Actually, there is a surfing area next to Cabarate in the D.R. You stay in Cabarete to get there, I can't vouch for the quality of the surfing other than to say that it was surfers that first discovered the region in the 70's before windsurfers, kiteboarders etc. took over other sections of the shoreline.
There's an amazing small hotel a couple hours south of Puerto Vallarta in Mexico that has great waves on four secluded beaches: Las Alamandas. You'd have the breaks to yourself.
Most of the Los Cabos area is also much better for surfing than swimming and there are some spectacular hotels there. Start here: luxury los cabos.
There's good surfing in Nicaragua and El Salvador, but the upscale hotel scene is not very developed yet on those coasts.
When on holiday I enjoy taking the surf board and enjoying the waves. In Australia this has resulted in many holidays at Palazzo Versace on the Gold Coast because of the combination of good weather, a great surf beach and a really fine hotel.
I am looking for some fresh ideas about where to go. From looking at websites, I can't see any waves crashing on the beaches of Amans, Four Seasons or Mandarin Orientals in the Asia Pacific region.
Does any one have any suggestions?
Best combination of surfing and luxury hotels I can think of is Hawaii. Many places to surf - many luxury hotels. I'd just do some research about surf conditions in various places at various times of the year (since I don't know your level of expertise). Some of the surfing beaches we visited during our stay were clearly marked for experts only - the equivalent of double black ski runs - even when the surf wasn't "up". I don't know how warm the water is in Australia - but - in Hawaii - the water is cold. You'd probably need a wet suit most of the year - perhaps even a dry suit in the winter.
Another plus for Hawaii is that it's a first world place where you won't have to learn a totally new language - only half a new language . You're likely to run into lots of fellow surfers - people you can get together with for a drink and dinner after (I am engaging in a stereotype here - but most Australians I've met at home and while traveling seem to be very gregarious people - not the type to be the only surfer on a beach in the middle of nowhere). You'll have lots of reliable vendors if you need to buy/rent any equipment (my brother and I have gone diving/snorkling in second and third worldish places and you don't want to deal with equipment suppliers in those places). Also - there is always the possibility of being injured while engaging in any sports activity - and it's nice to have medical facilities available if you need them (I should know - I've needed them before during a ski trip).
California has many of the same characteristics as Hawaii - but I think Hawaii is a lot prettier - and perhaps closer in terms of travel time than California.
FWIW - I've done snorkling off the beach in the Red Sea (Eilat). Was like a lake. Wouldn't seem promising to me in terms of surfing. Note that I was supposed to go diving with my husband during that stay - but he got a bad case of turista (another downside of visiting certain places) - so I had to hit the beach on my own (and was glad there were some other people around - it's dangerous to be totally alone in the water).
Have you ever seen the movie Endless Summer? A real surfing classic. Bruce Brown was the Warren Miller of surfing movies (Warren Miller made skiing movies). If not - get a copy if possible. It should give you some ideas. Robyn
Best combination of surfing and luxury hotels I can think of is Hawaii. Many places to surf - many luxury hotels. I'd just do some research about surf conditions in various places at various times of the year (since I don't know your level of expertise). Some of the surfing beaches we visited during our stay were clearly marked for experts only - the equivalent of double black ski runs - even when the surf wasn't "up". I don't know how warm the water is in Australia - but - in Hawaii - the water is cold. You'd probably need a wet suit most of the year - perhaps even a dry suit in the winter.
Another plus for Hawaii is that it's a first world place where you won't have to learn a totally new language - only half a new language . You're likely to run into lots of fellow surfers - people you can get together with for a drink and dinner after (I am engaging in a stereotype here - but most Australians I've met at home and while traveling seem to be very gregarious people - not the type to be the only surfer on a beach in the middle of nowhere). You'll have lots of reliable vendors if you need to buy/rent any equipment (my brother and I have gone diving/snorkling in second and third worldish places and you don't want to deal with equipment suppliers in those places). Also - there is always the possibility of being injured while engaging in any sports activity - and it's nice to have medical facilities available if you need them (I should know - I've needed them before during a ski trip).
California has many of the same characteristics as Hawaii - but I think Hawaii is a lot prettier - and perhaps closer in terms of travel time than California.
FWIW - I've done snorkling off the beach in the Red Sea (Eilat). Was like a lake. Wouldn't seem promising to me in terms of surfing. Note that I was supposed to go diving with my husband during that stay - but he got a bad case of turista (another downside of visiting certain places) - so I had to hit the beach on my own (and was glad there were some other people around - it's dangerous to be totally alone in the water).
Have you ever seen the movie Endless Summer? A real surfing classic. Bruce Brown was the Warren Miller of surfing movies (Warren Miller made skiing movies). If not - get a copy if possible. It should give you some ideas. Robyn
Thanks Robyn. Hawaii does sound delightful. Your comment about Australians being gregarious made me chuckle. And I will look out for the movie "Endless Summer" that you recommend.
FWIW - I've done snorkling off the beach in the Red Sea (Eilat). Was like a lake. Wouldn't seem promising to me in terms of surfing. Note that I was supposed to go diving with my husband during that stay - but he got a bad case of turista (another downside of visiting certain places) - so I had to hit the beach on my own (and was glad there were some other people around - it's dangerous to be totally alone in the water).
There are some surf breaks in Israel, but AFAIK none on the Red Sea coast. Even those on the Med are hardly anything to write home about, they're ok if only because of a lack of options. And as for the etiquette of local Israeli surfers especially the young 'uns, Boardsailing is supposed to be pretty decent in Eilat tho, but from what I hear, it's no even the best in the Red Sea - Dahab in the Sinai is the dug's baws IMO.
