In the philosophy of WELTREISE-DREAM, no journey and certainly not a journey around the world is the simple succession of places and accommodations. There are destinations around the world where in very special locations very special people have thought a lot about forms of accommodation as a fusion of architectural and cultural ambiance and interior that exactly corresponds to this environment and yet offer comfort and luxury in a way what high end customers expect. Travel and living as a holistic experience at a high level.
Bawah Reserve, Anambas Islands, Indonesia
© Bwah Island Reserve
© Bwah Island Reserve
© Bwah Island Reserve
Surrounded by lush tropical green and azure seas, the Bawah Reserve is located in a sheltered, secluded location about 300 km northeast of Singapore in Indonesia's remote Anambas archipelago.
Surrounded by clear turquoise waters, blue lagoons and coral reefs, this resort offers true all-inclusive luxury in the pristine and previously uninhabited marine reserve with a variety of outdoor activities (kayaking, tennis, sailing, kite and snorkeling, rainforest walks), also typical cooking classes and relaxation for those seeking relaxation with a wide range of SPA treatments.
The entire resort was built by hand. The tasteful decor of the Bawah Reserve consists of bamboo as well as recycled teak and copper.
A maximum of 70 guests are located in the spacious grounds, which ensures maximum privacy.
The Tree Top Restaurant at Bawah serves the finest Asian-fusion cuisine using locally sourced ingredients.
In addition, the resort offers two other features that are otherwise known only from the Maldives or French Polynesia: the arrival and departure takes place by seaplane and the resort has overwater bungalows.
The journey actually begins in Singapore, where the chauffeur will pick you up from the hotel or airport. For the entire journey from Singapore you have to calculate about 3 hours. After a ferry ride, the transfer to the seaplane follows for the approximately 70-minute flight to the island. You land on the spectacular lagoon of the Bawah Reserve almost in front of the booked suite, perhaps just in time for a gourmet lunch.
The 11 overwater bungalows, which are accessible only via footbridges of iron and wood offer beautiful views of the lagoon and the outer islands. Six suites catch the sunrise in the east and five the sunset in the west.
Perfect for enjoying your own spectacular sunset with a cocktail from your own bar or a personal gourmet experience.
Aman Summer Palace, Beijing, China
© Aman Summer Palace
© Aman Summer Palace
© Aman Summer Palace
Only a few steps from the East Gate of the sprawling Imperial Summer Palace, and accessible from Beijing in about 15 minutes, the Aman Summer Palace offers a selection of historic buildings, including those once used by guests awaiting an audience with the Empress. One feels inevitably set back into the Ming Dynasty when entering. The large palace garden and the nearby Kunming lake do the rest.
The 51 rooms and suites are simple, elegant and reminiscent of the traditional courtyard style of the neighboring Summer Palace. The centuries-old Chinese design from the time of Empress Cixi was combined with modern elements, combining the highest levels of comfort with a historic-mystical flair.
Spa services include traditional herbal treatments, Chinese massages and daily Tai Chi sessions in the sprawling, underground multi-sensory spa.
There are four restaurants throughout the complex serving traditional Cantonese cuisine, Western dishes and Japanese influenced Kaiseki cuisine.
The dignified ambience in a secluded, peaceful atmosphere and surrounded by magnificent gardens and charming ponds is gladly used for romantic weddings, festive New Year celebrations and upscale business events. Undoubtedly, the Aman Summer Palace is an oasis of tranquility that should be indulged during a visit to Beijing.
Fogo Island Inn, Newfoundland, Canada.
© Fogo Island Inn
© Fogo Island Inn
© Fogo Island Inn
An absolutely inhospitable environment. And at the first sight you have the feeling, a spaceship has landed. Zita Cobb had the courage to build a hotel here in Nirvana at the remote corner of Newfoundland on the island of Fogo. "Fogo" is the Portuguese word for fire and the island was probably named by passing sailors, who used the small fires on the shore for orientation.
Fogo Island stretches for about 35 kilometers from east to west and 24 kilometers from north to south with 2,395 people in 11 different communities. The island offers countless plant and animal species that thrive in the untamed wilderness and icy waters. The island's forest is home to herds of caribou, beavers, foxes, mosses, grasses and wildflowers. Migratory fish and icebergs can be visited in the spring and the berry season in the fall allows at least two dozen different edible berries to grow on Fogo Island.
"An Island off an Island" - so the operators describe themselves. Remote and isolated, barren, windy and rough. On the one hand, yes, but on the other hand, the hotel is firmly integrated into the infrastructure of the area with its few fishing villages, which now have a second livelihood in addition to fishing.
Traveling by plane (to Gander International Airport on Newfoundland) and ferry may be pretty long, but the following impressions are so memorable that it's worth the while.
Already the exterior of the hotel is an architectural eye candy.
Inside, Fogo Island Inn offers 29 suites that are as spectacular and varied as the island itself. Ceiling-to-ceiling picture windows connect you to the surrounding, beautiful nature. All suites feature natural fiber comfort beds, hand-stitched quilts, exquisite furnishings and sometimes with wood fireplaces.
Maybe then you will be lucky enough to see icebergs passing by one of these windows. Fogo Island is located in an area often colloquially known as "Iceberg Alley" due to the numerous icebergs that cross the North Atlantic waters between Greenland and Newfoundland. According to Stephen Bruneau's Field Guide to Icebergs of Newfoundland and Labrador, most North Atlantic icebergs are from about 100 iceberg-producing glaciers along the Greenland coast. The icebergs seen from the coastal areas of Newfoundland, including the island of Fogo, are carried south by the mighty Labrador River. The number of icebergs visiting the island of Fogo varies from year to year and they do not work exactly on a schedule, but you can usually see them between mid-May and June.
But also for a lot of other activities is provided depending on the season. Visit winter huts in the stunning ice desert, skating or ice fishing, snowmobiling, snowshoeing or tobogganing. Long walks, cycling, watching wildlife, plucking berries together with locals.
And then have a relaxed walk through the in-house art gallery with a warm drink in your hands or just look outside and chill out.