This summer, get a dose of nature at these eight beautiful hotels that are flourishing with stunning florals and lush gardens. Whether isolated on rolling hills or set on acres of organic produce gardens, these luxe resorts are all about coming up roses during our precious summer vacations.
St. Regis Monarch Beach -- Dana Point, CA
Enjoy surf (one of the reasons the St. Regis is one of our best fitness hotels, too), sand, and butterflies at luxe beachfront retreat St. Regis Monarch Beach. The Monarch Beach area in Orange County has been long known for its mass of fluttering butterfly inhabitants that have sadly been recently on the decline. So the resort just planted milkweed all over the property, and butterflies are springing up to the plantings, helping increase the population and reclaim the Monarch Beach name. Those flower gardens, plus an 18-hole championship golf course set against the blue coastline, make for a lusciously scenic summer vacation.
The Palms Hotel & Spa -- Miami Beach, Florida
Guests get the best of both worlds at The Palms Hotel & Spa -- a vibrant city-beach escape with a rainforest vibe and green practices. Enjoy the proximity to Miami's electric city offerings and the Atlantic Ocean coastline in close distance. The hotel is set on 1.5 acres of gardens packed with exotic orchids, herbs, towering overgrown palms, birds of paradise, and two resident parrots named Sunshine and Chance. The organic and wellness inspiration carries over to the hotel's in-house Essensia restaurant, featuring seasonal selections of locally sourced dishes, using herbs and vegetables from the on-site gardens.
Colony Club -- Barbados
Foodies in search of an island getaway will love vacationing at Colony Club on the sparkling west coast of Barbados: a once under-utilized, nearby space has been re-imagined as an organic garden. On the complimentary Garden to Plate tour experience (the hotel is ranked among the world's best culinary hotels), the resort's head gardener and chef takes guests for tours of the fresh fruits, vegetables, spices, and the sustainable aquaponic system. The harvested ingredients -- including pineapple, tomatoes, aloe vera and basil -- are later used during a live, wellness-infused cooking demo. Aside from the eats, enjoy luxury poolside rooms, just a step away from lagoons, waterfalls and foliage surrounding the property.
Il Salviatino -- Florence, Italy
Truly escape the ordinary at Il Salviatino, a restored 15 century villa on the picturesque outskirts of Florence. The five-star property sits on nearly 13 acres of private parks and gardens, and even features separate Greenhouse suites offering direct access to the Italian gardens. These accommodations are a peaceful respite with sweeping views of Florence and the Duomo Cathedral (earning it a nod as one of the world's top hotels with history). In true farm-to-table practice, the organic fruits, vegetables and herbs grown on the premises are used in dishes at the resort's La Cucina restaurant.
Bellagio Hotel & Casino -- Las Vegas, NV
The Bellagio resort remains one of the most elegant, upscale properties on the Las Vegas Strip. Located on a major corner, it's the only local hotel to feature a manmade lake -- compete with one of the most famous dancing fountain shows in the world. To go along with the scenic Italian vibe, there are a variety of plants and flowers at the property, most notably at the gorgeous Bellagio Conservatory attraction. The gardens change every season and showcase stunning rare flowers, oversized plants, floral masterpieces, all lit under skylights. Mini water features and rotating exhibits, such as a butterfly habitat and animal statues made entirely out of flowers, keep this free, 24-7 experience packed night and day.
The Greenbrier -- White Sulphur Springs, WV
Looking for some rich history and culture from your next resort? Go old school and book a stay at the landmark Greenbrier resort. There's plenty to see and do around this traditional, quaint town, but one thing the historic property nails is the dining. Greenbrier Chef's Garden is a sprawling farmland located east of the resort. Packed with 25 pesticide-free varieties of fruits and vegetables, the chefs grow, maintain, pick and cook much of the food served at the resort's restaurants, giving an extra farm-to-table kick. And bonus! Golfers can take advantage of summer rates on the impeccably maintained championship golf course.
Ashford Castle -- Cong, County Mayo, Ireland
Only Ireland could offer pristine acreage of rolling green lawns, lush forests, and trees crowned with an ancient castle-turned-five-star resort. Grand and stunning, the medieval Ashford Castle features 82 guest rooms with spectacular landscape views. Take advantage of vacationing at this once-in-a-lifetime space by participating in the offered activities such as falconry, golf, and trail-riding on horseback.
Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel -- Machu Picchu, Peru
A week here is the ultimate indulgence for nature lovers. Set on 12 secluded acres of paradise, the Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo features only 85 casita-style rooms. Immerse yourself in the tropical environment by discovering the flora and fauna of the cloud-forest, and make your vacation as romantic or adventurous as you want. Bird watch, hike the terrain, explore the Peruvian rainforest, or book a few spa treatments that use natural essences from the area. End your day with a toast at the resort's restaurant overlooking Vilcanota River.
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