Spend some time exploring the seemingly untouched and pristine beaches of Malaysia. If you are looking for something a little less touristy, then you could not have found a better place than Pulau Redang. This is one of the largest, and also one of the most beautiful islands off the East coast of Malaysia. Although the island does offer quite a lot of diving and snorkeling opportunities, but it still has not been absolutely commercialized. You wouldn't find glitzy malls and bumper to bumper traffic here, instead what you will find are the silvery beaches, the clear turquoise waters and the most beautiful coral display in the whole world. The accommodation options in the island of Pulau Redang are varied, ranging from smaller to more luxurious establishments. However, the resorts in Pulau Redang are sure to be your best bet for experiencing true luxury. the beach house resort
A pulau redang beach resort is sure to offer guests not only a luxurious and comfortable stay, but they are sure to deliver this with a sense of pizzazz, style and class. Guests can choose from a wide range of rooms, suites as well as villas, which not only offer a spectacular view of the ocean but also of the surrounding mountains. The lush greenery is everywhere and the combination or shall we say the contrast of the foaming blue and white sea waves and the bright green foliage is nothing short of astounding. There are several pastimes to indulge in here, apart from spending all your time under the ocean marveling at the colorful sea creatures, as schools of bright fishes dart around you. Guests can spend a few hours at the in-house spas here at the best resorts in Pulau Redang. The spas offer a wide range of treatments and massages, which not only create a sense of sheer bliss and indulgence but also help you relax so that you are better prepared to continue on to the next leg of your journey. The trained masseurs and therapists here know exactly what you need to make you feel on top of the world. After a bout of pampering here, you are sure to feel like an absolutely new person. the beach house resort
For all the adrenaline junkies out there, there are several water-based sports you can indulge in such as kayaking, windsurfing and parasailing; all under the watchful eyes of the expert trainers. So there should be absolutely no worry about safety; in fact, even the diving lessons are PADI- certified, ensuring complete protection from dangers and accidents. Don't wait any long for exploring the unknown; if in Malaysia, remember, the resorts in Pulau Redang are your ticket to heaven. the beach house resort
"Enjoy Peaceful Holiday at a Beach Front Resort in Palm Cove"
Oil Palm Cove is one of the leading community in Australia, with some from the coast is the best and Oil Palm Cove Resort. The City has been a key contributors to Australia, economy, especially for increasing cash tourists over the past few years. A main reason for its popularity is close to coral reefs Great barrier and tropical rain forest. This is because this exotic attraction that some resort, and beach houses have been prospect solutions in the region.
Away From the noise and city, Palm Oil Cove is the place where one can enjoy some time of peace with the people they loved ones and lead pressures of life that is free during their stay here. Recently, this beach is known as hygiene kits, however in Australia. While the community would not offer opportunities that luxurious by itself, there are some boutique resorts that let you send and feel the wind, in a separate but luxurious.
Beach offers sandy surface that is perfect, who see from the sea that strategic and bright cheerful offers convenience the best to the visitors. The date palm trees lined roads that are used by the visitors, joggers, passers-by and by the time the cyclists to enjoy in the perfect.
There are several tourist attractions that offers a full entertainment for a vacation. There are some wonderful restaurants, hotels and resorts in this small but beautiful community, however. For those who love fishing, this community offers an opportunity is not limited, particularly Oil Palm Cove on jetty. Spot is interesting hundreds anglers in which they catch species such as mackerel, giant Trevally and shark.
This place is well connected with big cities in Australia, including Cairns and reached here is not a problem. There are various forms accomodation available here. From the coast colonial style house to town square, luxurious and sophisticated resorts, you can find all here. , However contains luxury hotel with some of the all kinds of guests. Lodgings at Affordable prices and hotel for Backpackers will most likely to be is also available here. If you want to low-budget accommodation, you can get it in Palm Cove resort. If you want to live in a luxury hotel, then there are many of them.
Oil palm plantations regular Cove resort offers comfortable and 'environment for a vacation. As a resort not only offers convenience and luxury accommodation, but some amazing spa facilities and sauna. That is located in hygiene coast of Australia, each and every Oil Palm Cove resort either attempt to stay high hygiene and health are everywhere. Some of the activities that one can enjoy in boating, this community golf course, wild life tour, fisheries and, etc. a tour also provided by some resorts here.
Those who love the idea marriage, however also came here to lovely weddings in the host low budget and the atmosphere. Many resorts offers pocket was friendly to the marriage with options embower environment.
Beach offers sandy surface that is perfect, who see from the sea that strategic and bright cheerful offers convenience the best to the visitors. The date palm trees lined roads that are used by the visitors, joggers, passers-by and by the time the cyclists to enjoy in the perfect.
There are several tourist attractions that offers a full entertainment for a vacation. There are some wonderful restaurants, hotels and resorts in this small but beautiful community, however. For those who love fishing, this community offers an opportunity is not limited, particularly Oil Palm Cove on jetty. Spot is interesting hundreds anglers in which they catch species such as mackerel, giant Trevally and shark.
This place is well connected with big cities in Australia, including Cairns and reached here is not a problem. There are various forms accomodation available here. From the coast colonial style house to town square, luxurious and sophisticated resorts, you can find all here. , However contains luxury hotel with some of the all kinds of guests. Lodgings at Affordable prices and hotel for Backpackers will most likely to be is also available here. If you want to low-budget accommodation, you can get it in Palm Cove resort. If you want to live in a luxury hotel, then there are many of them.
Oil palm plantations regular Cove resort offers comfortable and 'environment for a vacation. As a resort not only offers convenience and luxury accommodation, but some amazing spa facilities and sauna. That is located in hygiene coast of Australia, each and every Oil Palm Cove resort either attempt to stay high hygiene and health are everywhere. Some of the activities that one can enjoy in boating, this community golf course, wild life tour, fisheries and, etc. a tour also provided by some resorts here.
