The Great Ocean Road is one of Australia’s most famous and beautiful coastal drives. Stretching over 240 kilometers along the southern coast of Victoria, it offers stunning views, amazing wildlife, and lots of places to explore. If you are planning a trip here, it’s important to be prepared so you can enjoy the drive safely and fully. Here’s what you should know before hitting the road.
Plan Your Route and Time
The Great Ocean Road takes about 4 to 5 hours to drive without stopping, but most people take at least a full day or more to enjoy the sights. There are many stops along the way, including beaches, rainforests, and rock formations like the famous Twelve Apostles. Plan which places you want to see and how long you want to spend at each.
Drive Carefully and Follow Road Rules
The road winds along cliffs and through small towns, so be ready for sharp turns and narrow lanes. Keep your speed under the limit and watch for wildlife crossing the road, especially at dawn and dusk. Some parts of the road can be busy during peak seasons, so be patient and stay alert.
Check the Weather
Weather along the coast can change quickly. It might be sunny one moment and rainy the next. Check the weather forecast before you go and bring clothes for all types of weather. Strong winds can also make driving harder, so be cautious when the weather is bad.
Fuel and Supplies
There are small towns along the Great Ocean Road, but fuel stations can be far apart. Make sure your car has enough fuel before you start and fill up whenever you can. It’s also a good idea to bring water, snacks, and a first aid kit, especially if you plan to do some hiking or exploring.
Stay Safe and Respect Nature
The Great Ocean Road passes through national parks and protected areas. Always follow signs and stay on marked paths. Don’t climb on rocks or swim in unsafe areas. Respect the wildlife by keeping a safe distance and never feeding animals.
Consider Overnight Stays
If you want to see the Great Ocean Road at a relaxed pace, consider staying overnight in one of the towns along the way, like Lorne or Apollo Bay. This way, you can enjoy more activities, watch the sunrise or sunset, and avoid rushing through the drive.
Know Your Driving Side
If you are from a country where people drive on the right side of the road, remember that in Australia, driving is on the left. Take your time to get used to this, especially on winding roads and when passing other vehicles.
Driving the Great Ocean Road is a wonderful experience filled with beautiful views and memorable moments. By planning ahead and staying safe, you can make the most of this incredible journey. Enjoy the road and the amazing nature around you!
For high-value guests, exclusivity is expected; emotional resonance is what delights. We introduce Glintspot city-themed wooden gift boxes offering an immersive narrative that resonates with discerning VIPs.
Here’s how:
Cultural Immersion in Miniature
Each item in the box is a curated chapter of your city’s identity. The key card doubles as a wooden art piece etched with iconic skyline silhouettes, while bookmarks feature lesser-known local landmarks. These subtle touches transform functional items into conversation starters, inviting guests to explore the destination beyond their room. For global travelers craving connection, this box becomes a tactile map to your city’s soul.
Sustainable Craftsmanship as a Silent Ambassador
Carved from responsibly-sourced wood, these gift boxes reject disposable culture. The grain texture, natural variations, and weight of the materials signal quality—VIPs intuitively recognize this as a deliberate investment in their experience. The showstopper? A two-layer 3D fr idge magnet that mimics architectural depth, like a miniature sculpture. It’s designed to claim permanent space in a guest’s home, turning nostalgia for their stay into enduring brand visibility.
Let your welcome speak volumes. With Glintspot.
ABOUT GCSTIMES
Since 2011, GCSTlMES has pioneered sustainable development, evolving from smart card R&D to sustainable material innovation. Today, we stand as a global platform for sustainable solutions.
Sustainability is our foundation. Through technological innovation and creative solutions, GCSTlMES delivers diverse services and tangible products, positioning ourselves as both manufacturers and innovators.
GCSTlMES believes technology should empower human progress and cultural preservation. By integrating sustainability into technology, we aim to make it «warm» and purposeful. Our products serve as cultural ambassadors, promoting local heritage worldwide.
Brand Portfolio: GCS, AUROkeys, Xenyra, and Glint Spot, offering sustainable smart cards, creative (custom-shaped) key cards sustainable supplies, cultural gifts, and bespoke design and related services.
Currently, GCSTlMES has five operational centers in China, US, UAE, France, and Australia, along with 20 subsidiaries and offices worldwide. Its services extend to over 140 countries and regions supporting more than 100,000 international hospitality group in achieving low-carbon and sustainable development goals.
The first cliche that comes to mind when many think of Germany is thigh-slapping oompah music, embroidered lederhosen and, above all, litre-sized mugs of beer. And Deutschland’s beer culture is best epitomised by Munich’s Oktoberfest. Millions of revellers descend on the Bavarian capital each September for 16 days of booze, bretzel and bratwurst. But it’s a cliche out of sync with modern Germany, where abstinence is on the up – and boozing is in decline.
One example is Die Null (The Zero). Before the world-famous beer festival kicks off this year on 21 September, a new alcohol-free beer garden has opened in the heart of the city, inaugurated by the mayor of Munich himself. The venue serves a variety of non-alcoholic beverages, from mocktails to alcohol-free lager.
It’s the latest in a string of sober ventures across the country, reflecting a wider trend in German society: beer consumption has been steadily declining since the 1990s, standing now at an average of just 88 litres per capita a year, compared with almost 143 litres after the fall of the Berlin Wall. The decline is also noticeable at Oktoberfest itself: in 2019, 6.3 million visitors drank some 7.3m litres. Last year, a record-breaking 7.2 million people attended, but consumed a comparatively meagre 6.5m litres.
In a sign of the changing times, Augustiner – Munich’s oldest brewery, which is both a partner of Die Null and a mainstay of Oktoberfest – launched an alcohol-free helles for the first time in its long history.
A tent at Munich’s 2022 Oktoberfest. Photograph: Christof Stache/AFP/Getty Images
But alcohol-free beer is by no means a new development in Germany. While international craft breweries were dreaming up hoppy, hangover-free concoctions, sometimes with patronising names (BrewDog’s are called Nanny State or Punk AF), the Germans were marketing alcohol-free beers as vitamin-containing, isotonic drinks to be enjoyed after sports – even if the idea of gym buffs swigging an Erdinger Alkoholfrei after a workout seems strange to people in the UK.
According to the German federal statistical office, production of non-alcoholic beer (classified as containing less than 0.5% alcohol) increased by 74% between 2011 and 2021 and it is now drunk by some 46% of Germans. But this trend is also largely generational. The German Gen Z is less interested in alcohol than its parents: just 24% regularly drink beer, compared with 33% among Millennials or 35% among generation X. There is a similar drop-off with wine.
This phenomenon is by no means confined to the beer tents of Oktoberfest, but also extends to Berlin’s notoriously hedonistic techno scene. Some clubs have even said that declining alcohol consumption is affecting their bottom line. Meanwhile, the queer club Schwuz now hosts a regular “sober party”. And the longstanding techno festival Nation of Gondwana has a “sober bar” (even if harder substances are still very much a staple of dancefloor marathons).
There are many reasons for this shift. Younger people are more aware and critical of alcoholism, functional or otherwise, having seen the damage that addiction has inflicted on generations before them. Many have a stronger focus on health and sport, being all too conscious of the negative effects and high calorie count of alcoholic drinks. The Covid pandemic has undoubtedly accelerated this trend. Moreover, the cost of living crisis, twinned with the economic fallout of the pandemic, has led many young people to tighten their purse strings on a night out.
