Destinations

If you are looking for an incredible Amazonian experience that is relatively easy to reach, I highly recommend Anavilhanas Jungle Lodge just outside of Manaus, Brazil.
 
On the Rio Negro (which joins the Amazon River at Manaus) sits the Anavilhanas Archipelago, the world’s largest fresh water archipelago.  Anavilhanas is host to indigenous species of fish, local crocodiles (Jacaré), freshwater pink dolphins, manatees and hundreds of species of flora and fauna.  Mosquitoes find the naturally high ph of the river disagreeable, so as an added plus - the area is relatively mosquito free!
 
In the midst of the private reserve is the Anavilhanas Jungle Lodge. Approximately 3 hours drive from Manaus, this lodge is truly a class-act and the perfect answer for the guest who wants the Amazon experience without having to give up all modern comfort.  The Lodge is relatively new (just one year old) and the only one of its kind in this protected preserve.
 
Anavilhanas Jungle Lodge is owned and run by a delightful young Brazilian couple who thought of every detail to bring the best combination of nature, beauty and regional flavor to their guests. The local staff are equally wonderful, bringing an additional element of local warmth and friendly, attentive service.
 
Anavilhanas Jungle Lodge offers a variety of packages ranging from 3 – 6 days , for approximately $250 per person per day.  The packages (which include all transfers, meals and tour-guided activities) are an unbelievable value.  Each activity gives the guests the opportunity to learn and experience more about the area than they could ever do on their own. The guides are highly knowledgeable – with a unique depth understanding of the area and its history, and each able to communicate in numerous languages (for example one of the guides spoke fluent Portuguese, English, Italian, French, Spanish and German!) The activities include boating excursions, bird watching, piranha fishing, caiman hunting, nature walks, and swimming with pink dolphins - just to name a few.

 The buffet-style meals (three full meals, daily) feature delicious regional dishes, consisting of local fish, chicken, beef and pork dishes, local fruits, vegetables and freshly baked deserts.  After lunch or dinner, the guests may choose to convene in the open lobby area for conversation, to play pool or some of the table games provided (chess, checkers etc). This area also has a computer, Cable TV and a wonderful collection of books to study more on the Amazonas’ flora and fauna. 

I spent three days at the Anavilhanas Lodge and came away with one of the most memorable experiences of my life. The time went far too quickly – I am already planning my return to this hidden paradise!

Warm and sunny with a welcoming tropical feel, Zihuatanejo is a small local town along the West Coast of Mexico about 50 miles north of Acapulco.  September is the end of the rainy times along this coast so the air was full and warm.  The cozy town of Zihuatanejo, originally a fishing village at the outflow of a river valley located at the edge of the Bay, remains local and real in feel.   THE TIDES, a deluxe resort about 30 minutes walk south of town along the large bay, is located on a beautiful beach with sweeping views West towards the sunset.  Each evening we had  a magical light show of cloud-to-cloud lightning, thunder and relatively short but heavy downpours of rain ….  making all the greenery, flowers and plants lush and fresh for the morning. 
 
Quality is the underlying theme of The Tides.  Staff provides excellence of service, welcoming and discrete, and the cuisine in the restaurants along the beach as well as set back under an open air palapa is inventive, delicate and amusing both in presentation and taste.  Top level service all around.  Three bars, one at the beach, one nestled into the resort with table service for light meals and the third,  main restaurant,  with large pool with swim-up  bar alongside provided options to relax and enjoy.   Tennis courts, excellent private gym, water activities and a long beach gave more than enough options to relax or work out — depending on your wishes.     Dining at night provided top quality entreés, served with gracious and gentle subtlty by the local staff , was complimented by excellent wines, and even a ‘ bottled water menu’ which came accompanied by your choice of ginger, cinnamon, as well as lime, grapefruit or orange slices you could have placed in your  individual glass for an extra flavoring.  Very refined. 

The resort is top notch — adobe style two-story buildings with palapa roofs generously spaced amongst large fountained pools, woven between excellent landscaped and lawned areas ; most rooms had views of either gardens, the pools, the grounds or the sea.   Large, spacious rooms were done in muted tones and utilized local art works .  Each category of room had a special atmosphere and comfortable quality while providing  in-room amenities such as flat screen TVs, daily coffee/tea trays brought to your room as a wake-up gesture, in-room safes, minibars and twice-daily room service. 

From the moment you stepped through the main entrance into the reception area to the time you had to say farewell, there was no time that any request or wish was not fulfilled by the willing and warm staff at The Tides.

“Escape To Paradise!”

       The Five Star Lebua Hotel, at State Tower, lives up to its motto “Life is not worth living unless it is “simply exceptional”.  They provide simply exceptional amenities and exceptional services to make certain that your life is essentially as it should be.”  With that attitude, you know you will be treated like royalty.  Even the messages in the elevator said, “You were born free so break free from the expected, indulge in the exceptional and experience genuine care.”   

       Everything about the Lebua Hotel expresses a feeling of luxury from the lobby to their restaurants, suites, banquet rooms and even cocktail lounges.  Those “extras” really count.  Our spacious suite resembled a condo with a breathtaking view of the Chao Praya River and city of Bangkok from the balcony.  Their suites range from 66-266 square meters.  With over 330 count linens, silky feather Finesse bed mats, Bvlgari bath line amenities and a shower head that makes your shower more like a spa treatment, the Lebua Hotel seems more luxurious than our hotels in the United States.  And the prices are a fraction of the cost!  Lebua is a member of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World.  You can even have their Conde Nast accredited chefs cook in your suite. 

       The infinity pool on the roof of the Mezzanine provides an outdoor setting next to the state-of-the-art fitness center.  They offer a business center for “away from the office” needs.  The Lebua Hotel is near one of their outdoors markets where I photographed craftsmen weaving their flowers, Buddhist monks and street sellers.

       Lebua offers Wedding, Dining Experience, Luxury Getaway, the World Under Your Feet, and Amazing Experiences packages along with discounts depending on number of night’s stay. 

       Lebua Hotel, at State Tower 1055, Silom Road, Bangkok Thailand.   resvn@lebua.com       www.lebua.com