TWISTFAVORITES:ISLANDBOUTIQUEHOTELS

Hot F A V e O R I T E lS s I S L A N D L I F E

Island Boutique Hotels We Adore

There are hundreds of thousands of islands around the world. Some are tiny atolls home to brilliant white sand beaches, others are wild and rugged and perfect for adventure or cosy nights by the fire. One thing many of these islands have in common, however, is a great place to stay. We've rounded up our favourite island hotels to help you plan your next trip - whether you're looking for family fun, a romantic getaway, time with friends...or anything else! SANTA BARBARA RESORT • AZORES, PORTUGAL VIRTU SUITES • NAXOS, GREECE

THE MARKER • KEY WEST, FL INN ON TURNER • NC COASTAL ISLANDS THE WICKANINNISH INN • TOFINO, BC CANADA

MARKER KEY WEST RESORT

ADDRESS: 200 WILLIAM ST, KEY WEST, FL 33040 WEBSITE: HTTPS://WWW.THEMARKERKEYWEST.COM/ STARTING PRICE: $410 USD

B Y R O B T A Y L O R

F A V O R I T E S

When you hear “Key West” you get a very specific sort of image in your mind, of tropical trees and vines overtaking front porches and warm breezes blowing down the street, and that’s just when you get at the Marker Key West Resort. We really enjoyed our time here, both for the location and the amenities and are excited to share all the details!

The Marker Resort Key West is a really special place, and it really does capture the feeling of vintage Keys life, which is something we look for when we plan a Florida Keys vacation. The location at the Historic Seaport is awesome both for getting on the water with tours and for the food nearby. The service at the Marker Resort was also exceptional. Traveling during COVID times, you so often find people stretched thin and generally done with tourists, but that was not the case with any of the interactions we had staying at the Marker Key West.

I love that every room at the Marker Resort Key West has a balcony. Having outdoor space, especially when you ’re someplace like Key West where it’s warm and breezy, is so important for relaxing travel. While every room has a balcony with lush tropical vegetation outside, the bigger suites are the only ones with full sized decks/patio spaces. That’s okay though, as the hotel rooms themselves are very large and there is plenty of public space too.

The primary room types at the Marker Key West are either King or Two Queen rooms. None of these have sleeper sofas in them, so the maximum capacity is either two or four people. There are one and two bedroom suites that sleep several more people, but at that point, the cost has at least doubled for booking, so you might as well consider multiple rooms as well as the suite options.

The primary room option of the Classic King or Two Queen room is all you need. The views are what starts to create a variation in room types, but they all have balconies with tropical trees and bushes around them, making them very private, so you might as well just book the Classic and roll with whatever view you get. They ’re all great.

A bonus to the beautiful setting and great location of the Marker Resort Key West is the welcome. You check in via the lobby front desk, and they welcome you with champaign / prosecco / bubbles of some sort. It’s a nice way to start your stay at the Marker. They also have options to make kids feel welcome (our boys were given smoothie vouchers) but the property as a whole is more designed for adults, hence the bubbles. Like with the Laureate Key West, the Marker Resort has the basic amenities of a very nice property, but not an inclusive as a mountain retreat, such as the Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite might. There isn’t a spa or on-property adventures, but there is a concierge and wonderful poolside equipment to add to the fun and relaxation. To make visiting Key West and exploring easy, the Marker Resort actually can bundle accommodations with activities such as sailing, taking a trip to Dry Tortugas National Park, bike rentals and more.

There are several pools at the Marker Resort. There’s the main pool area, which has two pools and recreation space (yard games) as well as lots of lounge chairs and umbrellas. There is also the adult pool which is intended for guests 18+. It’s also well suited with lounge equipment. There are towels provided in both pool areas, so guests don’t need to bring them from the rooms.

Also in the pool area there is a small stage. Music can vary from a DJ quietly spinning chill Florida Keys music to live performances by local musicians. Check with the front desk for a schedule of events around the pool area. You ’ll also find the Marker’s dining option by the main pool. Since you ’re in Key West, you might as well enjoy Florida food by the pool (or relative area). The Starboard and Starboard Bar are the dining options at the Marker Resort. These are both located in the main pool area and serve standard American cuisine with the Florida Keys flare. That means fish tacos, fish dip, grilled shrimp, and then a selection of salads, burgers and brick oven pizzas.

The Starboard Bar at the Marker does poolside service and has a pretty great drink menu, with all the blended drink options you can imagine. My favorite is the spicy paloma (grapefruit margarita, basically).

