Everyone from reggaetoneros hunting out Bad Bunny’s favourite party places to starry-eyed honeymooners drawn by posh beach resorts can agree: Puerto Rico easily lives up to its name as the Isla del Encanto, the Island of Enchantment. A slew of new flights to the island offered by Delta and other major carriers are kicking off this winter, making it easier than ever to enjoy a trip to this tropical paradise — no passport needed.

Part of the joy of a visit to Puerto Rico comes from scouting out its hidden beaches, visiting tiny, white-sand islets, and hiking to the jungle waterfalls that other travellers missed. With the help of locals and insiders from PADI, Condado Vanderbilt Hotel, and Dorado Beach, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, we’ve assembled a list of the best places to visit in Puerto Rico, from the best surf spots to winding cave systems and the best places to chow down on local dishes like alcapurrias and mofongo.

The best places to visit in Puerto Rico

Old San Juan

The historic heart of Puerto Rico’s capital, Old San Juan is vibrant beyond its colourful colonial architecture or its iconic “Umbrella Street,” Calle de la Fortaleza. Stroll down cobblestone streets lined with centuries-old mansions before arriving at Castillo San Felipe del Morro, a Spanish fortress crowning the western tip of the historic neighbourhood and offering spectacular ocean views. End a day of exploring with local bites at one of the neighbourhood’s countless rooftop restaurants or with a drink at La Factoría, named the best bar in the Caribbean in 2023.

Condado

The oceanfront Condado neighbourhood is the place to be in San Juan, with upscale apartments, the city’s best restaurants, and plenty of fantastic shopping. Visit La Placita de Santurce, a favourite destination with locals and visitors alike, for frequent cultural events, street parties, and Puerto Rican bites at local spots like La Alcapurria Quemá.

Condado is also home to some of our readers’ favourite resorts in Puerto Rico. Among them shines the Condado Collection of hotels and resorts, including La Concha Resort,  Condado Vanderbilt Hotel, and Condado Ocean Club, nestled along some of the most beautiful beachfronts in San Juan.

Dorado Beach

Those looking to enjoy a retreat from energetic San Juan without travelling far will love the palm-fringed, pristine beaches of swanky Dorado Beach. Stay at Dorado Beach, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, perhaps Puerto Rico’s most exclusive resort. Known for its championship golf courses and the sanctuary-esque Spa Botánico with treehouse treatment rooms, it offers the bespoke luxury experience you’d expect from a Ritz-Carlton Reserve property.

El Yunque National Forest

The only tropical rainforest within the US National Forest System, El Yunque National Forest is one of the island’s natural gems, crisscrossed by hiking trails and home to endless rivers and hidden waterfalls. While El Yunque makes for a popular day trip from San Juan, there’s much more to explore than a day trip allows, including natural swimming holes like Charco El Hippie and the over 1,500-foot-tall Yokahú Observation Tower with its panoramic canopy vistas. Finish your visit with a stop for farm-to-table Puerto Rican cuisine at nearby Bacoa Finca + Fogón.

Vieques

There are no stoplights on the island of Vieques, just untouched beaches and dreamy boutique accommodations on the largest island off the coast of the Puerto Rican mainland. The most popular attraction on Vieques is the bioluminescent Mosquito Bay, which glows blue at night as visitors kayak through its waters filled with phosphorescent plankton. Enjoy a day trip to the island or spend a few nights at Finca Victoria in one of 14 unique cabins, treehouses, or guesthouses amidst the lush vegetation of the island’s interior.

La Parguera

Travellers who can’t make it to Vieques to experience Puerto Rico’s most famous bioluminescent bay should head to La Parguera. Located on the island’s southwestern coast, La Parguera is home to the only bioluminescent bay in Puerto Rico where visitors can swim through the glimmering waters, so make sure to bring your suit. Drive in for the experience, or spend a night in one of the small guesthouses in town and spend the day visiting nearby keys for snorkelling and paddleboarding among the mangroves.

Culebra

Located off the eastern shore of the main island of Puerto Rico, the laid-back island of Culebra is tiny but packs a serious travel punch. Home to less than 2,000 permanent residents, it earned a spot on our list of our readers’ favourite islands in the Caribbean in 2023. Culebra’s famed Flamenco Beach often appears atop lists of the world’s most beautiful beaches. The abandoned, graffiti-covered US Navy tank at one end of the shore is simultaneously an Instagram icon and a dark monument to the island’s past use for naval gunning and bombing exercises.

Culebrita

From Culebra, jump on a 15-minute water taxi ride to the even more remote islet of Culebrita. Impressive beaches with impossibly clear water are the main draw to this speck of an island. Tortuga Beach, named for the numerous sea turtles that nest here year after year, is considered one of the best beaches in Puerto Rico.

Cayo Icacos

Yet another of the white-sand keys located off the island’s eastern coast, Cayo Icacos is an increasingly popular day trip destination in Puerto Rico that beach lovers won’t want to miss. Take an excursion from Fajardo to Cayo Icacos by booking a catamaran trip to enjoy the untouched beaches and shallow waters of this uninhabited island for the day.

Río Camuy Caves

Escape the heat of the Caribbean sun at Río Camuy Cave Park in northwestern Puerto Rico. These limestone caverns have been carved out over centuries by the immense underground river, Río Camuy. While geologists have identified at least 220 caves and 17 miles (27.35 km) of natural tunnels, much of the area remains unexplored. Reservations are required, so make sure to book in advance with a registered tour company.

Palomino Island

“Forget the Maldives, I’ll stay in Palomino,” muses Bad Bunny in his hit song, “El Apagón.” There are no overwater bungalows here, but the white sands and clear seas at Palomino Island certainly warrant a comparison to a Maldivian atoll. The 100-acre, uninhabited island off the eastern coast of the Puerto Rican mainland is for the exclusive use of guests of the El Conquistador Resort, located just a short ferry ride away.

