A hotel is more than just for sleeps. From a casita off the coast of Panama to a “safari” by Taiwan’s famed Sun Moon Lake, these hotels surrounded by nature offer a plethora of off-site experiences that allow guests to delve deeper into the rich locale.
When you live in a destination that offers gorgeous hikes, and is rich with wildlife and deep sea fishing spots, you may be inspired to start a travel company to promote it, open restaurants to showcase the seafood or even open a hotel (or two) to accommodate people who have come to experience them. Knut and Line Flakk, the Norwegian couple behind 62°Nord, which specialises in personalised tours on Norway’s northwest coast, have taken their hometown of Sunnmore to a whole new level. They have renovated the historic Hotel Union Oye in the popular Oye hiking district, but kept the rustic aesthetics of its rooms that have drawn guests since the 1880s. Famous visitors include literary and exploration luminaries like Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Roald Amundsen.
Set within the Andean valleys of the northern Aysen region on the banks of Rio Palena in Patagonia is the Rio Palena Lodge. Far from the usual tourist trail, and blessed with a pristine landscape on its doorstep that includes lush Andean forests and snow-capped mountains all around, the lodge offers adventure seekers the ultimate escape. Activities include fly fishing in an area famous for brown and rainbow trout. The lodge is owned by adventure tour specialist Eleven Experience, so visitors can expect an immersive experience led by trained nature guides.
Islas Secas is a beautiful archipelago of 14 islands located 40km off the coast of Panama, and a paradise where wildlife is well conserved, design is celebrated and good food is served. Opened in May this year, Casa Cavada joins three other casitas under the same owner to offer guests a luxurious stay with private plunge pools and thatched roofed cabanas affording ocean views. If you visit from April to October, you will see the migration of two distinct populations of humpback whales: one that feeds off the waters of Antarctica Chile and the other from the northern hemisphere. The islands are also home to whale sharks, humpback whales, giant mantas, tuna and sea turtles.
Inspired by the African safaris he had experienced, architect Chen Shunzhi decided to build his own luxury wildlife resorts back home in Taiwan. Sun Moon Lake Safari Tour, his second and latest resort to open in central Taiwan under his Deer Chaser brand, is located at the picturesque Sun Moon Lake, the country’s largest inland lake. Opened late last year, the resort is composed of five residences, each with a distin ctive theme. Our favourite is the Rainforest House. Built along a river with greenery all around, the open-air concept makes guests feel like they are in both a jungle and a swamp. Fish thrive in the river, while egrets nest on the banks. Guests can embark on safari walks to learn about the wildlife in the area.
This 25-tent Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge appears on the mouth of the Bedwell River in Clayoquot Sound on the wild west coast of Vancouver Island, British Columbia, from June to September every year. Acquired by Australia’s Baillie Lodges in 2020, the camp offers hikes and tours that connect guests to the wildlife and wonders of the Unesco Protected Biosphere Reserve. These include islands, old-growth forests, alpine peaks, lakes, rivers, estuaries, bays and beaches that are home to some protected and endangered animal species such as the Black Swift. Wellness is not forgotten. A well-appointed spa and treatments like contrast therapy are offered here.
Editor-At-Large
Mavis Teo is an editor-at-large at Prestige Singapore where she focuses on travel, arts and culture, and personality profiles. A regular contributor to South China Morning Post, DestinAsian, The Straits ..Read More
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