In this moment, in these past months, we are truly global. Globally connected by fear, uncertainty, a longing for normalcy and a handful of really great memes.

Countries around the world are moving at a different pace, the pace and each move determined by where they are in this pandemic and, more importantly, by who they are as a society. For some, it’s been two steps forward and one step back. Some have opened, some are preparing to open and some are still in that unknown space of cautious optimism. 

I spoke to properties around the world to find out what their opening plans are, what they are doing to keep their employees and guests safe and what a stay with them will look like moving forward. I’ve asked each property a series of the same questions and what I have found is that they have all been fervidly planning, and now implementing, practices and protocols designed to keep their employees and guests safe.

There are multiple protocols that are being implemented across the board such as hand washing stations and/or hand sanitizers located in multiple areas of the properties, extensive cleaning and disinfecting procedures for guest rooms and public areas, staff in PPE, guests required to wear masks in public areas and buffets replaced with à la carte options. What I’ve listed below is what each property is doing in addition to these steps.

All but one of the properties listed below are properties that I have stayed at in the past. I reached out to these specific properties as I believe them to be great options for a social distancing getaway. The one property I have not stayed in is one that I am hoping to stay in this fall. However, as with everything now, there are no guarantees. We are all learning to be a bit more flexible, aren’t we?

Here are approaches that properties around the world are taking:

Africa

Tanzania

Nomad Tanzania

Nomad Tanzania is a collection of intimate safari lodges and camps located across Tanzania. Nomad has long been considered pioneers of the Tanzanian safari.

Here is what Nomad is doing to keep guests and staff safe:

• All guests are encouraged to apply for visas pre-travel in order to avoid unnecessary time at the airport. 
• Upon arrival, guests will have temperatures checked and will be the first to enter their rooms.

• Camp crews will be operating in teams who will arrive in two-week isolation rotations. Once they have successfully cleared that isolation period, they will arrive at the camp and have their temperatures taken each day.
• All staff have been trained on social distancing measures and safe interaction with guests.

Here’s how your stay may look a little different:

• Game drive vehicles will be allocated on a private basis where possible. Otherwise, vehicles will be limited to a maximum of four individuals. 
• For dining, there will be no buffet set ups and guests will eat at their own separate tables, as opposed to one large communal table.

I can’t think of any better place than the African bush to socially distance. A safari experience with Nomad is generally quite private and the majority of your time is spent outdoors. Nomad is prepared to safely welcome you.

As of mid-August, all of Nomad’s properties have reopened. They have also frozen their 2020 rates, are offering fantastic off-season rates and have adjusted their cancellation/payment policies for reservations impacted by Covid-19. If you have been considering that once-in-a-lifetime safari, When is Now!

You can find Nomad’s full list of protocols here.

You can read more about our Nomad experience here and here.

We were set to visit two Nomad properties, with ten friends, in June of this year. Thankfully, we were able to postpone to next year.

Zambia

Islands of Siankaba

Floating in the middle of the Zambezi river, Islands of Siankaba is an absolute dream and even more so if you are looking to limit contact with others. This seven-chalet lodge, connected by rope bridges, is just down river from the iconic Victoria Falls and has plenty of activities (or not) that are suited for just you and your plus one.

In addition to thorough sanitation and cleaning procedures, here’s how the team at Islands of Siankaba will keep guests safe:

• Guest must produce valid health clearance certificate prior to arrival.
• Guest’s temperatures will be taken upon arrival. 
• Guests will be asked to wear masks in public areas and will be advised to limit touching surfaces in communal areas.

Islands of Siankaba is in the unique situation of being set in the village of Siankaba and staffed by villagers. They are being incredibly cautious to protect the local village.

Here are a few things they are doing to keep staff safe:

• Uniforms will be left on-site at the end of each shift to be laundered there.
• High risk staff will be assigned to duties that entail minimal interaction with guests and other staff.
• Temperatures will be taken and logged each day.
• Staff will be regularly tested for Covid-19.

Again, remote lodges like Islands of Siankaba are already “socially distanced”, but here are a few things that will be different with your stay:

• Guests will dine at separate tables as opposed to communal dining.
• Sundowners on the Zambezi will be separate or appropriately socially distanced.
• Pool usage will be limited to different time slots for separate guests.

Because of Islands of Siankaba’s remote location, their staff have not been greatly exposed to the public. At this moment, there have been no confirmed cases of Covid-19 in the area. The team at Islands of Siankaba has worked diligently in educating the villagers about the virus and have supplied masks, soap and hand sanitizers to the village and surrounding community. As a small lodge, they are able to accommodate any special guest requirements.

Islands of Siankaba have also put a contingency plan in place in case one of their guests or staff members become ill.