Rincón

On the island’s western shores, the town of Rincón reigns supreme as one of the best destinations for surfing in the Caribbean. Numerous beaches offer waves for surfers of all levels, though Domes Beach is where you’ll find the massive swells that host an international surfing competition every year. October through February is the best time to visit Puerto Rico if you’re scouting out waves, but Rincón has plenty to offer year-round, even for those who prefer to stay on the shore.

Desecheo Island

Puerto Rico is home to an impressive array of diving destinations, but few are as famous as the uninhabited Desecheo Island, located just off the island’s western coast. With an intricate cave system offering memorable swim-throughs and a dive site so colourful it’s known as “Candy Land,” visitors will have plenty to see while enjoying what PADI considers some of the best underwater visibility in all of Puerto Rico.

Aguadilla

Surfers and travellers scouting out the best beaches on the island will love Aguadilla, located on the island’s western coast. Aguadilla’s Crash Boat Beach is one of the most famous beaches on the island, with an intoxicating mix of white sand, water sports, and a party atmosphere fed all day by beach bars and food trucks serving up tropical cocktails and local fare. While the beach offers great visibility for snorkelling, take care when getting in the water; towards the north of the beach is Gas Chambers, one of Puerto Rico’s most famous surfing breaks.

Mayagüez

Many travellers skip over Mayagüez, the largest city on Puerto Rico’s western coast, and head directly for the area’s smaller beach towns. However, Mayagüez can be a convenient base for exploring the best of the western side of the island; its charming historic centre and booming culinary scene certainly don’t hurt. Mayagüez is also known as the “City of Pure Waters” for its proximity to some of Puerto Rico’s best diving destinations, including Desecheo Island and Mona Island.

Isabela

Isabela is Puerto Rico’s ultimate laid-back beach town, boasting shores that attract everyone from backpackers and surfers to the San Juan elite looking for a weekend escape. Trace the coastline and visit Isabela’s most beautiful beaches by renting a bike and hitting the Paseo Lineal de Isabela, a 4.5-mile (7.24 km) oceanfront route perfect for morning jogs or contemplating the sunset. Or, head inland to Guajataca State Forest for miles of lush, forested trails, hidden caves, and camping.

Ponce

Puerto Rico’s second-largest city tends to be overlooked by travellers, but the “Pearl of the South” has the historical charm and cultural weight to warrant a trip. Explore the city’s historic plazas and numerous museums, or escape to the countryside for a visit to Hacienda Buena Vista, a coffee hacienda (among countless others) that once brought Ponce both wealth and fame.

Casa Bacardí

It wouldn’t be a trip to the Caribbean without sampling some of the best local rums. Puerto Rico is home to a few different distilleries, though Casa Bacardí, located just across the bay from Old San Juan, is the number one destination on the island for visitors curious to learn more about the Caribbean’s most famous beverage. An impressive visitors’ centre and panoramic views of the city make for a great tasting and tour experience, though the unmatched rum selection is the real star of the show.

Manatí

Located just 45 minutes west of San Juan, the coastal town of Manatí feels a world away from the big city. Come here for stunning, less-crowded beaches like the half-moon-shaped crystalline bay at Mar Chiquita or Los Tubos Beach, known for its perfect surfing pipes.

Luquillo

Puerto Rico’s Capital del Sol (Capital of the Sun) is fittingly home to some of the island’s most beautiful beaches. Luquillo Beach and Balneario Monserrate are the most popular playas in the area for their size and extensive public beach amenities, but there are several beaches in Luquillo to choose from. Head to Luquillo after a day spent exploring neighbouring El Yunque National Forest, or use this town as a base for exploring less-visited areas of the rainforest.

(Feature image credit: cdwheatley/Getty Images) 

This story first appeared on travelandleisure.com

Related: These Natural Swimming Pools In Puerto Rico Are An Instagram Dream 

Here’s a piece of trivia you may not have learned in history class: America’s first resort predates the United States. In 1766 — a decade before the signing of the Declaration of Independence — a land surveyor named Thomas Bullitt built an 18-room wooden lodge in Hot Springs, Virginia, deep in the Allegheny Mountains (the area was named for its natural mineral springs, which were said to have healing qualities). He called it “the Homestead.”

The property changed hands over the decades and was slowly built up to become one of the South’s most cherished destination getaways. Twenty-three US presidents have stayed at what is now the Omni Homestead Resort, and it has been designated a National Historic Landmark. (Other famous guests include the Duke of Windsor and Cornelius Vanderbilt III.) In the 257 years since its founding, the Homestead has become a place where families return year after year.

America’s oldest resort just got renovated and is ready to welcome guests

The Omni Homestead Resort

• The sense of history — the Homestead has played host to more than 20 US presidents, and dates to 1766, making it America’s oldest resort.
• Surrounded by the Allegheny Mountains, the Homestead is a picture-perfect mountain retreat, with a Southern twist.
• There is an array of on-site activities: guests can go horseback riding, golf on one of the nation’s best courses, and “take the waters” in the natural hot mineral springs, all in one day.

Now, the Virginia icon is ready to welcome a new generation. This October, the resort wrapped up its multiyear, USD 150 million (INR 12,49,27,05,000) renovation, which encompassed all 483 guest rooms, the historic Warm Springs Pools, 72,000 square feet of meeting space and ballrooms, plus the property’s bars and restaurants. A brand-new, 4,000-square-foot event pavilion was also added.

The undertaking was a creative challenge for the design firm, Wimberly Interiors. “This is a multigenerational resort, and there is so much family history here, so it was important for us not to change how people feel in the property, but to help elevate it so it can carry on for another 100 years,” Liana Hawes Young, creative director of Wimberly Interiors, told T+L.

The goal was to showcase the property’s history but to make it feel like a residence, not a museum. To that end, the common spaces feature a careful selection of archival objects, like vintage skis, or a film projector that was used in the 1920s theatre (which was also part of the renovation).