But above all, in many younger social circles, it’s just not cool to be drunk any more. Lairy behaviour is a faux pas, even at an otherwise uninhibited techno temple such as Berghain (perhaps Berlin’s most celebrated but also exclusive club). And with a far more exciting selection of non-alcoholic beverages to enjoy than just Sprite or Coke (think rhubarb spritzer or iced mate tea), it’s never been easier to reduce alcohol consumption – or abstain completely.
Germany is not alone. In fact, the number of Americans who smoke cannabis on a daily or near-daily basis now exceeds that of daily drinkers, according to research published in the journal Addiction this year. As Germany partially decriminalised cannabis in April, a similar trend might follow.
Munich’s alcohol-free experiment Die Null is set to close on the eve of this year’s Oktoberfest. But a continued decline in excessive drinking would be a welcome respite from its usual booze-fuelled violence.
This, sadly, is also “German beer culture”. And as the thirst for beer wanes, it’s high time to call last orders on the loutish, sexist and racist behaviour that has long accompanied it.
Boosting OTA performance and efficiency, RatiLanna Riverside Spa Resort thrives with STAAH’s powerful channel management solution.
Nestled on the tranquil banks of the Ping River in Chiang Mai, RatiLanna Riverside Spa Resort is where modern luxury meets centuries-old Lanna heritage. Just minutes from the international airport and iconic cultural attractions, this five-star resort offers guests more than a stay — it’s an immersive journey into the heart of Northern Thailand.
With 107 elegantly designed rooms and suites, award-winning spa experiences, riverside dining, and unique local offerings like sunrise alms-giving and scenic river cruises, RatiLanna offers something truly special. But as their reputation grew, so did the complexity of managing bookings across multiple platforms.
The challenge: juggling channels slowed them down
Like many top-tier resorts, RatiLanna found it increasingly difficult to keep up with the demands of digital distribution. Manual updates to availability and rates across OTAs were taking up too much time — and the risk of errors or overbookings loomed large.
“We needed a solution that could keep pace with the way the industry was evolving,” says the team at RatiLanna. “The old system just wasn’t efficient anymore.”
With real-time updates and centralised control, STAAH transformed how the resort handled inventory and rates. The intuitive dashboard made it easy for the team to stay on top of bookings without the stress of manual syncing.
STAAH helped the RatiLanna team simplify operations overnight. It saved them time, reduced booking errors and gave the team more control over our online presence.
The results: Increased efficiency, visibility & growth
Since implementing STAAH, RatiLanna has seen:
Smoother operations across all online channels
Fewer errors and manual tasks
Stronger performance on OTAs thanks to accurate rate and inventory management
Enhanced visibility that supports their position as a leading luxury resort in Chiang Mai
Even without using STAAH’s booking engine yet, the resort has gained significant value through the channel manager alone — and with a forward-looking approach, they’re keeping an eye on future tech enhancements to strengthen direct bookings as well.
A partner that grows with you
From seamless integration to responsive support, what RatiLanna values most is STAAH’s ability to adapt and grow with their business. In a fast-moving hospitality landscape, STAAH has given the luxury resort the tools and flexibility required to stay ahead of the curve.
As RatiLanna continues to welcome guests seeking authentic Thai luxury, they now do so with a modern, digital foundation — powered by STAAH.
From traditional to tech: Thai resort’s online transformation with STAAH was last modified: June 30th, 2025 by Nashi Dasgupta
This July, W Maldives—The Original Wavemaker—dials up the flavour and the flair as award-winning mixologist, Beckaly Franks touches down in the Maldives for a one-of-a-kind takeover. As part of the resort’s Island Alchemy series—a bold celebration of global mixology talent— Franks brings her trailblazing energy, genre-defying cocktails, and unapologetically original spirit to heart of the Indian Ocean for an experience that’s equal parts spectacle and substance.
Known for turning heads and rewriting the rules, Beckaly Franks is no stranger to shaking things up. From co-founding the iconic The Pontiac in Hong Kong—featured on Asia’s 50 Best Bars list for seven straight years—to launching the Hungry Ghost group and buzzy venues like Call Me AL and ARTIFACT, Franks has long been a driving force behind Asia’s cocktail renaissance. In 2023, she became the second woman to win the Altos Bartenders’ Bartender Award, a recognition for her fearless creativity, inclusive ethos, and magnetic presence behind the bar.
At W Maldives, she is bringing it all. The collaboration kicks off with two exclusive guest shifts at SIP on 24 and 25 July, where Franks will serve up a mix of her iconic signature and bespoke creations crafted just for the island. Think sun-drenched flavours, unexpected textures and bold spirits made to match the lagoon views. On 27 July, the experience moves to the resort’s noon-to-moon social hub, WET Deck, for an elevated daytime poolside revelry—an atmospheric day of sensory storytelling, boundary-pushing cocktails, and barefoot glamor under the vibrant Maldivian sky.
Part island escape, part liquid installation, this collaboration is more than a moment—it is a statement. Island Alchemy is W Maldives signature mixology program designed to spotlight innovators, connectors, and tastemakers who bring something original to the table. With Beckaly Franks at the helm, this edition serves as both a toast to women redefining the global bar scene and a bold glimpse into the future of mixology—where craft and character collide in all the right ways.
Guests looking to stir things up in paradise can book the Stay, Dine, and Fly package, which includes daily breakfast spread and three-course dinner as well as return seaplane transfer from Male, and get exclusive benefits. Book your stay now and raise the bar on your next escape via this link or contact reservations.wmaldives@whotels.com.
Most tourists and travelers dream of joining a cruise someday but its prohibitive price makes it a just that, a dream. But fear not, this time, Star Dream Cruises is having a promo for their Star Voyager and Star Navigator cruises. Their 2025 cruise deals cover exciting destinations in Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan. Besides discounts, what’s nice about these cruises is that most of the destinations covered are visa-free (except for Busan, South Korea).
I have been to numerous cruises before, and I have to say, they’re some of the most memorable and hassle-free trips I’ve had. The charm lies in not only visiting exciting travel destinations, but on the cruise itself. Imagine feasting on multiple buffet restaurants daily, enjoying the ship’s amenities like top deck swimming pools, spas, and arcades while cruising on the high seas, and watching world-class shows every night.
For as low as $139.00 or around ₱7,700.00++, you can enjoy two-night cruises from Star Dream Cruises. A very affordable cruise deal, considering it includes your accommodation, buffet meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, on-board entertainment, and of course, a chance to visit Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan aboard a cruise ship.
Star Dream Cruises 2025 promos run from June 12 to July 30, 2025. Book now and make that dream cruise trip a reality.
Sailing from Hong Kong, the Star Dream Cruises’ Star Voyager ship will visit Taiwan and Japan from July to November 2025. The promo rate for this cruise starts at $139.00 (₱7,700.00++) for a two-night cruise. Besides its really low price, cruise participants are also not required to have a Taiwanese or Japanese visa to join.
Besides a two-night cruise, they also have a three-night and five-night cruises. The places it would visit in Taiwan include Kaohsiung, Penghu, and Keelung. For the Japan cruise, it would visit Ishigaki and Naha.
To avail of this, you would have to get a roundtrip flight to Hong Kong, as it would be where you would check-in and where the ship will depart from. Note that there is also a required $50.00 port charge and $40.00 gratuities fee in addition to the cruise fee.
