Considering how widespread surfing is becoming—this summer, the sport saw its Olympic debut, a reality series from surf legend Kelly Slater, and the documentary 100 Foot Wave—finding a great hotel that really caters to it has been too hard for too long. For those inspired to get off the beach and into the water, seaside resorts who have been offering surf lessons or equipment have largely been doing so through second-hand partners and vendors. At last, surf schools around the world are offering the whole package: stylish digs, stellar instructors, great food, and everything you need to access waves suited to all skill levels.
These eight properties were founded with surfing at their core. In-house surf schools, expert instructors, and “quivers” (a surfer’s collection of boards for various kinds of waves) featuring the latest designs and upgrades ensure guests of all abilities will ride the wave of their dreams. Many also offer functional training and yoga classes, plus post-surf massages and hot tubs to take the edge off the in-water lessons. And if the surf’s not up, their dreamy locales—from Indonesia’s white sand beaches to Morocco’s fishing villages—offer plenty of opportunity for other adventures. Here are eight that have changed the game.
Surf Maroc Amouage - Tagahzout, Morocco
Morocco has a year-round Atlantic swell, and 99% of the time, the surf is up in the small fishing village of Taghazout. Oceanfront yoga-and-surf retreat Amouage is the hippest stay, with 20 rooms decorated with souk treasures like vintage textiles and bright-hued tiles. Surf coaching packages progress beginners with daily lessons while surf guiding programs take intermediates and experts to the best uncrowded breaks in the area. At night, poolside barbecues and live music make it easy to meet fellow travelers. And weekly pop-up souks allow guests to shop for ceramics and berber rugs without having to miss out on any surf sessions.
Unstad Arctic Surf - Lofoten Islands, Norway
Cold-water surf photographer Chris Burkard credits the Lofoten Islands with changing his life. Yes, surfing in the Arctic is cold (water temperatures range between the low 40s to high 50-degrees Fahrenheit), but the tradeoffs are worth it: crowd-free waves and a chance to get barreled beneath the Northern Lights. Unstad Arctic Surf makes the frigid waters more tolerable by supplying heavy-duty wetsuits, complete with hoods and booties. They’ll also transfer a portable sauna to the beach, on request. The family-run hotel sleeps up to 55 in a range of dwellings from cozy cabins to a penthouse suite with original Burkard prints adorning the walls.
The Gilded Iguana - Nosara, Costa Rica
One of Costa Rica’s original surf hotels, the Gilded Iguana opened its doors in 1988 with just two rooms, a bar and a handful of surfboards. In 2018, new owners gave it a head-to-toe renovation, transforming the place into a stylish, 29-room surf resort with a central pool, open-air restaurant, spa, and athletic center. The biggest draw remains the location: Playa Guiones, one of the top surf spots on the Nicoya Peninsula, is just a five-minute walk away. A full-service surf club caters to newbies and pros with a selection of over 190 boards of all shapes and sizes, plus lockers, showers, and a juice bar. Instructors radiate pura vida and can help you learn the basics, like a pop-up, or progress your skills so you’re scoring barrels.
Malibu Popoyo - Popoyo, Nicaragua
Nicknamed the land of eternal swell, Nicaragua’s Emerald Coast has all-day offshore winds that make it possible to surf nearly all day, every day. When American Jade Chang Sheppard took over this boutique hotel in 2018, she re-imagined it as an all-inclusive stay for surf fanatics like herself. Inside the 12-room property there are comfy, minimalist digs; meals made from the hotel’s organic garden; and daily yoga classes. Surf coaching and guided boat trips to long, peeling waves like Lance’s Left are on offer. Throughout the year, the hotel also hosts workshops led by pros such as Taylor Knox and longboarder Julie Cox. And the palm-shaded pool and bar have become a favorite hangout for the community of Popoyo, especially on DJ nights.
Hotel Alaia - Punta de Lobos, Chile
Chile’s most renowned surf spot is at the doorstep of this 12-suite boutique hotel. Stripped back interiors of reclaimed timber and stone allow the rugged scenery framed by floor-to-ceiling windows to steal the show. Reliable surf and endless, left-breaking waves make this a destination for surfers from around the globe. And the restaurant, which features ingredients grown in the hotel’s organic, hydroponic garden and wines from the nearby Colchagua Valley, is a favorite of discerning locals. Boards, wetsuits, and lessons are available and—this being the Pacific—you’ll want to reserve a wood-fired hot tub to warm up post-surf.
Noah Surf House - Santa Cruz, Portugal
The team behind whimsical beach retreat Areias do Seixo debuted this family-friendly surf lodge in 2018. Just down the road from its sister and one-hour north of Lisbon, Noah Surf House’s 21 rooms range from bunks to bungalows. Its location, steps from the relatively mellow waves of Praia de Santa Cruz, make it a solid base for first timers. The in-house surf school can outfit guests with wetsuits and top-of-the-line boards, and lessons cover everything from how to read the waves to how to wax your board. Experienced riders can join guided surf safaris to the best peaks up the west coast, and surfers at any level can join functional training sessions at the gym. (Even non-surfers will appreciate the ocean-facing infinity pool and rooftop hot tub.)