Those who love the idea marriage, however also came here to lovely weddings in the host low budget and the atmosphere. Many resorts offers pocket was friendly to the marriage with options embower environment.
America's Best Beach and Hotels
In a corner of Palm Beach, FL, the soft white sand is flanked by hundreds of chaise lounges, dozens of luxury cabanas, and five large pools. It’s the setting of The Breakers, an iconic, recently renovated hotel where travelers have found pure oceanfront bliss for decades.
Ahh…the beach. Relaxing there on a hot summer’s day is an antidote like no other—especially when you choose the right beach hotel as your home base. We asked T+L readers to vote on their favorite hotels for our annual World’s Best Awards Survey, and came away with beachfront winners like The Breakers. So if your summer travel plans call for a stay at the shore, we’ve got a hotel for you.
Many of our U.S. favorites are just where you’d expect; two sun-kissed destinations are home to more than half the winners. Six are in Florida, and another half dozen are scattered between four Hawaiian islands. And which beach most famously personifies the Aloha State? Waikiki, of course, where you’ll find the luxurious Halekulani, with panoramic views of Diamond Head and an award-winning restaurant. Hotel guests can enjoy free tickets to the Honolulu Symphony, Academy of Arts, and the Contemporary Museum—so you’ve got plenty to keep you going after some fun in the sun.
For those who want to dip their toes into the Pacific without the long-haul flight, there’s No. 11 on our list: the Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Nigel, in Dana Point, CA. Located atop 150-foot bluffs facing out toward Catalina Island, the hotel provides beach chairs, umbrellas, and boogie boards for guests and will also arrange surf lessons for the adventuresome.
Properties in four other states round out our readers’ picks for America’s best beach hotels, including the Sanctuary Hotel on Kiawah Island, near Charleston, SC. This sprawling 225-room hotel is a favorite for its superb coastline, five world-class golf courses, and the surrounding wildlife-filled wetlands that are home to migrating birds and nesting sea turtles.
Curious to know which beach property was voted No. 1? Read on for all the winners
1 Little Palm Island Resort & Spa, Little Torch Key, FL
Florida’s most secluded and romantic retreat: a South Seas-style idyll set along a white-sand beach on a private 6-acre island, accessible only by boat or seaplane. Suites 15 and 16 offer the most privacy. Be sure to visit Looe Key, in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, located minutes away from the resort by kayak.
2 Four Seasons Resort, Hualalai
“Perfect,” “heaven,” and “the best vacation of my life” are just a few ways guests describe this understatedly gorgeous, isolated resort where all 228 rooms, in low-rise bungalows, have ocean views. It’s popular with Hollywood celebrities for good reason: the grounds border the dramatic volcanic rock coast with seawater and freshwater swimming pools; and an open-air spa teems with tropical vegetation.
3 Halekulani, Oahu
Service rules at this recently renovated 5-acre Waikiki Beach beauty, which has existed for nearly a century. The Orchid Suite, the newest of the hotel’s premier rooms, made its debut in 2008. At the open-air dining room at Orchids restaurant, paddle straight for the Hawaiian specialties: pipi kaula beef jerky, marinated ahi tuna poke, lomilomi cured salmon, Waimanalo roast suckling pig, local Kula tomatoes, and Big Island goat cheese. Diamond Head suites on floors nine and higher have the best ocean and volcano views.
4 Montage Laguna Beach, CA
Montage aims for an experience you might find in Positano, crisp service and the smell of the surf. At the Arts and Crafts–style Montage Resort & Spa, the location is exceptional, on a 30-acre spot on a bluff with a 280-degree view of the Pacific. Of the 250 rooms, the best are the Ocean Surf View rooms, located on the upper floors and offering great views of the Pacific Break.
5. Kahala Hotel & Resort, Oahu
This 1964 colossus benefits from having about it a whiff of archaism. It was here, at what was then a Hilton and known as the Kahollywood, that Richard Burton and Liz Taylor hid out from the paparazzi in a private cabana. Opt for an Ocean suite for panoramic views of Diamond Head, then be sure to swim with dolphins in the hotel’s lagoon.
Ahh…the beach. Relaxing there on a hot summer’s day is an antidote like no other—especially when you choose the right beach hotel as your home base. We asked T+L readers to vote on their favorite hotels for our annual World’s Best Awards Survey, and came away with beachfront winners like The Breakers. So if your summer travel plans call for a stay at the shore, we’ve got a hotel for you.
Many of our U.S. favorites are just where you’d expect; two sun-kissed destinations are home to more than half the winners. Six are in Florida, and another half dozen are scattered between four Hawaiian islands. And which beach most famously personifies the Aloha State? Waikiki, of course, where you’ll find the luxurious Halekulani, with panoramic views of Diamond Head and an award-winning restaurant. Hotel guests can enjoy free tickets to the Honolulu Symphony, Academy of Arts, and the Contemporary Museum—so you’ve got plenty to keep you going after some fun in the sun.
For those who want to dip their toes into the Pacific without the long-haul flight, there’s No. 11 on our list: the Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Nigel, in Dana Point, CA. Located atop 150-foot bluffs facing out toward Catalina Island, the hotel provides beach chairs, umbrellas, and boogie boards for guests and will also arrange surf lessons for the adventuresome.
Properties in four other states round out our readers’ picks for America’s best beach hotels, including the Sanctuary Hotel on Kiawah Island, near Charleston, SC. This sprawling 225-room hotel is a favorite for its superb coastline, five world-class golf courses, and the surrounding wildlife-filled wetlands that are home to migrating birds and nesting sea turtles.
