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鈥檚 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鈥檛 sweat it, fit travelers,听here鈥檚 where to check in.

The Hotel at the Los Angeles Athletic Club, Los Angeles

One of L.A.鈥檚 premier gyms went down the road Equinox is now setting off on听and 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.听

Le Parker Meridien, New York City

The 15,000-square-foot workout facilities at this 听are the work of , a brand that aims to be tough and luxurious, functional and design听forward. The gym听has more than 20,000 pounds to lift, push, and move; top-notch trainers; and a 听of 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鈥檚 tallest climbing wall (they say) is in this (Reno鈥檚 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 includes听the 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鈥攁nd nearly half of them are in hotels. Among the standouts is 听in 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, plus听a hammam, sauna, and steam rooms for post-workout recovery.

Fontainebleau Miami Beach, Miami

In addition to all the usual fitness tools鈥攊n a 5,800-square-foot facility with huge windows overlooking the pool鈥攖he gym here features the new high-tech听听interactive training system. Essentially, you run around as if playing a particularly active Wii game while you鈥檙e 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 鈥渓ifestyle garden鈥� with a 1/5-mile running track, dedicated yoga space, and 25-yard lap pool. Since summer in Chicago doesn鈥檛 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鈥攅arning the Aqua in the hotel鈥檚 name鈥攁n indoor swimming pool.听

Hilton Anatole, Dallas听

The 听at the Hilton Anatole encompasses 80,000 square feet and is听filled 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.听

The Houstonian Hotel, Club, and Spa, Houston

Guests at this hotel have access to the 听of one of the toniest clubs in Houston听and its 300-plus听cardio 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 classes听like HIIT听& 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鈥檚 听has 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鈥檚 a full roster of group classes.听Private training, Pilates, and yoga are easily arranged.听

The Ritz-Carlton Boston Common, Boston

There鈥檚 already a spectacular Equinox gym at this in downtown Boston. Ritz-Carlton听guests 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 every听week.听

Hotel Bellevue, Seattle

A running track circles the mezzanine around the full-size basketball court. That鈥檚 just the beginning at the 200,000 square foot mega-gym at the , an 鈥渦rban retreat鈥� 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 of听basketball, pickleball, and badminton.听

Marriott Marquis, Washington, DC

When opened last year, it became home to the city鈥檚 largest hotel gym. The 24-hour fitness facilities house听49 pieces of Technogym cardio equipment, which work with that company鈥檚 听(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.

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The first-ever hammocks were听used by to escape snakes, biting ants, and other creatures they鈥檇 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鈥檚 where to make that happen听no matter your budget.

Roughing It

Parque Tayrona, Colombia

From $6

For the price of a few ,听you can sleep to the sounds of crashing waves on an open-air hammock overlooking the beautiful听white-sand听beaches of听. Located听on Colombia鈥檚 Caribbean, the park is听known for its snorkeling, but听also听check out the 1.5-mile听uphill hike into the jungle to the ,听a perfect precursor to the three-day 听that begins in Santa Marta, about 30听minutes away. Shell out $95 for a private room that also comes with a hammock.听

Paratay, Brazil

鈥�From $30

Paratay is a tropical beach town about four hours from both听Rio听补苍诲听Sao Paulo. Base at this bare-bones mansion听cum听guesthouse, about a 20-minute water shuttle from the town center, and you鈥檒l听get a clean, basic room and quiet beachfront bliss with hammocks.听In Paratay, you can trail bike, kayak, dive, snorkel, or hike through the rainforest on the three-hour Gold Trail through听.听

Antigua, Guatemala

From $40

This hillside escape of treehouses overlooking Guatemala鈥檚 vast volcano range听is a 15-minute taxi ride from听Antigua鈥檚 center. Get the 鈥渄eluxe room鈥� and听you鈥檒l have two private hammocks with views. Feeling social? Crawl out of your arboreal home to snag one of six hammocks scattered about the grounds. Or听grab a trail map from the front desk and enjoy wandering the surrounding countryside.

Sharing Community

Topanga Canyon, California
听
From $95

Topanga Canyon听is one of L.A.鈥檚 more bohemian reaches, as well as a paradise for . This 听is a home鈥檚 guest wing (with a private entrance) surrounded by a听native-plant garden where you鈥檒l find听a cushion- and blanket-strewn hammock over a Mexican-tile patio听with views of the Santa Monica Mountains.听

El Zonte, El Salvador
听
From听$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 of听the three hammocks at this 12-person, five-bedroom cliff听house. It鈥檚 located along the western surfing corridor and comes with a pool.

