Fodor's Expert Review Amanyara

With the ultimate zenlike atmosphere, this breathtaking luxury resort with 38 timber-shingled guest pavilions and 20 villas harmoniously blends with the indigenous vegetation and is the place for peace and quiet in a remote waterfront setting. On the island's northwest point, this exclusive hideaway's accommodations are minimalistic yet luxuriously appointed, with stand-alone tubs and rain showers, private bar area, surround-sound systems, 12-meter private pools, natural gardens, and reflection pond or ocean vistas. The two- to six-bedroom Aman Villas offer the ultimate in personal space, with Asian-influenced, understated elegance—each has its own personal chef and housekeeping staff. In the common areas each element has been carefully situated to take full advantage of large pools catching reflections of treetops and magical starlit nights, or sweeping shoreline views. The two restaurants have live music on weekends, an incredible bar pavilion (where you must try the champagne mojitos), an infinity-edge, lava-rock-lined swimming pool, movie room, and well-stocked library. Amanyara’s Nature Discovery Centre offers daily activities for guests older than 5. The resort’s location adjacent to Northwest Point Marine National Park offers wonderful diving and snorkeling.