Curious to know which beach property was voted No. 1? Read on for all the winners
1 Little Palm Island Resort & Spa, Little Torch Key, FL
Florida’s most secluded and romantic retreat: a South Seas-style idyll set along a white-sand beach on a private 6-acre island, accessible only by boat or seaplane. Suites 15 and 16 offer the most privacy. Be sure to visit Looe Key, in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, located minutes away from the resort by kayak.
2 Four Seasons Resort, Hualalai
“Perfect,” “heaven,” and “the best vacation of my life” are just a few ways guests describe this understatedly gorgeous, isolated resort where all 228 rooms, in low-rise bungalows, have ocean views. It’s popular with Hollywood celebrities for good reason: the grounds border the dramatic volcanic rock coast with seawater and freshwater swimming pools; and an open-air spa teems with tropical vegetation.
3 Halekulani, Oahu
Service rules at this recently renovated 5-acre Waikiki Beach beauty, which has existed for nearly a century. The Orchid Suite, the newest of the hotel’s premier rooms, made its debut in 2008. At the open-air dining room at Orchids restaurant, paddle straight for the Hawaiian specialties: pipi kaula beef jerky, marinated ahi tuna poke, lomilomi cured salmon, Waimanalo roast suckling pig, local Kula tomatoes, and Big Island goat cheese. Diamond Head suites on floors nine and higher have the best ocean and volcano views.
4 Montage Laguna Beach, CA
Montage aims for an experience you might find in Positano, crisp service and the smell of the surf. At the Arts and Crafts–style Montage Resort & Spa, the location is exceptional, on a 30-acre spot on a bluff with a 280-degree view of the Pacific. Of the 250 rooms, the best are the Ocean Surf View rooms, located on the upper floors and offering great views of the Pacific Break.
5. Kahala Hotel & Resort, Oahu
This 1964 colossus benefits from having about it a whiff of archaism. It was here, at what was then a Hilton and known as the Kahollywood, that Richard Burton and Liz Taylor hid out from the paparazzi in a private cabana. Opt for an Ocean suite for panoramic views of Diamond Head, then be sure to swim with dolphins in the hotel’s lagoon.
The Seacrest Oceanside Villa Complex
The Atlantic Ocean. White sand beaches. A quaint seaside community atmosphere. Beautiful accommodations. Sound too good to be true? You aren't dreaming, you're booking your beach vacation at the Sea Crest on Hilton Head Island.
The Sea Crest is one of the finest oceanfront resorts on the island. One to three bedroom luxury villas are professionally decorated and include corian counters, nine foot ceilings, crown moldings and grand views of the beautiful grounds, lagoon pools and the Atlantic Ocean. The two and three bedroom villas include two master suites. Enjoy beautiful landscaping and two oceanfront pools, large spa, a kiddie pool and a private boardwalk to the beach. Indoors, get your daily workout done in the fitness center, complete with an exercise room and resistance pool. There is also a conference center with several meeting rooms, and underground parking. Best of all, you will be a short bike ride or walk to all island amenities you can imagine.
The Sea Crest is nestled in the quaint yet active Forest Beach area of Hilton Head Island. Glistening in the sun over Atlantic Ocean, the casual, laid back atmosphere of this homegrown beach community makes it a favorite of vacationers from all walks of life. Any water activity you can think of can be experienced here, from kayaking to windsurfing to dolphin watching, but many visitors opt to spend their days on some of the finest white sand beaches in the world. The Atlantic Ocean, of course, is the star of this community. But visitors to North and South Forest beach also enjoy unique shopping and dining experiences. Coligny Plaza was the first shopping center on the island, and continues to draw both residents and visitors alike. Walk to dinner, then spend an evening visiting some of the area's many nightlife offerings. The whole area is sprinkled with beach shops, family activities, friendly watering holes and fantastic people-watching. The charming community of Forest Beach is paradise, with a casual twist.
The Sea Crest may sound too good to be true - but it really exists. Make it the place for your next beach vacation getaway.
The Seacrest Oceanside Villa Complex Diagram
The Sea Crest is one of the finest oceanfront resorts on the island. One to three bedroom luxury villas are professionally decorated and include corian counters, nine foot ceilings, crown moldings and grand views of the beautiful grounds, lagoon pools and the Atlantic Ocean. The two and three bedroom villas include two master suites. Enjoy beautiful landscaping and two oceanfront pools, large spa, a kiddie pool and a private boardwalk to the beach. Indoors, get your daily workout done in the fitness center, complete with an exercise room and resistance pool. There is also a conference center with several meeting rooms, and underground parking. Best of all, you will be a short bike ride or walk to all island amenities you can imagine.
The Sea Crest is nestled in the quaint yet active Forest Beach area of Hilton Head Island. Glistening in the sun over Atlantic Ocean, the casual, laid back atmosphere of this homegrown beach community makes it a favorite of vacationers from all walks of life. Any water activity you can think of can be experienced here, from kayaking to windsurfing to dolphin watching, but many visitors opt to spend their days on some of the finest white sand beaches in the world. The Atlantic Ocean, of course, is the star of this community. But visitors to North and South Forest beach also enjoy unique shopping and dining experiences. Coligny Plaza was the first shopping center on the island, and continues to draw both residents and visitors alike. Walk to dinner, then spend an evening visiting some of the area's many nightlife offerings. The whole area is sprinkled with beach shops, family activities, friendly watering holes and fantastic people-watching. The charming community of Forest Beach is paradise, with a casual twist.
The Sea Crest may sound too good to be true - but it really exists. Make it the place for your next beach vacation getaway.
