When Equinox Holdings launches its first-ever hotel in 2018 on the far west side of Manhattan, it will be the largest fitness brand to branch out directly into the hotel business. It’s an interesting move, but Equinox is just hopping on a bandwagon: Many hotels are partnering with fitness brands to upgrade their workout facilities. While hitting urban trails or bike shares is usually a better option, humidity, time constraints, and freezing temps can make getting outside a hard call. But don’t sweat it, fit travelers,Ěýhere’s where to check in.

The Hotel at the Los Angeles Athletic Club, Los Angeles

One of L.A.’s premier gyms went down the road Equinox is now setting off onĚýand opened a above its massive (80,000-square-foot) workout facilities in newly cool downtown Los Angeles. The gym is a training ground for past and current Olympic contenders, who come for the yoga program, squash courts, indoor Olympic pool, and personal training.Ěý

Le Parker Meridien, New York City

The 15,000-square-foot workout facilities at this Ěýare the work of , a brand that aims to be tough and luxurious, functional and designĚýforward. The gymĚýhas more than 20,000 pounds to lift, push, and move; top-notch trainers; and a Ěýof classes six days a week, ranging from Body Shred Bootcamp to the CrossFit-inspired Cross X. Its signature offering is called the Quickie, a 30-minute full-body workout on a nine-machine circuit. Upstairs, the rooftop pool offers views of Central Park.

Whitney Peak Hotel, Reno

The world’s tallest climbing wall (they say) is in this (Reno’s only nongaming hotel) in the heart of downtown. The 164-foot-high outdoor climbing wall complements the 7,000-square-foot indoor bouldering park with more than 3,200 square feet of climbable space. The equipment and staff can accommodate families of first-timers or highly experienced climbers. The BaseCamp gym includesĚýthe usual gym equipment, plus a slackline and a roster of interesting classes ranging from acro-yoga to a superhero-themed workout.

Loews Atlanta Hotel, Atlanta

Exhale gyms are known for their tough classes, beautiful studios, and extensive spa services—and nearly half of them are in hotels. Among the standouts is Ěýin midtown Atlanta, which occupies nearly 10,000 square feet. In addition to a packed schedule of yoga, Core Fusion, HIIT, boot camp, and cycling classes is a large gym with top-of-the-line cardio and weight equipment, plusĚýa hammam, sauna, and steam rooms for post-workout recovery.

Fontainebleau Miami Beach, Miami

In addition to all the usual fitness tools—in a 5,800-square-foot facility with huge windows overlooking the pool—the gym here features the new high-techĚýĚýinteractive training system. Essentially, you run around as if playing a particularly active Wii game while you’re strapped into cables that provide resistance in every direction. Trainers might add TRX bands, medicine balls, or dumbbells to the video game.

Radisson Blu Aqua, Chicago

In summer, guests have access to an 80,000-square-foot “lifestyle garden” with a 1/5-mile running track, dedicated yoga space, and 25-yard lap pool. Since summer in Chicago doesn’t last very long, the also has an indoor gym with state-of-the-art cardio and weight equipment, a basketball court, a spinning studio and—earning the Aqua in the hotel’s name—an indoor swimming pool.Ěý

Hilton Anatole, DallasĚý

The Ěýat the Hilton Anatole encompasses 80,000 square feet and isĚýfilled with cardio machines with 15-inch TVs; studios for Spinning, barre, and other classes; a vast array of weights; a Kenesis room, a boxing gym, and racquetball and squash courts; and a 25-meter lap pool. The seven-acre park outside offers a quarter-mile cushioned running track, tennis courts, and a full basketball court. The club recently added a spa to help you recover.Ěý

The Houstonian Hotel, Club, and Spa, Houston

Guests at this hotel have access to the Ěýof one of the toniest clubs in HoustonĚýand its 300-plusĚýcardio and strength machines, staff of exercise and nutrition specialists, indoor running tracks, tennis and racquetball courts, pool, yoga studio, massively tricked-out Pilates and Gyrotonic studio, new room for TRX and Kineses Omega classes, and a full roster of cutting-edge classesĚýlike HIITĚý& Run, Get Ripped & Ride, and the women-only dance class Sensuale.

The Grand Hotel, Minneapolis

The size of the gym at this boutique hotel is all out of whack with the size of the 140-room hotel. The Grand’s Ěýhas 58,000 square feet of floor space, which includes a fitness floor with cardio and weight equipment; boxing, cycling, and aerobics studios; a running track; racquetball, handball, and squash courts; and an indoor six-lane lap pool. There’s a full roster of group classes.ĚýPrivate training, Pilates, and yoga are easily arranged.Ěý

The Ritz-Carlton Boston Common, Boston

There’s already a spectacular Equinox gym at this in downtown Boston. Ritz-CarltonĚýguests can take advantage of 114,000 square feet of workout-focused space, including state-of-the-art equipment, a full basketball court, four international squash courts, studios for classes from boxing to barre, and a 25-yard indoor pool. Group fitness fans, rejoice: There are more than 100 classes everyĚýweek.Ěý

Hotel Bellevue, Seattle

A running track circles the mezzanine around the full-size basketball court. That’s just the beginning at the 200,000 square foot mega-gym at the , an “urban retreat” just 20 minutes from central Seattle. There are also four weight and cardio rooms, a Pilates studio with reformers and cadillacs, three swimming pools, 10 indoor and outdoor tennis courts, tons of classes, and open-play games ofĚýbasketball, pickleball, and badminton.Ěý

Marriott Marquis, Washington, DC

When opened last year, it became home to the city’s largest hotel gym. The 24-hour fitness facilities houseĚý49 pieces of Technogym cardio equipment, which work with that company’s Ěý(including tailored workouts and training history) and have interactive touchscreens that can take guests on, say, a virtual running tour of London. There are also 34 pieces of strength and functional training equipment, plus trainers on hand to help you figure them all out.

