Anantara Chiang Mai Resort, Thailand – Romance, Wellness & Stylish Indulgence 

Asia, Asien, Chiang Mai, Spa, Thailand 0 Comments

The Anantara Chiang Mai Resort is a city hotel with resort flair. Situated in the middle of the city on the banks of Mae Ping River, it is a peaceful haven from where you can explore the nearby national parks, artisan and tribal mountain villages, bustling markets, more than 200 Buddhist temples, and the ancient Lanna ruins.

The restaurant with its secret agent look, offers outstanding cuisine, afternoon tea, and cooking classes. The Lanna Spa experience is so extraordinary that it deserved a spot in our Top 3 spas.

Chiang Mai is also called the Rose of the North. With its Mediterranean climate, palm tree forests meet rose plantations and wild orchids. The resort is perfect for couples and families alike. Couples can relax in one of the resort’s 84 rooms and suites and by the huge, pool on the riverbank. The resort caters specifically for families in 24 serviced suites encompassing several bedrooms in an adjoining building with a rooftop pool.

The luxury resort is minimalistic, sophisticated and stylishly decorated in warm, natural and brown tones. It has an elegant and warm ambiance.

The magnificent Colonial house, once the British Consulate in Chiang Mai, successfully combines contemporary design with Thai and colonial elements.

“Chiang Mai is Tradition, Culture and History.” – Reza, General Manager

Pool Oasis

The 34 m long, adults only pool, features a magnificent lily pond with Koi, well-kept reeds and river views. The perfect spot to get away from it all and unwind.

Families with children under 12 can use the rooftop pool of the serviced suites.

Suites with River Views

All rooms and suites at the resort have garden or river views, balconies with double daybeds, open plan bathrooms with deep terrazzo bathtubs and separate showers.

The rooms at the resort are perfect for honeymooners and couples with a maximum of one child.

Suites with Rooftop Pool

Serviced Suites

The serviced suites have separate living and dining areas, a kitchenette and even a washing machine. There are also suites with more than one bedroom – ideal for families.

The unique feature is the rooftop pool. Unfortunately, it was being renovated when we were there. Guests staying in the serviced suites can also use the large pool at the resort.

Kasara Lounge

Guests staying in the Kasara suites have access to the lounge and many other privileges such as laundry service, breakfast, evening cocktails and light snacks.

Breakfast with a View

A scrumptious breakfast buffet is served on the terrace from where you have a fantastic view of the river. Tropical fruits, freshly squeezed juices, freshly baked pastries, Asian and Western specialties, and a wide variety of warm dishes, leave nothing to be desired.

Spice Spoons – A Thai Culinary Journey

In the Anantara cooking school, you get to know Thailand’s fascinating culinary culture. We hopped on a Tuk-Tuk with Chef Tanakrit and went to the local market to buy fresh ingredients for the menu we would cook later on.

What a huge selection of fresh and also strange ingredients – a great market with loads of fruits and vegetables we have never seen before!

With fresh coconut in hand, we went back to the hotel ready to cook up a storm.

We then prepared the dishes in The Service 1921 Restaurant & Bar’s kitchen. A great foodie experience!

Our menu consisted of Spicy Prawn soup, Satay Skewers, Masamam Beef Curry and Mango with Sticky Rice. Delicious!

The meat for the Masamam Curry was fried with coconut milk and not with oil!


Satay Gai – Chicken satay


Tom Yum Goong – Spicy Prawn Soup

Some excellent Thai wine complemented the food.


Massaman Nuea – Massamam Beef Curry

Khao Neeo Mamuang – Mango with sweet sticky rice

In the end, you even receive a certificate and recipes to use at home.

Anantara Spa – Lanna Healing

The treatments in the minimalistic spa are inspired by traditional, century old, proven Lanna rituals.

LANNA RITUAL (90 MINUTES)
Experience holistic harmony with a full-body massage of healing plai oil, applied with Thai, Burmese and Chinese techniques. Awaken to a singing bowl. Wash away negative energy in herbal water. Make a wish on a golden heart Bodhi leaf.

Herbal Foot Bath Ritual – Warm Herbal Poultice & Mint Spray – Anantara Lanna Massage – Mindfulness Ritual – Refreshment

The sublime Lanna Ritual, the signature massage in the Anantara, begins with a relaxing foot ritual and mint spray.

The massage is out of this world! The therapists use a combination of Thai, Burmese and Chinese techniques.

At the end of the ritual, you cleanse your hands in a bowl of herbal water to wash away the negative energy.

Finally, you write a wish on a golden heart Bodhi leaf and hang it in the temple so that it can come true.

With the sound of a singing bowl, the ritual is complete. An awe-inspiring experience!

It was so relaxing that at times we were unsure whether we were asleep or awake, suspended in a trance. It was awesome and one of the best massages we have ever had!

Afterward, you can slowly return to reality with tea and snacks either with a view overlooking the pool or on the rooftop terrace.

Afternoon Tea

The Anantara Chiang Mai Resort is a place of luxurious indulgence. Afternoon tea can be enjoyed in the colonial atmosphere.

In the evening, when it gets dark and romantic, candles and torches are lit everywhere, and traditional dances demonstrated.

The Service 1921 Restaurant & Bar

In the former British Consulate from the 1920s, now a heritage building, Chinese Sichuan, Thai and Vietnamese food and selected wines are served.

The décor style is reminiscent of the British intelligence service. Nowadays, you can embark on an intriguing culinary journey here. There even is a secret door.

The impressive and stylish design stems from the general manager, Reza himself! Utter madness with astonishing attention to detail!

The Restaurant

In the evening, international grilled dishes and authentic Indian specialties are served by candlelight in a romantic atmosphere on the lakeside terrace.

Activities

Apart from boat trips, market excursions and temple visits, you can also engage in Muay Thai training or do some other physical activities in the gym.

Trips

  • Night Bazaar with seemingly endless market stalls – 5 minutes on foot
  • Riverside with boutiques, bars and restaurants – 5 to 10 minutes on foot
  • Old Town with countless temples, markets, street food and shops – 15 minutes on foot
  • Wander through the street markets on Saturdays and Sundays – 15 minutes on foot
  • Worarot Market / China Town & Flower Market – a 10-minute drive
  • Hot Springs in San Kamphaeng – a 45-minute drive

Tips

The resort is also the perfect spot to watch the traditional Loi Krathong festival that takes place annually at full moon in November.

Conclusion

The service offered by the kind employees is extraordinary, and the attention to detail is omnipresent. The people in northern Thailand are quite remarkable. The tranquility, the enormous pool, the sensational spa treatments and the view over the river, let you leave the stress of the modern world behind and escape to a serene oasis. The food is phenomenal and the cooking class so much fun. We highly recommend the suites with river views for honeymooners. Our two-night stay was much too short. We would have loved to explore the area more, but that only means, we will have to go again!

Rooms: 52 rooms, 32 suites and 24 serviced suites
Flight duration: 11 hours from Germany to Bangkok and 1 hour to Chiang Mai
Transfer: 6 km from the airport, only about a 15-minute drive
Vaccinations: Hepatitis A, Diphtheria, Tetanus; Malaria stand-by is recommended and remember to use mosquito repellent!
Air Temperature: 14 – 36 degrees Celsius
Time difference: CET +6 hours
Best Travel Time: between November and March, regular from April onwards the temperature regularly reaches more than 35° C with very high humidity. In January Cherry trees transform the region into a bright sea of blossoms.
Price: Double rooms are available from 230 EUR per night including breakfast.
Special: Anantara Lanna Wedding from 3205 EUR, Honeymoon Renewal Package from 2560 EUR, 25% discount if you book 45 days in advance
Activities: Excursion to the Night market, temple visits, Thai boxing, cooking, and spa experiences
Special features: Relaxing ambiance, simplistic, noble design, exceptional cuisine, extra-ordinary spa rituals
Perfect for: Romantics, nature lovers, couples, families, honeymooners, culture vultures and wellness enthusiasts

Anantara Chiang Mai Resort
123-123/1 Charoen Prathet Road, Changklan, Muang, Chiang Mai 50100, Thailand
T +66 (0) 53 253 333
F +66 (0) 53 253 352
E chiangmai@anantara.com
www.anantara.com

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Please note: Anantara Chiang Mai sponsored our stay. Thank you so much! Nevertheless, the opinions expressed in this article are, as always, 100% our own! 

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Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort, Thailand – Jungle Adventures & Elephants

animal welfare, Asia, Asien, Chiang Rai, social commitment, Spa, Thailand, Videos 0 Comments

Wild Luxury & magical experiences in northern Thailand

To hear the happy trumpeting of the elephants in the morning and experience these gentle giants up close, these are the memories burned into our hearts forever. The picturesque setting and the unforgettable view over the border triangle merely isfantastic! Northern Thailand with its warm-hearted people, its culture and the elephants is a once in a lifetime experience.

The luxurious Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort is situated in the middle of the jungle in northern Thailand at the heart of the Golden Triangle. You have awe-inspiringviews overlooking the Mekong River and the border with Myanmar and Laos. The resort offers unique elephant encounters, superb Thai food, loving service, a beautiful spa and a host of options for exploring the area.

LIFE IS A JOURNEY.

Of course, the highlight is the private award-winning elephant camp with 30 rescued Asian elephants.

“We believe that in an ideal world, all elephants would be wild and it would not be necessary to talk about working with elephants at all.” – Golden Triangle Asian Elephant Foundation

There are many different ways you can bond with these gentle giants. There are jungle walks, watching them bathing in the river, getting acquainted with the art of the mahouts (elephant keepers) or spend some time in the elephant camp feeding the elephants.

John Roberts together with Anantara founded the Golden Triangle Asian Elephant Foundation (GTAEF) with its scientific research program in 2003. Ithas enabled the mahouts and their elephants to live a dignified life again. Traditionally,many elephants in Thailand lived in captivity as working animals and were usually not treated well and even abused.

“Happy mahouts keep happy elephants.”

The elephants are mainly rescuedfrom the street or illegal logging camps. Injured animals are cared for and nursed back to health. Not only the elephants are taken care of, butthe mahouts with their families can also live in the camp. About 60 people now live in the Mahout Village and benefit from this project. They are encouraged to treat the elephants well and send their children to school. If at all possible, the goal remains to release the elephants.

Elephant sponsorship

Noble retreat in Lanna design in the border triangle

Dark teak floors, elegant furniture, silk, local art, andcarvings create a cozy, charming atmosphere and paytribute to the ancient Lanna Kingdom (Land of a Million Rice Fields) in northern Thailand.

Upon arrival, you are spoiledwith a small welcome massage and handmade bracelets.

In addition to the all-inclusive package (3 meals a day, unlimited drinks, minibar, internet andairport transfers), The Discovery Package also offers an elephant, wellness, cooking or cultural activity every day.

Infinity pool overlooking the jungle

The beautiful infinity pool with hot tub offers uninterrupted views of the Mekong River and the 65-acre jungle.

During the day you can order delicious dishes and fresh drinks at the pool while enjoying the beautiful view.

Three Country View Room

The Anantara Golden Triangle combines Thai architecture and décor of international standard in a refined colonial style. The 55 rooms and suites are decoratedin warm colors with Thai textiles, dark teak furniture, oversized terrazzo bathtubs and works of art from China and Thailand.

The highlight is the view from the balcony sofa over Thailand, Myanmar and Laos.

You will find elephants everywhere in the room, even the elephant shaped biscuits!

The atmosphere is incredibly romantic, especially in the evening!

Three Country View (Family) Suites

The family suites are, of course, a bit bigger and super comfortable.

Walking with Giants

To be so close to these majestic mammals is an unforgettable experience. By feeding them bananas and sugar cane, you first familiarize yourself with them and get to know them.

With “Walking with Giants” you can join the mahouts and their elephants on their daily walk in the jungle. Since they are fedat the camp, they need to go for daily walks. Otherwise,they pick up weight.

Although many of them, probably have experienced mistreatment, they are loving and gentle. Amazing!

The walk through the jungle is at a leisurely pace. Whenever the elephants feel like it, they nibble on the branches, and there are snacks like bananas and sunflower seeds in between.

Elephants like to be touched, especially behind their ears.

When they get to the river, they are like little kids, splashing about and they do not want to get out of the water!

At the end of the walk, the elephants are showered,andthe mahouts bring them back to the camp. The tour lasts about one and a half hours.

Mahout Experience

The Mahout experience is inspiring. You discover the strong bond between the elephants and their keepers and get a glimpse into the everyday life of a mahout. It includes an introduction to the Thai commands to enable you to guide these intelligent and gentle beings yourself.

Riding on elephants is controversial. Responsible riding on the neck of these gigantic 3-ton mammals can be comparedto an ant sitting on them. However, several people riding on the back of an elephant should be avoided.

When you visit the elephants for the second time, they are already much more familiar with you. One of them will stroll towards you, and it is as if they are saying: “Hi, here you are again!” Brilliant!

This tour takes you a little further through the jungle and even through the resort.

At the Mahout Village, you can buy some beautiful, home-made objects and support the mahout families directly. The women have even started a small silk production.

We found the tours amazingand exciting. Spending time with the mahouts and these gentle giants is a unique experience!

Restaurants & Bar

The main restaurant, the Elephant Bar and the Opium Terrace, offers a stunning panoramic view. The service in every restaurant is very attentive and loving!

Sala Mae Nam

For breakfast, there is an international and Thai buffet with a vast selection.

The view from the terrace isimpressive. During the dry season, you can even watch the elephants from here.

For lunch and dinner, Sale Mae Nam offers delicious Thai delicacies. Highly recommended are the northern Thai dishes; they are simple, but creative with exotic spices and fresh ingredients from the garden.

The black rice and curries are a realtaste sensation.

“Geang Yod Mapraw Gai Bai Cha Plu
Northern style chicken curry with young coconut tip and wild betel leaves”

Opium Terrace

The Opium Terrace is situated next to the Elephant Bar and serves simple dishes and fantastic cocktails.

In the evening, it has a very romantic atmosphere, and you can also order food from any of the other restaurants and enjoy it here. 

Elephant Bar

The Elephant Bar has a historic atmosphere reminiscent of a hunting lodge. Aperitifs are served by the open fireplace or on the private terrace.

Baan Dhalia

The romantic Baan Dhalia Restaurant offers Italian cuisine and has an impressive wine list. Merging the rustic Thai jungle with Tuscan ambiance, it has a unique romantic ambience!

“Parmesan spaghetti, prepared tableside in a whole Grand Padano wheel and your choice of pasta sauce – black truffle cream or pesto trapanese with Parma ham”

If you would like something truly spectacular, try the spaghetti with truffles from the Parmesan wheel or order the Crêpes Suzette.

Dining by Design

If you are looking for peace and privacy, there is “Dining by Design.” You can dine in the beautiful, quiet landscape and if you would like to, even enjoy the company of elephants.

Spa by Nature

The Chiang Rai Spa has five stunning teak suites with their own steam room and outdoor baths overlooking the Mekong Valley.

The treatments are based on century-old northern Thai wellness traditions and include local and medicinal ingredients. You can choose between Elemis spa and aromatherapy treatments, massages, facials, body wraps and scrubs, and the unique Lanna Experience.

The ambience and the massages are wonderfully relaxing!

Saying “I do” in the jungle

The Anantara Golden Triangle with its romantic ambience is the perfect setting to get married at and host your reception or renew your wedding vows. The possibilities are endless.  

Thai Traditional Wedding from 2900 EUR (Wedding Brochure)
Venue setup:
• Thai wedding ceremony set up with flower decoration
• Monks ceremony or other religious ceremony
• 1 Pair of wedding garland ceremony for bride and groom
• 1 Bouquet for bride
• 1 Groom’s corsage
• Flower petals in a paper cone

The package includes:
• 2 Complimentary nights in a Suite
• Daily breakfast for the bride and groom
• 1 bottle of sparkling wine
• 1 private dining by design candle-lit dinner for the bride   and groom
• Live Thai Lanna classical music welcome during the ceremony
• Wedding cake at the ceremony
• Roundtrip Airport transfers 

Honeymoon-Special
•   Romantic room setup with flower decoration
•   1 bottle of sparkling wine
•   Romantic Khom Loi Lantern ceremony

Sustainability & Social Engagement

The resort supports local staff, conservation projects, and the Elephant Camp. It uses solar panels for hot water and is devoted to recycling. Tree plantations are also financed.

Activities

There is so much to do here. You can visit Chiang Rai and the neighboring countries of Myanmar and Laos with a longtail boat, do yoga classes, ride a mountain bike, plant trees, go trekking, visit the Opium Museum or participate in a cooking class.

Spice Spoons
With the cooking class “Spice Spoons” you get great insight into Thai cuisine. After a tour of the bustling local market, you learn what makes Thai food so delicious. We participated in the course in Anantara Chiang Mai, and it was really great and incredibly tasty.

Opium Museum
In the Opium Museum, you can learn a lot about the history of the opium trade in northern Thailand and the origins of opium. It should be fascinating. Unfortunately, we did not visit the museum.

Wat Rong Khun
Wat Rong Khun, better known as the White Temple, is located between Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai. It is an incredibly spectacular temple.

Loy Krathong
The traditional Thai festival, also known as the Festival of Lights, takes place annually on the evening of the full moon (11-13 November 2019) in Chiang Mai. It should also be beautiful near Chiang Saen. Further information >>

Conclusion

The Anantara Golden Triangle is extraordinary! And no, it is not just the fantastic views and the adorable elephants, but the extraordinarily loving and caring employees. The people here in the north are very kind and attentive. They ensure that your stay here is exceptional. The elephant encounters as so up close and personal and a definite bucket list item! We made memories that we will treasure forever – wonderful and unforgettable! When we said goodbye, we received a lantern with farewell wishes from the staff. Hopefully, our wish will come true!

Room: 40 rooms and 15 suites (including 6 family suites)
Flight duration: 11 hours from Germany to Bangkok and 1 hour to Chiang Rai
Transfer: 69 km from the airport, about 1 hour by car
Vaccinations: Hepatitis A, Diphtheria, Tetanus; Recommended: malaria standby; make sure to use mosquito repellent!
Air Temperature: 12 – 35 degrees Celsius
Time Zone: CET +6 hours
Best Travel Time: January to April and November to December; the warmest months are March to May; February is the driest month; July and August have the most rain; it can be cold between November and February.
Price: Double room from 933 EUR per night including breakfast buffet, lunch and dinner, soft drinks and selected alcoholic beverages. Mini bar, roundtrip transfers from Chiang Rai Airport, Opium Museum entrance ticket and a choice of daily activities (spa, cooking class, excursion or elephant camp). THB 2000 of the booking fee go to the Elephant Foundation
Special Offer: From 3 nights, 20% discount
Activities: Yoga, trekking, excursions, cooking class, walking with elephants and many more
Highlights:Beautiful location in breathtaking nature, extraordinary elephant encounters, great “Discovery Package”, delicious food, super friendly staff, great spa, beautiful rooms with stunning views
Perfect for: Nature lovers, romantics, animal lovers, couples, families, honeymooners


Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort
229 Moo 1, Chiang Saen
Chiang Rai 57150, Thailand
00 66 53 784 084
goldentriangle.anantara.com

TOP 10 POOLS OF THE WORLD – CONDÉ NAST TRAVELER 2018
CONDÉ NAST TRAVELER’S 2017 READERS’ CHOICE AWARD
“TOP RESORTS IN ASIA” #29 Top Resorts in Asia- CONDÉ NAST TRAVELER 2016
50 LP RECOMMENDATIONS 2016 BY LONELY PLANET TRAVELLER THAILAND
“Hotel With The Best Travel Experiences”
WINE SPECTATOR AWARD OF EXCELLENCE 2016 – Baan Dhalia Restaurant
GREEN GROWTH 2050 – CERTIFICATE GOLD
ELEPHANT CAMPING STANDARD (Non Elephant Performance)
“Excellent Level” 2015-2018 by Department of Tourism Ministry of Tourism and Sports of Thailand

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Note: Anantara Golden Triangle Resort financially supported our stay. Thank you so much! Nevertheless, the opinions expressed in this article are 100% our own!  