Big Island, Hawaii

From听$350

If you鈥檝e never road-tripped around Hawaii鈥檚 Big Island, put it on your to-do list. From the turtle听diving in Kona and hiking in 听to the hidden falls near Hilo and sightseeing in听, it鈥檚 one of the most incredible drives in the United States. Afterward, park yourself in this听hammock with unobstructed views of . The house听comes 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 in听the听, and top-notch hiking up the 4,049-foot, still-active听La Soufri猫re volcano. Base out of听,听set on a rainforested hill overlooking the sea.听All the brightly colored rooms are open听air and equipped with hammocks for spontaneous napping.听

Mountain Pine Ridge Reserve, Belize

From $279

In the open-air听Francis Ford Coppola Villa at the听, one of the walls is actually a hammock听affording private rainforest views and sounds from the river below.听Coppola鈥檚 intimate hideaway in the , the first national park in Belize,听is a great base for visiting Mayan sites like (in nearby Guatemala) and exploring the mysterious听.听

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鈥攁ll the pleasures that drew travelers to nearby听Bali (a 90-minute flight away) before it became overrun. The best spot for apr猫s-adventure lounging: one of 鈥檚听colorful hammocks, which staff set up with pillows and towels, and then deliver freshly picked coconuts with edible听papaya straws.听

听

Three Free Hammock Parks for City Slickers

Governor鈥檚 Island, New York

Governor鈥檚 Island is听New York City鈥檚 favorite听quirky summer playground. It鈥檚听an uninhabited island a from Manhattan with a garden of听red rope hammocks鈥攁听perfect break between biking around the island and kicking back at the (man-made) beach club.听

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania听

,听a lawn of 38听hammocks听on the , is听relaxing way to end your day听听down lively South Street from the University of Pennyslvania campus to Penn鈥檚 Landing.

Vienna, Austria听

The Viennese sure love their hammocks鈥攖he city has a four-story installation in the 听and a 听in the . But for pure open-air swinging bliss,听the place to go is , where a slew of hammocks have been installed every May to October听since 2011.

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I liked Blue Crush and Point Break as much as the next girl鈥攁nd have tried surfing on and off for more than a decade鈥攂ut it took a male co-worker鈥檚 suggestion that听as a woman听I couldn鈥檛 be taken seriously about surfing to make up my mind to finally master it.听

This winter, I saw听a series of outstanding, respectful instructors of both genders (personally, I鈥檝e never felt the听need to move to a pink ghetto), but that wasn鈥檛 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鈥攁nd 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.听

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鈥檚 heats would be held in subprime conditions, leaving the best waves to the boys. (Coco Ho 听for saying women deserve less鈥攜es, less鈥攁nd several people I talked to agreed with her.)听That鈥檚 all changing, luckily, as more women are picking up the sport.

Seven-time world champion wrote me, 鈥淲e have been forced to surf in shit waves because the men refused to do so.鈥澨�, 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.听

But for everyone I talked to, the 鈥渁wesomes鈥澨齠ar outweighed the 鈥渂ummers.鈥澨�淚 love sharing the waves with other women,鈥澨齭ays Beachley, 鈥渂ecause we have the ability to laugh at ourselves and cheer each other听on.鈥�

Where You Can Join Them

Surf Simply, Costa Rica
听is 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鈥檚 just the start. Think two in-ocean coaching sessions a day, pool work, classroom theory,听and 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 the听Playa Guiones听in 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鈥檛 come up (aside, maybe, from when Jessie gave me a pink rash guard so she could find me in the water).听

Rancho Santana, Nicaragua
听near Rivas on the southern end of Nicaragua鈥檚 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 beginner听friendly. 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. 鈥�Finding a woman instructor, I think, is refreshing for guests,鈥� she says, even though she adds that she doesn鈥檛 treat female students any differently. 鈥淢ostly you are always greeted by men. Kids love women teachers, and I feel a great connection with female students too.鈥�

Surf with Amigas, Central America
Beck Obermeyer started a women-only camp in Nicaragua when she retired听in 2010. 鈥淲omen 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,鈥� she says. Now she runs in Costa Rica, El Salvador, Panama, and Nicaragua, still women-only听because 鈥淚 also know that it can be very intimidating to learn to surf, especially as an older (30-plus) woman.鈥� 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 鈥済et sucked into our vortex of positivity.鈥澨�

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. 鈥淚f you鈥檝e ever dreamed of being a surfer girl full-time, Kelea let鈥檚 you听live out your fantasy,鈥澨齭ays avid surfer Jen Murphy, who was still fairly new to the sport when she spent a week there, surfing the听鈥渁mazing鈥澨齦ongboard breaks at Laniakea and Pupukea. 鈥淭he schedule looks like this: Surf, eat, yoga, surf, lunch, nap, massage, sunset session, dinner, hang with new friends watching surf flicks.鈥澨鼳 week on that schedule left her a much better surfer.

