Many luxury hotels have cabanas tucked next to their glimmering pools or sandy beaches, but a few take the concept of shade and relaxation over the top. Our Forbes Travel Guide editors have collected five private cabanas from Palm Beach to Maui with unique amenities (think: your very own pool butler), truly cushy comfort and indescribable views. Check out our list and let the daydreaming begin:
1. Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora. These thatch-roofed cabanas with waterproof upholstered beds and throw pillows are all about the view—you’ll peer out to an infinity-edge pool, a turquoise lagoon and the foliage-covered Mount Otemanu. And unlike many resorts, the cabanas here are complimentary. Spend the afternoon taking in the view, sneak in a nap, and wake up to lunch and cocktails. Attendants are on hand to provide ice water and chilled towels. More luxury amenities include Evian water spritzes, sunglass cleaning, fresh fruit and popsicles—if you’re in the mood for heavier fare, you can stroll over to the shaded pool bar.
2. The Resort at Pelican Hill. The Coliseum pool, inspired by Rome's iconic landmark, is the centerpiece of this Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star Newport Beach, Calif. resort. It makes perfect sense—the pool is certainly grand. Below three-feet of heated salt water, the pool’s bottom is decorated with a mosaic of 1.1 million hand-cut glass tiles. The Roman-influenced architecture of the pool area has vaulted arches, corniced columns and an amphitheater of terraced decks that house the 18 suite-like (170-square-foot) cabanas which come with drapes for privacy and views overlooking the ocean and pool. Guests can take advantage of pool butler-delivered food and beverage service, a Bose music system, 30-inch flat-screen HDTV, a mini refrigerator (stocked with complimentary sodas, juices and water), seasonal fruit, and Wi-Fi. Not just for daytime lounging, the cabanas are also equipped for romantic dinners—there’s recessed lighting on dimmer switches, a circular dining table and lounge chairs for two.
3. Bellagio. Las Vegas is home to excess, and the cabanas on the Strip at the Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star Bellagio keep up with the trend. Each of the 51 private cabanas are assigned a personal cabana host, available to help with anything you need all day long. The luxe cabanas, with their own individual patios, are decked out with oversized wicker lounge chairs, a settee and a dining table with four chairs. Don’t worry about dehydration in the desert sun—the refrigerator is stocked with a grand total of 25 assorted beverages, plus treats from chocolate-dipped strawberries to birthday cake, depending on your request. Some cabanas also have private dressing areas, misting systems, pool rafts, music systems and HD cable TV. For extra comforts, you can arrange for an in-cabana massage, or to rent a Wii or iPad.
4. The Ritz Carlton, Palm Beach. You choose between oceanfront or poolside cabanas at this Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star resort, so you can spend the whole day outside whether you prefer your water salty or temperature controlled. Kick back on classic striped loungers and enjoy views of the Atlantic—you can even snap a shot on the disposable cameras stocked in the cabanas. The fully loaded oases also come with sunscreen, water, fruit, magazines and newspapers—everything you need for a beach day—but you can also take it up a notch by having one of the hotel’s chefs cook dinner tableside while you enjoy live music of your choice.
5. Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea. This Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star resort has three pools, but our favorite is the 4,100-square-foot, infinity-edge saline Serenity Pool, reserved for adults only. With underwater music, bubble loungers and a swim-up bar, the pool also has views of the Pacific Ocean, Lanai and the West Maui mountain range. It’s flanked by six luxury cabanas, including two new Missoni cabanas designed by the acclaimed Italian fashion house. The stylish cabanas are decked out in the designer’s bold prints and are angled to face the ocean. True to the Four Seasons’ reputation for ample amenities, they include a long list of luxuries such as an espresso machine, a 42” flat-screen TV, Pellegrino, Wi-Fi, chilled hand towels and two splits of Veuve Clicquot to toast some truly lavish pool time. —By Morgan Lord