The lodge is currently open to local guests and hopes to welcome international guests in the early part of next year. You can find out about their current specials through your travel agent or by reaching out to them directly.

You can find a (very old) blog post from my second visit to Islands of Siankaba here. I think it’s time for me to return so I can update this.

Mexico

Puerto Vallarta

Ocho Cascadas

Dangling over the Pacific Ocean, Ocho Cascadas is another property that lends itself to social distancing. Comprised of just nine large, open air and fully serviced villas, you never need to leave the property.

However, they are taking the extra steps necessary to ensure guest safety. Aside from cleaning, sanitizing and making sure staff have PPE, here is what Ocho Cascadas is doing to keep guests and staff safe:

• Staff will be provided PPE equipment and their uniforms will be left on-site for laundering at the end of each shift.
• During breaks/meal times, staff will be limited to three people per table.
• Staff will have their temperature taken and logged upon arrival for their shift.

At the time of writing, no staff member has had the virus.

For guests, things will be slightly different:

• Check-in will be “VIP style”. Guests will be directed to their villa where they will find their disinfected villa keys in a sealed bag.
• Upon entering their villa, guests will find a welcome kit that will include a face mask, sanitizing hand gel and gloves.
• Groceries and other villa deliveries will be disinfected before delivered to guests.
• Massage services are suspended for the time being.
• The (very loved) weekly cocktail welcome party will be put on hold until further notice.

Ocho Cascadas is open now! However, although they are taking steps designed to keep staff and guests safe, they offer no flexibility for cancellations, postponements or rescheduling due to the pandemic. We were set to bring a group of sixteen people to the property in August. The majority of our group are very uncomfortable traveling right now and some fall in the high risk category. So as a group, we decided to postpone or reschedule the trip until it is safer to travel. Unfortunately, the person in charge of bookings informed me that he will not allow us to do so and that we will not get our deposit back unless they rent our rooms. 

We have had to cancel, postpone and reschedule many flights and hotels because of the pandemic and have had no issues at all. This Ocho Cascasdas response is more of an outlier. As such, unless you are willing to travel regardless of what is going on with the pandemic, I highly recommend waiting until the world is a more stable place before booking here. 

Either way, I will provide an update on what the final outcome wis with our situation.

Europe

Portugal

Santiago de Alfama

Santiago de Alfama…swoon. Lisbon…swoon. Portugal’s response to Covid-19…swoon. 

Santiago de Alfama, located in the historic Alfama district of Lisbon, is a perfectly restored historic building comprised of just nineteen rooms. The owners of this property have poured their hearts and souls into this building and are mind-blowingly creative in all that they do. 

Below, are just a few of the steps the charming, family-owned-and-operated Santiago de Alfama is taking to ensure the safety of all staff and guests. 

To begin with, Portugal has not been as dramatically affected by Covid-19 as some of their neighbors. Due to contact tracing and acting quickly while their numbers were low, they were able to rein it in quickly. 

• Only essential staff will be on site and overlap between shift changes has been shortened.
• Carpets treated with antiseptic will be placed in entry ways to trap incoming dirt and bugs.
• Linens washed at 90 degrees celsius.
• Staff leaves uniforms at the property for washing.
• All menus have been removed and all hotel and restaurant payments are contactless.
• Unique hand washing stations will be set up on-site.
• A contingency plan has been developed in case any staff or guests become ill while on property.
• Only one guest is allowed in the Beauty Bar at a time and they must have an appointment.

Santiago de Alfama has received the Portuguese Tourist Board’s “Clean and Safe” accreditation. You can find out more about that here. As of August 20th, the UK has lifted quarantine rules for Portugal.

As the team at Santiago de Alfama says: Lisbon is as beautiful and as romantic as ever. Be sure to check their website for their current promotions!

Asia

Sri Lanka

Reveal the Collection

Sri Lanka and is awaiting your visit, and you have some fantastic options for lodging! Reveal the Collection has an assortment of boutique properties, located all over Sri Lanka that are perfect for a social distancing getaway. 

Sri Lanka is another country that managed to get Covid-19 under early control.

Here is what Reveal the Collection is doing to keep their staff and guests safe:

• Each hotel will have it’s own Health and Safety team.
• Once you book any of the Reveal Collection properties, they will reach out to you to share their safety precautions and guidelines.
• A completed guest registration form and copy of your passport will be required in advance of your stay.
• A list of all previous countries you have visited and Sri Lankan hotels you have stayed in is required in advance of your stay.
• Your temperature will be checked upon check-in.
• Your luggage will be disinfected upon arrival and your room key will be disinfected in your presence before being handed over to you.

You can read more about Reveal the Collection’s safety measures here.

