Five holidays abroad for sun and sea
From a trendy art deco hotel in Cannes to a luxury wellness resort in Mauritius. Jasper Spires reports
A beach-bum vibe in Costa Rica
The lushly biodiverse landscape, coasts and jaw-dropping vistas attract thousands of tourists each year, but Costa Rica, which translates as “rich coast”, isn’t just reserved for the rich, says Katie Gatens in The Sunday Times.
The sprawling Riu Palace resort (four pools, five restaurants, 500-plus rooms) on a northern beach of the Guanacaste region is affordable and yet offers guests everything from family water rides and high-speed zip lines at the nearby Diamante Eco Adventure Park, to kicking back with cocktails to soak up the Central American sun. “There’s just the right amount of beach-bum vibe… tanned surfers ride the waves by day and, when the sun sets, retire into one of the fairy-light-festooned beach bars that serve plates of zingy ceviche or patacones.” Rooms start from £112 a night, breakfast included, see riu.com
Recuperate in Mauritius
“One of the places I continually dreamed of during lockdown was Heritage Le Telfair in Mauritius. It was the last place I visited before the Covid-19 pandemic hit and the first place I planned to return to,” says Donna Dia in Glamour.
By day two “I felt as relaxed and rejuvenated as I might have after a twoweek holiday elsewhere”. Heritage Le Telfair is a luxury golf and wellness resort on the southern coast of Mauritius. The sea-view rooms mesmerise you with views of the perfectly clear ocean of the unspoilt south coast and you can enjoy the nature reserve and exquisite food from no less than 12 restaurants. The “entire environment seems to promote recuperation and relaxation”. Rooms start from £236 a night, see heritageresorts.mu
The best Martini in the Algarve
The Grand House hotel in Vila Real de Santo António is a testament to old-world elegance – its light-filled rooms “recreate the glamour of its past and its bar delivers the best Martini in town”, says Mary Lussiana in The Telegraph. It is the best place to stay in the gloriously untouched Portuguese fishing village, with its characteristic orange tiled roofs. Restaurants serve regional food, from chicken piri-piri to grilled octopus, morning till night, and you are only ever moments from the Atlantic coast. The beaches are to die for. “Praia de Santo António is reached through a pine grove rich with the smell of resin and across sand dunes decorated by yellow-flowered succulent plants and the occasional basking chameleon. The Atlantic Ocean, warmed from the nearby Mediterranean, can reach a balmy 26 degrees, making it the Algarve’s hotspot. What’s not to love?” Rooms start from €313,see grandhousealgarve.com
A gem in the Tuscan Archipelago
“According to myth, the seven islands forming the Tuscan Archipelago came from pearls that the Greek goddess of love, Aphrodite, lost in the Tyrrhenian Sea during a visit… The archipelago remains a delight, ”says Alex Ulam in The Wall Street Journal. The island of Elba is no exception. It is a gem in the Tuscan archipelago, with secluded beaches and luxury resorts. Among the best is the Tenuta delle Ripalte Resort, “a sprawling, secluded historic 19thcentury estate perched high in the hills near the town of Capoliveri”. It has welcoming beaches and a vibrant food scene. “No matter how far away I seemed to be at times, I was never more than an hour or two... from a locally caught seafood and pasta dinner at a beachside restaurant or a town with a piazza where I could sip cappuccino and watch passersby.” Rooms cost $90 per night, see tenutadelleripalte.it
The toniest beach enclave in Europe
Now that France has officially reopened and lifted all Covid-19 restrictions, you can celebrate with a summer getaway to the French Riviera. Of course, if you’re taking a trip to the “toniest” beach enclave in Europe, you should stay at an equally chic hotel, and the new La Belle Plage fits the bill, says Dobrina Zhekova in Travel + Leisure. Located in the charming historic neighbourhood of Le Suquet within a short walk of the famous Palais des Festivals in Cannes, the Art Deco property is a “true design masterpiece, both inside and out”. It is home to the largest spa in Cannes (with more than 8,600 sq ft of “relaxation space”) and a rooftop restaurant, Bella, led by renowned Israeli chef Eyal Shani. Any stay is bound to leave you soothed and stuffed. Its stunning sea views aren’t to be missed, and “best enjoyed with a craft cocktail in hand”. Rooms start at €270, see hotelbelleplage.fr/en