The Coral Springs Resort gives guests a chance to relax in a home away from home setting, by offering condos in a comfortable setting. Located in Hurricane, Utah – not far from St. George – makes Coral Springs the perfect base for exploring nearby Zion National Park and the Red Cliffs National Conservation Area.
We stayed in a 3-bedroom and 2-bathroom condo with a west view that could easily host 2 families or one large family. With ample space, a full kitchen, indoor fireplace, balcony with outdoor fireplace/grill, and a master bath deep-jetted tub, the Coral Springs Resort is set up for relaxation.
Having a full-kitchen in the condo was wonderful. It was stocked with everything needed for cooking with basic pots, pans, and dishes. There were a few basic spices as well.
The swimming pool was heated to the perfect temperature and the outdoor hot tub made for a nice place to enjoy the evening stars. There’s also an indoor pool/hot tub, gym, tennis court, and basketball court for guests to enjoy (be sure to bring your own basketball, tennis racket, and tennis balls though).
Unfortunately the check-in process was difficult since the door code that was provided was incorrect. That, coupled with initial internet issues on the first night and not being able to get in touch with staff, made for a frustrating time. Luckily the site manager made a personal visit to the condo to make sure our needs were met. The internet issues ended up being city-wide on behalf of the internet provider and not the fault of the resort.
Condo from US$199-$399 per night. Price includes use of swimming pool, tennis courts, basketball court, gym, and clubhouse.
– Gazing up at the stars from the perfectly heated outdoor pool and hot tub.
– Having a real home away from home with a full kitchen, living room, and balcony.
– The in-condo washer and dryer was a plus.
– Issues with wifi connectivity both the first night and the final morning during my stay. The local internet service provider was having problems city-wide so Coral Springs wasn’t at fault.
– Pool towels were not provided or offered for rental.
Katherine Wright
Review Team
Thalasso Hotel El Palasiet is not an ordinary hotel. Hidden away, yet perfectly positioned to overlook the long sweep of Benacassim beach only 50 metres away, you enter through delightfully wild foliage and a wrought iron gate. You feel like you are entering a secret garden.
The outside areas are the hotel’s strongest feature (not including the piece de resistance, but I’ll get to that). A large terrace complete with shady spots, radiant suntraps and discrete rows of loungers wraps around the infinity pool presiding over an expansive view of the bay. A long, sheltered veranda flanks the length of the building, with plenty of cushioned nooks for a lazy game of cards or afternoon tea.
The hotel’s décor is unusual, with Greek style friezes sitting shoulder to shoulder with religious iconography and traditional oil paintings. Although the main part of the building is a reasonably new addition (circa 2002) the laid-back and somewhat retro vibe very much derives from the original elements of the hotel which were built in 1945. Meals are served in a vast conservatory, lengthy 4 course affairs presided over by a maître d’ and waitresses clad in traditional uniforms.
There is a sort of faded glamour to this hotel. The view is more reminiscent of the French Riviera than the Spanish coast. The wide beach is flanked by a palm-fringed promenade, popular with cyclists and almost deserted in the warm autumn months. Grand but crumbling and abandoned properties line the tiled walkway. It’s like the rich and decadent left at some point mid-last century and only left an echo of their glamour behind.
On to the ‘piece de resistance’. The Thalassotherapy centre (or ‘warm sea-water spa’) resides in the 1940s glass-roofed conservatory, complete with 2 indoor and an outdoor sea-water pool and a wide range of therapy rooms. The main pool is glorious, filtered and heated to 36 degrees, enhanced with jets, fountains, Jacuzzis and delightfully buoyant water that eases aches, pains and troubles away.
Many visitors come here from France where the health and restorative properties of these mineral rich waters are well-known. There is a resident doctor on hand to advise on treatment plans based on individual conditions with the emphasis more on the clinical than the simple pampering you might usually expect from a spa. Not that you won’t feel pampered after an hour being pummelled by jets, soothed by bubbles and floated on mineral rich waters, followed by a steam inside the Turkish Bath and a luxurious massage!
From US$140 including breakfast
– Genuine, friendly, professional staff
– Easy distance to local shops and restaurants
– Large terraces from most bedrooms with incredible sunset and mountain views
– On full board you would have efficient 4-course lunch and dinners, but the quality of the food varied
– The bedrooms were fairly standard, although you won’t spend much time there
Chris & Hannah
Directors
You might not have ever tasted Uruguyan wine. You might not even know much about it, given the South American wine giants of Argentina and Chile. This is something you should remedy.
