CHAN CHICH, BELIZE
Luxurious cabins built into a 1,200 year-old Mayan temple, surrounded by jungle rich in bird and animal life.
Chan Chich Lodge is not just a top-of-the-range lodge – it’s a holiday experience in itself. Enveloped by the natural world and yet remarkably comfortable, the lodge offers excellent facilities including a fully screened pool and a Jacuzzi. To add some serious wow factor, the luxurious cabins occupy the lower plaza of a 1,200 year-old Mayan temple.
Wildlife thrives within the grounds as well as in the surrounding jungle, part of a large private reserve in one of the most remote and pristine corners of Belize. There is a rich diversity of flora and fauna, including howler and spider monkeys, jaguars, ocelots and a myriad of bird species. Whether or not you are fortunate to catch a glimpse of a wild cat during your visit, it is unlikely you’ll leave Chan Chich without feeling humbled by the overwhelming supremacy and beauty of nature.
To get to the lodge, take an exciting 30-minute charter flight from Belize City by light aircraft followed by a short drive. It’s possible to go overland in the drier months: a 4-hour drive passing through Mennonite communities.
TORTUGA LODGE, COSTA RICA
Luxurious jungle lodge with spacious, stylish rooms and an infinity pool overlooking Tortuguero river. Choose from a variety of activities in the lush natural surroundings.
It’s a breathtaking boat journey from Puerto Limón to Tortuga Lodge in Tortuguero National Park, a wilderness of mangrove-lined channels brimming over with wildlife. This has always been the best lodge in the area, with excellent guides and an impressive restaurant. Following a full refurbishment it’s now better than ever.
You’ll never feel far from nature here. Rooms are spacious and comfortable with large, screened, open-frame windows and views towards the river, jungle and gardens. Each comes with outdoor space too, some with wide verandas and luxurious hanging beds. Meals are served in the open air by the river, and there is an attractive pool offering a sense of immersion in the natural surroundings, as well as a shaded hammock hut and loungers.
On arrival, relax or take advantage of the many activities on offer from the lodge, which include hiking along private nature trails or turtle spotting walks. The park is home to spider, howler and white-faced monkeys, three-toed sloths, river otters, caimans, iguanas, poison dart frogs and 320 species of bird. Green sea turtles nest from July to September; hawksbills and huge leatherbacks from March to June.
Explore the canals that border the park by boat, accompanied by a naturalist guide. Return to the lodge for lunch and spend the rest of the afternoon at leisure, relaxing or enjoying some of the optional activities.
PIKAIA, GALÁPAGOS ISLANDS
The most luxurious, super-chic hotel on the Galápagos offers exclusive accommodation, top quality guided activities and its own yacht to take you on trips to other islands.
Proud member of the prestigious Relais & Chateaux portfolio, gleaming Pikaia Lodge is a luxurious, yet totally eco-friendly property sitting on top of an extinct volcano on Santa Cruz Island in the Galapagos. Everything here is very smart, and top quality: perhaps surprisingly super-cool contemporary, the spacious guestrooms and public areas are flooded with light, floor to ceiling windows open out onto the volcanic plateau and the Pacific Ocean beyond.You’ll really feel enveloped by the island’s wilderness.
There’s a wellness spa, and if you want to be more active pop into the comprehensive fitness centre or take a dip in the gorgeous infinity pool. There are of paths and private trails for walking, jogging or biking, passing through woodland where you may encounter wild giant tortoises.
The wildlife in the Galapgos is like no where else on earth and you have to see it to believe it! You will have the opportunity to explore other islands on the hotel’s own motor yacht, returning to the hotel for dinner and the night: so you get the best of both worlds.
