Keeping up with every hotel opening can be a difficult chore. Luckily, Travel Agent did the hard work and rounded up five beach hotels to take note of when traveling in the coming year.
Andaz Mayakoba Resort Riviera Maya, Mexico
Andaz’s first foray into Mexico sits on 590 acres of beach, just north of Playa del Carmen. The resort’s 214 guest rooms (including 41 suites) face the lagoon, the Caribbean, mangroves, or the golf course. At the entrance, guests will see a small pool and oculus, meant to mimic the region’s cenotes; the theme of nature continues throughout the design and color palette of the resort. Highlights include four F&B options, the Nuam Spa (and its menu of Mayan remedies), an outdoor pool, a lap pool, and a 6,000-square-foot ballroom. However, unique touches of the resort are the murals made by local graffiti artist, a photographer offering photo and video shoots, Mayan language classes, and a “Tacology” course.
Visit www.mayakoba.andaz.hyatt.com/en/hotel/home
Grand Lido Negril, Jamaica
The next Blue Diamond Resort will open in February as an over-21 clothing-optional luxury boutique resort. Each of the 26 ocean-facing suites, located in an isolated enclave, has butler service, a daily restocked minibar, rain shower heads in the bathroom, and a balcony or terrace. Guests at Grand Lido Negril also have access to the Royalton Negril and the adults-only Hideaway at Royalton Negril (clothing-enforced). The resorts have 10 restaurants combined. The Royal Spa offers a range of massages, body treatments, rituals, and even has a hydrotherapy circuit. The resort is designed for both singles and couples looking to travel au naturel.
Visit www.grandlidoresorts.com
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| W Punta de Mita |
W Punta de Mita, Mexico
W Hotels Worldwide opened their second Mexican hotel in 2016. It has many of the popular W amenities, including the Living Room – W’s take on a lobby – with three tiers of couches met by a bar on the lowest level, the WET Deck and pool, and Whatever/Whenever service. The lifestyle- and design-focused hotel breathes the location’s surf, historical, and spiritual culture: a Huichol statue greets guests; Lucha Libre masks are incorporated into wall designs; LED lights hang like votive lights; beds come with punctured tin or surfboard headboards. The 4,000-square-foot spa is designed to feel like a forest cave, complete with glass floors with fish ponds below, a natural spring water pool, and large fig trees growing through the deck. A very unique highlight is Mesa1, a private island-dining experience for groups that must be reserved in advance.
Visit www.wpuntademita.com.
Warwick Paradise Island Bahamas
The new four-star, adults-only resort has 250 rooms spread across 12 floors, four dining options, two bars, a fully equipped fitness center, entertainment and activities, an onsite gift shop and a tour desk offering sightseeing options. A highlight of the resort is the 10,000 square-foot Warwick Sea Terrace overlooking the marinas. The Sea Terrace has an arrival dock and an expansive boardwalk with a waterside wedding belvedere, which creates a picture-perfect backdrop. The resort will also have full-service spa, Amber Spa, as well as a salon. Five room categories are available: Island View, Water View, Harbour Deluxe Balcony, Harbour Premium Balcony, and Harbourfront One-Bedroom Suite.
Visit www.warwickhotels.com/paradise-island-bahamas
Westin Nanea Ocean Villas, Hawaii
Maui’s newest resort will be opening summer 2017 but has already begun taking reservations. The resort will have 390 oceanfront villas over 16 acres of North Kaanapali Beach. The villas will have access to a lagoon-style swimming pool and zero-entry pool, children’s beach pool and play area, beach cabanas, outdoor BBQ grills, and a WestinWORKOUT Fitness Studio. Culinary options include Mauka Makai, a Hawaiin farming and fishing-inspired restaurant, Inu, a poolside bar, and Kauhale Market, which is an on-site market with foods and gifts. Guests will also enjoy access to resort amenities at The Westin Kaanapali Ocean Resort Villas located next door, including Spa Helani, a Heavenly Spa by Westin.
Visit www.vistana.com/destinations/the-westin-nanea-ocean-villas/overview