I love the location of the Marker Resort Key West. Located directly next to the Historic Seaport, it’s in a great place for relaxing and walking to many spots for dining or tours.

INN ON TURNER

ADDRESS: 217 Turner St, Beaufort, NC • WEBSITE: https://innonturner.com • RATES: $500

Freshly renovated and ready to welcome new guests is the delightful Inn on Turner. This unique, boutique lodging is located in the Historic District of Beaufort on North Carolina's Crystal Coast, and within walking distance of pretty much anywhere you want to go - including the boardwalk for catching ferries to the nearby islands.

This is a delightful place to stay, all historic charm, a welcome porch and sun-filled rooms. In fact, the only thing that trumps the property itself are the owners, Jon and Kim. This duo are gracious hosts and keen foodies, which means that not only is your every need taken care of but you will eat very well during your stay.

Inn on Turner houses two Queen Suites and two King Suites, that come with luxury linens, top of the range mattresses and private bathrooms stocked with locally made natural toiletries. The rooms are lovely - like something from Coastal Living magazine - but they do only sleep two people. If you're bringing the kids along then you will need to book additional rooms (and check with Jon and Katie first as they do have a "young traveler policy").

The Inn's dining experience is more French auberge than your traditional American Bed and Breakfast. Based

on the traditional French Table d'Hote experience, where guests all dine together, Jon and Katie encourage guests, visitors and locals to enjoy a three course dinner ensemble. The food is seasonal, local and sustainable and guests rave about the experience. Even better, a portion of your reservation supports the charity Backpack Friends, which tackles food insecurities for children in the local community.

As much as you'll feel like spending your days in your home away from home at Inn on Turner it would be a shame to miss out on all that Beaufort has to offer. From hiking and kayaking to fishing and delving into local history there are plenty of adventures to fill your days including some fun day trips. Take a ferry to nearby Cape Lookout and climb the iconic black and white lighthouse for magnificent views of the Crystal Coast or enjoy a day on the barrier island known as Shackleford Banks, which is home to wild horses!

Don't worry about missing out on any of these activities though, because Jon and Katie are excellent Inn concierges and email all guests a "Travel Like a Local" package in advance of their arrival. This helpful email guide is filled with links to thrilling adventures and laidback activities to ensure you enjoy Beaufort as much as you're guaranteed to enjoy the Inn on Turner itself.

THE WICKANINNISH INN

B Y C L A U D I A L A R O Y E

ADDRESS:500OspreyLn,Tofino,BC • WEBSITE: https://www.wickinn.com/ • STARTINGPRICE:$580-780CAD

Perched on the wild west coast of Vancouver Island, in Canada’s westernmost province of British Columbia, the former remote fishing village of Tofino beckons adventure seekers to explore its temperate rainforests, wide, windswept beaches and the beauty of its rugged coastline.

Accessible via car ferry from Vancouver’s Lower Mainland or by a scenic flight by float or airplane from the city ’s harbor or Vancouver International Airport, Tofino is quite literally at the end of the road, with nothing to the west but the Pacific Ocean and Japan, 4,600 miles/7,000 km away.

When you ’re this far from home, and subject to Tofino’s intense rainy weather – more than 10 feet (3+ meters) per year – you want to make sure that your boutique hotel choice is warm, cozy and filled with all the necessary amenities for a fabulous island stay.

The Wickaninnish Inn has been offering fantastic boutique accommodation, great service and exceptional food since 1996. Perched on rocks overlooking the pounding surf of the Pacific Ocean and the wide expanse of sandy Chesterman Beach, ‘the Wick’ as it’s known, is a luxurious property that’s on the upscale but still down-to-earth side.

The owners of the Wick created the marketing behind Tofino’s popular winter storm-watching season between November and March, a time of intense ocean swells and wild west coast weather. The Wick even provides the rainproof outerwear and wellies you ’ll need to brave the rain and winds, should you dare.

The shoulder seasons of spring and fall are an ideal time of year to enjoy a slower pace of Tofitian life, while summertime sees the village come alive with visitors and families exploring Tofino with kids, walking or biking along the beach, surfing the ocean waves, and heading out for hikes, whale watching or the simple joys of exploring tide pools.

The Wick is family and pet-friendly, with special kids programming, beach toys and bicycles for enjoying the sandy shoreline. There are adjoining rooms for larger families and most have a beach or forest view. There’s also the Ancient Cedars Spa, offering massage, facials and body treatments, as well as yoga classes for an additional fee, equipment provided.

