IHG’s 10 Best Hotels for Outdoor Adventure

October 2026

The 10 Best Hotels for Outdoor Adventure

Based on Verified Guest Reviews

The best adventure hotels understand that the real attraction is what's beyond the lobby — the reef, the powder, the trail, the national park gate. We ranked these ten from verified IHG reviews, weighting how often guests praised the access to the outdoors and the activities on offer, and how warmly. From shore snorkeling in Roatan to ski-in mornings in Japan, these are the hotels that put the adventure within reach.

ROATAN, HONDURAS

1. Kimpton Grand Roatan Resort and Spa

On Roatan's West Bay, this Kimpton puts world-class snorkeling at your doorstep, with vibrant reefs and marine life just offshore. Spend your days spotting sea turtles, rays, and tropical fish, then unwind poolside between underwater adventures.

The snorkeling right from shore is excellent with sea turtles, rays, and beautiful fish.

— Megan, Verified Guest via IHG.com

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COZUMEL, MEXICO

2. InterContinental Presidente Cozumel Resort Spa

Set on Cozumel famed diving coastline, this InterContinental makes underwater adventure effortlessly accessible, with crystal-clear waters and vibrant reefs just steps from your room. A rare sandy beach and renowned on-site dive operation create the perfect setting for both first-time divers and seasoned explorers.

The onsite scuba diving operation, Scuba Du, delivers outstanding and reliable service, making every dive a great experience.

— John, Verified Guest via IHG.com

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SOUTH MALÉ ATOLL, MALDIVES

3. Holiday Inn Kandooma Maldives

At this Maldives, resort, the Indian Ocean is the main attraction. From world-class snorkeling and diving to shark encounters and surf breaks, it’s an island escape where every day brings a new adventure above and below the water.

Everything at Kandooma is fantastic but my wife and I particularly love the scuba diving and our kids who are 6 and 4 years old particularly love the Kandoo Kids (kids club) - this balance is perfect for us as a family.

— Stephen, Verified Guest via IHG.com

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MAAMUNAGAU ISLAND, MALDIVES

4. IntercContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort

At this InterContinental in the Maldives, a vibrant house reef turns every stay into an unforgettable marine adventure. Snorkel among colorful sea life just offshore, then venture farther afield on lagoon and manta excursions, all while enjoying an island retreat thoughtfully woven into its natural surroundings.

Whether relaxing by the different pools, snorkeling in the lagoon or around the house reef, or simply enjoying the beauty of the resort is truly unmatched.

— #DJS, Verified Guest via IHG.com

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HACHIMANTAI, JAPAN

5. Crowne Plaza Resort Appi Kogen

For lovers of Japanese powder, this Hachimantai retreat delivers legendary snow and effortless slope access. Days on the mountain give way to soothing onsen soaks, creating a classic winter escape defined by deep powder and authentic Japanese ski culture.

The perfect weather and “Japow” snow helped make this our best skiing vacation ever, however, the Crowne Plaza played a large part also.

— J TKY, Verified Guest via IHG.com

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BORA BORA, FRENCH POLYNESIA

6. InterContinental Bora Bora Le Moana Resort

At Le Moana Bora Bora, the lagoon is your playground, with calm waters ideal for kayaking, paddleboarding, and snorkeling straight from the resort. Balancing laid-back luxury with easy access to Bora Bora’s natural wonders, it’s an island escape designed for days spent on and in the water.

We also easy access to kayaks, paddle boards and snorkeling equipment, as Jack and the team make sure you have what you need to enjoy a day in the water.

— Lopez family, Verified Guest via IHG.com

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NATADOLA, FIJI ISLANDS

7. InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort & Spa

This Fiji InterContinental is made for life on the water, with reef snorkeling, diving, surfing, and jet skiing just offshore. Set along a spectacular beach, it’s a destination where adventure comes naturally.

Lovely family holiday with four kids ranging in age from 10 to 18- with lots of great activities like scuba diving-special thanks to Cherie and the team for such a great professional experience.

— Louise A, Verified Guest via IHG.com

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NOONU ATOLL, MALDIVES

8. Vignette Collection Noku Maldives

Set in Noonu Atoll, Vignette Collection Noku Maldives places adventure at your doorstep, with vibrant reefs, crystal-clear lagoons, and world-class dive sites just moments away. From snorkeling and diving to kayaking and sandbank escapes, it’s an island retreat designed for immersive ocean experiences.

The resort itself is stunning, the snorkeling is fantastic, and the villas are beautiful -- modern, spacious, and perfectly designed for relaxation.

— Sababod, Verified Guest via IHG.com

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HAYMAN ISLAND, AUSTRALIA

9. InterContinental Hayman Great Barrier Reef

On its own private island in the Whitsundays, this InterContinental puts the Great Barrier Reef at your doorstep. Snorkeling, kayaking, sailing, and scenic flights make it an unforgettable base for exploring one of Australia’s greatest natural wonders.

The boat transfer over to Hayman set the scene perfectly for our Easter Holiday, and the 'island experiences' we had snorkelling at Blue Pearl Bay 2, and our island picnic on Bali Hai were very professionally supervised and overall good value for money.

— Bulls23, Verified Guest via IHG.com

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BROWNSVILLE, VERMONT

10. Holiday Inn Club Vacations Mount Ascutney Resort

This Vermont retreat pairs mountain adventure with quiet natural beauty, offering easy access to some of the region’s best skiing and year-round outdoor escapes. Thoughtful comfort and peaceful surroundings make it an ideal base for exploring the Green Mountains.

Make this my usual go to for skiing , rooms are clean , comfortable and quiet , staff at the desk is friendly and helpful .

— Skier, Verified Guest via IHG.com

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*How we ranked them: Every hotel on this list was identified through analysis of thousands of verified IHG guest reviews. Hotels are ranked by the proportion of reviewers who positively mentioned outdoor activities, weighted by review volume and sentiment. All reviews sourced from IHG.com.

The cities that open onto the outdoors

Some cities are gateways to adventure as much as destinations themselves. Queenstown is the self-styled adventure capital of the world, with bungee, ski fields and trails in every direction. Denver opens straight onto the Rockies, while Vancouver puts ocean and mountains within the same afternoon. Seattle and Portland are launchpads for the Pacific Northwest's volcanoes and forests, and Cape Town pairs a great city with hiking, diving and surf right on its doorstep.

IHG brands built for adventure

InterContinental anchors this list with resort properties on the world's great natural stages — the Great Barrier Reef, Bora Bora's lagoon, the dive sites of Cozumel — where the activities and on-site dive and watersports operations are central to the experience.

Holiday Inn excels as the practical adventure base, whether that's a Zion gateway with shuttle access, a Maldives dive resort or a Vermont ski retreat — properties positioned to get guests out the door and into the landscape.

Crowne Plaza brings full-service comfort to adventure destinations like Japan's ski country, pairing easy lift access and onsen with the kind of facilities that make a hard day outdoors feel earned.

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