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Amatara Wellness Resort, Phuket, Thailand – Healing Holiday & Wellness Cuisine

Asia, Asien, Interviews, Phuket, Spa, Spa, Thailand, Videos 0 Comments

Relax and Renew – Spa Revive Retreat & “Chi Nei Tsang” Organ Massage

Yes, traveling to faraway countries changes you. You are never quite the same person as when you left. It has been our experience every time we went to Africa and now once again when we visited Amatara, the only destination spa in Phuket, for three days.

Not only are the wholefood cuisine and spa treatments exceptional. The wellness concept as a whole contributes to an overall awareness, where you as an individual re-assess the way you live. You become more aware; you want to eat healthier, move more and live more consciously. As a result, you align body, mind and soul. At least, this was my experience. The icing on the cake was the “Chi Nei Tsang” organ massage by the Japanese healer, Mariko, an extraordinary experience!

The award-winning 5-star Amatara Wellness Resort is located in the south of Phuket on a private estate in a beautiful quiet location on Cape Panwa. Apart from various wellness and health programs, loving service, organic wellness cuisine, beautiful suites, pavilion or pool villas, it offers stunning views of the Andaman Sea.

A luxury limousine will pick you up from the airport in Phuket. As you will travel across the island, fresh juices, an intro video, and more movies are available to shorten the trip. In heavy traffic, it might take an hour and a half until you finally arrive at the resort. But there is so much to see.

Arriving at Amatara, we were welcomed with fragrant orchids, delicious tea, and immediately introduced to our 3-day wellness program.

The all-inclusive program offers a wealth of treatments to guide you on your wellness journey.

Wipa Nareerak is the fantastic general manager at the resort. The whole team is very hard-working and ensures your stay is an extraordinary one.

In ancient Sanskrit, “amata” refers to the quality of “immortality”, or an endlessness that withstands the passage of time.

Refreshments with sea views

The infinity pool has an incredible sea view and is very spacious.

Here you can relax with birdsong in the background, swim or take in the majestic view.

What a surprise when the spa therapists came by and indulged us with a neck massage!

Tropical nights with the sound of the ocean

All 105 suites and villas at the resort are very spacious, have beautiful sea views, balconies and possibly also a terrace and a private pool.

Bay View Pool Villa

The luxurious 150 square meter pool villas offer a private pool with sea or bay views, a massive bathroom with a round bath, butler service, and a few other extras, for example, minibar, afternoon tea, etc.

There are also smaller Pool Pavilions with views of the bay or the sea.

Sea View Suite

Our 70 square meter Sea View Suite had a nice balcony overlooking the pool and sea. Unfortunately, it did not have a pool, but that’s okay because the large pool is almost right on your doorstep and you are busy with treatments in the spa most of the time.

Every day a nice selection of nuts and fragrant teas awaited us in our suite.

Amatara Spa

At Amatara, you have the choice between seven all-inclusive wellness packages, respectively for 3, 5 or 7 days. These include Detox, Bespoke Wellness, Revive Spa, Weight Management, Active, Yoga and the brand new, Sleep Optimization package. The goal is purification, renewal, and detoxification of body and mind with therapies, healthy diet and exercise. The 2,000 square meter spa has eight treatment rooms as well as double treatment suites, saunas andsteam rooms, a fitness center, Pilates studio, yoga pavilion, anda spa library as a relaxation zone.

Info & Prices

Spa Revive Retreat

You are spoiled for choice, but I chose the Spa Revive package. It consists of various spa treatments, a Thai Hammam experience, and some training sessions. Supplemented with healthy cuisine, the perfect combination.

Spa Revive Retreat 
• Accommodation per selected category
• Airport transfers
• 3 healthy cuisine meals per day (a la carte) or a set detox menu in The Retreat.
• Individual wellness consultation (60 min)
• Departure consultation (30 min)
• Blood pressure check up
• Physical analysis (30 min)
• 1 Thai Hammam journey (105 min)

3-day program (additional)

  • 1 Thai Hammam (105 minutes)
  • 1 Amatara signature organic facial (60 minutes)
  • 1 Foot reflexology treatment (60 minutes)
  • 1 Manicure (60 minutes)
  • 1 Pedicure (60 minutes)
  • 1 Signature Amatara massage (90 minutes)
  • Daily yoga class

I love the scent of Frangipanis, and their smell surrounds the spa!

You complete quite a detailed questionnaire before arrival, and once you have checked-in, you will be taken directly to your wellness consultation. The wellness packages are tailored to each guests’ individual needs and desired goals. Nadia, the Wellness Consultant, gave us many helpful tips.

Thai Hammam

The Thai Hammam was designed exclusively for Amatara and offers a unique spa experience.Turkish and Moroccan bathing practices are combined with Thai spa therapies to create a luxurious experience.

After indulging in a traditional sauna, rain shower, Thai herbal steam, Moroccan soap massage, exfoliation with authentic Hammam Kessa gloves, therapeutic and thermal mud therapy, Himalayan salt cave relaxation, Amatara massage, and herbal tea, you are completely relaxed, and your skin is deeply cleansed and silky soft.

This one of a kind Thai Hamam treatment is an integral part of all the inclusive wellness packages.

Another highlight of the wellness program is the facial treatment with 100% organic products. A facial treatment that starts with a foot ritual can only be good.

The Amatara signature massage is extraordinary. It starts with a complete banana leaf body wrap. The massage itself was extremely relaxing and with some gentle stretching elements also exceptional.

The manicure and pedicurewere the perfect additions to our all-roundrenewal.

Chi Nei Tsang and Bodywork

The crowning glory was the “Chi Nei Tsang” organ massage. I had the incredible privilege to be treated by the Japanese healer, Mariko Nakaki, who just happened to be in Amatara for a month. How lucky can you be! Mariko has been traveling the world for 12 years and has treated more than 5,000 people.

A combination of Chi Nei Tsang internal organ massage, fascia release technique, and cranio sacral therapy.

“Chi Nei Tsang” literally means working the energy of the internal organs and the art of this deep massage technique is based on the Taoist concept of Five Elements. It isdesigned to relax the internal organs where unresolved, negative emotions manifest themselves and can cause mental and physical dis-ease. The massage works directly on the energy of the internal organs of the abdomen, removing blockages, purifying and transforming the negative energy. The organs shift back to their original positions and the Qi, or life energy can flow freely again. The performance of the organs is improved, and physical and mental well-being enhanced.

Experiencing Mariko’s gift up close was a truly unforgettable experience! Mariko released the tight-set feeling (hardening) in my stomach. It was a poignant and unique healing experience.

Everyone can enjoy the benefits of a Chi Nei Tsang body massage as it is included in the five day package. Mariko will soon be traveling to Europe.

Yoga, Pilates, Fitness …

In this picturesque setting with its stunning sea views, you can practice yoga, meditation and breathing exercises with great teachers in the morning and the evening.

In addition to the courses already included in the wellness programs, you could also do other courses, such as Muah Thai.

The yoga teachers are brilliant! They left me inspired to continue the journey at home!

Culinary delights & wellness cuisine

“The Retreat”

Apart from the main restaurant, spa guests also have their ‘own’restaurant serving lighter, healthy cuisine in a beautiful quiet ambiance.

Breakfast and dinner are available à la carte. There are healthy ones: vegetable and fruit juices, salads, egg dishes, fruit and much more. I found the organic coffee with rice milk, particularly delicious.

In the evening, there is a wide variety of healthy organic dishes including raw food and smoothies.

Andi, the very likeable German chef, has only been in Amatara for a few weeks but has already introduced many new dishes to the main restaurant’s menu. The Retreat’s menus next in line. You can also enjoy his great and unusual cuisine at “The Grill”.

“The Restaurant ”

“The Pool Terrace”

Western and Asian snacks, fresh juices and cocktails are served throughout the day in a relaxed atmosphere by the pool.

“Sun & Moon”

End the day with cocktails at the roof terrace in the evening.

“The Grill”

The freshest fish and the best meat cuts in a variety of Thai and international styles are offered as a 3-course menu.

To ensure wellness guests are not excluded, healthy dishes are always on offer.

“Beach Table”

If you want to, you can also dine on the small beach with a great view of the ocean. Unfortunately, the beach is not so suitable for swimming.

Honeymoon & Wedding

This tropical paradise is the ideal spot to get married at and spend your honeymoon.

Wedding Package from $2,785
Included in this package: two nights in the Ocean View Pool Villa, luxury limousine airport transfers, a romantic dinner for two in the privacy of your villa and a 75-minute massage for the bride and groom. The wedding ceremony is also included in the price, and you can choose between a Western Wedding Ceremony with registrar, flowers and wedding cake or a traditional Thai-Buddhist Ceremony with Thai Long drum parade, water blessings and flower garlands.

Trips

Phuket
To get to know Phuket, the Amatara offers several daily shuttles to Phuket Town.

You will find many insider tips for Phuket at OnYourPath – Phuket Insider Guide – 30 Suggestions & Secret Tips.

Wat Chalong
On the way to the Amatara, you also pass this beautiful temple. In total, you can visit more than 30 Buddhist temples in Phuket.

Golf

One of Phuket’s premier golf courses – Phuket Country Club is just half an hour away.

Insel-Hopping

On the blog “Rapunzel will raus” you will find great tips for Island hopping in the Thai Andaman Sea.

Conclusion

Here you get to relax and rejuvenate completely. The atmosphere of the resort is relaxed, quiet and beautifully tropical. The wellness program on offer is extensive. The schedule was tight, andI felt like I was either in the spa or doing a fitness activity almost all the time. Bottom line, it was so worth it and still very relaxing. The entire wellness program combined with healthy cuisine and the attentive staff resulted in an awesome experience. You leave with an improved overall feeling of wellbeing. On a personal level, I gained so much and can highly recommend a visit!

Room: 105 (35 Pool villas, 22 Pavilions, 48 ​​Suites)
Flight duration: About 11 hours from Germany to Phuket, or 10 hours to Bangkok and aboutanother hour to Phuket
Transfer: 45 km from the airport, depending on traffic an hour to one and a half hours drive in a chiclimousine
Vaccinations: Hepatitis A, Diphtheria and Tetanus. Recommended: Malaria standby, make sure you use mosquito repellent!
Air Temperature: 24 – 33 degrees Celsius
Water Temperature: 28 – 30 degrees Celsius
Time difference: CET +6 hours
Best travel time: Year round. December to February is considered the best travel time, March and April are particularly hot, the rainy season with short showers  is from May to mid-September, from mid-September to about mid-November occasional flooding might occur
Price: From 210 EUR per night including breakfast. From 1.195 EUR per person sharing for 3nights with wellness retreat program (including full board, check-up, wellness consultation, access to the spa, daily treatments/massagesdepending on the selected package, as well as possibly yoga and meditation)
Special: WELLNESS FLY FREE – With a minimum stay of 5 nights, with a spa package in the Pool Pavilion, the Bayview Pool Villa or the Ocean View Pool Villa, flight costs will be covered by Amatara (up to 20,000 THB).
Activities: relax, recover, wholefoodcuisine, renew, swim, yoga, meditation, Pilates, MuahThai, city tours
Specialties: Great wellness programs to relax, detoxify and renew, healthy wholefood cuisine, beautiful rooms with sea views and possibly a pool, great large pool, kids club
Perfect for: Wellness lovers, relaxation seekers, couples, nature lovers, families, solo travelers


Amatara Wellness Resort
84 Moo 8, Sakdidej Road, Tambon Vichit, Cape Panwa
Phuket 83000, Thailand
Phone: +66 (0) 7631-8888
reservations.phuket@amataraphuket.com
www.amataraphuket.com

WorldHotels Collection
World Luxury Spa Awards – Luxury Wellness Spa -2018, 2017
World Luxury Spa Awards – Luxury Destination Spa – 2018, 2017
World Luxury Hotel Awards – Luxury Holistic Retreat (South East Asia Winner) – 2018, 2017
World Luxury Hotel Awards 2018 – Luxury Wellness Retreat (South East Asia) – 2018, 2017
TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence – 2017, 2016, 2015, 2015
Premium Quality Hotel – Spa Deluxe – 2017
World Luxury Spa Award – Luxury Emerging Spa (Thailand) – 2016
Wine Spectator’s Awards for Award of Excellent – The Grill – 2016
Restaurant & Bar Awards for Seaview Restaurant of the Year (Phuket, Thailand) – 2016
Listed as One of Thailand’s Best Restaurants by Thailand Tatler for The Grill – 2015
World Luxury Hotel Awards – Luxury Island Resort – 2014

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Note: Amatara Wellness Resort sponsored our stay (except the “Chi Nei Tsang” Organ Massage). Thank you so much! Nevertheless, the opinions expressed in this article are 100% our own!  

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Cempedak Private Island, Bintan, Indonesia – The Romantic & Luxurious Secret Tip for Couples

Bintan, Ecotourism, Honeymoon, Indonesia, nature conservancy, social commitment, Spa 0 Comments

Crusoe Luxury Hideaway with Loving Service and Sustainable Design

We have the feeling that we visited an almost undiscovered gem! Barefoot luxury with lots of privacy in natural surroundings on a private island in the middle of the South China Sea – Pure luxury and romance – far away from everyday stress!

At Cempedak you can enjoy life – stay in a gorgeous bamboo villa, relax at your plunge pool, stroll through the rainforest, snorkel in the sea, do yoga on your private deck, and enjoy freshly caught fish and tropical cocktails by candlelight in the evenings.

It takes about two and a half hours by catamaran ferry, car and private boat from Singapore to Bintan Island, a tropical paradise on the East Coast of Indonesia. With its crystal clear warm waters, coral reefs, white sandy beaches, granite cliffs and a jungle of chirping cicadas, you feel like you are on a small Robinson Crusoe Island.

Pulau Bintan belongs to the Riau Islands group, which is part of Sumatra and lies south of Singapore – a province populated mainly by farmers and fishermen. Australian banker hotelier Andrew Dixon bought his first private island resort, Nikoi in 2007 with a few friends. In 2009 he founded The Island Foundation, to help the communities of the Riau Islands with Nikoi’s income by improving their income, health and education.

Andrew Dixon then bought the nearby Cempedak Island in 2011 and began with the construction of this affiliated hotel in 2014. A great deal of emphasis was placed on cultural sensitivity, local design, excellent service and pure luxury. It was designed by the renowned Balinese architect Miles Humphreys from New Zealand.

Cempedak, named after a tree, has 20 spectacular Balinese bamboo designed pool villas and is intended for adults or children over 16. It is the perfect hideaway for couples and honeymooners! If you travel with children, we recommend the family-friendly Nikoi Island!

The journey starts at the ferry terminal near the Singapore airport. Arriving on Bintan, you are picked up by the Cempedak team directly from the ferry and taken to the VIP lounge. While waiting with a cold drink in hand, the staff takes care of your luggage. Then by car, you travel across the island to Cempedak and Nikoi.

Life on the island seems simple, quaint and untouched, but you can see many new homes are being built and the island is changing. Undoubtedly thanks to tourism and The Island Foundation.

Once we arrived at Cempedak, we were greeted by the beaming staff. It rained on our arrival, and the staff formed a roof with umbrellas to keep us dry. Such a special gesture!

Luxury in Harmony with Nature – the Future of Sustainable Tourism

The villas with their crescent shaped roofs made of local alang-alang grass, look almost like large coconuts or shells and blend gracefully into the natural surroundings while at the same time offer protection from the elements. The resort was built by local workers using driftwood and bamboo from Bali and lava rock from Java. It only employs Indonesian staff.

Bamboo is sustainable, and there is no need for air conditioners due to the open construction combined with the high ceilings. On this 17 hectare eco-friendly resort, there is no air conditioning, hair dryers, mini bar fridges, televisions and no room keys.

To check-in, we did not go to the reception desk, but straight to lunch. A feast of fantastic, delicious and typical Indonesian dishes awaited us. So, if possible, take the 11:10 ferry.

The staff is charming, hard-working and always have a smile on their faces. You can feel that they enjoy their work and also have time to chat.  The service is excellent and, above all, caring.

Dodo Bar

Apart from the bar in the restaurant and a bar next to the pool, there also is the exceptional four-story thatched roof Dodo bar made of Ijuk (black arenga palm fibers) build on a giant rock.

The Dodo Bar is the perfect spot to enjoy the beautiful sunsets, cocktail in hand.

Impressive bamboo villas with pool and ocean views

There are only two kinds of villas – the slightly higher ones with ocean views and the villas with direct beach access. Each comprises more than 100 square meters and a total of 1,600 square meters of indoor and outdoor living space.

Our Villa 15 was right on the sunset side of the beach.

Thanks to the intelligent design and the open construction, there is always a gentle ocean breeze keeping the spectacular bamboo villa cool. We did not miss air conditioning at all, on the contrary, we always turn the air conditioning off when we arrive somewhere.

In the open basement, there is a large lounge area with a spacious terrace, bar, sun loungers and a yin and yang pool overlooking the sea.

In the mornings, you can watch some Komodo dragons on the beach. Sometimes they even come to the front of the villa and take a bath in the overflow of the pool.

The furniture is made of recycled teak, very tasteful and has a chic rustic charm.

A sweeping staircase leads to the open bedroom and the bathroom with sea views.

The wall of hinged glass, bamboo doors can be completely pushed aside.

There is Wi-Fi if you would like to check e-mails and an iPad to contact your host and order in-room cocktails. Very handy indeed!

Villa 18 is probably the most popular. It has a great sea view, is located next to the spa and near the mangrove beach. With a little luck, you can observe an otter family here in the mornings.

Spa

The awe-inspiring spa on the rocks has three open treatment pavilions with magnificent sea views.

We did not treat ourselves to massages here, but the ones we received at the sister hotel, Nikoi were great! And the atmosphere itself is impressive.

Boathouse & Pool

The Boathouse offers all sorts of water sports and excursions, for example, cultural tours, snorkel trips, and island hopping. There is also a bar, a small shop and a large infinity pool. It is also the best place to swim in the sea at high tide.

Every evening you get a message on your villa’s iPad with a list of the excursions that you can join the next day.

Dinner /restaurant

Lunch and dinner are served as three-course meals. The menu is planned in advance, and the kitchen team happily accommodates any dietary requirements.

The fresh cuisine is an exciting mix of local Indonesian dishes with international finesse and Western cuisine. The ingredients are almost entirely either from the hotel’s garden or from local markets and small traders. Grilled fish, seafood, vegetables and lots of fresh fruit are available.

For the sake of the environment, the menus are only available on iPad and not printed.

The food is delicious and shows that there are great chefs at work here!

Breakfast by the ocean 

Such a view at breakfast is stunning and with the attentive service, the morning is perfect!

In addition to fresh fruit, smoothies and Indonesian cake specialties, you also have the choice of two hot dishes. The black sticky rice with coconut milk and mango was excellent!

Nature Walk

Every morning you can participate in a Nature Walk. An interesting experience.

You can find 50 bird species, including hornbills, eagles and kingfishers, 150 butterfly species, a family of sea otters and even the endangered pangolin on Cempedak.

Sustainability

In addition to bamboo, there are recycled teak furniture, solar-powered hot water, efficient DC motors to power ceiling fans and pool pumps, homegrown food minimizing packaging waste, organic composting and the replanting of indigenous trees. 

The flowers at the bottom of this picture indicate the quality of the wastewater, which is naturally cleaned here.

The Island Foundation

Founded by Andrew Dixon, the charity is responsible for training teachers, running learning centers, developing a bilingual curriculum, and organizing community activities. In cooperation with locals, an education and literacy program was launched to help sustain the communities in the Riau Archipelago.   By educating the next generation, permanent change is created.

Training teachers. Inspiring young minds. Building the next generation.

Flyer
www.theislandfoundation.com

Aktivitäten

Relaxation, swimming, sailing, snorkeling, diving, spa, climbing, mountain biking, cultural tours, nature experience and island hopping, windsurfing, stand-up paddle boarding, kayaking, tennis, croquet and boules

Honeymoon & Wedding

The island is a honeymooner’s paradise. It not only has a very romantic atmosphere, but the gorgeous villas offer loads of privacy.