The post The 12 Best Hotel Gyms in the United States appeared first on şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř Online.

The first-ever hammocks wereĚýused by to escape snakes, biting ants, and other creatures they’d prefer not to wake up next to. For most of us today, however, hammocks are the embodiment of hold-my-calls rest and relaxation. Here’s where to make that happenĚýno matter your budget.

Roughing It

Parque Tayrona, Colombia

From $6

For the price of a few ,Ěýyou can sleep to the sounds of crashing waves on an open-air hammock overlooking the beautifulĚýwhite-sandĚýbeaches ofĚý. LocatedĚýon Colombia’s Caribbean, the park isĚýknown for its snorkeling, butĚýalsoĚýcheck out the 1.5-mileĚýuphill hike into the jungle to the ,Ěýa perfect precursor to the three-day Ěýthat begins in Santa Marta, about 30Ěýminutes away. Shell out $95 for a private room that also comes with a hammock.Ěý

Paratay, Brazil

​From $30

Paratay is a tropical beach town about four hours from bothĚýRioĚý˛ą˛Ô»ĺĚýSao Paulo. Base at this bare-bones mansionĚýcumĚýguesthouse, about a 20-minute water shuttle from the town center, and you’llĚýget a clean, basic room and quiet beachfront bliss with hammocks.ĚýIn Paratay, you can trail bike, kayak, dive, snorkel, or hike through the rainforest on the three-hour Gold Trail throughĚý.Ěý

Antigua, Guatemala

From $40

This hillside escape of treehouses overlooking Guatemala’s vast volcano rangeĚýis a 15-minute taxi ride fromĚýAntigua’s center. Get the “deluxe room” andĚýyou’ll have two private hammocks with views. Feeling social? Crawl out of your arboreal home to snag one of six hammocks scattered about the grounds. OrĚýgrab a trail map from the front desk and enjoy wandering the surrounding countryside.

Sharing Community

Topanga Canyon, California
Ěý
From $95

Topanga CanyonĚýis one of L.A.’s more bohemian reaches, as well as a paradise for . This Ěýis a home’s guest wing (with a private entrance) surrounded by aĚýnative-plant garden where you’ll findĚýa cushion- and blanket-strewn hammock over a Mexican-tile patioĚýwith views of the Santa Monica Mountains.Ěý

El Zonte, El Salvador
Ěý
FromĚý$315

Incredible breaks and uncrowded beaches make El Salvador one of the most up-and-coming surf destinations. After riding your last wave, unwind with a swing on one ofĚýthe three hammocks at this 12-person, five-bedroom cliffĚýhouse. It’s located along the western surfing corridor and comes with a pool.

Big Island, Hawaii

FromĚý$350

If you’ve never road-tripped around Hawaii’s Big Island, put it on your to-do list. From the turtleĚýdiving in Kona and hiking in Ěýto the hidden falls near Hilo and sightseeing inĚý, it’s one of the most incredible drives in the United States. Afterward, park yourself in thisĚýhammock with unobstructed views of . The houseĚýcomes with its own private beach, Jacuzzi, and swimming pool, and sleeps up to eight.

Splurge

Guadeloupe

From $130

One of the lesser-traveled islands in the Caribbean, Guadeloupe is known for its spectacular beaches, great diving inĚýtheĚý, and top-notch hiking up the 4,049-foot, still-activeĚýLa Soufrière volcano. Base out ofĚý,Ěýset on a rainforested hill overlooking the sea.ĚýAll the brightly colored rooms are openĚýair and equipped with hammocks for spontaneous napping.Ěý

Mountain Pine Ridge Reserve, Belize

From $279

In the open-airĚýFrancis Ford Coppola Villa at theĚý, one of the walls is actually a hammockĚýaffording private rainforest views and sounds from the river below.ĚýCoppola’s intimate hideaway in the , the first national park in Belize,Ěýis a great base for visiting Mayan sites like (in nearby Guatemala) and exploring the mysteriousĚý.Ěý

Sumba, Indonesia

From $900

This new, much-buzzed-about retreat on the island of Sumba offers surfing, sportfishing, diving, and sunbathing on a private 1.5-mile white-sand beach—all the pleasures that drew travelers to nearbyĚýBali (a 90-minute flight away) before it became overrun. The best spot for après-adventure lounging: one of ’sĚýcolorful hammocks, which staff set up with pillows and towels, and then deliver freshly picked coconuts with edibleĚýpapaya straws.Ěý

Ěý

Three Free Hammock Parks for City Slickers

Governor’s Island, New York

Governor’s Island isĚýNew York City’s favoriteĚýquirky summer playground. It’sĚýan uninhabited island a from Manhattan with a garden ofĚýred rope hammocks—aĚýperfect break between biking around the island and kicking back at the (man-made) beach club.Ěý

Philadelphia, PennsylvaniaĚý

,Ěýa lawn of 38ĚýhammocksĚýon the , isĚýrelaxing way to end your dayĚýĚýdown lively South Street from the University of Pennyslvania campus to Penn’s Landing.

Vienna, AustriaĚý

The Viennese sure love their hammocks—the city has a four-story installation in the Ěýand a Ěýin the . But for pure open-air swinging bliss,Ěýthe place to go is , where a slew of hammocks have been installed every May to OctoberĚýsince 2011.

