Paradise Found

By Jacqueline Miller

When it comes to luxury travel, there are get-a-ways around the world that few ever get to experience. Luxury without limits. Experiences like no other. The best of everything—anything you want, anytime. Exceeding every expectation. Here’s an inside peak at just a few of these breathtaking hideaways.

*This article was planned and written long before the COVID-19 virus impacted our lives. It is our hope that once life returns to normal, and it will, travel becomes an important part of our lives once again.

NORTH ISLAND RESORT

Jagger. The Clooneys. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. You never know who you’re going to run into at North Island Resort in the Seychelles. 

North Island is located amongst the inner granitic islands of Seychelles. Seemingly untouched, the natural beauty of this fertile paradise will touch and inspire you at the deepest level. The Seychelles are sometimes referred to as the “laboratories of evolution” and North Island biodiversity is living proof of this.  

With just 11 ocean-view villas, which are all hidden throughout the almost 500 acres of exquisite natural beauty, guests enjoy complete privacy, glowing white sands, granite peaks and turquoise waters. A huge infinity pool overlooks the Indian Ocean.

There’s also plenty to do there with activities ranging from snorkeling, diving, kayaking, paddle boarding, fishing, sunset cruises and exploring tropical trails by foot, bicycle or private buggy.  You can have a private picnic on one of the island’s four pristine beaches or enjoy deluxe dining at one of the Resort’s restaurants.

The Resort’s library allows escape to the shade and houses a large selection of books to choose from. You can also see some fascinating historical artifacts from the coconut plantation era.  The Island’s environment center is a treasure trove for learning about the island’s indigenous fauna and flora. It is also an interactive experience where you can talk to conservationists and learn what they are doing to create a “Noah’s Ark” in the Indian Ocean.

So how much does it cost to swim with Giant Aldabra Tortoises or swim with endangered sea turtles? A stay at North Island Resort will set you back around $11,000 a night. 

POST RANCH INN

Marketed as a “sanctuary for the soul”, Post Ranch Inn sits high atop the cliffs of Big Sur, 1200 feet above the Pacific Ocean, along one of California’s most scenic drives—Highway One. 

It is set amongst majestic state parks, beaches and waterfalls and is recognized as one of the top luxury resorts in the country. The only Big Sur hotel to offer an ocean view, Post Ranch is the perfect place for relaxation, romance and rejuvenation. 

Each of the 40 architectural and innovative guest rooms and suites offers a unique, luxurious experience with views of either ocean or mountain scenery. The rooms, which seem to blend seamlessly with the scenic beauty of the outdoors, are designed using earth tones with an emphasis on natural and sustainable materials, and feature custom furniture, rugs hand-woven by indigenous weavers and reclaimed wood, including old- growth redwood from wine casks, re-milled to create rich wood wall panels. 

Press materials about Post House accommodations tell us this:  

“With a deck suspended over the western edge of the ridge, the vast ocean views of the extraordinary Cliff Houses can be fully appreciated from the outdoor spa tub and large terrace, the indoor bath and the secluded glass-walled bedroom. The spacious curved interiors of the Pacific Suites open to an astonishing ocean view seen from the terrace, living room, bedroom and bath. Each suite is 960 square feet, with two suites in each two- story building. The location of the Peak Houses displays an expansive view of the Santa Lucia Range. The Ocean Houses boast a curved, beamed roof covered with a soft carpet of grass, with private ocean views enjoyed from the terrace, bath and bedroom. Each circular-shaped Coast House provides a comfortable seating area in front of the fireplace and glorious ocean views. The Tree Houses, triangular in shape, are elevated 9 feet off the ground on stilts, with stairway entrances. The Mountain House rooms are circular in design and offer views of dramatic mountain peaks. The Butterfly rooms are housed in a building designed to look like a butterfly with outstretched wings.”

But it is the resort’s Post House that is the masterwork of the property. With its pristine coastal views and elegant amenities. The 1800 sq. ft. Post House has an open-concept interior, a kitchen with skylight and designer appliances, a dining room, a media room, master bedroom and master bathroom, and a living room with sliding glass doors to the 1300 sq. ft. backyard and patio area with a multi-person hot tub. And the views? Expansive. Inspiring. Unforgettable.

FOGO ISLAND INN

Do you really want to get away?  Well then Fogo Island Inn, while pricey, may just be the still wild world you’re looking for. 

According to its website, “Fogo Island Inn sits on an island, off an island, at one of the four corners of the Earth.” Its 29 one-of-a-kind guest rooms and suites have dramatic floor-to-ceiling windows that open onto the wildest and most powerful ocean on the planet.

