Far and away

About a month ago a dear friend of mine by the name of Brenda brought me a book she had received in the mail. It was a catalogue from Virtuoso travel called, “Best of the Best: 2010 Guide to the World’s Best Hotel Experiences.”
Brenda had the best of intentions when she gave me this catalogue. She thought perhaps I’d want to browse it during my free time, just for fun. Well, I got a little carried away and started dreaming about all the places I might go. Let me be quite honest and say that all of the destinations – all 1,000 of them – featured in this book are WAY beyond mine or hubby’s means. The only ones featured from North Carolina are Westglow Resort & Spa in Blowing Rock, The Ballantyne in Charlotte, and The Fearrington House in Pittsboro. These destinations are extremely exclusive.
I still decided it was my duty to pick my top 5 hotels I’d like to visit in the world. To narrow this list down from 1,000 perfect hotels was a very difficult task. Very difficult, but very enjoyable. Yes, I’m a dreamer. Here they are in no particular order. I hope you enjoy dreaming with me…

Alva Park Resort & Spa
Costa Brava is just an hour from Barcelona and just 20 minutes from the coast, with a small town feel. I’d rent a car and drive to the closest winery.
The resort features what they call a Molton Brown spa, with packages such as Warming eucalyptus detoxifying body polish or a scrumptiously whipped maracuja and olive oil soufflé massage. Also at the spa is their Indian princess bath, where you float in warm salt water with underwater music playing.
The coolest onsite restaurant is called Minamo Japanese Dream. You eat sushi and sashimi at one of three over-water tables. Dining on wood planks over water = cool experience.
The beds have 8 pillows made of goose duvet, duck feathers, acrylics and cervical and the hotel comes with a la carte breakfast daily. I’m sold.

Photos from Alva Park's Web site.

Clayoquot Wilderness Resort
Situated at the mouth of the Bedwell River (Tofino, British Columbia), where it spills into a nine-mile-long fjord, lays an enclave of 20 great white canvas guest tents, massage and treatment tents, dining tents, lounge tents and a massive timber cookhouse.
Activities include whale watching, hiking, fly-fishing, rock climbing, kayaking, zip line, horseback riding, archery, shooting, cooking classes, and hot springs.
Beds are Adirondak-style with lush down duvets. Tents have wood stoves and private cedar outbuildings.

Photos from Clayoquot Web site.

Otahuna Lodge
A historic country estate in Christchurch, New Zealand. There are vineyards, golf, horseback riding, helicopter rides, swimming, fly-fishing on site gardens.
A very relaxed, organic vacation. It was the special amenities that really lured me in: Gourmet picnic lunches with fresh lodge garden-grown produce and bottles of New Zealand wine come with your stay. They offer the experience of foraging for porcini mushrooms with the Lodge’s chef.
The rooms include fireplaces and deep bath tubs, but I think most of our time would be spent outdoors, exploring the countryside and tasting fantastic wines.

Photos from the Otahuna Lodge Web site.

Hotel Salto Chico
The lodge is located right at the heart of Torres del Paine National Park in central Patagonia, Chile. The untouched landscapes of this area led UNESCO to declare it a biosphere reserve. Each room has a small living area and a hydromassage bath.
The Ona Bath House has a heated indoor swimming pool, a sauna and four open-air jacuzzis, all with views of Lago Pehoé and Macizo del Paine. The lodge has stables on sight, which are home to the 26 horses used to take travelers on Patagonia adventure tours. There are 35 different on-foot treks and horseback adventures offered that tour glaciers, lakes, rivers, and mountains.

Photos from the Hotel Salto Chico Web site.

Royal Malewane
Located in Hoedspruit, South Africa, this hotel is an oasis completely surrounded by the untamed African bush. The suites include their own private rim flow pools, decks and gazebos. Complimentary services include a private butler and chef, private game drives where you track lions, leopards, elephants, buffalos and black & white rhinos. Guests receive complimentary massages per suite per day. The spa offers 3-hour African ritual treatments and the rooms are stocked with a bottle of sparkling wine per night of stay.

Thanks Brenda for letting me dream my little dreams...