We have stayed in many wonderful hotels, inns, ranches, and bed and breakfast places. These following have been recommended because of their intimacy and appeal to the discriminating traveler looking for charm, quiet, and a place to stay that is neither commercial or corporate.
The Aerie
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More than a decade ago, Maria Schuster opened The Aerie Resort with five rooms built on five acres in the Malahat mountains, about 25-minutes north of Victoria, British Columbia. Its “drop-dead” towering views of the Findlayson Arm of Georgia Strait (on a clear day, you have views of Mt. Ranier) has 35 rooms with Mediterranean-style villas on 65-acres, a spa, and the gourmet Pacific Coast cuisine. www.aerie.bc.ca | |
Amanpuri
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This Phuket, Thailand resort is an idyllic getaway place offering teakwood pavilions built among the coconut palms of a former plantation. Most views overlook the coral reefs of the Andaman Sea. Located on the island of Phuket in southeast Thailand, Amanpuri can be described as hotel luxury at its finest. www.amanpuri.com |
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Ana Mandara
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Ana Mandara has used traditional Vietnamese architecture for its villas, which are surrounded by lush tropical gardens. The beautiful beachfront has great views of small islands in the South China Sea, This warm, luxurious resort is located in the central part of the country in Nha Trang, the coastal capital of Khanh Hoa province. www.ana-mandara.com |
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Borana Lodge
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This Mt. Kenya lodge rates as one of Africa’s most elegant lodges. Lying cozily under the bed comforter, you can listen to the crackling of wood in the boma fireplace as elephants trumpet or lions roar in the watering hole below.
www.borana.com.ke |
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Ceiba del Mar
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Ceiba del Mar is located on a powdery white sand beach north of Puerto Morelos in the Maya Yucatan. Architecturally stunning, its rooms and suites overlook the Caribbean Sea. Almost Heaven is its on site dive operator, and its spa is equally heavenly. Ceiba is a great destination for honeymooners and lovers of all ages. | |
Chesa Rosatch
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The managers of this charming inn share a warm hospitality and eagerness to please. This Swiss inn is a four minute train ride from St. Moritz yet offers the tranquility of a small village. | |
Fischerzunft
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Owner Andre Jaeger is recognized as one of Europe’s finest chefs and its restaurant rates a Michelin star. The Schaffhausen, Switzerland inn, with views of the Rhine River, is close to Zurich. www.fischersunft.com |
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Gamboa Rainforest Resort
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Gamboa Rainforest Resort, is a luxury destination located below the Miraflores locks of the Panama Canal in Soberania National Park . The 107 room resort is surrounded by lush rainforest. Its marina provides tours of the Chagres River and Lake Gatun, sport fishing trips for peacock bass, kayaking trips, and tours to the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute on Barro Colorado Island. | |
Hotel Intercontinental
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Hong Kong’s Hotel Intercontinental boasts one of the finest views of Victoria Harbour. Guests can wave from their windows at passing cruise ships and freighters plying the bustling harbour. The hotel’s service is impeccable. Fine dining includes famous names like Alain Ducasse’s Spoons and Nobu. |
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Il San Pietro di Positano
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Il San Pietro di Positano hotel has always been a destination for lovers. Founder Carlo Cinque chiseled the luxurious property in a rocky limestone cliffside located a mile from the village of Positano. Relais & Chateauxs Il San Pietro is more than the ultimate in luxury hotels, it is an architectural wonder. | |
King Pacific Lodge
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This wilderness lodge is moored in the shelter of Barnard Harbour on Princess Royal Island. The resort offers gourmet cuisine, luxurious accommodations combined with activities that include heli-fishing and hiking, salmon trolling, whale watching, and kayaking. Visitors can also choose to relax and enjoy spectacular views of the fiords and mountains. | |
Las Ventanas al Paraíso
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Soft curves of white adobe are surrounded by unique native planting in raked sand gardens are accented by the brilliant colors of bougainvillea. The 72-suite property, one that has earned every possible hospitality award, offers panoramic views of the Sea of Cortez. This resort is definitely a place to see and be seen. | |
Mandarin Oriental
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This Miami resort is a glass-fronted 327-room luxury property located on Brickell Key. Each room, with its own balcony, has gorgeous views of Biscayne Bay. Hotel amenities include the top-rated Azul restuarant, The Spa (three stories of world-class indulgence), a state of the art fitness facility, and the M-Bar lobby martini bar which overlooks the infinity-edged pool. | |
