Beach Villa, Evason Hideaway

Idyllic Island Retreats

"Island." Just saying the word is soothing. My mind immediately conjures images of palm trees swaying in a gentle breeze and a body of calm water separating me from the responsibilities of real life. It’s even better when my vision includes smiling faces from another country and unconventional — but luxurious — accommodations. If this New Year finds you in need of an exotic island retreat, here are two of my favorites:

Evason Hideaway & Spa At Ana Mandara, Ninh Van Bay, Vietnam
In an era when five-star hotel suites all look alike, the lodgings at Evason Hideaway are memorable for their creative design. My husband, Richard, and I stayed in a two-story villa with a private pool, an air-conditioned king bedroom downstairs, and a spacious open room above.

From the second floor, we had a wide view of the quiet bay and curving coastline. The wet bar, wine cooler, and large Vietnamese platform bed in this area make it the perfect spot for lounging in the cool hours of early morning. During the day, we appreciated the plants that discreetly screened our vanishing-edge pool from the nearby beach and adjacent villas.

The whole place oozes rustic elegance — including rough plaster walls, mosquito netting supported by a bamboo frame, and simple furniture made from unfinished tropical wood — but the open-air bathroom was the pièce de résistance. Here, we showered beneath the stars and bathed in a beautiful wooden tub.

When we left our abode, it was to go snorkeling, or to the spa, or to a meal in the lofty, open-air dining room. Regardless of our destination, Trang — our personal butler — escorted us.

We snorkeled at Moon Island and, while we didn’t see many fish, we were impressed with the wide shelves of plate coral. The excursion also provided a glimpse into the lives of local fishermen living in large houseboat communities.

Trang didn’t go boating with us, but she walked me home from my spa treatments. I was grateful for this because in such a relaxed state, all the paths through the tropical vegetation looked the same.

One diminutive Vietnamese therapist didn’t seem very strong, but she used a combination of long strokes, slaps, acupressure, and warmed suction cups to turn me into a limp noodle. Afterwards, I was served ginger tea and tropical fruit in the open-air "relax area" where a stream rushing over boulders provides further soothing.

Evason Hideaway is 30 minutes by speedboat from the city of Nha Trang on the central coast of Vietnam. The resort consists of 54 villas, each with a private pool. A staff of over 400 is on hand to mollycoddle a maximum of 108 guests. (www.sixsenses.com/hideaway-anamandara)

Islas Secas Resort, Las Islas Secas, Panama
Michael Klein is a Santa Barbara software whiz who sold his start-up to Yahoo for $450 million. He then joined his sister on her sailboat in Panama. Together they discovered 16 uninhabited islands off the Pacific Coast — and it was love at first sight.

To accommodate guests, Klein brought in seven yurts — large round canvas structures supported on a wooden frame — and outfitted them luxuriously. Each casita has handsome teak furniture, a queen bed with fine linens and mosquito netting, and a fully-functional, attractive bathroom. Solar power runs a bar fridge, a couple of small fans, and lights.

During our stay here, I found myself mesmerized by the view. Passing sailboats dot the aquamarine sea, gentle breezes sway lush tropical foliage, and pelicans glide silently through the air.

The casitas are placed discreetly on one island and linked by coral paths. One of these goes through a palm grove so majestic it feels like a cathedral. Instead of looking up at stained glass windows, however, I raised my gaze to admire bromeliads growing on trunks of the lofty trees.

Resident managers Deborah and Guy Bunting, having built their own boat and sailed the Pacific, now help guests plan their time on this 16-island playground. Richard and I kayaked, swam, and snorkeled. Others — the maximum is 14 — opted for private picnics on deserted islands or enjoyed scuba diving, beachcombing, Hobie Cat sailing, spa treatments, and — that perennial favorite — hammock napping.

Meals, served on big teak tables under a spreading mango tree, are enjoyable occasions — both for the setting and the food itself. Before Islas Secas opened, Deborah and Guy worked with the owner of Academy de Artes Culinaria in Panama City to create menus based on fresh local ingredients. The result is exquisite fare that is light, attractive, and bursting with flavor.

Shrimp are prolific in Panama, and the chef at Islas Secas serves panko-breaded jumbos with a tasty sesame hoisin sauce. Culanto, a local green leaf related to cilantro, appears frequently — paired with everything from lentils to carrots. Native guavas top the popular cheesecake.

This very special remote retreat is open December 15 through April 30. Guests arrive by private plane from Panama City. (805/729-2737, www.islassecas.com)
— Elizabeth Hansen, photography by Adams/Hansen Photography