Tropicsurf, Worldwide
This is white-glove surfing. operates out of five听resorts, 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,听sometimes 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:听When I went out with TropicSurf at the in Mexico, I had help from two instructors鈥攐ne 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 鈥渨omen tend to listen better, and consequently their wave selection skills develop faster because they don鈥檛 like getting knocked about like some men do.鈥澨�

Aganoa Lodge, Samoa
Here鈥檚 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鈥攁nd virtually no one on it. The new retreat is a modern-day take on the old explorer鈥檚 view of surf travel, where听the point was to get as exotic and removed from civilization as possible. If you aren鈥檛 up for the big wave, there鈥檚 a smaller break on the other side of the bay, gear for other watersports (SUP, snorkeling, kayaking), a staff that鈥檚 happy to show you around the island, and a powdered-sugar beach to chill out on. And, yes, it鈥檚 co-ed.听

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Sometimes you want the people watching and social scene of a lively pool. Other times, you鈥檙e 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鈥檚 when it鈥檚 worth upgrading to a room with its own听private pool (and, of course, a view). Here are nine worth fantasizing about鈥攕wimsuits often optional. 听

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鈥檚 famous caldera and the Mediterranean flowing around it.听听is 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 epic听views听at sunset.听

Cabo San Lucas, Mexico听

The Resort at Pedregal听

Fully recovered from last fall鈥檚听, which devestated Cabo, each of the guest rooms, suites and casitas at听the stylish听听have 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 famous听.

Marrakech, Morocco听

Palais Namaskar

Mountain biking听among the Atlas Mountains with this hotel's expert guides is听one reason to stay at the recently opened 听in the lush Palmeraie district of Morocco鈥檚 famous Red City. There are听also the oasis-like rooms, reached by following a walkway lined with bougainvillea. Each听room听comes with its听own 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, Thailand听

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鈥檛 hard. The 听is 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 have听pools (between 200 and 500 square-feet)听overlooking 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.听

Riviera Maya, Mexico听

Banyan Tree Mayakoba

Swimming is serious business at the听, located in its own 590-acre wildlife reserve, about a half hour north of some excellent kayaking and fly-fishing in the Sian Ka鈥檃n Biosphere Reserve and Tulum. Each of the 118 villas has a personal pool. Not just a splash-around plunge pool鈥攁 proper 323 sqare-foot听swimming 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.听

Masded, Jamaica听

Cottage 7, Jamaica Inn

The old-world 听is already arguably the most romantic resort on the island, but its top room鈥攖he 2,000-square-foot, seafront Cottage 7鈥攃linches 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.听

Antigua听

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鈥檚 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.听

Okavango Delta, Botswana听

andBeyond Sandibe Okavango Lodge

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

鈥�St. Barth听

Hotel Le Toiny

Tiny St. Barth packs in activities from windsurfing and deep-sea fishing to kite surfing and water skiing, but it鈥檚 also a romantic paradise. The most amatory and secluded hotel on the island?听, 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鈥檝e savored the last seconds of sunset.听

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On the scale of hotel听room awesomeness, outdoor showers rank up there with killer views and private Jacuzzis (and, okay, free minibars). We don鈥檛 need to spell out why,听especially after a day of ripping up waves, pounding mountain trails, zip-lining, safari-ing, or just nursing听margs 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鈥檚 not a scientific fact, but it鈥檚 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鈥檚 Arenal Volcano are no secret:听hiking, 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,听even in the romantic rooms鈥� 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 to听capoeira, fishing, and trail biking, there are听plenty of ways to get your heart racing at , an听intimate, oceanside Bahian hideaway. Each of the ten casas,听ranging from refurbished fishing shacks to treehouses,听has an outside听tropical shower. The one in听听feels most like the ultimate jungle fantasy, where you cool off听in听a stream of water that cascades from a tree. You might have to brush away palm fronds to wash your hair, but doesn鈥檛 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鈥檚 cheetah population. It鈥檚 one of the few safari camps with its own self-guided hiking and听. 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鈥檚 a big step up from the usual bush shower.听

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鈥檒l have to peel yourself out of your room.听Each is perched on the Kamala cliffs amid a tropical forest.听An 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,听especially via bicycle,听is possibly听one of the most romantic trips in the United States. The sprawling 听offers a new take on the landscape鈥檚 beauty, with alfresco showers adorned with peekaboo windows that look out onto the property鈥檚 27 acres of grapevines, apple orchards, and farmland.

