MoonRings

Accommodations

Staying in the right place can greatly enhance a visit to a particular destination. In some places, this may be an intimate bed & breakfast while in others, it could very well be a luxurious resort. One thing is for sure, this is our honeymoon and we aim to stay at what are arguably the top properties in each location. And, since we enjoy sharing our experiences, we'll tell you a little bit about our favorites.

Panama
Gamboa Rainforest Resort
The Bristol

Ecuador
Mansion del Angel
Kapawi Ecolodge & Reserve

Chile
Hosteria las Torres
Hotel Cabo de Hornos

Spain
Hotel Villa Magna - A Park Hyatt hotel

Africa
Victoria Falls Hotel
Selati Lodge at the Sabi Sabi Game Reserve
MalaMala Game Reserve

Australia
Medusa Hotel
The Kirketon

New Zealand
Punatapu Lodge
Whare Kea Lodge
Park Royal Christchurch
Hotel du Vin

Gamboa Rainforest Resort, Panama

Gamboa Rainforest Resort is a luxurious resort located on the Panama Canal, in the heart of the lush Panamanian rainforest. The resort was designed with the environment in mind, thus it provides a variety of educational and adventure experiences. The accommodations at the resort consist of 38 one and two bedroom villas and a 107-room luxury hotel. The villas, originally built in the 1930's and 40's, are the former residences of Panama Canal workers and their families and have been completely refurbished to capture the ambiance of the original buildings.

One of the attributes we liked most about the hotel were the spectacular views. The main lobby rises approximately 4 stories, with massive arched windows overlooking the pool area, the Chagres River and the hills of the rainforest. We had a similar view from the cozy hammock on our private balcony! And from the Marina Restaurant, which is on the grounds of Gamboa, you can watch ships make their way through the Panama Canal. Overall, the feel is luxury in the midst of pristine nature.

We stayed in a lovely Junior Suite, which was multilevel, and had two full bathrooms, the "master bathroom" being huge! The room felt tropical, airy, breezy and open with a nice balcony and incredible view. Even though we were in the rainforest, we still had creature comforts like cable television, a stocked refrigerator and central air conditioning.

There is quite a bit to do at the resort. We cooled off in the multilevel pool, complete with swim-up bar and numerous waterfalls. There are also a wide variety of ecotours through the rainforest and on the river. The hotel recently completed a $2.5 million aerial tram, which takes you over the rainforest canopy to a viewing deck overlooking the hotel and the river. Great views and lots to learn the whole way up! And, for you wildlife lovers, you'll be able to spot a number of exotic animals on the resort grounds, including the Capybara, which looks like a mix between a rabbit and a pig.

Finally, we found the level of service to be top notch. The staff were attentive, courteous and eager to make our stay as enjoyable as possible. On many occasions, a hotel employee went out of his or her way to answer questions and make special arrangements. We both had a great time at Gamboa and would certainly recommend it as part of a longer Panamanian honeymoon.

The Bristol - Panama City, Panama

Our final night in Panama was at The Bristol in Panama City. What a great way to finish our stay! Immediately upon entering, there is a sophisticated, elegant feel to the hotel. The lobby area has huge arched windows, marble floors, mahogany wood, beautiful flower arrangements and native Panamanian crafts and art in glass cases (like a museum). In all honesty, the high level of luxury took us by surprise, particularly for Panama. The restaurant and bar areas were equally as beautiful. You can eat in an outdoor atrium (all glass) with fountains and flowers, or indoors if you prefer. We found the food to be delicious! We were told that the chef is quite famous in Panama, and in fact, has her own TV cooking show.

As nice as the common areas are, we found the rooms to be even lovelier. Very cosmopolitan and rich in feel. When you enter, there is soft classical music playing on the stereo in the sitting room. And shortly thereafter, your personal butler arrives to bring complimentary fruit punch. We loved the huge, four poster bed in the bedroom area and the deep soaking tub in the bathroom. Our stay at The Bristol couldn't have been better. What a wonderful way to say good-bye Panama.