#SriLankaisalive

Caribbean

Dominica

Secret Bay

Yet another perfect country and perfect property for social distancing is Dominica’s Secret Bay. When it comes to the Caribbean, Dominica is still considered undiscovered. It is raw, wild and full of adventure, and it is home to the incomparable Secret Bay, a six-star rainforest hideaway. Secret Bay is another property where each of its six villas are fully serviced, meaning you have a full kitchen and can have groceries pre-stocked before your arrival, as well as delivered during your stay.

In the team at Secret Bay’s words: “While ‘social distancing’ has become a buzzword, Secret Bay’s guest experience was based on this idea by design. It’s in our DNA! Secret Bay has always been about creating a private and personal experience where guests can have as much or as little interaction with others as they choose.”

Secret Bay is executing and going beyond WHO, PAHO, CDC and local health authorities’ mandates and guidelines. Here are other approaches they are taking to secure the safety of all staff and guests:

• Instead of a formal check-in, guests are greeted in their villa.” That means no lobby, no elevator buttons, no lingering in gathering spaces. 
• Upon arrival, guests will receive a wellness kit that includes branded masks, gloves, sanitizers and wet wipes
• Villa kitchens will be equipped with a box of utensils for their exclusive use throughout their stay.
• Guests enjoy freestanding accommodations that are spread across acres of rainforest at a density of less than 10%. 
• A dedicated villa attendant remains with the guest throughout their stay, so guests aren’t seeing a different face every day.
• The staff doesn’t require much additional training as much of the new protocols have existed and been enforced here since day-one.  

You can read more about Secret Bay’s “Stay Well” program here.

You can read about our incomparable Secret Bay experience here.

Secret Bay is running a couple of specials right now. Ready to get away for an extended “workcation”? Check out a fabulous option here! Want to take your entire crew of family and friends and social distance together? That’s an option, too! Secret Bay will unveil four new villas in November, so the more the merrier!

French Polynesia

Bora Bora

St. Regis Bora Bora

Imagine, your own private over-water villa, removed from crowds and chaos. What better place to socially distance than the St. Regis in Bora Bora? 

French Polynesia is currently Covid free and they’d like to keep it that way. However, they also want to welcome you back. The island nation has implemented a system that took effect July 15th designed to do both. It is an evolving process that I hope continues to be successful. 

Here is how St. Regis Bora Bora is keeping guests and staff safe in addition to French Polynesia’s measures:

• Upon arrival at the Bora Bora airport, a St. Regis airport greeter will invite you to help yourself to a lei and a sanitary welcome kit that includes masks, hand sanitizer and your own pen.
• Your temperature will be taken and your luggage will be sprayed with sanitizer.
• Before boarding the boat to the resort, you will be asked to use the hand sanitizer and wear your mask. If the boat is shared, each guest will be seated accordingly.
• At the resort, you will be assigned your own bicycles and snorkeling equipment to be used during your stay. 
• All menus for dining outlets and the spa will be replaced with boards and digital versions.
• At the spa, facials and head treatments are temporarily unavailable.
• The gym will be limited to a certain amount of guests at one time.

You can read more about St. Regis Bora Bora’s safety measures here.

Please keep in mind that French Polynesia’s requirements for entry can (and do) change at any time, so if you are planning a trip there, check here for updates on a regular basis.

The decision on whether or not to travel right now is a personal decision. If it’s an idea you would like to explore more of know that the properties above are committed to keeping you well and safe.

Other than the one property mentioned, all properties have a very flexible cancellation/postponement policy. Please check each property’s website for complete information.

I hope that we are all able to freely explore this beautiful world and do so soon. In the meantime, stay safe, wash your hands, wear your mask, be kind, do your part.

As you may (or probably not) remember, we were allowed two trips within North America on our “Round the World” ticket. We originally had Denver scheduled, which although lovely, did not seem to be the best use of this golden ticket. So, we replaced it with Cancun.

As usual, I scoured the internet for the best area and hotels on the Riviera Maya, and kept I coming back to this one intriguing place: Banyan Tree Mayakoba.

Mayakoba

Banyan Tree Mayakoba is one of four resorts in the ultra-chic, eco-conscious resort complex called Mayakoba, located in the Riviera resort town of Playa Del Carmen, about thirty miles south of the Cancun airport.

Mayakoba is like a small town itself, complete with a town square, or Pueblito. Great care went into preserving the land (flora and fauna) when designing and building Mayakoba. Trails and six miles of emerald lagoon weave through the four hotels. Aside from their suites on the beach, each of Banyan Tree’s villas are nestled on the lush lagoon.

The Banyan Tree Resort

With 121 villas, Banyan Tree is a large resort, but it never felt crowded. The resort is spread out over a lot of land with multiple pool and lounging areas to choose from.