St.听Lucia

Ladera
听is the only resort located inside the St. Lucia's听UNESCO World Heritage site, and travelers hideaway听here听to sail, snorkel, or climb the famed 2,619-foot Gros Piton听(right next door). While the showers aren鈥檛 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.听

Antigua

Jumby Bay, A Rosewood Resort
Cars are banned, and everyone gets around by bicycle or on foot at听, a resort on a private island听a few miles from Antigua in the West Indies. But escaping it all doesn鈥檛 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 听and you鈥檒l also soak in some of the local culture: The outdoor showers in the Spa Pool Villas are a slightly听glammed-up version of a traditional Omani outdoor bathing area. 国产吃瓜黑料 the walled courtyards, the northern Musandam Peninsula beckons with its mix of stunning nature鈥攋agged mountains on one side and the waters of Zighy Bay on the other.听

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Feet in sand, cold beer in hand鈥攄oes 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鈥檙e camping on the beach, Airbnb-ing it, or bunking at the Four Seasons鈥攁 beach bar without pretense is always a crowd-pleaser. Serendipity is, of course, part of the thrill鈥攕o we can鈥檛 help you there, but here are eight so good they鈥檝e 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鈥檙e 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鈥檛 have your own boat to moor nearby? There are ferries and water taxis from Beef Island and St. Thomas鈥攂ut you鈥檒l still get wet.

La Huella, Jos茅 Ignacio, Uruguay

More than a dozen years after opening, the beachfront is still the epicenter of the scene in Jos茅 Ignacio, the thinking man鈥檚 exclusive alternative to casino and tourist riddled Punte del Este. The kind of place you go to unwind without hordes of people. It鈥檚 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 鈥淕orgeous,鈥� and he somehow gets away with it. That鈥檚 the first thing you need to know about this Anguilla institution, which Eudoxie and his wife, Sandra, have run for nearly three decades. It鈥檚 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

鈥淏each bar鈥� is a bit of a misnomer for this . It鈥檚 a quarter mile from the beach鈥攚ell, from any landmass鈥攁nd 20 minutes by boat from Jakes hotel on Treasure Beach. The proprietor is a local fisherman-turned-barman named Floyd, and it鈥檚 hard to believe the charmingly dilapidated structure is still standing. Stay for a dinner of fried fresh fish鈥攑ossibly a fish that you鈥檝e caught yourself (bring gear) or by one of the fishermen who ferry guests out to the bar.

Sunshine鈥檚 Bar and Grill, Nevis

The owner鈥攃alled Sunshine himself鈥攚on鈥檛 tell you what鈥檚 in his signature drink, the Killer Bee, beyond 鈥渟ome rum, some passion fruit juice, then some more rum,鈥� but you should take his word for it. There鈥檚 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鈥檚 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鈥檚 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鈥檛 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鈥檚 finest by the glass. There鈥檚 fresh local fish to soak up the booze.

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Taking a bath outside sounds dreamy, but it isn鈥檛 exactly easy. For one, it鈥檚 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鈥檒l soon understand.

Goldeneye, Jamaica鈥擳he 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鈥檚 鈥攊tself an enclosed private patio set beneath the tropical trees, ads enough to the sex appeal that it鈥檚 easy to imagine a Bond girl slipping into the bubbles. That鈥檚 no coincidence. Ian Fleming wrote most of the James Bond novels here, when it was his personal home.

Sacred Valley, Peru鈥擧uacahuasi 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鈥攁nd often over the clouds, drifting below the lodge鈥檚 12,500-foot elevation.

Mana Pools National Park, Zimbabwe鈥擱uckomechi 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鈥檚 show is your outdoor tub perched off the ground, on a secluded platform.

St. Kitts, West Indies鈥擝elle 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鈥擲anctuary Baines鈥� Camp

The smallest camp in 鈥� collection, has five suites that each have a 鈥渟tar bath鈥� 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鈥擲ix Senses Ninh Van Bay

One of 鈥� hallmarks has always been the brand鈥檚 glorious open-air bathrooms (along with blissfully remote destinations). The Rock Pool Villas, a听NinhVan 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鈥檚 diving, fishing, or sailing.

Ubud, Bali鈥擳irta Ening Suite, COMO Shambhala Estate

Each of the villa-style 鈥渞esidences鈥� at COMO鈥檚 in the jungle highlands outside Ubud is decorated with stunning natural elements. In the Tirta Ening master suite鈥攖he name means 鈥渃lear water鈥濃�攖he bathroom is a Japanese water garden with a decorative waterfall, outdoor shower, and massive free-form bathtub.

