Seven Stunning Garden Stays to Celebrate Spring All Year Round
With colorful flowers popping out of the ground and brightening up fields and gardens again, it’s time to say goodbye to the winter blues and welcome one of the brightest and most beautiful seasons of the year. While it may only be Spring in half of the world, there are some inspiring gardens across the globe that can be enjoyed all year round. According to our research, an overwhelming majority of global travelers (83%)* say that beautiful scenery impacts their decision when choosing their next destination. With that in mind, we present seven stays with or nearby incredible gardens that are a treat for all the senses. From a biodynamic vegetable patch in New Zealand to a manicured estate in Ireland, there is a stunning spot for every kind of garden-loving traveler, no matter the season.
Straffan, Ireland
Built in 1832, the award-winning K Club is set on an expansive 550 acre estate along the River Liffey. The gardens of this historic mansion offer a stunning variety of plants and trees, and with nearly 4 miles (6 km) of riverside walking and cycling trails, this property is perfect for a relaxing morning walk. It makes for a bright and aromatic start to the day, with floral aromas and lush verdant views as far as the eye can see.
Pasadena, United States
Just a short drive away from Central Los Angeles, The Langham Huntington, Pasadena is surrounded by 23 acres of lush gardens that will make any traveler forget they’re in the heart of a major metropolitan area. Guests can stroll through the property’s historic Japanese garden and enjoy the calm, laid-back atmosphere. For those that can’t get enough of all that greenery, this Travel Sustainable property is also located near several other inspiring gardens that are worth a visit. The Arlington Botanical Garden is Pasadena's only dedicated free public garden, which includes thousands of California-native plants such as poppies, sunflowers, and olive trees. Or travelers can discover gardens inspired from different parts of the world at The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens, where Chinese, Australian, Japanese and subtropical gardens are all available to enjoy.
Alajuela, Costa Rica
Featuring thermal pools with waterfalls and over 200 species of plants, Travel Sustainable property Tabacón Thermal Resort & Spa is located in the Arenal Volcano Region of Costa Rica and is surrounded by a lush, tropical ecosystem. With its gardens as a source of stimulation and rejuvenation, guests can enjoy a relaxing stroll through the property's private rainforest reserve before a soothing soak in one of the numerous steamy mineral springs.
Queenstown, New Zealand
Sherwood is a tranquil retreat set on a hillside overlooking the picturesque Lake Wakatipu and the Remarkables Mountain Range on New Zealand’s ruggedly beautiful South Island. The property has taken multiple measures to provide a more mindful and environmentally friendly experience for its guests, for which it has been recognized with Booking.com’s Travel Sustainable badge. After a day immersing themselves in all the ins and outs of growing herbs and vegetables, guests at Sherwood can dine on fresh organic produce picked daily from its biodynamic vegetable gardens.
Kanazawa, Japan
Considered to be one of Japan’s most beautiful gardens and worth a visit all year round, the Kenrokuen Garden is located just outside the gates of Kanazawa Castle. The name Kenrokuen literally means "Garden of the Six Sublimities", referring to spaciousness, seclusion, artificiality, antiquity, abundant water and broad views. According to Chinese landscape theory, these are the six essential attributes that make up a perfect garden. The garden’s over 25 acres epitomize this approach, with endless water features, bridges, teahouses, trees, flowers, stones, viewpoints and hidden spots to discover.
Just a short walk from Kenrokuen Garden, Yamanoo Bettei Ryokusone is a beautiful traditional Japanese guesthouse, known as a ryokan, with an on-site restaurant serving Japanese multi-course kaiseki meals and a cozy sitting area where guests can catch up after a restorative day strolling through the gardens.
Set at the eastern foot of Table Mountain and offering incredible views of Cape Town, Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden is one of the world’s greatest botanic gardens. Visitors can enjoy native plants, flowers and shrubs that provide an explosion of color all year round. Kirstenbosch is also a perfect place for art, as the garden is home to a variety of art exhibitions and sculptures. Travelers can book a guided tour to explore the different parts of the garden and learn everything about its special features. After a few hours of wandering through the gardens, visitors can explore one of the many vineyards South Africa is famous for with a Half-Day Private Cape Winelands Tour.
With a stay at the Mountainside, Boho-Chic Retreat with Natural Pool, gusts are literally surrounded with lush greenery. Located in central Cape Town, this Travel Sustainable property features an outdoor swimming pool and its own lush gardens to enjoy.
Singapore, Singapore
In the heart of the city, the Singapore Botanic Gardens were established in 1859 and were the first tropical botanic garden on UNESCO's World Heritage List. The garden has approximately 3,000 species of tropical and subtropical plants and a herbarium of about 500,000 preserved specimens. There are a number of walking tracks available through the gardens to explore all the different types of flora, including the Rainforest Trail and the Ginger Garden Trail. Visitors should also not miss the National Orchid Garden, home to the largest orchid collection in the world, with over 60,000 blooming orchid plants.
For travelers who can’t get enough of the greenery, Treetops Executive Residences is an aparthotel just a half-hour walk from Singapore Botanic Gardens. The eco-luxurious serviced apartments, also recognized for their impactful sustainability efforts with a Travel Sustainable badge, boast an extensive private garden courtyard full of tropical plants.
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*Research commissioned by Booking.com and independently conducted among a sample of 48,413 respondents across 31 markets (2,000 from USA, 1,864 from Canada, 1,999 from Mexico, 2,003 from Colombia, 2,005 from Brazil, 2,002 from Argentina, 1,020 from Chile, 1,777 from Australia, 818 from New Zealand, 1,999 from Spain, 2,002 from Italy, 1,998 from France, 1,990 from UK, 2,005 from Germany, 2,003 from Netherlands, 985 from Denmark, 999 from Sweden, 910 from Croatia, 918 from Switzerland, 1,986 from Belgium, 998 from Russia, 953 from Israel, 1,999 from India, 1,990 from China, 901 from Hong Kong, 1,775 from Thailand, 1,001 from Singapore, 975 from Taiwan, 1,800 from Vietnam, 1,757 from South Korea, 1,001 from Japan). In order to participate in this survey, respondents had to be 18 years of age or older, had to have traveled at least once for business or leisure in the past 12 months, and planning to travel in 2022 and be either the primary decision maker or involved in the decision making of their travel. The survey was taken online and took place in January 2022.