The Seacrest Oceanside Villa Complex Diagram
Good resort beach holidays in Europe
Beach Resort Rüfugium, Germany
Doing an excellent line in Nordic cool, this pared-back refuge on Rügen Island is right by the Baltic and has an outdoor sauna, underfloor heating and a glossy kitchen. Sleeping eight and set within a biosphere reserve (biosphaerenreservat-suedostruegen.de), it's a great spot for nature lovers. Lobbe, a 5km-long, white sand beach, is a few minutes' bike ride away and the beech forests and chalk cliffs of Jasmund national park are within easy reach.
• Seven nights from €840 (no phone, ruefugium.de). EasyJet flies to Hamburg (two hours away) from Luton, Edinburgh, Manchester and Gatwick
Beach Resort Casa Diso, Italy
One of those places you half want to keep to yourself, Casa Diso is a newly-restored townhouse apartment in the village of Marittima, Puglia, sleeping four and 15 minutes' walk from the beach. The rustic chic interiors have whitewashed walls, stone floors and vaulted ceilings. There's a small courtyard and a roof terrace with sea views. Although it's a self-catering let, rental is per night, so it's a good bet for a short break.
• From £95 a night (01223 460100, essentialitaly.co.uk). Fly to Brindisi from Stansted with Ryanair (ryanair.com)
Beach Resort Citta dei Nicliani, Greece
Opened last year, this boutique hotel in Kitta on the Mani peninsula is a family-run, 18th-century tower-house with seven suites. There are plenty of frills, from original engravings to Korres smellies, but the price is frill-free. Horse riding, wine and olive oil tastings and fishing are possible nearby, as well as hikes to attractions such as the Unesco world heritage site of Mistra. But you can also spend days lazing on the peninsula's beaches.
• Doubles from £65 B&B (+30 27330 51827, cittadeinicliani.com). Fly to Kalamata from Manchester with Thomas Cook (flythomascook.com) and Thomson (flights.thomson.co.uk) and from Gatwick with easyJet (easyjet.com) and Thomas Cook
Beach Resort Club Amazon, Turkey
Despite the name, this small resort is more Swallows and Amazons than Brazilian jungle lodge. Set among pine trees in Bordubet, about 30km west of Marmaris, it's a simple, back-to-nature escape popular with families. Swim in the bay (the beach is a 500m walk or kayak away) or pool. Sleep in a mini stone bungalow or the resort's take on gypsy caravans (some have partially glazed roofs for stargazing) and feast on homemade food in the restaurant.
• From £25pp full-board in a bungalow (+90 252 436 91 11, clubamazon.com.tr). Thomson and Thomas Cook fly to Dalaman from 14 British airports
Doing an excellent line in Nordic cool, this pared-back refuge on Rügen Island is right by the Baltic and has an outdoor sauna, underfloor heating and a glossy kitchen. Sleeping eight and set within a biosphere reserve (biosphaerenreservat-suedostruegen.de), it's a great spot for nature lovers. Lobbe, a 5km-long, white sand beach, is a few minutes' bike ride away and the beech forests and chalk cliffs of Jasmund national park are within easy reach.
• Seven nights from €840 (no phone, ruefugium.de). EasyJet flies to Hamburg (two hours away) from Luton, Edinburgh, Manchester and Gatwick
Beach Resort Casa Diso, Italy
One of those places you half want to keep to yourself, Casa Diso is a newly-restored townhouse apartment in the village of Marittima, Puglia, sleeping four and 15 minutes' walk from the beach. The rustic chic interiors have whitewashed walls, stone floors and vaulted ceilings. There's a small courtyard and a roof terrace with sea views. Although it's a self-catering let, rental is per night, so it's a good bet for a short break.
• From £95 a night (01223 460100, essentialitaly.co.uk). Fly to Brindisi from Stansted with Ryanair (ryanair.com)
Beach Resort Citta dei Nicliani, Greece
Opened last year, this boutique hotel in Kitta on the Mani peninsula is a family-run, 18th-century tower-house with seven suites. There are plenty of frills, from original engravings to Korres smellies, but the price is frill-free. Horse riding, wine and olive oil tastings and fishing are possible nearby, as well as hikes to attractions such as the Unesco world heritage site of Mistra. But you can also spend days lazing on the peninsula's beaches.
• Doubles from £65 B&B (+30 27330 51827, cittadeinicliani.com). Fly to Kalamata from Manchester with Thomas Cook (flythomascook.com) and Thomson (flights.thomson.co.uk) and from Gatwick with easyJet (easyjet.com) and Thomas Cook
Beach Resort Club Amazon, Turkey
Despite the name, this small resort is more Swallows and Amazons than Brazilian jungle lodge. Set among pine trees in Bordubet, about 30km west of Marmaris, it's a simple, back-to-nature escape popular with families. Swim in the bay (the beach is a 500m walk or kayak away) or pool. Sleep in a mini stone bungalow or the resort's take on gypsy caravans (some have partially glazed roofs for stargazing) and feast on homemade food in the restaurant.
• From £25pp full-board in a bungalow (+90 252 436 91 11, clubamazon.com.tr). Thomson and Thomas Cook fly to Dalaman from 14 British airports
Copacabana, Brazil: The World's Most Famous Beach
Copacabana, Brazil: The World's Most Famous Beach
Copacabana, often referred to as the world's most famous beach, runs for 3 miles in front the densely populated residential area of Rio de Janeiro. From the beach, you can view the granite slabs that surround the entrance to the bay. A short walk will take you to one of the best shopping centers in Rio, as well as to many movie and play theatres, fashion and jewelry shops, and restaurants and nightclubs. Getting There Nearest major international airport: Rio has two airports, the International Airport of Rio de Janeiro and Santos Dumont. The international airport handles all international flights. Santos Dumont takes only domestic flights to a small number of cities. The Rio airport is 9 mi/15 km north of the Centro (about a 20-minute drive under normal traffic conditions). Santos Dumont, in the heart of Rio, is half a mile/1 km east of the Centro, about a 5-minute drive, depending on traffic conditions. Ground transportation Yellow cabs are plentiful and economical, although the drivers rarely speak English. Radio taxis have stands at many major hotels and at both airports. Timing Although the climate is basically tropical, the summer season is the warmest and lasts from December to February. This is the Brazilian holiday season and temperatures range from about 77 F (25 C) to 95 F (35 C). June, July and August are the winter months and the temperatures range between 55 F (13 C) and 64 F (18 C).
