This post is not sponsored in any way. We paid full price and researched all these flights. All opinions and experiences are my own.
I don’t usually do travel posts because I love home, but every now and then, we have an occasion worth celebrating that calls for a big trip. Most of the time, we’ll find a really nice Airbnb or hotel, something with an interior that inspires me that’s where I go, but sometimes we do our best at a destination resort. Luxury resorts can really provide details, which can make a huge difference in *staying* those big vacations.
I like to do a lot of research beforehand and find something that suits all of our travel desires – amazing views, great details, and excellent food. Distance doesn’t really matter – it could be far away or just a state away (Blackberry Farm is on my list to try next! We booked it last fall before we had to cancel due to illness).
There are three resort destinations that exceeded the mark by all standards! They are my dream destinations, and I feel lucky to have them on my bucket list. If you’re looking for a resort experience that will stay with you for a lifetime, here are just three that I can’t stop talking about. It’s more than just a resort or a destination – it’s a complete experience:
I think the first time I heard about Bora Bora, I was watching The Bachelor (Ali’s season!) and put it on my bucket list. Then I started watching him in movies like Couples Retreat. So, for our 10th anniversary in 2018, we went to the St. Regis in Bora Bora, and let me tell you, it was the most amazing place we have ever been to on this earth. So much so that we just went back with friends this year! We split our time between the Four Seasons and the St. Regis this time. This was my first time packing up and moving to a different location on the same vacation, but it was actually a lot of fun and I really recommend it, especially if you’re staying somewhere longer than just a few days. We spent 3 days at the St. Regis and 3 days at the Four Seasons.
In both places, the water is still, the color is incredible, and the temperature is perfect. It’s as if there’s no one there but you. We stayed in overwater bungalows (if you’re going to Bora Bora – you MUST stay in an overwater bungalow!), where there are windows overlooking the water on land. We saw stingrays swimming beneath our huts! There was a deck at the back of our hut so we could swim: it felt like your personal ocean. We did a jet ski tour where we went and saw all these different rays and our guide cut up a coconut with a knife and dipped the pieces in salt water and gave it to us – like what!? surprising. It was the most relaxing and magical experience.
I’m sure you’re wondering, which resort was better?! We’ve put together a list comparing each resort and they’re almost there! We liked the breakfasts better at the Four Seasons, and the lunches were split, but the St. Regis had much better restaurants for dinner, imo. However, definitely get the chicken at the Mediterranean restaurant at the Four Seasons and don’t miss the Lagoon meal at the St. Regis – the most memorable meal of my life. The grounds at the Four Seasons won out because every view is about seeing the gorgeous mountains, but overall, the beds were better at the St. Regis, we all concluded. The staff at the Four Seasons were all locals and felt (right from the beginning!) like family. They knew our names and dietary restrictions. They taught us their language, and we hugged them and took pictures with them by the end of our stay. I liked that there was an app to book flights and reservations easily and on the same day. St. Regis is a very attentive concierge. They will find you anywhere. But the staff is more international, so you don’t get as much of a local feel when you’re there. Either way, you really can’t go wrong. We will come back, for sure.
This is a once in a lifetime trip (in my opinion). I don’t know if I’ll ever return to Jade Mountain – not because it wasn’t wonderful, but because its memory is sacred! (Is that too exciting?) The resort is built into the side of a mountain, facing the mountain, so the views are amazing. While there is a front door to access your room that must be 20 feet high, the room itself is built in such a way that it is outdoors – there is no door or window at the back, so it is an open room with the entire wall open to the outdoors, yet there is complete privacy. At night, the turndown service includes burning incense in your room and covering your bed with this mosquito net. You’re sleeping under the stars, it’s an absolutely amazing experience! Note that walking up and down stairs requires a lot of walking to reach different sides of the resort. (I think we counted the 300 stairs from the beach to our room one day. There is a shuttle that will take you to the resort entrance if you wish, but plan to access your steps somewhere more picturesque.)
At the top of one of the terraces, called the Heavenly Terrace, you can have dinner and lie down after sunset and I have never seen so many stars. Each room has an infinity pool. There were three different restaurants to choose from at Jade Mountain, but you hardly saw anyone, and the food was very fresh and upscale, plus the service was amazing. You can plant a flag in the sand at any moment and someone will bring you whatever food or drink you want. Also every day, the staff placed bento boxes full of snacks in our fridge that were so good – we were so excited to return from our travels to try them. As for activities, we did mud baths done by the locals and went sunset sailing – both were magical. It’s a larger than life experience. I loved it so much I beg people to go and find a very special and beautiful unique resort!
This is a resort I will return to again and again. It is located in this beautiful region of Mexico between the Caribbean Sea and the canal waterways. A lot of celebrities go there because it is located next to the main El Camalón golf course. In fact, fellow North Carolina native Michael Jordan was there when we went! There are lots of different room types, but all of the rooms are designed so you can look at the water wherever you are. We were on the ocean front and our friends stayed on the lake side, and honestly? Their side was cooler! The deck overlooked a waterway where there were alligators, which were very interesting to watch. A small boat provided by the resort took us through the canals to anywhere we wanted to go in the resort, including several restaurants. The food was out of this world! We chose the all-inclusive, and for each meal we got an appetizer, dinner, dessert and a drink. We were so stuffed and so happy. The service was really amazing. I would love to go back to Mayakoba.
What are some dream vacations that you have taken or hope to take one day? Share in the comments so we can all be inspired together!
