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/HKD 1,946), 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/HKD 3,510), which opened in 2021 on the quaint North Shore of St. Croix, steps away from Cane Bay Beach.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Four years after its opening, Nobu Hotel Los Cabos expanded its footprint in the popular Mexican vacation destination with 60 residence-style accommodations. The suites offer the convenience of a rental home with the exclusive amenities of a hotel — all while boasting the Nobu brand’s signature sleek decor.

The property, which sits on the southern tip of Cabo San Lucas and overlooks the ocean, has several pools, and multiple fine dining restaurants, and is near two golf courses, which guests of the new Nobu Residences Los Cabos will have access to.

Travellers can choose from one, two, three, and four-bedroom suites, ranging from 1,046 to 6,141 square feet. Each suite comes with garden or golf course views, open-floor kitchens with living and dining rooms, and spacious terraces. (All three-bedroom suites come with a private plunge pool.)

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You can experience luxury on a personal level at this Los Cabos hotel

Live-edge millwork, teak soaking tubs, and handcrafted furnishings invoke Nobu’s minimalist aesthetic in the suites. The spa-like bathrooms feature walk-in showers and double vanities, as well as Natura Bissé bath products. Other in-suite amenities include washer and dryer units, multiple flat-screen TVs, plush robes and organic cotton bedding, yoga mats, and personal concierge services.

“The aim was to give our guests a sanctuary”

“Our goal when creating Nobu Residences was to give guests a sanctuary that they can call home in Los Cabos,” Richard Sorensen, general manager at Nobu Hotel Los Cabos, said in a press release obtained by Travel + Leisure. “With amplified luxury amenities unique to the residences, such as private pools, home gyms, barbeques, and more, new doors are opened to experience the Nobu lifestyle on a personal level, whether it’s hosting private dinners and events or just spending quality time with family.”

Guests will also have access to Nobu Hotel Los Cabos amenities, like its pickleball courts and spa. (The spa offers Nobu signature treatments like the Japanese silk experience that features body exfoliation and a volcanic stone massage.)

That said, those staying in the new suites will soon have their own private spa exclusive to guests of the residences. As part of the development, a new spa and wellness facility called Esencia Onsen is in the works.

Other additions to the property include the rooftop Muna restaurant and M Bar, focusing on Mediterranean flavours. Scallop carpaccio, oyster ravioli, and charcoal oven Branzino from Italy are some highlights from Muna. Meanwhile, M Bar features handcrafted cocktails by mixologist Néstor Jones that guests can enjoy while taking in the spectacular views. In-room dining is also available 24 hours a day to residence guests.

Average nightly rates at Nobu Residences Los Cabos start at USD 1,600 (HKD 12,530), and you can book your stay at nobuhotels.com.

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Related: 15 Most-Anticipated Luxury Hotels Opening Around The World In 2023

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.

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 (HKD 250,372) per night with a three-night minimum; book your adventure now at sheldonchalet.com.

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

This story first appeared on travelandleisure.com

All currency conversions were done at the time of writing

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

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

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

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

This luxury resort in Hawaii just reopened after 12 years

Kona Village, A Rosewood Resort

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Rooms

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

There are also two- and four-bedroom suites — the former has nearly 2,500 square feet of indoor and outdoor space — plus two USD 35,000-a-night (HKD 273,643) presidential suites with private infinity pools gazing over a secluded sliver of black-sand beach. But the hottest tickets are the six legacy hale — the only ones from the original Kona Village, built in the ‘69, that survived the tsunami. I was also quite taken with the Shed hale, on an inland perch overlooking the resort’s fish ponds; they have a chic studio setup and a dreamy daybed swing on the porch that I still wake up thinking about.

Food and drink

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

Finally, guests can book an alfresco “imu” dinner separately (USD 250/HKD 1,954). “The imu was a traditional way of cooking our food in an underground oven,” explained Rolinda “Kamu Welu” Bean, the resort’s cultural manager, before my husband and I joined the 11 other guests for dinner. “They would heat up the rocks, lay banana leaves and tea leaves, and then they’d put fish and whatever else they’d gathered inside.”