STAR VOYAGER’S GRAND LOBBY
SAILING DATES: July 02, 2025 • July 16, 2025 • August 13, 2025 PROMO PERIOD: Until July 30, 2025 BOOK HERE:stardreamcruises.com DISCOUNT PROMO CODE: LAKADPILIPINAS
STAR DREAM CRUISES’ STAR NAVIGATOR
Sailing from Keelung in Taiwan, the Star Dream Cruises’ Star Navigator ship will visit Japan and South Korea from June to November 2025. The promo rate for this cruise starts at $149.00 (₱8,300.00++) for a two-night cruise. Again, it has a very low price, and participants are also not required to have a Japanese or South Korean visa—except for the cruise that includes Busan, South Korea—to join.
Like Star Voyager, besides their two-night cruise, they also have a three-night and five-night cruises. The places it would visit in Japan include Ishigaki, Naha, Miyakojima, Kumamoto, Kagoshima, Nagasaki, Osaka, and Kochi. For South Korea, it would visit Jeju and Busan.
To avail of this, you would have to get a roundtrip flight to Taiwan, as it would be where you would check-in and where the ship will depart from. Note that there is also a required $40.00 port charge, $40.00 gratuities fee, and $10.00 JapanTourist Arrival Fee in addition to the cruise fee.
STAR NAVIGATOR’S BALCONY STATEROOM
SAILING DATES: Several dates from June to November 2025 PROMO PERIOD: Until July 30, 2025 BOOK HERE:stardreamcruises.com DISCOUNT PROMO CODE: LAKADPILIPINAS
CRUISING WITH RESORTS WORLD CRUISES
I have cruised around Asia with Star Cruises and Resorts World Cruises—which is now Star Dream Cruises—and I can attest as to how worth it their cruises are. And with their really affordable promo rates, now is the time to fulfill your dream of cruising in style. Book now, using my promo code LakadPilipinas and get an extra 5% off.
Get ready for a sizzling celebration as Sentosa GrillFest 2025 returns to Siloso Beach from 17 July to 10 August, promising its biggest and boldest edition yet. With 39 food and beverage brands across five vibrant zones, new immersive dining experiences, and a strong focus on sustainability and inclusivity, this year’s GrillFest is more than just a beachfront food festival—it’s a feast for the senses.
Feast, Flirt, and Fire Up the Night
New this year is GrillHouse Social Mixer Nights, a collaboration with homegrown social networking group Offline Singapore. Taking place across four evenings, these mixer events are designed to bring together 160 participants for gourmet bites, beachfront bonding, and live music under the stars. It’s where delicious food meets real-world connection.
Be Your Own Grill Master at GrillHouse
The centrepiece of GrillFest 2025 is GrillHouse—a hands-on, interactive dining experience where guests take control of the grill with the Ninja Foodi Smart XL Grill and premium ingredients from lyhseafood. Choose from three curated platters and cook at your own pace, or explore:
Aburi Bar – Watch premium seafood like Bluefin Tuna Otoro and Swordfish get live-torched, Japanese market-style.
Meat Concept – Savour crispy skin pig, dry-aged beef, and wagyu—grilled by chefs or by you.
You Pick, We Cook – Select your own seafood and let expert chefs grill it to perfection—or do it yourself for the full experience.
Discover, Shop & Savour at the Marketplace
Another first is the Marketplace, where guests can handpick the freshest local seafood, meat, and pesticide-free produce, then watch it prepared on the grill by chefs or take it to cook themselves.
In partnership with SFA, SAFEF, SIAS, and PARKROYAL COLLECTION Pickering, Marketplace showcases how locally farmed ingredients—fresher and with a lower carbon footprint—can become delicious, sustainable meals. Look out for furniture crafted by Staxx from 100% upcycled ocean-bound plastic, reinforcing GrillFest’s commitment to eco-conscious living.
Around the World in One Bite
Explore global flavours and homegrown classics at GrillFest’s three main food zones:
International Grills – From Jamaican jerk chicken by Chef Ricardo Allen to British-style burgers and mini Sunday Roasts by Carnaby, indulge in a world tour of grilled goodness.
Local Grills – Discover Singapore’s finest, with brands like Sea High, Smokeque, and Oud Restaurant serving up creative takes on local favourites.
Beachside Grills – Watch chefs in action with open-flame cooking right by the sea. Don’t miss CHARROU’s Trio Buns—featuring crispy siu yuk, crystal char siew, and roasted duck in fluffy lotus buns.
GrillFest Gets Greener—and More Inclusive
GrillFest continues to champion sustainability, with all vendors using compostable packaging, no single-use bottled drinks, and water coolers throughout the site. Guests who bring reusable cups, utensils, or containers can redeem a $5 voucher (limited to the first 50 redemptions daily).
Waste disposal is made easy with labelled recycling and compost stations, and on-site composters will process food waste and packaging into compost—creating a closed-loop experience.
Inclusivity is also a priority: 25% of seating is wheelchair-friendly, with dedicated beach tracks for smoother access across the festival grounds. Guests are encouraged to give up their seats for those with mobility needs. An access guide is available for download to help with navigation.
Get more out of your Sentosa GrillFest experience with a sizzling lineup of promotions and rewards—from exclusive food bundles and Islander perks to Mastercard bonuses and discounted rides via Grab. Here’s what you can look forward to:
Sentosa Islander Exclusives
Presale Islander Bundle
Pre-purchase $20 worth of GrillFest e-vouchers and receive a complimentary bottle of:
Alpine Haven Craft Beer (worth $12) or
Amber Bloom Non-Alcoholic Beverage (worth $10)
Islander-Only Sampler Menus
Enjoy specially curated sets from participating vendors:
CRAFT’B
Set 1: Spiced Chicken + Seasoned Rice + Large Beverage @ $24 (U.P. $26)
Construction on Disney Lakeshore Lodge, the newest mixed-use Magic Kingdom resort that’ll be both DVC and a regular hotel, is flying along at a rapid pace that strongly suggests the massive resort will easily make its 2027 opening date target. This shares new aerial photos and progress on what was formerly Reflections – A Disney Lakeside Lodge.
Demolition of the abandoned River Country water park already happened in 2019, as had site clearing and prepwork for the new lodge in early 2020. Pre-closure, the project was getting very close to beginning actual construction, so it should come as little surprise that it is now vertical and several stories of Disney Lakeshore Lodge have been built.
Reflections — A Disney Lakeside Lodge was previously set to debut in 2022, but Disney Lakeshore Lodge is not set to open until 2027. This makes sense given the delay, and suggests the construction timeframe from start to finish is more or less unchanged–it was just delayed by ~5 years.
In the interim, Walt Disney World opted to convert the Cabins at Fort Wilderness into Disney Vacation Club inventory. “Convert” isn’t really the right word–they replaced the old cabins with brand-new ones that are more modernized and mirror (to some extent) what we’re expecting of Disney Lakeshore Lodge.
These cabins are one of a trio of stop-gap projects aimed at adding DVC inventory in lieu of Reflections, along with the Island Tower at the Poly and Resort Studios at the Grand Florida. Whereas the monorail loop projects were low-risk, slam dunk additions that would sell themselves, the cabin conversion is another story entirely.
As part of the new DVC Cabins at Fort Wilderness conversion, Disney announced a “collection of improvement projects” at Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground designed to enhance the guest experience. Examples include pool and walking trail enhancements, as well as expanded dining experiences at Trail’s End Restaurant and Crockett’s Tavern.
