World's Best Beachside Hotels
Luxist readers have nominated their favorite beachside hotels around the world. From Thailand to Costa Rica, what these hotels have in common are to-die-for beaches, in addition to luxurious accommodations and other incredible amenities.
The top five beachside hotels, according to our readers, include:
Amanpuri
Opened in 1988, Amanpuri was the very first Aman resort, named for the Sanskrit word for 'peace'. Located in Phuket, Thailand, this tranquil retreat (its beach is pictured above), which is the flagship property in the Aman family, is a nominee for a Luxist Award for Best Beachside Hotel.
Located in a secluded coconut grove overlooking a sheltered bay, the resort radiates from the private crescent-shaped beach lapped by the Andaman Sea. Private villas grace the peninsula affording guests spectacular views, while other facilities include a Beach Club and lap pool, a hillside gym and spa and a number of restaurants, situated in picturesque locations around the resort. Amanpuri captures the warmth and generosity of spirit so unique to Thai culture.
Amanpuri's spectacular beach is lined with sun loungers and umbrellas. Guests can enjoy complimentary windsurfing, snorkeling, sea kayaking and body boarding, as well as Hobie cat and Laser sailing, with attendants providing qualified instruction as needed. Searay Bowriders helmed by trained crew are available for waterskiing at a nominal fee. A nearby reef is flush with fish, and complimentary fins, snorkels and masks are provided. Snorkelers can hand feed or swim among the fish. All activities are available between December and April, weather and tide permitting.
Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo
The Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo is located on Costa Rica's northwest Pacific coast within the province of Guanacaste, about 160 kilometres from the border with Nicaragua.
The landscape is a spectacular and unusual mix of grassy savannahs, immense cattle ranches and tropical dry forest, backed by volcanic mountain ranges. Though it's the country's second-largest province by area, Guanacaste is the least populated, offering a calm, peaceful ambience.
The hotel is located in a secluded natural sanctuary and has two unspoiled beaches that provide abundant opportunities for guests to experience eco-adventure on land and in the water.
The Four Seasons Resort Bali at Jimbaran Bay
On an island that is beautiful almost beyond belief, The Four Seasons Resort Bali at Jimbaran Bay is a worthy nominee for a Luxist Readers' Choice Award for Best Beachside Hotel.
A tropical haven with a relaxed pace, The Four Seasons offers guests expansive and elegant private Balinese villas, featuring separate sleeping, bathing and living pavilions and beautiful views from private plunge pools.
The hotel offers an abundance of activities from which to choose. At its breathtaking beach, the hotel offers complimentary water-sports equipment including Hobie cats, windsurfers, ocean kayaks, boogie boards, snorkelling equipment and Aqua shoes. The infinity-edge main pool seems to blend with the beautiful bay beyond. Water from the pool cascades over a 7-meter (23-foot) waterfall into the free-form soaking pool below. Hot and cold whirlpools are located nearby. The Hotel offers four-wheel-drive tours that depart every morning. The eight-hour excursion takes guests to see spectacular scenaries at traditional villages.
Grace Bay Club
Located on the celebrated Grace Bay, which is well-known for its award-winning beaches, the Grace Bay Club in the Turks and Caicos is nominated for a Luxist Award for Best Beachside Hotel.
The 11-acre Grace Bay Club boasts 1,100 feet of beach frontage, the largest of any resort in this Caribbean resort destination. The calm, reef-protected turquoise waters are an excellent destination for sailing, and the area's shallow reefs offer great snorkeling. The scuba diving is some of the best in the Caribbean. The coral formation, rich marine life and year-round warm water combine to create a sought-after diving location. The local deep-sea fishing is celebrated in the Caribbean. Tuna, Atlantic blue marlin and sailfish are among some of the most popular catches.
The Oberoi Mauritius
The idyllic island of Mauritius with its unspoiled beaches and azure waters offers a unique experience of European, African and Asian cultures. The Oberoi Mauritius on Turtle Bay captures the spirit of the island in a resort that combines its abundant natural beauty with refined luxury. The resort is located in 20 acres of beautiful sub-tropical gardens with a 600 meter oceanfront.
The resort offers a range of water sports and recreation like wind surfing, water skiing, diving and sailing. The Spa at the The Oberoi Mauritius is a sanctuary where guests find peace, harmony and a new sense of well-being. State of the art facilities include a beauty parlor, sauna, steam bath, gym and individual spa suites with private jacuzzis. Traditional Mauritian treatments are featured, using natural local oils and fruits star alongside conventional therapies; one example is the blissful coconut husk body brush, followed by a deep massage with freshly ground coconut.
Vote for the Beachside Hotel that you think is the best of breed. The winner will be announced on September 1st.