Lodging Rio offers a variety of hotels for everyone's taste and budget. Check our booking engine for an extensive listing of hotel rates in the Rio de Janeiro area. Ipanema offers a free online reservation service, discounts through same, and a comprehensive list of accommodations that include address, phone number, rates, reviews and pictures. Cuisine Feijoada is a dish made of black beans and pork, traditionally served with rice, kale and manioc meal, and always accompanied by a "caipirinha." Or enjoy a variety of savory, superbly seasoned hot-off-the-grill meats at the churrascarias, which are all-you-can-eat barbecue restaurants. Travel Tips The official language in Brazil is Portuguese, although anyone dealing directly with tourists understands and tries (hard) to speak English, Spanish, and maybe even a little Italian or French. Renting a car, even a compact, is quite expensive. Parking is not easy, and sometimes not even safe. Enjoy a draft or have a pizza standing in the street or at a table outdoors. Talk to people around you and make new acquaintances. Don't be shy! You do not need a formal introduction. Brazilians are usually very easy to talk to, and they are comfortable with having a conversation with a perfect stranger (that is a perfectly friendly one.) People will gladly talk about almost anything, give you tips, and be very warm. While you are there A short walk will take you to one of the best shopping centers in Rio, as well as to many movie and play theatres, fashion and jewelry shops, restaurants, nightclubs, etc. Enjoy a performance at the fabulous Municipal Theater, which was built downtown when Rio was still the capital of Brazil. It features an excellent classical program and very impressive architecture. The clubber's circuit is the place to be as Rio heats up after midnight. With a choice of samba, bossa nova and other local beats, as well as international music, disco, techno, house, acid and other dancy beats, there is no reason not to dance the night away. Favorite neighborhoods for steppin out are Ipanema, Leblon, Lagoa, Botafogo and even downtown. To fake that you've been there Talk about attending the yearly theater festivals in Rio. In particular, mention the French theatre group that performed live on the beaches, including Copacabana, and in the squares. Mention one performance in which a man - painted all white - took a bath in a tub filled with some kind of blue Styrofoam slime, and it all happened inside some sort of a giant plastic bubble. Linking for a better vacation The Copacabana website is an excellent resource, that offers, among other things, a comprehensive dining list that is organized by cuisine and cost, and an accommodation list that includes ratings and rates. The site also has a marvelous search engine. All About Rio says it all. This award-winning site is available in English, Portuguese and German. Start with Rio for Beginners and then dig deeper to "enjoy a host of prime travel services including free hotel reservations with discount rates, tours and trips off-Rio!" Portuguese for Travelers will give you some phrases to see you through. The Copacabana in New York wants to make sure you make it to paradise even if you can't make it to its namesake this year.
Ipanema Toure
Ipanema Toure
Ipanema is a neighborhood with a tradition of freedom and innovation. Ipanema Beach is where the summer happens in Rio. News in Ipanema make big headlines in all major newspapers in the country. A trend-setter, Ipanema Beach was the first in Brazil to see a pregnant woman proudly wearing a bikini. It was quintessential Ipanema icon, actress Leila Diniz. Rose de Primo, a fashion model with a perfect body, perfect tan, perfect hair and a lot of attitude, set new grounds in the 70's with her tangas. They were tiny bikinis that soon became the object of desire of a whole nation (legend goes they were custom-made by her own mother). Topless became quick fad in the 80's when a local soap opera showed that some women in Ipanema chose not to keep a tan line. The scene was played by actress Tonia Carreiro, who was a muse of Ipanema in the 50's herself. The fad didn't last long as Brazilians find a tan line a big plus. Men all over the country started wearing horrible crochet g-strings after a famous personality (Fernando Gabeira) was seen in one at Posto 9. Legend goes it was a bikini bottom borrowed from his friend, reporter Leda Nagle. Somehow even Homer Simpson ended up in one of those in that episode when the Simpsons came to Rio... Oh, and the dental floss (or wedgy) bikini had its world debut here, too. And there's all the funny stories. In the summer of 96, when our website first went online, Ipanema made headline news when police started arresting bathers who blew whistles! They were actually protesting against what they felt was unfair police persecution against the potheads that traditionally used to hang out at Posto 9
There's quite a few characters you may run into. At Rua Garcia D'Ávila, for instance, there's Pelé - a successful beach entrepreneur. He started as an ordinary beach vendor, and today runs a beach volleyball school, rents beach chairs, umbrellas, the works! And there's that beach vendor that sells fresh pineapple slices. He loves to startle people in the sand by yelling on the top of his lungs "AAAAAbacaxi" (pineapple) when they least expect. Nobody complains, because he offers free samples to everyone.
Ipanema Beach has several favorite spots. We have even prepared a map of the whole neighborhood to help with your orientation! Each block of the beach attracts a different crowd. Posto 9 , Garcia , Country , Teixeira , Farme Gay, and Cap Ferrat are all reference points used by locals to identify their turf. Tourists and first-timers tend to gather in front of Caesar Park Hotel.
Practice sports like beach volleyball , soccer and surf, find true romance , have a refreshing drink of coconut water , or just relax and soak up some rays. And bring along your sunglasses, so you can watch the good-looking Cariocas without giving yourself in!!