Honeymoon Package

  • 7 nights full board accommodation
  • 50-minute massage per couple
  • Romantic dinner on the beach
  • A bottle of sparkling wine
  • Transfer

S$ 4800 (about 3000 EUR) für 2 Personen

Team

The team, including general manager Marjan, who has been running Nikoi for ten years, is fantastic! The service is much more unique and attentive than at a regular hotel. The staff is well taken care of and happy, and as a guest, you can feel that. We had so much fun with them, and they made us feel very welcome during our entire stay.

All 200 employees, at Nikoi and Cempedak, except for one, are Indonesian. Many of them have been here from the beginning. With a maximum of 40 guests at any given time on Cempedak Island, there is plenty of staff.

Conclusion

For those who dream of a tropical holiday in harmony with nature, falling asleep with the sound of the ocean and Cicadas – this is heaven on earth. We loved it! The natural scenery and the bamboo villas are breathtaking. The open design is phenomenal. The loving and very attentive service of the staff is truly unique. It was even better than our experience in the Seychelles 6 years ago. Unfortunately, a lot has changed there due to the increasing mass tourism. Here everything still exists in perfect harmony! Add to this, the ​​environmental protection program and the fact that the local population is supported, and you have a winning combination. A holiday with so much added value!

Room: 20 spectacular open bamboo villas (adults only)
Flight duration: about 12 hours and 15 minutes from Germany to Singapore
Transfer: 85 km from Singapore:  an approximately 60-minute ferry ride (Bintan Ferries – 6x daily) to Bintan; followed by a roughly 60-minute drive across Bintan Island to the Cempedak and Nikoi Island base and then a 25-minute boat trip to Cempedak Island.
Visa: On arrival for a stay of 30 days free of charge
Vaccinations: Not mandatory
Air Temperature: 23 – 31 degrees Celsius
Water Temperature: 28 – 30 degrees Celsius
Time difference: CET +6 hours
Best Travel Time: All year-round. It is tropically warm throughout the year near the equator, and there is no distinct rainy season. Daily showers are normal, and from December to April, it is mostly sunny.
Price: From 485 EUR per night including full board and transfer. A minimum stay of at least 2 nights applies. 
Honeymoon Special: S$ 4800 (about 3000 EUR) per couple including 7 nights full board, transfer, a 50- minute couple massage, a romantic dinner on the beach and a bottle of sparkling wine.
Activities: swimming, snorkeling, diving, water sports, shopping in Singapore
Particularities: Adults only, no room key, no TV, no air conditioning, but beautiful nature on a tropical island with exceptional bamboo villas, excellent food, and attentive staff.
Perfect for: Couples, nature lovers, romantics, honeymooners, adventurers


Cempedak Private Island
Air Gelubi, Bintan Pesisir, Bintan Regency, Riau Islands, Indonesia
Telephone: +62 811-7008-040
relax@cempedak.com
www.cempedak.com

Conde Nast “Hot List” – 2017, 2018
Travel + Leisure “Best New Hotels in the World” – 2018

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Note: Cempedak sponsored our stay. Thank you so much! Nonetheless, the opinions expressed in the article are 100% our own!

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Our Top 10 – Outdoor Bathrooms – Worldwide Luxurious Havens for Ultimate Relaxation

Africa, Asien, Bali, Indischer Ozean, Kenia, Malediven, Seychellen, Südafrika, Sumba Island 0 Comments
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Our Top 10 outdoor bathrooms in South Africa, Kenya, Sumba Island, Bali, Maldives, and Seychelles

Outdoor bathrooms, where you can enjoy the fresh air, freedom, and ideally also have magnificent views, are on top of our list, apart from the private pools, when we travel. Here are the Top 10 most impressive outdoor bathrooms that we have come across on our travels so far:

1. Bambu Indah, Ubud, Bali

WOW factor: Open bathroom high up with a spectacular view  
The view from the bathtub in the Copper House at Bambu Indah is sheer madness. The bamboo tree houses are truly unique in their design. The open bathroom, almost directly on the slope, has a hand-hammered copper bathtub, an outdoor shower, and a stylish vanity.  (Our review >>)

What is special about the bathtub, you might ask? True to the sustainability concept, it has holes at the bottom that fills and empties it.

2. MAIA Luxury Resort & Spa, Mahé, Seychelles

WOW factor: Huge outdoor bathtub with great ocean views 
The bathroom at the MAIA with its huge outdoor bathtub, almost as big as a plunge pool,  the ancient faucets, the exquisite Hermès toiletries, and the outdoor glass shower is extraordinary! To have a bath with such a spectacular view is a once in a lifetime experience!  It is incredibly romantic in the evening, once the butler has run the bath and lighted all the candles. (Our review >>)

3. Nihi Sumba, Sumba Island, Indonesia

WOW factor: Dreamlike ocean view in the open bathroom 
The bath and shower experience at the Villa Mendaka at Nihi Sumba is completely outdoors. From the outdoor shower, reminiscent of Africa, and the bathtub you have a fantastic ocean view, and at night you can watch the star-filled sky. A dream come true! (Our review >>)

4. HillsNek Safari Camp, South Africa

WOW factor: Wildly romantic outdoor shower in the wilderness 
The bathroom in the family-run safari lodge with only four tents in the Amakhala Game Reserve offers a safari experience like no other! It is unbelievably romantic to unwind in the tub with a view of the beautiful natural scenery, or to take a shower in the middle of the nowhere! (Our review >>)

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5. Fivelements Puri Ahimsa, Ubud, Bali

WOW factor: flower bath in the lava stone bathtub with a river view 
The open bathroom in the award-winning healing and wellness retreat, Fivelements is a fabulous Balinese experience! In the huge lava stone bathtub, that even shines in different colors at night, you can relax while overlooking the Ayung River. If you would like to have a bath experience extraordinaire, you can even order a flower petal bath at the spa. The bath products are all made from ingredients grown by the local farmers. (Our review >>)

6. Kayumanis Ubud Private Villa & Spa, Bali

WOW factor: Tropical bath with outdoor shower made of stone 
The open bathroom at the Kayumanis Ubud with its rustic outdoor shower, the freestanding tub among the greenery and the great care products are delightful! Enjoying a rose petal bath in the evening is extremely romantic. (Our review >>)

7. Le Domaine de L´Orangeraie, Seychelles

WOW factor: Romantic outdoor bath in the tree house 
The ingenious open bathrooms of the Villa de Charme tree houses at Le Domaine de L’Orangeraie are impressively stunning with outdoor showers and stone basins. You have the most beautiful ocean ​​views from Villas 224 and 234. The lighting in the evening creates a soft, romantic atmosphere. (Our review >>)

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8. Denis Private Island, Seychelles

WOW factor: Open outdoor bathroom with a small garden 
An absolute highlight on Denis Island is the open outdoor bathroom with open outdoor shower. In the bathtub, you can listen to the birds and gecko’s chirping and get away from it all. (Our review >>)

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9. Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu, Maldives

WOW factor: Elegant outdoor bathroom with tropical -flair 
The absolute highlight of Villa 28, next to the pool, is the open-air bathroom! The design is striking and extraordinary! Although it does not have a bathtub, it has an amazing plunge pool. (Our review >>)

10. Mandhari, Kenya

WOW factor: Open outdoor bathroom with a tree as focal point
The key feature of the Mandhari Lodge is the open-air bathroom with outdoor shower and vanity! Incorporating nature into the design, with the tree in the middle as a focal point, is so cool! It does not have a bathtub, but a stunning pool with breathtaking views into the vastness of the Kenyan landscape. (Our review >>)

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Our Top 5 – Spa & Wellness Retreats – Worldwide Spa Highlights for Perfect Relaxation

Africa, Mauritius, Miami, Namibia, Spa, Sumba Island 0 Comments

Our Spa Tips for Sumba Island, Seychelles, Mauritius, Namibia and Miami

On our travels around the world, we have been very privileged to visit some of the most beautiful spas. There are 12 spas that we can highly recommend – all wonderful in their own unique way. However, the ones on our Top 5 list,have a have made a lasting impression, and we will cherish these memories forever. Whether it is the extraordinary Ayurveda spa experience, the spa right in the middle of the African bush or the jeep ride through the majestic scenery to a secluded spa overlooking the ocean – these five have surpassed our expectations by far and provided the perfect opportunity for pure relaxation.

1. NihiOka Spa-Safari, Sumba Island

WOW factor: Unlimited spa treatments in the jungle spa

The luxury spa safari concept of the Nihi Sumba Resort is truly unique! The spa is located on Sumba Island’s wild coast in Indonesia.  It is completely secluded, and you get to relax all day long and be spoilt with as many treatments as you could wish for. The spa only accommodates a maximum of six to eight guests at any given time, so you really are undisturbed. Brilliant! (Our review >>)

2. GocheGanas Wellness Village, Namibia

WOW factor: outdoor massage among antelopes and giraffes

The outdoor massage at the GocheGanas Lodge in Namibia was one of our absolute highlights. Who would expect to first get into a jeep when you are picked up in your bathrobe early in the morning! You are massaged on mobile massage tables right in the middle of the African bush with a light breeze and the sound of bypassing antelope and twittering birds – absolutely extraordinary! The other treatments, like pedicures among others, are also highly recommended.

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3. MAIA Spa, Seychellen

WOW factor: Balinese massages among gigantic rocks

The MAIA Spa at the MAIA Luxury Resort & Spa has beautifully designed open-air treatment rooms, nestled among the gigantic rocks. All the therapists are from Indonesia and trained in the Balinese massage techniques. At full moon, you can even have a massage on the helipad, the highest vantage point at the resort.

MAIA Signature massage
A unique fusion of consistent pressure, long strokes and gentle stretching, blended with a soothing rhythmical flow of delivery to ease muscle tension.

4. Maradiva Spa, Mauritius

WOW factor: best Indian Ayurveda massages in tropical surroundings

Thanks to Dr. Praveen and his brilliant team of therapists, guests can indulge in a true Indian Ayurveda experience at the Maradiva Villas Resort and Spa. The treatments are tailored to each individual’s unique needs and are extraordinary and extremely relaxing. In between treatments you can relax at the wonderful large pool amidst the tropical natural surroundings.

ABHYANGA – Herbal Oil Body Massage
The medicated herbal oil application, Abhyangam is not only a massage but also a program where the oil is liberally applied using soft and gentle strokes in the downward direction. The mere soaking of the body in the prescribed oil for the said duration on a regular basis yields wide – ranging benefits such as good appetite, alertness during the day, good sleep at night and reduced stress levels. It removes fatigue and daily aches and pains, gives a glowing skin and most importantly helps to build your immunity.

5. The Spa at The Setai by THÉMAÉ, Miami

WOW factor: Ingenious Asian fusion massage combined with a day at the beach

Every treatment room at The Setai Spa, has two massage tables, the perfect set up for couples! The massage tables can be adjusted in multiple ways to ensure that you are always super comfortable. The therapists applied Balinese massage techniques and worked extensively on our muscle tenseness and smoothly eliminated them.

Special advantage: After the treatments, you get to use The Setai pool and private beach all day long.

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60 minute Asian Fusion Massage for two
This massage frees the body from all tension by working the muscles and skin with agile, graceful strokes and gentle, comforting movements. The kneading, treading and smoothing movements will leave you feeling relaxed and calm. It works the body with parallel movements, resulting in a feeling of well-being, a rested mind and a relaxed body.

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Other spas around the world, we can also highly recommend:

Malediven | Coco Spa, Coco Bodu Hithi

Bali | Kayumanis Spa, Ubud

Südafrika | Spa of Babylonstoren

Seychellen | Eden Rock Spa, Le Domaine de L´Orangeraie, La Digue

Thailand | Pimalai Spa, Pimalai Resort & Spa, Koh Lanta

Thailand | Anantara Spa at Bangkok Riverside Spa Resort & Spa

Namibia | Spa in the Mokuti Etosha Lodge

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We will update this list every now and again. More great spas will be added to the list soon.

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Royal Hotel Sanremo, Italy – Luxury and Relaxation with spectacular Sea Views

Europe, Honeymoon, Italy, LHW, Videos 0 Comments

A Jewel in the Heart of the Italian Riviera with Fascinating History

The Riviera of Flowers (Riviera dei Fiori) is blessed with an unusually mild, subtropical climate with 2 900 hours of sunshine per year. Since the middle of the 19th century, German emperors, Russian tsars, and English lords have spent the European wintertime in Sanremo – one of the most prestigious resorts on the Italian Riviera.

The Royal Hotel Sanremo is an oasis of relaxation amidst the colorful hustle of the Riviera.  It is situated in a prime spot – right on the beach in a subtropical park on the palm-fringed sea promenade. The beach and the historic city center are just a stone’s throw away. You can smell the scent of flowers everywhere, and the view from the suites, the restaurants and the pool overlooking the Mediterranean Sea is breathtaking.

This historic, famous hotel celebrated its 145th anniversary in 2017. It was built in 1872, and many celebrities, aristocrats, rulers and discerning guests from all over Europe have stayed here.

The service is very attentive and the staff friendly. Right from the first moment, you know that you will be well taken care of.

“The magnificence of the past and the comfort of the present combined together for your pleasure” -Oscar Wilde

Amidst the Mediterranean flair and the abundance of tropical plants prevails a very relaxing and luxurious atmosphere – the charm of the Belle Époque is still very much alive here.

Pool

The famous architect, Giò Ponti, designed the big seawater pool in 1948. In summer, it is heated to 27 °C and offers numerous lounging areas and great sea views.

“I hate rectangular pools. Are lakes and rivers rectangular? I like to design swimming pools fit for water nymphs, where you can jump in from a tree, with a bar on the water’s edge.”“ -GioPonti, 1948

Next to the pool is the Pool bar Corallina. The bar offers light lunches, pizza and much more.

The Kid’s Club is also located in a small area, close to the pool, so that parents can also relax and unwind.

Beach

The lively sea promenade separates the hotel from the beach. As the hotel is situated somewhat higher, you can hardly see the street from the pool. From the restaurants, the road is not visible at all.

The beach opposite the hotel can be reached in just 5 minutes on foot. There are public beach chairs with umbrellas reserved for hotel guests. Important: Don’t forget your towels!

Rooms & Suites

All rooms are individually furnished and offer either great views of the Mediterranean Sea or the mountains.

Every room has its own unique style, and a variety of fabrics and colors have been used. Over the years, it has been gradually renovated.

“There are only two ways to live your life: Either as though nothing is a miracle, or as though everything is.”” -Albert Einstein

Executive Suite Sissi 

“One last, long look at you, beloved sea! Then farewell, however difficult it may be.” -Elizabeth of Bavaria

The suite, loved by Empress Sissi, has a formal living room with dining area, a bedroom, a massive terrace with Jacuzzi and a marble bathroom.

Junior Suite Deluxe

“The little luxuries are the most significant.” -Alfonso Signorini

The 38 square meter junior suite, has a large, private terrace with a fantastic view.

The spacious suite with its huge bed successfully combines the modern with the more traditional.

Since the suite is on the 5th floor, you virtually stay at the same height at which the albatrosses fly. They come flying by all day long. Really cool!

Restaurants & Bar

Creative, Mediterranean cuisine by Chef Moreno Picchietti is served in all the restaurants.

Bar delle Rose
Cozy bar with live music in the evening

Breakfast 
Breakfast can be enjoyed in the Fiori di Murano restaurant, or outside Il Giardino, with a stunning view of the Mediterranean Sea.

Lunch /Corallina
Pool bar with snacks and pizza for lunch by the pool.

Dinner /Fiori di Murano
Gourmet restaurant with panoramic views of the ocean ​​and exquisite Murano glass chandeliers.

Dinner /Gourmet Il Giardino
The romantic open-air restaurant is perfect for candlelight dinners.

Olive Oil Tasting Menu 

The Olive Oil Tasting Menu is a great way to taste the subtle differences between the various olive oils of the region that are among the best in Italy. Each olive oil is carefully paired with a course of the 4-course menu. At Taggiasca-Olive you can then buy your favorite.

A particular highlight is the warm Chocolate cake, instead of the usual oozing chocolate, its center is made of olive oil!

With the view of the full moon and the song of two wonderful singers in the background, this was the perfect romantic evening.

Royal Wellness

At the beautiful spa, you can enjoy the Jacuzzi, the Vitarium at 60 °C, the Turkish steam bath with its mother of pearl mosaic, and afterwards unwind in the pleasant relaxation area with its warm colors.

Quality treatments, rituals, and massages with the exclusive Mei SPA line are offered. The natural Phyto-cosmetic ingredients are all extracted from medicinal plants in Italy.

There is also a hairdressing salon, where manicures and pedicures are offered. Elisa’s pedicure was excellent!

Honeymoon & Wedding

This idyllic atmosphere is perfect for weddings. The wedding ceremony, for example, can take place under this gazebo.

Sanremo

From the hotel, you can explore the picturesque town of Sanremo. It is situated in a beautiful bay (Riviera di Ponente) between the nearby French border and the city of Genova.

There is a fantastic market hall near the Via de Benedetti, where fresh local fruit, vegetables, mushrooms, ham, olive oils and much more are on offer.

Conclusion

In our opinion, there is nothing more beautiful than the view of the ocean, and here, you have a truly remarkable one. The hotel has a friendly and relaxed ambiance. You can really spend a few more days here – relax on the beach or by the pool, explore the quaint little villages or combine it, as we did, with a trip through the picturesque Liguria.

Rooms: 126 rooms including 13 suites
Flight duration: Non-stop from Dusseldorf to Nice in less than 2 hours (Unfortunately, we cannot recommend Euro Wings as our flight was canceled a day before departure!)
Road trip:  1140 km from Dusseldorf (Approximately 10.5 – 13 hours by car)
Transfer: It is about 45 minutes by car (65 km) from Nice Airport, about 90 minutes (130 km) from Genoa Airport and about 30 minutes (45 km) from Monte Carlo.
Check-in / check-out: 15:00/ 12:00
Air Temperature: 4 – 27°C
Water Temperature: 12 – 23°C
Best Travel Time: All year round. The region has a mild climate throughout the year, as the northern Apennines and the Alps, deter the cold from the north.
Time difference: none
Price: From 311 EUR / night including breakfast
Activities: Tennis, mini golf, excursions on request, golf in the “Golf Club degli Ulivi ”
Special offers: ROYAL WELLNESS EXPERIENCE incl. 150 EUR spa voucher from 439 EUR / night. This includes: a 2-night stay, a bottle of sparkling wine with fruit basket in your room upon arrival, breakfast buffet with organic corner, 150 EUR voucher, entrance to the wet area of the Royal Wellness Spa, with hydromassage pool (18+), massage showers, Turkish bath, Vitarium, relaxation area with herbal tea and juice corner, fitness room, Wi-Fi in the hotel and an outside parking space.
Special features: Huge seawater pool, located directly opposite the beach, individual and spacious rooms and suites with great sea views
Perfect for: Couples, families, gourmets, honeymooners

Royal Hotel Sanremo
C.so Imperatrice 80
18038 Sanremo (IM), Italy
Tel. +39 0184.5391
Fax. +39 0184.661445
reservations@royalhotelsanremo.com
www.royalhotelsanremo.com

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Babylonstoren, South Africa – Luxury Farm Hotel & Winery with Organic Cuisine

Africa, Honeymoon, South Africa, Spa, Videos, Wedding 0 Comments

South African Country Life with Loads of Heart and Char in the Cape Winelands

You should definitely not drive pass Babylonstoren when you are traveling through the Cape Winelands! Whether for an overnight stay, for a meal or even just a day visit – Babylonstroren is fascinating and beautiful! We fell in love with Babylonstoren’s majestic organic gardens, their wines, their olive oil and their extraordinary food!  You can stay overnight at this incredible estate, and there is so much to discover that you will definitely not feel like leaving. There are also the incredible massages and free-roaming animals, like the turkey, whose favorite pastime is watching restaurant guests through the glass walls all day long and then, the chickens, geese, and ducks, that roam around the estate carefree and happy. A historic yet contemporary farm, with a fervor for healthy, organic food and tasteful design, but always with nature as its central focus.

