Before I give you the list of my favorite resorts I’ve stayed at, I would first like to give you a little background on my personal travel style. I love small, boutique-style hotels that highlight the local culture. Staying at large, generic resorts or on a cruise ship is my worst nightmare. I can rough it, but I also love a little luxury. We love a lot of adventure mixed with a little relaxation. Sustainability is a big deal to me and I incorporate it into all my travels.
Every so often you will stay somewhere that you will never want to leave. Places that feel like home, places that make you shed a tear upon departure, places that become your best memories. These are those places for me, here are my favorite resorts that I’ve stayed at.
Nayara Resorts
If you’re heading to the Arenal volcano area on your Costa Rica trip, a stay at Nayara Resorts is a must! There are three sections to the resort; Nayara Gardens, Nayara Springs and the Tented Camp. Each has its own reception area, spa and restaurants. Nayara Gardens is the most economical and family-friendly, the casitas have a soaking tub on the balcony. Nayara Springs is the adults-only section, the villas have a private plunge pool (where we stayed). The Tented Camp is the most expensive section of the resort to stay at, the tents also have a private plunge pool. All sections of the resort are available to you no matter where you stay, unless you’re a kid trying to get into the adults-only section.
A few things I loved about Nayara were the beautiful grounds, the stunning hot springs they have on site and the private plunge pool in our villa. Yoga is available every morning on their gorgeous yoga deck. There is a sloth and an armadillo sanctuary located on the premises, be sure to take a stroll through. There are a variety of restaurants to choose from, serving anything from Latin American to Asian fusion. Furthermore, they were more than accommodating with my dietary restrictions. The spa experience is literally to die for, imagine the sounds of the rainforest lulling you into complete relaxation. I asked my husband how he would review Nayara Springs and he responded, “spectacular, the rooms were pimp.”
Hamanasi Resort
Hamanasi Adventure & Dive Resort is a great all-in-one resort in Dangriga, Belize. Located right on the beach, on the mainland, just a quick flight from Belize City. They have a dive center on site and offer tours to the jungle. Bikes are available to ride into town, along with kayaks and paddle boards to get out on the water. They take sustainability seriously and have a garden on property, give you stainless steel water bottles to refill, recycle, plus much, much more. The staff is super friendly and the food was incredible, every day, for every meal. They even have treehouse accommodations, altogether making Hamanasi a must-stay!
In Dangriga, staff from Hamanasi met us at the airport and took us to the resort in a van. Upon arrival we were greeted with warm smiles and an ice cold drink, shown the premises and then taken to our treehouse. The treehouses are beautifully decorated, along with a lovely note from staff written on a dried tropical leaf. I stayed here on my very first trip to Belize and I believe that is part of the reason why I love Belize so much and keep going back.
Treebones Resort
Treebones is a one-of-a-kind glamping experience in Big Sur, California. We stayed in The Nest, which is made out of twigs and branches, and has a mattress inside. It was amazing going to sleep with the stars up above and waking up to waves crashing down below. If you’re not about The Nest, they have a bunch of yurts for a more comfortable stay. We started each day with yoga on their outdoor deck. The food and staff here are incredible, and our experience at the Wild Coast Sushi Bar was phenomenal. All the ingredients were super fresh and the drink pairing brought it to a whole other level. The sushi bar only seats eight, so be sure to make a reservation in advance.
Camp Cecil
We spent Thanksgiving 2018 glamping on the island of Isla Espíritu Santo with Todos Santos Eco Adventures in Baja California Sur. It was truly amazing falling asleep to the sound of waves crashing and waking up with some hot tea by the water. With no wifi or service, you can truly cut yourself off from the rest of the world. Our days were filled with snorkeling and hiking, and nights spent eating, drinking and playing board games. The best snorkeling was at the Los Islotes sea lion colony, where we got to mingle with the playful juvenile sea lions. Additionally, the staff and food at the camp were out of this world. This was the most relaxed I had been in awhile, consequently making me want to stay longer.
Casa las Tortugas
To say I loved staying at Casa las Tortugas in Holbox, Mexico is an understatement. This was one of my last trips before the pandemic hit and I’m thankful I went out with a bang. Casa las Tortugas is a tropical haven located right on the beach, on the edge of town. Think barefoot, laid-back luxury with major boho vibes. A feeling of pure tranquility overwhelms you as you first walk in. Bougainvillea climbs all around, while a small bridge brings you over the pool and into the reception area. There is a beautiful spa where yoga classes are held Monday-Saturday at 8am, which are free to guests. Breakfast is included for guests in the main restaurant, Mandarina Seaside Restaurant. It comes with coffee, tea, fruit juices, fruit, yogurt, granola, baked goods and a rotating main dish or there is a full menu to choose from.
Our room was located right on the beach and had a king bed on the main level and a queen bed up in the loft area. Both floors had a balcony, the larger of the two with a hammock for lounging and reading a book as the palm trees sway with the sea breeze. The bathroom had a really earthy feeling with a natural stone shower that was massive. The grounds are well kept with little nooks scattered about to hideout in. Every where you go at Casa las Tortugas is very picturesque and Instagrammable. The beach area is reserved for guests only and has food and drink service. Make sure to get a coco frio from one of the carts that go by!
Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa
For our honeymoon we stayed at both Four Seasons Resorts in the Maldives, but I liked Kuda Huraa the best out of the two. Kuda Huraa is the smaller of the two resorts, which is part of the reason why I loved it. It is also much closer to Malé (the capitol of the Maldives and where the international airport is located) and is accessible by boat, rather than seaplane. We stayed in a sunset overwater bungalow with a private infinity pool.
This is more than we usually spend on accommodation, but for our honeymoon it was worth the splurge. My favorite things at Kuda Huraa were the privacy, the infinity pool and the noodle bar at breakfast. They even made an alcoholic beverage specially for my birthday called the Passion Collins. Kuda Huraa is well known for a nearby surf break and their impressive spa located on its own island.
I hope you enjoyed my favorite resorts I’ve stayed at. If you liked this blog post, be sure to check out My Costa Rica Travel Guide! Don’t forget to book your trip with your favorite travel planner, yours truly.