Earlier this month, Walt Disney World announced a pool expansion project at the Meadow Swimmin’ Pool Area that continues this initiative. A new zero-entry pool and deck area is being built alongside the existing pool, effectively doubling the space for guests to enjoy. The expansion will also include a tennis court and two pickleball courts, giving families even more ways to play together in the great outdoors.
Above is a look at progress, which was underway prior to the announcement (permits were first filed almost a year ago). This should help improve the pool lineup at Fort Wilderness, and also relieve the burden on Disney Lakeshore Lodge opens, assuming that DVC Cabins guests are eligible to use that feature pool (which isn’t a sure thing).
(All aerial photos courtesy of theme park eye in the sky bioreconstruct, a highly recommended follow who graciously provided the construction photos here.)
Flying a bit higher, we have a high-level look at the entirety of Fort Wilderness and the Disney Lakeshore Lodge construction site. You can also see Discovery Island to the far right, along with Wilderness Lodge and the TTC at the top of the photo.
This should really put into perspective the footprint of Disney Lakeshore Lodge. It’s obviously not as sprawling as Fort Wilderness, which is a bunch of spread out campsites, cabins, and–as the name suggests–wilderness. But it’s nevertheless quite large!
The key difference is that these three interconnected resort wings will top out at 10 stories tall. Nothing at Fort Wilderness is more than a couple of stories. It’s hard to tell from such a high-level photo, but Lakeshore Lodge is also really, really close to the Settlement. The construction has opened up the area quite a bit.
Here’s another aerial shot showing just how close Disney Lakeshore Lodge is to Pioneer Hall. At the bottom of this frame is the Fort Wilderness dock. Just above that is Clementine Beach, and Pioneer Hall and the rest of the Settlement.
The Disney Lakeshore Lodge towers will, quite literally, tower over Pioneer Hall. For reference, Disney Lakeshore Lodge is much closer to Pioneer Hall than Gran Destino is to the (old) main lobby of Coronado Springs or even Island Tower is to the existing longhouses at the Polynesian.
No photos do this justice. Even after seeing construction plans illustrating just how close the two are, I was still taken aback when seeing this construction in person. It is right there, and the only way to fully convey that is by standing in the Settlement and seeing the tower taking shape.
Here’s another angle that shows the Fort Wilderness Settlement, Disney Lakeshore Lodge, and Disney’s Wilderness Lodge (green roof) along with the Boulder Ridge Villas (brown roof).
As noted above, Disney Lakeshore Lodge will eventually be a 10-story resort with 900 rooms. By contrast, Wilderness Lodge has has a 7-story main building and 728 rooms in total. The largest resort in the Magic Kingdom area is currently Grand Floridian; if you count both its DVC expansion and the main resort, it’s just over 1,000 rooms. Lakeshore Lodge will be fairly close in size to the main resort–with more inventory than the Poly or Contemporary.
To put this into context, Disney’s Riviera Resort is a 9-story with 300 rooms. This will be one story taller and with a significantly larger footprint. It’s not necessarily triple the size of the Riviera, but it’s the largest new resort at Walt Disney World in a long time–with more room inventory than Riviera and Island Tower combined.
Thus far, the footprint of Disney Lakeshore Lodge is unchanged from the previous permits and site plans for Reflections. Disney Lakeshore Lodge has a “W” layout of its wings, with two main courtyards.
If these site plans continue to be correct, there will be a lazy river, feature pool, and waterfront restaurant in the courtyard closer to Fort Wilderness (top of the photo above). The lower courtyard will hold the quiet pool and boat dock.
There’s no reason to believe the layout or site plans have changed. That would trigger permitting updates with the South Florida Water Management District prior to construction, and nothing was filed. What is being built is materially the same as what was permitted–the differences, if any, will be thematically or aesthetically, not structurally.
From this, we also know that there will be treehouse villas and A-frame cabins along the waterfront. In the above image, you should be able to spot 4 of these A-frame structures on the Wilderness Lodge side. The plans call for 4 on this side in total.
What used to be the Clementine Beach at Fort Wilderness will be home to another 9 structures. There are already A-frame structures closer to the water; there should be a second ‘row’ of treehouses behind those, which will presumably have water views thanks to their elevation.
Some of these treehouses will essentially be in-line with Pioneer Hall, and much closer to the Fort Wilderness boat launch than the new dock at Lakeshore Lodge. (Similar to how some of the Poly Bungalows are close to the TTC.)
Ultimately, it’s impressive how quickly Disney Lakeshore Lodge is speeding along. It’s been less than a year since this project resumed, and already, the resort wings are coming close to their full and final height. Obviously it’s a simpler project and a lot of site prep was done in 2019-2020, but it’s nevertheless amusing to see how quickly DVC development is done.
If you’re considering a stay at Fort Wilderness, you may want to wait. The obvious reason for this is the active construction; based on the current pace, we’d expect this to move inside the hotel by early 2026. Even so, that leaves another year or more before Disney Lakeshore Lodge opens.
You might want to wait until then for the sake of the added amenities it’ll bring to the table–along with restoration of the walking path between Wilderness Lodge and Fort Wilderness. While Fort Wilderness guests will almost assuredly not have access to the lazy river or pools, they will be able to use the dining options at Disney Lakeshore Lodge. We’re expecting a restaurant roster on par with Disney’s Riviera Resort or Gran Destino Tower, which should be a win.
To each their own, but if I were a Walt Disney World regular, I’d hold off on staying at Fort Wilderness until Disney Lakeshore Lodge opens in 2027. Even though the construction impact is minimal at over 95% of the campsites and cabins, the combination of work being noticeable from the Settlement and the worthwhile amenities that will debut once the new resort opens would be enough for me to hold off for now.
What do you think of the construction on Disney Lakeshore Lodge? Surprised at just how massive this new Magic Kingdom resort looks from above? Have you seen it from on the ground at the Fort Wilderness Settlement? Are you apprehensive of staying at the Fort for the next few years? Thoughts on guest impact if you’ve stayed here recently? Do you agree or disagree with our advice? Any questions we can help you answer? Hearing your feedback–even when you disagree with us–is both interesting to us and helpful to other readers, so please share your thoughts below in the comments!
Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita is one of Mexico’s premier luxury resorts—offering a seamless blend of laid-back Pacific beauty, warm Mexican hospitality, and the elevated service the brand is known for. Set within a private, gated enclave on the Riviera Nayarit, just 45 minutes from Puerto Vallarta Airport (PVR), it’s a resort that knows how to create meaningful, lasting memories for both couples and families.
I’ve been traveling to this coastline for decades—my dad had a home nearby, and I even visited the resort site while it was still under construction. I’ve since stayed here with my own family and have sent countless clients who appreciate how effortless the experience is: direct flights from California and other major hubs, private airport transfers arranged by the hotel, and a resort where you can fully unplug.
As a Four Seasons Preferred Partner, I offer exclusive perks like daily breakfast, resort credits, and upgrade priority—and because I know the rooms and the team personally, I’ll make sure you’re matched to the right fit and well taken care of throughout your stay.
Be a Four Seasons Preferred Partner Guest
As a top Four Seasons travel advisor, I give you access to exclusive Preferred Partner perks when you book Four Seasons Punta Mita through me — at no additional cost to you.
Daily breakfast for two.