Thanks Robyn. Hawaii does sound delightful. Your comment about Australians being gregarious made me chuckle. And I will look out for the movie "Endless Summer" that you recommend.
The Endless Summer is a "must see" for all surfers. Here's a description of the movie:
Hi, I'm not a surfer, but I know Bali has several hot surfing spots, so you should definitely check it out if you haven't been.
The most popular surf spots are Seminyak and Canggu beach, which are the south-west coast of Bali.
The FS, however, is not located there.
But other great hotels located on the beach in that areas are The Legian (GHM), The Samaya (a really nice boutique hotel/villa) and Hotel Tugu (very oriental-style boutique hotel).
Also, if you're in Bali, I'd highly recommend you to check out some private design villas. You can get a really luxurious and spacious (usually come in 3-4 BR) villa at a price of a FS room.
All Bali villas come with staffs (servants, gardeners, security guards, chefs etc) so they're really great value in some way, though I can't promise all service levels are on par with big hotels but some are really nice, and some famous Bali luxury villas are better located than hotels.
So if you want to try something different, I'd def. recommend you to look into the villas
Hi, I'm not a surfer, but I know Bali has several hot surfing spots, so you should definitely check it out if you haven't been.
The most popular surf spots are Seminyak and Canggu beach, which are the south-west coast of Bali.
The FS, however, is not located there.
But other great hotels located on the beach in that areas are The Legian (GHM), The Samaya (a really nice boutique hotel/villa) and Hotel Tugu (very oriental-style boutique hotel).
Also, if you're in Bali, I'd highly recommend you to check out some private design villas. You can get a really luxurious and spacious (usually come in 3-4 BR) villa at a price of a FS room.
All Bali villas come with staffs (servants, gardeners, security guards, chefs etc) so they're really great value in some way, though I can't promise all service levels are on par with big hotels but some are really nice, and some famous Bali luxury villas are better located than hotels.
So if you want to try something different, I'd def. recommend you to look into the villas
Instyleprincess I saw some pictures this morning of the Legian. It looks very nice and I noticed that the advertisements referred to Club Legian which also sounds promising. Perhaps the Legian's website doesn't do the hotel justice.
Has anyone been to both the Legan and the Bulgari to provide a comparison?
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Quote:
Originally Posted by QF Lad
Instyleprincess
Has anyone been to both the Legan and the Bulgari to provide a comparison?
I did a site visit at the Legian about five years ago and I thought it was a nice international design hotel, but not a "luxury hotel", and certainly not one of the hotels that captures the magic Balinese spirit. The beach does allow for some surfing, but the waves are rather choppy and chaotic. A typical beach brake.
The Bulgari Hotel was not built at the time, but as far as I remember the neighbouring Uluwatu area is one of the best reef breaks in the world with clean big waves for surfing.
P.S.: In the old days, I used to be a wavesailing and boogie board afficionado
Mr. Megatop and I stayed at The Legian in May 2006. We loved it. We definitely think it qualifies as a luxury hotel, and I'm surprised by the suggestion that it isn't. We had a positively beautiful suite with an ocean view. Service was very very good, though service was better at The Chedi Club (a sister GHM property near Ubud). The pool area was very nice, and the beach frontage was great. The only drawback for a surfer would be that the better waves, I've heard, are down the coast closer to Kuta, which is a hike from The Legian in Seminyak.
All that said, surfers might want to do some more research on Bali. I'm no surfer, but I've heard that the surfing in Bali is good but entry-level-- good for beginners but nothing to excite the experienced. My totally untrained eye gave me the same impression.
And when packing your board bag for Bali, make sure there is absolutely nothing in it. Customs officers at DPS eye board bags as if they had "drugs" written all over them.
Instyleprincess I saw some pictures this morning of the Legian. It looks very nice and I noticed that the advertisements referred to Club Legian which also sounds promising. Perhaps the Legian's website doesn't do the hotel justice.
Has anyone been to both the Legan and the Bulgari to provide a comparison?
Yes, stayed at both. Disliked Bulgari for all sorts of reasons (see past posts on this). If you want a proper beach to swim from then The Legian is better, but you should get one of the Club villas, which have better service and more up to date decor (they were built after the main complex).
Yes, stayed at both. Disliked Bulgari for all sorts of reasons (see past posts on this). If you want a proper beach to swim from then The Legian is better, but you should get one of the Club villas, which have better service and more up to date decor (they were built after the main complex).
Isn't the Club at the Legian across the road inland, thus lacking views of the garden and ocean?
Isn't the Club at the Legian across the road inland, thus lacking views of the garden and ocean?
True, but then I never did get a great view of the beach from the suites I stayed in in the main building. I am not saying I love The Legian - I don't. My loyalty is to the Amans and FS Sayan. I have never found anything to rival them, but given the choice between Bulgari and Legian, I would opt for Legian.
Again, thank you Megatoplover, Vuittonsofstyle & Trophycollector for your input. You have certainly given me some really good ideas for a surf holiday in Bali.
. You're likely to run into lots of fellow surfers - people you can get together with for a drink and dinner after (I am engaging in a stereotype here - but most Australians I've met at home and while traveling seem to be very gregarious people - not the type to be the only surfer on a beach in the middle of nowhere). You'll have lots of reliable vendors if you need to buy/rent any equipment (my brother and I have gone diving/snorkling in second and third worldish places and you don't want to deal with equipment suppliers in those places). Also - there is always the possibility of being injured while engaging in any sports activity - and it's nice to have medical facilities available if you need them (I should know - I've needed them before during a ski trip).
Boardsailing is supposed to be pretty decent in Eilat tho, but from what I hear, it's no even the best in the Red Sea - Dahab in the Sinai is the dug's baws IMO.
