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Get back to nature at a stylish Costa Rican eco-lodge, a cozy B&B in Upstate New York and B.C.’s Nita Lake Lodge.

Arenas del Mar Beachfront & Rainforest Resort, Costa Rica

Three-quarters of the Arenas del Mar property operates as a private nature reserve for prime wildlife-spotting opportunities

Arenas del Mar combines the back-to-nature experience of a rustic eco-lodge with the swish amenities of a luxury hotel. Get up close and personal with Costa Rica’s flora and fauna without roughing it, enjoying a vibe that’s accordingly upscale yet relaxed. The main entrance to Manuel Antonio National Park, one of Costa Rica’s most popular national parks, is a 15-minute drive from Arenas del Mar. The resort takes up about a quarter of its 11-acre property, with the rest of the land serving as a private nature reserve. Developers worked to minimize the resort’s impact on its natural surroundings so monkeys, iguanas, sloths and other animals move freely around for prime wildlife viewing on the property. Rooms from $400. arenasdelmar.com

Eco Escape

Decorated with wooden furniture and pale beachy colours, rooms here are simple and elegant. Dreamy king-size beds have 400-thread-count organic cotton linens and mini-bars are filled with a rotating selection of local snacks and drinks. Although the emphasis here is on disconnection, rooms don’t scrimp on techie features, offering free Wi-Fi, iHome radios and flat screen TVs. Most rooms feature covered decks – some of which have outdoor hot tubs – for taking in the natural surroundings in comfort.

Beach and Eats

The resort’s stand-out feature is its access to not one but two pretty beaches. Two lagoon-style swimming pools offer additional lounging locales – the upper pool has dramatic views of Playa Espadilla and the lower pool is steps away from Playitas Beach.

A pair of restaurants, El Mirador and Playitas Restaurant and Bar, stay true to the resort’s ecofriendly leanings with menus focused on locallysourced, organic food and drink. An à la carte breakfast is included in the room rate. The low-key spa has some ocean view treatment rooms and room rates also include two activities – a tortilla-making class and a behind-the-scenes tour of the resort’s green initiatives.

River Spring Lodge, New York

River Spring Lodge was opened by chef David Hamer and his wife Carolyn two years ago, offering farm-totable cuisine with warm hospitality

This cozy B&B’s location between Buffalo and Rochester makes it the perfect pit stop. Niagara Falls is just an hour away, but if that waterfall seems too passé, there are plenty more where those came from.

Letchworth State Park, often referred to as the Grand Canyon of the East, is a winding gorge just 50 minutes away. Recently voted Best State Park in America, Letchworth has three waterfalls, hiking trails and white water rafting. Whether you stay overnight and camp or take a day trip from River Spring, Letchworth warrants a full 24 hours of exploring. Rooms from $200. riverspringlodge.com

Wine, Dine and a Good Time

Chef David Hamer and his wife Carolyn opened the River Spring Lodge over two years ago and have been providing guests with a one-two punch of delicious farm-to-table dining and the kind of hospitality and service that feels like a warm hug ever since.

The biggest feature here is chef Dave’s “refined American cuisine.” Reserve 24 hours in advance as much of the bread, pastries and desserts are freshly made by him. Don’t miss the applewood-smoked duckling breast with black cherry maple chutney and the impossibly tender sous vide beef short ribs.

Nita Lake Lodge, British Columbia

Nita Lake is a breathtaking little lake with tiny gravel beaches and serene mountain views, located a few kilometers south of Whistler Village. If you’re looking for a relaxing getaway without the bustle of a big ski town, this is the place to be. Nita Lake is quiet yet it doesn’t compromise access since the town of Whistler is just a five-minute drive away.

Nita Lake Lodge has been one of the area’s most coveted resorts for a decade running. Whether you’re an adventurous skier or prefer everything “après”, the lodge combines upscale mountain comfort with scenic views for those that want a little R&R, and a number of outdoor activities for the restless thrillseekers. Rooms from $159. nitalakelodge.com

The Great Outdoors

If you’re considering Whistler for a getaway, then chances are good that you want to spend as much time as possible exploring the outdoors. There are a number of active experiences available through the lodge like fat bike (mountain bikes with snow-friendly tires) and snowshoe rentals. The hotel is walking distance to the Creekside gondola with complimentary slopeside ski lockers available for guests. Free daily shuttles run to and from Whistler Village. ◆

Nita lake is quiet yet Whistler Village is a five-minute drive away"