Each villa comes with two bikes to explore and get around the property as well as the entire Mayakoba grounds. If you’re into golf, you can play the Greg Norman signature 18-hole El Camaleón golf course. Or, you could enjoy a day at Banyan Tree’s award-winning spa. Guests have many activities to choose from or, they can do what we did and just lounge the entire stay. Despite what we had planned, aside from lunch and a champagne run into town on our first day, we never left the resort.

Coming in on a red eye, we arrived at Banyan Tree early. They got us checked in, escorted us to breakfast and by the time we were finished eating, our Serenity Pool Villa was ready.

Serenity Pool Villa

Banyan Tree is a Thai hotel group and they incorporate beautiful Thai elements in each of their properties all over the world. Each villa at Banyan Tree Mayakoba has its own large courtyard with a pool.

We stayed in the Serenity Pool Villa. Upon entering from the outside, you are greeted by the courtyard, infinity pool, hot tub and multiple seating areas. Just beyond the pool, is a beautiful lagoon. The indoor spaces are divided between two beautiful structures. One is a designated living area with a dining table, a large couch for lounging and a bar area.

The other contains the bedroom, bathroom (with an outdoor tub) and walk-in closet.

We loved how the bathroom and closet had a place for everything, which made it easy to unpack and find everything when needed.

Our outdoor bathtub was perfectly settled beneath a palm tree.

The room is spacious, yet cozy and the best part: you can enter your pool directly from your room.

This villa is seductive. You won’t want to leave. We had BIG plans of exploration of the area and as each day came, we cancelled those plans, opting instead to be with each other. And we needed that. We went to bed late, we slept in, we brunched, we floated in our pool, we disconnected with the outside world and we talked. We were unknowingly guided into some much needed “us” time.

There are two things that Eddie is not: (1) a Mexico guy; and (2) a go to the same place twice guy. Half way through day one, as he wafted across our pool, in a large, pink donut floaty, Mezcal in hand, he suggested we return every year. By day three, we were exploring Mayakoba property options. It’s that good.

Dining

There are plenty of dining options at Banyan Tree, and because we didn’t leave, we tried most of them. Brunch is phenomenal! You can choose from the full brunch or a lighter brunch. We did the latter every morning.

We had a delicious lunch of seared tuna wraps and tacos at The Sands. Mauricio, who we loved chatting with at breakfast and lunch, shared with us the origins and traditions of some of the food we were enjoying and brought us traditional fried chapulines (grasshoppers) with a splash of Mezcal to wash them down.

We had dinner on the deck of Banyan Tree’s signature restaurant, Saffron, and dinner at their new Italian restaurant, Cello. Both were perfect.

And then there is HAAB. A full-on dining experience rich in traditional Mayan food and culture. If you are planning to stay at Banyan Tree, or nearby, you cannot miss this. Be sure to make a reservation as space is very limited.

People and Details

Details are important at Banyan Tree Mayakoba. From the bike mechanic who swings buy to pump up your tires, to the coolers full of ice cold water all around the pools, to the fresh pastries in reception for the early morning arrivals and departures, to being offered two types of bug spray…on a silver platter at dinner, nothing is missed.

And their people, all of them, are top notch. You know a company is doing something right when it’s obvious their people want to be there. Viridiana, the experience concierge answered all of our questions before we even arrived. Mauricio, our server at the Sands restaurant, was so warm and pleasant and loved sharing information about the culture with us. And, the assistant GM, who saw us admiring the beautiful wooden doors on the property, and stopped to share their cultural significance and the surprisingly harmonic blending of the Thai and Mexican culture.

Thanks to Banyan Tree Mayakoba, I was pleasantly surprised by “grown-up Cancun”. We will be back and we will stay longer. If you’re planning a trip to the Riviera Maya area, this is THE place to stay.

Enjoy the video and scroll down for more details!

Are you ready to book your stay at Banyan Tree Mayakoba?

• Ride your cruisers around the Mayakoba complex and visit the pueblito and cenote.
• Cruise the lagoon on the boat shuttle.
• Try the La Adelita cocktail of Mezcal, lime cubes and watermelon liquor.
• HAAB is a must!
• Visit the spa.
• Order one of the special in suite baths off of the bath menu.

Within minutes of opening the information, I knew that this was our spot. A beautiful boutique hotel in a quiet leafy suburb of Nairobi, drenched in art and quirky accents, and minutes from the places we wanted to visit.

Getting There

We had spent a couple of days in London before heading to Kenya. Our British Airways flight left London at 8:00 a.m. and we arrived in Nairobi a little after 9:00 p.m. that same day, which happened to be New Years Eve.

