Kiwi Curated
Take a Nature Rx
by Joy PecknoldCanada recently joined the U.S. in permitting physicians to prescribe nature. Dubbed PaRx and ParkRx respectively, doctors can recommend park passes to aid patients’ mental and physical health. Whether you procure an illegible scribble from your GP or not, we’ve got our own recommendations; for a natural boost, take to one of these hotels deep in the forest or fronting the ocean and call us in the morning.
Take a Nature Rx
Expect to breathe a lot easier high on the slopes of the Italy’s South Tyrolean Alps. Combining three modern towers with a restored alpine chateau, FORESTIS is all about being one with nature. With a calming minimalist design that doesn’t distract, the rooms’ big picture windows let the staggering mountain views in. From the spa treatments to seasonal experiences, everything here is shaped by the elements.
VIEW HOTELTake a Nature Rx
Fronting the cerulean Adriatic and embedded in the forest on Croatia’s Hvar Island, Maslina Resort sensitively blends in with its environment. With its building in 2020, trees were reforested and native species protected. The earthy feeling carries over inside, with a design inspired by nature’s four elements using organic, local materials. Spend an afternoon swimming and napping in a seaside hammock.
VIEW HOTELTake a Nature Rx
Perched next to Mallorca’s Parc Natural de Llevant, the pastoral Es Racó d’Artà aptly refers to itself as a “wellbeing retreat.” The 13th-century estate maintains a 14-acre working farm with vineyards, olive trees, a garden and bee colony, along with the all-important spa. Inside, a soothing palette of pale stone, wood and jute juxtaposes all the lush green outside.
VIEW HOTELTake a Nature Rx
One can even find natural healing in the heart of a big, bustling city—in Rome, Hotel de Russie conceals a verdant oasis. Designed by architect Giuseppe Valadier in the early 19th century, the hotel has a 30,000-square-foot Secret Garden brimming with palm trees, yews and white climbing roses.
VIEW HOTELTake a Nature Rx
Pull up a chair at Anantara’s The Royal Livingstone and watch the Zambezi River cascade into Victoria Falls, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. All rooms and suites open up to balconies or verandas with tree-framed views. To dive even deeper into the natural splendor, take to the river for whitewater rafting or board a helicopter and skim over the mists of the magnificent falls.
VIEW HOTELTake a Nature Rx
Overlooking Port Launay National Marine Park on Seychelles’ Mahé Island, Constance Ephelia provides an uplifting combo of turquoise waters teeming with life and 120 hectares of verdant vegetations. Choose what angle of Mother Nature you want at this family friendly resort—walk to the water for a snorkel from a Beach Villa or spot Whale Sharks beyond on the terrace of a Hillside Villa. Wherever you land, it’s all naturally lush.
VIEW HOTELTake a Nature Rx
They don’t call it “vitamin sea” for nothing—numerous scientific studies have found that the ocean, both the sound and sight of it have a calming effect on the brain. Reap the benefits of the water and swaying palms at Centara Reserve Samui on Chaweng, the area’s most idyllic beach. The green and blue view from the Deluxe Pool Access Room’s balcony is especially calming.
VIEW HOTELTake a Nature Rx
In the hills above Ago Bay, Amanemu puts you in an extra special location, near the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage Routes and Ise Jingu, one of Japan’s holiest sites. As if the setting wasn’t healing enough, there’s a private onsen bath in every suite, as well as the spa’s shared pools fed by a mineral-rich natural hot spring.
VIEW HOTELTake a Nature Rx
At the confluence of three river valleys in Brazil’s magical Mantiqueira Mountains, Six Senses Botanique is a feast for the senses. At one with its surrounds, its spa, pools and drinking water are supplied by seven natural springs, and its buildings utilize local indigenous materials such as chocolate slate and jacaranda—not to mention the abundance of floor-to-ceiling windows that seemingly bring the great outdoors inside.
VIEW HOTELTake a Nature Rx
In Arenal Volcano National Park, Nayara Gardens carefully embeds you in the lush Costa Rican rainforest with, you guessed it, a volcano in view. Rising from the forest, its casitas and villas surround you in jungle flora, but you can plunge yourself even further into it with guided adventures such as rappelling down a waterfall or admiring centuries-old trees and some 900 bird species from a hanging bridge.
VIEW HOTELTake a Nature Rx
Stately meets earthy at The Lodge at St. Edwards State Park, a seminary-turned-hotel nestled in a lush 326-acre forest close to Lake Washington. The landmark Romanesque revival building once educated young priests but now the only knowledge you’ll need to soak in is all the inspiring flora that surrounds you.