A one-time hotel credit.
Upgrade at check-in, subject to availability.
Contact us for the full program details.
Punta Mita, Bahía de Banderas, Nayarit, Mexico, 63734
What I love
Family Programming: This family-friendly luxury resort in Mexico offers dedicated programs for infants, kids, and teens.
The Pools & Beaches: The resort masterfully offers three distinct pool experiences—the vibrant Nuna Pool, the serene adults-only Tamai Pool, and the endlessly entertaining Lazy River—plus two pristine, swimmable beaches.
Exceptional Culinary Diversity: With a vast array of high-quality restaurants and bars, my clients rarely feel the need to venture off-property. You can, though!
Plunge Pool Rooms & Suites: Summer in Mexico is hot, and even when it’s not, it’s fun to have a small pool on your patio.
Less Water Worry: The resort’s tap water is treated, and bottled water is available throughout.
Four Seasons Preferred Partner Benefits: Added value through complimentary breakfasts, resort credits, and potential upgrades.
Good to Know
Resort Layout: The resort is expansive and set on a terraced hillside, which means walking is part of the experience. That said, golf carts are available on demand—just call, and they’ll pick you up anywhere on property.
Not Ultra-Modern by Design: This isn’t a glossy, minimalist resort—and it’s not meant to be. The style reflects coastal Mexico: warm, authentic, and timeless—which I think is perfect.
Limited Nightlife: The tranquil vibe is perfect for families but might feel quiet for adults seeking evening entertainment.
Wildlife Encounters: The lush grounds are also home to tropical birds, iguanas, geckos, land crabs and other critters which is part of the charm. It’s Mexico—this is normal.
What Is Punta Mita?
Punta Mita is a private, 1,500-acre gated community on Mexico’s Riviera Nayarit, about 45 minutes north of Puerto Vallarta. It’s home to luxury resorts like Four Seasons and St. Regis, multimillion-dollar villas, two Jack Nicklaus golf courses, beach clubs, and miles of scenic walking and biking trails.
While most guests stay resort-bound, there is a small village—Punta de Mita—just outside the gates with casual beachfront restaurants, surf schools, and local shops. It’s about a 5–10 minute drive or bike ride from Four Seasons. You won’t find city-style walkability here, but the setting is peaceful, exclusive, and designed for relaxation.
Choosing Your Sanctuary: An In-Depth Guide to Accommodations
All rooms at Four Seasons Punta Mita are beautifully appointed—there truly isn’t a bad one. But room type can shape your stay. Some are steps from the beach, others offer more privacy or easier access to the kids’ club.
Exact room locations within each category can’t be guaranteed, so I encourage clients not to stress over pinpointing a specific building or floor. Instead, the key is choosing the right room category for how you want to experience the resort—whether that’s easy beach access, extra privacy, or proximity to family amenities. I do have a map that I can share with clients who are trying to recall specific buildings or have mobility concerns.
All rooms and suites at Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita come equipped with a thoughtful range of standard amenities, including:
The signature Four Seasons bed with a choice of down or hypoallergenic pillows
A tea and coffee maker
A refrigerated private bar/minibar
An in-room safe for valuables
Bottled water
Complimentary premium Wi-Fi
Twice-daily housekeeping service
Casitas (The Foundation of the Resort)
The entry-level Garden Casita has a great outdoor space! (photo courtesy of Four Seasons)
All Casitas are a generous 60 m² (645 sq. ft.) and offer a choice of a king bed with a sofabed or two double beds. The key difference is location and view.
Garden Casita: Tucked into lush tropical landscaping, this entry-level category offers excellent value. It’s also ideal for guests who enjoy privacy and a garden setting.
Ocean Casita: A key distinction I make for clients: “Ocean View” is not Oceanfront. These second- or third-floor casitas offer partial or angled views of the Pacific—great for those who want a glimpse of the water without the premium price tag.
Oceanfront Casita: Located on the ground floor with unobstructed, panoramic ocean views. This is the category for travelers who want to fall asleep to the sound of the waves. Depending on the building you still may need to walk around to a beach path rather than step directly on the sand.
Oceanfront Plunge Pool Casita: Everything the Oceanfront Casita offers—plus a private plunge pool. It’s a top pick for couples seeking added luxury, or families with young children who want a safe, convenient water option just outside the door. I highly recommend this room.
Suites (The Sweet Spot for Space and Luxury)
Oceanfront Plunge Pool Suite (photo courtesy of Four Seasons)
The leap from a Casita to a Suite at Punta Mita is significant—especially in terms of space. At 1,625 sq. ft. (151 m²), these suites feel more like private apartments than hotel rooms.
Garden or Ocean Plunge Pool Suite: I stayed in a One-Bedroom Ocean View Plunge Pool Suite with my family, and it was a complete game-changer. The separate living room meant we could put our daughter to bed and still enjoy our evening—ordering room service to the terrace and ending the night with a quiet dip in our plunge pool. For parents, it’s an investment in privacy and sanity.
Oceanfront Plunge Pool Suite: This is the pinnacle of Punta Mita’s suite offerings—expansive indoor-outdoor space, a private plunge pool, and unobstructed, head-on views of the Pacific. I recommend this to couples and families.
Need More Space?
Two-Bedroom Plunge Pool Suites are available by connecting a One-Bedroom Plunge Pool Suite to an adjoining room—ideal for families or small groups.
Family-Specific Accommodations
Two-Bedroom Family Casita: This is a brilliant and unique offering. At 120 m² (1,290 sq. ft.), it connects two casitas and features kid-focused design elements like bunk beds and hanging nest chairs that are an absolute hit with younger guests.
Villas & Residences (The Ultimate Private Escape) For multi-generational families or groups of friends, the resort’s collection of private villas and residences is unmatched. These range from three to seven bedrooms and feature fully equipped gourmet kitchens, expansive indoor-outdoor living areas, large private pools, and dedicated staff. Most also include personal golf carts for easy transport around the property.
Four Seasons Punta Mita: Casitas & Suites Comparison
As just mentioned, full villas and residences are also available but are not included here.
Kid-focused layout, two bathrooms, connected casitas
A Culinary Journey: Navigating the Restaurants & Bars
One of the resort’s greatest strengths is that it’s a self-contained culinary destination. With a diverse portfolio of restaurants and bars, my clients often find the quality and variety so compelling that they rarely dine elsewhere.
The Signature Restaurants
Dos Catrinas (Modern Mexican) Dos Catrinas is the resort’s social and architectural focal point—two levels of warm wood, artisanal accents, and open-air charm. It’s especially gorgeous at sunset.
A few dinner standouts include the tableside guacamole and flight of five salsas, grilled tlayuda and Sinaloa-style chicken.
Insider Tip
The Four Seasons Preferred Partner included breakfast is the buffet here. It is outstanding with traditional Mexican favorites like chilaquiles, tableside banana bread cart, fresh fruit, made-to-order omelets and so much more. I love a good hotel breakfast and this is a favorite.
Bahía by Richard Sandoval (Seafood) There is nothing quite like dining with your feet in the sand and listening to the waves crash. Bahía delivers this quintessential experience perfectly. It’s so popular that it draws guests from other resorts in the area.
I recommend whatever the local catch of the day is. I’ve been there on the beach when the chefs meet the fishermen with their fresh catch. But there’s also Baja oysters, grilled octopus, steaks, and so much more.