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During my visit this fall, I found one of the most striking visual moments to be the sprawling, colourful rug in the Great Hall, which took nearly three years to design, according to Hawes Young. “The flowers, plants, birds, and insects featured are all specific to Virginia,” she shared.

Here’s everything you need to know about the Omni Homestead Resort and its recent renovation.

The rooms

The Homestead’s 483 guest rooms were totally refreshed with an elegant Southern design. Each wing of the resort features a distinct colour palette (pink, blue, lavender, and green) that extends from the hallways into the rooms.

I stayed in a (blue) Executive Suite with a spacious living room, including a fireplace and, thoughtfully, multiple closets, which would be perfect for a family. Some suites also have porches.
Set against the furniture’s clean, neutral aesthetic, my room’s dark floral Shumacher Pyne Hollyhock bed skirts and draperies certainly popped and added a touch of whimsy.

The resort also has five Presidents Suites, designed to reflect the tastes of former US Presidents for whom the room is named (Madison, McKinley, Taft, Wilson, and Eisenhower). Each 1,500-square-foot suite features a foyer, a living room area, two master bedrooms, and two bathrooms with pedestal tubs.

In terms of accessibility, some guest rooms are ADA-compliant, and all guest rooms and suites have braille room number signs. There is ADA access off the front porch for those entering the hotel, and all pools have chair lifts, in addition to the Ladies’ Bathhouse at the Warm Springs Pools, which has an ADA entrance.

Food and drink

With multiple restaurants, you’re never far from a good meal at the Homestead. I appreciated the convenience of grabbing a coffee and doughnut at Martha’s Market (a casual spot adjacent to the Washington Library) in the mornings before heading out for the day’s activities and having a casual lunch at Jefferson’s Taproom.

For drinks, head to the Presidential Lounge and Lobby Bar — the atmosphere is sophisticated and clubby, perfect for having an Old Fashioned and admiring the portraits of the presidents who’ve stayed at the resort. Be aware that some restaurants, such as the American Audubon Dining Room, do have a dress code.

Experiences and amenities

No matter the season, the Homestead has plenty of activities to keep you busy. There are two 18-hole golf courses, four tennis courts, a falconry centre, axe-throwing, fly fishing and kayaking trips, a zip line, lawn games, a small waterpark with a lazy river, waterslides, and a family pool (an adults-only pool is also available).

One of the most popular offerings is a guided hike to the Cascades Gorge, a stunning waterfall on the Homestead’s private land, but the property is also just a short drive away from the George Washington & Jefferson National Forest. In the winter, guests can ski, tube, and ice skate. There’s also a gorgeous, circa-1920s indoor theater for movie nights.

During my stay, I visited the equestrian centre and enjoyed a short trail ride on a gentle mare named Shadow. It was a great way to get the lay of the land, as we rode through the woods, which were brimming with fall foliage,

I also went to the shooting club to try my hand at clay shooting. My guide, Travis, patiently explained the safety procedures and showed our group how to move through the course, which took us to eight different stations in the woods.

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The Spa and warm springs pools

If you’re looking to relax, look no further than the waters that first brought people to the area. More than 15 minerals (including calcium, sulfur, and magnesium) are found in the natural springs, and the pool temperatures generally hover around 98 degrees Fahrenheit (36.66 degrees Celsius).

The original stone basin that was used for bathing was built in 1761, making this the first spa structure in America. At this time, the baths were uncovered and were for men only. (A second building for women was built in the 1870s.)

Today, after the recent renovation that maintained the historic structure, but upgraded the materials, the Warm Springs Pools are a can’t-miss part of the Homestead experience. Reservations are required for 50-minute soaks, and there are family soaking times, as well as adult co-ed times. (Gender-separate soaks are also available in the Gentlemen’s and Ladies’ Bathhouses.)

In addition to the Warm Springs Pools, the resort also has the adults-only Serenity Garden, which has its own mineral pools, a reflexology walk, and an infinity pool. Spa services, such as massages and facials, are also available.

Family-friendly offerings

The Homestead is a place families return to year after year, and it has a strong sense of community — the maître d’, Anthony, who also gives short history tours of the main building, told my group that four generations of his family have worked at the Omni (he even had his senior prom in one of the ballrooms).

It’s this air of familiarity that gives the property a sense of home and makes families feel particularly welcome. While there is a kids’ club for those aged 5 to 10, with craft workshops, treasure hunts, pizza making, and more, parents can also feel comfortable bringing their children throughout the resort.

There are also nightly age-appropriate movies, shown in the theatre at 7 pm, and during the winter holidays, there are special highlights, like a six-foot-tall gingerbread house and cookie decorating for the little ones.

Location

The Omni Homestead Resort is in the Allegheny Mountains in Hot Springs, Virginia. The closest commercial airport is Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport, about a two-hour drive from the resort. Private air service is available at Ingalls Field Airport, about a 20-minute drive from the Homestead.

Finding the best value

Though the property is gorgeous year-round, consider travelling during shoulder season to find a better deal. Traditional rooms with a king-size bed start from USD 399 (INR 33,229).

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(Hero and feature image credit: Omni Homestead)

This story first appeared on travelandleisure.com

All currency conversions were done at the time of writing

Related: This Resort In New York’s Finger Lakes Is Right In The Path Of The 2024 Solar Eclipse

Thanksgiving is less than three weeks away, and who better to get inspiration from than the queen of entertaining, Martha Stewart?

The TV personality-slash-lifestyle entrepreneur is listing her upstate New York farm on Booking.com, and one lucky traveller (with a plus one) can book it for an overnight stay, that includes several fall — and Thanksgiving-inspired activities on-site, including brunch with Stewart.

You can stay at Martha Stewart’s upstate New York farm

So mark your calendars — the experience will become bookable on November 16 at noon ET (10:30 pm IST), (on a first-come, first-serve basis) while the stay will take place on November 18-19. The stay itself isn’t free, but it might as well be at USD 11.23 (INR 935), including airport transfers and a fully planned itinerary.

