to enjoy fine dining by the two resident chefs and a night gazing at the Northern Lights from the observation deck, that’s always an option, too.

Sheldon Chalet is open all four seasons and starts at USD 32,000 per night with a three-night minimum; book your adventure now at sheldonchalet.com.

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(Hero and feature image credit: Chris Burkard/Sheldon Chalet)

This story first appeared on travelandleisure.com

Related: These Gorgeous Glass Cubes Are Opening In Alaska Just In Time For Northern Lights Viewing Season

When the rare solar eclipse sweeps across the United States on April 8, 2024, its path starts in Texas and crosses the US through Maine, treating sites in the beltway to the natural phenomenon of the moon blocking the sun. While cities like Indianapolis and Buffalo, New York, are among the most searched places for eclipse chasers, one of the most stunning viewing spots is New York’s Finger Lakes region.

A serene destination known for wineries, waterfalls, and quaint hotels, the eastern side of the Finger Lakes will be within the eclipse’s path of totality. And that includes The Lake House on Canandaigua, right on the northern side of Lake Canandaigua.

Witness the 2024 solar eclipse from this New York Finger Lakes resort

To celebrate the occasion, the lakefront hotel is offering a Solar Eclipse Package where guests can enjoy Mother Nature’s spectacle starting at 2 pm on April 8.

Guests who book the hotel special will receive deluxe accommodations for two, a keepsake blanket, and eclipse-viewing glasses. They’ll also be able to join the resort’s Eclipse Viewing Party that day from noon to 5 p.m., which will include hors d’oeuvres, a cash bar, and entertainment.

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The package includes a two-night stay at this 124-room New York Finger Lakes resort — from Sunday, April 7, to Tuesday, April 9 — so you can make a full eclipse vacation out of the event. Currently, rooms available for the packages range from its 360-square-foot Town and Wood King rooms (from USD 724 per night) to its 547-square-foot Premium Lake King Suite (from USD 1,124 per night).

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The Lake House also features a range of dining options, like American classic fare at its Rose Tavern, dockside drinks at its local favourite Sand Bar, cocktails at the Pool Bar & Grill, as well as coffee and pastries at its Library. There’s also the on-site Willowbrook Spa with creekside saunas and access to its private garden.

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For more information on the Solar Eclipse Package, visit lakehousecanandaigua.com.

(Hero and feature image credit: The Lake House on Canandaigua)

This story first appeared on travelandleisure.com

Related: 15 Best Castles In New York, From Manhattan To The Finger Lakes

The St. Regis is now a permanent fixture of Chicago’s famous skyline. The luxury hotel opened its first outpost in the Windy City on May 18 in one of the country’s most architecturally striking new buildings.

The former Vista Tower, now rebranded as The St. Regis Chicago was designed by Jeanne Gang and her team at Studio Gang, and, at 101 stories, it is the tallest building in the world designed by a female architect, according to a press release shared with Travel + Leisure. Gang, whose practice is based out of Chicago, is also working on the expansion of the city’s new O’Hare Global Terminal.

“The architecture of The St. Regis Chicago is truly unmatched. The award-winning building is now the third tallest building in Chicago’s skyline,” George Fleck, global brand leader, St. Regis Hotels & Resorts, told T+L. “In a city so known for design and its celebration of different architectural styles, we felt the best address in Chicago was one that reflects this facet of the city.”

St. Regis Chicago is a permanent fixture of Chicago’s skyline

The new hotel, which marks The St. Regis’ debut in the Midwest, is located in the Lakeshore East neighbourhood, a couple of blocks from Millennium Park and other notable Chicago landmarks, and features 192 rooms and suites on 11 floors. KTGY Simeone Deary Design Group used geometric lines and metallic hues for the modern interiors. The accommodations feature floor-to-ceiling windows with stunning downtown views, Frette linens, soaking bathtubs and rain showers, and decor in muted shades punctuated by pops of blue, a nod to the city’s famous waterways.

Guests will also find classic St. Regis amenities such as butler service, afternoon tea, and, of course, a local twist on the brand’s signature cocktail, the Bloody Mary, here served with local rye whisky in a smoking glass rimmed in smoked salt (a reference to the Great Chicago Fire).

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However, the hotel’s most impressive feature might be the wellness floor. It has a gym with river views, a 12,000-square-foot spa with multiple treatment rooms, a lounge, a bar, an outdoor sundeck, a yoga studio, and, best of all, a heated indoor swimming pool overlooking Lake Michigan.

Noteworthy epicurean experiences include Miru, the hotel’s all-day eatery on the 11th floor, serving modern Japanese cuisine in a sophisticated dining room designed by the Rockwell Group. The restaurant spills over two terraces facing Navy Pier, Lake Michigan, and the Chicago River, where patrons can dine on shareable plates of hamachi with white ponzu and lemon and crispy whole snapper with herb salad and ginger miso.

Tre Dita, a Tuscan steakhouse by chef Evan Funke, will open this fall serving hand-made pasta.

“The tower is not just our latest addition to our portfolio of glamorous hotels and resorts around the world. It sets the tone for a bolder vision of our brand in the US,” Fleck added.

The new building also features 393 St. Regis branded residences, where owners have access to the hotel’s facilities and a separate residential amenity floor.

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Nightly rates at The St. Regis Chicago start from USD 700. You can book your stay on marriott.com.

(Hero and feature image credit: St. Regis Chicago)

All currency conversions were done at the time of writing

This story first appeared on travelandleisure.com

Related: 7 Underrated Girls Trips Around The World

Don’t know where you’re sleeping tonight? There’s an app for that. 

THE STANDARD IS KNOWN FOR its boundary-pushing, lifestyle-driven hospitality, and its newly relaunched app is sure to appeal to its fun-loving following that never shies away from a last-minute adventure or one-night stay.