It’s a gorgeous view (photo courtesy of Four Seasons)
Insider Tip
Arrive early for a cocktail at the bar, which has swinging wooden chairs on one side. The chef frequently visits tables to recommend the best preparation for the day’s fresh catch, adding a personal touch that elevates the meal.
Aramara (Pan-Asian) Set on a newly renovated, open-air terrace with sweeping ocean views, Aramara blends modern Asian culinary techniques with fresh Mexican Pacific coast ingredients. The sleek design matches the ambitious menu, which includes sushi, robata, and inventive entrées.
Five-Spiced Half Duck with flour tortillas (photo courtesy of Four Seasons)
“Aramara” means sacred place by the ocean in Huichol—and the setting lives up to it. You will enjoy a sake menu and popular disnes like Five-Spiced Half Duck and Ishiyaki Hot Stone grilling of meat and seafood at your table.
Insider Tip
If you’re a sushi purist, remember that this is Asia meets Mexico and not meant to be a traditional Japanese restaurant. As someone who is part Japanese, I appreciate the creativity that goes into honoring both culinary traditions while showcasing the flavors of this region.
Casual Bites, Healthy Options, and Lively Bars
Not a bad place for a cocktail (photo courtesy of Four Seasons)
In addition to the main restaurants, the resort offers a range of other delightful dining options.
The Tail of the Whale Clubhouse, adjacent to the golf course, serves classic American and Mexican dishes in a casual setting. For a healthy lunch right on Manzanillas beach,
The Salad Shack allows guests to create custom salads or wraps.
Tamai, located near the Apuane Spa and the adults-only Tamai pool, focuses on wellness with plant-based Asian bowls, fresh sushi, and sashimi.
Poolside, the Nuna Pool Bar at the family-friendly infinity pool offers cocktails, lunch, and snacks with stunning ocean views. I love the ceviche here!
Cora Lounge, overlooking the Nuna Pool, is a laid-back all-day retreat offering smoothies, coffee, and sundowners, often accompanied by live acoustic guitar.
For a unique experience, Mez is an ocean-view mezcal bar described as “the place to see and be seen,” celebrating Mezcal with innovative cocktails and traditional food pairings, boasting over 70 varieties.
A true hidden gem is the Drift Bar, a secluded swim-up bar along the serene lazy river, perfect for specialty cocktails.
On select evenings, The Shack opens as an exclusive beachfront bar for enjoying Pacific sunsets with your toes in the sand.
One of my many ceviches by the pool from Nuna.
In-Room Dining & Private Culinary Experiences
My family is a heavy user of in-room dining, and here it’s available 24 hours per day. It’s nice to enjoy a meal or snack on your private terrace.
The resort also specializes in private culinary experiences, which can be customized for romance, celebration, or family fun. Options include:
Romantic dinners on The Rock or directly on the beach
Private bonfires with s’mores and cocktails
Themed dinners like “Taco Tuesday” or “Flavours of Mexico”
Private cooking classes, often led by a resort chef
Pools & Beaches: Sun, Sand, and Serenity
You can see both beaches in this photo (photo courtesy of Four Seasons)
Water is at the heart of the experience at Four Seasons Punta Mita, with three distinct pool areas and two swimmable beaches that stretch along 1.25 miles of pristine coastline.
The Pools
Nuna Pool: The resort’s main infinity-edge pool overlooks the Pacific and is fully family-friendly. It’s a social hub with food and drink service, hourly amenities, and a popular ice cream cart that makes rounds most afternoons. I’ve been in it when there have been amphibious waiters who actually get in the pool to hand-deliver drinks.
Tamai Pool: This adults-only retreat is surrounded by tropical foliage for a private, tranquil atmosphere. It’s ideal for reading, lounging, or enjoying a quiet cocktail.
Lazy River: A favorite with families, the Lazy River winds through lush landscaping and now features the Drift Bar, a hidden swim-up spot.
The Beaches
My daughter on the beach during a stay at FS Punta Mita
Both beaches are swimmable, clean, and well-maintained. The sand is soft, the water is warm, and unlike many resort beaches in Cancun, Punta Mita typically doesn’t experience the same seaweed issues, thanks to its Pacific Coast location and protected coves.
Manzanillas Beach: The resort’s main beach is wide, sandy, and ideal for swimming, surfing lessons, or playing beach games. It has gentle waves and is home to the resort’s TropicSurf school.
Cuevas Beach: This smaller cove is nestled between volcanic rocks near “The Rock.” It’s calmer, more secluded, and perfect for kayaking, swimming, or sunbathing.
Keep in mind, this is the Pacific Coast—ocean temperatures are warm, but the water isn’t as clear as the Caribbean. Visibility is often good for casual snorkeling around Cuevas Beach, but for the best snorkeling, head out to the Marietas Islands.
Why Families Love Four Seasons Punta Mita with Kids
As a travel advisor and a parent, I can confidently say that Four Seasons Punta Mita has cracked the code on luxury family travel. Every member of the family—from infants to teens to parents—isn’t just accommodated, but genuinely cared for. The result? Parents can actually relax, knowing their kids are having just as much fun as they are.
Babies For All Seasons (Ages 0–18 Months)
A first for the Four Seasons brand, this program takes the stress out of traveling with a baby. It includes:
Complimentary organic purées made in-house
Stokke high chairs, Boppy pillows, diaper genies, and more
Baby yoga and baby-and-me reflexology experiences
Kids For All Seasons (Ages 5–12)
This supervised, complimentary kids’ club (open daily 9:00 am – 4:45 pm) goes far beyond standard resort childcare. Activities are fun and meaningful, with a strong emphasis on local culture, like crafting Ojos de Dios and learning piñata songs. Outdoor play, games, and nature walks round out the day.
The Container (Ages 13–19)
This teen-only hangout is cleverly housed in converted shipping containers and packed with just the right amount of freedom and fun:
Xbox, PlayStation, and VR setups
Pinball, air hockey, and ping pong
A private cinema space with an 85” screen
Insider Tip
A standout feature: babysitters and kids’ club staff are full-time Four Seasons employees, not outside contractors.
Who doesn’t love a lazy river? (photo courtesy of Four Seasons)
More Reasons Kids Love This Resort
Four Seasons Punta Mita goes well beyond just kids’ clubs. There are small, thoughtful touches across the property that make it feel like a true playground for all ages:
Lazy River: A guest favorite. Families float for hours beneath the palms, and the addition of the Drift Bar means parents can enjoy a cocktail while keeping an eye on the kids.
Ice Cream & Churro Carts: Daily surprises like the ice cream cart by the pool or the evening churro stand near Dos Catrinas are always a hit with younger guests.
Beach Bonfires & S’mores: Available to book as a private family experience, these beachfront evenings are unforgettable (and incredibly photogenic).
Cultural Activities: Mexican cooking classes, bracelet-making, and art projects tied to local traditions give kids something more meaningful than screen time.
Friendly, Kid-Focused Staff: This may be the biggest differentiator. Staff go out of their way to make kids feel welcome—learning their names, remembering favorite snacks, and offering genuine warmth throughout your stay.
Beyond the Family Fun: Indulgences for Adults
While Four Seasons Punta Mita is paradise for kids, it’s equally a haven for adults seeking relaxation, romance, and recreation.
Apuane Spa: A Sanctuary of Mexican Healing
This 21,500-square-foot retreat is inspired by Huichol culture, centered around a sunlit courtyard with a reflexology pool and calming water features. Treatments incorporate traditional Mexican botanicals and rituals.