The Wick has a café, the On The Rocks Bar, and the fine dining The Pointe Restaurant, which juts out on the edge point of the rocks overlooking the ocean. It’s the perfect place for a celebratory or romantic dinner, or to enjoy a sunny brunch the next morning while watching cold-water surfers ride the waves.

The Pointe’s fine dining menu features sumptuously prepared dishes of local and seasonal ingredients like local crab and prawns, fish, game. It can be made vegan, gluten free and vegetarian, and there’s also a kids menu for the littles.

SANTA BÁRBARA ECO-BEACH RESORT

B Y K A T J A G A S K E L L

São Miguel island is the largest, most populated and volcanically active of the nine Azores Islands, the Portuguese archipelago that sit in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. The island is famous for its dramatic volcanic scenery, its beautiful hydrangeas, its rich marine life and its adventure activities. It's also becoming increasingly well known for some of its hotels, in particular the Santa Bárbara Eco-Beach Resort.

ADDRESS: Estrada Regional nº1, 1º Morro de Baixo Ribeira Grande WEBSITE: https://www.santabarbaraazores.com/ STARTING PRICE: From $300 USD

Santa Barbara Eco-Beach Resort is a slick modern resort set on the northern edge of São Miguel Island. The resort - all clean lines and minimalist design - was created to blend into the islands natural surroundings and to minimize its impact on the landscape. Built using local materials including cryptomeria wood, bamboo, cork and local stone, the hotel is sleek, stylish and ecofriendly. It's also a great option for families wanting to explore this magical island.

Santa Barbara offers a range of accommodation; 14 studios, 7 one bedroom villas and 9 two bedroom villas. There are various categories of studios and villas (some come with a shared pool, others with a private hot tub) but almost all of them can accommodate families. The farm-to-table hotel restaurant is excellent - and just as popular with locals as it is hotel guests. The same can be said for the on site bar, which is the perfect place for sampling the excellent Azores wines (we're particularly fond of the wine from Pico).

What really makes this hotel stand out, however, is the service which we would happily give an A+. Nothing is too much trouble for the friendly staff who bend over backwards to make sure everything is just right whether that's your accommodation, food requests or the myriad activitis on offer.

Because Santa Bárbara is not just a good base from which to explore the island (it's also well positioned for early morning flights), the hotel is packed full of fun activities. good base from which to explore the island (it's also well positioned for early morning flights), the hotel is packed full of fun activities.

There's a surf school on site where you can have lessons as well as the option to go bodyboarding, kayaking, snorkelling or stand-up paddle boarding. The hotel can arrange whale watching excursions, swimming with dolphins (in a natural, sustainable way) and fishing. Plus there are walking trails, bike tours, yoga sessions, cooking classes and much more. Sound good? Hurry and book a room now.

VIRTU SUITES NAXOS, GREECE

B Y T A M A R A G R U B E R

This new boutique property on the Greek island of Naxos offers stylish amenities and stunning views of white sand beaches and azure blue waters.

ADDRESS: Agios Prokopios 843 00, Greece • WEBSITE: https://www.virtusuites.com/en • STARTING PRICE: $477 USD

Naxos is the largest of the Cyclades Islands in Greece, yet it remains relatively undiscovered by Americans. Much more affordable than pricey Santorini and Mykonos, Naxos lets you stretch your Greece budget for a longer stay. There are beaches to enjoy, cute villages to visit, mountains to hike, and ancient temples to explore on Naxos, along with on water activities like diving, snorkeling, and sailing. And lovley Virtu Suites is the place to stay while you explore and enjoy this Grecian paradise.

Virtu Suites is a small boutique hotel located on the beach in Agios Prokopios, about 15 minutes south of Chora, also known as Naxos Town, the main town on the island. The hotel has a prime location just across the road from this gorgeous stretch of beach.

We stayed in a Deluxe Sea View Suite. Our suite, number 3, was located on the ground floor just a couple of steps from the pool. We enjoyed sitting outside our room in the evening, but since the sunbed was located in front of the suite next door, we ended up spending more time at the beach than the pool.

I absolutely fell in love with the decor of the Virtu Suites, which uses a gorgeous blend of organic materials like rope, wood, and natural fabrics. Our room featured a King-sized bed and a nice sized seating area.

Virtu Suites provides complimentary beach loungers and umbrellas for guests, they just need to be reserved the night before. Food and beverage service is also available at the beach, you just may need to walk up to request a menu. The beach is made up of teeny pebbles which seem more like coarse sand than the rocky beaches on Santorini. The pool is cute and offers a great spot for a quick swim to cool off or night swim, but if you want to sunbathe, the beach is the better place.