The post 12 Hammock-Lovers’ Hideaways appeared first on şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř Online.

I liked Blue Crush and Point Break as much as the next girl—and have tried surfing on and off for more than a decade—but it took a male co-worker’s suggestion thatĚýas a womanĚýI couldn’t be taken seriously about surfing to make up my mind to finally master it.Ěý

This winter, I sawĚýa series of outstanding, respectful instructors of both genders (personally, I’ve never felt theĚýneed to move to a pink ghetto), but that wasn’t always so. On a foray into the sport five years ago, my (male) teacher repeatedly called me a princess and made no move to help or calm me as I got tumbled through an impact zone I had no business being in.

Screw him. This time I got to the point of independence—and pure joy. When it finally all came together, and I caught a green (unbroken) wave and rode it nearly to shore, it was as exhilarating as looking down at the clouds from the top of Kilimanjaro.Ěý

Not that getting proficient puts an end to all the nonsense in the water. I spoke to a number of female competitive surfers and instructors, and every one had a story about the guy who insulted them in a lineup or dropped in on their wave. All who had competed lamented the fact that the women’s heats would be held in subprime conditions, leaving the best waves to the boys. (Coco Ho Ěýfor saying women deserve less—yes, less—and several people I talked to agreed with her.)ĚýThat’s all changing, luckily, as more women are picking up the sport.

Seven-time world champion wrote me, “We have been forced to surf in shit waves because the men refused to do so.”Ěý, who won the amateur National Surfing Championship in 2001 and spent the next ten years surfing the globe as a professional, encountered other brands of sexism. Her mother told her surfing was for boys and that she should look cute in a bikini to land a surfer boyfriend.Ěý

But for everyone I talked to, the “awesomes”Ěýfar outweighed the “bummers.”Ěý“I love sharing the waves with other women,”Ěýsays Beachley, “because we have the ability to laugh at ourselves and cheer each otherĚýon.”

Where You Can Join Them

Surf Simply, Costa Rica
Ěýis where I finally gained the confidence I needed. Founder Ru Hill combined what he learned coaching competitors and teaching into a step-by-step one-week program for all comers that demystifies the sport. While getting up is the goal at many surf schools, here it’s just the start. Think two in-ocean coaching sessions a day, pool work, classroom theory,Ěýand strong video coaching for 12 guests of all levels per week. More than half his clientele are women, as are half of the surfers on theĚýPlaya GuionesĚýin Nosara, where Surf Simply is located. Roughly half the coaching staff are women, including excellent senior coach Jessie Carnes, who was my instructor for the week. Gender just didn’t come up (aside, maybe, from when Jessie gave me a pink rash guard so she could find me in the water).Ěý

Rancho Santana, Nicaragua
Ěýnear Rivas on the southern end of Nicaragua’s Pacific coast just added a 17-room inn that makes it more accessible then ever. But primo surfing has long been a draw. Among the five beaches on the property, Playa Santana draws experienced surfers, while Playa Los Perros is more beginnerĚýfriendly. Isabelle Delfosse, a surfer since the age of 13 from Belgium, runs the surf shop and surf school, and sometimes gives lessons herself. She pushed me to be more independent than many guy instructors ever have. “Finding a woman instructor, I think, is refreshing for guests,” she says, even though she adds that she doesn’t treat female students any differently. “Mostly you are always greeted by men. Kids love women teachers, and I feel a great connection with female students too.”

Surf with Amigas, Central America
Beck Obermeyer started a women-only camp in Nicaragua when she retiredĚýin 2010. “Women in the water are just different. We can be silly. We like to cheer for each other. We are supportive. I wanted to keep that feeling alive,” she says. Now she runs in Costa Rica, El Salvador, Panama, and Nicaragua, still women-onlyĚýbecause “I also know that it can be very intimidating to learn to surf, especially as an older (30-plus) woman.” Surf shops and surf spots are usually dominated by men, so Obermeyer wanted to create a space where women could feel dominant and supported. She also likes leading a pack of women out to take over a lineup and seeing the guys “get sucked into our vortex of positivity.”Ěý

Kelea Surf Spa, Hawaii
On the fabled North Shore of Oahu, Kelea pioneered some 15 years ago. Its hope is that the women who spend a week there will come away with clearer minds, less stressed-out psyches, and stronger connections with the environment. Guests stay together in a private villa near the town of Haleiwai and eat healthy meals prepared by a private chef. “If you’ve ever dreamed of being a surfer girl full-time, Kelea let’s youĚýlive out your fantasy,”Ěýsays avid surfer Jen Murphy, who was still fairly new to the sport when she spent a week there, surfing theĚý“amazing”Ěýlongboard breaks at Laniakea and Pupukea. “The schedule looks like this: Surf, eat, yoga, surf, lunch, nap, massage, sunset session, dinner, hang with new friends watching surf flicks.”ĚýA week on that schedule left her a much better surfer.