Babylonstoren, named after the mythological hanging gardens of Babylon, is one of the oldest Cape Dutch farms in the area. It is a 200-hectare fruit farm with vineyards dating back to 1692 and the manor house to 1777.

Thanks to the vision of Karen Roos, the chief editor of the South African edition of Elle Decoration and her husband Koos Bekker, the estate has during the past ten years been transformed into a luxurious farm hotel. It has the most fabulous garden spa, first-class restaurants, Babel and Greenhouse, and since 2011 also an incredible winery. Well worth mentioning is the excellent Farm store and Bakery.   Even if you are just passing by, you should definitely add a visit to the marvelous farm store and a wine tasting to your itinerary!

The luxury farm is located not far from Cape Town in the heart of the Cape Winelands between Franschhoek and Paarl with fantastic views of the Drakenstein mountains.

Garden

The heart of Babylonstoren is the 3.5-hectare vegetable, berry, flower, and fruit garden. It was laid out with the help of the famous French architect, Patrice Taravella, who also designed the gardens of Prieuré Notre Dame d’Orsan in France. The garden is subdivided into 15 sections and is home to many bee colonies for pollination, and the traditional water channels are still used for irrigation today.

 “This garden is like a big pantry alive with burgeoning plants and conveys an all–new impression on fruits and vegetables.” –  Simoné Rossouw, F & B manager

More than 300 plant species grow in the vast garden – all of which are edible or of medicinal value.   The garden supplies the two restaurants, Babel and Greenhouse, with its farm-to-fork philosophy, with fresh and sustainably grown fruits, vegetables, herbs, mushrooms, nuts, seeds and much more.

There are bicycles available free of charge for visitors to explore the gardens and farm.

You encounter animals all over the estate and around every nook and corner, you will find someone busy planting or harvesting something.

Regular workshops are offered, where attendees can learn more about the secrets of gardening and information is gladly shared with those interested. (Garden app)

Plums, lemons, olives, and wine are grown on the farm.

Suites & Cottages

The One Bedroom Suites all have a spacious living area, a bathroom with separate shower and bath, underfloor heating, a minibar and a hearty fireplace. All the suites have a private outdoor area with views onto the green surroundings. The One Bedroom Cottages also have a furnished kitchen and the Two Bedroom Cottages, an additional bedroom. The new Farmhouse suites have access to the swimming pool, sauna, salt room and the library. The Manor House has five bedrooms that provide accommodation for ten guests.

The thick, whitewashed walls, ornate gables, thatched roofs and rustic fireplaces combined with the modern decor of internationally renowned designers such as Kartell, Magis, Philippe Starck and Bourellec Bros, successfully blend the old with the new, creating a rustic, authentic and contemporary design. Local flowers in the bathroom, fresh fruit, and bookshelves filled with high-quality South African literature creates an exceptional ambiance with a lot of attention to detail.

We stayed in a beautiful One Bedroom Cottage with a modern four-poster bed, large bathroom, library and magnificent glass cube kitchen with dining area.

“Heritage combined with innovation.”

The modern, fully equipped kitchen with glass walls enables a fantastic DIY farm-to-table cooking experience. You can harvest your own organic vegetables and fruits and then prepare them in the fabulous kitchen.

In the afternoon, you are spoiled with a complimentary gift from the kitchen accompanied by a bottle of wine.

Babel Restaurant

The fine-dining restaurant, Babel, is housed in a converted cow shed and is inspired by Maranda Engelbrecht, food stylist and founder of Babel restaurant. It offers exceptional, colorful and fresh seasonal cuisine in the morning, at noon and in the evening.

Every morning you can accompany the kitchen staff when they harvest the ingredients for the day’s dishes in the garden. Meals are served indoors or in the courtyard under umbrellas or in the shade of the enormous trees.

Breakfast 

Breakfast is a real feast for the eyes: freshly baked bread, homemade muesli, freshly pressed juices, fruits and vegetables, egg dishes, French toast, yummy coffee and much more. Simultaneously, a treat for the eyes and a culinary delight.

Roasted baby tomatoes with strawberries  
– 250g Mediterranean vine tomatoes
– 250g strawberries
– 1 cup of sugar
Preheat oven to 140 °C. Place tomatoes and strawberries side by side on a baking tray or in a ceramic baking dish. Sprinkle with sugar and put in the oven for 1-2 hours. Allow to cool slightly and serve as a delicious jam with warm, fresh bread or scones.

Dinner

Rose Gin Tonic, fruit on a stick, salad with a difference, the best steak, Parmesan risotto and sweet, salty, bitter or sour dessert – exquisite cuisine, excellently presented and a taste sensation.

To enhance this perfect taste experience, suitable wines are recommended.

Risotto with Babylonstoren Carnaroli rice with slow-roasted pumpkin, roasted pine nuts, and baked sage butter.

The Greenhouse

At the end of the garden, you will find the beautiful and 26 m long Greenhouse. It was custom built for Babylonstoren in France.  It serves homemade delicacies, coffee, tea, freshly squeezed juices, fresh bread with handmade cheese, meat and sausage specialties, accompanied by homemade herb oils, chutneys, jams, seasoning sauces and an assortment of fresh salad leaves at lunchtime in the Greenhouse and the adjacent area outside.

Tip: Dinner in the Bakery 
On Wednesday and Friday evenings an Italian inspired 3-course menu is served family style in the Bakery. (About 23 EUR per person)

Tea ritual in the healing garden with lunch

Babylonstoren’s medicinal garden is a healing garden and a place of rest. On a fascinating tour through the garden, with the passionate gardeners Gundula or Constance, you get to know old and new herbs that have been tried and tested over centuries by different cultures around the world. Some are aromatic, some bitter and some even dangerous.

“Tranquil cleansing experience.”

Constance selected various herbs for us that we then blended into a delicious herbal tea in the shaded bamboo structure.

With the tea, you can enjoy a delicious lunch with, for example, Tomato soup, Matcha tea sandwiches, fresh fruit, cream cheese fish rolls and coconut confectionery.

Spa

The Garden Spa is set within a bamboo forest. Herbs for the daily rituals are gathered every morning.

Moisturizing body wraps, bespoke facials, luxury pedicures, and, of course, massages, such as the bamboo massage in the bamboo pavilion are just some of the treatments on offer. (Spa Menu)

Our duo massage was perfect. The Swedish massage was not only immensely relaxing, but also dissolved all our muscular tensions. Highly recommended! Chanel and Tania were great!

Pool

Directly in the vicinity of the spa, there is a refreshing pool and another pool with sauna, salt room, vitality pool, hammam, and gym.

Wine cellar tour with wine tasting

Good wine is synonymous with South Africa. The young Babylonstoren winery has been producing eight superb white and red wines from 13 grape varieties since 2011.

During the wine cellar tour, you can take a walk through the vineyards and visit the olive oil factory. Since 2013, the farm also produces the best cold-pressed olive oil from its 5 800 olive trees.

You can sample the excellent wines and olive oil in the Tasting Room – with views of the conical, Babylonstoren Hill, Simonsberg, and Banghoek mountains.

The combination of excellent wines with delicious snack platters consisting of sausages, cheese, pate’s, fresh fruits and vegetables, all from the garden, is a match made in heaven.

Farm store

In the Farm store, you can find great wines, olive oil, jams, freshly baked bread, honey, cheese, sausage, tea and all sorts of kitchen utensils to name but a few. The Scented shop next door stocks scented candles and other gifts.

Weddings

In the original, beautifully restored Cape Dutch farm buildings and surroundings, you can also get married and celebrate with up to 100 guests. The wedding ceremony can take place outdoors, for example, under the majestic oaks by the creek or in the mysterious House of Shadows at the end of the garden.

Wedding packages start at 4,600 EUR and include 2 night’s accommodation, a wedding coordinator, decoration, flowers and sound system. (Further information >)

Conclusion

We were absolutely fascinated by this great farm, the fantastic garden, the romantic cottages, the excellent spa and the ingenious food in the restaurants. Naturally, there are a lot of day visitors, but that is understandable and great. Do not let the opportunity to visit this truly unique wine estate pass you by! It is perfect for a romantic time out in the beautiful cottages, a relaxing massage in the spa, divine lunches, exquisite dinners, interesting wine cellar tours with wine-tasting or even just for a visit to the fantastic Farm store! We would be all too happy to have such store at home in Germany!

Rooms: 32 Suites & Cottages
Transfer: About 40 minutes by car (61 km) from Cape Town International Airport, about 15 km from Paarl and approximately 23km from Franschhoek.
Check-in / check-out: 14:00 and 11:00 respectively. Great importance is placed on guests respecting the exact times.
Parking: Secure on the estate
Air Temperature: 6 – 30 degrees Celsius
Best Travel Time: Year-round.  Best travel time is from September to the beginning of May. High season is from November to February. Between May and September, you might experience a few rainy days.
Flight duration: Nonstop from Frankfurt to Cape Town in about 11 hours and 45 minutes with Condor or 14 hours and 35 minutes with South African Airways (with a stopover in JNB) 
Time difference: None
Entry Fee for Day visitors: R20 per person on weekends and public holidays and R10 during the week (all fees go to the Babylonstoren Trust for the education of local children)
Price: From 480 EUR  per night. Included in the price: Breakfast, access to the garden with a guided garden tour, farm walk, cycling on the farm, canoeing on the farm reservoir, fly fishing, afternoon drive (when staying two nights or more), morning harvest with the gardener, bread baking session, cellar tour and wine tasting. A laundry service (limited to 6 pieces of laundry per day) and a well-stocked pantry according to your preferences are also included.
Special offers: Stay for four days, pay for three valid from 1st May to 31st August.
Unique features: Beautiful cottages, fantastic massages, ingenious and exceptional food, unique garden, many free roaming animals.
Perfect for: Couples, families, gourmets, honeymooners, nature and garden lovers, weddings

Opening Hours & Events 
Babel Restaurant: Breakfast daily: 8:00 – 9:30; Lunch: Wed-Sun 12:00 – 15:30 and Dinner daily: from 19:00
The Greenhouse: 10:00 – 16:00
Garden: 8:30am – 17:00
Garden tours: 10:00
Tea ritual in the Healing Garden: Tuesdays at 9:30


Babylonstoren
Klapmuts Simondium Road, Simondium
Western Cape 7670, South Africa
Telefon +27 21-863-3852
enquiries@babylonstoren.com
www.babylonstoren.com

Editor’s Pick: Goldliste 2018

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Please Note: Babylonstoren kindly sponsored our stay at the estate. Thank you! The opinions expressed in this article are as always 100% our own!

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Rovos Rail, South Africa – A Glamorous Journey from Pretoria to Cape Town with the Most Luxurious Train of Africa

Africa, Honeymoon, Honeymoon, South Africa, Südafrika, Video, Videos 0 Comments

The Pride of Africa ​​– Luxury, Romance & Extravagant Elegance of a Bygone Era

There is something very nostalgic about traveling in a sleeping car on a train. When l was small, I often traveled with my mother by train overnight, and I always loved falling asleep to the gentle swaying of the train and its rattling sounds! The compartments of the old trains with their leather seats and soft lighting were so comfortable and, in the evening, cozy and very romantic. Nowadays, I find traveling by train merely practical and everything but comfortable – I actually try to avoid train journeys. But to travel with the luxurious Rovos Rail with its antique steam locomotive has always been a dream of mine!

Rovos Rail is a family-run private railway company that was founded in 1989 by Rohan Vos, an avid lover of old trains. Since then, he has been offering world-class travel experiences in lovingly restored trains for a maximum of 72 passengers in 36 luxuriously appointed suites.

“The Most Luxurious Train in the World”

In a series of train journeys lasting from 48 hours to a month, the Pride of Africa links some of Africa’s greatest destinations from Cape Town, at the tip of Africa, to Dar es Salaam in Tanzania, from scenic splendors as diverse as the game reserves of Mpumalanga to the Victoria Falls, from the desert landscapes in Namibia and the stark beauty of the Karoo to the lush cane fields of KwaZulu-Natal.

Unfortunately, the historic steam locomotives are not allowed to travel further than 70 km from Pretoria – it is such a pity! The coaches can also be hauled by diesel or electric locomotives.

New Route: From July 2019, Rovos will be adding the Trail of Two Oceans journey from Angola to Tanzania to its repertoire. The new 15-day expedition will travel through Tanzania, Zambia, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Angola. It will include a game visit to the Selous Reserve, a 2-night safari in the South Luangwa National Park in Zambia and a tour of Lubumbashi in the DRC.

Rovos Rail Station

All trains depart from and arrive at the private station in Capital Park, Pretoria – a historic, restored railway station in the Colonial style, where the coaches and steam locomotives are also maintained. Incidentally, the steam locomotives are all named after Rohan’s daughters.

“For those of you who want to discover Africa – in the woodpanelled, gleaming five-star luxury of a bygone era.” – London Daily Mail

The journey at the railway station begins with a festive Champagne reception in the cozy and elegant lounge.


© Rovos Rail

Railway Museum

In the museum next to the railway station you can, among others, meet the oldest Rovos locomotive driver, and there are plenty of historical collector’s items for railroad fans to marvel at.

Cape Town Journey

Our 1,600 km long journey in the characteristic green and cream wood-paneled train lasted 3 days and went from Pretoria to Cape Town. This trip and the reverse route, are among the most popular and can be combined perfectly with a safari in the East of South Africa.

With stops in Kimberley (Diamond Mine Museum + Big Hole) and in the historic, small village of Matjiesfontein, we passed impressive grasslands, huge mountain ranges, the barren Karoo semi-desert and the picturesque Cape Winelands.

Suites

The luxurious and spacious suites are air-conditioned, have desks, twin or double beds, a mini-bar, a safe, an amenity bag, 24-hour room service and are the epitome of luxury and comfort –  facilities that are of the highest standard. They are decorated with beautiful wood paneling, warm colors and elements from the Edwardian era. They offer spacious accommodation for two people, and you have the choice between three styles – Royal, Deluxe and Pullman.

Pullman Suites
The Pullman Suites (7m²) have a comfortable sofa seat during the day with a conversion to double or twin beds for the evening, and a private bathroom with shower.

Deluxe Suites
The Deluxe Suites (11 m²) each have a living area and a private bathroom with shower (See animation >>)

Guests are welcomed aboard in glamorous style with Champagne, and the mini bar is filled with anything your heart desires.

Every suite has a hostess, who ensures that guests are happy and content and practically fulfills your every wish.

To travel with open windows during the day, lying comfortably on your bed with a gentle breeze while listening to the rattling sound of the railway tracks – quite unique!

In the en-suite bathrooms, original fittings combine with modern technology of hot showers, hairdryers and shaver plugs. Amazing: although it seems small, everything fits perfectly in the bathroom cabinet.

The most glamorous part of the journey is dinner. There is a dress code for the elegant 1940’s Dining Car: Cocktail / Evening Dresses for women and a suit and tie is the minimum requirement for men.

When you go back to your suite in the evening after a delightful dinner, the beds are beautifully turned down. Hot water for tea, a plate of biscuits and nougat also awaits you upon your return, all prepared lovingly.

Royal Suites
The four Royal Suites (16m²) have their own living areas with armchairs and a full bathroom with shower and Victorian bath.


© Rovos Rail

Dining car

Meals in the Edwardian-style Dining Car are an unforgettable experience – upholstered leather chairs, curtains embroidered with roses, sparkling crystal and silver create a stately ambiance. Magnificent cuisine with an emphasis on fresh and seasonal ingredients are served, complemented by excellent South African wines.

Breakfast

Breakfast is served as a buffet or à la carte. Fresh fruit, freshly squeezed juices, cereals and warm egg dishes, leave nothing to be desired.

And the splendid views of the ever-changing South African landscape, just add to the experience.

On the Safari Train, for example, Pretoria to Durban, Victoria Falls and Namibia, there is, of course, many more animals to see, but apart from cattle, we also saw ostriches, wildebeest and springbok on our route.

Lunch

What the kitchen team manages to conjure in such a small space, borders on magic! The sound of a gong heralds lunch and dinner.

Wines carefully paired with all 5 courses are served.

Dinner

The atmosphere at dinner is comfortable and more than luxurious – by candlelight, the silver and crystal are even more sparkling.

Some of the dishes served: Grilled local crayfish tails, braised leg of lamb, Cape Bobotie (minced meat with spices, almonds, and dried fruits), traditional Milk Tart and Malva Pudding with Amarula.

The food, impeccable service, and wines are all part of the five-star luxury!

Lounge, Bar & Observation Car

In the Lounge Cars, at the front and back of the train, you can relax with a delicious drink and enjoy the scenery. For smokers, there is a Smoking Lounge at the end of the train.

In the afternoon, cold beverages, wines, champagne, coffee, tea, snacks and much more are served in the Observation Car and the bar.

At the rear of the train, you can sit outside while admiring the bypassing scenery, sunsets, and catch a glimpse into the daily lives of the locals. You also have the opportunity to meet some of the other guests and make new acquaintances.

Before dinner, for an aperitif and after dinner for Cocktail night – the Observation Car is a comfortable meeting place.

Trips

Kimberley
The Kimberley excursion on the second day started with a small city tour. After that, we went to the Diamond Mine Museum at the Big Hole – one of the largest man-made archaeological sites in the world.

Diamonds were mined in the former Kimberley Mine until 1914. The Big Hole has an area of 17 hectares, and the water is 40m deep today. During mining operations, it, however, was 240m deep.

The first diamond, Eureka, was found here in 1866 and it weighed 21.25 carats.

After the excursions, we were always welcomed back at the station with refreshing drinks and warm smiles.

Matjiesfontein

On the third day, those who would like to stretch their legs, can disembark 5km from Matjiesfontein and walk to the small town in a group.

Matjiesfontein is a quaint village in typical Victorian Style on the edge of the semi-desert Karoo. At the beginning of the 20th century, it was a favorite weekend getaway for wealthy Capetonians. The secluded village was founded by Scottish railroader James Douglas Logan.

Today, the former spa and resort is a National Monument and living history. There is still a lively bustle in the historic The Lord Milner Hotel.

Conclusion

Our journey back in time with Rovos Rail was a unique and extraordinary experience. We especially enjoyed the peace and quiet, the slow journey, the magnificent views, the delicious food, the friendly service and the luxury. To be rocked to sleep at night and be spoiled with delicious food and drinks is an extravagant luxury indeed. These three beautiful days went by in the blink of an eye. We would have loved to stay on board longer!

Rooms: 36 suites
Transfer: Flight to Johannesburg. Transfer to Pretoria can be booked conveniently through Rovos.
Price: From 1273 EUR per person in the Pullman Suite, Pretoria to Cape Town. Included in the price: 3 meals daily, all alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, sightseeing trips with a qualified tour guide, entrance fees to places of interest, 24-hour room service, mini bar and limited laundry service on the train.
Note: No Wi-Fi on board of the train
Special features: Luxurious design, grand suites, excellent food, friendly service, beautiful scenery
Perfect for: Couples, people seeking peace and quiet, romantics and nature lovers 

Rovos Rail
Telefon + 27 (0) 12 315 8242
reservations@rovos.co.za
www.rovos.com

Blog | Broschüre

World’s Leading Luxury Train  – World Travel Awards 2004-2008
Africa’s Leading Safari Train – World Travel Awards 2004-2007

St. James Guesthouses  
Three luxurious guesthouses (The Manor, Seaforth & Homestead) of the Rovos Rail Group in Cape Town’s False Bay; www.stjamesguesthouses.com

Shongololo Express
Train travel (12 to 15 days) through South Africa, Namibia, Swaziland, Mozambique and Zimbabwe with 3-star luxury, operated by Rovos Rail since February 2016; www.shongololo.com

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Note: Our wonderful train journey was sponsored by Rovos Rail. Our heartfelt thanks! Nevertheless, the opinions expressed in this article are 100% our own!  