Mansion del Angel - Quito, Ecuador

The Mansion del Angel is an old mansion built at the turn of the century that has been completely renovated and turned into a small, intimate and exclusive boutique hotel. It is located in the "Mariscal Sucre" neighborhood of Quito, which is considered the city's traditional center of culture and gastronomy.

The front of the building, though well kept, does not do justice to the grandeur of the inside. There is a wall around the front of the residence so you do not really get the full picture until you go through the front gates. Once inside, you're treated to a courtyard full of flowers, potted plants, small trees, and a fountain with running water. The entranceway to the home is beautiful. All furnishings are in a Victorian style, including ornate chandeliers, marble tiling and hardwood floors. This creates an elegant atmosphere. One of the two main sitting areas off of the lobby has a fireplace, and guest can use this room to relax, read or enjoy a complimentary Ecuadorian tea (which is offered upon arrival).

Our room was very nice. It had a large bouquet of fresh flowers, and the furnishings were similar to the rest of the hotel. A Persian-style rug gave the room a rich, elegant feel. The bathroom was also nice, containing a large shower (probably five feet by three feet) with glass doors to the ceiling making for a hot steamy shower. The overall feel of the room is very romantic, with the four poster bed and flowers overlooking the mountains.

The Mansion del Angel is the ideal spot to stay while in Quito. From what we can tell, there's not a better place to be.

Kapawi Ecolodge & Reserve - Ecuador

Kapawi Ecolodge, located deep in the Ecuadorian jungle, is a true ecotourism project. The overriding goal of the project is to work with the Achuar indigenous community to provide a successful alternative to the traditional destruction created by enterprises (such as oil companies) in the Amazon Rainforest. The land on which Kapawi is built is leased by Canodros, S.A., and in the year 2011, the project will be given entirely to the Achuar.

We found Kapawi to be a truly enchanting place. A stay here is a living education, not just what you might recall from a textbook. It's hard to imagine finding another "resort" so far from the modern world that is both "luxurious" and yet so in tune with nature and the local culture. It's like being dropped into a National Geographic special, but without the harsh environment.

A little about how it works… guests are divided into groups of eight (at least for the week we were here). Each group has a naturalist guide and an Achuar cultural guide; together they take you into the jungle each day to experience it firsthand. They provide information on local plants, animals and the indigenous practices in relation to them (medicinal uses for plants, etc.). It is very competitive to get a job at Kapawi and the guides are top notch. They are very informative about the environment, and also very caring, interesting people. Most nights, we'd meet our guide at the bar a half-hour before dinner to talk about the next day's activities.

For those interested in the living conditions, they are quite excellent, all things considered. The best feature of every cabana is a private balcony with hammock and chairs overlooking the lagoon. Our cabana, no. 20, was on the end of the row, right next to the jungle. This has its advantages, such as more privacy since the cabanas are fairly close together, but it also has the disadvantage of having more "wildlife" than any other cabana. Each cabana has a private bathroom, consisting of a toilet and a shower with cold running water (the sink is actually in the main room). Hot showers are possible when it has been sunny for a few days (via solar power). Biodegradable soap is provided (can't use your own), as is purified drinking water.

Because of the location, the sounds of the jungle are very loud all day and night (frogs, howler monkeys, rain, birds, etc.). We loved it, but some other people had trouble sleeping and used earplugs. Overall, we would recommend Kapawi, without hesitation, to anyone interested in experiencing and learning firsthand about the jungle, as well as a local indigenous community, all in relative comfort and style!

Hosteria las Torres - Patagonia, Chile

Hosteria las Torres is certainly among the nicest places to stay within the Torres de Pain National Park where guests can get a private room and bath (there are only a few). Because of its location, Las Torres is an ideal accommodation option from which to begin or end a trek in the park (we found it to be a lifesaver).