One Night Standard, the brand’s cutting edge last-minute booking app relaunched in the U.S. — and launched globally — on August 1 with new destinations, including Bangkok and Hua Hin in Thailand, and the same incredible deals not available anywhere else.

For those familiar with apps that require swiping, using One Night Standard is easy. The day’s best prices are posted at 3pm, and users can begin booking immediately.

T+L Tip for Hua Hin guests: Open the app at lunch time because, for this dynamic beach resort, you can actually book by 12pm and check-in by 3pm — which is just enough time to make the drive down from Bangkok!

The app offers spontaneous, same-night reservations at properties across The Standard’s portfolio, including New York’s The Standard, High Line and The Standard, East Village; The Standard Spa, Miami Beach; The Standard, London; The Standard, Ibiza; Thailand’s The Standard, Hua Hin and The Standard, Bangkok Mahanakhon; and The Standard, Maldives, with more unique destinations to be added to the app as The Standard brand grows.

The brand’s loyal fans have been lobbying to bring the pioneering app back, and The Standard’s execs were listening and waiting until the moment was right.

“Guests are not only enthusiastically returning to travel, but are dropping inhibitions and allowing themselves to live spontaneously once again,” said Standard International CEO Amber Asher.

“It feels great to bring One Night Standard back for all those who missed it during the past few years and lobbied for its return. It is particularly gratifying because we have added some stunning new locations like Ibiza and Bangkok that are just perfect for impromptu late-night fun.”

The Standard was named sixth on Travel + Leisure’s list of readers’ 25 favourite hotel brands in the 2023 World’s Best Awards. The Standard, Bangkok Mahanakhon was named among the best City Hotels and The Standard, Huruvalhi Maldives, was named in both the House Reefs and Resorts for Families categories in Travel + Leisure’s Luxury Awards Asia Pacific 2023.

Cutting-edge and encouraging guests to live an un-standard life, One Night Standard is the only app of its kind developed by a hotel brand and puts the power of spontaneity and savings in the hands of its taste-making clientele.

While it’s great for a last-minute staycation in your own city — or one nearby — it’s also ideal for adding a night onto a trip you can’t bear to end, staying in the city centre instead of commuting home, or having an impromptu sleepover with a friend. 

Always a brand defying convention, The Standard already has plans to link its One Night Standard app with pioneering dating app Feeld, created for open-minded users seeking unique connections.

One Night Standard can be downloaded at the App Store or on Google Play via this link.

Article sponsored by The Standard.
Images courtesy of The Standard.

Call it cliché, but we believe Las Vegas has something for everyone. With entertainment options ranging from celebrity chef-helmed restaurants and enticing casinos to thrill rides, professional sports, and the great outdoors, we’d bet big money that Las Vegas has what you’re looking for.

To create a thorough list of things to do in the Nevada city, we enlisted several Las Vegas experts, including assistant chef concierge for Wynn Las Vegas, Angelica Miozza; comic performer Colin Cahill, who plays Blue Jackson in Spiegelworld’s Atomic Saloon Show at the Venetian; and long-time resident and vice president at Kirvin Doak Communications Natalie Mounier. Here are 30 ideas to help you better plan your next Las Vegas escape.

The best things to do in Las Vegas to plan your next escape

Sway to the music at the Bellagio Fountain show

This expansive fountain show occurs multiple times a day, every day of the year; check the schedule once you arrive in town to make sure you catch it. The romantic spectacle is free, and onlookers line the sidewalk, mesmerised by the beauty of the dancing fountains and the music that plays along with the show.

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Observe the Las Vegas Strip from above

To enjoy panoramic views of the city, hop on High Roller, the largest observation wheel in North America. You’ll ride in one of 28 spacious air-conditioned cabins for 30 minutes, at one point reaching 550 feet above the Strip. Cabins hold up to 40 guests, so grab some friends (and a cocktail or two) for the ride. Note that glass and coolers are not permitted.

Take a walk under the sea

At Shark Reef Aquarium, you can walk through an underwater glass tunnel as more than 2,000 sea creatures swim around you. The Mandalay Bay attraction includes jellyfish floating gracefully, friendly sea turtles, and sharks gliding through a shipwreck. Book an early-entry guided tour for an additional fee if you’d like to feed a stingray.

Go skydiving indoors

Travellers can experience skydiving, without the airplane, on the exhilarating Vegas Indoor Skydiving attraction. You can fly on your own (even kids can try it, so long as they’re 40 pounds or more), or get a group of six to ten friends or family members for a twenty-minute party with private training and your own block of time in the wind tunnel.

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Play around at Topgolf

Whether or not you’re an avid golfer, this is a fun venue in which to spend a couple of hours or more. Topgolf Las Vegas offers climate-controlled hitting bays, plus music, HDTVs, and a pool (must be 21 and over) with cabanas. This is a favourite spot for the Wynn’s Angelica Miozza, who comes to test her golf swing. There’s also a sports bar, restaurant, and complimentary golf clubs.

Drive a Ferrari, Lamborghini, or go-cart

At Exotics Racing, driving is extremely exciting, whether you choose a supercar, go-kart, or off-road experience. Steer an exotic car around a racetrack for the thrill of it, or have fun racing a go-kart on an outdoor track. You can even choose a specially built Baja race truck for the ultimate off-road experience.

Stroll through an indoor garden

Visitors are dazzled by the intricate designs, colours, and beauty of the Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Gardens. Each season, the 14,000-square-foot garden is transformed with floral displays, living plants, and water features. In addition to unique designs for each season, a special Lunar New Year garden is created each year.

Ride a gondola and stroll through St. Mark’s Square

At the Venetian Resort, a gondola ride takes you through a replica of Venice, complete with the Rialto Bridge, a sparkling Grand Canal, and a serenade by your gondolier. Once off your boat, browse the upscale Grand Canal Shoppes, enjoy the street performers, or grab a gelato while you take in the atmosphere of “Italy.”

