9 Of The Prettiest Beach Hotels In The World
With sweeping ocean views and the soothing sound of waves lapping picture-perfect sand, these sublime beach hotels match their enthralling surroundings with exquisite design, says KATIE BERRINGTON
Hotel La Palma, Capri, Italy
A sublime reimagining of Capri’s first hotel, originally built in 1822, Hotel La Palma – Oetker Collection’s first Italian outing – is a celebration of all things la dolce vita. The elegant and gleaming 50-room hotel is close to Capri’s famous Piazzetta, while its stylish Da Gioia by La Palma beach club resides nearby in the Marina Piccola – along with a private beach for up to eight guests, serviced by its own team. The sun-drenched pool is particularly special, where turquoise striped loungers and scalloped parasols are overlooked by scenic, arched terraces.
Nihi, Sumba, Indonesia
Nihi is world-renowned for its paradise qualities, in large part due to its utterly blissful location on the island of Sumba, to the east of Bali. Here, there are ample opportunities to revel in the Indian Ocean – from surfing and diving to sunset swimming with horses and yoga at a clifftop pavilion overlooking the breathtaking 2.5km-long Nihiwatu Beach. And the divine panoramas can also be enjoyed from guests’ private quarters, with indoor-outdoor living areas offering spectacular views from the spacious villas and their own private pools.
Maroma, a Belmond Hotel, Riviera Maya, Mexico
Riviera Maya is just about as postcard-worthy as a destination can get, thanks to its melding of tropical jungle and powdery white sands on Mexico’s Caribbean coastline. Maroma, a Belmond Hotel is an exquisite sanctuary – it’s designed to honor Mayan design, artisanal patterns and traditional craftsmanship using local materials across its rooms, suites, and villas. The star of the show, however, belongs to the magnificent private beachfront and the glorious stretch of paradise it occupies.
Cap Rocat, Mallorca
The majestic Cap Rocat is found within an impressive ancient fortress on an isolated spot above the Bay of Palma. A place of perfect tranquility, the sandstone architecture gives way to sprawling vistas, turquoise pools and charming terraces, from which to admire the Mediterranean idyll. The rooms are decked in soothing, natural tones and, for a delightful front-row seat to the sea, opt for the Suite del Mar – with its bougainvillea-filled private garden and private pool.
Borgo Santandrea, Amalfi, Italy
Perched around 90m above the Tyrrhenian Sea, Borgo Santandrea is an enchanting boutique addition to the storied south Italian coastline. It boasts a private, white-pebbled beach (the only of its kind on the Amalfi Coast), which is reached by a stroll through beautiful Mediterranean gardens or via a lift from the top of the hotel. With stunning views over the sea and the charming fishing village of Conca dei Marini, it also has three restaurants, an outdoor saltwater pool, a jetty and a boat. The rooms and suites are individually designed, combining local craftsmanship with mid-century design and antiques. Think la dolce vita.
The Wild, Mykonos, Greece
The Wild, contrary to its name, is a tranquil, secluded destination with pared-back allure on the buzziest island in Greece. Providing a true Cycladic experience, it has its own private beach with thatched palm parasols and loungers dotted along the turquoise waters, plus an infinity pool overlooking the Aegean Sea. Its design is the epitome of laid-back island luxury, with each room, suite and villa decked out in earthy tones and natural materials, accentuated by an elegant collection of antiques, artisan objects, light cottons and linens.
1 Hotel Hanelei Bay, Hawaii, USA
An oceanfront oasis on Kauaʻi’s North Shore, amid verdant mountains, waterfalls and gardens, the outlook from 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay is unparalleled. Celebrating the spectacle in which it resides, the hotel’s main focus is on its connection with nature, with beautifully and thoughtfully designed suites giving a front-row seat to the iconic Hawaiian beach.
Joali, Muravandhoo Island, Maldives
Joali is a quintessential Maldivian paradise on Muravandhoo Island, where villas hover above the shimmering Indian Ocean for the most privileged vantage point of the Raa Atoll – one of the largest and deepest atolls in the world – and its marine life. The beaches here are picture-perfect, with creamy sands bordered by coconut palms and lagoons in a spectrum of blues. But Joali doesn’t rest on the laurels of its spectacular surroundings. Instead, it has been designed in collaboration with local artisans and internationally renowned artists to create an immersive artistic destination where sea and sand meet culture and creativity, celebrating Maldivian architecture and craftsmanship.
Cobblers Cove, Barbados
A long-standing favorite of the Barbadian hotel scene, this striking, powder-hued 1940s mansion is a boutique retreat with 40 suites on the island’s west coast. Cobblers Cove’s dreamy interiors celebrate old-school glamour, with vibrant pink walls balanced by white woodwork, soothing pastel blues and greens, printed linens, and an abundance of foliage from the surrounding tropical garden. The charm spills out onto the silk-sand beach, where candy-striped parasols line the edge of the palm-fringed, crystalline ocean.