“I’m thrilled to welcome you to my beautiful Bedford farm and look forward to treating you to many of my favourite fall traditions. […] There’s truly no better place to spend a perfect autumn day,” Stewart said in the listing.

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The home, which dates back to the 18th century, sits on 150 acres in the idyllic Westchester County town and includes chicken yards and coops, a vegetable greenhouse and garden, stables, and several guest houses. Whoever books the experience will stay at the estate’s Tenant House, a 1,800-square-foot property with two bedrooms and two bathrooms.

“Every year, my Thanksgiving holiday prep begins weeks before hosting my family in Bedford, so I can’t wait to welcome the guests that book this experience to my fall-ready Tenant House on the farm and look forward to sharing my favourite Thanksgiving-inspired traditions during their stay,” Stewart said.

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Her head gardener will be on-site to give guests a property tour, followed by a table-setting and wreath-making class. But the most exciting activity is probably the next-day brunch with Martha Stewart. James Beard award-winning chef Thomas Joseph will prepare the meal, and guests will depart with signed copies of Stewart’s books and other Thanksgiving-inspired products.

“I want my guests to leave with plenty of ‘good things,’ but I also hope they come away from the experience with an appreciation for how easy it was to book a unique homestay like this one through Booking.com,” Stewart added.

Note that participants must be 21 or older to book the home.

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Related: Gwyneth Paltrow’s House Is Listed On Airbnb. Seriously

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.”

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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Related: 20 Best Things To Do In St. Croix, According To Locals

One of Southern California’s most storied resorts, the Inn at Rancho Santa Fe, will celebrate its 100th anniversary with a brand new look. The historic property, which boasts 11 acres at the heart of this Southern California city known for its sprawling homes, natural beauty, and equestrian heritage, reopens its doors on Nov. 1 after a multi-million-dollar renovation.

The Inn, which for decades was the go-to spot of Hollywood celebrities like Charlie Chaplin and Douglas Fairbanks, now features 85 sophisticated accommodation options, including suites, cottages, and stand-alone residences. It also has two food and beverage destinations, Lilian’s and Bing’s Bar. The latter is named after Bing Cosby, who was also a regular at the Inn.

This Hollywood favourite resort in California just re-opened

The restoration, led by designer Steve Hermann and Nina Chiappa Interiors, elevates the resort and reintroduces it as a refined and modern retreat with luxe amenities and decor that pays homage to the property’s past.

“During restoration, we carefully curated the Inn’s aesthetic to play dramatically between the old and the new,” Vikram Sood, the managing director of The Inn at Rancho Santa Fe, told Travel + Leisure. “The original lobby building, designed in 1924 by one of California’s first female architects, Lilian Rice, was restored and revitalised, and the integrity of the grounds and walking paths were kept intact.”

The light-filled accommodations have a residential feel with open floor plans, fireplaces, private patios, bathrooms with marble sinks, rainfall showers, and Le Labo toiletries. The colour scheme is rich in greens, natural wood tones, beige, and white.

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The property’s restaurant, Lilian’s — the name references the Inn’s architect — is helmed by San Diego native chef Moira Hill and serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It focuses on classic California flavours and dishes, sourcing seafood from local fishermen. The striking décor of the dining room features spectacular trelliswork on the walls and ceiling, as well as custom tables and chairs. And in Bing’s Bar, guests can relax with a craft cocktail on plush velvet-upholstered green sofas near the wood-burning fireplace.

Another favourite amenity is the hotel pool and sun deck with chaise lounges and cabanas, re-imagined in Art Deco style.

“We connect with our guests well before they arrive, ensuring they have a personalised level of service that is reminiscent of some of the preeminent Inns around the world. We feel it’s our legacy to share the story of The Inn through our luxury offerings and quality service, embodying a bygone era as a celebration of California’s golden age,” Sood explained.

A spa is also in the works and scheduled to open in December. Until then, guests can fill their time on the property with hiking, biking, horseback riding (a must-do here), or games of tennis and golf.

Nightly rates at the Inn at Rancho Santa Fe start from USD 785 (INR 65,354), and you can book your stay on theinnatrsf.com.

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(Hero and feature image credit: The Inn at Rancho Santa Fe)

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Related: 11 Stunning Resorts Where You Can Buy A Vacation Home

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 (INR 26,64,032) 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)

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Related: This Stunning Swiss Town Has Cosy Chalets And Epic Skiing

Open since 1997, Beaches Negril, the family-friendly, 197-room beachfront resort in Jamaica is not exactly new. Spread out across 20 acres, the property is just one in the Beaches and Sandals portfolio that is currently undergoing a refresh and expansion. 

In late September, my 6-year-old son and I returned to Beaches. I say “returned” because our first foray into the Beaches world was not so long before, in April, when we visited the much larger, 95-acre Beaches Turks and Caicos.

He fell instantly in love with Sandals Resorts International executive chairman Adam Stewart’s vision: manicured pathways betraying the scent of the tropics; the friendly faces of familiar Sesame Street characters; the aquamarine tint of welcoming pool after welcoming pool. The idea of a return to his “favourite” hotel brand had him ecstatic.

Beaches Negril is a beautiful beachfront resort in Jamaica

• The property’s lush vegetation that expands toward the white-sand beach makes the native surroundings part of the scenery.
• Three freshwater pools, three whirlpools, a small water park, inclusive water sports, a spa, a kids club, a fitness centre, and daily planned activities offer no shortage of things to do while on the property.
• With 11 included dining options, guests will never go hungry (or run out of interesting dining options, many of which reflect local cuisine).
• A newly renovated kids’ club, known as Kids Camp, is suitable for kids aged 17 and younger and operates from 9 am to 9 pm, giving parents the flexibility to go to the spa or enjoy some alone time.

Stewart seems to hold the same memories, in fact. “Growing up, spending time with family and friends at Beaches are some of my fondest memories,” he says. “Endless days of sun, sand, and sea and evenings of unhurried dinners filled with laughter and storytelling, these are the moments I cherish. Making it easy for generations of families and friends who are just like family to come together to make their own memories, that was our aim.”