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

Experiences and amenities

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

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

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

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

The spa

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

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

Accessibility and sustainability

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

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

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

Family-friendly offerings

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

The location

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

Finding the best value

There’s no denying that the price of admission at this luxury resort in Hawaii is steep. Rooms start at USD 2,500 (HKD 19,545) a night. That said, all signature suites come with an inclusive package, including daily breakfast at Moana, laundry, airport transfers, spa treatments for two adults, in-room dining, and a host of other personalised amenities. While Rosewood does not have a loyalty program, the resort is already part of American Express Fine Hotels & Resorts, which means, if you book with an Amex platinum card, you get an early check-in, late check-out, room upgrades based on availability, breakfast, and a USD 100 (HKD 781) experience credit.

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

All currency conversions were done at the time of writing

This story first appeared on travelandleisure.com

Related: 5 Stunning Islands To Visit In Lalisa Manobal’s Favourite Vacation Spot Hawaii

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Nightly rates at The St. Regis Chicago start from USD 700 (HKD 5,489). You can book your stay on marriott.com.

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

All currency conversions were done at the time of writing

This story first appeared on travelandleisure.com

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The attendant set my luggage down in my room, smiling at me. “Your room is going to totally transform when the sun goes down,” he said. “I’m not going to tell you how, but you’re going to be blown away.”

I had just arrived at the Fairmont El San Juan, voted one of the best resorts in Puerto Rico in 2023 by Travel + Leisure readers. It opened in 1958 but has been expertly preserved — from its original hand-carved ceiling panels that date back to the ’60s to the stunning 4,000-pound chandelier that hangs over the aptly named Chandelier Bar at the entrance.

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This luxury hotel in Puerto Rico unveiled its newly-renovated Banyan bungalows

The property unveiled its newly renovated Banyan Bungalows in March of this year, and I got to experience the new luxury accommodations first-hand during my visit. Designed by Jeffrey Beers International, the 13 bungalows were named after the 300-year-old banyan tree on the property.

“The layers of various textures — the linen coverings on the closet doors, the ribbed wood on the TV unit, the fabric border on the lamp shades, and the rattan inserts at the minibar — give the character of the suite,” Pierre Josselin, design consultant at Jeffrey Beers International, told T+L. “The 3D butterfly art piece above the headboard is an invitation to escape and relax. We [also] used concealed LED strips around the TV and headboard to create a soft glow and bring a sense of romance to the suite.”

Design choices were inspired by the island. “We used bold colours like deep blue and greens to celebrate the tropical feel indigenous to the region,” Josselin continued. “We created a natural feel by [incorporating] raw materials such as walnut wood, black iron, honey rattan, leather-like upholstery, and embroidery floral patterns on accent pillows.”

My favourite part of the design? The shower. Big enough to be its own room, the shower includes two shower heads, accessibility rails lining the stairs and walls (it’s a step down from the rest of the bathroom), shelving (you’d be surprised at how many hotel showers don’t have shelves), and the pièce de résistance, the tilted skylight that gazes up at a gorgeous cluster of trees. It felt like I was showering outside — without the mosquitoes.

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Each Banyan Bungalow also comes with a private patio with plush, oversized lounge furniture. From the patio, guests have a direct view of (and a direct path to) the pool area. The grass under my feet and the flora and fauna above made me feel like I was lounging in a tropical forest. (Here’s a fun tip: if you leave your room through your patio doors, make sure your front door isn’t latched shut. It took a call to security and a 20-minute wait in the Puerto Rican heat to get back into my room after I locked myself out.)

I made sure I was back in my room before sundown that first night, eager to witness whatever transformation was coming. As the sky darkened and the moon rose, I quickly realised that there wasn’t anything to see. Instead, the room filled with the sound of the coquí frogs outside, transforming (as promised) my space into a mini rainforest that was all my own.