Tropicsurf, Worldwide
This is white-glove surfing. operates out of fiveĚýresorts, including many Four Seasons properties, Mukul in Nicaragua, and the much-buzzed-about Nihuwatu in Indonesia. While its claim to fame is surf vacations that nonsurfers in the family can enjoy, the instruction is excellent, thanks to strict hiring criteria and a serious continuing-ed program. Lessons range from half a day to a week or longer,Ěýsometimes aboard cruises on luxury yachts. Some 85 percent of guests are beginners, half of whom are women, and they teach kids as young as four. Expect a lot of hands-on attention:ĚýWhen I went out with TropicSurf at the in Mexico, I had help from two instructors—one to push me into the waves at the break, and another to help me right my board close to shore. Owner Ross Phillips says that “women tend to listen better, and consequently their wave selection skills develop faster because they don’t like getting knocked about like some men do.”Ěý

Aganoa Lodge, Samoa
Here’s the reward for making the effort to learn. This is pure Robinson Crusoe bliss, with a postcard-perfect point break in the bay right outside—and virtually no one on it. The new retreat is a modern-day take on the old explorer’s view of surf travel, whereĚýthe point was to get as exotic and removed from civilization as possible. If you aren’t up for the big wave, there’s a smaller break on the other side of the bay, gear for other watersports (SUP, snorkeling, kayaking), a staff that’s happy to show you around the island, and a powdered-sugar beach to chill out on. And, yes, it’s co-ed.Ěý

The post 6 Serious Surf Getaways appeared first on şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř Online.

Sometimes you want the people watching and social scene of a lively pool. Other times, you’re not in the mood for screaming, splashing children, or preening. If you just want to float freely and alone, or with a special friend, that’s when it’s worth upgrading to a room with its ownĚýprivate pool (and, of course, a view). Here are nine worth fantasizing about—swimsuits often optional. Ěý

Santorini, Greece

Grace Santorini

Santorini is the most vertical of island paradises, with the appeal lying in bohemian hotels in cliff-top villages far above the island’s famous caldera and the Mediterranean flowing around it.ĚýĚýis one of the full-service places to stay, and also one of the most water-fully blissful. All the honeymoon suites, and most of the others, have dreamy white-walled plunge pools, a distillation of the colors of the Greek Isle, and particularly epicĚýviewsĚýat sunset.Ěý

Cabo San Lucas, MexicoĚý

The Resort at PedregalĚý

Fully recovered from last fall’sĚý, which devestated Cabo, each of the guest rooms, suites and casitas atĚýthe stylishĚýĚýhave Pacific-view plunge pools on their terraces or balconies. Their infinity edges beg you to rest your arms on them, along with perhaps a margarita or a Corona, and gaze out over the Pacific. But before you get to the lounging, get your blood flowing by surfing the nearby at world famousĚý.

Marrakech, MoroccoĚý

Palais Namaskar

Mountain bikingĚýamong the Atlas Mountains with this hotel's expert guides isĚýone reason to stay at the recently opened Ěýin the lush Palmeraie district of Morocco’s famous Red City. There areĚýalso the oasis-like rooms, reached by following a walkway lined with bougainvillea. EachĚýroomĚýcomes with itsĚýown private, heated swimming pools that float inside separate ornamental pools, fragrant with orange blossoms and jasmine. Want more soaking? The bedroom has a freestanding bathtub.

Krabi, ThailandĚý

Phulay Bay, A Ritz-Carlton Reserve

After kayaking the fanciful sea caves of the Andaman Sea, cooling off in a pool at this hotel isn’t hard. The Ěýis the big splurge for water aficionados: It has a long, infinity-edge swimming pool with hydro-jets overlooking gumdrop-like limestone cliffs rising up from the Andaman Sea. In the more accessible room category, the Reserve Pool Villas haveĚýpools (between 200 and 500 square-feet)Ěýoverlooking gardens. And as for the standard villas, you might not do laps, but you can still have a languid soak. The Jacuzzis in each of them are sized just-right for an afternoon of gazing at lush gardens and the sea below.Ěý

Riviera Maya, MexicoĚý

Banyan Tree Mayakoba

Swimming is serious business at theĚý, located in its own 590-acre wildlife reserve, about a half hour north of some excellent kayaking and fly-fishing in the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve and Tulum. Each of the 118 villas has a personal pool. Not just a splash-around plunge pool—a proper 323 sqare-footĚýswimming pool, that unspools along the length of the villa, big enough to swim laps. Adjacent to each swimming pool is a Jacuzzi lined in sapphire blue mosaic tiles to reflect the sky above.Ěý

Masded, JamaicaĚý

Cottage 7, Jamaica Inn

The old-world Ěýis already arguably the most romantic resort on the island, but its top room—the 2,000-square-foot, seafront Cottage 7—clinches the deal. Twenty-foot glass doors open onto a private veranda with a 16-foot-long infinity pool, which is suspended over the Caribbean Sea. A second deck is set up for lounging or dining, and a staircase that leads down to a private cove in the sea for further aquatic indulgence.Ěý

AntiguaĚý

Cliff Suite at Curtain Bluff

Scuba diving and water skiing are included in the room rates, and the aquamarine Caribbean Sea is seemingly a part of your room. The heated, eight-by-eight-foot soaking pool in , one of Curtain Bluff’s premium rooms, is situated just so the iridescent blue seems to extends straight from this watery corner of the (super-private) terrace and out into the sea down below. If you float toward the edge, your view can take in the powdery white sand of Grace Bay Beach.Ěý

Okavango Delta, BotswanaĚý

andBeyond Sandibe Okavango Lodge

It’ll be just you, the elephants, and zebras at one of the finest watering holes in the Okavango Delta. Except those animals won’t be drinking from them—the villas here come with small, cooling plunge pools situated on an elevated platform, safely above the animals’ reach. Reopened after a renovation last fall,ĚýĚýhas not only beautiful design but also exclusive traversing rights through a wildlife-rich stretch of land adjacent to theĚý.

