is one of our favorite beach destinations in Central America: an eco-lux lodge on a forested hillside above Nicaragua’s southwest Pacific Coast. The lodge is set within a 2,000-acre private reserve—home to howler monkeys, sloths, and dozens of tropical bird species. Its beach, Playa Ocotal, is a brown sugar arc of gentle surf; lodge guests usually have this beach to themselves, although they occasionally share the sand with nesting sea turtles.
The 15 original cabins, designed by architect Matthew Falkiner, are spaced for privacy. Some upper category cabins have plunge pools and dramatic sunset views of the coast. The resort also has three two-bedroom villas with plunge pools. All guestrooms feature king-sized beds, indoor and outdoor showers, and private decks. Each is equipped with security box, fans, bathrobes, and slippers. The rooms are fully-screened and designed to allow natural cross-ventilation. Beds are cooled with the Evening Breeze localized air conditioning system. None of the guestrooms have telephones or televisions. While internet access is available, you’ll likely spend more time in the hammock bed, listening to waves and reading from the lodge library.
Crossing the footbridge from the residential hill to the main lodge, you’ll find the restaurant, bar, a huge yoga deck, beachfront spa, and swimming pool. Mountain bikes and kayaks are available through the front desk. Deeper inside the property, guests can visit the restaurant’s organic farm.
Morgan’s Rock takes its ecological responsibility seriously. Resort profits help support a 2,500-acre reforestation area, responsible for adding 1.5 million trees to the landscape since the year 2000. The cabins are constructed of local stone and sustainably harvested woods. The swimming pool is purified with natural salts; its temperature is regulated through a solar heating system.