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Beaches Negril in Jamaica is a tamer property than its Turks and Caicos siblings, at less than a third the size. But recent additions, like two new categories of butler-serviced rooms – one of which we were able to experience during our four-night stay – an amped-up Kids Camp, and a brand-new and upscale Peruvian restaurant have made this property a competitive all-inclusive.

I came away with a renewed appreciation for not only the renovation (slick, luxurious, and geared toward making both parents and children happy in their surroundings) but for the Beaches brand as a whole. It’s impossible not to feel relaxed sipping a dirty banana outside a private, finely appointed villa, watching a superlative sunset, child hopping between the pool and fine-sanded beach, marvelling at the day’s achievements: a ride down a waterslide, the discovery of a palm-sized and bright orange sea star; a bite of a spicy and warm-crusted beef patty in the hot, hot sun. Who wouldn’t want a vacation like that?

Here’s my review of Beaches Negril, and everything you need to know before you book your trip.

The rooms

Our 3,700-square-foot triplex villa had four bedrooms, a large living room, a full kitchen, three full bathrooms – one with a walk-in shower and soaking tub – a gaming area, a rooftop deck, and a private pool with a manicured garden and outdoor dining area. It was one of the six newly introduced Firesky Villas that were added just weeks before our arrival, in September. Steps away, guests are privy to a serene slice of Negril’s seven-mile beach that is less crowded – but equally picturesque – than what lies before the rest of the resort. A bunk room outfitted with double queen-sized beds broadens the footprint of the villa, which can sleep up to 10.

The upscale design drives home Adam Stewart’s ambition when it comes to courting a luxury set within the expanding Sandals and Beaches brand. “Returning to Beaches Negril is an annual tradition for many of our guests, and it’s a real joy and privilege to welcome back those who grew up coming here and are now bringing their own families to enjoy the freedom and fun of our style of vacationing,” he says. “It’s the reason we’re committed to introducing new flavours and spaces, services, and experiences – like having a chef come and prepare a meal in your private villa – that keep the hotel fresh and exciting.”

Matchbook marble, quartz countertops, and linen- and velvet-upholstered sofas add a modern beach look to these sleek accommodations, which still boast Beaches’ signature bed linens, emblazoned with their telltale-if-subtle B.

Butler service, which is also included in the resort’s new Eventide Penthouse Suites, is comprehensive. Reachable 24 hours a day by phone (guests are given the device for the duration of their stay), butlers arrange dinner reservations, beach-side chairs and coolers full of cold drinks, bespoke live dinners cooked within the rooms at guests’ requests (an included perk), and any desired activity, from a snorkelling trip at a nearby reef to an appointment at the Red Lane Spa.

Food and drink

There are 11 restaurants at Beaches Negril, the newest of which is Yaku, an upmarket Peruvian concept built into a circular room where the Venetian Restaurant once was. Yarn weavings cover the walls, stylised chairs and round banquettes complement the room, and attentive servers offer, first, a paper menu of rotating daily ceviches and skewers. (You can move on to the full menu thereafter, which includes traditional dishes like hamachi tiradito, lomo saltado, and even an ode to hot dogs and French fries.)

At Yaku, I ate a snapper ceviche with toothsome kernels of elote, while my son dug into savory cubes of beef, charred on the grill and served with a vermillion dipping sauce. We ended a superlative – and surprisingly all-inclusive – meal with a trio of cream-filled doughnut holes.

Kimonos, perhaps the resort’s most playful dining experience, was familiar to us — we’d tried it during a trip to Beaches Turks and Caicos (the restaurant is also available at some Sandals properties). It’s a riotous good time: seated with strangers around a hot hibachi grill, we watched a talented chef sing, spin eggs, light volcanic stacked onions on fire, and chop vegetables and protein into oblivion on a searing hot flat top.

Add to this the property’s other restaurants — a buffet-style restaurant called The Mill; a jerk-inspired spot known as the Jerk Shack that converts to a Stew Fish Grill, a beachside seafood restaurant at night; a sushi restaurant, Soy; a daytime barbecue spot, Bar B Q Park, with top-notch Jamaican beef patties; an all-day, Mexican-ish spot known as El Mariachi (where my son ordered the largest menu item, a hulking cowboy steak that occupied the entire plate); Dino’s Pizzeria Italiana, a wood-fired pizza destination near the Main Pool; Café de Paris, which serves pastries, crêpes, and coffees; and Yoyo’s, a self-serve frozen yoghurt bar where kids and adults can mix and match playful daily flavours with different toppings – and you have a comprehensive roster of options that make for an international dining bonanza.

Activities and amenities

Parents and their children are unlikely to run out of things to do at Beaches, particularly if they find themselves in one of the larger accommodations, which are outfitted with board games, X-Boxes, and plenty of refilled-daily snacks (not to mention top-shelf alcohol, which guests can request in advance). The resort’s water sports department, located at the far end of the beach, offers daily rides on a banana boat, waterskiing, kneeboarding, snorkelling, kayaking, sailing, PADI-certified scuba diving excursions, and hydro bikes, all of which are included.

The 3,962-square-foot Pirate’s Island Water Park includes two full-sized water slides, a lazy river, a water playground with bucket drop, several toddler slides, and a few adjacent pools. The rest of the resort has plenty of larger pools, too, including the heated Piazza Pool, with its swim-up bar; and the Main Pool, with its volleyball court, bar, and surrounding dining venues. Club Liquid, a feature of many Beaches properties, is alive at Beaches Negril, too. Open to tweens until 11 pm and to adults 18 and over between 11 pm and 1 am, it’s a dance club thrumming with Caribbean jams (and stocked with premium drinks, for the adult set).

