At the end of several long, winding, country roads in the Ozarks you’ll find Stonewater Cove Resort and Spa. It’s hidden away in 500 acres surrounded by very few houses, Table Rock Lake and the Mark Twain National Forest making it a very secluded and intimate escape.
From the moment you arrive at the resort you are treated with extreme kindness. Check-in takes place at a small handmade wooden pedestal in the great lodge. While admiring the rustic, elegant entry and dining room, you get information about your stay. They hand you the keys to the room while they valet the car and take your bags to the room. All that’s left for you is to enjoy the sounds of nature, winding paths and magnificence bestowed upon you.
The rooms are decorated in rustic decor with all the luxury you’ll find in a large city hotel. There’s a coffered ceiling, large wooden framed beds, a cedar lined bathroom ceiling, jetted bath tub, three head shower, fridge, desk and leather couch, and all the amenities you need. There’s even small touches like handmade ceramic coffee mugs and fresh cookies on arrival.
Hopefully the cookies didn’t fill you up because the evening reception has appetizers and signature cocktails. You’ll be able to enjoy the lounge by the fire or stare longingly out the window at the lake. Before too long it’s dinner time and you’ll be in for a real treat. The menu will surprise you with its eclectic options made from scratch everyday. You’ll get to enjoy three to seven courses while being pampered by the staff and enjoying the sunset views over the lake.
They wrap up the night by building a fire and providing s’mores. If you’re lucky the sky will be clear and the Milky Way and all the stars will be visible. If it’s not clear you’ll still enjoy the crackling fire and water falling behind you. Everywhere on the resort you’ll find tranquil sounds.
After sleeping on the soft sheets and comfortable bed you’ll be treated to a wonderful made to order breakfast, such as a pea and mint omelet or freshly made baguette French toast with berry compote. With healthy fuel in the perfect proportions you’ll be able to enjoy the many miles of hiking trails, swimming coves, ATV rides, kayaking, zip lines and the pool. There’s also private spa rooms. You can be as active or as relaxed as you want to be. The staff will be there every step of the way to make sure you enjoy your stay.
At the end of my time there, I found it hard to leave. I felt I was part of the family, yet pampered by the best five star luxury resort. If you think Missouri isn’t luxurious you’ve been staying at the wrong spots. Stonewater Cove is the place to stay for a corporate retreat, romantic couples getaway or family adventure vacation. Rain showers or sunshine, I left refreshed and rejuvenated.
From US$560 — includes 3 meals per day with snacks, wifi, non-guided activities, valet parking.
– They are trying to add activities each year so you’ll want to keep checking back to see what’s new.
– Not many rooms, so there’s plenty of space to spread out and enjoy the quiet.
– The resort has room to grow but it will always feel intimate with its setting as no one can build close by.
– Summers can be hot and humid but it helps that the resort has a lot of water features and surroundings.
– With miles of hiking trails you might take a longer walk than you were expecting.
– Long, winding road to get there.
Melissa D. Jones
Review Team
Nestled on the outskirts of St George near Snow Canyon State Park, lava fields and Red Cliffs National Conservation Area, you’ll find Red Mountain Resort — the perfect location for an adventure inspired stay.
Each day you can enjoy several hikes or other adventures, like my favorite, yoga in the canyon where you’ll breathe in the fresh air and gaze at the red rocks. My second favorite activity was the sunrise hike, it’s well worth the early wake up call. If you are fortunate enough to be there on a full moon you can also see the moon setting over the mountains. You won’t ever be bored with the view or the list of daily activities.
Red Mountain Resort has a spa on site for all your relaxation needs, including a massage specific to hikers. The Himalayan Salt Stone was my choice and it was perfect for relaxing my sore muscles yet energizing my entire being. Make sure to arrive early to the spa to take in the view and enjoy the steam room.
There are three hot tubs and three pools on-site, one of them indoors. Red Mountain Resort also has a wellness center offering indoor or covered activities like pilates, Zumba, meditation, barre, tai chi and aqua strength. If that’s not enough, they also offer life coaching, reiki, acupuncture, photography classes, portrait sessions and wellness assessments. This resort has it all for enhancing your mind and body wellness.
The villas are spacious and comfortable for you and your family (kids 12 and up), or you and your friends. There’s a great room with a fantastic couch, two full bathrooms and a bedroom. If it’s just you travelling and you don’t want all that space, they do offer smaller rooms.
On-site dining is incredible and healthy, serving three meals a day. Breakfast and lunch are buffet style unless you prefer to get your eggs made a different way. Dinner offers a three-course menu with soup and salad bar. Enjoy what’s offered — like halibut curry or salmon and greens — but the staff are amazingly accommodating if you need to switch something out on the menu. They want to make sure you get what you need, enjoy the flavors, and replenish your energy for all your activities while keeping your wellness goals in mind.
