Anantara Hotel, Chiang Mai

Colonial charm and 100 years of history at this picturesque retreat in the heart of Thailand's northern city

Though it’s often referred to as Bangkok’s laid-back cousin, Chiang Mai bubbles with the same electric energy as the Thai capital. It’s become a bucket-list destination for thrill-seekers across the globe, where al fresco tuk-tuk rides, sizzling snacks from carts, and endless aisles of night markets provide round-the-clock stimulation. But for vacationers looking for a more peaceful stay, there’s no need to retreat into the …

Sustainability at Olas Verdes

The boutique hotel shows how Costa Rica’s colonial past paved the way for its conservationalist future

It’s somewhere between the oddly low organic-juice-bar-to-streetlight-ratio and the packs of chickens that freely roam the streets of Nosara that it hits visitors: eating local isn’t a buzzy concept here, it’s a way of life. Long before tourists schlepped to the beaches and mountains of Costa Rica in search of pura vida, Costa Ricans proudly lived close to the land. And nowhere is that tradition …

Olas Verdes: Costa Rica’s Greenest Boutique Surf Hotel

An affordable, laid-back beach hideout with a distinctly Tico attitude

If the quip “The journey is the destination” typifies your approach to travel then set your sights on Playa Guiones, Costa Rica. The humble but growing beach town is a two-and-a-half hour drive over mostly washboard dirt roads from the nearest international airport. Passing through towns small and smaller, getting lost in the scenery is easy. The region’s agricultural roots give way to modern snippets …