Parents can relax with a book while kids kick back at the newly renovated Kids’ Camp, the most prominent feature of which is a two-story slide that runs through the centre. The club has its own dedicated pool for kids, as well as plenty of Sesame Street programming, a popular feature of the resort. Every night, the characters perform a live, 30-minute concert under the “Big Top,” the covered theatre near the Main Pool, and on Thursdays, a massive, carnival-like parade takes place, with dancers, performers on stilts, and Sesame Street characters roaming the walk at the property’s front entrance. It was, by far, my son’s favourite moment of the week, particularly when Elmo reciprocated his high-five.

The Red Lane Spa

The Red Lane Spa features several signature treatments, including the Night Blooming Jasmine Massage, Deep Relief Massage, Tropical Paradise Couples Massage, and Earthly Harmony CBD-Infused Massage. There are just under 40 total treatments offered for men, women, and couples, all of which are considered add-ons to all-inclusive packages.

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Accessibility and sustainability

The resort offers several categories of accessible rooms, including the Tropical Beachfront One-Bedroom Walkout Grand Concierge Family Suite, the Tropical Beachfront Walkout Concierge King/Double, and the Grande Luxe King/Double. The resort offers seven total rooms with accessible doors and bathroom doors wide enough to accommodate a wheelchair. Bathrooms include shower rails and toilet handrails, as well as freestanding sinks that can accommodate wheelchair users. Although there are no roll-in showers, shower seats and bath wands are available. Nine of the property’s 11 restaurants are wheelchair-accessible, and the property also has three regular wheelchairs and three beach wheelchairs on-site for guest use.

Beaches was also the first resort company in the world to complete the International Board of Credentialing and Continuation Standards (IBCCES) and Autism Certification and is home to the Caribbean’s first autism-friendly kids’ camps. Camps include sensory toys and incorporate autism awareness into their Sesame Street offerings. Parents of neurodivergent children can request a one-on-one Beaches Buddy to accompany their child for a few hours or for the entire stay, at an additional cost. The resort’s Special Services Team is also trained to assist neurodivergent families in the planning stages by advising on optimal room locations and broader vacation planning that can help limit stimuli.

In 2009, Sandals Resorts International established the non-profit Sandals Foundation as a way to give back to the Caribbean islands. The Foundation now focuses on education and sustainability as a cornerstone of its work. Guests can actually see this work in action, as my son and I did during our recent travels. For USD 35 (INR 2,913) per person, hotel guests can attend the Reading Road Trip, where they can visit a local Jamaican school and read with students.

Other sustainability initiatives furthered by the Foundation — which guests can also participate in during their time in Negril — include Coral Restoration and Marine Preservation snorkelling trips, assisted by a local guide, and Lionfish Invasive Species Management, for an added fee of USD 250 (INR 20,805) per person, in which guests are certified to hunt and kill this non-native species. Guests can also indulge in a lionfish feast following their dives. (During my time in Negril, I snorkelled over a forest of replanted coral and dined on a parade of lionfish, cooked in various local preparations, although I did not spear it myself.)

Location

Located about an hour-and-a-half from Montego Bay, Jamaica’s Sangster International Airport, Beaches provides included transport to and from the resort. Butler-level accommodations come with a private car, but all rooms include shuttles to and from the airport. It should be noted that the hotel requires departure five hours before a departing flight; should you wish to leave an hour later, you must sign a waiver form stating that a missed flight is your own responsibility.

Finding the best value

Beaches’ high season runs from late November through mid-August, although Beaches does run year-round discounts for those who book well in advance. Rates do creep down (and Negril sees fewer tourists and more space on its beaches and throughout its hotels) in late August, September, and October.

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(Hero and feature image credit: Beaches)

This story first appeared on travelandleisure.com

All currency conversions were done at the time of writing

Related: These Are The Best New Hotels In The Caribbean And Are Perfect For Your Next Vacation

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 pm, 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 (INR 60,177) per night) to its 547-square-foot Premium Lake King Suite (from USD 1,124 (INR 93,424) 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)

All currency conversions were done at the time of writing

This story first appeared on travelandleisure.com

Related: This Gorgeous City In New York’s Finger Lakes Has Incredible Waterfalls & Beautiful Wineries

The Caribbean is booming with new hotels. There are new palm-fringed beachfront hotels, cliffside hideaways, and towering all-inclusive catering to every travel personality. The existing hotel talent has responded to the influx of tourists this year with complete rebrands, multimillion-dollar renovations, and sustainably minded initiatives.

Steps away from some of the world’s most vibrant coral reefs and national parks, it’s easy to be completely immersed in the stunning environment at these hotels. If you’re looking for a reset at a hotel with a major refresh, these are a few of the best new hotels opening (or reopening) in the Caribbean this year.

The best new luxury hotels opening (or reopening) in the Caribbean in 2023

Secret Bay, Dominica

On a cliffside in the Caribbean’s forested “Nature Island,” a.k.a. Dominica, Secret Bay unveiled four new clifftop multi-villa estates in June, with four more to be completed by the end of this year. Situated on a 200-foot mountainside with postcard-perfect views of an azure Caribbean Sea, the villas feature three bedrooms and four bathrooms, a gourmet kitchen, a private plunge pool, bathrooms with rain showers and soaking tubs, and direct access to a future on-property funicular.

The all-villa, Relais & Châteaux rainforest resort will also debut a number of other new amenities in the coming months, including an outdoor chef’s table experience set in the property’s organic garden, a full-service microbrewery that produces locally made kombucha, a mini theatre, and three floating decks with views of the ocean and Cabrits National Park. Guests can also book a private dinner on one of the decks.

Morningstar Buoy Haus Beach Resort at Frenchman’s Reef, Autograph Collection, St. Thomas – St. Thomas, Virgin Islands

After the devastation of Hurricane Irene and Marina in 2017, this 94-room luxury hotel in the Caribbean made a comeback in May with a USD 425 million rebuild. The Marriott Bonvoy property includes four beach and poolside bars with private cabanas, an infinity oceanfront pool, and access to charter private boats on Frenchman’s Reef. Located on St. Thomas’s south coast, on Morningstar Beach, the hotel has a new neighbour, too: The Westin Beach Resort & Spa at Frenchman’s Reef, where Buoy Haus guests will have free access to The Westin’s amenities. Pro tip: To see more of the US Virgin Islands, take a 15-minute boat taxi ride to St. John for a sunset dinner at La Tapa restaurant.