As with the majority of our airport stops in Africa, Extraordinary Journeys arranged airport transport. In Kenya, this person quickly moved us through passport control to baggage claim, and then made sure that we made it to our guide. This guide (also arranged by EJ) took us to and from the airport, as well as to the spots we visited during our time in Nairobi.

African Hospitality

In this post, and in the next several posts, you will notice a theme: “African Hospitality”. It is a hospitality that is unparalleled and one that stems directly from African culture, tradition and community based values. I have yet to visit Africa without feeling genuinely cared for while there.

This care was a crucial part of our experience at OneFortyEight. While the art and beautiful property were outstanding, the hospitality is the real star. 

We were greeted by Ruth and Mags as we pulled into the driveway. Our bags were taken to our room and we were given a tour of the main part of the property and of our studio apartment. We freshened up and went back into the main house, where a huge fire was burning and our bottle of champagne was chilling over ice.

As Mags said goodnight, she explained the rules to us: Ruth would stay with us until we went to bed and would get us anything we wanted from the bar or kitchen. Or, if we wanted the place to ourselves, we could excuse Ruth, help ourselves at the bar and just write down whatever we took. We were set with our champagne, but enjoyed Ruth’s company. She gave us a little bit of background on the property and taught us a few words in Swahili, which she claims is a very easy language to learn. A little before midnight, we were able to convince Ruth that we would be okay without her for the rest of the night, settled on a time for coffee to be delivered to our room and to have breakfast on the patio and said goodnight. And there we sat, in this beautiful room, with a crackling fire, a bottle of champagne and each other. There is no other place or way I would want to ring in 2017.

Mags was concerned that we would have wanted more activity for our New Year’s Eve, but it was so perfect. OneFortyEight’s hospitality was warm and attentive throughout our stay. The next day, Mags had suggested that we go out for dinner. She made us reservations and called her “go-to” taxi driver to take us and bring us back. He actually just waited for us at the restaurant. We didn’t take out enough shilling (Kenyan currency) at the airport, so Mags gave us some and charged it to our room. When we left for dinner, Mags and Ruth walked us to the car. When we returned, they were waiting for us in the driveway. When we returned from dinner, Ruth asked if we would like a drink by the fire. We did, but unfortunately we needed to pack. So Ruth, upon her suggestion, brought a glass of wine to the room. We had a very early departure the next morning. Ruth arrived with some coffee and biscuits, well before dawn, and when we got to the car, there was a packed (delicious) breakfast for us. And, of course, Mags and Ruth saw us off. Their personalized care and attention were unforgettable.

The Property

Art completes what nature cannot bring to finish. The artist gives us knowledge of nature’s unrealized ends. – Aristotle

On that first night, as I walked around the living area of the main house, I mentioned to Ruth, “I just want to look at everything in here.” To which she responded, “Just wait until you see it in the light.” She was right.

When I refer to the living room of the main house, I am referring to the former home of artist Antonio Trzebinski and his wife, designer Anna Trzebinski. There is an enthralling side story, that is worthy of its own post, but it is a fifteen year old mystery full of a deep rooted history and speculation. So, I will leave you to do your own research. Mr. Trzebinski died (at a young age) fifteen years ago and Mrs. Trzebinski has since moved to London with their children. What is left is a perfectly preserved home wreathed in the late artist’s work and dotted with native tribal elements and, well, quirkiness. And, that was the deal when this home was turned into a boutique hotel: It stays as it is.

Wood is the core element of the main house. From the outside, it looks like a log cabin in the woods.

The wood continues throughout the inside and is the perfect backdrop to show off the artwork and other decorative details. The first thing you notice upon entering is a massive wood fireplace crowned by an emerald chandelier. However, the art, particularly the two pieces that flank the fireplace, quickly demand your attention. And the art… it is fascinating, and bizarre and beautiful and it is everywhere. In front of the fireplace is a wooden carved out coffee table filled with ostrich eggs and covered in glass. And just behind that coffee table is a sofa that swallows you the second you sit on it. And you should let it do so. And sit there. And take a moment to soak in that incredible room.

Extending off the main room is a verandah that is equal in size, if not larger. The most lovely thing about the verandah is that it brings the indoors outside with more art, furnishings and multiple sitting areas that all look out onto the tree filled property (and the occasional snacking warthog).  On the corner of the verandah is a large square table, where we enjoyed breakfast.

It is a serene little spot to lounge with a glass of wine and a good book.

Inside, an intricate wooden stair case leads to the second floor of the main house, which holds the master bedroom, with a private verandah, and two additional bedrooms.

On the third floor there is a large loft with three single beds. This room is intended for children and it looks like it would be an absolute blast.

All rooms are available separately or large groups or families may reserve the entire house.

