A first impression is everything, so on your next vacation, why not make yourself memorable with a grand entrance? Whether you’re soaring in on a sea-plane, lifting-off of the heli-pad, or sailing in on a schooner these unmissable hotels and tour operators arrange for their guests to arrive in style to getaways they will never forget.
SOAR IN ON A SEAPLANE TO BAWAH RESERVE, THE ULTIMATE PARADISE ESCAPE
Jet into Bawah Reserve on one of the only amphibious planes in all of Indonesia. Bawah Reserve sits on a faraway group of six tropical islands in the Riau Archipelago, Indonesia, located 160 nautical miles from Singapore. With sustainability, high-end design and a “back-to-nature” concept at its core, the exclusive resort invites guests to experience an undiscovered and richly diverse part of Indonesia. With just 36 beautifully designed suites and bungalows, guests looking for seclusion will find it on the island’s 13 beaches, three lagoons, and in its 100 hectares of forest. For those wanting further privacy, Bawah has launched six new cliffside lodges on a previously untouched island named Elang that, for those over 18, is available to be booked in its entirety. All travelers hoping to switch off and unwind will delight in the resort’s wellness center and outdoor yoga pavilion, while the adventurous will be thrilled by the views while snorkeling, paddle boarding, and kayaking through this remote corner of the Indian ocean. Foodies will be pleased by the locally-sourced destination dining offerings at the Asian-fusion Tree Top restaurant, and the by Jules Verne tropical cocktail bar. Bawah Reserve: it’s the best of barefoot luxury.
HOW: Rates at Bawah Reserve start from $1780 per night for two people on a full board basis including daily spa treatments, laundry, in-room minibar, a host of land and water-based activities. For more visit, https://www.bawahreserve.com/.
PARAGLIDE TO SIX SENSES ZIGHY BAY OMAN’S DRAMATIC VILLAGE-INSPIRED DESTINATION
Considered one of the finest resorts in the Middle East, the tone of a stay at Six Senses Zighy Bay is set by paragliding into the resort from the top of Zighy Mountain, with a professional paraglider taking guests around the edge of the mountain ranges, exploring the bay with spectacular views from 293 meters above the ground. Located on the northern Musandam Peninsula in the Sultanate of Oman, the setting of the 82 authentic, village-style pool villas is spectacular, guarded by the dramatic Hajar Mountains and private sandy beach. The resort offers a number of high-octane adventure experiences to satisfy any adventure junkie, from rock climbing and mountain biking, to paddle-boarding and snorkeling in the clear waters. Scuba diving is available for both beginners and more experienced divers looking for the next challenge, exploring the vibrant coral reefs and colorful marine life. Cinema Paradiso keeps guests further entertained with movies on the beach under a blanket of stars, complemented by gourmet popcorn and over 40 flavors of ice cream. Guests can enjoy a diverse selection of memorable and romantic dining experiences, including a mountain top restaurant serving international cuisine together with spectacular views, and regional specialties at the Shua Shack, Wine Tower and Wine Cellar. For a moment of peace and tranquility, the spa combines fitness and health with ancient and modern holistic treatments from in-house experts and visiting wellness practitioners.
