Have you always wanted to take a bath in the outdoors, with the chance of an elephant wandering by? Then Thornybush Game Lodge is the place for you.
First, though, you’ll start your day early — before sunrise — with a quick breakfast of homemade muffins and roiboos tea. Then you’re off to explore the 14 000 hectares of Thornybush Nature Reserve in an open Land Rover with your guide and tracker.
My first Thornybush safari was quite typical: we stopped by a watering hole and watched elephants drink and give themselves a shower, then they lumbered off to eat, passing within a few feet of our vehicle. We saw a mother white rhino with her months-old baby. We drove through a herd of Cape buffalo, passed a giraffe family, and then found three lions lolling in the sun.
Then you can return to your suite (there are only 18, plus two family suites) for your bath. All sorts of animals come down to the river bed near your tub — antelopes are the most common peeping Toms, but there was an elephant two days before my arrival. Don’t feel like getting naked outdoors? Head to the spa, the pool, or just relax on your private deck.
After lunch, and then high tea, you’re back out for another game drive (before you depart, your steward will confirm your choice of cocktail for your sundowner). At the end of this game drive you’ll head back to the lodge in the dark; but don’t worry — your tracker will keep his sharp eyes and flashlight moving through the trees to make sure a leopard doesn’t jump down into your Land Rover.
When you get back to the lodge, a three-course candlelight dinner will be served on the patio by the pool or you’ll be treated to a braai (barbeque) in the boma (a fenced-in enclosure).
After dinner you’ll return to your suite, where your steward has drawn the mosquito nets, turned down your bed, and, if you’re visiting in winter, tucked in a hot water bottle to keep your feet warm.
From US510+ per night
– Once staff learn you like something (me: their fab croissants), they’ll make sure
you have plenty!
– Blankets in the Land Rovers for chilly winter mornings.
– Rangers are very keen to make sure you see the big five, which can mean a lot of back and forth driving. If you’ve already seen cheetah and would prefer to spend time looking at elephant rather than at bushes cheetah might be hiding in, say so, and hope that others in your vehicle agree.
Johanna Read
Contributing Editor
Looking for a treat in Guatemala? This is a stylish boutique hotel which all manner of presidents and dignitaries have enjoyed, hidden behind high brick walls and accessed (only when expected), via a flower trimmed, stone-flagged courtyard.
The building is pleasingly old, yet seamlessly combines modern features such as the long narrow pool which flows next to its shadowy inner corridors and colonial courtyards.
This hotel exudes elegance and luxury; the deeply fragranced bouquets strategically placed along its narrow open air corridors, the tall church candles casting dusky shadows along the glowing stone walls; the deep, soft bedding and large, airy bathrooms. Follow the winding flagstone staircase to discover the large roof terrace with terracotta pots, multi-coloured scatter cushions and far ranging views across the rooftops and towards the horizon hugging mountains. The city itself is architecturally stunning and historically rich. Restaurants hide thickly lush courtyards and soothing water features. And once you’ve enjoyed the fresh and spicy local specialities you can wander in the heat amongst the echoing churches, leafy plazas and challenging viewpoints knowing the cool and soothing tranquillity of the Posada del Angel awaits.
From US160+ per night
– Beautiful design
– Comfortable rooms
– No restaurant
– Chilly swimming pool!
Chris & Hannah
Directors
*Don’t forget to watch the video review by clicking here*
Where fantasy village meets fairy grotto, tree-house meets the ultimate in modern luxury and incredible fine dining meets cosy evenings by the fire, this hotel is a mix of delightful contradictions which are really rather clever.
We stayed in the three story, 2 bedroom Les Barattes chalet. The front door opens into charming domestic bliss, hand selected crockery, antique furniture and an inviting wood burner. If it wasn’t for the cleverly hidden mod cons you might feel like you’d stepped back in time.
The stairs represent the sort of challenge kids will love and will make parents regret having that last glass of wine, but nothing else would work quite as well. You’ll love the carefully chosen small touches like the heart-shaped coat hooks, the basin carved from a slab of wood and the giant iron keys to let you out onto the balconies wrapped around each floor. Upstairs, the bedroom is heavenly, beautifully cushioned and decorated with furry rugs, creaky floorboards and an incongruous flat screen TV/ DVD player.
The food is incredible- crafted with the sort of light-touch and finesse only a French chef can do properly. The team deliver each course to your chalet with a smile and quick explanation before leaving you to your romantic evening. In summer there’s an abundance of pink and red flowers wherever you look; in winter the pristine snow combined with the ethereal blue night lights must create an atmosphere of almost supernatural stillness and beauty. I can’t wait to come back then.
From US620+ per night
– Amazing alpine setting with luxurious, individually styled accommodation
– The food is some of the best we have tasted
– Some chalets have quite steep steps
Chris & Hannah
Directors
This place is so exclusive you need to take a private charter to fly there! Then you hop on a speedboat which zigzags you round vast limestone rocks until finally you bounce towards an enormous looming outcrop- it’s only as you get close you’ll notice the resort, so dwarfed by its natural surroundings that it looks like a dolls house.
Most guests don’t stay longer than two or three days because a visit doesn’t come cheap. But once you are there, everything is included.
The star of the show here is the archipelago; the activities the staff encourage you to sign up for as soon as you set foot on the dock are all about making the most of it. You can kayak to secluded islands; have a picnic on a private beach which staff set up then leave you to enjoy the solitude; try windsurfing, snorkel amongst vast swirling shoals of synchronised fish, explore caves and lagoons; hike to viewpoints with the ocean on both sides; you can even hop on a boat to visit the sister island resort for lunch and a dip in their freshwater pool.
From US$320+ per night
– Amazing fantasy style island in unique natural surroundings
– Excellent variety of well-organised activities
– The food is OK but nothing special
Chris & Hannah
Directors