The studio apartments (where we stayed) are what was formerly Mr. Trzebinski’s studio. It has been beautifully converted into four, two-story, open concept lofts. Each has a grand entry way, with floor to ceiling windows, that leads to a cozy sitting area and the bathroom with a large rain shower. 

The top floor has the bed, a small sitting area and a television. It’s a brilliant design and the windows and open concept make it bright and cheery.

All four studios are identical in layout, but vary by the pieces of Mr. Trzebinski’s art that adorns the walls.

The new owners of OneFortyEight created a small addition to the studio.

On the back side, they added a sitting room that is a replica of the living area of the main house. You can find those huge, plush couches, a large wooden fireplace, a dining area and, of course, more art.

Upstairs, you will find two single story studios with huge soaking tubs.

A Perfect Day in Nairobi

We technically had one full day in Nairobi, but we were able to see a lot thanks to OneFortyEight’s prime location. On that day, I spent the morning wandering around the property with Ruth and getting a little too excited about the resident parrot, warthogs and peacocks.

We were picked up at 2:00 and taken next door to the Giraffe Centre, which is the breeding center and home to Rothschild giraffes. It is a nonprofit center focused on education. And, you can feed the giraffes! And kiss them. As well as learn about them and the center’s conservation efforts.

It’s well worth a visit. It costs about 5 USD per person and you can plan on visiting for about 45 minutes.

From there, we went to a great shopping center that is filled with a number of small shops selling local, handmade crafts and jewelry. If your bag is already filled to the brim (like mine), they will ship your purchases.

We had just enough time for coffee before our 4:45 appointment at the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust. We have supported the DSWT for a long time and have been wanting to visit for years. The Sheldrick’s story is amazing, and I highly encourage you to check it out. The very short version is that they rescue baby elephants whose mothers have been killed as a result of poaching. But it’s not just elephants. They have two rhinos, a giraffe and recently a rescued baby hippo…named “Humpty”. You can “adopt” any of the rescues, and if you do, you can visit the center during a special viewing time.

We were lucky enough to meet our adopted baby Jotto. Isn’t he amazing?!

We spent a little over an hour at the DSWT and then made it back to the hotel with plenty of time to freshen up before a lovely dinner at the legendary Talisman.

Our stay at OneFortyEight  far exceeded my expectations. At the time, they had been open for less than two weeks, which means they will only get better as they perfect their rhythm. My only regret is that we didn’t stay one more night, just so I could spend a few hours on that verandah.

OneFortyEight is a distinctive property, in a beautiful setting, with imitable service. It is  the perfect place to recover from the long journey to East Africa and slowly adjust to being in Africa.

To find out more about OneFortyEight Nairobi, you can visit their website.

• With only ten rooms, this a peaceful boutique hotel.
• This is a wonderful place to unwind and adjust to a slower pace. Embrace it.
• There is a boutique onsite.
• You will see stunning glass bottles all over the property. They are handmade by the owner.
• There is a lovely wine, beer and liquor selection.
• If you are visiting the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, you must make reservations in advance.
• Allow plenty of time if you are departing out of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.

Islands of Siankaba| Livingstone, Zambia

I have been to Islands twice now and it is a place that is very special to me. When I go here, I feel like I am at home. This lodge, laid out on two small islands connected by rope bridges, is on the Zambezi river.

On one island is the dining, lounge and pool area, and on the other island are the seven chalets. Each tented chalet is on stilts above the Zambezi and is complete with hardwood floors, claw foot tubs and a deck where you can sit and enjoy the river.

At night you go to sleep to the sound of the river and the occasional hippo grunt and wake in the morning to playful vervet monkeys. It is the ultimate in peace and relaxation. The last time I visited was in the month of August and the evenings were chilly. I returned to my room with a heating blanket on and ready for me on my bed and (as per my request) the tent slightly opened, so I could hear the river. Islands of Siankaba is a place I will always return to.

To find out more about this little slice of heaven, click here.

 Jade Mountain| Soufriere, St. Lucia

Jade Mountain is a classic example of us picking a destination based  solely on the lodging choice. This was not the first time we had done this and it definitely won’t be the last. Finding Jade Mountain really sealed the deal on which Caribbean location we were going to spend Thanksgiving.

When you stay at Jade Mountain, you don’t stay in a room…you stay in a Sanctuary. Our sanctuary was J4, a moon sanctuary.

Each Sanctuary has its own long bridge that leads to a massive wooden door. Entering your sanctuary leads you down a hallway lined with a beautiful wooden armoire. The hallway then splits into two areas: an open bathroom with a huge Jacuzzi tub and, a large open space with a beautiful canopy bed, sitting area and an inviting infinity pool, with a view of the sea and pitons, that replaces a fourth wall.