The hotel was built to match its surroundings, and has the appearance of an "estancia" or ranch. Okay, it's more than just appearance as there are horses, sheep and other animals roaming the hotel grounds. It is situated between impressive mountains on one side and rolling green hills on the other. One of the many nice amenities offered by Las Torres is a meeting room which looks much like a ski lodge (shaped a bit like a rotunda). The room has a wood-burning fireplace, loads of comfortable chairs and couches, books and tables. We spent a few hours here recuperating from the trek, playing cards and chatting with a couple just beginning their trek.

The dining was also excellent (anything but refugio food). I had a fantastic hamburger for lunch, and Tiffany found a Turkey sandwich on the menu, a rarity in Chile. Dinner was equally as good. Overall, Las Torres is a great place to stay prior to or after completing a trek, or alternatively as a base from which to explore the park on day hikes.

Hotel Cabo de Hornos - Punta Arenas, Chile

While most buildings in Punta Arenas look quite weathered (due to the harsh climate), Hotel Cabo de Hornos is one of the most attractive in town. It is centrally located, just off the central plaza, which is convenient to virtually everything. It has a very European feel to it, especially the cool bar area. The hotel is a great base for exploring the region or planning a more significant excursion to Torres de Paine or Tierra del Fuego.

Our room was on the top floor, and offered a great view of Punta Arenas and the ocean. When we walked in, we were greeted with champagne, flowers and a basket of fruit, a nice honeymoon touch indeed! The service in the hotel was excellent. We had room service for breakfast, and it was timely and quite good. There are bellhops to help with bags, and everybody was quite friendly and professional.

This is definitely THE hotel of choice in Punta Arenas!

Hotel Villa Magna - Madrid, Spain

As we approached the hotel for the first time, it looked to be a comfortable place to stay. The exterior was nice but a little nondescript. Regardless of what we'd find upon entering the hotel, the location was ideal, just north of Plaza de Colon, near shopping, restaurants and many other amenities. It's also only a 15 minute walk to the Prado and Retiro Park, and another 15 minutes to Puerta del Sol and Plaza Mayor.

Our impression of the hotel changed a little upon entering. This wasn't just a "nice" place to stay, it was truly luxurious. Quite a contrast to the sleeping huts in Patagonia. The common areas were beautifully decorated with all the fine touches you'd expect in a 5-star hotel. The staff was attentive to our every need. One day, we forgot to remove the "do not disturb" sign from our door, and when we returned at 10:00 p.m., the hotel sent up a maid to do a quick cleaning before bed. One service we really liked was the daily weather forecast which was slipped under the door each night- extremely useful.

Speaking of the room, it couldn't have been nicer. The décor was elegant and fit perfectly with the feel of Madrid. The bathroom was really three separate rooms- one had dual sinks, one had the toilet and one had the tub and shower! On top of this, we had a great view of lively Castellana Street. And while there was plenty of activity on the street below, the room was silent. We slept like babies. Overall, we enjoyed every minute of our stay and we'd highly recommend it to anyone visiting Madrid.

Victoria Falls Hotel, Zimbabwe

The Victoria Falls Hotel is a beautiful, classic colonial style hotel, complete with white pillars and large windows. The hotel reflects upon its British colonial heritage with interesting historical black & white photographs, old postcards and vintage travel posters spread throughout the hotel's hallways, lounges, restaurants and guestrooms. The property overlooks the Victoria Falls Bridge and the Falls themselves, so that you can always see the mist of the Falls rising up as you dine or stroll through the grounds. Walking around the property at night, with the moonlit mist of the falls and kerosene lanterns lining the walkways is incredibly romantic. Perhaps the most charming aspect of staying here was the nightly newspaper delivered under our door. It was a replica of an actual newspaper distributed to guests on the same day in 1904, filled with news, articles and advertisements for the long-ago guests, adding to the hotel's historical ambiance.

