Epic Hotels for Animal Lovers

If your idea of the perfect vacation includes the company of majestic beasts or exotic species, you should choose your destination and your hotel accordingly. These hotels, lodges, and resorts make it easy to enjoy the company of some of the rarest and most spectacular animal species in the world.

Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge lets you "step into the heart of Africa" without leaving the U.S. This property boasts 4 lush savannahs with roaming zebras, giraffes, gazelles, kudu, and flamingos. In between trips to Disney parks, you can learn about these exotic animals during fun programs led by animal scientists.

There are many reasons to book a stay at the Atlantis Resort on Paradise Island in the Bahamas, including its gorgeous beaches, on-site casino, and award-winning waterpark. Animal lovers will also love the property's expansive aquariums, which are home to sea turtles, sharks, jellyfish, six-foot Moray eels, and plenty of other unique sea life.

Occidental Grand Xcaret is a family-friendly all-inclusive resort that sits next door to one of Mexico's best eco-parks - Xcaret. This park boasts nightly shows and entertainment, authentic Mexican food, underground rivers, a butterfly pavilion, an aviary with many species of birds, and a coral reef aquarium teeming with tropical fish.

Set along the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica, the Los Suenos Marriott is home to many unique animals including giant iguanas, macaws, and monkeys. Most of these animals live in the wild on the resort's award-winning golf course, La Iguana Golf Club.

This exclusive boutique hotel in Nairobi, Kenya sits on 12 acres of private land set among 140 acres of indigenous forest that hosts a herd of wild giraffes. These tall and gentle creatures are known for visiting the property at any time of day or night with the hope of getting a treat.

If your idea of a vacation involves spending time with rescued animals, add the Farm Sanctuary in the Finger Lakes district of New York to your agenda. This sanctuary is home to numerous cows, goats, sheep, pigs, and horses that were saved from deplorable conditions or death. You can book a tiny home or cabin and get to know these animals better.

Maui's Grand Wailea Resort may be a luxury property at its core, but it offers a unique opportunity for travelers who love humpback whales. Maui's "whale season," which runs from December 15th to May 15th each year, brings hundreds of whales directly to the shores of the Grand Wailea. This makes it easy to catch a glimpse or watch frolicking whales all day long - no whale watching excursion required.

Love flamingos more than any other animal? Book a stay at the Renaissance Aruba Resort to gain access to its private island - Renaissance Island. This island paradise is home to a handful of wild pink flamingos that will entertain you all day long. You can even buy food on-site and feed them yourself.

The tiny country of Belize is known as one of the best scuba diving destinations in the world, and Robert's Grove Beach Resort lets you get in on the action. This property boasts 72 rooms, suites, and villas, and three outdoor pools. You also get access to a full-service marina and a PADI 5-star dive shop, along with the opportunity to see tropical fish, stingrays, nurse and reef sharks, and other wildlife.

With proximity to Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park, and Snow Canyon State Park, Utah's Red Mountain Resort is ideal for travelers who love hiking, biking, and getting close to nature. Animals you may see in the wild include deer, bighorn sheep, elk, bird, rabbits, wild foxes, bats, and more.

While the Maldives is mostly known for its luxury resorts, this region of the world is also popular for animal lovers. Visitors to Conrad Rangali Island in the Maldives can snorkel with whales, stingrays, and dozens of species of tropical fish. They can also relish in the company of sea life in an undersea hotel room or in the world's most luxurious underwater eatery, Ithaa Undersea Restaurant.

The Makanyane Safari Lodge is located on 1,800 hectares of private land in South Africa and an absolute haven for wildlife enthusiasts. Guests who stay in the property's luxury suites may encounter any number of the "Big Five" game - lions, leopards, rhinoceros, elephants, and buffalo - along with wild birds and other small animals.

The State Game Lodge is the largest resort in Custer State Park, which is home to abundant wildlife including American Bison, elk, mountain goats, antelope, mule deer, coyotes, and more. Book a trip to this South Dakota lodge for a week of camping, fishing, and wildlife tours led by knowledgeable guides.

The north shore of Kauai is known for its spectacular Napali Coast views and luxury resorts, but you'll also find wild animals everywhere you turn. The Westin Princeville is home to most of the island's struggling Nene population, which is the endangered state bird of Hawaii. Whales can be seen frolicking in local waters during winter months, and wild albatrosses with wingspans of up to 11 feet nest nearby.

As you plan your animal-themed trip, don't forget to include Bora Bora on your list. This far-flung luxury destination is home to numerous resorts with plenty of wildlife. The Four Seasons Bora Bora boasts its own coral reef project and an interior lagoon that is teeming with tropical fish. You can also book a boat excursion to swim with reef sharks and stingrays in some of the clearest water in the world.