Curtain Bluff, Antigua

This fall, one of Antigua’s most beloved all-inclusive resorts will unveil a multimillion-dollar renovation including a selection of new suites, an adults-only wellness area, a yoga pavilion, and an infinity pool. The 72-room celebrity favourite is located on the south coast of an island that’s said to have 365 beaches. Rooms are situated directly on power white sand, and the glitzy Hulford Collection suites feature sweeping verandas and infinity-soaking pools. Be sure to take a four-minute walk to Gina’s Cook Shop, located on a roadside in Morris Bay and serving up jerk chicken, fresh fruit, and coconut water.

Sam Lord’s Castle – A Wyndham Grand Resort, Barbados

Set to open in September as the largest all-inclusive resort in Barbados, Sam Lord’s Castle will include five towers with a total of 422 rooms. Formerly a pirate’s castle, the southwestern coast beachfront property will have 10 restaurants and bars, including a food hall with a sampling of local eats (ideal when you’re on an island known for flying fish sandwiches and macaroni pie). Rooms at the eco-resort will include up to 650 square feet of space and ocean-view, lanai-style private balconies.

Belnem House, Bonaire

This eco-friendly resort opened in May with 31 luxury suites, apartments, and penthouses. Fully powered by solar panels during the day, the resort also only uses biodegradable products in an effort to be as self-sustaining as possible. This luxury hotel in the Caribbean has also teamed up with Wannadive to offer diving opportunities to one of the oldest marine reserves in the world at Bonaire National Marine Park. At Belnam House, guests can relax poolside or by the on-site tropical garden.

The Riviera Maya Edition at Kanai, Mexico

Latin America will get its first Edition hotel before year’s end with the opening of The Riviera Maya Edition at Kanai. With 186 rooms and suites on the Caribbean coastline, the hotel is steps away from the region’s famous lagoons, temples, and vivid coral reefs. A spa, six restaurants, and what is sure to be a trendy beach club will round out the amenities. And Kanai is a 680-acre gated community, located a few minutes from downtown Playa del Carmen, and also home to a newly opened St. Regis.

(Hero and feature image credit: Secret Bay)

This story first appeared on travelandleisure.com

Related: The Best Family-Friendly Beach Resorts In The Caribbean

If you’ve ever fantasized about packing it all up and leaving the world behind for your very own private island, I found the next best thing. Until June of this year, you could only book a stay at The Aerial, BVI for retreats called Elevate Summits or whole-island buyouts.

Now this exclusive luxury resort in the Caribbean has opened its doors for travellers booking an all-inclusive nightly rate for one of the island’s individually designed rooms and villas, and I was one of the first to check in.

From the window of my tiny puddle-jumper plane, I saw the island emerge out of the cerulean waters as we arrived at Tortola at dusk.

By the time I reached the marina where The Aerial’s boat picked me up, it was dark. After a short ride, I arrived at the private island’s dock, where I was greeted and transported to the Fellowship Hall via pastel-coloured Moke for dinner on the deck under the stars before heading to bed in the Love Villa.

Here, room numbers are replaced with inspirational names like Joy, Dream, and Wisdom, and the resort’s focus on deep wellness infuses every activity, meal, and moment on the property. It’s an undeniably beautiful place, with over 43 acres of lush hills, white-sand beaches, and rocky shoreline to explore, and a capacity of 34 guests means the island feels like your personal slice of paradise. An infinity pool looks out over the Sir Francis Drake Channel and neighbouring islands, a private beach is stocked with every water toy imaginable, and chefs are waiting to prepare delicious meals packed with local flavour.

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This luxury resort in the Caribbean is located on a private Island

The Aerial, BVI

• The Aerial, BVI feels like your very own private island experience thanks to its residential layout and low guest capacity.
• The all-inclusive rate includes delicious and wholesome meals and drinks, including superfood-charged cocktails, tasty fresh seafood, and plenty of vegetarian options.
• Luxe amenities include an oceanfront infinity pool, a private white-sand beach with all the water sports toys, and ample lounge areas to stop and admire the breathtaking island views.
• The mission-driven resort works to support the local community and the world at large through several nonprofit initiatives.

And that’s just the start. This island is so much more than your average all-inclusive beach resort. The Aerial, BVI defines itself as a new kind of “purpose luxury” resort that offers enriching wellness experiences in an elevated setting to provide transformational experiences. I’ve always been sceptical of resorts billing themselves as transformative travel experiences, purporting to change my life with spa treatments and days spent in the sun. But The Aerial goes much deeper than that, offering delicious and wholesome dining featuring island-to-table meals and activities like sound baths, hikes along the shore, and visits to Redemption Ranch to see the island’s family of rescue zebras and horses, whose stories of redemption and healing inspire visitors in group and one-on-one sessions.

The island is full of beautiful quirks and thoughtful details that can only be described as the personal touch of The Aerial, BVI’s owner, Britnie Turner, and the incredible staff that make it such a special property. Turner founded Aerial when she was 21, and she has developed the brand to encompass a number of companies including Aerial Development, a real-estate development company, and Aerial Recovery, a nonprofit organisation with the mission to respond to natural and manmade disasters, combat sex trafficking, and support military veterans and first responders.

Heal the Heroes is an initiative that offers veterans and first responders year-long programs to help them transition to civilian life; part of the experience includes a retreat at The Aerial, BVI, and they can later become what the organisation calls Humanitarian Special Operators and embark on disaster response and rescue missions. Involved in every aspect of The Aerial, BVI’s development, Turner has transformed the private island into a luxury wellness resort that is, as she says, “a force for good.”

