Mr & Mrs Smith x Cynthia Rowley

Portugal is a must-go for surfers looking to ride the world’s biggest waves, and this eco-minded hotel in Torres Vedras is ideally located for taking advantage of the country’s rugged coastal beaches. (Areias do Seixo partners with a local surf school, for less experienced shredders.) Natural design elements such as pebbled walls and tree-stump chairs contrast nicely with the angular glass-and-concrete modernist architecture to bring the outside inside, as do al fresco bathrooms and private terraces.

Cynthia says ‘Portugal is the hot spot right now when it comes to surfing. My friend Garrett McNamara is a superstar in this country for surfing the biggest wave ever. In Lisbon, I love the delicious food (especially the fresh fish) and the beautiful architecture. Don’t miss the just-unveiled Tiled Wall Artwork by André Saraiva – rad!’

Looking for a hotel with a sun-kissed beachy vibe, but don’t want to skimp on glam? The Viceroy Santa Monica is the place for you. This Kelly Wearstler-designed retreat combines old-Hollywood drama with coastal-casual good looks, and it’s located close to both beachfront and nightlife, affording guests a perfectly stylish urban beach retreat. The drinking, dining and common areas are pepped up with pops of primary color, the rooms are spacious, and the poolside bar scene is one of the best in town.

Cynthia says ‘Mix Hollywood Regency glamour, relaxation, delicious food, an active lifestyle, and a pinch of surf together, and you’ll find yourself at Viceroy Santa Monica.’

Surfers have been trekking to Canggu Beach for its wild waves and spectacular sunsets since the 1930s. If you want to see what the fuss is about, there’s no better spot to stay than Hotel Tugu Bali, where you can roll out of your massive Balinese four-poster and stroll directly to the Indian Ocean. This romantic, thatched-roof hotel is outfitted with museum-quality antiques and art, ensuite massage tables, lush tropical gardens and ponds, and five top-drawer restaurants.

Cynthia says ‘All I can say is OMG! I’m booking this now!’

Nihiwatu is a dreamy cluster of 32 villas perched at the edge of the world on the remote, unspoiled island of Sumba in eastern Indonesia. The white-white sand and killer waves make it paradise for surfers, but you can also tour the island on horseback or stroll to the outdoor beachside spa area for a Sumbanese Dream massage when you’re too noodled to face the swells. There’s no communal swimming area at Nihiwatu, but every villa has its own private freshwater pool.

Cynthia says ‘This spot has been top of my list for a while. I think I can justify it if I consider it a second honeymoon, right? Nihiwatu is so remote and luxurious, which makes it really romantic; it’s also the perfect destination for some killer surf.’

Ride on over to Cynthia Rowley’s website to snag some of her wetsuits for your next surfing safari and use the promo code SMITHHOTELS20 to get 20 per cent off Cynthia Rowley surf and swim. Valid through 31 December, 2016. 

Chilling in the sleepy Costa Rican village of Playa Guiones, eco-aware Harmony Hotel earns its name with laid-back island charm. Rowley regularly rallies groups of friends and family for surfing excursions here, and considers it a favorite vacation spot, with some of the best waves she’s ever tackled. There’s an onsite healing centre with daily yoga and meditation classes, bungalows with rocking chairs and outdoor showers on huge decks, and an open-air juicery taking advantage of copious tropical crops.

Cynthia says ‘I love this place and have been a few times. We often go as a group for some of the best waves I’ve ever surfed. There are some great casual restaurants in town and it’s easy to rent boards here. There’s also a dude that sits on the beach in the early morning, taking photos of all the surfers; he then sets up shop in a local bar in the afternoon, where you can buy him a few beers in exchange for the pics.’

To get to the luxurious Six Senses Laamu villas in the Maldives, you have to take a 40-minute flight from Malé Airport and then a quick speedboat trip to the ultra-remote Laamu Atoll (Six Senses is the only resort on the island). The journey’s well worth it – surfers appreciate the isolation and often have the waves all to themselves. The overwater villas feature glass-bottom bathtubs for first-rate fish and dolphin watching; their on-land counterparts have views of the lagoon or the ocean. That’s a win-win, in our book.

Cynthia says ‘I’m not good at relaxing, especially if there are waves, but even I might be forced to take some time out here, to chill in the glass-bottomed bath tub with a drink.’

Brisk trade winds make for gnarly surfing conditions at Cape Weligama, a high-end resort sprawling over a lush tropical promontory on Sri Lanka’s sunset coast. The suites and standalone villas are arranged in imitation of a traditional Sri Lankan village; interiors are decorated in a mod-Asian manner, with large oval soaking tubs, stately teak furniture, and a hushed neutral color scheme with turquoise accents. The crescent infinity pool overlooking the ocean seems to smile as contentedly as the guests.

Cynthia says ‘The beach break here is the perfect surf spot for beginners and long-time surfers. Pair that with the incredible views, and you’ve arrived at paradise.’

We forgive you if Morocco doesn’t come to mind when you think of popular surf destinations, but Essaouira, a picturesque seaside port, has become quite the chilled-out surfer retreat. To appreciate its Endless Summer vibe, book one of the seven rooms at Madada Mogador, located above the city behind the ramparts of the car-free medina. The building feels more like a European apartment block than a traditional Moroccan inn, with its cosmopolitan design, bi-level suites, and deep tadelakt soaking tubs.

Cynthia says ‘Most people don’t think of Morocco as a surf destination; having been, I can say it’s a great mix of exotic culture and beautiful beaches. Essaouira is a town that feels like an expat hideaway, and even though it’s not where Endless Summer was filmed, this part of Africa definitely has that vibe.’

We’re so inspired by Cynthia Rowley's picks that we’re sharing a special offer to help you hit the road: use promo code CYNTHIA100 for $100 off a minimum two night stay at any hotel in our collection, valid through 31 December, 2016. First-time bookings only.