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This story first appeared on travelandleisure.com

Related: This New All-Inclusive Resort In The Caribbean Is On A Private Island — With 2 Stunning Pools And Its Own Cenote

From rainforests and cloud forests to volcanoes and hot springs, Costa Rica is a hub of ecotourism with great weather and an endless parade of pristine natural areas to discover. Framed by coastlines along both the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean, the country has countless places to surf (hello, Santa Teresa and Nosara) and chill on beautiful beaches.

Add cultural institutions like the Pre-Columbian Gold Museum in the capital, San Jose, plus some wonderful eco-lodges and resorts, and it’s easy to see why tourists flock to Costa Rica.

While it’s hard to cull down the myriad activities and attractions in this peaceful Central American country where pura vida is the way of life, with the help of a dream team of local experts (Lucas Medeiros, chief concierge at Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo, Natasha Brown, the founder of Salty Afro Surf, and Jemma Wright, director of experience at Hacienda AltaGracia, Auberge Resorts Collection), we’ve rounded up 20 of the best things to do in Costa Rica.

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The best things to do in Costa Rica for a tropical getaway

Monteverde cloud forest biological preserve

Nestled along the Cordillera de Tilarán mountain range, the Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Preserve covers more than 35,000 acres of lush trees. Besides incredible endemic flora, it’s also home to animals such as howler monkeys and sloths. One of the best ways to soak in all the beauty? A high-flying zip-line tour.

Rincón de la Vieja National Park

Rincón de la Vieja National Park spans 34,000 acres of rugged terrain. It’s also a hotbed for adrenaline-pumping activities. “Mountain bikers of all levels can enjoy a thrilling ride around the largest volcano in Guanacaste,” says Lucas Medeiros.

Ecotermales Fortuna

The ideal place to soothe overworked muscles and relax after countless rugged adventures? Ecotermales Fortuna. The warm, magnesium-rich waters heated by the nearby Arenal Volcano are said to help combat inflammation and relieve pain, and the cool pools provide the perfect opportunity for hot and cold therapy.

Corcovado National Park

“Corcovado National Park, located on the Osa Peninsula, protects one of the most biologically diverse and complex ecosystems in the world,” says Jemma Wright. “The natural richness of this area — unspoiled beaches, rainforest trails, mangrove swamps, waterfalls, and wildlife — helps visitors appreciate our beautiful country.”

Arenal Volcano National Park

One of Costa Rica’s most famous attractions, the 30,000-acre Arenal Volcano National Park draws upwards of 100,000 visitors each year. Most travellers make the journey to witness its crown jewel stratovolcano, which rises 5,357 feet toward the clouds. Hiking, horseback riding, zip lining, and river rafting are also popular activities.

Santa Teresa

Santa Teresa is a must-visit spot for pura vida chasers and surfers. New to paddling out? First-timers can take group or private lessons. Back on land, the palm-fringed beach draws crowds for sunbathing and sunsets.

Tenorio Volcano National Park

Situated in the rugged northern part of Costa Rica and part of the broader Arenal Tempisque Conservation Area, Tenorio Volcano National Park thrills travellers with its namesake volcano along with the spectacular Rio Celeste Waterfall (and the 3.5-mile (5.63 km) trail that leads to it), wildlife peeping, and canopy bridges.

Playa Chiquita

With over four miles (6.43 km) of pristine waters, Playa Chiquita is the place for travellers looking for long swaths of untouched, uncrowded beaches and snorkelling the beautiful reefs, says Natasha Brown.

Manuel Antonio National Park

Manuel Antonio National Park packs a ton of nature into a relatively small area. It’s just seven square miles (18.12 square kilometres), but within its boundaries are rainforests, tropical plants, untouched white-sand beaches, coral reefs, coastal hiking trails, and diverse wildlife — from three-toed sloths and white-faced capuchin monkeys to orange crabs and black spiny-tailed iguanas.