Ipanema is a public beach, with free access like all beaches in Brazil. If you're coming from a country where everything's regulated, expect to be spoiled. To start off, you don't even have get off your toosh to have your wish granted. Feeling hungry? Beach vendors offer ice-cream, cookies (don't miss the traditional Biscoitos Globo), corn-on-the-cob, melted cheese on a stick, shrimp on a stick, assorted homemade sandwiches, fresh-sliced pineapple... Thirsty? Mineral water, iced tea, diet and regular sodas, frozen fruit juice, chilled coconut milk, and yes, ice-cold beer, and delicious fresh-squeezed caipirinhas. You can rent your beach chairs and umbrellas. Need to accessorize? Hats, colorful beach throws, sunglasses, jewelry, even bikinis are for sale. As there are a lot of misconceptions, here are some suggestions if you want to mingle. The first is that people do not walk around the city in their bikinis and Speedos, let alone in a thong! OK, it's a free world, you can do whatever you want, but the idea here is to let you in on how locals do it... Girls on their way to or back from the beach usually wear shorts, a mini-skirt or a beach throw wrapped around the waist, most times a T-shirt or tank top, and flip-flops (Havaianas or other). They always carry a tote bag or backpack. In it you will find everything from sunglasses to hair sunscreen for, pocket mirror, lipsaver... They tend to set up camp with their friends, so they don't really need to travel light. Don't worry about the kind of bikini you will be bringing back from home. Doing a bikini boutique (or many) is a must for any self-respecting female visitor to Rio. You will find an assortment of styles, from almost naked to conservative, including one-pieces. Boys go a little different. The T-shirt is only needed if you're coming to the beach by bus, otherwise shirts-off is the rule. To meet all your friends and flirt with the girls you have to cover a lot of ground. The idea is to travel as light as possible, so no tote-bag here. Boys are more likely to bring along a set of frescobol rackets, a volley or soccer ball, a bodyboard or surfboard. Break the backpack rule as you will bring along your camera, and you want to keep it away from the sand. On the way to and back from the beach, Ipanema boys wear surfers' trunks. In the pocket there's just enough money for a soda ortwo, and maybe a bottle of sunscreen (they could always borrow from the girls, you know). Whenever they stop it's time to peel off thosetrunks, and stand in their Speedos. Brazilian girls and boys love a tan line, and you have to please the crowds. If you really want to belong, your Speedos should be as wide as regular CK briefs, at least 4 inches or so. Buy some at the local shops, like Blue Man. You may ask a group of girls to watch your shorts or backpack while you go for a swim, if you're looking for an ice-breaker. Now three things you won't do if you're beach-smart. The first one is taking more sun that you're able to. Condition your skin by going to a tanning salon, wear a potent sunscreen, keep track of how long you stay at the beach, rent a beach umbrella, wear a sun hat. The red lobster look is not attractive, and it could actually spoil your vacation. The second is that taking off your watch to avoid a tan line, and leaving it laying on the sand together with your money while you doze off is a very stupid thing to do. The least that could happen is their accidentally being buried in the sand. The third is that wearing long sleeves, street clothes and dress shoes at the beach make you look really funny. Now you're ready to see all the images!
Bahia: Brazil's coolest coast
Bahia: Brazil's coolest coast
They say it's the most glamorous state in Brazil, but really Bahia is still just a strip of sleepy fishing villages on a shoreline so stretched out that many beaches aren't even on the map. Here's where to find the best of them - and the greatest places to stay all along this colourful coast. By Laura Fowler.
From high on a hilltop, the coast of Bahia shines with the colours of the Brazilian flag. The sea, the sky, blue on blue; the lush green of the Atlantic rainforest; long beaches that run like a fissure of gold between the two.
Bahia has 1,000km of coastline, and most of it looks like this. There are wild, empty bays and desert islands; and though not private - no beach in Brazil is private - its beaches may as well be, because you can walk along them for hours and not see another soul. All along the coast you can find bright-eyed marmosets in the jungle, turtles on the sand, whales in the sea.
And if other souls are what you seek, it has surf villages, candy-coloured colonial towns, chic resorts and beach bars where Hollywood stars and Brazilian models sip from coconuts. Bahia is where Brazilians go on holiday, and it is easy to see why. But for the rest of us, much of it is uncharted territory, its best beaches and places to stay still well-kept secrets, hidden gems amid tropical greenery. You just have to know where to look.
Aram Yami Boutique Hotel, Bahia
Description: Aram Yami Boutique Hotel |
Set in the San Antonio Quarter, at the centre of the Salvador de Bahia old town, the Aram Yami Boutique Hotel offers exclusive luxury accommodation with stunning views over Todo Os Santos Bay. The Arami Yami Boutique Hotel is ideally located for visiting some of Brazil's best beaches and is just a short walk from the Unesco World Heritage Site of Pelourinho and many other places of interest.
Recently refurbished the Arami Yami Boutique Hotel, which is housed in a 19th-century Boroque-style building, offers comfort and charm in contemporary styles. There is a large terrace with a swimming pool, which offers fantastic panoramic views over the bay, while some of the hotel's rooms have their own private pools.
Breakfast is served in a dining area with great ocean views. Drinks and snacks are also served from the hotel bar. There are restaurants galore just a short walk from the hotel in the San Antonio Quarter.
Recently refurbished the Arami Yami Boutique Hotel, which is housed in a 19th-century Boroque-style building, offers comfort and charm in contemporary styles. There is a large terrace with a swimming pool, which offers fantastic panoramic views over the bay, while some of the hotel's rooms have their own private pools.
Breakfast is served in a dining area with great ocean views. Drinks and snacks are also served from the hotel bar. There are restaurants galore just a short walk from the hotel in the San Antonio Quarter.