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Catch the light show on downtown Fremont Street

The largest video screen in the world is suspended 90 feet above Fremont Street for this dazzling free-light show with concert-quality sound. The show begins every hour between 6 pm and 2 am, every day. And while you’re in the downtown area, check out the SlotZilla zip line, which has the option to fly over the street like a superhero, landing at the historic Golden Gate Hotel and Casino.

Experience Illuminarium

At Illuminarium Las Vegas, 4K laser projection, 3D audio, and special effects create immersive experiences not to be missed. Travel to outer space via images captured by the James Webb Space Telescope, or to the African savanna, where incredible animals roam. Check the website for what experiences are available during your Las Vegas visit.

Tee off at the only golf course on the Las Vegas Strip

Enjoy the gorgeous surroundings of the 18-hole championship course at the Wynn Golf Club. The lush landscape was designed by legendary architect Tom Fazio, who partnered with his son Logan to revisit and enhance his original work. Mature trees, lakes, and streams add both beauty and challenge to the course.

Take a master class at Wynn Las Vegas

“For those who love immersive experiences, I recommend attending one of Wynn’s Master Classes, which provide an intimate experience with the resort’s world-class chefs and industry experts,” Angelica Miozza told Travel + Leisure. “Some of my favourites include learning how to bake baguettes alongside our master baker; filling dumplings with a master dim sum chef; and creating remarkable floral arrangements with the head of horticulture.”

Take a side trip to Red Rock Canyon

About 17 miles (27.35 km) west of the Strip, you can find miles of hiking trails at Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area. The preserve is also a great place for rock climbing, mountain biking, picnicking, and horseback riding, all while surrounded by gorgeous scenery. There’s a 13-mile (19.31 km) scenic drive with access to sandstone hills, canyons, and parking areas for exploring the natural and cultural history of the area.

Watch a professional sports game

Depending on the season, visitors can see the WNBA 2022 Champions Las Vegas Aces, the Las Vegas Lights FC soccer team, Las Vegas Raiders football, the XFL Vegas Vipers, or the Vegas Golden Knights NHL team. “In recent years, Las Vegas has been building its credibility as a sports destination,” Miozza said. “And as a local, I can tell you we’re very excited to see this year’s pivotal Grand Prix, as well as the Super Bowl in 2024.”

Get a Las Vegas history lesson at the Mob museum

The Mob Museum is located downtown in the city’s former federal courthouse, and its interactive exhibits highlight notorious gangsters like Al Capone and Bugsy Siegel, plus famous FBI agents, including J. Edgar Hoover and Eliot Ness. Visit the onsite Prohibition-era-styled Speakeasy for a cocktail after your Mob history lesson.

Experience Vegas deep into the night

They say New York is the city that never sleeps, but Vegas doesn’t seem to, either. Night clubs and cocktail lounges abound, and there’s always a themed party or DJ set to experience. The city has lots in store for LGBTQ+ travellers, too — Visit Las Vegas suggests year-round Pride events and RuPaul’s Drag Rice Live as some of the options.

Score tickets to a live show

Cahill called his Atomic Saloon show “one of my all-time favourite sexy circus comedy cabarets.” There’s also Cirque du Soleil’s Beatles LOVE show at The Mirage, Mystere at Treasure Island, “O” at the Bellagio, and Awakening at the Wynn. Head to Caesars Palace to see world-class talents like Adele and the newest resident headliner, Garth Brooks. And if you’ve got kids in tow, they can see a show, too.

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Show off your skills at the Pinball Hall of Fame

This museum houses the world’s largest pinball machine collection, with vintage machines from the 1960s, 70s, and 80s. The machines are all restored to like-new condition, and they’re available for visitors to enjoy — it’s a pretty inexpensive way to have fun at 25 or 50 cents a play.

Watch the free show at Las Vegas Lake of Dreams

“Staged outdoors with open-air patios for viewing, the Lake of Dreams show is something guests or visitors to Las Vegas may not know about,” Miozza told T+L. “The complimentary multimedia experience blends colourful puppetry, an immersive soundtrack, and state-of-the-art sound and lighting.” The show runs multiple times every night, starting at dusk.

Snap a few photos for the ‘gram

About 10 miles (16.09 km) south of the Strip is Seven Magic Mountains, a group of neon-coloured totems created by Swiss artist Ugo Rondinone, and a very popular site with shutterbugs. Next, head downtown for a self-guided mural tour, or visit the Museum of Selfies at the LINQ Promenade. And, of course, there’s the Welcome to Las Vegas Sign — a must for every visitor.

Join an immersive show at a rum distillery

At the Lost Spirits Distillery, guests walk through elaborate Victorian settings and sample rum while cast members perform all around them in an immersive theatre experience. To extend your time here, book an elaborate 16-course tasting menu dinner, which is served in a room themed after “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea.”

Dance to live tunes

Comedian Colin Cahill says, “If you’re looking to scoot your boots, my favourite bands to dance to are The Bronx Wanderers and The Spazmatics, both at South Point and Original Chaos, who you can catch at venues all over town.” For more live music venue options, Visit Las Vegas has you covered.

Visit the MSG Sphere — once it opens

“Vegas is all about revamping the old and building the new,” Cahill says, specifically pointing to the expected fall opening of MSG Sphere, a 17,500-seat structure for concerts and sporting events. With a wraparound LED display and spatial audio system, the venue will provide immersive experiences that utilize visual effects, movement sensations, intense lighting, and even scent and wind simulations.

Visit the Las Vegas Arts District

When Cahill isn’t playing Blue Jackson in the Atomic Saloon, he enjoys spending time in the Las Vegas Arts District. Located about a mile (1.6 km) from downtown and the Fremont Street Experience, this area features shops, restaurants, bars, coffee houses, galleries, a theatre, live performances, and First Friday events.