Our room was lovely, with similar decorations as the rest of the hotel. Large French doors led out to a private balcony which overlooked the mist of the Falls and the occasional baboon strolling through the hotel grounds. Needless-to-say, we greatly enjoyed relaxing on the balcony! We ate a number of meals in the hotel, and thought the food was delicious and reasonably priced for the quality and portions.

The Vic Falls Hotel is certainly one of the nicest places we've stayed to date. After roughing it in Namibia, the refined, elegant atmosphere was most welcome.

Selati Lodge at Sabi Sabi Game Reserve, South Africa

Selati is one of three private lodges at Sabi Sabi in the Sabie Sand Game Reserve, which borders Kruger National Park in South Africa. The grounds are absolutely beautiful. Each cabana (there are eight in total) enjoys a high degree of privacy, most have a direct view out the back into the bush. As a result, from almost any structure in the lodge, guests may see wild game walking through. The property is not fenced in, so animals can and often do cross the lodge property. A few days before we arrived, a lion was seen drinking from Selati's pool at night.

Our home at Selati was the Ivory Suite, one of the nicest rooms we have ever stayed in. While every aspect of the room was top-notch, we loved the massive wooden 4-poster bed draped with exotic mosquito netting. The bathroom was about the size of your average hotel room. We were also fortunate to enough to have a private pool and an outdoor shower. This made the midday siesta truly heavenly and a little surreal - it's kind of strange to be lounging by the pool with giraffes grazing in the distance!

The Selati staff was amazing. Each guest is assigned a ranger and a game-tracker upon arrival at the lodge. The rangers know everything about the animals in the park and how to find them, and the game-trackers can tell you everything about tracks left by animals (time, type of animal, direction the animal was heading, etc.). Our ranger was Simon and our game tracker was Rexie, both of whom we can't recommend highly enough. Not only were they true bush experts, but they were fun to hang out with as well. We also became quite fond of Kate, Selati's world-class chef. We ate far more than we should have during our time at Sabi Sabi! Who could have imagined this type of dining out in the bush?!

Overall, we found Selati to be something close to Nirvana. The rooms are beautiful, the scenery is fantastic, the food is delicious and the staff is professional yet personable. At night the entire grounds, including the inside of our suite, were lit up with lanterns, which just adds to the romantic feel of the lodge (no electric lights anywhere on the premises). We can't say enough about the lodge, and feel fortunate to have experienced such a magical place.

MalaMala Game Reserve, South Africa

MalaMala is all about viewing game - everything at MalaMala is geared towards getting guests in front of wild game as often as possible and from as close a distance as possible. While the accommodations are certainly luxurious by African bush standards, the primary reason to visit is to see the animals. Each game drive seemed to us like a commando mission, with the ranger being constantly in touch (via headset) with numerous other vehicles traversing MalaMala's property (there are 3 lodges on the property). As soon as one of the "Big 5" animals is spotted (Lion, Leopard, Elephant, Rhino and African Buffalo), the Land Rovers descend on the find in orderly fashion -- no more than 3 vehicles may view a particular animal or herd at a time (that number is limited to 1 vehicle if cubs or other young are involved). Drivers will do whatever is required to get guests to the game, including driving through and over jungle, which we never would have imagined was passable until, of course, we actually drove over and through it. Each 4-hour drive is an intense mix between learning about game and viewing animals from close range. This was my second visit to Africa, and the seventh game park I have visited, and I can honestly say that the game viewing here far exceeded anything I saw at the previous parks.

The main lodge, where we stayed, has 25 suites and can accommodate just over 50 people at a time. We stayed in Suite 14, a luxury suite, which is cylindrical in shape and is covered by a great thatched roof. It has large windows, as well as a private deck that overlooks the Sands River. It also has two bathrooms! The main lodge building is a large meeting place with stuffed animal heads on the wall, wooden furniture, a beautiful fireplace, old photographs and many other things from the bush. It is the perfect place to have tea or a drink, and is attached to the bar area which is small but stuffed full of interesting artifacts and memorabilia. The food was very good and we never went hungry. We even ordered room service one night which was most enjoyable. During the early afternoon period, we took advantage of the rather neat "infinity" pool, which overlooks the river and seems to blend right into it.

