Kiwi Curated
The Most Scenic Outdoor Cinemas
by Joy PecknoldAlong with swimming and popsicles, outdoor movies are one of summer’s most refreshing pastimes. Be it a classic “dive-in” movie by the pool or a new blockbuster right on the beach, the open-air cinemas at these 10 hotels are extra spectacular.
The Most Scenic Outdoor Cinemas
Our 2020 Best Adventure Getaway winner, Zannier Hotels Sonop serves up horse-riding, fat bike rides and safaris by 4×4 vehicle or hot air balloon across its 5,600-hectare private reserve, and, when it’s time for guests to finally kick up their feet, movies in the open air with the Namib Desert’s staggeringly clear night sky for a backdrop, as captured above by @jeremyaustiin.
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The Most Scenic Outdoor Cinemas
On the fourth largest but least populated island of Koh Kood off the eastern coast of Thailand, Soneva Kiri is a beach destination ensconced in lush jungle. Within that jungle, perched above a lagoon, their Cinema Paradiso shows classic films on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays and is bookable for private screenings on other evenings. The brand’s Maldives properties, Soneva Fushi and Soneva Jani, have their own paradisiacal versions too.
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As if watching a Maldivian sunset wasn’t spectacular enough, once the last of its light dims, you can watch a movie of your choice on the beach of Emerald Maldives. Enjoy a leisurely stroll along the boardwalk from your overwater villa to get to the show. Might want to make it a thriller so you don’t fall asleep on the cozy daybed whilst the rhythmic ocean laps a few feet away.
VIEW HOTELThe Most Scenic Outdoor Cinemas
Like Katharine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy, dinner and a movie are a classic pairing. At The Nautilus Maldives’ private cinema you can feast on the final meal of the day while you watch a film of your choosing with the sands surrounding you all candlelit. In keeping with the resort’s nautical theme, the screen rises from a small beached sailboat.
VIEW HOTELThe Most Scenic Outdoor Cinemas
Reached by a 15-minute speedboat transfer from the mainland, Anantara World Islands Dubai Resort is the first of its kind to open on these islands. From the beach, you can take in a towering view of the downtown Dubai skyline and then come nightfall, fall into a bean bag chair for either a new or classic film, with snacks and sneaky bevvies. Their beach cinema runs during the cooler months there, November through April.
VIEW HOTELThe Most Scenic Outdoor Cinemas
Safe to say the Six Senses brand has some cinephiles running the show—their Cinema Paradiso under the stars is a signature experience at their properties in Vietnam, Cambodia, Bali, Maldives and more. At Six Senses Zil Pasyon on the private Seychelles island Félicité, guests get to lay out on a stretchy sun lounger to watch a blockbuster flick with surround sound. Two nights a week, it’s complementary, as is the popcorn, or you can book a private screening for your vacay crew.
VIEW HOTELThe Most Scenic Outdoor Cinemas
With a picturesque setting in the Atlas Mountains of Morocco, Sir Richard Branson’s Kasbah Tamadot also sets you up to watch motion pictures in the great outdoors every Monday and Thursday during the summer months. Casablanca, for obvious iconic and geographical reasons, is the fan favorite.
VIEW HOTELThe Most Scenic Outdoor Cinemas
There is no shortage of things to do at Southern California’s Park Hyatt Aviara Resort. Along with golfing, tennis, spa sessions and dining at the five onsite restaurants, add dive-in movie nights to the itinerary. That’s right, dive-in not drive-in—for these family-friendly flicks on the Splash Pool Deck you pull up a floaty.
VIEW HOTELThe Most Scenic Outdoor Cinemas
Perched on the southern tip of Baja right on the Pacific, Las Ventanas al Paraiso offers another kind of dive-in experience. Arrange for a private Beach Cinema and cabana dinner, and if need be you can run into the Pacific for a refreshing dip between courses or “the slow parts.”