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Maradiva Villas Resort & Spa, Mauritius – Romantic Luxury Oasis with Ayurvedic Spa

Indian Ocean, LHW, Mauritius, Spa, Top 20 Honeymoon Collection, Video 0 Comments

Romance, Wellness & Dolphins in Tamarin Bay

If you come to Maradiva, you are looking for one thing above all else – peace and relaxation. And that is precisely what we found here – lots of peace, complete privacy, and an extraordinary Ayurvedic spa experience.

The 5-star Maradiva Resort is located on Wolmar Beach – near Flic en Flac. It is situated in a 27-acre tropical garden in the beautiful Tamarin Bay – well known for its stunning sunsets and dolphins.

It is one of the “Leading Hotels of the World” and run by a fifth-generation Mauritian family. It is the only hotel on the island that offers accommodation in villas only and, each one has its own pool!

The romantic hideaway features 65 luxurious and spacious thatched-roof villas, three restaurants, a bar, a water sports boathouse, an award-winning Ayurvedic spa, a Kids Club, luxurious Rolls-Royce transfers and butler service.

Interview with General Manager Francis Longueve

Beach

The beach is untouched, 750 meters long and offers plenty of shade and privacy with its huge trees. Since there is a lot of boat traffic, it is suitable for swimming, however, only in specific areas. For snorkeling, you can also go out by boat to the sea.

Pool Villas

Luxury Suite Pool Villa

The villas are 163 square meters, with a spacious outdoor lounge, a 15 square meter infinity pool with sunbeds, outdoor garden shower, Hermes amenities and a Bose sound system.

The design is inspired by local Mauritian architecture, it is modern and tastefully decorated with stylish furniture, art and decorative objects.

This beautiful red-whiskered Bulbul visited us more than once.

You have a fantastic view of the pool and the countryside right from your bed. From the Beachfront Suite Villas, you also have great views of the beach and the ocean.

The natural surroundings are exquisitely beautiful and are home to many birds, but unfortunately, also to many mosquitoes. Make sure that you bring along your own mosquito repellent as there is none available in the villa and remember to apply it frequently. Unfortunately, you cannot sleep with open doors – smoking spirals as they had in Bali, would have been perfect.

If you would like to, you can enjoy some romantic time for two with a private dinner on your own terrace.

Exclusive Suite Pool Villa

These luxurious villas are 220 square meters, each one has a 25 square meter infinity pool, a Bose sound system, an outdoor shower, a large bathtub, and they are right on the beach.

The Presidential Suite Villas are 345 square meters have two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a 56 square meter infinity pool and are ideal for families and groups.

Pool

The large infinity pool is perfect for swimming and relaxing. The ocean and sunset views are incredible – perfect for enjoying a cocktail.

Spa

The Maradiva Spa offers Yoga and meditation by experienced practitioners, authentic Ayurvedic treatments and invigorating rituals and ceremonies.

The design is heavily influenced by Indian philosophy, and it is a serene oasis of peace and relaxation. There is a large heated pool with Jacuzzi, a sauna, a steam room and six treatment rooms.

Für Paare gibt einen besonderen Doppel-Behandlungsraum mit großer Badewanne und privatem Garten.

‘FOR TWO’ – AMRUTH – Nectar of the Gods
Two therapists will perform a candle-lit, Aromatherapy Massage, using evocative oils to set the mood for romance. After this indulgent massage, you can enjoy a rose petal bath together and some exclusive time alone with a bottle of champagne.

Ayurveda

The absolute highlight of our stay was the consultation with the Ayurvedic doctor, Praveen Nair, followed by an Ayurveda massage. After his analysis, he adjusts the treatments for each guest individually. The treatments help to rejuvenate and embrace body, mind, and soul through deep tissue massages, and aromatherapy sessions for cleansing and regeneration.

Dr. Praveen also gave us some great tips and advice that we can even use at home.

Our Ayurvedic massage with specially made Indian oil started with a head massage, it was followed by a full body massage and ended with a body scrub. The treatment was exceptional and incredibly relaxing. An utterly authentic experience – as if we were in Sri Lanka.

ABHYANGA – Herbal Oil Body Massage
The medicated herbal oil application, Abhyangam is not only a massage but also a program where the oil is liberally applied using soft and gentle strokes in the downward direction. The mere soaking of the body in the prescribed oil for the said duration on a regular basis yields wide – ranging benefits such as good appetite, alertness during the day, good sleep at night and reduced stress levels. It removes fatigue and daily aches and pains, gives a glowing skin and most importantly helps to build your immunity.

Spa Menu

This tropical spa is just perfect for relaxation!

Restaurants

The restaurants serve fresh Mediterranean, Mauritian and international cuisine. The herbs, vegetables, fruits, and spices are cultivated in the organic garden on site.  Local fishermen catch fresh fish and seafood daily. A dine around option is also offered by the sister hotel, Sands Suites Resort & Spa, and of course, you can also dine in the privacy of your villa.

COAST2COAST RESTAURANT

A scrumptious breakfast with fresh juice, unique salads, fresh fish, delicious freshly baked bread, honey from the resort’s own hives and much more is served buffet style in the main restaurant.  For lunch and dinner, a la carte dishes are served. (Menu)

Couples that would like to experience a romantic dinner of a different kind can enjoy a private candlelight dinner for two in the Raj tent.

TEPPANYAKI COUNTER

To watch Kelly, one of the best Japanese chefs on the island, at the Live-Teppanyaki counter is really an experience! You can see and feel her passion for Japanese cuisine! Absolutely worth a visit and it is exceptionally delicious!

CILANTRO RESTAURANT

The specialty restaurant, Cilantro, serves excellent Japanese, Thai, Vietnamese and Indian cuisine. The ambiance is chic, relaxed and classy. The dishes are not only visually pleasing, but also incredibly delicious!

BREAKERS BAR

The bar serves local rum cocktails, world-class wines, and international drinks. The Mango Colada is to die for! The Beach Bar also offers snacks and light lunches at the pool.

Honeymoon & Wedding

Honeymoon Special / Wedding Anniversary 
Approximately 90% discount on the room rate, including half board for the bride, from 1st June to 30th September. 80% reduction during 1st November and 26th Dec., 5th January and 31st May and 1st and 31st October.

Included: 1x Couples massage, 1x flower petal bath in the Maradiva Spa, 1x candlelight dinner with a bottle of house wine in your villa or on the beach, 1x romantic breakfast in bed with a glass of sparkling wine per person, flower decoration and fruit upon arrival, gift on departure and early check-in and late check-out times subject to availability.

(Valid in Luxury Suite Pool Villa and Beachfront Luxury Suite Pool Villa. Minimum stay of 5 nights applies.  Marriage certificate not older than 12 months or for the 5th wedding anniversary and after that every consecutive 5th anniversary. May not be combined with other special offers.)

Wedding Package from 1.000 EUR

Family benefit
Approximately 15% discount on the room rate including half board for up to 3 children up to 12 years in the Luxury Suite Pool Villa or Beachfront Luxury Suite Pool Villa.   (May not be combined with other special offers.  Discount only valid when the children stay with their parents.)

from 6 nights
1x Couples massage and 1x flower petal bath (before 2 pm) per adult per stay

Activities

Kayaking, windsurfing, waterskiing, snorkeling trips twice a day, Tamarin Walk, Golf on the Tamarina Championship Golf Course, Biking, Cooking Class

A once in a lifetime experience and highly recommended is Swimming with wild dolphins. The tour with a private boat is about 180 EUR. We did not do it this time around, as we swam with dolphins four years ago Dolphins   – a really magical experience.

Conclusion

The villas with their private pools are magnificent. It is a perfect oasis to relax in and enjoy nature. Unfortunately, the mosquitoes were a bit annoying, but we hope that it was only on the cyclone and that there usually are not that many mosquitoes. With its fabulous spa, the extraordinary Ayurveda treatments, the great food at the restaurants and the private villas with their own pools, it is definitely a perfect destination for a romantic holiday.

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Room: 65 Pool Villas (6 Garden Suite Pool Villas, 40 Luxury Suite Pool Villas, 11 Beachfront Luxury Suite Pool Villas, 6 Exclusive Suite Villas, 2 Presidential Suite Pool Villas)
Flight duration: Nonstop from Germany (Frankfurt) with Condor in approximately   11 hours
Transfer: About 45 km from the capital Port Louis and 70km from Airport Mauritius (about an hour’s taxi ride)
Taxi: We can highly recommend Dany (Tel. Nr.: +230 5946-2899). Very reliable and nice!
Vaccinations: Not necessary
Air Temperature: 15 – 36 degrees Celsius
Water Temperature: 23-30 degrees Celsius
Best Travel time: Summer: April – May & September – November. Wet: December – April Winter: May – November (cooler and drier).  Mauritius has a tropical climate with year-round heat. Thanks to the south-east trade winds, it never is too humid.
Time difference: CET + 4 hours
Price: From 360 EUR per night including breakfast
Romantic Highlight: Candlelight dinner on the beach
Special features: Beautiful pool villas, loads of privacy, great Ayurveda Spa with fantastic treatments, excellent Japanese and Indian food in the restaurants
Perfect for: Honeymooners, couples, people seeking peace and quiet, romantics, nature lovers and families

Maradiva Villas Resort & Spa
Wolmar, Flic-en-Flac, Mauritius
Phone: (+230) 403 15 00
Fax: (+230) 453 55 55
info@maradiva.com
www.maradiva.com

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The Leading Hotels of the World
Leading Spas
World Leading Luxury Island Resort – World Travel Award 2016
Mauritius Leading Spa Resort – World Travel Award 2016
World Leading Luxury Island Resort – World Travel Award 2016
Excellence in Spa – 7 Stars Global Luxury Hospitality and Lifestyle 2016
„Best Luxury Sanctuary“ (Beste Luxusoase) – SENSES Awards 2012 Berlin

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Note: Our stay was partially sponsored by Maradiva Villa Resort & Spa. Thank you so much! Nonetheless, the opinions voiced in this article are 100% our own!  

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The Residence Mauritius, Belle Mare – Modern Luxury with a Nostalgic Touch

Honeymoon, Indian Ocean, Mauritius, Top 20 Honeymoon Collection, Videos, Wedding 0 Comments

Romance, elegance and luxury in a beach paradise

Lush tropical gardens, one of the most beautiful beaches on the east coast, spacious, colonial-style suites – The Residence Mauritius is a romantic beach paradise, reminiscent of a bygone era, but where the spirit of Mauritius lives on today. It opened its doors in 1998 and with its classic, plantation style design, it has a sense of nostalgia, blended with modern, elegant design.

TURN BACK THE SANDS OF TIME

You already get to experience the warm-heartedness of the staff when you arrive at reception. The vast lobby is majestic and impressive. The design is inspired by the plantation houses that stood on the estates of the sugar barons at the turn of the century around the 1900s.

The 5-star resort belongs to the Cenizaro Hotels & Resorts – a Residence Collection. It is well known for creating warm hospitality and relaxing environments within its independent luxury hotels in some of the most desirable locations in the world while reflecting the charm of the particular country. So far, the collection includes five luxury hotels in Tunisia, Mauritius, Zanzibar, Maldives and Bintan.

Mauritius – untouched beaches, ancient jungles and rugged cliffs, blue lagoons and majestic volcanoes. Countless cultures with their colorful stories have become intertwined with the astonishing natural beauty of the island, to tell the story of its magnificent history.

At The Residence Mauritius you can enjoy delicious Creole cuisine in three restaurants, relax at the large pool, participate in the many activities on offer or spoil yourself in the Ylang-Ylang fragrant Sanctuary Spa.

Pool

The big lagoon-style pool with jacuzzi offers plenty of pace with a great view of the turquoise blue sea.

Reserving sunbeds is pointless. If they are not used for a while, you can just pick up your stuff at the concierge. Brilliant!

Beach

The beach is endless. You can go for a leisurely stroll, swim, ride and of course, just relax.

All the beaches in Mauritius are open to the public are, so you can also chat to some of the locals.

Rooms & Suites

The 135 rooms and 28 suites of The Residence all have private balconies or terraces with magnificent views of the tropical surroundings or the Indian Ocean.

Colonial Ocean Front Suite 

We stayed in a great suite with a fantastic ocean view. The suites radiate the romantic atmosphere of a bygone era with luxurious marble bathrooms, beautiful carpets, big sliding doors, vertical blinds and grand, colonial wooden furniture. The attention to detail is evident in every corner.

The Residence was the first hotel on the island to introduce a butler service and it is reminiscent of the service in the grand, colonial houses of yesteryear. It is always a bit awkward at first but having someone do the unpacking and packing for you, is such a spoil.

The luxurious marble bathroom with built-in wardrobe, nostalgic dressing table, bath and shower together with the large mirrors has a historical and modern effect at the same time. It has nostalgic fittings, candles, many useful items and even talc powder (for perspiration, I was told). All kinds of extras that add to that certain something.

For some romantic time, you can even have a bath prepared with different bath additives, for example, Frangipani. They also add a bath time snack!

example, Frangipani. They also add a bath time snack!

We always love to sleep with open doors! There are almost no mosquitoes in Mauritius and the bed has a mosquito net so we could sleep peacefully with the doors wide open!

Restaurants

Breakfast | The Dining Room

The lavish breakfast with western and local specialties is served the open-plan main restaurant The Dining Room overlooking the pool, and the ocean. It is marvelous to have breakfast here in the fresh air in the morning.

Lunch | The Verandah

Lunch is served in The Verandah restaurant. You can enjoy everything, from light snacks, salad, burgers, pizzas, sandwiches to down to ice cream, either in the restaurant or directly at the pool.

Afternoon Tea & Cocktails | The Bar

Colonial style is synonymous with afternoon tea. You can enjoy these sweet delicacies in the comfortable armchairs and sofas in The Bar. In the evening, you can have a yummy cocktail and listen to some live music.

Dinner & Lunch | The Plantation

We found the restaurant, The Plantation, at the other end of the beach stunning. It has open plan design and fantastic views of the sea.

Tip: On Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday there is a great pop-up bar right on the beach in front the restaurant. Unfortunately, when we were there, a cyclone passed over the island.

The Plantation serves fresh fish dishes and Creole cuisine. Really tasty!

In the evening, it is the perfect spot for a romantic dinner. For special events, they even set-up romantic lantern-lit tables on the beach. They often host special themed dinners with live music, for example, “Lobster Night.”

Dinner  | The Dining Room

After a delicious local rum, beer or cocktail, you can enjoy a variety of international and local dishes with Mauritian spices in a romantic atmosphere at the main restaurant in the evening. Buffet and menu options are available.

At the weekend we were so lucky to experience a great Sega dance show. It was extraordinary! Afterwards, there was an incredible live band!

Spa

The magnificent “The Sanctuary Spa” with its Zen style design provides pampering and therapeutic spa rituals and treatments inspired by the French luxury brand, CARITA.

The spa has eight treatment rooms and a treatment pavilion on the beach.

The treatments by the experienced therapists are tailored to your personal needs tailored and wonderfully relaxing. Here you get to experience your own, private Zen moment. The signature massage with fragrant Ylang-Ylang oil was extremely relaxing.

Activities

If you prefer to be more active, there are three tennis courts and a fitness center. Other activities on offer: Windsurfing, sailing, snorkeling, paddling, kayaks, Hobie cats, water skiing, catamaran cruises, deep sea fishing, glass bottom boat rides and scuba diving with the PADI- diving center.

Catamaran Cruise

We can highly recommend the Catamaran day trip. After a chilled cruise to a waterfall, listening to some House music, snorkeling on the reef and lunch on board, we could relax on the beautiful Île aux Cerfs island. In the late afternoon, we made our way back to the hotel.

Unfortunately, as almost everywhere on earth, the beautiful coral reefs have almost been completely destroyed. Our movie tip: Chasing Coral – simultaneously tremendous and frightening!

The Île aux Cerfs seems very crowded at first – like we have never seen before. But if you walk a little further (merely go left and wade through the water), you get away from the crowds and discover one of the most beautiful spots on earth

Horse riding

Naturally, the endless beach is perfect for riding.

Honeymoon & Wedding

“The Residence” is also the perfect place to get married! The ceremony can either take place on the beach, in the tropical garden or in case of bad weather, in The Dining Room. The hotel staff goes out of their way to ensure the day is as perfect as possible and they do so with a lot of love! Quite often the pool boys will be the musicians and the kitchen girls the dancers!

Honeymoon Special
50% discount for honeymooners, for couples celebrating their 5th wedding anniversary and after that, every consecutive 5th anniversary. Additionally, a bottle of Champagne, a catamaran cruise, a fruit basket, a beach bag, a pareo and a T-shirt. This offer is valid for up to 9 months after the wedding date. A meal surcharge for the bride applies. Can only be combined with the Early Bird discount.  Children can stay with their parents. Wedding anniversaries: valid up to one month before or after the respective anniversary date.

Wedding proposal – Arrangement “Iceland Dreams Proposal” 
(from 380 EUR per couple)
Two glasses of sparkling house wine, chocolate dipped fruits and a celebration cake, 90-minute Ylang-Ylang couples massage, followed by a complimentary 30-minute hammam session, a romantic three-course meal for two (excluding beverages) on the beach overlooking the Indian Ocean.

Wedding proposal -Arrangement “Love’s Enchantment Proposal” 
(from 530 EUR per couple )
Welcome canapes and a bottle of sparkling wine on arrival, a bouquet of exotic tropical flowers, 90-minute Ylang-Ylang spa massage followed by a complimentary 30-minute hammam session, two glasses of sparkling wine, chocolate dipped fruits and oysters post spa, a delicious afternoon tea in The Bar, a romantic three-course meal (excluding beverages) on the beach and an exclusive chocolate cake

CONCLUSION

We thoroughly enjoyed our time at The Residence and not only because we love the colonial style. Whether you are in your beautiful suite, at the pool or on the beach – you just feel at home everywhere.  The sea is wonderful for swimming. The scenery is breathtakingly beautiful and the atmosphere relaxing, the ambiance romantic and the service loving and attentive. The employees do everything with so much love to ensure your holiday is just perfect. The small extras and loving attention to detail are exceptional. The Residence is everything you could wish for and more!

Room: 135 rooms and 28 suites
Flight duration: Nonstop from Germany (Frankfurt) with Condor in approximately  11 hours
Transfer: 48 km from Mauritius Airport, about a 50-minute taxi drive
Taxi: We can highly recommend Dany (Tel. Nr.: +230 5946-2899)
Vaccinations: Not necessary
Air Temperature: 15-36 degrees Celsius
Water Temperature: 23-30 degrees Celsius
Best Travel time: Summer: April – May & September – November. Wet: December – April Winter: May – November (cooler and drier).  Mauritius has a tropical climate with year-round heat. Thanks to the south-east trade winds, it never is too humid.
Time difference: CET + 4 hours
Price: From 243 EUR per night including breakfast and a 30-minute massage
Romance highlight: Romantic dinner in “The Plantation” restaurant
Special features: Great design, attentive, friendly service, loving details, beautiful suites, fantastic beach, great food
Resort Credit Special: from 5 nights 100 EUR Resort Credit per stay
Repeat Special: Repeat guests receive a complimentary lunch every day, a bottle of rum, 15%  discount on spa treatments, 10% discount on beverages/minibar and at the shops
Golf Special: From 7 nights one complimentary green fee per stay at the golf course
Perfect for: honeymooners, couples, people seeking peace and quiet, romantics, nature lovers, families and water sports enthusiasts

The Residence Mauritius
Coastal Road, Belle Mare, Mauritius
T 230 401 88 88
E info-mauritius@theresidence.com
www.cenizaro.com/theresidence

Top 10 hotels for romance in Mauritius – TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards 2016
TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence
13th best hotel in the Middle East, Africa and Indian Ocean – Condé Nast Traveller Reader’s Travel Awards 2009
World Travel Awards – Mauritius’ Leading Resort 2005

Do you like this article? Then make our day and share it!

Please Note: Our stay was sponsored by The Residence Mauritius. Our heartfelt thanks! Nevertheless, the opinions expressed in this article are 100% our own!  