I recommend planning enough time to enjoy the hydrotherapy facilities (steam rooms, sauna, plunge pools) before and after your treatment.
Insider Tip
The Punta Mita Tequila Stone Massage combines tequila-infused sage oil and hot stones for deep relaxation. For something more romantic, ask about Spa After Dark—a private beachfront massage and starlit gourmet picnic.
World-Class Golf: Two Nicklaus Masterpieces
Guests have access to two Jack Nicklaus Signature courses—Pacifico and Bahía—available only to resort guests and Punta Mita residents.
Pacifico Course is famed for its beauty and playability.
Bahía Course offers more challenge with deep bunkers and undulating fairways.
Insider Tip: Don’t miss the “Tail of the Whale,” the world’s only natural island green—only playable at low tide. Have the concierge check tide charts to time your tee-off accordingly.
Insider Tip
The Pacifico Course is home to one of golf’s most iconic holes—the “Tail of the Whale”, the world’s only natural island green. Set 199 yards offshore, this hole is only playable at low tide, when an amphibious golf cart transports players across the rocky ocean floor. It’s a bucket-list shot for many of my golf-loving clients.
My advice? As soon as you book your stay, ask the concierge to check the tide charts and help schedule your tee time accordingly.
Resort Activities & Cultural Experiences
Beyond the pools, beaches, and golf courses, Four Seasons Punta Mita offers a diverse range of activities that appeal to every interest, whether you’re seeking adventure, wellness, or cultural connection.
Ocean & Water Sports
The resort’s two swimmable beaches—Manzanillas and Cuevas—serve as the starting point for most aquatic experiences.
Surfing: The on-site TropicSurf school offers expert instruction for all levels, including tandem surfing for young children.
Snorkeling & Paddleboarding: Complimentary gear is available for guests who want to explore the coastline at their own pace.
Scuba Diving & Deep-Sea Fishing: Private excursions can be arranged to nearby dive sites or rich fishing grounds.
Whale Watching: From December to March, Punta Mita becomes a prime location for spotting migrating humpback whales—often right from the resort’s shoreline.
Marietas Islands Excursions: These nearby protected islands are ideal for snorkeling, wildlife spotting, and exploring hidden beaches.
Land-Based Adventures
If you’d rather stay dry, the concierge can help arrange a wide variety of land-based excursions just minutes from the resort.
ATV Tours through jungle trails and rugged terrain
Horseback Riding along the beach or in nearby hills
Zip-Lining in the lush tropical canopy
Access to the resort’s racquet center, which features 10 tennis courts and options for pickleball
Cultural Immersion
The resort also excels at incorporating local culture into the guest experience in a thoughtful and interactive way.
Hakari Cultural Center: Offers hands-on workshops focused on the traditions of the Huichol people—such as beadwork, embroidery, and yarn painting.
Seasonal Sea Turtle Release: Guests can help release baby sea turtles into the ocean during nesting season, a favorite for families.
Tequila Blending & Chocolate Workshops: Learn the art of crafting your own tequila blend or hand-make traditional Mexican chocolate.
Cooking Classes: Family-friendly and hands-on, these classes showcase regional flavors, offering a fun way to learn together. I wrote an article for Four Seasons Magazine a while back about the resort. As part of that, one of the chefs taught my daughter how to make a tostada—we continued to make them at home!
The Secret Escape: Understanding Naviva, A Four Seasons Resort
It’s essential to recognize that Naviva is not merely a high-end room category; it’s an entirely distinct property adjacent to Four Seasons Punta Mita.
Conceived as a nature-based, adults-only (guests 16+) retreat, Naviva consists of just 15 freestanding luxury “tents” nestled in 48 acres of lush forest. The experience is “beyond all-inclusive,” covering all meals, premium beverages, a personalized itinerary, daily activities, and one 90-minute spa journey per person.
Insider Tip
For multi-generational families staying at the main resort, the “Naviva night” is a popular strategy. Parents can arrange for grandparents to watch the kids and sneak away for a romantic, all-inclusive 24-hour escape, enjoying a completely different and restorative experience before rejoining the family.
The Advisor’s Playbook: Planning Your Trip
The open-air lobby awaits (photo courtesy of Four Seasons)
Getting There
Four Seasons Punta Mita is located about 45 minutes from Puerto Vallarta International Airport (PVR), making it an easy and scenic arrival.
I strongly recommend arranging the resort’s VIP transfer service. You’ll be greeted by a uniformed Four Seasons representative after customs and taken to the resort in a luxury SUV stocked with chilled towels and water. It sets the tone for a seamless, stress-free stay. They will provide car seats.
100% of the guests I’ve booked into the Four Seasons Punta Mita over the years have used the resort’s airport transfer service. However, when I visited my family’s home, we rented cars at the airport (some were manual transmissions, so be aware).
Best Time to Visit
The weather is consistently beautiful for most of the year, but each season has its advantages.
November to April: Dry, sunny days with cooler temperatures. This is high season and also the best time for whale watching.
May to June / October: Shoulder seasons with fewer crowds and better rates. You may experience occasional showers.
July to September: Warmest, most humid months with brief but intense tropical storms. That said, the resort is quiet and lush—and rates are excellent.
My favorite time to visit is September, when the resort feels peaceful, the greenery is at its peak, and there’s excellent value.
The Best Way to Book Four Seasons Punta Mita
As a top-producing Four Seasons Preferred Partner, I offer my clients exclusive perks and access you won’t find by booking directly online. This includes better value, personalized service, and access to VIP-only promotions.
You’ll pay the same rate as booking direct, but with added benefits and elevated service.
Daily full breakfast for two people per bedroom
A hotel credit per stay (varies based on whether booking a room, suite, or residence)
Upgrade of one category, subject to availability at check-in
Preferred check-in/out times, subject to availability
Seasonal exclusive promotions only accessible to Preferred Partner agencies—you will need to ask us below for the full details
Are you struggling to understand the rules of composition in photography? Do you want to transform your landscape photography, but you’re just not sure how?
You’re not alone. Composition is the most complex part of photography to learn, and it can take years to master. Fortunately, there are a few simple compositional rules that can take your landscape photos to the next level, fast.
In this article, I will share with you 12 easy rules of composition. These rules aren’t difficult to implement, and so you should have no trouble applying them to your own photography – you just have to be open to experimenting with the rules and open to breaking them when necessary.
Note that some of these rules apply to most forms of photography, but some apply only to landscape shooting. Keep that in mind if you like to photograph multiple genres!
So if you’re ready to improve your landscape photos with some simple composition rules, let’s get started!
The Rules of Composition in Photography
Here are the 12 rules of composition every landscape photographer should know, starting with:
1. The Rule of Thirds
The rule of thirds refers to a fundamental compositional guideline:
Posiiton the key elements of your photos approximately a third of the way into the frame.
That way, you’ll end up with a photo that’s well-balanced and dynamic.
The rule of thirds is famous, partially because it really does do a good job. By positioning your main subject, as well as other important parts of your photo, a third of the way into the frame, you’ll often get a very pleasing result:
Note that the rule of thirds comes with a simple set of gridlines. You can use these to guide yourself when creating compositions in the field.
(In fact, most cameras allow you to use a rule of thirds overlay when looking through your viewfinder, so you can literally have the rule of thirds before your eyes at all times! Convenient, right?)