HOW: Scott Dunn offers seven nights at Six Senses Zighy Bay from £13,139 based on a family of four (2 adults and 2 children) sharing a Villa Suite on a B&B basis, including return flights from London and private transfers. For more information please visit www.scottdunn.com or call 020 8682 5080
FLOAT ON A MOKORO TO XIGERA SAFARI LODGE, THE PIONEER IN AFRICAN SAFARIS
Located in the Moremi game reserve in the heart of the Okavango Delta, Xigera Safari Lodge has reinvented what it means to experience the African bush. Accessible via mokoro canoe, guests arrive in Xigera by gliding in on the Okavango river past fantastical wildlife. As a land- and water-based lodge, Xigera offers guests the opportunity to experience the best of the delta. During the annual flood, guests can boat across floodplains and along channels to reach islands where there are regular sightings of buffalo, elephants, zebras, giraffes, lechwe, sitatunga, rare birds, and even hippopotamuses. With only 12 spacious suites, Xigera offers guests an exclusive opportunity to explore the richness of this UNESCO World Heritage Site – at their own pace, in their own time, however they wish. Beyond its safari offerings, Xigera Lodge immerses its guests in African art and culture. The lodge itself is akin to a living gallery, featuring work from Africa’s most prolific artists and artisans. In scope and scale, it is the first gallery of its kind on the African continent. Other unmissable experiences at Xigera include intimate picnics in the bush, private spa treatments, seasonal catch-and-release fishing, and, best of all, a one-night sleepout in Xigera’s breathtaking and remote Baobab Tree House Suite, where the walls can be unzipped to reveal breathtaking stargazing and the sounds of the African bush.
HOW: Rates at Xigera Safari Lodge start from $2,320 (approx. £1,847) per adult per night sharing.
This includes accommodation on a fully inclusive basis, park fees and all activities. For more information visit https://xigera.com/.
CHOPPER INTO 62°NORD A FAMILY-OWNED COLLECTION OF BEAUTIFUL HOTELS AND LODGES
Founded by Norwegian couple Knut and Line Flakk, 62ºNORD is a leading experiential travel company offering highly personalized, world-class adventures on the North West coast of Norway. The Flakk’s have taken their love and passion for their home region, Sunnmøre, to a whole new level, tailor-making each itinerary alongside a team of local guides and experts in order to best show the awe-inspiring beauty of the Sunnmøre region. Guests wanting to take their trip up a notch will have the chance to arrive at these breathtaking hotels in style, whether it be via a boat trip along the dramatic fjords, or via helicopter through the surrounding mountains. Located in the southernmost district of northwestern Norway, the region is renowned for its pristine nature, beautiful fjords, remote villages, spectacular waterfalls, vast glaciers and varied wildlife. From breathtakingly beautiful hikes, world-class skiing and helicopter adventures to deep sea fishing, wildlife safaris and destination dining, visitors will instantly disconnect from the stresses of daily life. 62°NORD boasts a boutique collection of luxury hotels, from a converted warehouse in the heart of the Ålesund and a one-bedroom lighthouse, just steps away, to the secluded four bedroom ‘Owners Cabin’ on the island of Staurneset, Giske – the land of Viking nobility. The rural mountain lodge of Hotel Union Oye in the popular Øye hiking district has recently unveiled the greatly-anticipated refurbishment of the national treasure to her former glory, the iconic one-of-a-kind mountain retreat sits by the remote Norangsfjord and provides guests with an authentic slice of Nordic living.
HOW: All itineraries are tailormade. For more information visit www.62.no
TRAVEL VIA HELI WITH ELEVEN, THE ADVENTURE SPECIALISTS CREATING EXPERIENCES NOTHING SHORT OF EXTRAORDINARY
Bespoke adventure specialists Eleven custom-make powerful experiences at their remarkable properties located in the most distinct corners of the globe. Setting a new standard in experiential travel, unprecedented adventures and authentic connections are at the heart of every trip, with each Eleven destination combining world-class lodging with professional private guides and a thrilling menu of outdoor and cultural pursuits - on the mountain, in the backcountry, and on the water, for guests of all ages and skill levels. Several lodges are accessible via helicopter, from a historic mountain hamlet along the French-Italian border and a river bank nestled in the depths of Chilean Patagonia, to a remote farming valley in Northern Iceland. Available for private, full property buyouts to entirely control each experience, Eleven lodges are ideal venues to focus on outdoor adventure pursuits and escape from the hustle and bustle of daily life. Experiences are also curated from scratch to suit each guest’s abilities and desires, with heli excursions offered at each and every property. Guests can choose from a variety of adventures, such as heli-skiing, mountain biking, fishing, white water rafting, and more.
HOW: All itineraries are tailormade. For more information visit www.elevenexperience.com