Ride FlyOver

“My family and I love FlyOver,” Mounier told T+L. “It makes you feel like you’re flying over the most iconic places in the US, Canada, and Iceland; you’re sitting inside a spherical screen, surrounded by the most amazing views. As the film dips and turns throughout the locales, the seat moves with you, like you’re flying via helicopter. There are special effects, too — when you fly through a cloud, you feel a light mist on your face.”

Go on another adrenaline-pumping thrill ride

Head to the Stratosphere for the Big Shot ride and the X-Scream rollercoaster, which dangles you above the Las Vegas Strip. Or, ride the Big Apple Coaster in New York — it speeds up to 67 miles (107.82 kmph) per hour.

Shop ’til you drop in a classic Vegas shopping centre

Instead of losing money in the casino, why not exchange money for goods? Great places to do the latter include the Forum Shops in Caesars Palace, the Cosmopolitan Shops, designer shops at the Encore, MGM Grand, and more. At the Downtown Container Park, you can shop, snack, and catch a free concert in one spot.

Take a wellness break

A spa visit makes for a relaxing and refreshing escape from the hustle of Vegas, and we recommend Caesar’s Palace Qua Baths & Spa. This venue offers three Roman baths, an Arctic Ice Room, and a range of massage and skin care services. Or head to Wynn Las Vegas, where Wynn Living Well offers massages, vitamin IV drip therapies, and other innovative treatments. There’s also the spa at The Mirage and Four Seasons Spa.

Ride the Las Vegas Monorail

The Strip often surprises first-time Las Vegas visitors — it’s not as easy to walk from one end to the other as you’d think. So, if you’re trying to get from point A to point B here, consider taking the Las Vegas Monorail. It’s a convenient mode of transportation that connects MGM Grand to the Sahara Hotel, with stops at Harrah’s, Caesar’s Palace, and more.

Try your luck in a Vegas casino

There are more than 100 casinos in Las Vegas, so no trip here would be complete without wandering through one of these dens of smoke, drinks, and slot machines. Belly up to a blackjack, poker, or craps table and try your luck, or stand back and observe someone else playing — somehow, even just watching casino action is a thrill in Las Vegas.

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Related: The Best Things To Do In Las Vegas That Are Absolutely Free

As if Mexico’s sunshine, beaches, and natural beauty weren’t enough to rejuvenate any visitor, these resorts deliver healing treatments in plush spas for the ultimate in wellness experiences. Therapies combine indigenous customs and modern science, using natural ingredients to promote health, mindfulness, and serenity.

In various locations throughout Mexico, these resorts offer personal attention and restorative treatments designed to last long after the vacation ends.

The best wellness-focused resorts in Mexico

Rosewood Mayakoba, Riviera Maya

Set among dense mangroves and meandering lagoons, the resort features Sense, A Rosewood Spa with 12 treatment rooms, a yoga pavilion, a pool, and eight Wellness Suites — two-story lofts designed for an immersive wellness experience. The Wellness Suites include a heated plunge pool, reflexology fountain, meditation pavilion, aromatherapy shower scents, and a dedicated wellness butler. Rosewood Total Wellbeing is a program based on Ayurvedic principles with a personal consultation and a range of treatments.

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Four Seasons Resort Los Cabos at Costa Palmas, East Cape

An expansive beach on the Sea of Cortez, six pools, a spa with sauna, steam room, hydrotherapy whirlpools, and spa suites create an atmosphere of relaxation for massage, facials, reflexology, and body treatments like the Mother Earth aromatic body wrap. Wellness experiences at the resort include guided meditation, yoga, breathwork, chakras alignment, and Reiki for healing at the mental, physical, and emotional levels.

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Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal, Cabo San Lucas

This cliffside resort set along the Pacific Ocean is home to the Waldorf Astoria Spa Luna y Mar, inspired by ancient traditional Mexican folk healing known as curanderismo. For example, the Indigenous Herbal Detox incorporates native plants of Baja, and The Intention uses herbal aromatherapy and the energy of plants in a healing massage. Every month, the spa hosts a transformative “Wellness Weekend,” a three-day journey to inner peace through focused well-being experiences.

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Rancho La Puerta, Tecate

Set on 4,000 acres about three miles (4.82 km) south of the US border, Rancho La Puerta was founded in 1940. The resort includes 40 miles (64.37 km) of hiking trails, 32 acres of landscaped gardens, an organic farm, and three full-service holistic spas. Guests stay in individual casitas and dine on a lacto-ovo-vegetarian diet. A range of holistic therapies is offered, including massage, body treatments, facials, detox, reflexology, and wraps. Lectures, concerts, fitness workshops, cooking classes, and hikes are all part of an immersive wellness vacation.

One&Only Mandarina, Riviera Nayarit

The resort, set in a tropical rainforest, is home to the One&Only Spa, where guests experience the healing atmosphere through ancient rituals, meditation, breathwork, and astrological readings. Guests can choose from three four-day wellness itineraries after consultation with the resort’s wellness director, with options for ancient healing, a green beauty retreat, or complete relaxation. The spa includes saunas, steam rooms, and natural springs, with a wide range of treatments.

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Las Ventanas al Paraiso, a Rosewood Resort, San José del Cabo

Located at the tip of the Baja Peninsula, the resort offers treatments and therapies focused on a holistic approach to wellness. The Four Elements spa menu is inspired by ancient healers of Baja, tapping the powers of earth, air, fire, and water and employing indigenous plants, water, crystals, and other natural elements. In the 90-minute Raindrop Aromatherapy treatment, 10 essential oils are applied, enhancing the body’s natural defences.

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Conrad Punta De Mita, Riviera Nayarit

Ocean views and a secluded beach are the backdrops for this resort, where the spa features seven treatment rooms, a sauna, a whirlpool, and an outdoor hydrotherapy pool. Treatments influenced by the ancient Huichol culture, the indigenous people of the region, include the temazcal experience, a purification ritual that begins with cleansing by a shaman before each guest enters the temazcal, a dome-shaped stone structure. Herbal steam, chanting, and meditation are followed by a relaxing swim in the secluded spa pool.