​St. BarthĚý

Hotel Le Toiny

Tiny St. Barth packs in activities from windsurfing and deep-sea fishing to kite surfing and water skiing, but it’s also a romantic paradise. The most amatory and secluded hotel on the island?Ěý, which has just 15 freestanding villa suites, each with own heated, 12-by-20-foot private pool. The pools are made of lava stone, situated to have dreamy views over Caribbean, and softly lit with underwater lights for after you’ve savored the last seconds of sunset.Ěý

The post 9 Destinations with Pristine Private Pools appeared first on şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř Online.

On the scale of hotelĚýroom awesomeness, outdoor showers rank up there with killer views and private Jacuzzis (and, okay, free minibars). We don’t need to spell out why,Ěýespecially after a day of ripping up waves, pounding mountain trails, zip-lining, safari-ing, or just nursingĚýmargs on the beach. And you know the only thing better than that first sip of coffee in the morning? Waking up with an outdoor shower. That’s not a scientific fact, but it’s true. Trust us. To help you make this vacation dream a reality, we scoured the world of adventure hot spots for some of the coolest outdoor showers. That list is right here.

Arenal Volcano National Park, Costa Rica

Nayara Hotel, Spa, and Gardens
The amazing adventures around Costa Rica’s Arenal Volcano are no secret:Ěýhiking, rafting, canyoning, biking, hot springs, and, of course, zip-lining. But hidden beneath the shadow of these jungle-clad hills are the gardens of , which are everywhere at this tropical enclave,Ěýeven in the romantic rooms’ private courtyard showers. Rough stone walls, pebbled floors, and palm fronds add to the natural vibe.

Bahia, Brazil

Uxua Casa Hotel and Spa
From sea kayaking and beach volleyball toĚýcapoeira, fishing, and trail biking, there areĚýplenty of ways to get your heart racing at , anĚýintimate, oceanside Bahian hideaway. Each of the ten casas,Ěýranging from refurbished fishing shacks to treehouses,Ěýhas an outsideĚýtropical shower. The one inĚýĚýfeels most like the ultimate jungle fantasy, where you cool offĚýinĚýa stream of water that cascades from a tree. You might have to brush away palm fronds to wash your hair, but doesn’t that make things more fun?

Okonjima Nature Reserve, Namibia

Okonjima
is located in a private nature reserve and is home to the , which works to conserve and rehabilitate Namibia’s cheetah population. It’s one of the few safari camps with its own self-guided hiking andĚý. Each of the four bedrooms in the private Grand African Villa, part of a camp with many styles of accommodations, has a dramatic, curvaceous outdoor shower that’s a big step up from the usual bush shower.Ěý

Phuket, Thailand

Paresa Resort
Bespoke adventures abound at : Hike to secluded villages by starlight, kayak out to caves on the sea or through jungle streams, or take it easy with lunch on a floating raft in the Kho Sok Forest. But first you’ll have to peel yourself out of your room.ĚýEach is perched on the Kamala cliffs amid a tropical forest.ĚýAn entire balcony is dedicated to the art of outdoor showering (and includes a private pool). Looking down over the balcony railing, the view is of the indigo waters of the Andaman Sea.

Sonoma, California

Carneros Inn
Exploring the tremendous bounty of wineries throughout Sonoma County,Ěýespecially via bicycle,Ěýis possiblyĚýone of the most romantic trips in the United States. The sprawling Ěýoffers a new take on the landscape’s beauty, with alfresco showers adorned with peekaboo windows that look out onto the property’s 27 acres of grapevines, apple orchards, and farmland.

St.ĚýLucia

Ladera
Ěýis the only resort located inside the St. Lucia'sĚýUNESCO World Heritage site, and travelers hideawayĚýhereĚýto sail, snorkel, or climb the famed 2,619-foot Gros PitonĚý(right next door). While the showers aren’t strictly open-air, they might as well be: Picture windows let you look out on the view, and the showers feature exuberant mosaic tiles depicting tropical gardens.Ěý

Antigua

Jumby Bay, A Rosewood Resort
Cars are banned, and everyone gets around by bicycle or on foot atĚý, a resort on a private islandĚýa few miles from Antigua in the West Indies. But escaping it all doesn’t mean giving up a luxurious bathroom. The suites all have private courtyards with curvaceous showerheads mounted on pearlescent tiled walls, plenty of room to splash around, eye candy in the form of bougainvillea, and, for more serious bathing endeavors, claw-foot soaking tubs.

Zighy Bay, Oman

Six Senses Zighy Bay
Oman, one of the most visitor-friendly countries in the Middle East, is quietly becoming a hot spot for rock climbers, mountain bikers, and divers looking for an exotic escape. Stay at the Ěýand you’ll also soak in some of the local culture: The outdoor showers in the Spa Pool Villas are a slightlyĚýglammed-up version of a traditional Omani outdoor bathing area. şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř the walled courtyards, the northern Musandam Peninsula beckons with its mix of stunning nature—jagged mountains on one side and the waters of Zighy Bay on the other.Ěý

The post 8 Perfect Getaways with Outdoor Showers appeared first on şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř Online.

Feet in sand, cold beer in hand—does life get any better? Not really, which is why the highlight of a tropical beach vacation is often the moment you stumble upon a simple beach bar where the lobster is perfectly done, the proprietor tells stories for hours, and the drinks are tasty but lethal. No matter if you’re camping on the beach, Airbnb-ing it, or bunking at the Four Seasons—a beach bar without pretense is always a crowd-pleaser. Serendipity is, of course, part of the thrill—so we can’t help you there, but here are eight so good they’ve made a name for themselves (some even have websites!) and are worth seeking out.

