BE A LITTLE MERMAID: AUSSIES CAN BE 'PART OF THEIR WORLD' WITH AN 'UNDER THE SEA' INSPIRED STAY

Wilson Island

Wilson Island, Australia

Travellers can’t get much more remote than the picturesque Wilson Island on the Great Barrier Reef. Surrounded by pristine white beaches and crystal blue seas, the island covers just two hectares of seclusion in a setting of unrivalled natural beauty. Hosting only 18 guests at one time, the eponymous Wilson Island offers nine designer-inspired tents for overnight stays each with a balcony and a sea view, and an island host catering to guests. Dinner is served from an open kitchen setting at The Longhouse, a central dining area for chilling out and socialising perfect for those who love to explore that shore up above. This eco-friendly island is powered by battery and solar energy only and, due to its secluded location, there is no WiFi so guests can completely switch off from the outside world. Spend time instead snorkelling with the turtles, parrotfish and clownfish in the Coral Sea. In January, guests might even spot loggerhead turtles lugging their way up the sand to give birth. In respect of nature, this Booking.com Travel Sustainable stay has a ban on single-use plastic and serves locally sourced food.

For those seeking to embrace their inner Ariel with a seaside stay, Booking.com is sharing Getaway Deals. Discounts start at 15 percent at participating properties indicated by the “Getaway Deal” badge, and are valid for stays with check-out on or before 28 September 2023. In addition, Booking.com is giving travellers around the world the keys to unlock a new level of additional perks with the introduction of a third tier to its Genius loyalty program. Designed to make every trip a better experience, Booking.com’s loyalty program is completely free, easily accessible and membership lasts a lifetime – travellers simply need to create an account to achieve Genius status for life. As Genius members unlock new levels, they get access to larger discounts and more travel rewards that never expire. All travellers have to do is sign into their Booking.com account and look for the Genius logo to identify benefits, discounts and perks.

Malibu, United States

Malibu is synonymous with white sand beaches, glistening blue waters and sunny skies. Perfect for adventures on land and those looking to make a splash. The Little Mermaid fans can dive straight in this summer at Disney's The Little Mermaid Beach House, a bookable experience available exclusively on Booking.com. A Malibu beach house has been transformed into a limited-edition beachfront stay that features Insta-worthy rooms with decor inspired by Ariel, Ursula, King Triton and Prince Eric, a private dinner in the house with a personal chef, a screen of The Little Mermaid at a nearby theater and lots more! The Little Mermaid Experience will be bookable starting on June 7 at noon ET for three separate overnight stays taking place on June 9, 10 and 11. Each booking includes flights and airport transfers available on Booking.com, and will be available on a first-come, first-served basis for $5.26, in honor of the day the new film dives into theaters (26 May).

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

For a once-in-a-lifetime stay, travellers should look no further than Atlantis, The Palm in Dubai. Located on Palm Jumeirah Island, guests can relax on the hotel’s private beach and dip into the shimmering Persian Gulf. With some of its oceanic-designed rooms connected to the hotel’s aquarium, guests can immerse themselves under the sea and feel connected to the majestic sea creature friends of Ariel. For those seeking family fun, enjoy complimentary access to Aquaventure, the largest waterpark in the Middle East with over 100 record-breaking slides and attractions, not one for guppys or those with cold fins! The Booking.com Travel Sustainable stay is also home to some world-class restaurants from Nobu serving exquisite Japanese cuisine to Hakkasan, famous for Cantonese, with all dishing up locally sourced food and making huge efforts to reduce wastage. After dining like a king, guests can hit the hotel’s high-end boutiques and shops full of gadgets and gizmos a-plenty. For travellers with strong sea legs, book a Dubai Marina, Atlantis, and Burj Al Arab Boat Tour to experience Dubai’s coastline on a thrilling speedboat.

Playa del Carmen, México

Palafitos Overwater Bungalows

Situated between Tulum and Cancún, the Palafitos Overwater Bungalows is a magical destination. An adults-only stay, this resort oozes romance and would make a gorgeous honeymoon destination. For an exciting day out in Tulum, travellers can book a Turtle Bay and Cenote Snorkelling Tour to explore the rich underwater ecosystem, with the chance to spot colorful tropical fish, stunning rock formations and amazing corals. Back at the ranch, guests can dive into the Caribbean sea directly from their bungalow’s private deck overlooking the water and channel their inner Ariel as they cool down in the Mexican heat. To get into the vacation spirit, a tequila and wine-tasting experience is available onsite, or guests can venture to the accommodation’s karaoke evening – losing their voices from the raucous singing rather than a deal with the Ursula. At night, the gentle lapping of the ocean will lull guests to sleep after a day in paradise with thankfully no sea witches in sight.