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Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit, Riviera Nayarit

Set on Mexico’s Pacific coast surrounded by the Sierra Madre Mountains, Grand Velas is an all-inclusive resort offering a variety of activities and wellness opportunities. The Se Spa features 20 treatment rooms and more than 30 holistic experiences using all-natural products, plant extracts, oils, and aromas. The therapeutic “Hydrotherapy Circuit,” treats the body with water at varying temperatures and includes the Jacuzzi, sauna, eucalyptus inhalation, steam with chromotherapy, hot and cold lagoons, pressure shower, and hydro-reflexology.

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Chablé Yucatán, Chocholá

This secluded resort about 30 minutes from Merida features private casitas and expansive villas set in a lush landscape. Their wellness programs combine ancient Mayan healing customs with advanced therapeutic methods.  After a personal consultation, guests can choose from three Chablé Spa Journeys: Fountain of Youth, Tree of Life, and Heaven on Earth. The Spa’s energy centre is the cenote, considered a sacred site, where a welcome ritual takes place. Treatments include hydrotherapy, massage, flotation, and aromatherapy.

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Montage Los Cabos, Cabo San Lucas

Set on Santa Maria Bay, the Montage offers wellness programs at Spa Montage inspired by traditional Mexican folklore’s Tree of Life and the Torote tree at the resort’s entrance. The Signature Baja Wellness Journey begins with a herb-infused wrap and warm bath to reduce stress, followed by a facial massage, cold jade stones, and warm stone massage. The Mezcal Renewal Massage, based on Oaxacan customs, includes heated poultices and ends with a taste of Clase Azul mezcal.

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Related: This Underrated Mexico Destination Is Set Across 9 Bays — With Laid-Back Beach Towns, Bioluminescent Waters And Charming Hotels

“Waves all day,” sings my enthusiastic surf guide, Lenny Espinoza. It’s barely 5:30 a.m. and morning’s first blush tints the sky sherbet. Most guests at Rancho Santana are still sleeping, but the surrounding jungle is wide awake. We wax our surfboards to a chorus of bellowing howler monkeys, the high-pitched buzz of cicadas, and a symphony of bird song. Above it all we hear the rumble of crashing waves calling us to the ocean.

In most countries, “waves all day” would be a wishful mantra. In Nicaragua, Espinoza’s refrain is a celebratory fact, particularly along the Emerald Coast where Rancho Santana resort is located. Lake Managua, 50 miles (80.46 km) inland from this 30-mile (48.28 km) stretch of shoreline, funnels wind from the country’s Caribbean side across to the Pacific Ocean, providing 330-plus days of offshore winds. Those unicorn winds make this one of the few places in the world where you can find perfect waves, from sunrise to sunset, nearly all year round.

It was the promise of consistent surf that first drew me to Nicaragua in 2010. But the country’s raw natural beauty, empty beaches, warm people, and untapped potential for adventure are what have lured me back a half-dozen times. My reasons for returning have changed, but the reactions of my friends haven’t. “Isn’t it dangerous?” they still worry. “Aren’t the waves in Costa Rica just as good …and the hotels, even better?” they ask.

Nicaragua spent most of the 20th century suffering through oppressive dictators, revolutions, counterrevolutions, a 10-year civil war, and a devastating earthquake. With such a tumultuous past, it’s no wonder that mostly diehard surfers and undaunted backpackers dared venture across its borders in the 1990s when a tenuous calm seemed to settle across the country. As Costa Rica was loudly touted as the poster child of eco-tourism, whispers of Nicaragua’s pristine nature quietly started to spread.

This resort in Nicaragua provides a dreamy oceanfront view

In 1997, American developer Matt Turner learned of a 2,700-acre ranch for sale with five dreamy, surf-swept beaches. He and five friends flew down to scout the land and immediately knew they’d discovered paradise. Their original vision was to build personal vacation homes, but luckily for me, they decided to share their Shangri-la, called Rancho Santana, eventually adding rentable homes and a 17-room oceanfront inn.

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Most real estate developments feel like exclusive, gated compounds shut off from locals. Rancho Santana, however, feels like an integral part of the surrounding communities thanks to investments like a non-profit health clinic and a community centre located across from the ranch’s entrance that offers youth and adult English language courses, computer and vocational classes, sports programs, and a gym open to both locals and guests. Everyone is welcome at weekly bike-and-burger rides hosted at the property. The resort also supports the Santana Surf Team and its members (many of them employees like Espinoza) show off their talent on the waves at Playa Santana, the surfing beach adjacent to the inn.

Espinoza, 28, started working as a surf guide for the resort at age 16. As we paddled out to the empty lineup at Panga Drops, he told me he was promoted to an office job a few years ago. After just a few months, he told his boss that he preferred a job where he could be barefoot and in board shorts sharing his passion with guests.

I can’t say I blame him. His office, the surf shack, is located steps away from world-class surf breaks like Panga Drops and Colorados. It’s also next door to La Taqueria, the resort’s casual taco spot, beloved for its tableside guacamole service and house-ground corn tortillas stuffed with beer-battered catch of the day or chile-braised lamb.

On my first trip to Nicaragua, I was nearly as wave obsessed as Espinoza. Back then, Rancho Santana catered to guests like me. But the resort’s new emphasis on wildlife, culture, and wellness has started to attract non-surfers looking for a less crowded, more affordable alternative to Costa Rica. And what they uncover is a destination that has it all: wildlife, volcanoes, towns brightened with pastel-painted façades, and incredible hiking and biking trails. Even surf-crazed visitors like me are enticed away from the sea.

The vastness of the ranch makes it feel like your own private national park (there’s even a turtle sanctuary and guests can observe hatchlings from August through October). Later that afternoon, Eddy Mendoza, one of the resort’s experience guides, leads me on a hike along the 21 miles (33.79 km) of jungle-shaded trails. A self-described bird nerd, he jumped with excitement when he spotted the long, bright blue tail of Nicaragua’s national bird, the guardabarranco or turquoise-browed motmot, flash above us.

