A refreshing beach escape can be a top-tier choice on everyone’s travel bucket list. Who doesn’t love the tranquilizing sound of breaking waves, a taste of salty air, and a view of an endless horizon?
But your vacation recipe won’t be complete if a retreat into a resort with architecture so unique to make your holidays feel exotic isn’t in the equation.
So, how about we set sail and tour the world, seeking the best beaches with exceptional architecture for an unforgettable stay?
Here are seven beaches where you can stay in an architectural wonderland:
- The Wave House – Malibu, California
- The SeaShell House – Isla Mujeres, Mexico
- Alila Villas – Uluwatu, Bali, Indonesia
- Keemala Resort – Phuket, Thailand
- Ocean House – Watch Hill, Rhode Island, USA
- Jade Mountain Resort – St. Lucia
- Papaya Playa Project – Tulum, Mexico
The Wave House – Malibu, California
The Wave House is about 28 miles (45 kilometers) from Los Angeles, about 42 to 58 minutes away by car. Perched on Malibu’s alluring coastline, this charming resort has an alluring surrounding of a friendly and receptive beach community, making it a prime spot for a laid-back getaway.
Unique Beachfront Features
|Inspired by the sea it gazes upon, the resort features a wave-shaped roof, sleek and modern interior design, and an open, airy ambiance with massive glass walls.
If you love gazing at the turquoise, glassy water of the Pacific, this hotel might be calling your name out loud. Rest assured, you’ll feel like you are living inside a wave.
Activities and Experiences
You can enjoy beach walks, surfing, or stand-up paddleboarding during your stay here. Malibu also features incredible hiking trails like Solstice Canyon.
This resort offers captivating and unforgettable experiences whether you choose to stay indoors or outdoors.
The SeaShell House – Isla Mujeres, Mexico
Located on the picturesque Isla Mujeres, getting to this resort is only under 15km from The Cancun. The resort is a short drive and ferry ride from this small town and it’s easily accessible yet far enough for a tranquil retreat away from the city bustle.
Unique Beachfront Features
The SeaShell House lives up to the glory of its name. It’s something straight out of museum art: a dream house washed off the ocean floor in the shape of two giant seashells.
Its white, curbed walls with shell-shaped windows and organic details evoke an underwater dreamland. This spot is the ultimate retreat-a unique destination where every corner celebrates the sea’s aura.
Activities and Experiences
Snorkeling and diving are the main attractions here, plus the not-to-be-missed adjacent MUSA Underwater Sculpture Museum perches as the peak spot to rack up all the fun.
There’s also the delight of kayaking, feasting at seafood restaurants, or biking around the island for a laid-back tropical experience.
Alila Villas – Uluwatu, Bali, Indonesia
Perched atop a cliff on Bali’s southern coast, Alila Villas neatly overlooks the Indian Ocean. It’s only an hour from Ngurah Rai International Airport, which can be pretty hectic or fun if you’re in for the adventure. This resort is the best pick for a quiet, peaceful vacation in Indonesia’s prime locale.
Unique Beachfront Features
Alila Villas’ architecture seamlessly blends into the Cliffside. Moreover, its designers and builders assembled it using sustainable materials and designs that complement the natural beauty’s surroundings.
The open-air villas have infinity pools that seem to drop into the ocean directly; it gives you that unique feeling of floating atop the sea.
Activities and Experiences
You can enjoy the luxuriously appointed villa or go out and explore the famous surf spots of Uluwatu, visit the nearby Uluwatu Temple, or take a hike along the beach’s dramatic cliffs.
Yoga sessions and Balinese cultural tours are alternate ways to effortlessly unwind if you’re not much of an outside person.
Keemala Resort – Phuket, Thailand
Keemala nestles itself in the hills overlooking the beaches of Phuket, about 40 minutes from Phuket International Airport on the road.
The resort reserves shuttles to nearby beaches for convenience, so you don’t have to worry about how you’d avail yourself of the area’s grainy and scenic beaches.
Beachfront Unique Features
From treehouses elevated high above the forest floor to cleverly named “bird’s nest” villas, each features a unique design to echo Thailand’s ancient folklore.
The resort’s architecture fluidly blends into the surrounding forest, with spectacular seascapes above the treetops.
Activities and Experiences
You may have relaxing days at the beaches or explore the dynamic marine life through snorkeling and diving tours at the resort.
Alternatively, Phuket has local markets, temples, and nightlife; the resort offers wellness retreats and spa treatments if you prefer spending your days sluggishly while racking up all the fun.
Ocean House – Watch Hill, Rhode Island, USA
Ocean House is within driving distance from New York and Boston. It offers a captivating view of the Rhode Island Atlantic coastline to get a sneak peek of its dramatic cliffs and secluded caves.
Accessibility and proximity to the area’s historic buildings and rich maritime history make it a retreat of distinction.
Beachfront Unique Features
The restored Victorian mansion perfectly amalgamates classic charm and modern luxury. The yellow clapboard stands out against the ocean’s blue, with wraparound porches, manicured gardens, and classic New England architecture. Inside, it’s all luxuries with historical nods everywhere.
Activities and Experiences
You can access a private beach, sail, and paddleboard as a revered guest of the Ocean House. Golf courses, hiking, and local wineries also dot the nearby area.
Cooking classes, spa treatments, and live music events are on-site activities all year round. Therefore, you can rest assured that you’ll get yourself basking in the fun of day and night at the resort.
Jade Mountain Resort – St. Lucia
Jade Mountain is accessible with a picturesque drive from Hewanorra International Airport, about 16 km away.
With its mountainous perch overlooking St. Lucia’s famous Pitons and the Caribbean Sea, this resort offers a unique holiday experience.
Unique Beachfront Features
This architectural wonder offers rooms with open walls and a panoramic view of the Pitons and the sea directly carved into the hillside that overlooks the sea. Each suite boasts an infinity pool to make you feel like you are swimming between the sky and the ocean.
Activities and Experiences
Snorkeling, scuba diving, and boat tours are some of the favorite things to do here as you explore the crystal-clear Caribbean waters. You can hike the Pitons on land, visit local markets, or relax in the resort’s world-class spa.
Papaya Playa Project – Tulum, Mexico
This eco-friendly retreat nestles on the pristine beaches of Tulum. Getting there from the Cancun International Airport is about a two-hour drive.
Unique Beachfront Features
The luxurious, rustic cabanas and villas at Papaya Playa seamlessly merge modernist design with natural materials: thatched roofs, wood decks, and floor-to-ceiling windows that bring the outdoors in. Think solar panels and low-impact architecture-sustainability is critical here.
Activities and Experiences
You can visit the local Mayan ruins, snorkel in a cenote, and take yoga and wellness retreats as you spend your days away in the resort. Fun beach activities include kayaking, paddleboarding, and eco-tours to the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve.
Conclusion
These unique waterfront properties not only provide stunning architectural experiences but also offer galore activities to enjoy alongside the beauty of the coast. From thrill-seeking to relaxation, every venue promises a stay that forever etches your brain.