Type of rooms: Aram Yami Boutique Hotel
All rooms feature air conditioning, hairdryer, ceiling fan, telephone, electric safe, and a minibar.
Bahía Suite: 30 m2 double room with double or twin beds for a maximum occupancy of 2 people.
Centro Histórico Suite: 40 m2 double room with a double bed for 2 people. One extra bed could be added and charged daily rate +25%.
Gran Suite: 45 m2 double room with a double bed for 2 people. One extra bed could be added and charged daily rate +25%.
Panoramic Suite: 40 m2 double room with double or twin beds for a maximum occupancy of 2 people. Spectacular views and a 30 m2 private terrace.
Top Suite: on the ground floor with its own small pool with a view of the bay. 60 m2 master suite with two bedrooms, one with a double bed for 2 people and one with two single beds. It has a 30 m2 private terrace with a 14 m2 private pool. The second bedroom is charged daily rate +25%. One extra bed for a 5th person could be added and charged daily rate +25%.
Additional information: Aram Yami Boutique Hotel
Whirlpool/Jacuzzi: There is an infinity pool on the second floor with a view of the bay.
Beach: 15 minutes away by taxi.
Children: One child under four years stays free when using existing beds.
Extra Bed: One older child or adult is charged 25% of the room stay per night in an extra bed. The maximum number of extra beds in a room is one.Any type of extra bed or cot needs to be confirmed by management.
Airport transfers carry an extra charge.
General Booking Conditions:
If cancelled more than 30 days prior to check-in date, no cancellation fee.
If cancelled 30 - 15 days prior to check-in date, 50% of the booking is charged.
If cancelled 15 ? 0 days prior to check-in date, 100% of the booking is charged.
Early departure prior to scheduled check-out date: 100% of the original booking is charged.
Beach: 15 minutes away by taxi.
Children: One child under four years stays free when using existing beds.
Extra Bed: One older child or adult is charged 25% of the room stay per night in an extra bed. The maximum number of extra beds in a room is one.Any type of extra bed or cot needs to be confirmed by management.
Airport transfers carry an extra charge.
General Booking Conditions:
If cancelled more than 30 days prior to check-in date, no cancellation fee.
If cancelled 30 - 15 days prior to check-in date, 50% of the booking is charged.
If cancelled 15 ? 0 days prior to check-in date, 100% of the booking is charged.
Early departure prior to scheduled check-out date: 100% of the original booking is charged.
All-Inclusive Resorts in Brazil
Brazil has fully entered the all-inclusive scene, with few but outstanding all-inclusive resorts in some of the country's most attractive locations. However, travelers must be aware that the all-inclusive market in Brazil is subject to changes - while a resort may be adopting the system, another may be opting out. Check for updates with your travel agent, the resorts themselves or a Brazilian travel company specialized in resorts such as Turnet Turismo - Resorts Online.
1. Vila Galé Cumbuco
The winds of Ceará beaches and water sports are the theme at < a href="http://www.vilagale.pt/pages/hoteis/?hotel=26">Vila Galé Cumbuco, opened in late 2010 and by now established as a top all-inclusive beach resort in Brazil.
With 465 guest rooms, the resort is a fantastic choice both for family travel and romance in Brazil. Bungalows allow for privacy; on the other hand, some bungalows can be booked together to accommodate larger groups.
What Makes it Special:
- The location on paradisiacal Cumbuco Beach
- The Satsanga Spa
- Nep Kids' Club and facilities for families with babies
- Five restaurants, four bars and a disco
- Scenic, large pool surrounded by coconut trees
- Tours of nearby sand dunes
2. Ponta dos Ganchos Exclusive Resort - Governador Celso Ramos, SC
Brazil's southernmost all-inclusive resort, Ponta dos Ganchos also defines itself as exclusive: a luxury haven for guests 18 and over, who enjoy a paradisiac chunk of the Santa Catarina coast while staying in one of 20 comfortable bungalows. One of the most romantic getaways in Brazil, the resort has won several awards, including two consecutive Condé Nast Johansen (2007-2008).
What Makes it Special:
- Luxury bungalows with an ocean view and harmoniously integrated with nature
- Fine cuisine by chef Andre Tavares, with chef Laurent Suaudeau as a consultant until 2012
- An island with a gazebo for private candlelit dinners (extra)
- Massage tents and Christian Dior spa treatments (also extra).
3. Costão do Santinho - Florianópolis, SC
Located on a pristine beach at the northernmost tip of Santa Catarina Island, about 22 miles from the center of Florianópolis, Costão do Santinho has been locally awarded Best Beach Resort in Brazil six times in a row.
Their all-inclusive packages are grouped under the name VIP Inclusive and comprise specific upgrades and services depending on the apartment.
What Makes it Special:
- Commitment to the preservation of a private natural heritage reservation and archaeological sites
- Fantastic trekking
- Scuba diving
- The Costão Spa, with a wealth of therapies (day spa available)
- Shows and dances
- A golf course (www.costaogolfclub.com.br) less than three miles away
- State-of-the-art sports infrastructure
- Monitored activities and entertainment for kids
4. Breezes Resort & Spa - Búzios, RJ
Opened in 2010, Breezes Búzios has added SuperClubs size, diversity and services to the world of Búzios hotels.
Located on Tucuns, an attractive beach with clear waters, the resort has 329 guest rooms.
What Makes it Special:
- Breezes' Super-Inclusive system, covering entertainment and gratuities
- Great bungalows for couples, with direct access to pool
- Five restaurants and bars
- Amenities for kids of all ages, including skateboarding bowl with design by Sandro Dias (aka Mineirinho), a Brazilian skateboarding champion
5. Vila Galé Eco Resort de Angra - Angra dos Reis, RJ
Located about 94 miles from Rio on the exuberant Green Coast of Rio de Janeiro State, the Vila Galé Eco Resort de Angra (formerly the )Blue Tree Park Eco Resort is surrounded by forest, bays and islands - Angra dos Reis is known for having an island for each day of the year.
