Beach or Pool? Whichever You Choose, Here’s What to Pack

Whether your summer plans include chasing waves or just chillaxing by a pool, bringing the right gear along is vital for keeping your crew comfortable, hydrated and sunburn-free.

From one-of-a-kind swimsuits and sunglasses to fluffy towels and beach bags, this curated collection of six summer essentials is ready for the seashore or swimming pool.

Spacious Beach Bags

Opt for a classic, casual vibe with The Ritz-Carlton beach tote made from durable canvas and faux leather. It’s big enough to fit all your beach gear and stashes everything safely to and from your oceanside destination.

Or be the envy of beachgoers everywhere sporting the exclusive St. Regis beach bag. Crafted with vibrant blue, red and white canvas mesh and a wooden handle, it stashes a pool towel and swimwear by day, then transforms into a chic, stylish clutch at night.

Stylish Sunglasses

Look as chic as you feel with modern W Amsterdam aviator sunglasses that embrace bold, Dutch design by Aari Bostroem. They’re sold only by W Hotels, so you won’t find anyone else sporting these along the beach boardwalk.

Treat yourself right and invest in this 100-percent UV-protected pair with sturdy metal frames that keep your eyes safe all summer long.

Plush Towels

Don’t you hate sand creeping up your too-tiny towel at the beach? Ditch your old one and up your Instagram game with a vibrant Turkish fouta as a beach towel alternative.

These absorbent cotton sheets are common at Mediterranean beaches, but rock one anywhere to add pizzaz to your ensemble. It does double duty as a wrap or outdoor blanket, and the fouta’s fabric feels more supple and luxurious after every wash.

Or, upgrade to a plush new pool towel large enough to cover your lounge chair and keep sand at bay.

Protective Sun Hats

Sun protection matters, but that doesn’t mean you can’t look great when covering up. Whether you’re splashing in the ocean or sunbathing by the pool, sport a stylish hat to prevent sun damage and minimize UV exposure.

Channel vacation vibes with a Panama hat from designer Gigi Burris created exclusively for W Panama. Her three lively designs brighten this classic look and pair with pink flamingo pool floaties and fruity beach drinks alike.

Or, accessorize with a custom, handwoven straw hat by Mercedes Salazar X The Luxury Collection, featuring a pop of red needlework by Aztec women in the Yucatan.

Fresh, Fun Swimwear

Surf’s up! Choose this Chufy X The Luxury Collection long-sleeved swimsuit for extra protection when catching waves or rays of sunshine. Inspired by the designer’s experience hiking in Peru’s primitive countryside, this colorful swimsuit style puts you in vacation mode whenever you slip it on.

And kids love the exclusive red snapper swimsuit that celebrates The St. Regis’ custom bloody mary cocktails. Each St. Regis creates its own rendition, and they taste best served poolside on lazy weekend mornings.

Ice-Cold Refreshment

Ditch single-use plastic bottles and stay hydrated on hot summer days with a reusable, vacuum-insulated water bottle from EDITION Hotels. This stainless-steel bottle keeps drinks cold for up to 24 hours and hot for 12 if you’re sipping coffee from it.

Ice cubes fit inside, so your drink is extra chilled when the summer sun is beating down. Plus, this leakproof bottle won’t build up condensation on the outside — a win when you’re toting it to the beach.