VIEW HOTELTake a Nature Rx
Wake to lake and mountain views at Nita Lake Lodge, a boutique hotel in Whistler, Canada’s most famous alpine destination. In summer, the ski town transforms into a hiking, biking and water sports playground. Bask in nature in true Canadian form by paddling a canoe out on the lake then drop into a patio chair with a glass of wine and watch the sun dip behind the evergreen hills.
VIEW HOTELExpect to breathe a lot easier high on the slopes of the Italy’s South Tyrolean Alps. Combining three modern towers with a restored alpine chateau, FORESTIS is all about being one with nature. With a calming minimalist design that doesn’t distract, the rooms’ big picture windows let the staggering mountain views in. From the spa treatments to seasonal experiences, everything here is shaped by the elements.
VIEW HOTELFronting the cerulean Adriatic and embedded in the forest on Croatia’s Hvar Island, Maslina Resort sensitively blends in with its environment. With its building in 2020, trees were reforested and native species protected. The earthy feeling carries over inside, with a design inspired by nature’s four elements using organic, local materials. Spend an afternoon swimming and napping in a seaside hammock.
VIEW HOTELPerched next to Mallorca’s Parc Natural de Llevant, the pastoral Es Racó d’Artà aptly refers to itself as a “wellbeing retreat.” The 13th-century estate maintains a 14-acre working farm with vineyards, olive trees, a garden and bee colony, along with the all-important spa. Inside, a soothing palette of pale stone, wood and jute juxtaposes all the lush green outside.
VIEW HOTELOne can even find natural healing in the heart of a big, bustling city—in Rome, Hotel de Russie conceals a verdant oasis. Designed by architect Giuseppe Valadier in the early 19th century, the hotel has a 30,000-square-foot Secret Garden brimming with palm trees, yews and white climbing roses.
VIEW HOTELPull up a chair at Anantara’s The Royal Livingstone and watch the Zambezi River cascade into Victoria Falls, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. All rooms and suites open up to balconies or verandas with tree-framed views. To dive even deeper into the natural splendor, take to the river for whitewater rafting or board a helicopter and skim over the mists of the magnificent falls.
VIEW HOTELOverlooking Port Launay National Marine Park on Seychelles’ Mahé Island, Constance Ephelia provides an uplifting combo of turquoise waters teeming with life and 120 hectares of verdant vegetations. Choose what angle of Mother Nature you want at this family friendly resort—walk to the water for a snorkel from a Beach Villa or spot Whale Sharks beyond on the terrace of a Hillside Villa. Wherever you land, it’s all naturally lush.
VIEW HOTELThey don’t call it “vitamin sea” for nothing—numerous scientific studies have found that the ocean, both the sound and sight of it have a calming effect on the brain. Reap the benefits of the water and swaying palms at Centara Reserve Samui on Chaweng, the area’s most idyllic beach. The green and blue view from the Deluxe Pool Access Room’s balcony is especially calming.
VIEW HOTELIn the hills above Ago Bay, Amanemu puts you in an extra special location, near the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage Routes and Ise Jingu, one of Japan’s holiest sites. As if the setting wasn’t healing enough, there’s a private onsen bath in every suite, as well as the spa’s shared pools fed by a mineral-rich natural hot spring.
VIEW HOTELAt the confluence of three river valleys in Brazil’s magical Mantiqueira Mountains, Six Senses Botanique is a feast for the senses. At one with its surrounds, its spa, pools and drinking water are supplied by seven natural springs, and its buildings utilize local indigenous materials such as chocolate slate and jacaranda—not to mention the abundance of floor-to-ceiling windows that seemingly bring the great outdoors inside.
VIEW HOTELIn Arenal Volcano National Park, Nayara Gardens carefully embeds you in the lush Costa Rican rainforest with, you guessed it, a volcano in view. Rising from the forest, its casitas and villas surround you in jungle flora, but you can plunge yourself even further into it with guided adventures such as rappelling down a waterfall or admiring centuries-old trees and some 900 bird species from a hanging bridge.
VIEW HOTELStately meets earthy at The Lodge at St. Edwards State Park, a seminary-turned-hotel nestled in a lush 326-acre forest close to Lake Washington. The landmark Romanesque revival building once educated young priests but now the only knowledge you’ll need to soak in is all the inspiring flora that surrounds you.
VIEW HOTELWake to lake and mountain views at Nita Lake Lodge, a boutique hotel in Whistler, Canada’s most famous alpine destination. In summer, the ski town transforms into a hiking, biking and water sports playground. Bask in nature in true Canadian form by paddling a canoe out on the lake then drop into a patio chair with a glass of wine and watch the sun dip behind the evergreen hills.
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