You can do just that at My Suites Montevideo.
At My Suites they’re passionate about wine. Each floor is named after an Uruguay winery. The hotel has wine tastings from Tuesdays to Saturdays in the dining room, where you can sit beneath a wall of wine bottles from across this lovely country, each with a signature and a story. We ate a delicious dinner at My Suites, and I was surprised to learn how much I enjoy Uruguayan tintos (reds), especially the very purple tannats. We also sampled some very fine Uruguayan extra virgin olive oils (Colinas de Garzón in particular) — sorry, Italy and Spain, you have competition!
Just a few blocks from one of Monetvideo’s longest beaches, My Suites is a spacious modern hotel which caters to the needs of both the short- and long-term traveller. Staff are friendly with good attention to service.
The hotel’s 40 suites are huge and feature little extras which maximize your comfort and enjoyment. For example, the summer South American sun is very powerful, but My Suites provides blackout blinds and sunshades that you can raise or lower at the touch of a button (don’t forget to close them if you leave for the day or you’ll create a big job for your air conditioner). Our king suite had a big leather chair — perfect for watching a movie, but perhaps too comfortable for the soccer match that was on screen. Rooms all have a microwave, fridge and minibar, lots of closet space, a desk and sitting area.
My Suites’ top floor has a well-equipped gym and a small outdoor pool with views out to the Rio de la Plata. If you feel like a swim rather than a dip, borrow a beach towel and walk two blocks to the Playa de los Pocitos. The white sand is ideal for strolling or sunbathing, and the gentle waves beckon.
Rates vary with the season, please see website
– Learn lots about Uruguayan culture and products (don’t miss the cassata, a chocolate covered ice cream bar, for dessert!)
– Lots of space in your suite to stretch out
– Very close to a gorgeous city beach
– Big breakfast offering (pastries, yogurt, orange juice, fruit salad) but eggs and bacon are made ahead and were not kept warm
+(598) 2712 3434 
Info@MySuitesHotelMontevideo.com
Johanna Read
Contributing Editor
The Sunflower Hill Inn is nestled in a quiet neighborhood, just a stone’s throw from downtown Moab and a short drive from the gorgeous Arches National Park. This luxurious country-style bed and breakfast made for a wonderful weekend getaway to recharge and relax after enjoying the numerous activities in the area.
Staying in the Sunporch luxury room was a treat. With a private entrance, private patio, and extra large jetted tub, it made for a very comfortable stay at the Sunflower Hill Inn. Little details in the Great Room such as the movie library, guidebooks to peruse, board games, homemade cookies, and other snacks made Sunflower Hill feel like home. The 2-acre property made the bed and breakfast feel like a retreat despite its close proximity to the center of Moab.
The morning breakfast menu had a nice variety of options, from scrambled eggs, fresh orange juice, yogurt, and hearty Irish oatmeal. I was pleasantly surprised when the staff provided handcrafted vegan French toast to accommodate my plant-based diet. The blueberry and raspberry fruit syrup was tasty as well.
Although we encountered in-room wifi issues the first night, the staff made sure that we had a solid internet connection during our stay. Sunny skies made for a nice atmosphere at the Sunflower Hill Inn, even with the cooler temperatures of February. In the warmer months, guests can enjoy the pool and the surrounding gardens. With Arches National Park just a short drive away and Canyonlands National Park perfectly suited for a daytrip, you’ll have plenty to do in the region.
From US$130 for classic rooms per night ranging to $281 for luxury rooms, prices are seasonally dependent. Includes country breakfast, use of pool/hot tubs, and additional amenities.
– An overall great stay. It’s the perfect location to relax and explore the region.
– Feeling welcome and comfortable from the get-go till our departure. The staff was consistently kind and attentive.
– The details at Sunflower Hill Inn were easy to note. The snacks and homemade cookies, nightlight leading the way to the washroom, and fresh cut flowers in the room made for an inviting stay.
– Wifi didn’t work the first night, but the innkeeper resolved the issue.
– We tried enjoying the outdoor hot tub, but unfortunately the jets weren’t working. Luckily the Sunporch room had a large in-room jetted tub.
Katherine Wright
Review Team