Another afternoon, I up the adrenaline factor on a mountain bike excursion with guide Devin Lynn. Jurassic-sized iguanas scurry out of our path as we zip down the resort’s newly built singletrack trails. The ranch’s “hero dirt,” which provides some of the most predictable grips on the planet, makes the mountain biking here just as unique as the surfing, boasted Devin. That same evening, I have a thrilling sunset surf session with Eddy, but it isn’t on a wave, it’s down a 100-foot sand dune at Playa Duna.

With such an action-packed schedule, my muscles would have been revolting if it weren’t for daily Yin sessions in the ocean-view yoga pavilion and a restorative massage and cold plunge at El Bosque, a new 6,000-square-foot spa built into the treetops. The upside to being so active was that I always had an appetite, and trust me, you’ll want one. The food at Rancho Santa is sensational and nearly every ingredient in the dishes I savoured — the coffee-rubbed pork chop and plantain-bean hash served at La Finca y El Mar, the sushi and wood-fired pizzas at La Boquita — is sourced locally. Seafood comes from area fishermen, including Espinoza’s dad, but nearly everything else is grown, raised, and produced on-site, including the cheese and kombucha.

On a tour of Rancho Santana’s 80-acre farm, I learned that I am hopeless when it comes to milking cows (I’m only slightly better when it comes to handling goat udders). But the more important insight was the extent of the sustainable and regenerative practices the resort has embraced. Each month those cows and goats produce 2,000 litres of milk and the farm’s chickens lay more than 1,100 eggs. Cows and pigs are slaughtered for meat and the two-acre garden provides 2,500 pounds of fruits, vegetables, and herbs each month. What isn’t used at the property’s four restaurants and sold at the on-site market is sold to staff. An on-site biodigester utilises organic waste, including animal droppings and food waste, to produce fertilisers and biogases, enough to cook all the food waste that is received from the kitchens to feed the Rancho animals.

The resort’s efforts go beyond food. A solar park powers much of the property and an on-site woodshop employs 200 locals who do everything from craft furnishings for the villas to meld metal for the chandeliers in the inn’s rooms. In total, the hotel employs more than 80 per cent of its staff from the surrounding 16 communities.

As easy as it would be to stay on property, where my every wish and desire was met, the team at Rancho Santana urges guests to go out and explore, offering day trips to the colonial city of Granada and the active Masaya volcano and boat trips to epic waves like Lance’s Left. Tours of the neighbouring communities include stops at local restaurants like Amigos Bar (don’t miss the wings) and Yolanda’s (the ceviche is a must). And the nearly mile-long (1.6 km) stretch of beach between Playa Santana and Magnific Rock, a favourite beginner surf spot, has a handful of beach bars, including the Popoyo Republic, a low-frills spot recently opened by the manager of Rancho Santana’s horse stables.

When I visited this area in 2015, I stayed at a chic (and pricey) boutique hotel on this very stretch of beach — it’s since been reimagined as a hip surf lodge. Nicaragua was having a brief “star” moment. International investors and influencers had descended on Granada and surf towns like San Juan del Sur and Popoyo. Almost overnight, this sleepy area seemed on the precipice of becoming the next Tulum.

But then, in April 2018, President Daniel Ortega announced social security reforms that resulted in the largest protests the country had seen since the end of its civil war in 1990. Authorities around the globe issued travel warnings, crushing the country’s nascent tourism industry. Visitors disappeared and investors vanished, leaving locals to return to their lives as campesinos, and farmers. COVID-19 dealt the country yet another setback.

Despite the uncertainties over the years, Rancho Santana’s owners consider Nicaragua home and have stayed committed to their employees as well as their long-term plan to develop the ranch slowly and sustainably. And travellers are starting to trickle back, following those same whispers the owners heard more than two decades ago — and still finding a place that feels undiscovered.

Nightly rates at Rancho Santana start at USD 360 for guest rooms; USD 520 for suites and USD 800 for three-bedroom residences. You can book at ranchosantana.com.

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All currency conversions were done at the time of writing

This story first appeared on travelandleisure.com

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On Hawaii’s Big Island, there was once a resort called Kona Village. It opened in 1966, and because the closest public road was two miles (3.21 km) away, guests took a puddle-jumper plane to the resort, piloted by whoever was around – a concierge, a cook, occasionally someone licensed to fly.

The main bar was a beached sailboat called New Moon, which belonged to Kona Village’s founders, Johnno and Helen Jackson. When they were fixing up the resort, they anchored New Moon in Kahuwai Bay, where it took on water and sank — so they hauled the vessel out of the Pacific, gave it a paint job, and served mai tais from the deck.

The resort developed a star-studded cult following. Supposedly, The Doors’ Jim Morrison once set a record by drinking 21 mai tais at Shipwreck Bar. It was Steve Job’s favourite place to vacation — though, ironically, the place embraced an off-the-grid philosophy. Guests were told to leave their cell phones in the rooms, and there were no TVs. When they wanted privacy, they’d put a coconut outside the door.

This luxury resort in Hawaii just reopened after 12 years

Kona Village, A Rosewood Resort

• There are two stunning pools and an outdoor activities centre where guests can use kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, and snorkelling equipment.
• On the resort’s 81 acres are only 150 hale, or houses, decorated with art commissioned from mostly native Hawaiian artists.
• The hotel is just 10 miles (16.09 km) — less than a 20-minute drive, typically — from Kona International Airport.
• There are four bars and restaurants, including one made from a sailboat the owners sank nearby. Equally important: there’s a daily 3 p.m. coconut cart serving complimentary drinking coconuts by the pools.

