The dictionary defines a day dream as, “a series of pleasant thoughts that distract one's attention from the present”. Synonyms include a trance, a fantasy or a vision.
Here at Mer-Sea, our dreams are filled with the sea. Distant and far off beaches. Exotic sea creatures. Breathtaking views. Beautiful scenery. Salty air. Anything to transport us from office chairs to beach chairs.
And, in our dreams, we often find ourselves thinking about gorgeous resorts with spas on the beach, excursions at sea and the shore right outside our bedroom doors.
The following ten resorts are our dreams come to life - glass bottom boat tours, horseback riding on empty beaches, helicopter rides to islands and destination dining on the shore - they have it all and more!
Andara Resort Villas
Location:
-Phuket, Thailand
Accommodations:
-Pool villas and suites offer direct access to ocean vistas, outdoor showers, private pools, sea views and modern appliances
Amenities:
-Restaurant serves authentic Thai cuisine and traditional comfort food
-Spa offers Thai, Ayurveda, Swedish and Javanese massages
-Gym offers group classes as well as private lessons
-Yacht available for private day and overnight charters
-Kids Club activities available for child entertainment
-Boutique sells one-of-a-kind clothes, artwork, furniture and spa products
Katikies Hotel
Location:
-Santorini, Greece
Accommodations:
-Various suites offer private terraces with Caldera and sea views, private jacuzzis, private pools and butler service
Amenities:
-Pool Lounge and Cocktail Bar
-Restaurant serves authentic Greek cuisine
-Ceremonial wine tasting at sunset
-Spa includes sauna, steam room, jet showers, indoor jacuzzis, heated pools, facial and body treatments
Le Sirenuse Hotel
Location:
-Amalfi Coast, Italy
Accommodations:
-Rooms and suites overlook the bay of Positano, have private terraces or balconies, white washed walls, vaulted ceilings and handmade tile floors
Amenities:
-Pool is surrounded by lemon trees and a large deck with sea views
-Spa includes a sauna, bio-sauna and granite steam bath as well as private treatments and massages
-Gym is fitted with TechnoGym machines and weights as well as stretching and yoga mats
-Champagne and Oyster Bar, Pool Bar and Terrace Bar with world renowned chef
-Daily or afternoon excursions aboard the Sant’Antonio
Hilton Moorea Lagoon Resort & Spa
Location:
-Papetoai, French Polynesia
Accommodations:
-Room and suite bungalows have either views of the beach or are located over-water and they offer private terraces, pools, and claw foot tubs
Amenities:
-Beauty salon, florist, multilingual staff, clothing and gift stores, valet, tennis courts, scuba diving, snorkeling, water skiing, windsurfing, spa, fitness room, bike rental
qualia Luxury Resort
Location:
-Whitsundays, Australia (Great Barrier Reef)
Accommodations:
-All private pavilions face the sea, are surrounded by tropical greenery and are made with timber, stone and glass to reflect the serenity of the environment
Amenities:
-Culinary classes hosted by qualia’s executive dining team
-Boats have personal beach drop offs at ideal snorkeling locations with picnics included
-Helicopter transports guests to the first tee at the Hamilton Island Golf Club
-Spa qualia offers signature treatments and various types of therapies
-Snorkeling and scuba diving available at the Great Barrier Reef
-Tailored flights or cruises to Whitehaven Beach
COMO Parrot Cay
Location:
-Parrot Cay, Turks & Caicos - Private Island
Accommodations:
-Rooms, suites, houses and villas offer large balconies, unique furnishings, views of the gardens and ocean, direct beach access, pools, sundecks and butler service
Amenities:
-Restaurants offer Caribbean-inspired dishes, contemporary Asian meals and modern Mediterranean plates
-COMO Shambhala Retreat offers a large yoga room with natural breezes, treatment rooms, a jacuzzi garden, a Pilates studio, double massage rooms and Japanese baths
-Water activities offered include scuba diving, snorkeling eco-tours, light tackle and fly fishing, paddle board and kayak safari, private boat and fishing charters
-Land activities include North Caicos walking eco-adventures, a plantation trail through coconut and banana trees, tennis courts and biking eco-tours
Rockhouse Hotel
Location:
-Negril, Jamaica
Accommodations:
-Rooms and suites include private outdoor showers, private balconies with garden or water views
-Villas have wrap around private terraces and sit on the cliffs edge
Amenities:
-Restaurants offer an array of food featuring modern twists on Caribbean cuisine, classic Jamaican dishes and relaxed poolside dining with fresh juices
-The pool overlooks the ocean
-The spa includes cliffside treatment cabanas, a garden spa pavilion and an oceanside bathing pavilion with massages, facials, body scrubs and wraps
-Free yoga and zumba classes are provided weekly and daily
Cap Maison Luxury Resort & Spa
Location:
-St. Lucia, Caribbean Islands
Accommodations:
-Rooms, suites and villas have private balconies, terraces and verandahs with views of the tropical gardens and Naked Fisherman Beach
-Some suites and villas include private jacuzzis and pools
Amenities:
-Gym offers a cross-trainer and is equipped with Cybex machines
-Spa Maison offers treatments using products from Sothys of Paris that can be administered in various locations around the resort
-Adventures at sea include whale and dolphin watching, fishing charters, sailing excursions, catamaran excursions to the volcano, botanical gardens and snorkeling or swimming
-Adventures on land include eco adventures to various waterfalls or throughout the rainforest, ziplining, visiting Pigeon Island, attending either the Jazz and Arts Festival or the Carnival, visiting rum distilleries, going on turtle watching expeditions and hiking through the forest or mountains
Zemi Beach House Hotel & Spa
Location:
-Anguilla, British West Indies
Accommodations:
-Rooms, suites and villas include private furnished balconies and terraces, personalized Caribbean minibars, premium bath amenities and 24 hour room service
Amenities:
-Zemi Thai House Spa has private spa suites, a yoga deck, treatment rooms with showers, relaxation areas and a fresh juice bar
-Sea adventures include private charter to St. Bart’s, 38’ bowrider for snorkeling and sightseeing, sunset cruise, glass bottom boat tour, swimming with dolphins at Blowing Point, deep sea fishing and kitesurfing
-Land adventures include exploring Shoal Bay East, horseback riding along Cove Bay, bike tours, playing at the neighboring championship golf course and hiking from coast to coast
Banyan Tree Resort
Location:
-Anse Intendance, Seychelles
Accommodations:
-Villas have bird’s eye views of the ocean and the land, private pools, private terraces, sunken bathtubs, outdoor jet pools, private steam rooms and breakfast in bed
Amenities:
-Destination dining available for secluded romantic dinner on the beach
-Wetland tours to see the flora and fauna with endangered species included
-Visits to the Rum Shack and organic farms to taste test cocktails and enjoy homemade bento boxes
-Day trip to Praslin and La Digue, a world famous location, with a creole lunch
-Sanctuary for the senses: a couples spa treatment (physical, spiritual and mental renewal)