You have a complimentary minibar in your room that is restocked with fresh snacks every day. You are also appointed a butler for your stay and are provided a firefly device so that you can contact your butler at any time.

This room was so spectacular we hardly left it other than for meals, a massage and a couple of trips to the beach.

A highlight was waking up to the soothing sound and fresh scent of a passing morning rainstorm.

The rooms and the entire hotel are an architectural dream. Perhaps Jade Mountain architect and owner Nick Troubetzkoy sums it up best: “When you combine earth, air, water and the ethereal view in this way, I believe you unlock a potential for an almost profound and magical level of enjoyment and celebration.”

You can find out more about Jade Mountain here.

Hotel D’Angleterre| Copenhagen, Denmark

The recently renovated Hotel D’ Angleterre has a sophisticated elegance feel to it. They’ve managed to update the 260-year-old building while maintaining the hotel’s neoclassical history. The décor and colors are Danish design at its best: clean and elegant with just a touch of modern, and an end result of the Dane’s own Hygge. One of our favorite things about this room was all of the modern technology that added to the convenience and comfort, including a B&O entertainment system, state of the art climate control and a Nespresso machine.  Our room was large and included a nice sitting area.

The bed was very comfortable and had individual duvet covers.

The bathroom was also large and had great lighting. It seems that more and more, higher end hotels are including better “getting ready” lighting in their bathroom renovations and I love it.

Eddie particularly loved this hotel and I think the blend of comfort, technology and design had a lot to do with that.

You can find more about Hotel D’Angleterre here.

Belmond Hotel Caruso| Ravello, Italy

We recently stayed at the legendary Belmond Hotel Caruso. This hotel had been on my “list” for a while, so when we decided on the Amalfi Coast, I knew exactly where we were staying. Our room was large, bright and airy.

We had a long hallway between the bathroom and the rest of the room.

The main part of our room had a deliciously comfortable bed, a nice sitting area and a desk. It is always nice to have some room to spread out! When Eddie takes out his contacts at night, he can’t see more than three feet in front of him, so he loved the TV lift cabinet at the foot of the bed.

The main part of the room also had large picture windows with expansive views of the coast.

All rooms at Belmond Caruso have white marble bathrooms. Ours was large with tons of storage, a soaking tub, shower and a vanity area with the best toiletries I have seen yet!

My favorite part of the room was the fairytale balcony that looked over the bright green lawn and the winding Amalfi coastline.

You can read our full review of the Belmond Hotel Caruso here.

That’s a wrap for our first “Top Hotel Rooms”. We’ll be sure to do a “Top” list like this at the end of each year. We hope you enjoyed it and it inspired you to check out one (or more) of these fantastic hotel rooms!

Sayari Camp| Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

When finalizing our stay at Sayari, we requested a room that was a bit removed from the rest of the camp and ended up in the honeymoon suite.

Our beautiful suite had hardwood floors, a big canopy bed with mosquito netting, a beautiful bathroom with a shower large enough to hold a rugby team, and a standalone tub that looked out over the Serengeti.

We had a large beautiful outdoor seating area and a separate area with an outdoor tub.

We had floor to ceiling windows that made those late afternoon thunderstorms that much more enjoyable.

But, my favorite was the morning that we had to be picked up for our morning drive (instead of walking to the main area) because a small herd of elephants were snacking on the vegetation outside of our suite.

We experienced the true romance of the Serengeti at Sayari.

Click here to find out more about Sayari Camp.

Six Senses Laamu| Laamu Atoll, Maldives

We searched far and wide trying to find the perfect spot in the Maldives. I saw tons of beautiful resorts, but when I came across Six Senses Laamu, I immediately knew that this was “the one”. And when I showed it to Eddie, he agreed.  We came to Six Senses Laamu after five days of safari in East Africa. The Maldives are a haul from East Africa and we were beat by the time we made it to the main island of Male. Fast forward two island hopper flights, a speed boat and a golf cart, and we are standing in our room with our jaws on the ground. We had never seen anything like it and, to this day, have yet to see anything that compares.

With views across the most beautiful waters I have ever seen, our room was a dream.

The room is centered by beautiful bed.

There is sunken seating and a writing desk that looks out over the deck to the sea.

The deck has built in loungers, a sunken dining area, couches, over water hammocks and direct access to the sea.

The sinks (which were designed to look like luggage) and loo with a view are on a separate level with two closets and views of the sea.  

Aside from the fact that this is an overwater bungalow, the star of this room was the entirely separate, partially outdoor, bath and shower area. Enhanced with a beautiful light fixture, this room holds a tub that is completely clear so that you can see the beautiful sea below you and a shower that extends over the sea and can be accessed directly from the sea with a wooden staircase.