The Soggy Dollar, British Virgin Islands

This in Jost Van Dyke (the smallest of the four main British Virgin Islands) earned its name by merit of its access route: You had to swim there. Once you’re good and salty, the drink to ask for is the painkiller, said to have been invented here in the 1970s. It is made of dark rum, cream of coconut, pineapple, orange juice, and freshly ground Grenadian nutmeg. Don’t have your own boat to moor nearby? There are ferries and water taxis from Beef Island and St. Thomas—but you’ll still get wet.

La Huella, José Ignacio, Uruguay

More than a dozen years after opening, the beachfront is still the epicenter of the scene in José Ignacio, the thinking man’s exclusive alternative to casino and tourist riddled Punte del Este. The kind of place you go to unwind without hordes of people. It’s an accomplished restaurant serving top-notch sushi, South American-style grilled meats, homemade bread, and vegetables from a nearby organic farms. Book well in advance.

Scilly Cay, Anguilla

Eudoxie Wallace calls every woman who sets a foot in the sand of his “Gorgeous,” and he somehow gets away with it. That’s the first thing you need to know about this Anguilla institution, which Eudoxie and his wife, Sandra, have run for nearly three decades. It’s become such an Anguillan institution that the Wallaces run boats from the mainland, for visitors to feast on decadent lunches of lobster, crayfish, and chicken. (Skip the chicken. The crustaceans are enormous and delicious).

Pelican Bar, Jamaica

“Beach bar” is a bit of a misnomer for this . It’s a quarter mile from the beach—well, from any landmass—and 20 minutes by boat from Jakes hotel on Treasure Beach. The proprietor is a local fisherman-turned-barman named Floyd, and it’s hard to believe the charmingly dilapidated structure is still standing. Stay for a dinner of fried fresh fish—possibly a fish that you’ve caught yourself (bring gear) or by one of the fishermen who ferry guests out to the bar.

Sunshine’s Bar and Grill, Nevis

The owner—called Sunshine himself—won’t tell you what’s in his signature drink, the Killer Bee, beyond “some rum, some passion fruit juice, then some more rum,” but you should take his word for it. There’s a reason has become a Caribbean standout in the 12 years its been around. Sunshine still serves his potent cocktails under a thatched-roof bar that’s been through five hurricanes and two fires, and still fires up the same barbecue grills that got him started.

Bar do Ulysses, near Ubatuba, Brazil

Close to the cool colonial town of Paraty and the surfer city of Ubatuba, embodies the dream of barefoot Brazilian lifestyle. The best way to arrive is by boat from the nearby dreamy small hotel Pousada Picinguaba; the captain of the hotel’s schooner will call ahead to arrange for fresh grilled squid and icy Brahma beers to be waiting. There are hammocks on the beach for post-prandial lounging, as well as an easy access point for stand-up paddling.

La Gloriette, St. Barth

A welcome respite from all the dressed-up, champagne-spewing bars on St. Barth, is a classic feet-in-the-sand kind of establishment. The menu doesn’t extend much further than pizza: the ambitions here are refreshingly in check.

John Moore Bar, Barbados

It looks more like a gas station, but is one of the favorite bars on the island. Brightly painted but simple, the longtime rum shop is now a social community for its regulars and tourists who come to sample the Caribbean’s finest by the glass. There’s fresh local fish to soak up the booze.

The post 8 Spring Break Beach Bars for Grown-Ups appeared first on şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř Online.

Taking a bath outside sounds dreamy, but it isn’t exactly easy. For one, it’s not like you can just plop your tub outside in your backyard, which may be why hotels and lodges that give you the option for a little alfresco soaking right in your room are becoming more and more common. Still, it takes more than a basin under the big sky to make an outdoor bath go from gimmick to glorious. How so? Check out the nine incredible outdoor tubs at these hotels and you’ll soon understand.

Goldeneye, Jamaica—The Goldeneye Hotel, Fleming Villa

No need to leave the water after a day of kayaking, paddle boarding, or snorkeling here. The green claw foot tub found in the villa’s —itself an enclosed private patio set beneath the tropical trees, ads enough to the sex appeal that it’s easy to imagine a Bond girl slipping into the bubbles. That’s no coincidence. Ian Fleming wrote most of the James Bond novels here, when it was his personal home.

Sacred Valley, Peru—Huacahuasi Lodge

Booked only through trekking operator , is part of the new route, an alternative to the crowded Inca Trail. The rooms at this deluxe base camp all have Jacuzzi bathtubs with striking views over the Andes—and often over the clouds, drifting below the lodge’s 12,500-foot elevation.

Mana Pools National Park, Zimbabwe—Ruckomechi Camp

On the edge of the Zambezi River, this regularly has elephants strolling past its main area. The tents all overlook the river and have indoor and outdoor showers heated by solar geysers. But the best place to watch nature’s show is your outdoor tub perched off the ground, on a secluded platform.

St. Kitts, West Indies—Belle Mont Farm

Roll-top tubs take pride of place in the alfresco boudoirs of the dotted between the banana groves and tropical vegetation of this organic farm, which opened as a hotel late last year. After a day of helping yourself to the mangos that grow all over the property (rooms come with baskets for foraging), why not take a dip in water infused with lemongrass, vetiver, and other herbs grown on the farm while looking out over the Caribbean.

Botswana—Sanctuary Baines’ Camp

The smallest camp in ’ collection, has five suites that each have a “star bath” on a private wooden deck (star beds can be rolled out on request) high above the Boro River on a private concession bordering the Moremi Game Reserve in the Okavango Delta. Just the thing to relax after a walk with elephants.

