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Think Small: 7 Boutique Resorts for Your Next Getaway

Think Small: 7 Boutique Resorts for Your Next Getaway

Think Small: 7 Boutique Resorts for Your Next Getaway

Think Small: 7 Boutique Resorts for Your Next Getaway

Fewer people doesn’t mean a lesser experience at these intimate hotels.

A return to travel is what we all counted down to. Still, that doesn’t mean everyone’s ready to face the crowds again. For vacationers who prefer a more secluded scene for their foray back, ALG Vacations™ has rounded up seven boutique properties in seven of our top destinations. Although the guest roster may be small, the list of perks—and TripTrust™-stamped health and safety measures—is anything but.

A Jacuzzi, table, and chairs on a terrace overlooking the ocean.

Zoëtry Villa Rolandi Isla Mujeres Cancun
Mexico │ 35 suites │ Endless Privileges®

Even the least artistic traveler will easily pick up the Art of Life® at this holistic retreat just a 25-minute yacht ride from Cancun. Your first lesson: checking in to a private suite overlooking the ocean. Make a study of the natural beauty of Isla Mujeres as you try out Bvlgari bath amenities in the Jacuzzi® or savor a cup of Nespresso® in your sitting area. Look for more Endless Privileges® at the spa … like a complimentary 20-minute thalassotherapy. Classes in meditation and cooking, free green fees at the Greg Norman-designed Playa Mujeres Golf Club, and gourmet dining cinch your mastery in fine living.

An exterior view of a Four Bedroom Premier Residence's sundeck with private pool.

Live Aqua Private Residences Los Cabos
Mexico │ 35 residences

Experience a new take on the Live Aqua brand from Los Cabos’ largest accommodations. Starting at a spacious 953 feet, the one-, two-, three-, and four-bedroom residences each come outfitted with a washer and dryer, terrace facing the sea, desert, or The Ocean Golf Course, and full kitchen. Send a grocery list to the concierge to have the pantry pre-stocked for your arrival—consider booking a chef to transform your favorite ingredients—or seek out MAI’s bold global flavors and sommelier-recommended pairings. For true “wine therapy,” however, opt for a treatment at SOMMA Wine Spa, Mexico’s only spa to incorporate wine.

A poolside cabana with chilled Champagne next to a table with two empty glasses on top of a book.

TRS Hotel Cap Cana
Dominican Republic │ 115 suites │ All-inclusive

An adults-only resort set on the beach inside the exclusive Cap Cana community, this 2021 Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice represents the best of Palladium Hotels & Resorts. Every suite offers Infinite Indulgence® benefits like 24-hour butler and room services, and your choice of pool, marina, or ocean views. Find the latter in spades at the Ibiza-inspired beach club, but don’t miss out on exploring Cap Cana. Punta Espada Golf Club, designed by Jack Nicklaus, was rated the top course in the Caribbean and Mexico by Golfweek, and Scape Park is one of the destination’s best adventure centers.

An aerial view of Zoetry Montego Bay Jamaica.

Zoëtry Montego Bay Jamaica
Jamaica │ 49 suites │ Endless Privileges®

Imbibing Zoëtry’s trademark approach to wellness with Jamaican touches, here guests can fully appreciate the lush beauty of the Rose Hall neighborhood. Suites offer floor-to-ceiling glass doors leading to private terraces overlooking tropical gardens or the Caribbean Sea. Health-conscious dishes highlight locally grown ingredients at three restaurants; beachfront Jerky Jo’s provides an authentic jerk experience. Included kayaking, paddleboarding, and guided snorkeling liven up mornings, while traditional afternoon tea makes for an elegant break before a bracelet making or cooking lesson.

An open dining and sitting area in a Two Bed Partial Ocean View unit with the Honolulu skyline visible through floor-to-ceiling glass doors.

Regency on Beachwalk Waikiki by Outrigger
Hawaii │ 48 condos

A quick walk from the beach, restaurants, and shopping—including the International Market Place—it’s the location that sets this condominium resort apart. Combining Outrigger’s laid-back Hawaiian style with the conveniences of home, families, friends, and travelers on a budget can have the flexibility to dine in or out, thanks to the full kitchen; hang out on the lanai; and enjoy the A/C and some downtime while waiting for their laundry to dry. Before heading out to the Beach Walk, try the award-winning pork cutlets at Tonkatsu Ginza Bairin on the ground floor, the chain’s only outlet outside of East Asia.

The main building of the Springs, illuminated at night.

The Springs Resort & Spa
Costa Rica │ 102 rooms

Named by CNN Travel one of the seven hotels in the world with the best views, The Springs sits 1,000 feet above Arenal Valley, tucked away among the hot springs and flowering trees. Outdoor pursuits are as robust as the panoramas, with hiking trails, tubing, horseback rides, and rock climbing via the Club Rio Adventure Center, plus a water slide, mini golf course, and animal sanctuary to round out the options. Strike a more leisurely chord at the Sanctuary Spa, where invigorating treatments incorporate volcanic clay harvested from the property’s springs. Afterward, sample fusion cuisine that elevates local flavors at award-winning chef José Rojas’s Las Ventanas restaurant (reservation required).

An aerial view of the grounds of Mystique St. Lucia.

Mystique St. Lucia by Royalton
Saint Lucia │ 90 suites │ All-inclusive available

Ideal for travelers who need an extra-big dose of R&R, this venture from Royalton Resorts knows the value of quiet time, keeping its focus on the natural glamour of Rodney Bay. Unwinding by the waves is guests’ favorite pastime; Serenity Spa helps maintain the tranquil vibes. For a change of pace, set out to discover nearby Gros Islet. Let loose during the weekly street party, or join the Carnival-esque fish fry in Anse La Raye. Those who prefer to take advantage of the property’s all-inclusive plan can enjoy their own version sans cost; an on-site fish and chips stand serves up local eats right on the beach.

To learn more about our TripTrust program for hotels taking health and safety precautions to the highest levels, click here.

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