In landscape photography, the rule of thirds is a great way to get started with composition. Begin by identifying the key portions of your scene, such as a mountain, a tree, a river, or a horizon line.
Then try to position those elements along the rule of thirds gridlines. For instance, you might put the horizon on the bottom third gridline, while you could position a tree at the right or left third.
The results will often be stunning.
2. The Golden Ratio
The Golden Ratio refers to a ratio often found in nature:
1.618, also known as Phi.
In fact, the Golden Ratio appears so frequently in nature that it’s a little spooky!
But how does this apply to photography?
In two simple ways.
First, the Golden Ratio can be used to create a spiral, also known as the Golden Spiral. It looks like this:
And by positioning your main subject at the center of the spiral, and allowing lines to radiate outward, you can end up with a beautiful, dynamic composition:
The Golden Ratio can also be used to a create the Phi Grid, which looks like this:
You might be thinking:
Isn’t that just the rule of thirds grid?
Not quite.
You see, the rule of thirds grid divides up the frame equally into thirds. Whereas the Phi Grid clusters the gridlines toward the center of the image for a slightly different result.
Many photographers argue that the Phi Grid is superior to the rule of thirds, and you can think about it that way if you like. You might also think of the Phi Grid and the rule of thirds as different compositional tools in your toolbox–both of which can work, depending on the situation.
3. Leading Lines
Leading lines are a landscape photography classic.
They’re a simple composition tool you can find in plenty of award-winning landscape shots, because they really are that powerful.
Specifically, leading lines refer to lines that lead the eye through the frame. In general, leading lines bring the viewer into the photo and guide them toward the main subject.
For instance, a river might guide the eye from the foreground, through the frame, and ultimately toward a mountain in the background. In such a case, the river would be a leading line.
(Rivers are very common leading lines in landscape photography, as are fallen logs, lines in the sand, and rocks.)
But leading lines don’t have to start in the foreground and end in the background. They can start at the side of the frame and draw a horizontal line, or they can start at a corner and draw a diagonal line.
To use leading lines in your landscape photos, simply look for any objects that might draw the eye forward (these should be in the rough shape of a line!).
Then place them in your composition so that they point toward your main subject!
4. Aspect Ratio
Aspect ratio refers to the ratio of the width of an image to its height.
Now, the aspect ratio is initially determined by your camera’s sensor–though you can always change the aspect ratio later, during post-processing.
You may be wondering:
Why does aspect ratio matter for composition?
But the truth is that aspect ratio is vital to your landscape compositions. By choosing wider aspect ratios (such as a 16:9 aspect ratio), you can emphasize wider scenes. Whereas a square aspect ratio keeps everything tightly packed and balanced.
In other words:
Your aspect ratio determines how the frame interacts with the scene as a whole.
So choose your aspect ratio carefully! A too-square aspect ratio can show too little, whereas a too-wide aspect ratio can show too much.
5. Layering: Foreground, Middleground, and Background
Layering is a common landscape photography technique that involves positioning your key photographic elements at intervals throughout the frame.
You position at least one key element in the foreground.
You position at least one key element in the middleground.
And you position at least one key element in the background.
This creates lots of depth in your scene, which is why it can be a highly useful method for creating powerful compositions. And even if you cannot incorporate an element into the foreground, the middleground, and the background, you can at least try to use a two-part layer to add depth.
(For instance, you might incorporate a foreground element and a background element or a middleground element and a background element.)
6. Depth of Field: Depth vs Isolation
Depth of field refers to the amount of a photo that’s sharp.
So photos with a shallow depth of field only have a small portion sharp.
And photos with a deep depth of field have a large portion sharp.
Both of these options can be used to great compositional effect. However, it’s important to ask yourself:
Do I want to give my scene a sense of depth? If the answer is “Yes,” then you’ll probably want to work with a deep depth of field, which will keep everything in focus and keep the viewer looking throughout the scene.
But if you’d prefer to isolate your main subject, then a shallow depth of field is the better choice. This will blur the background while emphasizing the key part of your image.
Photo with the extreme depth of field
7. Perspective
Perspective refers to the position and height of objects in a scene relative to one another.
By changing the perspective, you can make the entire scene look deep–or you can make it look completely flat.
How do you do this?
By getting down low or by moving up high. That’s how you portray different relationships among objects–and get different perspectives.
For instance, a scene photographed from high overhead tends to have very separate, discrete objects, and therefore appears flat.
But a scene photographed while lying on the ground tends to have many overlapping elements, giving the illusion of depth.
Make sense?
8. Simplification
Simplicity is a powerful composition tool in landscape photography.
It’s also easy to implement.
Whenever you create a composition, ask yourself:
Do I need everything in this scene? Does it all serve a purpose?
If the answer is “No,” then it’s time to simplify–by eliminating the unnecessary elements. Note that achieving compositional simplicity may involve getting rid of distracting areas along the edges, minimizing distracting colors, and more. It’s all about getting rid of the extraneous parts of your photos, so that you’re only left with what matters.
Simplification can also involve identifying the main points of interest in your scene and making sure there are just one or two areas that draw the eye.
Prince Edward Island
9. Visual Balance
One of the key concepts you must grasp when thinking about composition is that of visual balance.
Generally speaking, you want both halves of your photo to feel equally heavy.
So if you have a large rock on the right side of your photo, you might want several small rocks on the left side of your photo.
This is a complex topic, but balance is somewhat intuitive. Just try to imagine the different elements of your composition with weights.
And see how they balance each other out!
That way, you can get consistently balanced compositions, which is what you want.
Balancing the left side of the frame with the right
10. Framing
Framing isn’t the most common compositional technique out there, but it can be extremely powerful–and it’s a great way to keep the viewer focused on your main subject.
Start by identifying the focal point of your photo; the area you want to highlight. Once you’ve done this, you have a subject.
Next, look around, and find something that can frame your subject. This can be leaves, tree branches, a window, or anything you can find.
Finally, position the frame around your subject.
The frame will force the viewer’s eye inward, and your subject will instantly be the center of attention.
Nice, right?
11. Left to Right
Most cultures read from left to right.
But this doesn’t stop with reading.
You see if you’ve been taught your whole life to read from left to right…
…you actually view things from left to right, as well. Photos included.
So when you see a photo for the first time, you’re likely to start at the left and then move rightward.
Why does this matter?
Because it’s a habit you can use to understand your viewer–and to move them in the direction they already want to go.
Here’s what you do:
Whenever there’s motion in your scene, try to compose so that it travels from left to right.
So if you have a river, capture the flow from left to right.
And if you have a running animal, make sure it’s moving from left to right.
That way, your photo will feel a lot more natural!
(Also, make sure you add some space for your subject to move into–this is a key way to maintain compositional balance!)
12. Break the Rules
If you’re only just getting started with composition, then here’s what you should do:
Start with the rule of thirds. Memorize it. Practice it.
Then move up. Experiment with the Golden Ratio. Try using layers and leading lines.
Finally, once you can confidently work with these various compositional concepts…
…begin to break the rules.
After all, while compositional rules are helpful, they’re really just guidelines.
And by breaking the compositional rules, you can end up with strikingly original images!
Rules of Composition | Conclusion
Creating beautiful compositions might seem hard, but once you’ve memorized these helpful rules of composition, you’ll do just fine.
So get out and start practicing! Some amazing compositions await.
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