Kona Village was destroyed in 2011 by an earthquake-triggered tsunami. “No one got to say goodbye,” a guest who visited every year with her family, from when she was six to 14 years old, told me. There was no closure — only wreckage and a Save Kona Village Facebook page with 8,500 followers.

On July 1, the pleas of those 8,500 die-hards were answered: Kona Village reopened as the 31st property in the Rosewood Hotels & Resorts portfolio. When my husband and I arrived eight days into Kona’s next chapter, we were some of the only guests who hadn’t been to the original resort. Most guests were Kona Village faithful who asked for their old rooms and couldn’t wait to tell me that Rosewood had brought back those do-not-disturb coconuts.

Rosewood brought back Shipwreck Bar, too. (Yes, the New Moon survived the tsunami — the boat’s the “only thing stronger than the drinks,” one resort friend told me.) The adjacent pool now has a sumptuous black-stone hot tub that reflects the palm trees overhead. My husband and I posted up here for coconut o’clock, a.k.a. 3 pm when a cart brimming with bright-green drinking coconuts comes around. Then, we whiled away our afternoon swimming the length of the 82-foot pool and lazing in our shaded cabana with octopus tostadas and a round of Conrad’s Mai Tais. (Important note: every bar and dining venue makes a different mai tai. I took a Pokemon gotta-catch-’em-all approach.)

Shipwreck Bar’s mai tai is named for the resort’s OG bartender, Conrad, and rumor has it, the nearly lethal original recipe had seven-and-a-half ounces of booze. It’s now served by Conrad’s successor, Marlin Hunter — who, true story, was named for the giant marlin his father caught on this very beach. The updated cocktail may seem downright chaste by comparison, but it was still enough to send me back to my hale for a delicious nap on the shaded sectional of my 215-square-foot deck.

Here is everything you need to know about Kona Village, A Rosewood Resort.

The Rooms

Our 1,570-square-foot hale, which means house in Hawaiian, had one bedroom, a separate living room, a bathroom with a stand-alone tub, and an outdoor shower. “It feels like your own little beach house,” says Nicole Hollis, the interior designer on the project, who is also working on the Rosewood Sand Hill renovation in northern California. “We wanted it to feel Hawaiian, not be themed Hawaiian.” The hale’s exposed Douglas fir shiplap acts as a natural canvas, strewn with functional art (i.e., “things Hawaiians actually use to decorate their homes,” Hollis says), like fans, hats, paddles, and kapa-printed pillows — most made by Hawaiian artists.

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There are also two- and four-bedroom suites — the former has nearly 2,500 square feet of indoor and outdoor space — plus two USD 35,000-a-night presidential suites with private infinity pools gazing over a secluded sliver of black-sand beach. But the hottest tickets are the six legacy hale — the only ones from the original Kona Village, built in the ‘69, that survived the tsunami. I was also quite taken with the Shed hale, on an inland perch overlooking the resort’s fish ponds; they have a chic studio setup and a dreamy daybed swing on the porch that I still wake up thinking about.

Food and drink

There are four bars and restaurants at at this luxury resort in Hawaii. Moana, the main dining room, serves unreal Hawaiian malasada doughnuts at breakfast. (For those following the mai tai gotta-catch-’em-all storyline, the Moana Mai Tai packs a flavorful punch with an amaro floater.) In front of Moana, where my husband and I dug into cured kampachi, grilled local prawns doused in chilli oil, and fresh-caught snapper in mushroom dashi, is Talk Story Bar. There’s also Kahuwai Cookhouse and Market, where there are wellness shots and Greenwell Farms coffee by day and fire-cooking by night; and, of course, Shipwreck Bar.

Finally, guests can book an alfresco “imu” dinner separately (USD 250). “The imu was a traditional way of cooking our food in an underground oven,” explained Rolinda “Kamu Welu” Bean, the resort’s cultural manager, before my husband and I joined the 11 other guests for dinner. “They would heat up the rocks, lay banana leaves and tea leaves, and then they’d put fish and whatever else they’d gathered inside.”

The resort has recreated this stone-lined hearth and the communal dining experience, with modern embellishments: dinner is served at a long table beneath tea light–tangled trees. We started with salmon sashimi and a Loire Valley–sourced sparkling blanc de noir as bowls of macaroni salad — mac salad is big in Hawaii — imu-roasted sweet potatoes and shredded pork from the hearth appeared on the table. The night ended with a round of espresso martinis, made with — what else? — local Kona coffee.

Experiences and amenities

The resort has a gym (if you’re going to work out on vacation, may as well hit the outdoor Peloton facing a field of lava rocks), a spa, two pools with hot tubs, bikes for every guest, tennis and pickleball courts, and free Wi-Fi. Guests can host events on the Hoʻokipa lawn.

I found all the best activities at Kilo Kai, which is the hotel’s ocean adventure hub. Here, guests can rent snorkelling equipment, stand-up paddleboards, and kayaks, and sign up for guided ocean canoe sessions. My husband and I spent a morning outrigger canoeing with our guide, Cam, paddling toward Maui’s Haleakalā volcano, the Big Island and Hualalai volcano behind us.

My favourite moments at this luxury resort in Hawaii, however, were spent on Mike Field’s sailing canoe, Hina’ea. Field, a Rosewood ambassador who works for the hotel’s development company, built the canoe himself, attaching a massive, vibrantly red sail and two white woven “trampolines” (his words, I wouldn’t bounce on them) to the 30-foot-long vessel. Hina’ea carried us three miles (4.82 km) out into the Pacific — Field paddling at the boat’s stern, and my husband and I scrambling from one woven trampoline to the other as we changed direction, watching peppy fly fish bounce out of the water, craning our necks to see dolphins.

It was exhilarating enough that I tried to convince him we should keep sailing the 27 miles (43.45 km) west to Maui. Next time, perhaps. Guests can book the sailing canoe experience with Field upon their arrival at the resort, though timing and pricing have not yet been finalised. (You may be especially tempted to book when you see Field’s art around the property — he is one of 50 Hawaiian artists on display at the resort — and I would’ve recognised his painting of Hina’ea from a mile (1.6 km) away.)