The resort offers packages that include adventures and meals so you won’t have to worry about paying extra for anything you don’t want to. But of course there are plenty of extras, like the canyon-view yoga —- a must at Red Mountain. This is a place to not only be revitalized but also to be inspired. At Red Mountain they truly want you to leave better than when you came — so much so that they have many repeat guests. And it’s not just the guests that stick around, the staff also love this place and it shows. Red Mountain Resort is the place to enjoy nature and nurture for your mind, body and spirit year after year.
From US$175 for room only
– Great for a single traveler to enjoy group adventures in a safe community space. They even offer a community table for meals.
– A resort and spa that keeps wellness goals at the forefront for your mind, body and spirit.
– To protect the tranquility of the resort, they ask for cell phone use to be confined to your room and there is no wifi offered in the spa rooms.
– The list of activities each day is long so you’ll have to choose carefully.
– The summer months are really hot so be prepared unless you’re visiting in other seasons.
Melissa D. Jones
Review Team
Located right in the ritzy Polanco neighborhood and walking distance to Chapultepec Park, the W Mexico City is in the center of all the action and nightlife tourists usually frequent. And the hotel does its best to make finding your way through the crowds as easy as possible—there’s a dedicated staff member, the W Insider, who will compile maps and suggestions for you at any time.
The hotel itself is fun and funky, seemingly geared toward a mix of Millennial travelers and business people. Sit in one of the chairs in the lobby, designed to look like giant faces, and enjoy the people-watching, or pull up a stool to the bar, where bartenders happily meet every request with both flair and a great attitude.
The rooms are posh, carrying the lobby’s colorful style through to a living and sleeping space full of luxe amenities. From a pillow menu to a pleasure pack for couples available for purchase, staff at the W has thought of everything to make sure your stay is pleasant, fun, and relaxing.
The view from my room was particularly special, overlooking a huge swath of the city. I stayed there during a religious festival celebrated all throughout Mexico City, and got up around midnight to watch a dazzling display of colorful fireworks below and up into the mountains. Across the hall outside my room was an equally dramatic view.
Creature comforts in the hotel were top-notch, including a self-defogging mirror, an iHome dock set, and spa-quality bathroom amenities.
From US$128 per night, includes breakfast.
– The W Insider is spectacularly helpful with any request.
– Atmosphere is fun and funky and the restaurant, J BY JOSÉ ANDRÉS, is one of the best in the city.
– In the heart of Polanco, close to Chapultepec.
– None!
Jennifer Billock
Review Team
The city of Hoi An has multiple personalities, in a good way. The old town area is full of charm, with its historic buildings, landmarks and lantern-lit walking streets. But it’s easy to forget that this busy place is also very close to the beach.
By staying at Sunrise Resort, you get to experience all that Hoi An has to offer. Even though you’re on vacation, it’s worth setting an alarm so you can wake up to a stunning sunrise over the East Vietnam Sea. Afterward, enjoy a generous buffet breakfast with local and international specialties. Later in the morning, you could go for a swim in one of the inviting pools or even challenge someone to a friendly game of tennis.
In the afternoon, take advantage of the resort’s free shuttle to old town, where you can explore, shop, have lunch at an excellent restaurant in town and of course—people-watch. Then, when you’ve had enough of the crowds, head back to Sunrise for a relaxing poolside happy hour at The Lounge or fresh-caught seafood dinner at Sao Bien Restaurant.
Feeling adventurous? The Sunrise Resort is situated perfectly for a day trip to nearby Cham Island, where you can go snorkeling or scuba diving. For a cultural experience, consider an early morning trip to My Son Holy Land, a UNESCO heritage site and former religious capital. The resort also offers plenty of opportunities to relax with services from the Body Works Spa, books from their library or complimentary yoga and tai chi classes.
Traveling with a family or a larger group? The Sunrise Resort offers a variety of connecting rooms, so it’s easy to book a block of rooms. If you stay in the main building, be sure to request an ocean-facing room or Sunrise Suite. Of course, if you choose to stay in one of the villas at Sunrise, you may never feel the need to venture into town. The villas are well-appointed, extremely private, and offer unobscured views of the ocean.
From US$150+ per night
– The resort is a very manageable size, which makes it family-friendly.
– Guests can use the shuttle into town and borrow bikes for free.
– The Cua Dai beach, where the resort is located, has suffered serious erosion and isn’t ideal for swimming.
– The staff needs more training in terms of hospitality and language skills.
Nancy Levenson
Review Team