The St. Regis Bahia Beach Resort

The part of us that’s wary of overbuilt resort destinations is always cheered by an address that includes kilometer markings rather than a proper street address. The St. Regis Bahia Beach Resort is located at State Road 187 kilometer 4.2 — an auspicious address if ever we saw one. It’s not close to anything, and that's the whole point. Unless, of course, you count proximity to El Yunque National Forest in the northern coastal valley of Puerto Rico, which is the good kind of proximity, if you ask us.

The resort is a St. Regis, with all that implies: classically luxurious guest rooms, a first-rate spa, and an upscale restaurant run by a namedrop-worthy chef. What’s unique to the St. Regis Bahia Beach Resort? The guest rooms aren’t just large and thoughtfully designed, for one — with soaring exposed beams made of dark cherry wood that contrasts with the breezy white and sand-colored décor, these rooms feel tropical and chic, like being inside a miniature modern treehouse. Modern, at least, in terms of amenities: each comes with a 40-inch LCD television screen, Bose sound system, iPod dock, 300-thread count linens by Pratesi, and a huge marble bathroom with a rainforest shower and products by Remède. The kicker? Each room and suite comes with a private terrace, most of which have ocean views.

As for the world outside, of course there’s a state-of-the-art fitness center and yoga studio, an excellent golf course, the high-end Remède spa, tennis courts and a kids' club. Naturally there’s the signature restaurant by chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten, and al fresco dining and an open-air brick pizza oven at the more casual Seagrapes. But the real standout here is the water. Not the Caribbean, though obviously that’s not bad either: but the pool. It’s a massive cascading affair, facing the ocean, fringed with palms, surrounded by cabanas and lounge chairs, well-attended by energetic staff members balancing trays of icy mojitos. You’re nowhere near anything, remember? It’s the perfect time to forget what time it is and just leave your watch — or rather, your iPhone — back in the room.