3 Tropical Paradises That Melt the Stress Away

Tax season is looming, holiday bills are hitting your inbox, and you need a break. You need more than a little sun and sand. You need a spot that rejuvenates your body and mind so that you return home refreshed and ready to tackle life again.

Here's a list of tropical hotels that go beyond the ordinary, earning them full-scale status as pieces of paradise.

Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas

The Ritz is tucked away on Turquoise Bay on the far east side of St. Thomas, far from the cruise crowds, making it a near-perfect spot to let go of your stress. With four on-site dining options, you may not feel the need to leave the property until it's time to fly home.

The rooms are luxurious and comfortable, inviting you to soak your cares away or indulge in the decadence of an afternoon nap.

The beachfront, with its stunning view across the bay towards St. John, is loaded with de-stressing water sports. Choose from kayaking, paddle boarding, try sailing a Hobie Cat or learn to windsurf. The snorkeling and scuba diving are an exciting alternative for those who want to see what lies under the waves.

And the spa? Imagine the luxury of the Ritz amid the sounds and fragrances of the islands. Choose from a spa menu that includes a massage in a seaside cabana. Stress, what stress?

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Villa Premiere Boutique Hotel, Puerto Vallarta

Though Puerto Vallarta tends to be viewed as a party destination, a stay at the Villa Premiere is all about letting go of your stress. The feel of the hotel is calming. Within minutes of your arrival, you can be breathing a sigh of relief as talented hands work to wipe airplane stress from your mind with a welcome massage right in the lobby.

The rooms all face the Pacific, and the décor mirrors the colors of the ocean beyond your balcony doors. The sound of waves crashing on the jetty below is the music that lulls you to sleep every evening. The courtyard invites you into the center of the resort with water features, including two pools with views of the sea and steps leading to a row of covered beach beds.

How can you be stressed while enjoying an al fresco breakfast just steps from the beach? The breakfast menu includes traditional American favorites and Mexican specialties, all served with grace and flair.

The spa mirrors the calming atmosphere of the entire property, with candle light, earthy colors, and a well-trained staff that seems to have been chosen as much for their melodic voices as well as for their massage skills. The spa menu is extensive and includes several couples' choices.

Waldorf Astoria El Conquistador, Fajardo, Puerto Rico

With its interesting history as one of the most opulent resorts in the Caribbean in the late 1960's, the El Conquistador became part of the Waldorf Astoria Hotels and Resorts in 2009. A stay here gets you out of the bustle of San Juan, to a corner of the island that boasts stunning views of the Caribbean. And with twenty-three dining options, seven pools, and a championship golf course, there's nothing left to worry about once you arrive.

Even the standard rooms are large and spacious, many with unsurpassed views of the sea. The sister property, Las Casitas Village, offers multi-room suites in little clusters perched on the hillside with enough distance from the main resort to feel secluded.

The roster of available activities includes a trip to the resort's private island for beach fun and watersports. Scuba diving can be arranged at the dive shop on site.

The spa is tucked away in a quiet corner near Las Casitas Village and features an extensive menu of choices, including sugar scrub, a coffee scrub, and multiple couples' choices.

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