Onna, Okinawa, Japan

Travellers can become one with th sea like Ariel at the Villa Valiosa on the Beach. This high-end resort along the sandy beaches of Onna Village features six two-story villas, each with its own jacuzzi and infinity pool which blends seamlessly with the ocean. Known as the ‘Hawaii of Japan,’ the southwestern island of Okinawa has white-sand beaches and azure blue waters made of tropical fantasies, plus magical star-gazing, diving and cherry blossoms. Travellers will find great diversity in the water at the nearby Blue Cave: from diving with mantas to super-accessible snorkelling, travellers of all ages can float around in bathtub-warm water, watching fish reminiscent of Flounder and spotting sea turtles grazing on algae. Back on land, the Okinawan arts scene is thriving, and this Booking.com Travel Sustainable stay offers local artists a platform to display traditional fabrics and glazed ceramics, and also has a ban on single-use plastic to protect its marine life. Top tip: Feast like a mermaid on the delicious sea grapes – a local seaweed delicacy that pops in the mouth!

Halki, Greece

The Mediterranean 19th-century mansion, Halki Sea House is located on the island of Halki, a hidden gem nestled amongst turquoise sea. With waves lapping onto its terrace, guests can enjoy the waters of the Aegean touching their feet without having to leave the house, and incredible sea views from first sip of morning coffee to sunset cocktails. This Booking.com Travel Sustainable stay, with a private beach, offsets a portion of its carbon footprint and invests a percentage of revenue back into sustainability projects to protect sea life. Blessed with stunning beaches, Halki is a charming island with a seafront village home to restaurants and cute boutiques selling their own whozits and whatzits. Travellers can explore the island’s port in Nimporio and venture up to the mediaeval castle located on a hill above Chrorio village. For a water-themed day out, take a short ferry over to Rhodes Island and embark on a Sun & Sea Swimming Cruise to explore wondrous beaches, bays and caves just like Ariel and Triton.

Malé Atoll, Maldives

Located in the breathtaking north Malé Atoll island blessed with palm trees and turquoise water, Huvafen Fushi is a luxurious stay fit for a prince or princess from the land or the sea. The resort offers incredible overwater and beach bungalows poised right on the water, each with its own freshwater plunge pool, as well as the world’s first and only underwater spa. For a restorative day, guests can book a treatment and unwind amongst the magical panoramic reef views and soothing design inspired by the ocean – perfect for those happy under the sea. To protect its natural surroundings, this Booking.com Travel Sustainable stay provides guests with information regarding local ecosystems and culture and has a ban on single-use plastics. Outside of the spa, visitors can get up close and personal with marine life at one of the resort's many snorkelling and diving spots to encounter under the sea friends that remind them of Flounder and Sebastian. After a day immersed in the natural wonders of the underwater world, guests can relax on the resort’s sunset deck for a fairytale end to a perfect day part of this world.

Puunoa Beach Estates

Lahaina, Hawaii, United States

Located in a small town in West Maui in Hawaii, the Puunoa Beach Estates, a Destination by Hyatt Residence are set directly on the beach and guests can step outside to enjoy the luxury whirlpool spa and heated freshwater pool. The picture of paradise with large dunes and trees that line the coast, these upscale condos offer oceanfront living at its finest, fit for Disney royalty. A white coral reef just off shore makes for a tranquil haven where guests can swim, snorkel and paddle board, all in blissfully calm and shallow waters – so parents can allow kids to splash about carefree. Wake to the waves, toast the sunset and, in between, guests can do as much or as little as they like. From hiking tropical forests to discovering towering waterfalls and snorkelling through schools of tropical fish, or simply enjoying a nap under a swaying palm. Travellers can channel their inner Ariel and explore the Pacific’s wide world of wonders with excursions to swim with the dolphin or scuba dive. Landlubbers fear not, head to Lahaina’s Front Street which offers a variety of restaurants, bars and art galleries all to the backdrop of a colourful Hawaiian sunset.

*Source: Lauren Graham, Account Manager, Red Havas
w redhavas.com.au