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Top 15 Honeymoon Collection, Mauritius – The Most Romantic Hotels & Honeymoon Specials

Honeymoon, Indian Ocean, Indischer Ozean, Mauritius, Top 20 Honeymoon Collection 0 Comments

Honeymooners Paradise: Tropical Mauritius

The tropical island of Mauritius, also known as the diamond of the Indian Ocean, is considered as a wedding island and very popular among honeymooners.  Bright sunshine, tropical climate, 140 km of beautiful coastline, the crystal clear turquoise ocean, the volcanic mountain scenery, lush green palm trees,top class international cuisine, traditional hospitality, and warm-hearted service guarantee an unforgettable experience.

Mauritian hotels also offer the highest Honeymoon discounts of all the tropical islands.  The honeymoon specials are often even valid for 12 months, and so you can celebrate your 1st wedding anniversary by going on honeymoon again! And, what is even better, but only a few people know: the same discount applies to every 5th wedding anniversary.

“God first created Mauritius, then Heaven.” – Mark Twain

Our Top 15 most romantic hotels

There are plenty of hotels in Mauritius, actually about a 150. We would like to introduce you to our favorite most romantic hotels. Fromsmall boutique hotels, eco–lodges to some of the bigger, but still romantic resorts, you are spoiled for choice: there is something for every taste and budget!

So far, we have visited seven of these beautiful hotels ourselves! Be inspired!

 

The East of Mauritius
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THE RESIDENCE BY CENIZARO, MAURITIUS
{100% discount for the bride + extras}

This luxurious colonial-style 5-star hotel is located on the east coast on one of the island’s most beautiful beaches. The design of the hotel was inspired by the Plantation houses from the turn of the century and exudes luxury, nostalgia and understated elegance. The 135 rooms and 28 suites all have a private balcony or terrace and offer wonderful views of the tropical greenery or the ocean and includes butler service. In the three restaurants, you can enjoy delicious Creole cuisine. We found The Plantation beach restaurant especially romantic. In the Ylang Ylang fragrant, Sanctuary Spa,you can let yourself be pampered. The beach is ideal for swimming. (Price: from 253 EUR per night)

Honeymoon Special
100% discount for the bride; food surcharge of approximately EUR 79 per day; complimentary bottle of champagne, catamaran trip, fruit basket, beach bag, pareo and T-shirt

(Valid for 9 months after the wedding date. Children allowed in parents’ room.)

www.cenizaro.com/theresidence (our Review)

ONE&ONLY LE Saint GÉRAN
{60% Discount for the bride + Extras} 


© One&Only Le Saint Géran

The elegant and luxurious One & Only Le Saint Géran was extensively renovated at the end of 2017 and is located on a private peninsula in a beautiful bay on a two-kilometer-long sandy beach. The newly remodeled 143 rooms, suites and Villa One, all feature a serene island-inspired color palette, outdoor patios or balconies, and a private 24-hour butler service. Thehotel combines exclusivity and comfort with attentive service and is suitable for families and couples alike. It has 4 restaurants, 4 bars, 3 pools, the One & Only Spa, an 18-hole golf course, and extensive water sport activities. (Price: from 524 EUR per night)

Honeymoon Special / Wedding Anniversary 
A discounted rate of 60% applies to the bride and honeymooners, breakfast included. This rate is also applicable to bookings for the 1stand 5thwedding anniversaries and subsequent wedding anniversaries at each 5-year interval.

Extras: a fresh fruit basket provided daily, a bottle of champagne on arrival, chocolates, and a special romantic 2-course lunch menu, excluding beverages.

(Valid for 9 months after the wedding date or 3 months before or after the respective anniversary. Minimum stay of 5 nights required. This offer does not apply to the Two Bedroom Ocean Suites.May only be combined with the half-board special.)

www.oneandonlyresorts.com

CONSTANCE PRINCE MAURICE
{60% Discount for the bride + Extras} 


© Constance Prince Maurice

This “Leading Hotel of the World” is idyllically situated on the northeast coast of Mauritius and has 89 suites and villas with some on stilts, 4 restaurants, one is a spectacular floating restaurant, and an infinity pool. You can play golf or spoil yourself at the Sisley Spa and indulge in the excellent cuisine. A 60-hectare private property that offers loads of privacy, pure luxury, and romance. (Price: from 525 EUR per night)

Honeymoon Special / Wedding Anniversary 
A reduced rate of approximately 60% (from 16thMay to 15thSept. about 80%) applies to the bride and honeymooners, as well as to the 5thwedding anniversary and each consecutive 5th anniversary.

Extras: gifts, sunset cruise, exclusive wine tasting and romantic dinners, a complimentary massage per couple, and a champagne breakfast

(Valid for 12 months after the wedding date or 6 months before or after the respective anniversary. Children allowed in the parents’ room.)

www.constancehotels.com

SHANGRI-LA´S LE TOUESSROK RESORT & SPA
{100% Discount for the bride + Extras} 


© Shangri-La’s Le Touessrok Resort & Spa

The extensively renovated luxury resort that resembles a fishing village is located on the east coast near Trou d’Eau Douce on a beautiful white sandy beach. In just 10 minutes you can reach the offshore island Ile aux Cerfs and the private island Ilot Mangénie. It is exclusive to hotel guests only, and the water taxi is included. With a variety of culinary delights on offer and a fantastically located golf course, it is the ideal place for a relaxed and diverse holiday. There are 5 restaurants serving international delicacies, 2 pools, a Givenchy Spa, a bar, a hairdresser, a beauty salon and boutiques. The 200 rooms and 3 villas all offer magnificent views of the Indian Ocean and are luxuriously, yet comfortably furnished in neo-Mauritian style. (Price: from 519 EUR per night)

Honeymoon Special 
A discount of approximately 100% applies to the bride and honeymooners.

Extras: a bottle of sparkling wine, romantic room decoration, and a 60-minute spa treatment per person

(Valid for 9 months after the wedding. A minimum stay of 7 nights applies. May not be combined with other discounted offers. Not valid from 23rdDec. to 7thJan. and 30thMarch to 21stApril.)

www.shangri-la.com

LA MAISON D´ÉTÉ


© La Maison d’Eté

This small Mauritian family home of the French owner, Brigitte Baranès, has 14 rooms and is off the beaten track. It offers breathtaking views over a beautiful lagoon and the Indian Ocean. There is a lounge bar, a restaurant, 2 swimming pools, 2 sand terraces, a beauty and massage parlor, and a pristine volcanic rock beach. The restaurant offers a fusion of Creole, Indian, Chinese and French cuisine, and is one of the best in Mauritius. (Price: from 180 EUR per night)

www.lamaisondete.com

OTENTIC ECO TENT EXPERIENCE


© Otentic Eco Tent Lodge

The eco-lodge with 12 safari tents on stilts, 2 wooden chalets and a pool, is situated on the banks of the Grande Rivière Sud-Est, in the small village, Deux Frères. It was built, based on an African model, and the focus is primarily on sustainability. The tents and chalets with original furnishings offer glamping, a camping experience in style with all the comfort you need. At night, the campfire provides the perfect romantic atmosphere. Pure nature! Nearby you can visit the waterfalls of Grande Rivière Sud-Est and the magical, crystal-clear lagoon of Île aux Cerfs. Ten kayaks and 5 mountain bikes are available to guests free of charge. (Price: from 150 EUR per night)

www.otentic.lodgesmauritius.com

 

The North of Mauritius
_____________________________________________________________


LUX GRAND GAUBE
{60% Discount for the bride + Extras}

This 193-room resort was completely renovated in 2017. Designer Kelly Hoppes has created a modern tropical retro chic lifestyle by using typical LUX elements and colors. It has so much to offer: 2 beaches, a resort cinema, expert-led workshops, 3 swimming pools, 6 restaurants, 4 bars, a barber shop, a bridal studio, fitness, tennis and golf, water sports and the LUX* Me Spa.

The rooms all have a balcony or terrace, and the romantic Junior Suites and Villas have private pools and gardens. INTI serves Peruvian and Argentine cuisine, BANYAN, authentic Creole cuisine, and BODRUM BLUE Turkish cuisine. The main restaurant offers live cooking stations with anything your heart can desire. (Price: from 445 EUR per night)

Honeymoon Special 
60% discount for the 2ndperson

Extras:  a fruit platter on arrival, a romantic dinner during your stay, excluding beverages, a bottle of sparkling wine, a honeymoon cake, a cooking class, and a 45-minute massage per person. Minimum stay of 10 nights required.

(Valid for 12 months after the wedding.)

www.luxresorts.com

THE OBEROI
{100% Discount for the bride + Extras} 


© The Oberoi

This luxury hotel is set in 20 hectares of stunning tropical gardens overlooking Turtle Bay, the natural marine park with a living coral reef, on the beautiful northwest coast of Mauritius and is perfect for honeymooners. You can stay in one of the 71 palm-fringed villas each with its own private pool and views of the turquoise Indian Ocean. In the late afternoon, you can watch the spectacular sunsets from here. There are 2 gourmet restaurants and a spa. The Touching Senses program offer free daily activities, for body, mind and soul. For example, breathing exercises, sculpting courses, jogging, painting, wine tastings and nature walks to name just a few. (Price: from 510 EUR per night)

Honeymoon Special / Wedding Anniversary 
100% discount for the bride (bed and breakfast based) and honeymooners, as well as for the 5thwedding anniversary and after that each following 5thanniversary.

Extras: a bottle of wine on arrival

(A minimum stay of 5 nights applies, valid for 12 months after the wedding or anniversary date respectively. Children are allowed in their parents’ room.)

www.oberoihotels.com

ZILWA ATTITUDE {40% Rabatt für die Braut + Extras}


© Zilwa Attitude

This 4-star hotel with 214 rooms and suites and 7 restaurants offers guests an authentic Mauritian experience in a spectacular location. The rooms are inspired by the typical thatched bungalows of the island and offer great views of the ocean and the endless sandy beach. A mix of Creole, Indian and Asian cuisines true to the island’s cultural diversity are served.  Relax and unwind at one of the 3 large pools or in the spa with a massage at sunset on the nearby island of Ti Zil. (Price: from 168 EUR per night)

Honeymoon Special / Wedding Anniversary 
Reduced fees of about 40%, and from 1stJune to 31stJuly, about 50%, for the bride and honeymooners, as well as for the 5thwedding anniversary and each consecutive 5thanniversary.

Extras: a bag for her, a hat for him, a bottle of rum and one dinner

(Minimum stay of 6 nights required, valid for 12 months after the wedding or the respective anniversary date.)

www.hotels-attitude.com

ANGSANA BALACLAVA
{70% Discount for the bride + Extras}

beautiful-places-angsana-balaclava

The romantic 5-star luxury oasis with its strong Oriental and African influences is perfect for couples and honeymooners. This Angsana Hotels & Resorts boutique hotel, part of the renowned Banyan Tree Group, is located in the northwest of the island on Turtle Bay’s white, sandy beach. In the 52 spacious and luxuriously furnished suites and villas each with a private pool, your privacy is guaranteed! Unfortunately, the beach is not ideal for swimming, but the personal service and the stylish suites make up for it. And of course, you can also visit some of the other beaches in the area. (Price: from 234 EUR per night)

Honeymoon Special / Wedding Anniversary 
70% discount or 90% from 9thApril to 14thSept. applies to the bride and honeymooners, as well as for the 5thwedding anniversary and each subsequent 5thanniversary.

(A minimum stay of 4 nights is required, valid for 12 months after the wedding date or 6 months before or after the respective anniversary date. May not be combined with other discounted offers.)

Wedding Package: Beautiful Beginnings from EUR 600

www.angsana.com (unser Review)

20 DEGRÉS SUD SUD
{50% Discount for the bride} 


© 20 Degrés Sud

The charming boutique hotel 20 Degrés Sud, is part of the Relais & Châteaux group. It is located behind an old coconut palm grove and has 36 rooms and suites decorated in colonial style on a quiet and wild beach. The setting is idyllic; your elegant villa is only a few steps from the water’s edge.   The restaurant, also located on the waterfront, serves delicious Creole and international cuisine. The hotel has 2 pools, a spa, a diving center, and a historic motorboat, Lady-Lisbeth, dating back to 1929. Aboard the prestigious Lady Lisbeth, you can enjoy an exclusive and romantic evening with a gourmet three-hour cruise. (Price: from 313 EUR per night)

Honeymoon Special 
50% discount for the bride and honeymooners
(A minimum stay of 6 nights applies. The hotel only allows children above 12.)

www.20degressud.com

The West of Mauritius
_____________________________________________________________


MARADIVA
{40% Discount + Extras}

The 11 hectares, romantic resort is located on Tamarin Bay, right on Wolmar Beach near Flic-en-Flac. The wonderful and luxurious all-villa resort comprises 65 villas with individual private pools, outdoor living rooms, bathrooms with indoor and outdoor showers, walk-in closets, and surround sound music systems. There are two great restaurants serving Mediterranean, Asian and Indian cuisine, a bar, and a spa offering exceptional and bespoke Ayurvedic treatments. Away from the hustle and bustle, you can enjoy your stay in a casual yet elegant atmosphere. It is a haven and the ideal place for an exclusive romantic getaway. You can only swim in the sea in certain areas, as there is a lot of boat traffic, but there is a great infinity pool overlooking the ocean, snorkeling tours, and dolphin excursions. Price: from 405 EUR per night.

Honeymoon Special 
40% discount for honeymooners

Extras: Flowers and fruit upon arrival, departure honeymoon gift for him and her, early check-in and late check-out subject to availability, a 30-minute couple massage with a 30-minute rose bath, a candlelight dinner, including a bottle of house wine (optional in the villa or on the beach), a romantic champagne breakfast on the beach.

(Minimum stay of 5 nights required. This offer is only valid when bookinga Luxury Suite Villa or Beachfront Luxury Suite Villa. Offer not valid from 24thDec. to 5thJan. Valid for 12 months after the wedding date. May not be combined with other discounted offers.)

Wedding Package: from EUR 1,000

www.maradiva.com (unser Review)

 

In the South of Mauritius
_____________________________________________________________


DINAROBIN Beachcomber Golf Resort & Spa
{30% Discount for the bride + Extras}

Built in 2001, Dinarobin Beachcomber Golf Resort & Spa is surrounded by palm trees and set in 20 hectares lush tropical gardens at the foot of the 556-meter high mountain Le Morne Brabant. The view of this imposing mountain is simply breathtaking – you cannot take your eyes off it!   The exclusive resort has 172 suites in elegant colonial style, 4 restaurants, a bar, 6 swimming pools, of which 5 are heated in winter and a Clarins Spa. Bysharing facilities with the neighboring Paradis Beachcomber Golf Resort & Spa, guests have access to 8 restaurants, 3 golf courses, tennis courts, a kitesurfing school, and extensive water sport activities. The beach goes on for miles and miles and is perfect for snorkeling. Price: from 144 EUR per night.

Honeymoon Special / Wedding Anniversary
Reduced rate of 30% for honeymooners, as well as for the 5thwedding anniversary and every consecutive 5thanniversary.

Extras: a bottle of sparkling wine, a fruit bowl, a T-shirt and a pareo for honeymooners, an anniversary gift and a half-board lunch consisting of 2 courses per person.

(Valid for 12 months after the wedding date or 6 months before/after the anniversary. Children are allowed in their parents’ room.)

Destination Wedding & Renewal of Vow Special 
25 % Discounted rate for the guests of the bride and groom

www.beachcomber-hotels.com (unser Review)

LUX* LE MORNE
{70% Discount for the bride + Extras}

Honeymoon Special / Wedding Anniversary 
Approximately 70% discount for the bride and honeymooners, as well as for the 5thwedding anniversary and each following 5thanniversary

Extras:  a romantic dinner, excluding beverages, a bottle of sparkling wine, a fruit basket, a wedding cake, and a cooking class. With a minimum stay of 10 nights, a 45-minute massage per person per stay is included as well.

(Valid for 12 months after the wedding date or the respective anniversary. May not be combined with other special offers.)

www.luxresorts.com

LAKAZ CHAMAREL
{50% Discount for the bride + Extras}


© Lakaz Chamarel

This small and romantic complex with only 20 rooms is located in the green hinterland of the southwest and is an ideal hideaway for nature lovers and honeymooners. Here you can experience the luxury of silence and the beauty of nature.Let your mood tell you what to do; you can be active and go hiking or just relax and enjoy the serenity. The Garden Pool Suites offer plenty of privacy and stunning views of the tropical garden. The Seaview Pool Suites offer incredible views of the Indian Ocean. The facilities comprise of an open-air restaurant with Mauritian and international cuisine, a bar, 2 swimming pools, a relaxation lounge with TV, library, and a fireplace. There are massages, yoga and all kinds of excursions on offer, for example, visit the Chamarel 7 Coloured Earth Geopark and waterfall. There is a free shuttle service to Le Morne beach daily.Price:from 210 EUR per night, including half-board.

Honeymoon Special 
A discount rate of about 50% for the bride.

Extras: flowers, a complimentary gift, an aperitif with small snacks in your room, a Creole lunch and a 30-minute aromatherapy couple massage per stay

(Minimum stay of 5 nights required, valid for 9 months after the wedding date or the respective anniversary. May not be combined with other discounted offers.)

Wedding Package: 4 nights in a Garden Pool Suite from 2100 EUR

www.lakazchamarel.com

Travel Planning

Silke Walprecht, who also planned our dream wedding in the Seychelles and I, have teamed up, to create beautiful honeymoons, luxury trips and dream weddings on the beach, tailored to your wishes! With Wedding Moon Travel we would like to help you plan your perfect Weddingmoon or Honeymoon!

We look forward to hearing from you! Please feel free to message us!

Flight

For the flight to Mauritius, we can highly recommend Condor! The nonstop flight from Frankfurt to Port Louis takes about 11 hours and costs 270 EUR for a one-way ticket. They offer delicious food, the legroom in Economy class is ok, and the service is always excellent! For more luxury, you can book extras, for example, premium menu, entertainment, etc. You can fly directly in Premium, or Business class, from 700 EUR to 1500 EUR respectively.

Transfer

From the airport, you can take a taxi. We found it much more relaxing than driving a rental car on the left side of the road. It takes about 1 hour to Le Morne and costs around 60 EUR (2500 rupees).We can highly recommend Taxi driver Dany (Phone +230 5946-2899) – he is reliable, kind, and took such good care of us – thank you! He drove us around several times, once completely around the island, a 4 to 5 hour trip, for about 250 EUR in total.

Tips

In our Top 20 Honeymoon Collection Seychelles, you will find our favorites and tips for an unforgettable honeymoon on this divine island, Seychelles!

Tips about bars, restaurants, activities and so much more, can be found on CN Traveler:Mauritius: Best Hotels and Beaches

Hindus in Mauritius also celebrate the colorful Holi Festival. The festival of colors always takes place 14 days before the Indian New Year in March. 

Honeymoon with children is indeed possible in Mauritius. It is malaria free, and the time difference is small, only 2 hours. Temperatures are tropically warm, and there are many animals to discover in the ocean and on land.  Children up to 12 years often stay free of charge in their parents’ room. Of course, the flight is quite long, it takes about 12 hours, but it’s usually at night, and infants under 2 receive a standard 90% discount with Condor.

Have a wonderful honeymoon!

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We carefully researched all the information, but it still is subject to change.  

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Dinarobin Beachcomber Golf Resort & Spa, Mauritius – Paradise with a view of Le Morne Mountain

Honeymoon, Indian Ocean, Mauritius, Top 20 Honeymoon Collection, Video 0 Comments

Tropical elegance and romance with dramatic scenery on the west coast of Mauritius

You wake up, take a swim in the pool with the most spectacular view of Le Morne, have breakfast on your terrace while admiring the green tropical scenery, then you relax on the endless white sandy beach and snorkel in the Indian ocean amidst tropical fish – that is how the perfect day starts in Dinarobin!

Built in 2001, Dinarobin Beachcomber Golf Resort & Spa is set at the foot of the 556-meter high Le Morne Brabant mountain surrounded by palm trees in 20 acres of tropical gardens. The view of this imposing mountain is just incredible!

