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The best luxury hotels for surfers
Catch waves in the world’s most beautiful places
Think of a surf holiday and you may be struck with images of a sandy-floored hostel and a guy with a guitar playing Wonderwall. But for those of us who prefer our creature comforts, there’s a choice of fantastic luxury hotels in some of the world’s best surf spots. Whether you're just learning to ride or seeking out the most famous breaks, these hotels offer top-notch amenities, expert surf instruction and some seriously stunning locations.
Four Seasons Resort Bali at Jimbaran Bay, Bali, Indonesia
Bali is a dream destination for surfers, and the Four Seasons Resort at Jimbaran Bay takes it up a notch with its Tropicsurf’s Ticket to Ride program. Beginners can join the ‘Dream Program’ to learn the basics right at Coconut Grove, while experienced surfers can take boat or road trips to some of Bali’s best waves. The resort also offers surfboard hire and seasonal reef surfing right at the resort.
One&Only Palmilla, San Jose del Cabo, Mexico
With the on-site Tropicsurf centre, One&Only Palmilla makes it easy to hit the waves off the beautiful Baja Peninsula. The Los Cabos region offers a variety of surf spots, from sandy beach breaks to rolling pointbreaks. Guided by resident experts who know the local tides and weather patterns like the back of their boards, surfers can find the perfect wave. If you’re lucky, you might even spot grey whales offshore.
Aethos Ericeira, Portugal
In the surf paradise of Ericeira, Aethos Ericeira provides a transformative experience that blends the thrill of surfing with the calm of yoga. Whether you're a newbie eager to catch your first wave or an intermediate surfer looking to refine your skills, their surf camp offers personalised surf coaching alongside yoga sessions, meditation and contemporary coastal cuisine. If you don’t want to commit to a whole retreat, Aethos also offers one-off surf lessons with professional surfers.
Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi, Maldives
There’s more to do in the Maldives than stretching out on a sun lounger. Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi offers a range of surf experiences from beginner lessons in the resort’s calm lagoon to guided tours of famous surf spots like Chickens, Cokes and Sultans, all led by professional surf instructors. And after a day catching waves, there are few more beautiful places to head back to.
Les Hortensias du Lac, Soorts-Hossegor, France
Echoing the laidback vibe of the Hamptons, Les Hortensias du Lac is the first luxury surf lodge hotel in France, located in a small coastal town in the southwest. The hotel offers initiation, training, and improvement sessions with certified coaches who will pick you up right from the hotel. Enjoy the tranquil setting and exquisite French cuisine after a day of riding the waves in the legendary Hossegor surf spots.
NIHI Sumba, Indonesia
This resort takes wild luxury to a new level. Located on a tropical island, NIHI Sumba offers exclusive access to Occy’s Left, a world-famous wave limited to ten surfers at a time. For the other waves, you’ve got Tropicsurf managing daily excursions suited to surfers of all levels. The resort itself hosts just 40 guests at a time, so your holiday will be just as exclusive as your surfing experience.
Montage Laguna Beach, California, USA
Montage Laguna Beach is set on the iconic shores of Orange County, home to some of the best surf breaks in California. Learn to surf with top instructors from trusted local vendors like La Vida Laguna and Expert Active. They’ll teach you the proper technique and etiquette to navigate the waves like a pro. Embrace the local surf culture and experience the thrill of paddling into your own wave. When you're done, watch the waves from the Mosaic Bar and Grille.