Finally, the level of service at the lodge is second to none. The main lodge at MalaMala boasts a staff to guest ratio of over 3 to 1. Rowan, our ranger, did virtually everything for us, including: (a) wake us up in the morning, (b) take orders for each meal and serve us our food, (c) take us on each of our game drives and game walks, (d) eat with us during each and every meal, and (e) walk us back to our room at night to protect against the threat of nocturnal animals. MalaMala is top-notch and we'd recommend it to anyone!

Medusa Hotel, Sydney, Australia

Medusa is located in a converted townhouse, and is done in a similar modernist style to hotels like the Delano and Royalton in the United States. The big difference is that the guestrooms at Medusa are more spacious, which is obviously nicer for guests. The hotel was designed by Scott Weston, an award-winning architect from Sydney, and it shows. The lobby is simple, yet still unique. We also really liked how they always have a tray of apples out for guests (good late night snack).

Our room was incredibly colorful (reds, oranges, and browns)! We were told that no two rooms in the hotel are exactly alike. As is the case with most of the furniture, the wooden bed was on the funky side, although we sacrificed no comfort whatsoever. We also liked how the lights in the room "fade" both on and off (neat effect).

Overall, we really liked staying at Medusa. Although modern in every way, it is tasteful and most of all COMFORTABLE for the guests. The rooms are big for a hotel of this size, and contain amenities above and beyond those typically found at similar hotels. An added plus is its location in the vibrant Darlinghurst neighborhood. We'd love to stay here again on our next journey down under.

The Kirketon, Sydney, Australia

The Kirketon is located on Darlinghurst Street, a hip, young area lined with bars, restaurants and shops. In fact, in the evening, the hotel's restaurant and bar seemed to be the hottest spot in Sydney. It was THE place to be. How fortuitous that we happened to be staying right in the hotel!

Our room, no. 324, was fairly spacious and decorated in a modern, minimalist motif. Everything in the room was a shade of gray, white or silver, which contrasted nicely with the bright red carpeting. One unusual design element was a complete lack of artwork on the walls. Interestingly, it worked, giving the room a clean and modern, yet comfortable feel. The highlight of the room, however, had to be the incredible bathroom shower. The water falls from the ceiling in buckets as if you're being watered like a plant. Amazing! For toiletry connoisseurs, we also enjoyed the high-quality Aveda shampoo and conditioner. Finally, the hotel provides a special plastic travel bag so that guests can take the full-size bar of soap with them when they leave. This is part of the hotel's conservationist philosophy.

When we weren't enjoying the luxurious shower, or sipping cocktails in the hotel bar, we were out and about in the city. The hotel staff was extremely friendly and helpful - they regularly provided useful recommendations about restaurants and sights. We had a great time at the Kirketon and would absolutely stay there again.

Punatapu, Queenstown, New Zealand

Punatapu is located approximately 13 kilometers outside of Queenstown, on the road to a town called Glenorchy. The drive from Queenstown to Punatupu is worth doing in and of itself, as it winds through beautiful mountains and a number of pristine lakes. The lodge, owned by Pat and Sue Farry, consists of 5 small, wooden buildings surrounding a stone courtyard on the side of the hill. We had the feeling that we were somewhere in the European countryside as we first entered the grounds.

The principal building in the lodge contains the main dining room, a library, a sitting room and a "family room" with a large television, huge fireplace and pool table for use by the guests. As is the case with all of the structures on the property, everything is done with extreme attention to detail and good taste. Sue manages to mix the country setting with modernist New Zealand artwork and fixtures and it all seems to work perfectly together. We loved the two resident dogs. "Toa" was quite a ham.