What Makes it Special:
- Kid-friendly environment with monitors for children 4 years and older (or younger ones if accompanied by an adult
- Four restaurants (including one for kids) and four bars
- The Satsanga Spa
- Landscaping includes 77 royal palm trees
- Nautical sports
- Canopy walking
- Angra dos Reis is one of the top diving destinations in Brazil.
6. Club Med Rio das Pedras - Mangaratiba, RJ
Less than 80 miles away from Rio de Janeiro, Club Med in Mangaratiba has everything that has made the brand a favorite with families: a wonderful beach, upbeat monitors who keep kids busy while the parents relax, great activities for all ages, special programs for teens, a welcome care package for babies.
What Makes it Special:
- Archery classes
- Lush Brazilian coastal range vegetation
- Great optional excursions
7. Club Med Itaparica - Itaparica Island, BA
The first Club Med location in Brazil has stepped into the all-inclusive system with the confidence of a classic. Three restaurants, two swimming pools, and 330 apartments are some of the facilities tucked amidst one of the most beautiful coconut groves in Brazil.
What Makes it Special:
- Privileged location on Itaparica Island, less than 10 miles away from Salvador, Bahia
- Softly-lit gardens at night
- A golf course.
8. Club Med Trancoso - Trancoso, BA
Club Med offers 250 rooms - all in bungalows - at its Trancoso Village in Bahia.
What Makes it Special:
- Location atop a cliff with a spectacular ocean view
- Yoga and Tai Chi lessons
- Cooking lessons
- Golf (optional extra)
- Day trips to nearby attractions (paid extra) include nearby Praia do Espelho, or Mirror Beach, one of the most beautiful beaches in Brazil.
- Trancoso, a charming village with a population under 6,000, has an array of handicraft shops and great live music, especially in the summer, when Elba Ramalho, a famous Brazilian singer who lives in the area, organizes shows in the village center - the Quadrado, or Square, which is closed to cars.
9. Costa do Sauipe - Bahia
Costa do Sauipe, on Bahia's Coconut Tree Coast north of Salvador, is home to this group of resorts with a village, a kids' park, several pools and sports clubs.
What Makes it Special:
- Scenic location
- Perks shared by all the resorts, such as the village, sports centers and kids' club
- A golf course
- Some rooms are interconnected to better accommodate families and groups
10. Iberostar - Praia do Forte, BA
With 630 apartments and five swimming pools, Spanish Iberostar has a steady flow of travelers coming back to Bahia every year. Located 55 miles from Salvador, the resort is a favorite with Spanish families.
What Makes it Special:
- Sustainable tourism initiatives
- Drinks are really all-inclusive
- P. B. Dye-designed golf course
- Praia do Forte - Miles of coconut groves with their tops gently rustling in the breeze, warm waters, one of the Projeto Tamar sea turtle conservation units and a sweeping view of the surroundings from the ruins of the fort that give the beach its name make Praia do Forte a tropical dream.
11. Vila Galé Marés - Guarajuba, BA
Located just 26 miles from the Salvador airport, the resort in beautiful and calm Guarajuba offers 447 rooms spread out in bungalows that mix Brazilian and Asian styles.
Vila Galé Marés is a great option for travelers who want to enjoy an amazing Bahia beach and yet be relatively close to the busier Salvador beaches and big city buzz.
What Makes it Special:
- An immense swimming pool
- Spa
- Kids' Club
12. Enotel - Porto de Galinhas, PE
Porto de Galinhas, in Pernambuco, northeast Brazil, is known for its excellent resorts and hotels. Enotel is the first resort in the area to operate in the all-inclusive system. Part of the Portuguese Estevão Neves Group, Enotel Porto de Galinhas features 348 airy apartments, two large swimming pools and activities for children.
What Makes it Special:
- Spa
- Baby Club and Kids Club
- Just 35 miles from Recife airport
- Natural pools that form in the low tide along the Porto de Galinhas coast - Coral is vulnerable to excessive stepping on and ecologically-minded travelers should ask which pools are easier to reach.
- Jangadas - Typical Brazilian sail rafts take visitors to mangue areas, a rich wetland ecosystem where you can view seahorses.
13. Miramar Maragogi Resort - Maragogi, AL
Tourists from Maceió, the capital of Alagoas, have a favorite day trip in Maragogi (pronouncedma-ra-go-GEE, with GEE like the second g in garage). Located at 87 miles from the capital, Maragogi is famous for its beaches and natural sea pools, known as Galés.
Guests at Miramar Maragogi Resort can choose from 12 suites, 96 rooms in 24 bungalows and 80 apartments for their stay right in front of the natural pools.
What Makes it Special:
- A tropical pool surrounded by coconut trees
- 24-hour heliport
- Diving classes at the natural pools (extra)
14. Starfish Santa Luzia - Aracaju, SE
Superclubs has helped Aracaju rise to a fair position as a delightful destination in Brazil. Years after opening its Breezes resort in Costa do Sauípe (see above), Superclubs chose the capital of Sergipe, the smallest state in Brazil, for its first Starfish brand location.
Access to the continent area closest to Santa Luzia Island, where Starfish Aracaju is located, became easier after the construction of a bridge over the Sergipe River in 2006. In a similar process to what happened in Natal, another northeastern state capital, the new bridge opened up new horizons for quality investments in local tourism.
What Makes it Special:
- Island location just 30 minutes away from the airport
- Great water sports
- Clean, white sands
- Activities for children