Maybe it's months of this summer heat that's getting to us, but lately we've been loving the idea of showering outdoors. We guess we've just decided that there's no better way to cool down and wash away inhibitions than with an outdoor scrub down. Here's a list of 10 of our favorite hotels that have private outdoor showers -- some even have outdoor baths!
-- Katherine Alex Beaven, Oyster.com
GoldenEye's cottages and villas are hip and stylish without seeming out of place in Jamaica. Jalousie shutters and hardwood floors add an authentic island feel, while luxe details such as clawfoot bathtubs and kitchens featuring designer appliances are a cut above what is found at most other Jamaican resorts. All units have views of either the serene lagoon or the ocean, and come with private porches equipped with lounge chairs, tables and chairs, and even kayaks. But we love the outdoor showers (and bathtubs!) where you can soak and soap in a beautiful, open-air garden setting.
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Spread over 60 acres, Hidden Pond resort features 36 suite-like bungalows and two-bedroom cottages. While each has it's own personality, they are all bright, homey, and sophisticated, characterized by pops of color and lodge-like touches (such as stone fireplaces adorned with antlers and lamps made from a tree branch). Bonus: the Andrea's Gate Cottage has a private outdoor shower stall where you can strip down, scrub up, and sing with the birds. You can also get back to nature at the tree house spa or take a free yoga class held at the organic farm (where guests may also pick fresh flowers and veggies).
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Swank yet eco-friendly, this 62-room resort opened in 2009 with a mission of sustainability and luxury. Proud of its LEED Platinum certification awarded by the U.S. Green Building Council for leadership in environmental design, the hotel is solar-powered, sources its water from geothermal wells, and uses organic cleaning products. Rooms are filled with generous amounts of natural light and have many high-end extras: fireplaces; Egyptian cotton Fili D'oro linens; and private, furnished balconies or patios. For an extra steamy stay, upgrade to the Steam Spa Suite for both a private indoor dual shower-steam room and an outdoor shower where you can let your exhibitionist inhibitions disappear down the drain.
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Owned by the Coppola family, Turtle Inn has a peaceful Belize setting and Balinese-style private cottages and villas separated by sand and stone walkways. Cottages each have a main bedroom with one queen bed, and a memorable indoor/outdoor bathroom with a Japanese bath, a private garden with an outdoor shower, and a screened front porch with a sitting area. While some may argue the screened-in shower isn't technically outside, we don't mind having a helpful barrier between our bare bodies and biting bugs. Three restaurants, two bars, two outdoor pools, and a number of guided tours and excursions make the resort feel much bigger than it actually is. Wi-Fi is spotty, but most guests are focused on unplugging outdoors: Excellent snorkeling and scuba diving at the Belize Barrier Reef is a short boat ride away.
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As one might expect from the ultra-luxurious Banyan Tree brand, the Banyan Tree Mayakoba is one of Playa del Carmen's most sought after resorts. The grounds, white-sand beach, and lagoon-like pool blend seamlessly with the surrounding nature. When you consider the high-end spa, plethora of outdoor activities -- such as golf, snorkeling, and eco tours -- and the fantastic dining, it's very hard to find anything wrong with this property. All of the 164 villas feature sleek Asian-inspired decor and Mexican textiles -- as well as walk-in showers, plunge pools, walled-in grass lawns, patios with hammocks, full stocked bars, simple outdoor rinse showers and luxurious outdoor bathtubs. We've taken a lot of baths in our life and nothing -- nothing -- compares to a candlelit bubble bath under the stars.
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With just 41 private villas, the Viceroy Riviera Maya attracts couples looking for a quiet, romantic retreat. The Viceroy is all about relaxation; the restaurants are casual but upscale, the spa features outdoor treatment rooms and a steam room, and the serene pool overlooks the ocean and the seven-mile stretch of white-sand beach. The rustic-luxe villas -- with thatched roofs, partially canopied beds, and updated amenities such as large flat-screen TVs -- all have their own plunge pools, hammocks, and outdoor showers. Surrounded by a ton of lively landscaping, many guests find that taking a shower here feels like a wild jungle experience -- we half-expected a monkey to steal our soap!
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The beautiful Arenal Nayara's 44 individual bungalows, restaurant, wine bar, and spa are all tucked into incredibly lush grounds. Some of the amenities are small (like the pool, spa, and fitness center), but guests come here for the private bungalows with special touches like decks with whirlpools and hammocks, and tropical garden outdoor showers.
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The lush, laid-back Rockhouse creates a holistic haven with gourmet dining, morning yoga, cliffside loungers, a premium spa, a "no kids under 12″ policy, and beautiful eco-appropriate design. Taking your morning shower surrounded by a rock wall, palm fronds, and fresh sun-drenched air makes for a perfect start to anyone's day. These outdoor showers are also ideal for a quick and cool respite from the hot rays of the mid-afternoon sun.
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Arguably Jamaica's most romantic adults-only escapes, the Caves features 12 unique, private cottages and suites that are tucked along lush garden paths and dramatic seaside cliffs (there's no beach). High-quality, locally-focused cuisine, a top-shelf bar, and intimate, incredibly attentive service make it Jamaica's best all-inclusive. Sun Dancer, Moon Shadow, Two Birds, and One Drop have outdoor showers. These outdoor showers are surrounded by high walls and fruit trees, so there's plenty of privacy. While we believe showering outside is exhilarating no matter when you do it, these showers are particularly romantic when used under the light of a full moon -- but do watch for little crabs scurrying about.
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There's no lobby or elaborate features here, but Catcha's quaint cliffside huts come with warm service, breathtaking sunsets, comfortable beds, and simple homemade cuisine. Guests in the Star 2 Bedroom get a dual-headed outdoor shower. Sure, it's mostly for rinsing off, but no one's around to witness if you let loose, lather up, and live a little. Most guests are too focused on the blissful setting to notice the grainy TV reception or absence od phones (cell phones available upon request), let alone where anyone else is bathing.