American World Traveler Winter 2017-18 Issue

ountry Inns...Luxary Safari Camps...Ecolodges...Ice...Cave...Treetop... Hotels
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gorgeous foliage. Each accommodation in
the resort also houses artwork from local
artists, a lovely touch that truly adds to an
authentic Belizean experience.
You’d Better Belize It
A Luxurious Escape to Naia Resort and Spa
There is a difference between a vacation
that is refreshing and one that is
completely transformative — a
vacation that is defined by self-improvement,
self-discovery, one that improves mind, body
and soul. This was just the type of getaway I
was craving.
Fortunately, there is a resort secluded within
the lush forests and tranquil lagoon of
Belize’s Placencia Peninsula that guarantees
just that. Placencia is a short flight on Tropic
Airways from Belize City-a 30-minute hop
with stunning views of the coast. There are
many direct flights from North American
cities each day, allowing quick access to paradise.
The town of just over 3,400 people has
a wide array of history melded together into
one unique culture--including Spanish,
Mayan, Creole and Garifuna cultures.
Debuting at the beginning of this year,
January 2017, I was lucky enough to be a
guest at Naia Resort and Spa --a luxury wellness
retreat that offers private beach house
by Olivia Balsinger
sanctuaries that reside along the shore that
lines the 200-acre reserve.
Naia’s vision of a multi-sensory, deeply spiritual
experience is inspired directly by the
unique traditions and cultures of Belize. Both
its design and its program are carefully curated
to incorporate the natural environment of
the surrounding area, resulting in a space
that truly put me in the mindset of returning
to a purer state of being. It is here, among
the lily-covered lagoons and verdant tropical
forests, where I was able to truly press the
reset button.
The resort centers around the goal of complete
wellness, the nucleus of which is the Spa
Center. The spa offers an expensive menu of
different services, such as massages, facials,
body wraps, and beauty treatments. Executed
by their skilled staff, using only the most natural,
sustainable, and all-around restorative
products, I found myself in a state of transcendental
bliss. I awakened to an oasis surrounded
by serene lagoons and the customized
spa brought a greater balance to my
mind, which I honed in by taking a yoga and
movement class. I also rented a bike and
paddleboard to further explore the area—
both complimentary for guests.
It is not only the artwork, however, that the
resort locally sources; in fact, seemingly
every other aspect of its facilities, right down
to the minerals used in their famous spa
treatments, come from flora and fauna
native to the area. What I found to be especially
appealing was the high importance to
the resort administration is the respect and
conservation of the natural environment
upon which it is built. Naia is careful to
enhance the nature that surrounds it without
overwhelming it, holding steadfast to a philosophy
of sustainability and reverence of the
natural world.
Naia prides itself on its sheer array of activities.
I indulged in a half day speed boat trip
to nearby keys to snorkel in some of the offshore
waters—though a frequent snorkeler, I
was amazed at the diversity of colors and
fish in the sea. The next morning, I kayaked
underneath sprawling mangrove trees, creating
natural bridges and a sanctuary for
wildlife. Especially in the early morning, the
peninsula is a birdwatcher’s dream.
The resort hopes its guests will experience
the lively village center, only a half hour bike
ride from the resort. Placencia Village boasts
many local restaurants, shops and nightlife
options for singles and families alike.
Though the resort’s restaurants are absolutely
mouthwatering themselves—you haven’t
lived until you’ve tried the habanero lobster
or the organic chocolate from the resort’s
signature 1981 Restaurant—they purposely
do not offer entirely all-inclusive packages,
in an effort to have guests experience the
town and culture. It is this authenticity that
differentiates Naia from other properties and
makes it a gem of the Central American
coast.
www.naiaresortandspa.com
Spread across the resort are 35 individual
beach houses with options for one, two or
three bedroom accommodations. The decor
reflects a harmony between the ambient tropical
setting and modern conveniences, and
features deep soaking tubs and an outdoor
shower where you can bathe surrounded by
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