Lake Victoria, Tanzania鈥擜silia Africa Rubondo Island Camp

In the middle of Lake Victoria, Asilia Africa鈥檚 reinvents the safari experience鈥攊t鈥檚 on a tropical island rather than a dry savanna鈥攂ut 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鈥擳he Vines Resort & Spa

Vineyards and fly-fishing reign supreme at this . But you鈥檒l 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鈥檚 not enough, consider soaking while sipping one the fine vinos made on site from the grapes in the field in front of you.

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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鈥檛 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鈥攎ost importantly鈥攔oom enough for two.

Hwange, Zimbabwe鈥擫ittle Makalolo Camp

This听, part of Wilderness Safaris鈥� 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鈥攕ecluded, star-lit and often graced with the stately presence of Hwange鈥檚 famed herds of elephants. Not for the faint of heart.

Saariskell盲, Finland鈥擪akslauttanen

Staying in a glass igloo at this听听doesn鈥檛 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鈥攚hile in bed鈥攂y night.

Pench, India鈥擩amtara 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 鈥淢achaans,鈥� 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鈥檙e complemented with basic bathroom amenities, lanterns, and binoculars for stargazing and wildlife spotting. Plus, there are caf茅 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鈥擫oisaba Retreat

The star beds at this 鈥攖hink walking, rafting, and horseback riding safari with a touch of spa philosophy thrown in鈥攈ave 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鈥檊iro 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鈥擪iChic

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

San Jos茅 del Cabo, Mexico鈥擫as 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 鈥淪leeping with the Stars鈥� program. Guests staying in Rooftop Terrace Junior Suites will have the option of having an intimate bedroom set up on the roof, where there鈥檚 a telescope in case you鈥檇 like to get a closer look at the skies.

Big Sur, California鈥擳reebones 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鈥攊t鈥檚 BYO sleeping bags and pillows, though there is a futon mattress鈥攖he so-called 鈥溾�� is a creative way to check off that box. The resort calls it 鈥渆xtreme eco-sleep.鈥� 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鈥擜mangiri

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

Near Pisco Elqui, Chile鈥擡lqui 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鈥檛 get your fill of the Milky Way from your room, make sure you get a glimpse of it though the hotel鈥檚 own observatory, which houses two electronic.

Alentejo, Portugal鈥擫鈥橝nd Vineyards

Set deep within the sprawling hills of Portugal鈥檚 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鈥檙e not sipping vino or dozing off under the night sky, you can be soaring through it鈥攖his part of Portugal is known for its top-tier hot-air ballooning and skydiving.

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Mexico gets a worse rap than it deserves. To be sure, parts of the country are dicey: There鈥檚 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鈥檚 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. 鈥淲e have travel warnings for 36 countries, and Mexico is one of them due to the threat of organized crime,鈥� says Geoff Martineau, division chief for Western Hemisphere Affairs in the Office of Overseas Citizens Services, Bureau of Consular Affairs. 鈥淢illions of Americans visit every year with no trouble. But there is a risk of being in the wrong place at the wrong time.鈥� 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 containing听Tulum and Playa del Carmen), the Yucatan, and Mexico City. 鈥淢uch of Mexico is in the clear,鈥� 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.

国产吃瓜黑料 travel companies across Mexico say the same thing: Many destinations are safe for travelers鈥攜ou just need to be selective about where you go.听Rebeca Y谩帽ez, membership director for the Latin America division of the , says that although they don鈥檛 have precise numbers for adventure travel, 鈥淭here are a couple of hot spots where drug dealers remain in dispute over trade routes鈥濃�攁void Guerrero, Michoacan, Tamaulipas, and Morelos鈥斺�渂ut 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.鈥�

Baja California Sur

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

Yucatan

Across the country in the Yucatan, Angelica Espinosa of says her business leading visitors into the Maya world hasn鈥檛 been affected, because 鈥渢he region has been kept safe and remains untouched by signs of violence.鈥� Traveling with a well-established company that follows safety protocols鈥攊ncluding using only its own drivers (no subcontractors) and checking in with them twice a day鈥攇ives guests more confidence as well.

Y M谩s鈥� (And More鈥�)

Zachary Rabinor, director general of , which operates adventure tours across the country, makes similar arguments: 鈥淩isks to travelers visiting Mexico鈥檚 touristic destinations have not increased, nor have travelers been targeted or affected.鈥� 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 its听 and monthly newsletter.

Here are some new adventures you鈥檒l 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: 国产吃瓜黑料rs 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鈥檚 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 .

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