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Day 2 at Jean-Michael Cousteau Resort in Fiji

Day 2 at Jean-Michel Cousteau resort started with waking up to the sounds of morning rain against the thatched roof of our bure.

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The room was still cozy so I made some local Fijian coffee with the coffee maker in the room and read for a bit before heading over to the main bure for breakfast.

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The staff is so personable here, they make sure you never go more than a few minutes without being asked if you need anything. I ordered a Flat White (my favorite Australian morning beverage) and the spicy omelette which was one of the featured specials.

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The rain continued intermittently throughout the morning, but that did not stop much activity. Guests were enjoying swimming in the pool and many of the other activities the resort has going on each day.

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My husband and I chatted with Bart, the hotel’s operations director who told us that the rain was supposed to let up in the late morning and clear up by lunch. He suggested we take a trip to the resort’s private island during the afternoon.

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After a light (and delicious) lunch of lamb and soup, Gabby from the activities center loaded us up on one of the resort’s boats for the 5 minute ride to the island.

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The boat ride was beautiful and fun and few hours spent on the private island were an unforgettable highlight of the trip.

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The island has a kayak for two, bathroom facilities, a beach hut with a table, and two chairs located at the exact point where high tide hits. Gabby left us with a color full of Fiji Gold Beer and water, an emergency medical kit, and a two-way radio so we could contact him if we wanted to be picked up earlier than the designated time we set a few hours later.

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My only regret was forgetting to bring my snorkel gear– the island is surrounded by crystal clear water and would have been an excellent place to snorkel.

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It was fun to frolic on a truly private beach, and when the sun got too strong to cool off in the beach hut with a cold Fiji Gold.

When we left the island I understood why guests like to book it for a special picnic lunch or a romantic dinner.

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My afternoon on the private island is one I’ll never forget.

Once Gabby returned and got us back to the resort, it was time to drink a young green coconut. We had light snacks in the bar before heading back to our bure for the night.

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Glamping in St. Lucia: Arrival and First Night at Ladera Resort

My husband and I had been on St. Lucia for a few days and arrived at Ladera around noon. Since 3 pm is the check in time, the staff was very helpful with contacting housekeeping to make sure our room got prioritized by so we could get access to it as soon as possible. We headed to the lovely bar area to get some lunch and found the food both better than what we had at other hotels on the island, and less expensive.

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With a glorious view of the Pitons, we kicked back with a rum punch and coco martini and enjoyed the live music from the local musicians playing in the bar area. We even bumped into a honeymooning couple we met at the last resort where we stayed. Ladera Resort is definitely a romantic destination, and the layout isn’t particularly child friendly. This place is pure couples glamping. No surprise it’s a favorite among honeymooners!

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Ladera isn’t a beach front property– it’s set clinging to the ridge between the Piton mountains. The resort offers complementary shuttles to nearby Sugar Beach three times a day, but I’m not sure I’ll even go there. I just spent a few days at the beach and between the property’s gorgeous main pool, the room’s in-room pool, and all the activities I’d like to try, I’m not sure beach time is in the cards for me.

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Our butler came to get us at the bar about an hour later to drive us to our room, Paradise Ridge #3. When your room is missing a wall, it definitely qualifies as glamping! The room also has it’s own pool (complete with a swing over it) and waterfall. There are fun and stylish madras accents which feel like a nice West Indies touch. The indoor/outdoor layout is very unique. Birds fly in and out, and when there is a touch of rain– the locals call sprinkles “liquid sunshine” here on St. Lucia, you can see the raindrops in your in-room pool. This is definitely rainforest glamping. The room layout seemed to protect well from the wind and rain but you’re definitely one with nature here. It’s fun!

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The bedroom is undeniably sexy– the mosquito netting isn’t just for effect! While I’ve had minimal impact with bugs, St. Lucia is indeed a tropical island and you’re one with the elements here. The hotel has citronella burners in the rooms so guests remain comfortable. It’s cooler here than it is at the beach, and the fan keeps the room at a nice temperature. After enjoying our rum punch, a nap was in order. The bed is island chic and comfy. Pack your own eyeshades if you need darkness to nap– with the fourth wall missing, there are (obviously) no blackout curtains.

