Vacation Activiites: Wildlife

Biras Creek Resort
P.O. Box 54 Virgin Gorda, US Virgin Islands

From $950 per night

The Biras Creek Resort- which can only be reached by boat or helicopter is a secret address on the tiny island of Virgin Gorda. A paradise of greens and blues with its tropical plants and lagoons- also famous for its -Baths- formed by the spherical granite rocks dotted along the beach. The hotel offers 31 elegant and colourful suites with fabulous sea views. Share your time among the spa- the water sports on offer and the delicious cuisine. You can discover the island by Jet Ski- windsurf- boat or bicycle to really get a feel for this little corner of paradise.

What's Great
National Geographic Traveler says... "A 140-acre isthmus resort with water galore: calm lagoon, Caribbean bay, pounding Atlantic. Ocean waves do the entertaining just beyond the simply furnished suites (some TV-free) with private verandas, big windows, outdoor garden showers. Captain a Boston Whaler for island hopping, bike on trails lined by wild nutmeg and frangipani. Island-born chef infuses the menu with flavorsome Caribbean attitude. 31 suites."

Amenities

Bushmans Kloof Reserve
Cederberg Mountains Pinelands, South Africa

From $950 per night

Its 130 rock art sites and caves that allow you to see what the Bushmen have painted over the ages make this national heritage site one of the largest open air art galleries in the world. You will be staying in an oasis and haven offering all the modern comforts in the middle of open plains and staggering rock formations. As well as the beautiful spa- pampering beauty treatments and the chance to bathe in rock pools and waterfalls- an ecosystem of 7500 hectares of wild and preserved biodiversity is an invitation to try a green safari for a glimpse of rare birds- indigenous wildlife- incredible flowers and fabulous starry night skies. An absolute must for nature-lovers.

What's Great
Travel + Leisure says... "THE SETTING 18,000 acres in the foothills of the Cedar Mountains. GREEN FACTOR When Bill McAdam purchased the vast tract of wilderness in 1991, the property was a virtual wasteland of overgrazed veld. Today, the Kloof blooms with 800 tree and plant species, down to rarities like the Clanwilliam cedar. Threatened wildlife has come thundering back, too, including red hartebeests, black wildebeests, bontebok, aardwolves, 150 rare birds, and one of the largest private herds of endangered Cape mountain zebras in the world. More than 130 ancient rock-art sites dating back 10,000 years are also safeguarded in their natural environment. After a day in the wild, it's nice to know that the 16-room Relais & Châteaux lodge has hand-sewn bed linens."

Amenities

Williamsburg Inn
136 East Francis Street Williamsburg, Virginia, US

From $399 per night

Built by John D. Rockefeller, Jr. in 1937 and fully refurbished in 2001, the Williamsburg Inn reflects today what its founder envisioned: a charming country inn providing the most modern, gracious accommodations. This stately, full-service hotel has hosted numerous heads of state ? and pampers all its guests with royal treatment. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the inn is adjacent to the Colonial Williamsburg Historic Area and the Golden Horseshoe Golf Club. Located adjacent to Colonial Williamsburg's Historic Area and the challenging Golden Horseshoe Golf Course. Walking distance to historic dining and shopping.

What's Great
Travel + Leisure says... "The Regency-style main inn dates from 1937, with a new Sylvia Sepielli spa; easily the area's most atmospheric hotel. Rooms to Book: Request one of the 62 rooms in the main building; those facing north look out over the historic area and East Francis Street, and those facing south overlook the golf course. Insider Tip: The property has a number of outdoor lawn bowling courts. Make sure to brush up on your game." -From www.travelandleisure.com

Amenities

The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island
One Sanctuary Beach Drive Kiawah Island, South Carolina, US

From $400 per night

The Sanctuary is designed to provide the most luxurious, oceanfront experience on the east coast. The setting is truly extraordinary in that the hotel is just 50 yards from the beautiful Kiawah Beach. The natural surroundings are both exclusive and private, in fact you can see the waves of the ocean from almost everywhere in the hotel including the 2 dining rooms, both bars, the grand lobby and even the beautiful pools which are only steps from the beach. We also have state of the art fitness center and indoor pool, which are complimentary to our guests, as well as a world-class spa. The guest rooms are among the most spacious of any in the country, with spectacular ocean views and gorgeous five fixture marble bathrooms. Our mission is to provide every guest with five-star service, which naturally includes; 24-hour room service, twice daily maid service, luxurious amenities, complimentary high speed and wireless internet access and many many more guest services. We also offer a club Level for those guests who desire the highest level of pampering. The Sanctuary is located on Kiawah Island. Kiawah has 10 miles of beach and is a barrier island of the coast of Charleston, SC. Kiawah is about 20 miles to the south of Downtown historic Charleston.

What's Great
#1 U.S. Resort Hotel by Andrew Harper's Hideaway Report. #1 Family Resort in U.S. and Canada by Travel + Leisure Family Travel + Leisure says... "Oceanside estate with world-class golf and tennis facilities and a lovely beach, on a barrier island just 30 minutes south of Charleston. Rooms to Book: The oceanfront suites facing the sea--corner suite 578 has three balconies. Insider Tip: Play the Ocean Course, site of the 1991 Ryder Cup and the 2012 PGA Championship. Like a super-sized Tara, the Sanctuary at Kiawah Island belongs to a fictional plantation family. In the morning room, a portrait of the “Mistress” presides over moss-green brocades, floral drapes, and porcelain bibelots. The “Master” hangs his hat in the lobby bar. Tobacco-stained walnut planking creaks like the timeworn floors in an authentic antebellum mansion. Landscape architects transplanted 160 mature live oaks for the resort’s entrance avenue, and Kiawah’s beach glows pink at sunset as a shrimp trawler anchors in front of the resort. Treatments at the second-floor spa also have a distinctly Southern drawl: the Mint Julep Facial incorporates the Anakiri line’s pure-peppermint essential oil."

Amenities

The Lodge At Pebble Beach
1700 Seventeen Mile Drive Pebble Beach, California, US

From $695 per night

The Lodge at Pebble Beach, home to the legendary Pebble Beach Golf Links since 1919, continues its legacy of exemplary service and style with 161 luxurious guestrooms and suites, six delectable restaurants including the exclusive Club XIX, The Spa at Pebble Beach, 14,000 plus square feet of memorable meeting facilities, 12-court Tennis Center, a collection of 13 intriguing retail shops, Equestrian Center and preferred tee times among 72 holes shared between Pebble Beach Golf Links (Host of the 2010 US Open), Spyglass Hill Golf Course, The Links at Spanish Bay and Del Monte Golf Course.

What's Great
Travel + Leisure says... "Traditional and gentlemanly 1919 Georgian-style golf resort with a prime location on the Pebble Beach Golf Links and the area's largest standard rooms (650 square feet). Rooms to Book: Die-hard duffers should request Ocean Views which overlook both Carmel Bay and the 18th green. Insider Tip: A 50-minute Post-Golf Therapy massage speeds up recovery after a day on the course."

Amenities

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Vacation Activities: Wildlife