Coffee farm tour

Costa Rica produces some of the best coffee in the world, and it’s a huge economic driver for the country. While it’s certainly not difficult to procure a great cup of joe, serious java enthusiasts keen to learn more about the process should consider booking a tour at one of the many coffee farms outside of San Jose.

Tabacon hot springs

While Costa Rica has many wonderful places to reap the benefits of volcano-heated mineral waters, few are as iconic as Tabacon Hot Springs. Tucked inside a lush, private rainforest reserve, this natural oasis wins points for its thermal pools and cascading waterfalls with healing, stress-melting benefits.

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Bijagua Ranas

“I love going to Bijagua Ranas to enjoy the rainforest and see the sloths!” says Medeiros.  Snakes, frogs, and toucans also call the wildlife sanctuary home. There are hiking trails, bridges, and viewing platforms that help you get a better look at all the wild inhabitants.

Playa Cocles

Just south of Puerto Viejo on the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica, Playa Cocles is a popular surf spot and afternoon hangout. “Both locals and travellers come here at the end of the day to watch fire shows, enjoy a drink with friends, or sneak a few waves while watching the beautiful sunset,” says Brown.

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Pre-Columbian Gold Museum

Head to the capital, San José, to learn about Costa Rica’s history and culture at the Pre-Columbian Gold Museum. Housed in an underground building beneath the Plaza de la Cultura, it dazzles visitors with a huge collection of gilded artefacts.

Tortuguero National Park

Hidden away on Costa Rica’s northern Caribbean coast and only accessible by boat or plane, Tortuguero National Park is one of the most distinct, isolated, and biodiverse places in the country, according to Wright. Nature lovers venture to this remote wilderness area to peep sea turtles, manatees, speckled caimans, and birds while navigating the canals on a canoe.

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Nosara

One of the top spots to learn, practice, or master surfing in Costa Rica, Nosara is awash with strong breach breaks and knowledgeable instructors. It’s also a wellness destination with many yoga studios, retreats, and wellbeing centres.

Tapir Valley Nature Reserve

Tapir Valley Nature Reserve in northern Costa Rica operates a spate of eco-tours through the spectacular 220-acre private preserve where animals ranging from ghost glass frogs to hummingbirds live. Visitors can follow tapir tracks with the help of a local Bijaguan guide, rise early for a birding adventure, or do a nighttime jungle tour to glimpse nocturnal critters.

Térraba-Sierpe Wetland

“Exploring the mangroves, which hold so much biodiversity, supplies a deeper understanding of where the land, river, and sea unite,” explains Medeiros. You’ll find the largest mangrove swamps in Costa Rica at the Térraba-Sierpe Wetland, just north of the Osa Peninsula.

Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge

Part of the Arenal Huetar Norte Conservation Area in the remote northern part of the country near the Nicaraguan border, Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge is a paradise for birdwatchers with good odds of spotting roseate spoonbills, jabirus, and even the reclusive agami heron in the “Everglades of Costa Rica.”

Chocolate farm tour

When most people think of Costa Rican food, plates of pork, fish, rice, beans, and vegetables come to mind. But chocolate is a major staple (and export) as well. If you’re interested in learning more about how cacao becomes fine artisan chocolate — and sampling the “food of the gods” — book a beans-to-bar tour at one of the many chocolate farms.

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Related: The 55 Most Beautiful Places In The World

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

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

(Hero and feature image credit: Airbnb)

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Related: Here’s How To Rent The Iconic Barbie Malibu DreamHouse On Airbnb

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

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

The best wellness-focused resorts in Mexico

Rosewood Mayakoba, Riviera Maya

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

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Four Seasons Resort Los Cabos at Costa Palmas, East Cape

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

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Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal, Cabo San Lucas

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

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Rancho La Puerta, Tecate

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

One&Only Mandarina, Riviera Nayarit

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

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

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

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Conrad Punta De Mita, Riviera Nayarit

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

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Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit, Riviera Nayarit

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

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Chablé Yucatán, Chocholá

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

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Montage Los Cabos, Cabo San Lucas

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

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