The Oriental
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Their Singapore resort is a world-respected 527-room fan-shaped atrium property overlooking the harbor. Public space is filled with the nectar of exotic flower arrangements. The destination resort has a complement of restaurants offering Indian, Chinese and Japanese cuisine including Wasabi Bistro and Mortons of Chicago. Try a “jet lag” massage in their luxurious spa, or enjoy private yoga or lap swimming. |
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Poets Cove Resort & Spa
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Perched on a hillside above Bedwell Harbor, the resort overlooks a secluded bay on South Pender Island. Opened in 2004, the surrounding Gulf Islands Provincial National Park protects the remoteness of this luxurious resort. Accommodations range from an ocean view lodge rooms to hillside cottages and two or three bedroom villas. West Coast cuisine is featured in the upscale Aurora restaurant. Activities include whale watching, kayaking, biking, hiking, marine tours, or rejuvenating treatments in Susurrus Spa. | |
Posada La Poza
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Posada La Poza, which translates to “Inn at the spring” is located at the end of a rugged winding road in Baja’s Todos Santos. The personal creation of Swiss-born Juerg Wiesendanger and his Czech wife, Libusche, the seven intimate suites were opened in 2002. Its secluded setting, an hour north of Cabo San Lucas, overlooks a bird sanctuary lagoon which is separated by a small sandbar from the Pacific Ocean. So far removed from the bustle of today’s world, yet offering every comfort, La Poza is truly an escape for some “time out”. | |
Post Hotel & Spa
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Andre and Georges Schwarz are experts on award-winning hospitality. Their Lake Louise, Alberta Relais & Chateaux property offers charming accommodations overlooking the Pipestone River, serve superb cuisine, and provide excellent service. | |
The Regent
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The contemporary atrium 12-story Regent offers unparalleled amenities. Indulge by staying on one of the new floors of The Regent Club. The hotel offers a variety of cuisines including the Cantonese Summer Place and the reintroduction of champagne brunch in Capers. | |
La Villa des Orangers
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Relais & Chateaux’s La Villa des Orangers is an intimate riad located in the heart of Marrakech. This oasis, a five minute walk to the Medina’s Jemaa El Fna Square and iconic Koutoubia mosque, offers antique furnished rooms, cuisine featuring the robust flavors of Morocco, lush gardens and courtyards, tranquil pools, and an exqusite traditional hammam. |
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Sonora Resort
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Less than an hour by seaplane north of Vancouver, Sonora Resort has reinvented wilderness adventure by combining luxury accommodation and fine dining with breathtaking coastal wilderness habitat. Discover the flora and fauna on foot by mountain hiking or enjoy the aerial thrill of helicopter glacier excursions, cruise by Zodiac in search of Orca whales, spend a morning viewing grizzly bears or just relax in their luxurious spa. | |
Sooke Harbour House
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Every unique room features an ocean view with a balcony or terrace, private bath, wet bar and comfortable sitting area in front of a wood-burning fireplace. Decorative touches by Frederique, original artwork, antiques and books. The cuisine is creative with food served that is grown organically in their garden. |
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Wedgewood Hotel
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This charming boutique hotel is conveniently located in the shopping area of downtown Vancouver. It shines in every possible way. The beds are comfortable, the linens are of the finest quality, and turn down housekeeping service offers a choice of morning newspapers, the nightly TV guide, two cookies and bottled water. The Bacchus restaurant offers gourmet cuisine with excellent piano music during the evening hours. | |
White Barn Inn
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A Relais & Chateaux property, this nationally acclaimed Kennebunkport, Maine Inn offers luxurious accommodation and country living charm. Its multi-award winning restaurant set in an old barn is one of the premier Five Diamond dining establishments in New England. |
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Wickaninnish Inn
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Each room and bathroom in this small Tofino luxurious inn has a view of the pounding surf of the Pacific. The cuisine, considered some of British Columbia’s finest, features local Dungeness crab, oysters, clams, mussels, and salmon. The Pointe restaurant’s stunning circular wood-beamed dinning room is cantilevered over the rocks close to the waves of the ocean. The Ancient Cedars Spa is designed in an Asian motif and offers a wide selection of personal services. |