The location could hardly be more beautiful – with a pristine coral sand beach, it is situated on a peninsula on one of the most beautiful coasts of Mauritius.

The exclusive resort has 172 suites in elegant colonial style, four restaurants, a bar, six swimming pools (five of them are heated in winter) and the Clarins Spa with 13 treatment rooms, two saunas and two steam rooms.

With the neighboring Paradis Beachcomber Golf Resort & Spa, one even has a choice of eight restaurants offering international and local cuisine, as well access to three golf courses, tennis courts, a kitesurfing school and extensive water sports activities. You can use the 24-hour shuttle service between the Paradis and the Dinarobin every 15 minutes.

The main pool is gigantic. You can swim a few laps and relax with a stunning view of the ocean.

The beach is kilometers-long and beautiful. The water is a warm 28 degrees Celsius, crystal clear and perfect for snorkeling.

The sunsets here in the west of the island are magnificent.

Suites

The luxurious suites are situated in double story houses in six crescent-shaped units of which five have their own pool.

We stayed in Suite 676. From there it is just a few steps to the pool and the beach. Simply fantastic!

All suites have ocean views, spacious terraces or balconies, huge bathrooms and are decorated in typical colonial style. 44 of the suites are located right on the beach.

The design with warm natural shades, colonial style furniture, large panoramic windows and the big terrace with seating area is very comfortable and spacious.  Although the resort is relatively big, you have the feeling of being at your own small private beach house.

The bathroom has everything you need. It is big and has a wardrobe, bath, large shower and two sinks.

Breakfast on your own terrace

We thought it was awesome to have breakfast served on our own terrace. For a small surcharge of only 5 EUR, you can enjoy all the breakfast delicacies in complete privacy.

Zen Suites (adults only) 
The Zen suites have an “adults only” area with private pool and beach and are perfect for honeymooners and couples.

These suites are the same as the others, but they have some extras: a Nespresso machine, pool service, reserved gazebos and beach chairs, wireless internet connection on the beach, a beach concierge for restaurant and spa bookings and lots of peace and quiet.

Villa
 The villas at Dinarobin are situated at the far end of the resort and offers a private pool, lots of luxury and space.

Restaurants & Bar

La Plage – excellent beach restaurant for lunch

The food here is delicious! It can get quite busy but having lunch with your feet in the sand is a great experience!

Umami – Pan-Asian restaurant with delicious sushi for dinner

The food here is incredible. A particular highlight is the Dessert Bento box – all the dessert delicacies packed into a box for two.

Il Gusto – traditional Tuscan cuisine in a beautiful setting

L’Harmoni – busy main restaurant with buffet right by the pool for breakfast, lunch and dinner

Le Mahogany – stylish beach bar for cocktails

Restaurants at Paradis Beachcomber Golf Resort & Spa

La Ravanne – delicious Mauritian kitchen with secluded tables

Brabant – the  main restaurant overlooking the pool

La Palma – Italian restaurant with romantic tables by the sea

Blue Marlin – lively and delightful fish restaurant

Spa

At the beautiful spa with its large pool, sauna, hammam and gym, there is a variety of wellness and Ayurveda treatments on offer.

Honeymoon & Wedding

Honeymoon Special/Jubiläum
30% discount for honeymooners, for couples celebrating their 5th wedding anniversary and after that, every consecutive 5th anniversary. Additionally, a bottle of sparkling wine, a fruit basket, a T-shirt, a pareo (for honeymooners), a gift (anniversaries) plus a daily 2-course lunch when booking half board.

This offer is valid for up to 12 months after the wedding date and six months before or after the anniversary date, respectively. Children can stay with their parents. This offer may be combined with the extended stay discount of 10%. The discount also applies to catering surcharges.

Destination Wedding & Vow Renewal Special
25 % discount for the guests of the bride and groom

Activities

Activities (included): Windsurfing, sailing, snorkeling, water skiing, pedal boats and kayaks, glass bottom boat tours, yoga, use of tennis courts, stand-up paddling equipment, two gyms and exercise room, table tennis and Boccia.

Finde den Fisch!

Activities (own expense): Golf (access to the 18-hole 72 par Golf Course & Golf Academy, Golf du Château and Tamarina Golf Estate & Beach Club), scuba diving, deep sea fishing, kitesurfing and stand up paddling lessons, tennis lessons and mountain bike rental.

Conclusion

The location of this luxurious resort is unique! The view of Le Morne Mountain is breathtaking. The suites are an excellent choice – after just a few steps you are at the pool or on the beach. Even though the hotel has many rooms, you still have the impression that you are almost alone, except when at the restaurants of course. Although the big restaurants are quite full, you have a variety to choose from.  We even quite often had the big main pool all to ourselves, as every unit has its own pool. We found it gloriously relaxing and very romantic. A great nature experience!

We thoroughly enjoyed the majestic view of the mountain, the beach and our suite and we will miss our morning swim, breakfast on our terrace and the aquariumlike snorkeling. It was terrific! We can highly recommend Dinarobin!

Rooms: 172 Suites (Junior Suites, Club Junior Suites, Club Junior Beachfront Suites and Club Senior Beachfront Suites) and three luxury villas
Transfer: Dinarobin is about 45 km from the capital, Port Louis and about 70 km or an hour’s taxi drive from Airport Mauritius
Taxi: We can highly recommend Dany (Tel. Nr.: +230 5946-2899). Very reliable and nice!
Vaccinations: Not necessary
Air Temperature: 15 – 36 degrees Celsius
Water Temperature: 23-30 degrees Celsius
Best Travel Time: Summer: April – May & September – November. Wet: December – April Winter: May – November (cooler and drier).  Mauritius has a tropical climate with year-round heat. Thanks to the south-east trade winds, it never is too humid.
Time difference: CET + 4 hours
Price: Junior Suitefrom 144 EUR per night including breakfast; Zen Suite from 390 EUR per night including breakfast
Romantic highlight: Romantic breakfast on your own terrace
Special features: Amazing location with Le Morne Mountain as a dramatic backdrop, fantastic beach, great for snorkeling, amazing restaurants
Perfect for: honeymooners, couples, people seeking peace and quiet, romantics, nature lovers and families

Dinarobin Beachcomber Golf Resort & Spa
Le Morne Peninsula
Case Noyale 91202
Mauritius
(+230) 401 4900
(+230) 401 4901
www.beachcomber-hotels.com

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Please Note: Our stay was sponsored by Dinarobin Beachcomber Resort. Our heartfelt thanks! Nevertheless, the opinions expressed in this article are 100% our own!  

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Our second dream wedding ceremony, Sumba Island, Indonesia – Wedding Vow Renewal the Sumbanese way

Asia, Asien, Hochzeit, Honeymoon, Indonesia, Indonesien, LHW, Sumba Island, Sumba Island, Video, Wedding 2 Comments

A love story with heart, high priests, buffalo & frangipani

Well, would you marry your husband again? After we had an unforgettable wedding in the Seychelles in 2012, we decided that our vow renewal should also be very special. When we got married, we promised that we would renew our commitment to each other every 5 years. So, for our 5th wedding anniversary – we wanted to say I do again in one of the most beautiful places in the world.

Moving pictures of our beautiful wedding ceremony – by Bali Light Cinema

Our choice for our vow renewal fell on Sumba Island – an almost untouched island in Indonesia. The award-winning Nihi Sumba Island Resort would provide the perfect setting for our spectacular vow renewal ceremony – it is an extraordinary luxury eco-resort in a beautiful bay with a long, secluded beach.

The journey to Sumba is very long indeed –  the most beautiful places are probably those not easily reached. And that is precisely why this island has been able to preserve its wild beauty. Once you arrive, after about a 50-minute flight from Denpasar, Bali at the small Tambolaka airport on Sumba, you will be picked up by a Nihi staff member in a cool jeep and then it is about a one and half hour trip across the island to the resort.

We stayed in the beautiful Mendaka villa – one of 32 unique villas in the Nihi Sumba Island Resort (our article) >>.

One of the unique things about Bali and Sumba Island is that a woman is always addressed as Ibu and a man as Babak – that is so sweet and endearing and makes you feel welcome immediately.

On October 5, 2017, it was finally time. While I was being styled and pampered in a beautiful, very relaxed atmosphere on the first floor, Marcus was waiting downstairs on the ground floor at the pool.

After a relaxing manicure and pedicure, Mitha, a dear Nihi employee, did my hair and make-up. In all honesty, I would have preferred to keep my curls, but that’s just the way it was. And if you get married abroad, you should always be open-minded.

I found it a bit flustering that in comparison to the first time, all of a sudden we had four people milling around us. Our photographer, Jason Childs, the two guys from Bali Light Cinema and Hilda from Bali Diva Weddings, the cinematographer.

Loraine, the Nihi hotel manager, made two beautiful Frangipani bridal bouquets herself so that I could choose the one I liked most.

Luckily, after some rain showers, the sun came out in the afternoon. Of course, our first choice was to get married on the beach, but even if it rained, there was a Plan B under the shelter of the trees. Loraine passionately did everything she could to find us the perfect spot.

Of course, if you get married on Sumba, you have to wear a traditional Sumbanese warrior garment.

Renewal of Vow Package from USD 981++

  • NihiOka Spa Safari, including a visit to a nearby Sumbanese village, breakfast and lunch on the cliffs, as well as a range of spa treatments, from massages and reflexology to salt scrubs and mud wraps
  • Traditional Sumbanese vow renewal performed by Sumbanese high priests
  • Romantic dinner in a restaurant of your choice

A proper traditional Sumbanese wedding also would have included chicken heads – but we decided to go ahead without those!

This beautiful backdrop is where our wedding ceremony took place. We love Frangipani and as with our wedding in the Seychelles – they were everywhere.

The Sumbanese farmers bring their buffalo to walk on the beach every day. If you would like to, you can book them for your wedding. A fantastic, unique photo opportunity and apart from that, they are so cute and friendly-natured!

The ceremony was performed by two Sumbanese high-priests. The service was held in the traditional Bahasa language and unfortunately, we did not understand a single word, but it was very touching. Luckily Nina, another kind Nihi employee, was there to interpret for us. Most impressively, they called the gods and asked them to bless us.

Some of the pictures are even from Nina, who took them with her cell phone.

A fire was even lit in our honor. And after a glass of sparkling wine and sushi (!), we still had time for a few photos before sunset.

The fact that the buffalo were there during the entire ceremony was a dream came true!

The endless long beach belongs to the resort, so you really have it all to yourself – that is the ultimate luxury and a one of a kind experience.

Since I am a wedding photographer myself, of course, I just had to take a few of my own pictures.

After the wedding, we directly went back to the resort and had a romantic dinner on the beach in a beautiful quiet and romantically decorated spot. One of a kind!

The loving attention to detail and kind service are exceptional at Nihi!

And when Mitha, Asna and Nina serenaded us, the floodgates opened… As a highlight, there were fireworks – just for us on the beach! Simply fantastic!

In the villa, everything was lovingly decorated and there were even a personal message and a small gift.

Once again, we experienced a moving, heartfelt day with an unforgettable wedding by the sea. Just like the first time, it was exciting, romantic and beautiful! And of course, I just had to go into the pool to trash my dress.

The Nihi team went out of their way and surprised us time after time. Whether with the stunning frangipani bridal bouquet, the buffalo, the fantastic decoration of the wedding venue, the sparkling wine and sushi on the beach, the wedding cake, the touching serenade or the stunning fireworks – with so much love they made our day extraordinary.

The day was unforgettable and will remain in our hearts forever!

Further information

Wedding Cinematography – Bali Light Cinema
We sincerely thank Bali Light Cinema and Bali Diva Weddings for accompanying us on our special day and for capturing our memories. They are just beautiful and now we can experience the day again and again. For weddings in Bali and the surrounding areas, we can really recommend them for photos and cinematography!

Photography – Jason Childs
Australian photographer, Jason Childs shot the great pictures. Actually, he is a famous surfer photographer and only shoots weddings for friends. We are so grateful that he accompanied us to our vow renewal ceremony.


NIHI SUMBA ISLAND
Front Office: (+62) 811 3978 550
fo@nihi.com
www.nihi.com

Leading Hotels of the World – Elite-Mitglied
The World’s Most Romantic Hotels – Travel+Leisure 2018
#1 Hotel in the World – Travel+Leisure 2016, 2017
Destination Resort of the Year – AsiaSpa Awards 2015

Our Dream Wedding in the Seychelles:

moniquedecaro-2

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Note: We financed the Wedding Vow Renewal Package ourselves.  

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Nihi Sumba Island, Indonesia – Wild Romance in the Tropical Luxury Hideaway

Asia, Asien, Honeymoon, Indonesia, Indonesien, Interviews, LHW, social commitment, Spa, Sumba Island, Sumba Island, Video, Wedding 0 Comments

Luxury Tourism & Social Engagement in an Exotic Jungle Paradise

Nihi Sumba Island by Christopher Burch – wild, romantic and perfect for anyone that would like to escape to paradise. This exotic luxury hideaway can be found secluded in a beautiful bay in the middle of the tropical jungle on Sumba Island. In true Sumbanese style, it offers luxury and relaxation to romantics, adventurers and surfers with a private beach and a view to die for.

After the American entrepreneur, Christopher Burch, fell in love with Sumba himself after visiting several times,  he decided to buy the small surfer retreat from fellow American couple, Claude and Petra Graves in 2012. Together with the hotelier James McBride, he completely transformed it into the luxurious and romantic hideaway with a charismatic profile – Nihi Sumba Island, formerly known as Nihiwatu. Chris strives to preserve the innocence of the island and in spite of all its luxury, keep its carbon footprint as low possible. He, for example, bought an additional 230 hectares of land for nature conservation, of which only a maximum of 26 hectares should ever be built on.

The travel world is ready for change. The idea of a traditional five-star resort, in which we bring all our expectations of glamour and home with us, then sequester ourselves in a gated property that tries to deliver them, is fading. Instead, we increasingly want basic humble things and meaningful connections. And of course, people want authenticity.”
-Chris Burch

Luxury holiday with Purpose
Sumba Island is twice as big as Bali, but with only 750,000 inhabitants sparsely populated. To date, the island has preserved its original beauty and Sumbanese culture – wildly romantic, like Bali 30 years ago. However, many people are still impoverished on this remote and untouched island. Nihi Resort now offers employment to some of them and thus the prospect of a better life.

With almost 400 employees (mostly locals) for the 32 villas, Nihi has an impressive staff-guest ratio. And thanks to the Sumba Foundation, the core of Nihi Sumba, it also makes an essential contribution to the local people as far as malaria control is concerned. In many places employees can now also build new houses for themselves and their families.

“The Edge of Wildness”

Already at Denpasar airport in Bali you will be picked up by one of the friendly Nihi staff members and escorted to the gate or the lounge. After a short 50-minute flight with Garuda Indonesia, offering daily flights to Sumba, you will reach the small airport, Tambolaka.

From here your journey continues with a safari jeep to the resort. With fresh coconuts in hand and exciting views of the island, you then reach the resort after an hour and a half’s drive.

The luxury resort offers the following: 32 individual and spectacular pool villas, a unique spa, NihiOka, an open-air restaurant with ocean views, the Nio Beach Club, a Boat House with a bar, a yoga pavilion, a chocolate factory, horse stables and a fantastic infinity pool directly by the sea.

Since the beach belongs to the hotel, it is as deserted as these pictures show. You will only encounter a few riders on horseback and if you are lucky, a Buffalo herd that the Sumbanese farmers bring out to the beach every day.

© Jason Childs

The Perfect Place for Romance
After we got married on the dreamy beach, Anse Source d’Argent in the Seychelles in 2012, the extraordinary Nihi Sumba Resort would be the romantic and special place where we would renew our vows in October 2017 on our the 5th wedding anniversary.

©Jason Childs

Villas

All the villas in this resort have exotic Sumbanese names and are entirely different and unique in their design. The villas have one to five bedrooms, signature canopy beds, carefully selected furniture, are decorated with attention to detail, have chic mini-bars with liquor and handmade chocolates, pools and often dramatic views of the Indian Ocean.

Mendaka

This beautiful one bedroom duplex villa was our home for our vow renewal ceremony. Together with five other villas, it is the crown jewel of Nihi Sumba Island and is part of the estate owned by Chris Burch.

The villa has a covered terrace, a semi-open living room, an outdoor lounge, a quaint open bathroom, a metal bathtub on the terrace on the first floor and a pool with breathtaking views – all in all strikingly beautiful!

The bathtub from which you can watch the stars at night and have incredible views to enjoy during the day is a dream!

In the mini-bar, you will find everything your heart could desire!

You also have panoramic ocean views from the open bath and outdoor shower.

Lulu 

This villa offers spacious rooms, great stylish design with a lot of natural stone, one to two bedrooms, a fabulous outdoor patio with a Bale, an infinity pool and a chic outdoor shower.

Lamba 

The Villa Lamba 1 is situated directly next to the Boat House. It has a massive terrace with infinity pool and sitting area, a stunning semi-open bathroom with a gigantic bathtub, an outdoor shower and signature Nihi canopy bed.

The other villas with melodic names such as Haweri, Puncak, Santoro, Wamoro, Kasambi, Marangga, Kanatar and the Mamole Tree House, also offer exceptional luxury in their own unique way. The Mamole Tree House was just chosen as the “Most Beautiful Treehouse in the World” by the Telegraph.

Restaurant & Bar

Ombak Restaurant | Breakfast

Breakfast is served in this open-air restaurant with magnificent sea views. While watching the surfers riding the waves, you can enjoy some delicious egg dishes, freshly squeezed juices and fresh fruit.

Nio Beach Club | Lunch

The Nio Beach Club is located directly next to the pool and in the afternoon grilled dishes, burgers and freshly prepared pizzas baked in a wood-fired clay oven are served. Lunch and snacks are also served by the pool…

… but you can also enjoy lunch on the terrace of your villa if you prefer to do so.

Boat House und Bar | Sunset Cocktail

The quaint Boat House is the meeting place for surfers and water sports enthusiasts and in the evening a beautiful place to enjoy the sunset from with an exotic cocktail in hand.

Ombak Restaurant | Dinner

In the evening, the Ombak restaurant is the hub of social activity and it has a very romantic ambiance. If you would like to, you can even dine with your feet in the sand. Fresh produce from the organic garden and local fresh fish are served.

For special events, there are many romantic spots – also directly on the beach.

Barbecues
On select evenings a scrumptious Barbecue buffet is served.

Chef Clinton stems from  South Africa. He and his team serve mouthwatering local and international dishes.

The overall mood at the resort is very relaxed with a feel-good atmosphere.

Wedding & Honeymoon

For our 5th wedding anniversary, we renewed our wedding vows at Nihi Sumba. The vow renewal ceremony took place on this fabulous beach with Sumbanese priests. An extraordinary experience – report to follow!

© Olaf Kotzke (Nihi)

Renewal of Vow Package from USD 981++

  • NihiOka Spa Safari, including a visit to a nearby Sumbanese village, breakfast and lunch on the cliffs, as well as a range of spa treatments, from massages and reflexology to salt scrubs and mud wraps
  • Traditional Sumbanese vow renewal performed by Sumbanese high priests
  • Romantic dinner in a restaurant of your choice

© Nina (Nihi)

In the evening we had a very romantic dinner in the Nio Beach Club complete with wedding cake, serenade and stunning fireworks on the beach.

Experiences

Water Sports

With this cool crew, you can surf, fish, paddle or go snorkeling.

The waves in the bay are perfect for surfers. Surfers from all over the world come here to surf “Occy’s Left.” To ensure that everybody gets a turn a maximum of only ten surfers are allowed at the resort.

Spa & Wellness
At the NihiOka Spa, approximately a half hour drive away, you will be spoiled all day long with unlimited spa treatments at this genuinely unique Spa. Our report >>

Horse riding
The resort has its own stables on the beach. If this is your thing, I can’t imagine anything more beautiful than a horse ride on this beach!

Chris & Charly´s Chocolate Factory

In the chocolate factory, you can learn how to make chocolate. The mini-bars in the villas are also stocked with these delicious chocolates.