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Paradise Ridge #3 is very unique, with colorful tile, a brightly tiled rain shower in the bathroom, which also has side by side sinks, a separate toilet area and plenty of storage. There is a large closet, and outlets for both US and UK plugs. There is wifi on the property (free).  There is a comfy seating area, a dining table, a desk, wifi, and phone provided so you can contact your butler for service or a shuttle ride.

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After our nap, we decided to head into the nearby town of Soufriere to watch the sunset and get some dinner. We ate at the local and charming Petit Peak restaurant and bar, which caters to locals as well as tourists. The view of the sunset was spectacular and paired nicely with local Piton beer. For dinner we ate coconut shrimp and outstanding creole chicken. We returned back to Ladera for a little stargazing. Among the in-room amenities with binoculars & a map of the night sky so you can enjoy the view of the stars. It was a bit cloudy, but still a lovely way to end the first, fabulous day at Ladera. Then we climbed underneath the mosquito netting and fell quickly asleep.

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A Vineyard Tree House

Text by Anne Collins Howard, HoneyTrek.com
Photographs by Mike Howard, HoneyTrek.com

The mountains and vineyards of Mendoza, Argentina are spectacular, but when enjoyed from Entre Cielos Hotel and Spa they become transcendental. Set on a vineyard at the foothills of the Andes, the Small Luxury Hotels of the World property has 15 rooms and one of the most unique suites we’ve ever stayed : The Vineyard Loft—a modern tree house hovering over acres of Malbec vines.

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A tree house architecture firm Baumraum was brought in from Germany for the perfect pod and the in-house design team completed the fantasy with sleek and seductive interiors. Recently opened, we were amongst the first couples to glamp here.

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Views to the Andes mountains and our outdoor bathtub, lured us out to the terrace every night for sunset and champagne.

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The Vineyard Loft is one of many fabulous spaces at Entre Cielos. In the main building of the property, each tower is a duplex wrapped in graphic imagery of figs, mushrooms, cherries—and other flavors of full-bodied wines. The patterned design is able to change depending on the season or vision of chief designer Daniela Wager for architecture that never gets old. The next motif on her list? The typography of wine words.

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Creators of the first traditional hamam in Latin America, Entre Cielos brings the Turkish bath tradition to a new level of decadence and relaxation. Wrapped in flauta towels we basked for over three hours in the herbal steam room, exfoliated in the Kese shower, soaked up the vinotherapy in our couples wine bath (yes, I said wine bath), and ended in the relaxation room nibbling on fruits and nuts. Heaven is an understatement.

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In the morning, we awoke to the Katharina restaurant’s fabulous buffet breakfast. Fruits, cheeses, eggs-to-order and cappuccinos were served to perfection amidst the chic décor. When we returned for dinner, we curled up by the fire for a special five-course meal, complete with Argentinian asado steak.

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There is no better way to explore wine country than by bike. You have ultimate freedom to winery hop at your leisure, stop for photos, soak in some sun, and breathe in the earthy aromas of the vineyards. To make this happen, Entre Cielos had Baccus Wine & Bike Tours deliver bikes and a custom map of the most charming wineries in the area.

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The first stop on our ride was Bodega y Cavas de Weinert, founded in 1890. We loved the informative tasting given in this divine cellar. The chief winemaker was our guide and with her guidance, we tasted wine in a whole new way. Not to mention, the 2009 Late Harvest Pinot was to die for!

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We biked the afternoon away, stopping at vineyards for tours and tastings and ended at the very impressive Alta Vista. With bottles dating back to the 1950s and modern tasting room–complete with personal sink for cleansing the palette and glasses–the winery left us with a warm fuzzy feeling.

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When a hotel is this good, you want to hang on to every last minute. On our last morning we stretched our stay with room service to the Vineyard Loft. It is not easy bringing carafes of coffee and poached eggs down a gravel road and up the stairs of a tree house but the staff didn’t even flinch. Aficionados of service and style, Entre Cielos holds up to its heavenly name.

For HoneyTrek.com’s walk-through of the Entre Cielos Vineyard Loft, watch this video.