Recommend October 2011 - (Page 74)

luxury in the wilderness, by BEST continued from page 72 Of PATAGONIA The Patagonia landscape is an adventurer’s dream. “We invest great effort in the U.S. market, as it is the most important for us. Not only do we promote our individual members, offering special upgrades and perks to guests who stay at least three nights, but we design vacations of a week or two that visit different corners of Patagonia.” The Singular PaTagonia Juan Pedriel, Director, Best of Patagonia chile Also outside Calafate and situated at the end of the north arm of Lago Argentino is Estancia Cristina, and if seclusion is the new luxury, this estancia is the ultimate indulgence, because just getting here requires a 4-hour boat trip, sailing past icebergs and the huge Upsala Glacier. Guests stay in 12 rooms—spacious, country-fresh with large beds and huge bay windows opening onto Cerro Norte. On tap is excellent food, friendly service and lovely wines. One- and 2-night packages allow a choice of trekking, a 4WD trip, or horseback riding, and right at the estancia there’s a soaking tub, an onsite museum, English gardens and birdwatching. Call for rates. Direct flights take you from El Calafate to Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world, and departure port for cruises around the tip of the continent and those going beyond to Antarctica. Just outside town, Las Hayas Resort Hotel commands a sweeping view of the city and the Beagle Channel. The property has 92 rooms, decorated with tapestries, upholstered walls, and big, bright bathrooms. A sumptuous lounge stretches the length of the building. Here, you find a clubby bar, the gourmet Luis Martial restaurant and fireside sitting area. A glass-enclosed walkway leads to an outstanding spa, pool and indoor squash court, and hotel guests have membership at the local golf club. Double room rates with breakfast start at $345. 74 october 2011 When adding Chile to Argentina, consider crossing the Lake District by boat from Bariloche to Puerto Varas, or taking a scenic drive between Calafate and Puerto Natales. Alternately, of course, there is good flight service to their air gateways from Santiago. In charming Puerto Varas, the elegant Hotel Patagonico overlooks—through large panoramic windows everywhere—Llanquihue Lake and the Osorno Volcano. The hotel’s 91 rooms (including 10 jr. suites, two master suites) are fitted with beautiful handcrafted furniture, large modern baths, satellite TV and Internet access. Guests dine on Chilean and Mediterranean specialties in two restaurants, and enjoy a spa, gym, and heated pool. The hotel organizes rafting, windsurfing, kayaking and fly-fishing, and has a children’s club for younger guests. Superior double room rates start at $215, suites start at $360. Treat clients to a few days in an idyllic natural spa. Set in a tranquil sea inlet in northern Patagonia, Puyuhuapi Lodge & Spa is a special place, combining beautiful sea, forest and snowcapped mountain views with a top-notch thalassotherapy center offering thermal pools, pampering massages and seaweed treatments. Despite its remote locale, the lodge offers all that you’d expect from a small luxury hotel: fine cuisine, cozy accommodations and friendly service. Beyond relaxing, there is plenty to do: hike through the forest, kayak through island-filled recommend.com http://www.recommend.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Recommend October 2011

Editor's Notes/Agent Speak
Hotel Desk: Coworth Park, London
Tour Talk: Cox & Kings
Paws Up Ups "Glamping" to New Heights
"Alpine" Adventure at Four Seasons Resort Vail
Hotel Beaux Arts Miami
Out & About in New York City
Adventures on Hayman Island
It's the Good Life at The Leela Kovalam Beach
Peninsula Shanghai & Hong Kong
Silversea's Silver Spirit
Thailand Travel Planner
Luxury in the Wilderness, by Best of Patagonia
Savoring St. Vincent & the Grenadines
CuisinArt Resort & Spa, Anguilla
Luxurious Egypt
A Good Turn for Bern, Switzerland
Mexico's Luxury Trail

Recommend October 2011