Vietnam—Six Senses Ninh Van Bay

One of ’ hallmarks has always been the brand’s glorious open-air bathrooms (along with blissfully remote destinations). The Rock Pool Villas, aĚýNinhVan Bay outpost on a private island near Nha Trang, is no different. Scattered among rock formations, the villas not only come with plunge pools, but also breezy open bathrooms with handcrafted tubs looking straight down on the East Vietnam Sea. The perfect perch to consider if you should spend your day taking advantage of the small resort’s diving, fishing, or sailing.

Ubud, Bali—Tirta Ening Suite, COMO Shambhala Estate

Each of the villa-style “residences” at COMO’s in the jungle highlands outside Ubud is decorated with stunning natural elements. In the Tirta Ening master suite—the name means “clear water”—the bathroom is a Japanese water garden with a decorative waterfall, outdoor shower, and massive free-form bathtub.

Lake Victoria, Tanzania—Asilia Africa Rubondo Island Camp

In the middle of Lake Victoria, Asilia Africa’s reinvents the safari experience—it’s on a tropical island rather than a dry savanna—but has kept one luxury safari staple: the sleep-out. Behind the open-air bedroom, a platform contains a copper slipper tub and handheld shower, lit by lanterns or by sunlight filtering through the leaves and lianas above.

Mendoza, Argentina—The Vines Resort & Spa

Vineyards and fly-fishing reign supreme at this . But you’ll come home talking about how each of the 22 epically scaled villas has an ostrich-egg shaped tub on its private balcony, overlooking a small lake, rolling hills of vines, and the Andes beyond. And because that’s not enough, consider soaking while sipping one the fine vinos made on site from the grapes in the field in front of you.

The post The World’s Best Outdoor Bathtubs appeared first on şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř Online.

Sleeping under stars is, simply put, awesome. The last sight you see before drifting off makes you marvel at the immensity of the universe and the beauty of those sparkling glimmers of light. Anyone who has ever camped can tell you that. And recently, hotels and lodges from California to Kenya are tapping into our stargazing urges and offering the intrigue of the night sky to guests who don’t particulary want to toss a sleeping bag on the ground. Their star beds have plush mattresses, soft sheets, plump pillows (mosquito nets if needed) and—most importantly—room enough for two.

Hwange, Zimbabwe—Little Makalolo Camp

ThisĚý, part of Wilderness Safaris’ collection, recently added an outdoor bed on a raised platform, safely overlooking Madison Pan. Twenty minutes from the main camp by jeep, it offers a feeling of being beyond remote—secluded, star-lit and often graced with the stately presence of Hwange’s famed herds of elephants. Not for the faint of heart.

Saariskellä, Finland—Kakslauttanen

Staying in a glass igloo at thisĚýĚýdoesn’t actually mean sleeping outside, for obvious reasons (though there are also snow igloos for people who like to feel the cold). Heated, spacious and set up with basic bathrooms, the glass igloos are a perfectly comfortable base for heading out on reindeer safaris by day and watching the northern lights—while in bed—by night.

Pench, India—Jamtara Wilderness Camp

Head to just outside of Pench National Park and Tiger Reserve to experience the only star beds in India. The camp opened in January 2015 and is operated by . The three star beds here are inspired by “Machaans,” or the local farmers who are known to pass the night in their fields to scare off wildlife. Each of the beds are placed on a platform, draped in Indian silks and are surrounded by high . They’re complemented with basic bathroom amenities, lanterns, and binoculars for stargazing and wildlife spotting. Plus, there are café tables for the coffee that you can have delivered first thing in the morning. And yes, you get your own night guard to ward off the animals.

Laikipa, Kenya—Loisaba Retreat

The star beds at this —think walking, rafting, and horseback riding safari with a touch of spa philosophy thrown in—have dramatic locations: Some are set amid a kopje of rocks in one of the eastern valleys overlooking a watering hole, and others are cantilevered out over the Ewaso N’giro River, several miles from the main lodge. Get there by Land Cruiser, horseback, camel or your own two feet, and then settle into a four-poster bed, which can be wheeled under a partial rooftop or left out right under the stars.

Mancora, Peru—KiChic

Surf all day and then crash out in the Himalaya Suite at this on the only tropical part of Peru’s Pacific coast, which has a terrace that’s big enough for staff to set up a bed outside. Its occupants can hear the close-by din of the ocean’s waves and feel the sea breeze (which also keeps beach bugs at bay) as they pick out the constellations. Bonus: There’s an outdoor shower here too.

San José del Cabo, Mexico—Las Ventanas al Paraiso

Like much of the beach town of Cabo, this is still being rebuilt due to damage from last year. When it reopens this spring it will still offer its popular “Sleeping with the Stars” program. Guests staying in Rooftop Terrace Junior Suites will have the option of having an intimate bedroom set up on the roof, where there’s a telescope in case you’d like to get a closer look at the skies.

Big Sur, California—Treebones Resort

You should sleep outside at least once in the California gem that is Big Sur. And while not quite as comfortable as the other star beds here—it’s BYO sleeping bags and pillows, though there is a futon mattress—the so-called “” is a creative way to check off that box. The resort calls it “extreme eco-sleep.” Guests hike into the campsite and bring their gear up a ladder and into a human-size nest made by a local artist of woven wood, where starlight shimmers through the spaces between the branches.

