the most decadent hotel baths for doing absolutely nothing in this holiday season

there’s nothing quite as decadent as a bathtub. in our day to day lives, bathing is mostly functional - a get in get out kind of process to prepare for the day ahead or scrub off before a good night’s sleep. when we’re on holidays, however, bath time is different, especially when faced with a particularly exquisite bath tub or shower. holiday baths are for endless lazing, luxuriating, and daydreaming, where time is really no object and hour upon hour can be whiled away without a care in the world. perhaps you’d like to unwind in a copper bathtub set in a tropical rainforest? or perhaps a rain shower set in a converted puglian castle is more your speed? whatever your style, we’ve rounded up the most decadent and innovative hotel bathrooms to help you relax this holiday season.

image credit qualia resort

palazzo daniele, puglia

housed in an 18th century puglian mansion, palazzo danielle is the brainchild of ludovica and roberto palomba. the result is a marriage of opposites - 18th century grandeur meets 21st century minimalism. stripped back walls and original ceiling frescoes preserve the building’s past, whilst custom art installations and modern furniture add a contemporary touch. make sure to book the royal junior suite, where you’ll find a 6-metre high rain shower and circular basin designed by milan based artist andrea sala that’s part shower part living art installation.

https://palazzodaniele.com/

thalia haven, tasmania

perfectly situated on the pristine waters of tasmania’s Great Oyster Bay, Thalia Haven is a secluded getaway for families or couples. sitting on its own 130 acre woodland peninsula, the grounds are 2km for the nearest road or civilisation, giving you the ultimate private experience. the highlight? your own open air soaking tub with panoramic ocean views, of course. rinse off in the outdoor shower nearby, or if it’s a chilly night, warm up in your own hot sauna. if you’re lucky, you’ll be treated to a phosphorescent ocean that lights up the night sky.

https://www.thaliahaven.com.au/

singita kwitonda lodge, rwanda

rwanda’s singita kwitonda lodge offers a rare opportunity to get up close and personal with some of the world’s rarest wildlife. set right on the edge of volcanoes national park, guests are treated to incredible views of towering volcanoes and ancient forests. the park is home to a third of the world’s remaining mountain gorilla population, and is the perfect place for intimate encounters with these ‘gentle giants’. the grounds feature eight private suites, each with their own private plunge pool, wellness treatment area, indoor and outdoor fireplaces, and, of course, soaking tub with sprawling views of the wild parklands.

https://singita.com/lodge/singita-kwitonda-lodge

islas secas reserve & lodge, panama

more than your average island getaway, islas secas, a private eco-resort, takes over a whopping 14-island archipelago off the coast of panama. casitas and terraces dot the 14-islands, each with sweeping ocean views, canopy beds, and indoor-outdoor showers. low-key tented casitas have their own outdoor soaking baths, whilst the largest suits have their own private plunge pools. all guests have exclusive access to the pristine eco-system of the islas secas archipelago - diving, whale watching, and bird tours are among the myriad activites on offer.

https://islassecas.com/

goldeneye, jamaica

there must be something in the water at goldeneye jamaica - the tropical island getaway has been a well of creative inspiration for writers, artists, and musicians since the 1970s. legend has it that the first james bond character was created here, and that sting wrote a slew of hit songs here surrounded by lush palm trees and pristine waters. the original villas are still there, retaining their original laidback quality but updated with modern furnishings, outdoor showers, and clawfoot tubs. a slew of new rooms have since been added, including lagoon cottages with private docks for morning swims, kayaking, and paddleboarding.

https://www.goldeneye.com/

hotel amparo, mexico

set in the heart of san miguel allende, a charming village a couple of hour’s drive from mexico city, lies hotel amparo. housed in a historic mansion, hotel amparo is a boutique stay that expertly blends elements of spanish tradition with modern art and contemporary furnishings. book the hotel’s crowning glory, the ‘amparo’ suite, and you’ll get your own private smoking tub backed by stunning Carrara marble and direct access to the main patio.

http://hotelamparo.com/

qualia resort, hamilton island, australia

if you’re looking for somewhere to stay on australia’s iconic hamilton island, then you can’t go past qualia resort. surrounded by the whitsunday’s fabled white sands and pristine turquoise islands, and on the edge of the great barrier reef, the resort places you well for enjoying everything the tropical paradise has to offer. of course, staying in is a perfectly acceptable offer too. relax in your own private pavilion with panoramic views of the whitsundays, your own soaking tub with a view, and infinity edge pool. arrive in style by touching down on qualia’s own private helipad, or sailing in from one of mainland queensland’s marinas.

https://www.qualia.com.au/

bambu indah lodge, bali indonesia

a copper-toned bathtub in the middle of a verdant forest may seem like a fairytale oddity, but at bambu indah in bali it’s a real life fantasy. built by john and cynthia hardy, who began collecting javanese teak wedding houses in the early 2000s and transporting them to bali, the resort is a collection of open plan houses nestled amongst lush rainforest. rather than attempting to dwarf its natural surrounds, the lodge simply blends into its environment. here you’ll find natural swimming pools, gardens filled with indigenous plants, and winding rivers. each villa is a unique piece of art in itself, constructed from bamboo and featuring sweeping views of rice paddies and jungle.

https://www.bambuindah.com/

arijiju, kenya

set in the rolling kenyan highlands, arijiju is a gorgeous private home that mixes wellness and relaxation with a unique safari experience. soaring over the borana conservancy, the lodge is practically invisible - just the way its architects designed it. crafted from sandstone and partially set into a rock bed, arijiju blends seamlessly into the kenyan grasslands. the lodge features five bedrooms, a stone veranda that wraps the entire way around the building, an outdoor shower, and its own copper soaking tub. guests have access to a crew of kitchen staff skilled at creating just about anything you desire, and world-class wellness facilities that include a hammam spa, yoga pavilion, and gym.

https://www.arijiju.com/

Tara HarrisonComment