Tag Archives: Luxury Lodge

Sonora Resort. British Columbia

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You can tell a lot about a hotel by their entrance; there are grand over-the-top entrances, hidden ones, hard-to-get-to ones, and then there are treks. This was one of those special hard-to-get-to ones except getting to Sonora Resort was half the adventure. A boat picks you up from the harbor on Vancouver Island and from there it is a one-hour boat ride through the islands of British Columbia. Along the way you pass pods of dolphins and orcas and fisherman catching the freshest Salmon. Pulling up to Sonora Island Resort in the stunning Desolation Sound, the hotel is perched along the ocean’s edge perfectly hidden by the trees.

The hotel manager will greet you at the docks and usher you into the restaurant for a drink and some cheese sampling. Afterwards you will be guided to your hotel room to rest and get ready for dinner. There are 12 West Coast inspired lodges, with up to 19 rooms, and each room offers partial river views, insanely comfortable beds, and a complimentary bottle of wine. I stayed in the Yuculta Diamond Room which was absolutely incredible and probably my favorite room in the whole place, however you cannot go wrong with any of the rooms. If you’re staying with a larger family rent out Sea Lion Pointe, it’s extremely private, large, luxurious, and modern. All of the lodges have Native American influence in the design and art, paying tribute to the area’s history. After a long day of sight-seeing and adventure, soak your feet in one of the lodge’s hot tubs, there are 30 hot tubs on property!

The Resort also offers a swimming pool, hiking and biking trails, tennis court, putting green, 12-seat movie theatre, fly fishing ponds and more. I usually find that island resorts lack in incredible food due to their isolation but that was not the case at Sonora Resort. Every meal I had was incredibly fresh and innovative. I opted for the tasting menu every night and it did not disappoint. All your meals are included in the rate so eat your heart out while you can! 

A must-do activity is the Eco-Tour, especially in the fall when Grizzly Bears are plentiful. I also recommend the Salmon Fishing half-day excursion and the Helicopter Glacier Tour, although the latter is not for the faint of heart! Since this is the only Resort on the island, the whole island is your playground. The best time of the year to visit would be June-August when the weather is still warm and the sun is out and shining. My trip to Sonora Resort was by far too short and I will be coming back. This is one of those places where each visit offers your something different- you will never ever get bored. It is pure bliss for those who appreciate both the outdoors and luxury accommodation.

 

 

Photographs courtesy of the property.

Singita Sweni Lodge. South Africa

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Aside from the luxury that is truly apparent at this lodge, Singita orchestrates an interdependent relationship between communities, wildlife, and tourism that ensures true sustainability therefore blazing a trail that is rarely achieved anywhere else. Located on 33,000 acres of tranquil and private ground, Singita Sweni Lodge is nestled in the trees of Kruger National Park. This Lodge was designed to be intimate and luxurious while also keeping the African culture alive in every aspect of the Lodge.

There are six one-bedroom suites, each with locally handcrafted art and furniture. The Lodge is modern yet rustic, everything is open-air to give you the feeling that you are connected with the wildlife and that any adventure is possible. One of the most amazing aspects of Singita Sweni Lodge is their spa. They have a holistic and healing approach to their treatments, which can be enjoyed on your private deck or at the spa. Do not miss their two signature treatments Monkey Orange and Ndzi Lorhe Africa, which translates into “I Dreamed of Africa”.

One of the key components of Singita is their collection of wine, including some of the continent’s most sought-after private reserves. Their wine list encompasses approximately 222 labels and 20,000 bottles in the Singita cellars alone. This is an amazing thing for anyone who decides to stay at any of the Singita Lodges because they are all-inclusive (i.e. wine all-day, every-day).

At Singita, there is a never-ending list of activities. One of the most rewarding activities would be visiting The Singita School of Cooking. It is a unique community development program where guests can go and cook traditional dishes taught by local young men and women. Their stargazing safaris are also one-of-a-kind. There is perhaps no more inspiring experience than looking up at a full sky of sparkling stars while being surrounded by wildlife. The must-do activity, of course, is the Game Drives. While nighttime drives reveal the elusive magic of nocturnal Africa, daytime game drives provide the perfect opportunity to get up close to Africa’s incredible animals. During your stay at Singita Kruger National Park, you are likely to spot a great variety of wildlife including elephant, leopard, famously large prides of lion, white and black rhino, buffalo, hippopotamus, cheetah and sable.

 

Photographs courtesy of the property.