Canyon Point, Utah—Amangiri

At Aman’s in southwestern Utah—less than two-and-a-half hours from the Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon, Zion National Park and Monument Valley—staff will transform the daybeds on the terraces of the Pool Suites into proper overnight sleeping beds. It’s a popular option in summer, when nights are warm enough to enjoy the private plunge pool by star or moonlight.

Near Pisco Elqui, Chile—Elqui Domos

Astronomy is a focus at this several hours north of Santiago in an area known of its clear night skies. A favorite of bespoke adventure outfitter , the accommodations were all designed with the night sky in mind: The Observatory Bedrooms are wood cabins with glass panels in the angled ceilings above the beds, and the Dome Bedrooms are geodesic structures made of metal frames and PVC tents. Beds are lofted and rooftops can be opened up for open-air stargazing. And if you don’t get your fill of the Milky Way from your room, make sure you get a glimpse of it though the hotel’s own observatory, which houses two electronic.

Alentejo, Portugal—L’And Vineyards

Set deep within the sprawling hills of Portugal’s Alentejo wine region, ten of the 22 suites at this (a favorite recommendation from travel designer ), have fully retractable sky roofs over their bedrooms, each with one wall that opens entirely to a terrace with a fireplace, as well as private plunge pools on their patios. When you’re not sipping vino or dozing off under the night sky, you can be soaring through it—this part of Portugal is known for its top-tier hot-air ballooning and skydiving.

The post Experience Heaven: Book a Star Bed! appeared first on şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř Online.

Mexico gets a worse rap than it deserves. To be sure, parts of the country are dicey: There’s long-simmering drug violence along the U.S. border, and the airport in Acapulco, in the Guerrero state (where 43 students have been ), has been the site of . But telling people to avoid the cultural richness of Oaxaca and Chiapas or the excellent surf of Baja California Sur because there are dangerous spots in other regions is like suggesting people avoid Yellowstone because of violent protests in New York City. The thing is to just be smart about where you go.

While some cynical travelers say the State Department’s General Information Program and travel warnings are overly cautious and politically motivated, the department has taken extra steps to be nuanced in explaining the risks for Mexico. “We have travel warnings for 36 countries, and Mexico is one of them due to the threat of organized crime,” says Geoff Martineau, division chief for Western Hemisphere Affairs in the Office of Overseas Citizens Services, Bureau of Consular Affairs. “Millions of Americans visit every year with no trouble. But there is a risk of being in the wrong place at the wrong time.” To that end, the department into more specific regional information than in other countries, with details on all 31 states and the DF (aka Mexico City).

Among the regions with no advisory in effect: Baja California Sur, Campeche, Chiapas, Guanajuato (home to the mountain town of San Miguel de Allende), Oaxaca, Quintana Roo (the region containingĚýTulum and Playa del Carmen), the Yucatan, and Mexico City. “Much of Mexico is in the clear,” concludes Martineau, who still suggests that travelers to Mexico (and elsewhere) register their trips through the STEP program on , which updates travelers in real time about protests, airport closures, or other problems that arise during their trip and facilitates contact with families should there be an emergency.

şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř travel companies across Mexico say the same thing: Many destinations are safe for travelers—you just need to be selective about where you go.ĚýRebeca Yáñez, membership director for the Latin America division of the , says that although they don’t have precise numbers for adventure travel, “There are a couple of hot spots where drug dealers remain in dispute over trade routes”—avoid Guerrero, Michoacan, Tamaulipas, and Morelos—“but this is not true of most of the country. The fears are not justified. Chiapas, Oaxaca, Baja California Sur, Guanajuato, and Chihuahua (home of Copper Canyon) are safe, and we Mexicans travel to these places.”

Baja California Sur

Sergio Jauregui, owner and operator of , in Baja California Sur, says his business had been off, “but fears have greatly receded over the last three or four years, and we’ve seen a big uptick in business. But we regularly get questions about safety.” He continues, “For Baja California Sur, no, the fears are not justified. The only visitors who have problems are those who create them for themselves—for instance, trying to buy illegal drugs.”

Yucatan

Across the country in the Yucatan, Angelica Espinosa of says her business leading visitors into the Maya world hasn’t been affected, because “the region has been kept safe and remains untouched by signs of violence.” Traveling with a well-established company that follows safety protocols—including using only its own drivers (no subcontractors) and checking in with them twice a day—gives guests more confidence as well.

Y Más… (And More…)

Zachary Rabinor, director general of , which operates adventure tours across the country, makes similar arguments: “Risks to travelers visiting Mexico’s touristic destinations have not increased, nor have travelers been targeted or affected.” Drug violence has been focused around the border cities of Tijuana, Nogales, Jaurez, and Reynosa. Still, Journey Mexico pays attention in the areas where it takes guests, keeping local intelligence on the ground and educating the travel industry and the public on safety conditions via itsĚý and monthly newsletter.

Here are some new adventures you’ll be missing if you summarily dismiss Mexico.

San Luis Potosi: A newly hot adventure destination, where companies like offer rafting and rappelling adventures.

Chiapas Water Route: takes travelers into the heart of the biosphere reserves of and .

Copper Canyon: şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍřrs are now going deeper in, not just to the highlands but also to the lower villages like Batopilas (which only a few years ago was too dangerous for tourists). There’s a new adventure park with the longest zip line in the world, a via ferrata, and rappelling wall. (Try it with .)

Trekking: There are new hiking routes from the Sierra Norte to the coast of Oaxaca with the .

The post Mexico: Safe or Dangerous? The Definitive Guide. appeared first on şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř Online.