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At a Glance

Sprawling grounds, pristine beaches and amenities abound but do not overpower this sanctuary of a resort.

Indagare Loves

• Daily traditions like champagne sabering on the lawn
• The St. Regis Bahia nursery that produces herbs and vegetables for the restaurant kitchens
• The boathouse, which rivals those at most summer camps, as the meeting point for nature expeditions

Review

After leaving the town of Rio Grande almost immediately after entering it and driving through the overgrown jungle on the entry road for long enough to feel lost, arriving guests come upon a serene courtyard, reflection pool and a grand pavilion. A path surrounded by lily pad–dotted koi ponds leads towards the main building—the Plantation House—of St. Regis Bahia Beach.

Half of the 12 plantation-style ‘Casas,’ each of which have between eight and 18 guest rooms, face the ocean, fanning out on each side of the Plantation House and providing water views. Four more casas sit in a semi-circle in the overgrown area behind the pool, their rooms with views of colorful wildlife and surrounding jungle. Two remaining buildings sit furthest back from the water and the rest of the property, offering the most privacy and views of the golf course. All room options, including the ‘Casa Gobernador,’ suite, the only accommodation option occupying an entire casa, share the same décor and were finished in 2010 when the property was completed.

Sunlight entering from the private balcony or terrace serves as the primary daytime illuminator of each room; while at night, silver tabletop lamps and simple sconces provide minimal, flickering candle-like light. Walls of a sandy beige or earthy green tones compliment shiny wooden floors of the foyers and espresso-colored exposed wooden ceiling beams and furniture. White woven carpets and linens allow accents like palm-frond patterned throw pillows, sand dollars, conch shells and cream-colored pottery shine as the décor focus. Bathrooms walls are also painted a sandy-beige color, while their floors are covered in taupe tiles. Open showers have rain shower heads and there are separate, square-shaped tubs.

The perfectly manicured lawn behind the Plantation House faces nearly two miles of fine sand beach with atypically aqua-colored Atlantic waters, chirping coqui frogs and lush palms—all reminders of the St. Regis’s commitment to honoring its natural surroundings while giving a nod to the property’s history as a former coconut farm. With its scholarly yet cozy library spaces housing reception and concierge and an intensely colorful mural serving as a vibrant backdrop to its grand St. Regis-style bar, the Plantation House is the epicenter of the resort. Taverna-style Paros restaurant serves elevated seafood dishes on the second-floor wrap-around balcony with stunning views of the Caribbean.

Thanks to marine biologist Marcela Canon, who oversaw the resort’s 2010 construction, the sea turtle nesting grounds and manatee habitat on property flourish. Canon stayed on to ensure that the resort’s presence nurtures the local ecosystem instead of threatening it. The property’s boathouse not only serves as the meeting point for daily kayaking and stand up paddleboarding expeditions through the mangroves to the Espíritu Santo River State Preserve at the edge of the property, it is also a nature conservatorium.

Even though the Iguana Club for guests ages 4 to 12 has its own large clubhouse stocked with board games, videogames and a kitchenette, many activities offered on its dynamic schedule of full or half-day offerings immerse kids in the outdoors. That could mean playing soccer on the pitch out back, using the boathouse’s marine and birdlife rehabilitation facility as an interactive classroom or collecting beach treasures to use as construction materials in an arts and crafts project.

Back on property, despite the lavish yet comfortable feel of the Iridium Spa, which is dominated by taupe and white marble, trickling fountains, blooming flowers and luxurious furniture in spring colors, many guests prefer to participate in the “Spa Without Walls” program. This allows them to select their favorite location, whether next to a tropical plant along the property’s four-mile nature trail or on their private balcony, to enjoy their treatment.

Beyond relaxing in state-of-the-art beach front or poolside cabanas, guests can play golf on the award-winning course by renowned architect Robert Trent Jones Jr., rent equipment for sailing, kayaking, snorkeling and stand up paddle boarding from the Aquatic Center (which also offers lessons), play tennis or pickleball on the property’s four hard courts or visit the only Certified Gold Audubon Signature Sanctuary in the Caribbean, located on the St. Regis grounds. The concierge can arrange off-property surfing or scuba lessons at a neighboring beach or even more adventurous activities like zip lining in El Yunque, the only national tropical rainforest on U.S. soil, which is a short drive from the resort.

The plush cabanas surrounding the St. Regis’s massive lagoon-shaped pool come with televisions and mini fridges, the property’s sizable gym’s additional exercise classroom offers regularly scheduled classes and the Iguana Kids club boasts extensive programming. Undoubtedly, however, the highlight of time spent at the resort is sharing space with seemingly endless species of flora and fauna and having access to and interactions with creatures in the sanctuary. It is not uncommon for a guest to be able to help a newborn sea turtle find its way to the ocean. So, while the accommodations could use some sprucing, the true luxury appeal of this St. Regis is not inside, but all around in nature.

Who Should Stay

Travelers, especially families, who value time spent in the lush jungle and on a spectacular beach over perfectly decorated rooms.

Author

• Marley Gibbons