What to Pack (and how much) for a Resort Vacation | The Inside Scoop

• Things to consider when packing for a resort vacation
• 4 things to pack on your next resort vacation
• Clothing, beach bag, swimsuit

A resort vacation offers all of the amenities of your favorite, swanky hotel and then some. Say hello to oceanfront real estate, 5-star restaurants, plush robes and some seriously cool cabanas. When you step into resort world, you’re leaving behind that stressful itinerary and hauling your pesky beach chairs (and cooler and towels and umbrella) through the hot sand. I don’t know about you, but I’m in! Samantha's (Loleono founder) favorite resort is the Four Seasons Wailea, known as one of Maui’s premier resorts and coined by Sam as “The Land of Yes.” Why? Because anything and everything is available and/or made available there by an incredible staff, unbeatable views and the aloha spirit that inspired this journey.

If you’re headed to your own “Land of Yes,” (firstly, congrats!) you might be wondering how much you need to pack. Great question! I’m here to help. Read on for your resort must-haves and for some of the space-sucking items you can leave behind.

Must-Haves:

A Beach Bag

An oversized beach bag is key for carrying those resort essentials (room key, coverup, sunscreen and camera for those priceless moments). The best part? It doubles as a personal item so you don’t have to worry about bringing it along for the ride. Pro tip: pack a warm-weather outfit inside so you’re not caught in the sunny and 75° weather in your winter parka. If you opt for our Positano Tote, you’ll only need one. This Debbie Katz tote is one of my personal favorites with long straps and plenty of room for a resort queen that likes to overpack.

A Cover Up/Rashguard

Trust me, you don’t want to spend your resort vacation nursing a sunburn! Long days in the sun testing out all those awesome watersports could leave you looking…pink. And though I absolutely love the color pink, it’s my least favorite skin color. Ensure that you can soak up every second of sunshiny R&R by packing a cover up or rashguard (or both!) I recommend two of each so you can avoid the other vacay-party-pooper aka laundry. My personal fave? The Loleono La Blanca Tropea Rash Guard: the colors scream “tropical paradise,” and pair perfectly with your favorite solid bikini bottoms or board shorts.

Swimsuit(s)

If you don’t pack anything else, pack swimwear, you’ll be glad you did! Nothing says “resort life” quite like the perfect bikini, tankini or stylish one piece. Packing a swimwear that makes you feel comfortable and confident is key. I love the Capri Stripe bikini by La Blanca–it’s comfortable, adjustable, moderate-coverage and features nautical stripes (timeless!) How many swimsuits should you pack? If you’re a minimalist, 2-3 but I would recommend 4-5! You’ll be bouncing between the beach, pool, cafes, watersports and restaurants so having a fresh suit to change into (sometimes 2+ times a day) will make enjoying your resort vacation that much easier.

Sundress(s)

Versatility is key to resort-success. Cute, comfortable sundresses layer easily over swimsuits and make the perfect transition piece from beach to street. This Cabana Life Hooded Cover up Dress paired with wedges makes the perfect lunch outfit and its quick-dry fabric means you can skip a trip back to the room! Staying at a resort for a week? Plan to pack 2-3 casual sundresses and 2-3 more formal pieces for those sunset date nights! 

Launched in 2021 as a community for lovers of luxury, Lifestyle by Loleono is a collective of women who love the good things in life: food, fashion and fun. As a resortwear-centric brand, we believe that resort life can be lived beyond your flight home. From relaxing on island-time to prepping your kitchen island, our content is curated to help you live your best life. Ready to dive in? Subscribe to our newsletter for irresistible recipes, insider-island guides, fashion FAQs and everything else you need to live life in color.

As the Director of Operations and Copywriter at Loleono, Marina Bonanno conjures up island-inspired fashion, trend and travel advice. Her posts are here to inspire you to live better, eat better and dress better, of course. Follow along for weekly tips and tricks to living a vibrant, Loleono lifestyle.