From this room, you could take another set of stairs to an outdoor viewing loft with a big, cozy couch. It was spectacular. We always bring music when we know we’ll be at a place where we’ll spend a lot of time in the room, but Six Senses Laamu provides their own beautiful music that just seemed to fit the surroundings perfectly. I would still love to get my hands on that play list. Each room comes with two beach cruisers to help you get around the island.

We stayed at Six Senses Laamu shortly after they first opened and they have made quite a few impressive changes since then. Our entire experience at Six Senses Laamu motivated me to set a goal of staying at as many Six Senses properties as possible.

To find out more about Six Senses Laamu, click here.

St. Regis Florence| Florence, Italy

We stayed in two beautiful rooms at the recently renovated St. Regis Florence. Both were gorgeous, but for this post, let’s focus on the Dante Suite. One of the most beautiful rooms I have ever stayed in.

The Dante Suite is the size of a small apartment. It has a separate sitting area that is reached by an entry way and leads into the bed area.

It is lavishly decorated with chandeliers, a grandiose headboard and beautiful velvet drapery. This suite is truly fit for royalty. The room comes with butler service which came in quite handy for an afternoon pick me up of espresso and biscuits.

There was ample storage, two bathrooms (one with a flatscreen) and a huge comfy bed that you felt like you were melting into at the end of a long day.

This suite had a small balcony with a lovely view of the Arno river.

I recently did a full review of our stay at the St. Regis Florence that you can find here.

To find more info on this beautiful hotel, click here.

Up next: The Caribbean, Amalfi Coast and Denmark!

The truth is, a hotel, and the room you stay in, can play a significant role in your travel experience. Sometimes the room is the key draw; it’s a place you want to hunker down in for days on end. Other times your room is your safe haven and place of comfort at the end of a long day in an unfamiliar place.

This a list that I have wanted to post for a long time. I think the hotels that do it right, that become part of your experience, deserve some recognition. I have been writing this post in my head for a while now. Putting it “on paper” and reliving these fantastic stays has been a lot of fun for me!

Keep in mind that, for this post, we are just covering the rooms. These are rooms that have blown us away. Rooms we didn’t want to leave. Unforgettable rooms.

In order to do this list justice (and to save your eyeballs and possibly your job), this list will be broken down, in no particular order, into three separate posts.

Without further ado…

Leopard Hills Private Game Reserve | Sabi Sand Game Reserve, South Africa

Although our stay at Leopard Hills was several years ago, it’s befitting that it is listed first as it was our first experience with a hotel that got it ALL right and it changed the way we viewed a hotel’s role in travel experiences.

Leopard Hills is comprised of eight suites nestled atop a lush hilltop.

We were lucky enough to end up in the honeymoon suite. Our room was beautifully decorated with floor to ceiling windows, a large plush bed and a separate sitting area.

The bathroom had a large soaking tub and a shower that had direct access to the outdoor shower on the deck. The deck also had a plunge pool that overlooked a watering hole.

Each night when we returned to our room there was a special note waiting for us with a poem or African proverb.

*Leopard Hills has recently undergone a renovation that includes new interiors and larger decks.

Click here for more on Leopard Hills.

Royal Davui Island Resort | Fiji

We didn’t know we wanted to go to Fiji until we came across Royal Davui. The resort is set on a small private island on the Beqa Lagoon and has fifteen, thatch roofed “vales”.

We stayed in a premium plunge pool villa which faced Beqa Island and had a flawless sunrise view.

Our vale was spread out on multiple levels, with separate living and bedroom areas.

There were beautiful hardwood floors throughout and both the living and bedroom areas featured panoramic doors that led to private verandas.

The bathroom, set right above the bedroom, had a large soaking tub (with a view of course!). 

The best part? Taking a morning dip in that heated plunge pool!

You can find more on Royal Davui Fiji by clicking here.

Hotel Maria Cristina | San Sebastian, Spain

I recently did a full review of the Hotel Maria Cristina that you can find here. We had a fantastic experience at this Luxury Collection property and our room was a big part of it.

There is this great old Hollywood glam feel to this hotel that touches every corner. I really love the muted greys with pops of color and gorgeous chandeliers in all the right places.

When we opened the door to our spacious room, we found that there was wine AND cheese waiting for us. That certainly gets things off to a good start!

Most of the time, we are much like the typical American tourist in that, while in Europe, we don’t stay in one spot for more than three days. This time, we got to enjoy this glamorous room for a full five days. For that reason, we really enjoyed having such a large room to spread out in and the ample storage so we could actually unpack.

The Hollywood glam feel continued into the beautiful black and white marble bathroom.

And, to top it all off, we had a great view of the Urumea river!

You can find more out about Hotel Maria Cristina here.

I hope you enjoyed the first of this three part post! Up next: East Africa, the Maldives and Italy!