Watersports

The Best Places in the World to Fish and Stay

by Blake Snow

Photograph by Blake Snow

Senior man fly-fishing during sunset at Lac St-Joseph, Quebec, Canada.

For those that want to connect with nature on vacation, try your hand at fly-fishing in Quebec. (Photo: Onfokus / Getty Images)

There’s something deeply satisfying about standing knee-deep in a mountain stream or casting a line into the endless blue, hoping for that exhilarating tug on the hook. For travelers craving a deeper connection to the great outdoors, fishing checks nearly every box: It’s immersive, challenging, and surprisingly meditative. Whether you’re into fly-fishing rivers for tasty trout or saltwater trolling for deep-sea giants, modern fishing expeditions are about more than just the catch.

Today’s outdoor-driven explorers want the best of both worlds — untamed adventure by day and a cozy, relaxing place to recharge by night. Thankfully, some seriously well-placed hotels and resorts that participate in Marriott Bonvoy are near some of the world’s top-rated fishing spots. From Bahamian flats to high-country streams, here are 14 far-flung places to fish, sleep, eat, and repeat.

As always, check for travel guidelines and closures before planning your trip.

United States

Key West, Florida — The Saint Hotel Key West, Autograph Collection, Adult Only

In Key West, deep-sea fishing is practically a local pastime. With the Gulf Stream nearby and the reefs alive with action, you can chase tuna, sailfish, or grouper just minutes from shore.

The Saint Hotel Key West, Autograph Collection, Adult Only sits right in Old Town, just a 10-minute stroll from the charter docks. This adults-only retreat feels like a funky boutique hideaway full of bold design and charm. After a long day offshore, cool off in the courtyard pool or walk to some of the island’s best comfort food spots. The vibes are salty, the fish are biting, and the cocktails are cold. 

Beaver Lake, Arkansas — Courtyard by Marriott Bentonville

Nestled in the Ozarks, Beaver Lake is a local favorite for striped bass, largemouth, and crappie. The scenery is serene, with steady fishing and calming coves.

Courtyard by Marriott Bentonville, just 22 miles away, is a great home base for laid-back fishing getaways. It’s clean, modern, and close to Bentonville’s vibrant art (don’t miss the world-class Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art) and food scenes if you want to mix nature with a bit of culture. Whether you’re coming with family, friends, or solo for some early-morning casts, this is a simple and satisfying spot to cast your line.

marriott waikiki
(Photo: Marriott International)

Kewalo Harbor, Hawaii — Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort & Spa

Oahu’s deep-sea fishing is as exciting as its surf scene. Marlin, ahi tuna, and ono patrol the waters just beyond Kewalo Basin, and the Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort & Spa is about 10 minutes from the harbor.

You’re right on the beach here, close to nightlife, luaus, and island eats. Pools with views and the island’s famous stretch of sand make this a no-brainer. Catch fish by day and setting suns by night. It’s an easygoing blend of aloha spirit and offshore action. 

Madison River, Montana — SpringHill Suites by Marriott Bozeman 

The Madison River is legendary — wide, winding, and full of wild trout. Whether you’re throwing dry flies from the banks or drifting through riffles, this is quintessential Montana.

SpringHill Suites by Marriott Bozeman is a 45-minute drive from great river access and offers spacious digs with mountain views. It’s unfussy, comfortable, and perfectly placed for anyone interested in rivers running through it. As a bonus, Bozeman’s got a respectable food scene and fly shops galore.

Men fly-fishing in Vail with a mountain backdrop.
Your next Vail mountain escape is a great time to try your hand at fly-fishing. (Photo: Marriott International)

Vail, Colorado — The Hythe, a Luxury Collection Resort, Vail

Yes, Vail’s a ski town. But it’s also a hidden gem for year-round fly-fishing. The Eagle and Gore creeks are full of brown and rainbow trout, and The Hythe, a Luxury Collection Resort, Vail is a polished, alpine-chic basecamp just minutes away.

Book guided trips through the hotel’s concierge services, soak in the Well & Being Spa, or enjoy mountain dining between casts. No matter what your choose, The Hythe brings style to the slopes and streams alike. It’s not just a fishing trip — it’s a luxe high-country escape.

Highlands, North Carolina — Trailborn Highlands 

With misty peaks and trout-filled creeks, Highlands is Southern fly-fishing at its finest. The Cullasaja and Chattooga rivers are minutes from Trailborn Highlands, a rustic-modern lodge with a fresh twist. Imagine cozy rooms, coffee by the fire, and good conversation after a long day on the water. The fish are feisty, the forest is thick, and the pace is just right. This is the kind of trip where time slows, and that’s exactly the point.

Pepacton Reservoir, New York — Postcard Cabins Western Catskills

New York’s Catskill Mountains are low-key famous among anglers, and Pepacton Reservoir is a prime slice of it. With brown trout and smallmouth bass in calm, scenic waters, it’s a dream for those who love still mornings and slow days.

Postcard Cabins Western Catskills is just minutes away, and the cozy cabins feel like a hug from the woods — Scandi design, fire pits, and deep, quiet sleep. It’s the kind of place where you can unwind in the woods, but you don’t have to camp. And with thoughtful accommodations and a kitchen in every cabin, you can feast on your fresh catch cooked over an outdoor fire. 

