Nine secret hotels hidden in jungles around the world
THESE aren’t your average hotel rooms. Accessible only by boat, or located on the edge of mountains, here are nine properties that you’ll have to go the extra mile to see.
DO YOU want to get away? Do you want to fly away, far removed from the prying eyes of your colleagues and the stresses of everyday life?
Yeah? Well turn off that Lenny Kravitz song and pack your bags for a true escape.
Accessible only by boat, or located on the edge of mountains, here are nine jungle-based properties that are worth going the extra mile to see, according to travel website Trivago.com.au.
Whether it’s sharing your bed with squirrel monkeys in Brazil, or taking a luxurious dip in an infinity pool tucked away in tropical Balinese forests, they offer seclusion and the chance to get back to nature.
Whatever floats your boat ...
1. Six Senses Yao Noi in Phang Nga, Thailand
This five-star hotel is located on an island in the Phang Nga Bay between the cities of Phuket and Krabi, and is only accessible by boat. All of the 56 hotel’s villas are nestled within a tropical forest and include a terrace with a private infinity pool, along with a serene view of the ocean below and the beautiful limestone rock formations for which the bay is famous. The resort invites visitors to “enjoy with all senses” while dining in a private gazebo surrounded by palm trees — complete with a glass floor to observe the ocean below.
2. Rayavadee Hotel in Ao-Nang, Krabi Province, Thailand
Located on the edge of Krabi Marine National Park in Thailand, the Rayavadee Hotel is also accessible only by boat. With 98 pavilions and four villas, this luxury hotel has a pool area surrounded by palms, tropical gardens and coconut forests as well as an incredible restaurant tucked inside a limestone cave on the white sands of its beaches.
3. Daintree Eco Lodge and Spa Hotel in Queensland
In the middle of the biologically diverse Daintree Rainforest lays the Daintree Eco Lodge and Spa Hotel. The jungle oasis spa has a wide range of treatment options derived from the wisdom, medicine and spirituality of Aboriginal culture. The fifteen villbelmoas are equipped with white four-poster beds and paintings of Aboriginal art. From the balcony, guests may listen to the exotic birdsongs and enjoy a sweeping view of the oldest rainforests in the world.
4. Layana Resort & Spa in Koh Lanta, Thailand
Koh Lanta’s long, spectacular beaches paint a stunning picture of a tropical paradise. Fortunately, this small island in the Krabi province is not yet as flooded with tourists as many other Thai destinations, so it’s an ideal spot for travellers who are seeking a bit of seclusion.
The five-star Layana Resort & Spa offers visitors an assortment of excursions and activities — from Thai boxing to wine tasting, elephant trekking to cooking classes. Tucked away in the enchanting Mu Koh Lanta National Park, visitors are surrounded by a luscious forest landscape.
5. Royal Pita Maha Hotel in Ubud, Bali
On the outskirts of the town of Ubud in Bali lies The Royal Pita Maha. The luxurious villas are decorated with Balinese crafts and are built on the slope of a mountain — offering plenty of sun and a breathtaking view of the rainforest.
6. Ariau Amazon Towers Hotel in Manaus, Brazil
Deep in the Brazilian rainforest, at the union of the Rio Negro and Anavihanas island-archipelago lays the Amazon Towers Hotel Ariau. Its extensive network of boardwalks, suspension bridges and residential towers on Brazilian ironwood stilts forms this jungle accommodation where luxury meets wilderness. Squirrel monkeys are constantly spotted running through the premises. From the hotel, guests have the chance to swim with rare pink dolphins, canoe through Rio Negro, go hiking through the jungle, or try their hand at piranha fishing!
7. Banyan Tree Bintan Hôtel & Resort in Lagoi, Indonesia
This hotel is 45 minutes away by ferry from the urban jungle of Singapore. Guests may choose between a spa, swimming pool and a romantic dinner either on the beach or on the rocks. The resort villas are located in the rainforest and provide a broad view of the South China Sea.
8. Belmond La Residence d’Angkor in Siem Reap, Cambodia
Along the river in Siem Reap, the gateway to the temples of Angkor Wat, lies this property which is perfect for jungle-loving tourists. It features waterfalls and a saltwater pool set amongst palm trees and exotic plants. And wow, the views!
9. The Canopy Rainforest Treehouses in Cairns
In the forests near Cairns, the Eco-Rainforest Resort “Canopy Treehouses” welcome all jungle loving tourists. All six tree houses of the facility blend in visually with the surrounding landscape. Equipped with two bedrooms, a kitchen for self-catering, jacuzzi, and a balcony with barbecue and hammock, these tree huts perfectly suit the adventure tourist seeking a close-to-nature experience. Be awoken by the call of tropical birds like the Torre honeyeater or mask dwarf parrot.
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