“A stimulating relief from the numbing uniformity of modern times, the award-winning Inn is built on the principles of sustainability and respect for nature and culture. The Inn is a community asset, and 100% of operating surpluses are reinvested into the community to help secure a sustainable and resilient future for Fogo Island, Newfoundland.”

To get to Fogo Island, fly into Gander, Newfoundland. From Tampa airport, there is flight on Air Canada direct to Halifax with a connection to Gander. Once in Gander, you can helicopter to Fogo Island, or take the passenger/vehicle ferry, with views of the stunning Hamilton Sound. All transfers and logistics can be handled by the Inn. 

With “seven singular seasons”, there’s lots to do on Fogo Island—there’s breathtaking hikes, a “near North” landscape that beckons exploration, iceberg hunting, bird watching, ice fishing, pond fishing, whale watching, lessons and lectures on subarctic landscape (they know every rock, berry, wildflower, pond, and creature that calls Fogo Island home), foodways, furniture making, music, or vernacular architecture. One can uncover the history, culture, and natural wonders of a place you can’t image exists. 

Since getting there is not so easy, the Inn promises “you will experience hospitality unlike anywhere else.” Food at the Inn is “grounded in this place and every meal, from daybreak through midnight and all points in between, is crafted using ingredients fished, farmed, and foraged right here.”

Your stay at Fogo Island Inn keeps the island strong.  The Inn is a “Shorefast social business” that optimizes for local employment and reinvests surpluses into the community. It is also a non-tipping community enterprise with employees participating in an incentive based-bonus plan, which is part of their compensation. A review of their recent “Economic Nutrition”, showed that 49% of the Inn’s gross revenue went to employee salary, bonuses, and benefits—much higher than most hotels. 

Pricing is all inclusive, with meals (not alcohol), a half-day orientation, and most excursions included. For its most expensive suite, the Flat Earth Suite, price is upon request. 

What are you waiting for?  Breathing air that is cleaner than just about anywhere on earth may be just what the doctor ordered!

VILLA MANZU

Billed as the “new trend in luxury travel…The intimacy of a private villa with the hospitality of a five-star hotel,” Villa Manzu is located within the lush grounds of the Peninsula Papagayo in Costa Rica. This eight-acre estate at just over 30,000 square feet sits on five acres of the isolated peninsula.  Its privacy has been worthy of stays by Kim and Kanye and other celebrities.  

The word Manzu, which means “friends”, comes from the Chorotegan language of the indigenous people of the Guanacaste area. The staff hopes that Villa Manzu becomes “a place where great friendships continue to grow and new ones are made”.

Hammocks, chairs and several restful areas dot the property as guests take in quiet moments while enjoying 180-degree sea views and watching monkeys cavort in the trees.  The small staff of 20 are very well educated in the Costa Rica history and surroundings, serving as guides for guests, and greatly enriching their experience. Villa drivers can whisk you around so you can explore beyond Villa Manzu.  

You can watch meals prepared by incredible chefs; select your wine from a well-stocked wine room; enjoy award-winning cigars; sip your cocktail at one of the several open-air bars. There’s a breathtaking spa on property that sits under a waterfall, and a yoga platform on the cliffs edge of the Pacific Ocean. A party room and home theater add to the fun, while the gym has the latest equipment. The heated swimming pool hovers over the forest below. 

A stay at Villa Manzu also gets you access to Playa Prieta Beach Club, a private club.  There’s also a secluded beach for guests only, accessed by a short, but steep hiking trail. Of course, there’s tons of things to do there, like kayak, standup paddle, ziplining, white water rafting, fishing for marling or sailfish, golf, horseback riding, biking, yoga and more. Most equipment can be taken right out of Villa Manzu’s “garage of toys”.

The eight villas have fifteen beds and can sleep up to 22 guests. They can also accommodate additional guests in another five bedroom home with equally beautiful views just down the street.  The Four Seasons Resort is only minutes away.

What about the weather you ask? Peninsula Papagayo experiences little rain and consistent heat from November to April, and a wet season from late May to November. The average temperature is over 85 degrees year-round, peaking in the spring. During the green season, rains usually pass over in the late afternoons, leaving the mornings full of sunshine, a fresh temperature and a green landscape. The aptly named green season hosts the best fishing, surfing, and water conditions. 

Now that we’ve piqued your curiosity about this magnificent property, no, you can’t just rent one villa. Villa Manzu is available exclusively, not by the room.