Aerial exterior view of French Leave Resort exterior and surrounding beach
Take in ocean views from your villa porch at the French Leave Resort. (Photo: Marriott International)

Latin America and the Caribbean

Sea of Abacos, Bahamas — French Leave Resort, Autograph Collection

If bonefishing had a capital, it might just be the Sea of Abacos in the Bahamas. These clear, shallow flats off the island of Eleuthera’s coast are ideal for stalking bonefish, tarpon, and permit. Fly anglers love it here, and for good reason.

French Leave Resort, Autograph Collection is just 10 minutes from prime waters, perched above a pink sand beach. This boutique getaway nails the laid-back island feel, with wraparound porches, ocean views, and a marina for easy boat access. Fishing guides? They got ’em. Barefoot luxury? That, too. Just bring your fly rod and flip-flops. 

Nassau, Bahamas — The Coral at Atlantis

Big-game fishing is alive and well in Nassau. Mahi, wahoo, tuna, and the occasional blue marlin cruise just offshore, with charter boats waiting to take you there.

The Coral at Atlantis keeps it family-friendly and fun, with water parks, pools, and beach time between casts. You’re only minutes from the docks, so it’s easy to mix fishing with other island pursuits. Whether you’re teaching the kids how to reel or sneaking away for some serious offshore action, this crowd-pleaser hooks in all the right places.

Punta Allen, Mexico — XELA Tulum, a Member of Design Hotels 

Ascension Bay is fly-fishing heaven. Bonefish, tarpon, permit, and snook all share the same shallow, glassy waters — which means you have a chance of achieving a saltwater grand slam.

Punta Allen is the launch point, and XELA Tulum, a Member of Design Hotels is your jungle-luxe home just under an hour and a half away. Think sleek minimalism meets raw wilderness, with curated experiences and materials inspired by the land. Getting to the flats is actually part of the adventure — passing through mangroves and untouched coastline before the fishing even begins. This one’s for the purists, the daydreamers, and the anglers chasing something wild. 

La Paz, Mexico — Baja Club Hotel, La Paz, Baja California Sur, a Member of Design Hotels 

The Sea of Cortez is famously rich and strangely under-the-radar for deep-sea anglers. From La Paz, you’re minutes from dorado, yellowtail, and marlin. Baja Club Hotel, La Paz, Baja California Sur, a Member of Design Hotels, not far from the marina, is your funky-chic headquarters in La Paz. Housed in a historic villa-turned-boutique hotel, it blends old-world elegance with modern design, rooftop views, and garden courtyards perfect for post-fishing siestas.

The desert-meets-ocean energy is strong here, and so is the fishing. For adventurous anglers who like their stays with a splash of style, this is the place.

JW Marriott Khao Lak Resort & Spa lagoon and kayaks
Spend an afternoon kayaking the lagoon at JW Marriott Khao Resort. (Photo: Marriott International)

Asia Pacific

Khao Lak, Thailand — Khao Lak Marriott Beach Resort & Spa

The Andaman Sea isn’t just postcard-pretty — it’s loaded with marlin, sailfish, and giant trevally. Deep-sea charters leave from nearby piers, only 15 to 20 minutes from Khao Lak Marriott Beach Resort & Spa. This peaceful resort is tucked about one and a half hours away from Phuket’s bustle, with palm-shaded pools, Thai architecture, and on-site spa treatments that’ll cure your casting shoulder.

The Similan Islands are accessible by boat for divers and anglers alike, and local guides know where to show you the best of both worlds. Add in oceanfront dining and soothing waves at night, and you’ve got a tropical basecamp worth writing home about. 

JW Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa arrival pavilion.
Start your Maldives vacation with a private boat to the JW Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa. (Photo: Marriott International)

Vagaru Island, Maldives — JW Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa

Imagine casting for giant trevally from a boat that left the dock five minutes ago — just outside your overwater villa. That’s what you get here … the Indian Ocean doesn’t mess around, and neither does JW Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa

With sailfish, tuna, and mahi in the area, this Maldives resort is saltwater fishing in paradise. Private charters launch from the resort’s own marina. Afterward, rinse off in your infinity pool or nap in a hammock suspended over turquoise water. It’s quiet, luxurious, and surprisingly full of fish. If you want remote and refined, this is the one.

ion adventure hotel
Stay at a property practicing sustainability. (Photo: Marriott International)

Europe

Reykjavik, Iceland — Ion Adventure Hotel, Nesjavellir, a Member of Design Hotels

Fly-fishing in Iceland feels like stepping into another world, with lava fields, glacier-fed rivers, and trout the size of your forearm. ION Adventure Hotel, Nesjavellir, a Member of Design Hotels is about an hour from Reykjavik and puts you near the Sog River and Thingvallavatn Lake — both packed with Arctic char and brown trout. 

The hotel’s design is futuristic but true to the land, with geothermal hot tubs and giant windows for watching the northern lights. It’s an appealing mix of elemental beauty and modern style. The fish here are smart, the views are surreal, and the silence is perfect.