Surf and turf

At sea

In French Polynesia, life revolves around the ocean. Similarly, at Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora, the water forms the lifeblood of the hotel – bungalow accommodations are designed with glass panels, allowing guests to see the marine life below, and the ultra-luxury Overwater Suites stretch into the lagoon. Guests feast on seafood enhanced by French influences and enjoy spa rituals like the ‘deep sea purification’ with detoxifying algae. Visitors also get up close and personal with the waves in a suite of adrenaline boosting activities ranging from jet-skiing and helmet diving to scuba diving, kite surfing and fishing. Sail in a racing catamaran or on a sunset cruise, or go night-snorkelling under a blanket of stars.

Meanwhile, 1,000 miles off the east coast of America, Rosewood Bermuda has 200 acres of waterfront and picture-perfect views over Castle Harbour. The hotel also boasts pools, pools and more gorgeous pools: there’s one in the Sense® Spa, two at the Manor House and two more at the Beach Club – here, you can take your pick of water sports and dine in a restaurant overlooking Bermuda’s largest private beach.

For water babies in need of a fix closer to home, the cerulean waters of the Kassandra peninsula, Greece, also offer aquatic opportunities. The villa-style residences of Sani Asterias in Halkidiki front their own exclusive beach and boast views of the marina. There are three water sports stations here to allow guests to enjoy the fruits of the Aegean, offering activities such as windsurfing, kayaking, waterskiing, wakeboarding and parasailing. You can also jump aboard the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 35 for day trips on the green-tinged waves of the Mediterranean.

On land

If you haven’t found your sea legs, these hotels offer a raft of land-based thrills. At Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora, you can hike the depths of caves and the heights of mountains or tear up the terrain on your own ATV (all-terrain vehicle). While at Sani Asterias, guests can scale the climbing wall, try their hand at archery, or get stuck into five-a-side football at a sprawling sports centre. They can fly through the air on a zipline, go on a guided jog, and explore 10km of forest trails, home to flora and fauna unique to Halkidiki. For a more leisurely pursuit, and a sport in the more traditional sense, golf is an obvious choice. It requires skill and strategy while being accessible for all levels.

From pristine greens that boast the Casares mountains as a backdrop, to the satisfying sound of a well-struck ball on an 18-hole course, the greens at Andalusian hotel Finca Cortesin make the experience exhilarating. Finca Cortesin’s six acres of gardens, four swimming pools, and tennis and padel courts keep those who desire to be kept busy, busy. Guests can go horse riding, trekking and, in winter, skiing in the Sierra Nevada mountains. The hotel, nestled in a tranquil enclave near Marbella, is less than two hours from the wonders of the Alhambra, the historic city of Ronda, and Malaga’s museums, which get hearts pumping in a different way.

Speaking of winter, jump feet first into a white wonderland at Ciasa Salares, located in the sleepy Italian hamlet of Armentarola, just above San Cassiano. The wooden chalet exterior conceals a welcoming hotel run by the third generation of the Wieser family. Chocolate and cheese rooms, a wine cellar with 24,000 bottles, and a whirlpool relaxation zone number among temptations that lure you back from an invigorating day on the slopes.

To the east, although the beaches and ocean are spectacular at The Datai Langkawi, which resides on a magical Malaysian island, your priority should be exploring the ancient tropical rainforest. Join a nature walk with renowned naturalist Irshad Mobarak, who has more than 25 years’ experience, and marvel at encounters with rare species like flying squirrels and indigenous monkeys.

With these horizon-widening activities, itchy feet won’t stay prickly for long.