VIEW HOTELThe Most Scenic Outdoor Cinemas
Offering Sin City dive-in movies along with movie-themed cocktails, The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas turns its massive marquee at the Boulevard Pool into a silver screen every Monday evening. While any locals and tourists can attend, it’s complimentary for hotel guests. For ultimate comfort, reserve a cabana or daybed for the show.
VIEW HOTELOur 2020 Best Adventure Getaway winner, Zannier Hotels Sonop serves up horse-riding, fat bike rides and safaris by 4×4 vehicle or hot air balloon across its 5,600-hectare private reserve, and, when it’s time for guests to finally kick up their feet, movies in the open air with the Namib Desert’s staggeringly clear night sky for a backdrop, as captured above by @jeremyaustiin.
VIEW HOTEL
On the fourth largest but least populated island of Koh Kood off the eastern coast of Thailand, Soneva Kiri is a beach destination ensconced in lush jungle. Within that jungle, perched above a lagoon, their Cinema Paradiso shows classic films on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays and is bookable for private screenings on other evenings. The brand’s Maldives properties, Soneva Fushi and Soneva Jani, have their own paradisiacal versions too.
VIEW HOTELAs if watching a Maldivian sunset wasn’t spectacular enough, once the last of its light dims, you can watch a movie of your choice on the beach of Emerald Maldives. Enjoy a leisurely stroll along the boardwalk from your overwater villa to get to the show. Might want to make it a thriller so you don’t fall asleep on the cozy daybed whilst the rhythmic ocean laps a few feet away.
VIEW HOTELLike Katharine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy, dinner and a movie are a classic pairing. At The Nautilus Maldives’ private cinema you can feast on the final meal of the day while you watch a film of your choosing with the sands surrounding you all candlelit. In keeping with the resort’s nautical theme, the screen rises from a small beached sailboat.
VIEW HOTELReached by a 15-minute speedboat transfer from the mainland, Anantara World Islands Dubai Resort is the first of its kind to open on these islands. From the beach, you can take in a towering view of the downtown Dubai skyline and then come nightfall, fall into a bean bag chair for either a new or classic film, with snacks and sneaky bevvies. Their beach cinema runs during the cooler months there, November through April.
VIEW HOTELSafe to say the Six Senses brand has some cinephiles running the show—their Cinema Paradiso under the stars is a signature experience at their properties in Vietnam, Cambodia, Bali, Maldives and more. At Six Senses Zil Pasyon on the private Seychelles island Félicité, guests get to lay out on a stretchy sun lounger to watch a blockbuster flick with surround sound. Two nights a week, it’s complementary, as is the popcorn, or you can book a private screening for your vacay crew.
VIEW HOTELWith a picturesque setting in the Atlas Mountains of Morocco, Sir Richard Branson’s Kasbah Tamadot also sets you up to watch motion pictures in the great outdoors every Monday and Thursday during the summer months. Casablanca, for obvious iconic and geographical reasons, is the fan favorite.
VIEW HOTELThere is no shortage of things to do at Southern California’s Park Hyatt Aviara Resort. Along with golfing, tennis, spa sessions and dining at the five onsite restaurants, add dive-in movie nights to the itinerary. That’s right, dive-in not drive-in—for these family-friendly flicks on the Splash Pool Deck you pull up a floaty.
VIEW HOTELPerched on the southern tip of Baja right on the Pacific, Las Ventanas al Paraiso offers another kind of dive-in experience. Arrange for a private Beach Cinema and cabana dinner, and if need be you can run into the Pacific for a refreshing dip between courses or “the slow parts.”
VIEW HOTELOffering Sin City dive-in movies along with movie-themed cocktails, The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas turns its massive marquee at the Boulevard Pool into a silver screen every Monday evening. While any locals and tourists can attend, it’s complimentary for hotel guests. For ultimate comfort, reserve a cabana or daybed for the show.
VIEW HOTEL