Our duplex room was called the Barn and it was huge! The style of the furnishings was totally unique - a rustic country feel combined with ultra-modern touches. It is hard to describe the bedroom, as we have never seen anything like it. On one wall, for example, there were three patterned tapestries with random formulas printed on them. We particularly enjoyed the downstairs shower with its awesome dual showerheads. Finally, the food was delicious! Sue has created a wonderful lodge which works on every level. We both feel it is an ideal spot for honeymooners.

Whare Kea Lodge, Lake Wanaka, New Zealand

The Whare Kea Lodge is located about 5 minutes driving time outside of the town of Lake Wanaka. Upon arriving at the lodge, it was clear that the setting was going to be spectacular. The lodge is right on Lake Wanaka with views of the mountains and landscape surrounding it. When we arrived, Kelly and her yellow lab "Joansie" walked out to welcome us and show us to our room.

We entered the lodge and immediately loved the "great room", a warm and cozy living room with a cathedral ceiling, a fireplace and an entire wall of windows which provided incredible views. In addition to lounging around and staring out the window, it was easy to pass the time in the great room by playing billiards or browsing books from their large collection.

Our room, The Blue Suite, was fairly large with a bright, airy and contemporary feel. One wall was entirely made up of windows, which looked out over the lake and mountains. There were lovely fresh flowers in both the bedroom and the bathroom (a nice touch). The bathroom had an interesting turquoise tile floor, but the best part was the tub, which sat against a huge window, offering incredible views. Talk about soothing.

Finally, we had an incredible dinner one night - we loved the fillet of cod with couscous and an avocado relish. And the blackberry baked Alaska was to die for.

Park Royal, Christchurch, New Zealand

The Park Royal is a modern hotel located in the center of Christchurch adjacent to Victoria Square, a large park with trees, fountains and a waterway with working gondolas. We loved the location as it's within walking distance to great shops, restaurants and a casino.

The first thing we noticed upon arrival was the service - absolutely wonderful! The gentleman handling valet parking was one of the friendliest, funniest people we have ever met, and everyone (reception clerk, bell boy, concierge, went out of their way to be extremely nice, courteous and helpful.

Our room, # 1203, was a suite with great views of the city and mountains. The design was quite interesting with hardwood floors at the entryway, and the sitting room and bedroom divided by a curved wall. We also enjoyed the bottle of champagne, a fresh rose and a box of chocolates that were awaiting us when we entered.

One of the highlights of the Park Royal has to be the food. Their fine dining restaurant, Canterbury Tales, is one of the best in New Zealand. There's also a tasty Japanese restaurant called Yamagen. Finally, the Victoria Street cafe offers a nice casual dining experience. Overall, we can't think of a place we'd rather stay in Christchurch than the Park Royal!

Hotel du Vin, North Island, New Zealand

The Hotel du Vin was founded in the mid 80's when the owners decided to open the winery to guests. Good move. The grounds are absolutely beautiful. Most of the property is covered by vines, and beyond this area are hills dotted with sheep and cows. There is also a lovely small stream that runs down one side of the property, a great spot for a picnic lunch.

In addition to touring the winery, which we found both interesting and tasty (the wine at the vineyard consistently wins medals in international competitions), we were surprised by the number of activities offered, everything from archery to horseback riding. And as you might expect, dining and wine tasting are top notch. We loved the food and enjoyed learning about the wines from true experts.

When not out exploring the property, we relaxed in our terrific room - large, well decorated and with two bathrooms (no sharing!). Speaking of which, we had a massive hot tub that was probably large enough for four. Overall, the hotel is a secluded, private, wonderful place, which is perfect for honeymooners. Guests can stroll through the beautiful grounds and not see anybody for hours. The staff is laid back and friendly, as is the atmosphere at the entire hotel. Cheers!