La Playa...Travel & Leisure magazine picks the 27 most affordable beach resorts, I narrowed it down to TWO. WHERE: CasaSandra Hotel, Holbox Island, Mexico (off the Yucatán Peninsula). An hour flight in a small private plane from Cancun. Known for their welcoming, laid back sophistication, some guests felt like they were staying at a friends' beach house. The CasaSandra is a 16 room boutique hotel on a virgin beach surrounded by turqoise waters. During the day you'll relax by the pool, snorkel with whale sharks riding calmly beside you, kayak, swing back in the hammock, indulge at the spa, and admire the well-known original artwork that adorn the hotel walls. At night, the chef will serve up fresh cuban fare while you sip on mojitos before retiring to one of the guest rooms, all named for inspirations; Ilusión (Illusion), Amanecer (Dawn), Sentido (Feeling). Not a bar in site, this is a very zen getaway. WHERE: La Veranda Resort, Phu Quoc Island, Vietnam. An island that still remains quiet (possibly not for long since developers are plotting expansion). This 43 room charming, colonial mansion style hotel on a 12 mile stretch of sand looks like a perfect holiday. Water sports a plenty, a sprawling tiled pool, natural herb scrubs and sunning on the deck will entertain you before you plant yourself firmly at the Sunset Lounge. What better way to end the day than watching the sunset over the Gulf of Thailand? Dine here, at the Beach Grill or La Pouvier. This is the perfect place to lie low in the sun.
WHERE: CasaSandra Hotel, Holbox Island, Mexico (off the Yucatán Peninsula). An hour flight in a small private plane from Cancun. Known for their welcoming, laid back sophistication, some guests felt like they were staying at a friends' beach house. The CasaSandra is a 16 room boutique hotel on a virgin beach surrounded by turqoise waters. During the day you'll relax by the pool, snorkel with whale sharks riding calmly beside you, kayak, swing back in the hammock, indulge at the spa, and admire the well-known original artwork that adorn the hotel walls. At night, the chef will serve up fresh cuban fare while you sip on mojitos before retiring to one of the guest rooms, all named for inspirations; Ilusión (Illusion), Amanecer (Dawn), Sentido (Feeling). Not a bar in site, this is a very zen getaway. 
WHERE: La Veranda Resort, Phu Quoc Island, Vietnam. An island that still remains quiet (possibly not for long since developers are plotting expansion). This 43 room charming, colonial mansion style hotel on a 12 mile stretch of sand looks like a perfect holiday. Water sports a plenty, a sprawling tiled pool, natural herb scrubs and sunning on the deck will entertain you before you plant yourself firmly at the Sunset Lounge. What better way to end the day than watching the sunset over the Gulf of Thailand? Dine here, at the Beach Grill or La Pouvier. This is the perfect place to lie low in the sun.