The rooms

Each of The Aerial’s 17 unique rooms (spread out in five main residences across the property) was designed with a specific intention that it’s named for. I stayed in the Love Villa, a spacious suite with an outdoor shower and balcony overlooking the pool and nearby islands. Although they’re all different, rooms are outfitted in warm natural materials that highlight the true beauty of the island and offer balconies or patios with stunning ocean views.

Sunscreen, bug spray, after-sun lotion, hand sanitiser, shampoo, conditioner, and soap — all with all-natural ingredients — are included in the room. There isn’t a single “bad” room on the property, but there are a few exceptional options, including rooftop Dream with a private deck and large circular bed under a macrame chandelier and the beachfront Mindfulness Villa that can double as the spa when not occupied.

Food and drink

The Aerial’s dining ethos — if it’s here, it’s good for you — sets it apart from other all-inclusive properties in the Caribbean. Meals and drinks are prepared without refined sugars, preservatives, and food colourings, and the food tastes so delicious, that it makes you wonder why we even use those things in the first place. Cocktails are infused with superfoods and the plentiful mocktail choices are just as carefully curated and delicious; booze-free choices are far from an afterthought at this luxury resort in the Caribbean.

Private chef-prepared meals feature locally sourced produce and a pescatian-forward menu. Breakfasts start with a wellness shot and include a number of chilled items like overnight oats or fruit and an a la carte menu featuring three daily options to choose from — with delicious dishes like caramelised banana protein waffles, huevos rancheros, and avocado toast.  At breakfast, we selected our lunch and dinner choices for the day, typically choosing from a vegetarian, pescatarian, or meat (usually chicken) option.

My favourite meals included lobster ravioli absolutely stuffed with succulent meat and served by candlelight on the Fellowship Hall’s deck overlooking the ocean at sunset; a shrimp and lobster pizza eaten at the Beach Pavilion; and the tastiest, warm cookies served with a melty scoop of ice cream — somehow better than any I’ve had with refined sugar. Fresh seafood and a delightful range of flavours and cuisines artfully prepared, along with gorgeous meal settings located throughout the island that rotated throughout the stay, made meal times some of the best times during this trip.

Experiences and amenities

With a private white-sand beach, a gorgeous infinity pool, and plenty of places to stop and take in the incredible views, this luxury resort in the Caribbean has everything you need for a perfect private island vacation. Down at the beach, paddle boards, Seabobs, snorkels, and even clear kayaks provide plenty of ways to explore the gin-clear waters, and on land, there are lounges, hammocks, games, and a toes-in-the-sand beach bar with swing seats. Up at the main building, you could spend hours looking out at neighbouring islands and watching ships as they sail by from the pool.

Of course, The Aerial is all about purpose-driven luxury and the daily activities and amenities offered on the island reflect that. Yoga classes, hiking trails, an outdoor gym outfitted with wooden equipment, and lots of cosy nooks perfect for meditation and journaling allow guests to dive into the wellness experience as much as they’d like during their trip.

One of the island’s most magical spots, Redemption Ranch offers tours, horseback riding, zebra encounters, and equine therapy with the rescued animals living on the property. I had the opportunity to experience equine therapy firsthand, and it was filled with moments that surprised and moved me, leading to a deeper connection with Titan, my horse partner, and with myself, that I wasn’t expecting. Nine horses, seven miniature horses, 21 tortoises, and four zebras aren’t the usual private island inhabitants, but they add so much character to the island.

The Spa

Is there anything more relaxing than feeling the ocean breeze and hearing the soft crash of waves as you get a massage? Guests can book bespoke massages — including CBD-infused massages — offered in a serene oceanfront palapa called Mindfulness, tucked away at the end of the beach. My experience was the definition of dreamy, and I couldn’t imagine a more beautiful and truly relaxing place to get a massage. The only downside is that few, if any, other spas will ever be able to top that experience.

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Nonprofit goals and sustainability

The Aerial, BVI is unique not only in its luxe private island offerings but also in the company’s mission to support people in need in the local community and the world. At The Giving Shop, the island’s version of a gift shop, 100% of the proceeds from purchases go to Aerial Recovery, the resort’s nonprofit partner, which supports three key initiatives: ending human trafficking, manmade and natural disaster response, and Heal the Heroes.

The Aerial, BVI partnered with local nonprofit Green VI to implement environmentally friendly practices including composting, using electric Moke vehicles on property, and more. Smaller sustainable touches like eco-friendly coffee pods and large-format toiletries also drive home the island’s sustainability efforts.

The location

This luxury resort in the Caribbean is located on Buck Island, just a short boat ride from Tortola in the British Virgin Islands. The island is close enough to Tortola to provide easy access to the airport and nearby towns and attractions, but it’s just secluded enough to feel like a true getaway, with stunning views in every direction.

The closest airport is Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport (EIS), and lucky for American travellers, it recently got even easier to reach the BVI. In June, American Airlines began its inaugural flight service between Miami International Airport and EIS, and they plan to add another flight this winter. Transfers between EIS and The Aerial are included.

Finding the best value

The Aerial offers an elevated all-inclusive experience starting at USD 950 (INR 78,447) per night. In case it wasn’t already abundantly clear, this isn’t your average mega all-inclusive property with mediocre meals, lacklustre drinks, and uninspiring activities. Every element of the experience is meticulously thought through and designed for a regenerating wellness-forward experience.

Delicious meals thoughtfully prepared with wholesome, fresh ingredients and tasty cocktails and mocktails are included in the rate, along with private transfers from EIS airport, amenities, and activities. The daily schedule lists out each day’s included activities – ranging from hikes down to Redemption Ranch to learn about the horses and zebras to sound baths under the unbelievably bright stars.

Other experiences, like equine therapy sessions or spa treatments, are available at an additional cost, and we think they’re worth booking to further enhance your stay.

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(Hero and feature image credit: Elizabeth Rhodes/Travel+Leisure)

This story first appeared on travelandleisure.com

All currency conversions were done at the time of writing

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