The spa

At Asaya Spa, a deck connecting the welcome area to the treatment rooms is suspended over undulating black lava waves spilt from Hualalai’s 1805 eruption. In the welcome area, stocked with EviDens products, I claimed a stool at the salt-and-scent bar, where a host blended a custom scrub for my post-massage shower. Then, I settled in for a decadent 60-minute massage, my therapist kneading my back with hot lava rocks.

While the treatments and products are, indeed, next-level, it’s really the setting that guarantees serenity. The open-air lounge, decked out with jute rugs and evocative copper art pieces, as well as the men’s and women’s pool and sauna areas, faces expansive lava rock fields or lush green patches littered with delicate white pikake flowers. It’s very much like going to the spa in the middle of Jurassic Park.

Accessibility and sustainability

Long before Kona Village was Steve Jobs’ favourite resort, it was a fishing village, founded by Polynesians who sailed over in the 1500s. To preserve the village’s history — which is in the bones of the resort, between the 300-year-old lava flows and the petroglyph fields, where Indigenous Hawaiians carved stories into the lava — the hotel has a cultural centre run by Bean.

She offers tours of the petroglyph fields and routinely meets with the resort’s Cultural Advisory Board, composed of eight descendants of this land. I fished with Bean and sustainability manager Lauren Nakoa at the resort’s ponds — which is just as popular with kids as it is with adults. The goal is to clear the invasive tilapia from the water and bring in native species (think: mullet, milkfish) “to honour the culture of Indigenous Hawaiian fish ponds,” Bean said as she pulled her line up to reveal a squirming grey tilapia, its open mouth forming a perfect O.

Kona Village, A Rosewood Resort, is on its way to being the first luxury hotel in Hawaii entirely powered by solar and has the largest private collection of solar panels in the state. Of the 150 rooms on the hotel’s 81 acres, 17 are ADA-compliant. In terms of getting around, the entire property is walkable (the bikes are fun, but certainly not necessary), and there is an abundance of golf carts to take guests anywhere on the property.

Family-friendly offerings

I can’t personally vouch for the kids’ programming, but I will say that being a family-friendly resort is part of this resort’s legacy. On my visit to Kona, I met travellers about my age who had grown up coming to Kona Village every summer. Kids will find plenty to do at Rosewood Explorers Keiki Club, which focuses on activities that keep sustainability and cultural appreciation top of mind. For example, kids can fish for tilapia just like I did with Bean and Nakoa, and what they catch helps feed seals that are rehabilitating at Ke Kai Ola: Monk Seal Rehabilitation Center.

The location

The resort is on the west side of the Big Island, just 10 miles (16.09 km) north of Kona International Airport. The resort can arrange airport transfers for guests. We arrived at the resort about 30 minutes after we walked off the plane. (How’s that for a family-friendly amenity?) The closest volcano, for hiking, is Hualalai, and the town of Kailua-Kona is about 16 miles (25.74 km) away. To explore the island, you would need to rent a car or arrange private transportation with the hotel.

Finding the best value

There’s no denying that the price of admission at this luxury resort in Hawaii is steep. Rooms start at USD 2,500 a night. That said, all signature suites come with an inclusive package, including daily breakfast at Moana, laundry, airport transfers, spa treatments for two adults, in-room dining, and a host of other personalised amenities. While Rosewood does not have a loyalty program, the resort is already part of American Express Fine Hotels & Resorts, which means, if you book with an Amex platinum card, you get an early check-in, late check-out, room upgrades based on availability, breakfast, and a USD 100 experience credit.

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(Hero and feature image credit: Maya Kachroo-Levine/Travel + Leisure)

All currency conversions were done at the time of writing

This story first appeared on travelandleisure.com

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Actress and Goop founder Gwyneth Paltrow has partnered with Airbnb to open up her home for a one-night stay in an effort to make the world “a little less lonely”.

Staying at a celebrity’s home is an opportunity that doesn’t happen very often. Staying at a celebrity’s home with them actually hosting and spending time with you is even rarer still. But that’s exactly what Gwyneth Paltrow is inviting you to do. The actress has collaborated with Airbnb to open up her California guesthouse for a one-night stay for two guests—but not everyone is thrilled by it.

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Enjoy a “Goop-inspired” stay at the home of Gwyneth Paltrow thanks to Airbnb

 

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Gwyneth Paltrow’s Montecito guesthouse is as beautiful as the rest of her California estate. Even Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky praised it as “one of the best homes [he’s] ever seen” in the video the actress posted on Instagram. Aside from the beautiful and utterly serene surroundings, the stay is also “goop-inspired” as it’s dubbed on the Airbnb site. “Goop essentials to nourish your body and soul” and Goop-inspired meals are all part of the package. Depending on your view of the company, that could be a major draw or drawback.

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The Goop CEO also mentioned in the video that guests can have a special dinner with her and her husband complete with a wine from their cellar. They can also make use of the property’s serene surroundings to get some peace and quiet. At the core of it all though is an effort to make connections once again. “Airbnb hopes to make the world a little less lonely,” reads the text from the video. “While we may begin as strangers, I hope we’ll find connections and commonalities over a delicious meal,” wrote the actress in her IG post.

This is exactly the reason why some people find the whole thing a little off-putting. There are some people who have called it out of touch, which is something that the actress has been criticised for in the past. “Who could ever afford to stay there?” reads one comment, while another said, “It seems a little tone-deaf to say this will somehow help people feel more connected/less lonely when it’s for whatever couple is rich enough to afford to wine and dine with her”.

How much the stay will cost remains to be seen. Right now, it’s listed at USD 0 with bookings opening up on August 16, so maybe it’ll actually be a lucky draw from the people who sign up.

You can learn more about the stay and the property on its Airbnb site. 

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