Yoga, Yoga Retreats, Waterfall Hikes and visits to a nearby Sumbanese village are also on offer.

Sumba Foundation

While we stayed at the resort, there was a touching presentation on the Sumba Foundation that took place during a Barbecue evening. It is a private, non-profit aid organization that the former owner of Nihi, Claude Graves, founded in 2001 and that has since then provided humanitarian aid.

“Its not about perfect, its about beautiful” -Chris Burch

On this evening, the owner of Nihi and supporter of the Sumba Foundation, Christopher Burch, even attended the presentation. He supports the local Sumbanese population with a lot of heart and has expanded the work of the foundation considerably.

With education and through the construction of seven malaria clinics, Malaria has already been reduced by 75% on the island and around the Nihi resort by 93%!   Over the past 14 years, the foundation has established more than 11 elementary schools and has also equipped a mobile ultrasound for pregnant women, built 48 wells and provided clean water to 172 villages. (More info)

Every day the children in the schools get a free lunch. On tour, Nihi resort guests can also help to hand out the meals, if they would like to.

You can either have a look on the website at “Pack for a Purpose” or ask Nihi Resort before your trip what the children’s needs are at that moment. We brought along coloring books, pencils, erasers, crayons and footballs  – they just loved it!

You should definitely join the Sumba Foundation’s Project Trips and visit a malaria clinic and a school. It is fascinating and absolutely impressive to see what they have already achieved here. The passionate Rainy accompanied us on our trip.

Sumba Foundation
Kenny Knickerbocker, +62 (0) 813 3956 6103, Kenny@sumbafoundation.org
www.sumbafoundation.org

Conclusion

The resort, the natural surroundings and the villas are a dream. The view from the pool at Villa Mendaka is spectacular! The local staff is lovely and warm-hearted! We had an idyllic vow renewal. Unfortunately, some things went wrong during the organization and planning, so not everything was perfect. So what? As Christopher Burch said – it’s not about being perfect, it is about being beautiful. And it indeed is beautiful here! This almost untouched island has such flair. With a heart for its employees, an extraordinary concept, tasteful and unusual design, its nonchalance and social commitment, it is no wonder that the NIHI resort has been chosen as the “# 1 Hotel in the World”  for the second time in a row.

Room: 32 spectacular villas (1 to 5 bedrooms)
Flight duration: About 50 minutes from Denpasar Airport, Bali
Transfer: About a 90-minute drive from Tambolaka Airport. Shuttle service from the airport to the resort in a Nihi Jeep is an additional USD 250 -per person
Air Temperature: 20 – 32 degrees Celsius
Best Time to go: Dry season: May – October; Rainy season – 3 months in the East and up to 5 months in the West: November – April; Best Time to go: April – July and from October to mid-December in the Southwest; Surfing season: May – September
Time difference: CET +8 hours
Price: From USD 750- per night per double room. Fully inclusive of the following: Full board and Soft drinks, Butler-Service, Minibar (stocked up once daily, including beer and spirits), Laundry, Sumba Foundation Project Trips, Stand-Up Paddle Boarding, Snorkeling, Group Yoga and Meditation Courses at the Yoga Pavilion. A minimum stay of three nights applies. Rates >>
Specials: Stay 4 & Pay 3; Stay 7 & Pay 5
Special features: Unique location in a beautiful bay, magnificent deserted beach, exceptional villas, incredible spa safari, easy going atmosphere, travel and making a difference
Perfect for: Surfers, couples, nature lovers, romantics, honeymooners and adventurers


NIHI SUMBA ISLAND
Front Office: (+62) 811 3978 550
fo@nihi.com
www.nihi.com

Leading Hotels of the World – Elite member
The World’s Most Romantic Hotels – Travel+Leisure 2018
#1 Hotel in the World – Travel+Leisure 2016, 2017
Destination Resort of the Year – AsiaSpa Awards 2015

More interesting articles:
Travel+Leisure – The Rebirth of Indonesia’s Sumba Island
The Points Guy – Video Interview With Chris Burch and James McBride

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Please note: Nihi Sumba Resort partially sponsored our stay. Thank you so much! The opinions expressed in this article are nevertheless 100% our own!

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Our Spa Tip: NihiOka Spa Safari – a Unique Jungle Spa Experience by Nihi Sumba

Asia, Indonesia, Spa, Sumba Island, Video 0 Comments

A perfect wellness day on Sumba Island’s wild coast

A healthy breakfast with stunning views of the Indian Ocean, spoiling yourself all day long with one spa treatment after the other, enjoying a swim in the ocean and then relaxing in your villa – in other words, an absolutely perfect day! And this is precisely what you get to experience at the NihiOka Spa on the Indonesian, Sumba Island. The island is 400 km from Bali and famous for its natural beauty and untamed wilderness.

The spa safari is a new and unique concept and the brainchild of Christoper Burch and his partner James McBride – the owners of the nearby luxury Nihi Sumba Resort. It provides the ideal setting for unusual spa experiences at the other end of the world to anyone that enjoys wellness and massages. It is especially romantic for couples and honeymooners who can relax and be pampered in complete seclusion all day long.

The NihiOka Spa is located on Sumba Island’s rocky west coast from where you have breathtaking views of the ocean ​​and the setting sun.

Your wellness day starts shortly after sunrise with a 90-minute hike through the gentle hilly landscape, extensive rice fields and a traditional Sumbanese village. You have the amazing opportunity to meet some of the villagers and buy local handicrafts.

However, if like us, you would prefer not to go on a hike so early in the morning, you can choose to be driven to the spa in a safari jeep and you get to leave an hour later.

Once at the spa, you cannot help but be overwhelmed by its natural beauty! The palm trees, the grassy rice fields and the vastness of ocean are balm for the eyes.

The spa only accommodates a maximum of six to eight guests at any given time, so you really are undisturbed.

After the trek, you are welcomed at the spa with cold towels, healthy green juice and fresh coconuts.

Once settled, we were asked to read through the list of spa treatments and select as many as we would like  – heaven on earth!

You are spoiled from head to toe – at whatever pace allows you to completely unwind as you have all day to relax and indulge. Facials, full body massages, cooling and rejuvenating wraps, body scrubs and foot reflexology, all treatments are done with natural and local ingredients.

NihiOka Spa Safari Treatments

Nihioka Signature Massage | Deep Tissue Massage | Sumbanese Head Massage | Sun Kissed Body Wrap | Hydrating Hair Smoothie | Softening Salt Glow Srub | Sumbanese Lulur Exfoliation | Reflexology Foot Therapy

Then, it’s time for breakfast. A therapist accompanies you past some palm trees and a gorgeous infinity pool with sunbeds to your own tree house.

Once in the magnificent tree house, you are served a delicious, healthy breakfast, consisting of fresh juices, cereals and fruit. The view of the ocean and the private beach is picture perfect!

In the quaint treehouse kitchen, they can even cook you some eggs and bacon.

The employees of Nihi are extremely friendly and warm-hearted.

After breakfast, you go back to your own secluded private villa (Bale) with its own freshwater pool. Here you can then spend some time relaxing.

In the open treatment room in the middle of the jungle, with the sound of birds and crashing waves, you are pampered all day long.

Inch by inch you are spoiled with unlimited treatments: a full body massage, facial, exfoliation, hair treatment and foot reflexology, what more can one wish for!

Between the countless treatment therapies, you can relax in the privacy of your own small villa with open bathroom, a pool surrounded by coconut palm trees or on your small private beach by the crystal clear waters of the Indian Ocean.

In between, a fresh vegetarian lunch including some banana leaves with quinoa salad, rice noodles and tomato gazpacho is served.

After this unique wellness day experience, you are driven back to the hotel in one of the safari vehicles.

What makes Sumba Island and Nihi so unique, are the incredible employees. They are the ones that make this relaxing experience perfect in every way.

Honeymoon

As we renewed our wedding vows at the Nihi Sumba Resort, our Spa Safari was already included in our Wedding Package.

Conclusion

At the end of this mind-blowing wellness day, we felt entirely blessed and so relaxed. We thoroughly enjoyed every moment! The surroundings are devastatingly beautiful and the treatments done lovingly by the therapists, were blissfully relaxing. To be pampered for an entire day at this price is a one of a kind experience not to be missed.

Flight: a 50-minute flight from Denpasar with Garuda Indonesia (currently with daily flights)
Transfer: one and a half hours with Nihi-transfer to Nihi Sumba Resort and then a 90-minute hike to Nihi Oka Spa or a 30-minute jeep ride
Price: Packages start at USD 495++ for a half day per couple or from USD 695++ for a full day per couple.

NIHI SUMBA RESORT
Front Office
(+62) 811 3978 550
fo@nihi.com
www.nihi.com/experiences/spa-safari

The Nihi Sumba Resort was honored as the Destination Resort of the Year at the Asia Spa Awards in 2015. Conde Nast Traveller has voted it the number one Hotel of the World for two years in a row and it is a luxury resort and elite member of the Leading Hotels of the World.

Do you like this article? Then, please make our day and share it!
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Please note: We funded our stay at the Nihi Oka Spa ourselves.

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Fivelements Puri Ahimsa, Ubud, Bali – an Exclusive Eco-Wellness Retreat with Gourmet Vegan Cuisine

Asia, Bali, Ecotourism, Honeymoon, Indonesia, Interviews, Sustainable Tourism, Videos 0 Comments

Wellness for body, mind and soul

This award-winning healing and wellness retreat has won over 30 awards and is located directly on the sacred Ayung River, just outside Ubud. Surrounded by beautiful nature, you can stay in one of nine luxurious and romantic suites and spend your days relaxing and recuperating with a variety of spa and healing treatments. Guests from all over the world come here to take advantage of the retreat’s healing therapies.

The eco-friendly retreat was opened in 2010 and is built like a small Balinese village. Even when it is fully booked, you are still surrounded by perfect tranquillity.

It is the ideal sanctuary to escape the stresses of modern day life, eat healthily and take care of your body and soul in an environmentally conscious surroundings. Perfect for a romantic getaway and for taking some time out to focus exclusively on healing and well-being.

Interview with General Manager Sang Made Parmana

 “love in action”, a vision of learning to love and respect life

The retreat offers customized healing programs, blessings and rejuvenating spa therapies inspired by the ancient Balinese wisdom of releasing negative energy and harmful toxins from the body, mind and soul.

As part of the holistic healing experience, menus are inspired by living raw foods and sacred art practices such as meditation, martial arts and yoga are offered. The retreat aims to raise health and well-being to a whole new level.

We invite you to step inside and enjoy the beauty and pleasure of feeling nourished, loving your life, adoring yourself and accepting the world, being present, generous and grateful every day.

The large pool and heated hydrotherapy pool for Watsu water therapy sessions ensure complete relaxation.

Restaurant “Sakti Dining Room”

The Sakti Dining Room with its spectacular bamboo architecture is set in the midst of tropical gardens and koi ponds. The kitchen is dedicated to providing high-energy and innovative healing with its “Living Foods” concept, which includes raw vegan food and other easy-to-prepare, plant-based dishes.

The menu includes vegetarian soups, dahls, super-food salads, delicious raw desserts, fresh juices and smoothies.

With its vitamin and nutrient-rich kitchen, the restaurant has already won countless awards. We never thought that vegan food can be so tasty. But that it was – one artwork on a plate after the other and all so yummy!

Breakfast

Organic vegetables from the local garden are mainly used and the retreat supports local farmers and sustainable agriculture.

Lunch

Signature Chef’s Specialty Tasting Menu

The chef’s specialty tasting menus for lunch and or dinner with 3-, 5- or 7-course meals, are highly recommended.

Drink: Healing Root Elixier (Tumeric, Coconut Water, Tamarind Paste, Sweetener)
1st Course: Asian Salad (Cucumber Cup, Mix Salad, Pickles Carrot, Spiced Pumpkin, Herbs from our local Garden and Ginger Miso Dressing)
2nd Course: Purple Potato Medallion (Medallion made from purple Sweet Potato, Caramelized Onion Shell, Grilled Vegetable, Caramelized Portobello Mushroom, Beet Gel and Balsamic Reduction)
Dessert: White Chocolate Panacotta (Spirulina Crumble, Coconut Whipped Cream, Passionfruit Sorbet, Nut free Panacotta and Raspberry Sauce)

Dinner

Eco-Luxury-Suites

The distribution of the nine luxurious suites resembles that of a small village and they blend harmoniously into the tropical environment. They offer spacious, airy wooden verandas with beautiful views of the lush green landscape, waterfalls and the river.

The cozy bamboo suites have high ceilings, huge glass fronts, a sofa corner, recycled wooden floors, stunning open bathrooms with massive volcanic stone bathtubs on its own terrace.   Some of the villas also have their own private pools.

The suites are named after the five elements: Pertiwi (earth), Apah (water), Teja (fire), Bayu (air) and Akasa (space).

The bath products are made from natural ingredients by local farmers.

If you would really like to treat yourself, you can even order a pampering flower bath at the spa.

Afternoon tea can also be served in your suite as the terrace offers impressive views of the river.

The lighting is controlled by the use of an iPad and for example, allows for color therapy lighting in the bathtub in the colors of the seven chakras. Especially romantic in the evening!

Sustainability

The Fivelements promotes sustainability and environmental protection in many ways.  For example, the use of LED lighting saves 95% in electricity and the use of environmentally friendly ventilation fans saves about another 50%. The vast gardens are irrigated with rainwater and grey water is treated and recycled.

Healing Village

The beauty salon offers detoxifying body scrubs, relaxing aromatic baths, facials, manicures or pedicures. All beauty and spa products use natural medicinal plants and organic super ingredients.

Fivelements Sakti Ritual

This is a wonderful ritual to indulge in, especially for couples and it includes a footbath, followed by a  deep muscle relaxation body massage and a remineralizing crystal sea salt scrub with healing basil and lemongrass.

The scrub is then followed by a revitalizing bathing ritual consisting of five powerful healing substances: lemongrass for circulation, Balinese orange and lime provide the essential vitamins, while Pandan leaves and ginger awaken the senses and cleanse your head.

“Our Core Values: Sathya, Truth | Dharma, Right Conduct | Prema, Love | Shanti, Peace | Ahimsa, Non-Violence | K’shma, Forgiveness”

Sandi Prana Massage with Pak Gede
This healing massage is done by Balinese healers and is extraordinary! It is based on ancient wisdom passed on from one generation to the next. It is a combination of meditation, deep healing reflexology, acupressure and prana energy that is used to cleanse the body of toxins and energy blockages and it improves blood circulation and brings body, mind and soul in balance again.

The massage can be painful at times and bruising might even occur, but the results are so worthwhile. I had some very stiff deep muscle tension that Pak Gede released. Really amazing!

Fire Blessing Ritual

During the Balinese Fire Blessing Ritual, negative thoughts or unwanted energy are offered to the fire to be cleansed and transformed into more positive energy. The ritual also helps you to let go of unwanted aspects of your life.

This ancient ritual begins with meditation in the Agni Hotra ceremonial fire space, while you are listening to the hotri or ceremony priest, as he rings the Balinese bell, chants Sanskrit mantras and offers ghee and grains to the fire to evoke the Divine and blessings of health.

After lighting the fire, you are invited to make offerings of rice to the fire, the symbol of divine light, and to recite a mantra. The ceremony ends with a silent meditation. We found the Fire Blessing Ritual very moving!

Our tip: Once a month, on the day before full moon, a Full Moon Fire Ceremony – Agni Hotra takes place. If you are able to schedule your visit around this date, you should definitely do so, to experience this transforming healing ceremony. You can also attend The Fire Blessing Ritual without staying at the hotel. The Fire Blessing Ritual is €22- per person and includes a 3-course Gourmet Chef’s Tasting Dinner.

Behind the Scenes

We were allowed to look over Chef Joao’s shoulder while he prepared his amazing vegan art on a plate. You really have to see and taste it!

The Chef’s recipe for Ginger Miso dressing
15gr ginger juice, 50gr miso, 40gr lime juice, 20gr tamarind, 50gr olive oil, 120gr sunflower oil, 20gr honey, 40gr water, 1/8 tsp guar gum
(Mix all the ingredients except the oil together. Then slowly add the oil while stirring continuously.)

Activities

Exercise plays an important role in well-being. To improve the delicate balance between body and mind, the Fivelements offer yoga, meditation, drama, visual arts, dance, aikido, culinary courses, cleansing ceremonies, blessings and silent retreats to their guests.

Tantra Healing Yoga, Yin Yoga, Yin & Yang Yoga, Vinyasa Flow, Gentle Hatha Yoga, Ananda Meditation, Sacred Arts Healing, Expressive Arts, Cooking Classes, Nature Walks, Cycling, Beauty and Healing treatments, Healing Journeys, Fire and Water Blessing Rituals are available.

 

If you feel like being more active: A rafting tour ends directly in front of the suites.

Ubud

The beautiful and mystical town, Ubud, is definitely worth a visit. One of the hotel’s drivers will drop you off in town and there are local drivers on nearly every street corner that will gladly take you back. In the heart of Ubud you can do some really nice shopping, experience the local culture, go to the spa and have a bite to eat.

Conclusion

I have always wanted to visit the beautiful Fivelements. And it exceeded my expectations – it was relaxing and wonderfully romantic! The suites have loads of privacy, the huge bathtub and the great open bath are beautiful. The vegan cuisine was surprisingly more than just delicious and the treatments on offer at the spa are extraordinary and regenerates body, mind and soul. Fivelements is the perfect place to get to know different Balinese rituals, spend some romantic time-out or for your honeymoon.  In this serene space surrounded by beautiful nature, you can relax completely, find inner peace and leave everyday life behind.

Room: There are nine suites in total, two of them have their own pools: One with one bedroom and the other with two bedrooms.
Transfer: About 90 minutes from Denpasar airport, 60 minutes from Seminyak Beach and about 30 minutes from Ubud center.
Air Temperature: 21.5 – 32.5 degrees Celsius
Best Travel Time: Dry season:  May – October; Most popular: June – September; Rainy season: November – April (mostly just short rain showers, but it is also cheaper then)
Flight duration: With Emirates from Germany to Denpasar with a stopover in Dubai, for example, the flight time is approximately 15.5 hours.
Time difference: CET +8 hours
Price: From 220 EUR including breakfast. The Rejuvenation Retreat (Panca Mahabhuta) is available from 2400 EUR for 3 nights including full board, spa treatments and wellness therapies (more Info)
Special features: exceptional spa treatments, excellent vegan cuisine, beautiful suites with stunning bathtub on the terrace
Perfect for: couples, nature lovers, romantics, honeymooners, eco-tourists

Sakti Dining Room
7:00 – 11:00 | Breakfast
11:00 – 15:30 | Lunch
15:30 – 18:00 | Afternoon tea & snacks
18:00 – 22:00 | Dinner (last orders to be placed by 21:30)

Fivelements, Puri Ahimsa Banjar Baturning
Mambal, Bali, Indonesia 80352
+62 361 469206
contact@fivelements.org
www.fivelements.org

Professional Spa and Wellness Awards 2017 – Worldwide Health & Wellness Destination of the Year
AsiaSpa Awards 2016 – Destination Retreat of the Year 2016 – Rejuvenation Retreat Panca Mahabhuta
Luxury Travel Guide Awards 2016 – Luxury Wellness Retreat of the Year
World Luxury Restaurant Awards 2016 – Best Gourmet Vegan Cuisine
AsiaSpa Awards 2015 – Spa Cuisine of the Year
Lux Hotel & Spa Awards 2015 – Best Wellness Retreat – Indonesia
Luxury Travel Guide Awards 2015 – Luxury Wellness Retreat of the Year
World Spa Awards 2015 – Indonesia’s Best Wellness Spa
AsiaSpa Awards  – Spa Cuisine of the Year at 2014
AsiaSpa Awards – Spa Retreat of the Year at 2013
AsiaSpa Awards – Eco-Spa of the Year at 2012
AsiaSpa Awards – Destination Spa of the Year at 2011

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Please note: We funded our stay at Fivelements ourselves. Many thanks for the Sakti ritual, the fire blessing  and the Chef’s Lunch!

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