Michele Sponagle
Managing editor
Fans of The Bachelorette know that Becca Kufrin was unceremoniously ditched by Arie Luyendyk last season. One moment she was engaged and happily dating the man-boy race car driver and then, suddenly, she got dumped and the love affair was over. The sound of her broken heart could be heard near and far. But revenge is sweet. She was given the opportunity to be the newest bachelorette and find love. And she has. With whom, we’re not sure at press time, but we know she’s smitten.
Throughout this season, viewers became smitten by some of the incredible hotels Kufrin has stayed in along with her gaggle of would-be fiancés.
Here are a few highlights that will have you swooning.
Richmond, Virginia
While things were just warming up with her guys, they traveled to Richmond, Virginia. The lads stayed at Quirk Hotel. Located in the heart of the city’s arts and design district, this funky boutique property flaunted its sex appeal with a modern, sleek aesthetic. Its cocktail bar is well stocked with craft brewskies from local micro-breweries—perfect for drowning one’s sorrows if sent home packing. Meanwhile, Kufrin put a little distance between herself and the boys by staying at the Graduate Richmond, a sophisticated little property with a décor that taps into mid-century modern minimalism.
Las Vegas, Nevada
Then in Las Vegas, male model Jordan (who bragged about his “professionality”) was denied a rose during his dinner date with the bachelorette, much to his shock. His dry and puzzling sense of humor clearly did not win over Kufrin. Don’t feel too bad for him. He got to stay in one of the 4,004 rooms of the luxurious Aria Hotel and Casino. Fun fact: It’s the largest hotel in the world to earn LEED gold certification for its green practices.
Nassau, Bahamas
In the Bahamas, Kufrin bedded down alone (as far as we know) at the US$4.2 billion resort, Baha Mar. The property, which is spread over 1,000 acres, opened in May 2017. It’s so big there’s room for three hotel brands to set up shop—Grand Hyatt, SLS Hotels and Rosewood Hotels & Resorts. The bachelorette stayed at an oceanside villa at the Rosewood Baha Mar, complete with private pool. The mega complex includes more than 40 restaurants, bars and lounges, an 18-hole golf course designed by Jack Nicklaus, seven pools, plus a spa and wellness center.
Chiang Mai, Thailand
Things got steamy in Thailand when the bachelorette had the option to spend the night in a fantasy suite as part of a couple. While filming episode nine, they hotel-hopped to some pretty fabulous resorts, including Shangri-La Chiang Mai and the award-winning Siripanna Villa Resort & Spa. It’s not much comfort, though, when you have to shuffle off to Buffalo as seen with the earnestly in-love Jason.
Villingili, Maldives
To hand out the final rose for season 14, the Minnesota-born love seeker and the two remaining bachelors (Blake Horstmann and Garrett Yrigoyen) head to the five-star Shangri-La Villingili on a private island in the Maldives. It features plenty of seclusion and privacy, ideal for emotional breakdowns and teary goodbyes. Still stressed? The contenders can hunker down in the presidential suite and take advantage of its infinity pool and yoga pavilion. Ain’t love grand?
(Featured photo courtesy of Shangri-La Villingili)