Three New Experiences at Awasi
Awasi is proud to introduce a new offering at each of their three intimate properties for guests in 2019: a new stargazing experience in Chile’s Atacama Desert, an exclusive look at endangered puma in Chile’s Torres del Paine National Park, and early access for guests to Iguazú Falls National Park in Argentina.
Three New Experiences at Awasi
Awasi continues to innovate and is proud to introduce a new offering at each of their three intimate properties for guests in 2019: a new stargazing experience in Chile’s Atacama Desert, an exclusive look at endangered puma in Chile’s Torres del Paine National Park, and early access for guests to Iguazú Falls National Park in Argentina.
Awasi Atacama has launched their new private stargazing excursion based near the pre-Inca ruins of Tulor, just outside the town of San Pedro de Atacama, Chile. Guests will have the opportunity to learn about the night sky with Awasi’s astronomers while reveling in one of the world’s darkest skies and using powerful telescopes to identify deep space objects like nebulae and star clusters—bringing the ancient myths of constellations to life right before their eyes.
Awasi Patagonia, located beneath the peaks of the world-famous Torres del Paine in Chile, is turning the spotlight onto local wildlife with their Puma Foundation. Equal parts wildlife tourism and research endeavor, the foundation allows guests the opportunity to get an up-close-and-personal look at resident pumas while learning from experts about their habitat, behavior, and future here in this remote part of Chile, with hopes of protecting these magnificent predators for generations to come.
Awasi Iguazú is entering the new year celebrating early access permission for its guests to Iguazú Falls National Park. With a unique location in Argentina, tucked into the jungle just 15 minutes away from Iguazú Falls, this early access allows Awasi guests to visit the falls before official park opening hours, which solidifies Awasi Iguazú as the most bespoke way to experience this iconic South American destination.
About Awasi
Awasi is the only hotel company in South America that provides a 100% tailor-made experience for visitors, with a private guide and 4x4 vehicle allocated to each guest room. Their three Relais & Chateaux properties are located in South America’s most iconic destinations: the Atacama Desert in northern Chile, Torres del Paine National Park in Patagonia, and Iguazu Falls in Argentina.
Latest News from the Properties - December 2018
Here is a roundup of the latest news and happenings from each of the properties, from faster boats and room improvements at Titilaka to the opening of a new spa at Hacienda Urubamba. In addition to updates from our existing properties, we also welcome UNESCO recognized El Otro Lado Private Retreat in Panama to the portfolio this year!
Latest News from the Properties
PERU
After a decade of innovation and setting the bar for exclusive & immersive luxury experiences on Lake Titicaca, Titilaka is in the midst of several renovation & expansion projects. These are being conducted in such a way as to not affect guests staying at the lodge and are set to conclude by mid 2019.
Chief among the improvements are:
Titilaka Corner Rooms
Outdoor hot tub and new-state-of-art motors for faster boats will be available (completed in November 2018)
All rooms, common and social areas as well as terraces are being redecorated while corner rooms are revamped with additional amenities
New services are being implemented including complimentary access to airport VIP lounge for all guest, Wi-Fi in all the hotel's vehicles and boats and enhanced culinary experiences are being put in place.
Titilaka is also adjusting their rates next year, the first increase since 2014. For clients desiring the utmost in privacy and flexibility, this is a great thing as the Titilaka Experience can now be booked on an all-inclusive, private basis. The traditional Titilaka Experience will also remain available for guests who want to participate in set excursions on a shared basis.
Lastly, the team behind Titilaka has announced plans to expand, with new lodges planned for Arequipa (2019) and Cusco (TBD). You can view a full presentation on Titilaka’s upgrades & changes here.
Inkaterra’s Hacienda Urubamba, a Virtuoso Property, recently celebrated the opening of Mayu Spa (“River” in Quechua) in August. With a rustic chic design inspired by traditional Andean architecture, Mayu Spa is located on a low hill between I Hacienda Urubamba’s organic orchard and an enchanting pepper tree forest. Treatments are based in 100% natural products derived from native medicinal herbs; the new wellness center has a plunge pool, four private therapy rooms and a dry sauna and offers a variety of massages, therapies, reflexology and facials. For more details, check out their blog post on Mayu Spa.
Some say that you hear the best stories while sitting at the bar. Axel Romero at Hotel B, the cocktail wizard who was recently awarded the Best Peruvian Bartender 2018 at the Summum 2018 Awards, knows the value of a good bar yarn and uses these as inspiration behind his cocktails. For this experienced bartender, each drink is a chance to write an exquisite and stimulating story in which spirits, juices and spices are cast in the leading roles. He is passionate about his career: after previously working at Astrid & Gastón for several years, he is now at Hotel B where he is committed to making each one of his drinks an experience. Read more about Axel and other winners of the Summum Awards (like the James Beard awards for Peru) here.
COLOMBIA
The team at Hacienda Bambusa has been busy in 2018, creating new activities & excursions and elevating the details of the 8 en suite bedrooms within the Hacienda. New photos are available via dropbox in the Hacienda Bambusa image library and the Activities Book can be easily shared with guests to help them select their desired excursions in advance. Choose the Best of Bambusa option for an all-inclusive experience and a great value for your guests.
COSTA RICA
To cope with increasing tourism in Manuel Antonio, Arenas Del Mar continues to pioneer new experiences for their guests to enjoy in the area. Coming soon are early morning visits to a private nature reserve with great wildlife viewing and mountain biking in the hills above Quepos.
Latitude 10 Resort in Santa Teresa closed for part of October & November to undergo renovations and has reopened looking better than ever! New king-size canopy beds in each suite, soft upgrades & in-room amenities, a completely revamped menu and on-site experiences (like complimentary on-site cooking classes and beachfront yoga) have completely elevated the Latitude 10 experience.
Kurà recently welcomed a new Spa Director (formerly of Hacienda Alta Gracia) and has completely revamped the menu at Spa Shà in addition to creating new breakfast, lunch and dinner menus. Ask about full board options for guests, available for booking on request.
Lapa Rios Lodge has added themed dinner nights to their menus - including BBQ, Dock to Dish Night (make your own ceviche) and “Comida Tipica” to showcase local foods enjoyed in Costa Rica. This gives guests staying 3 or 4 nights an excellent variety in meal choice and is also fun & interactive for families.
Lastly, the Cayuga Collection team has been hard at work opening Senda Monteverde, a new boutique lodge just a short walk from town and adjacent to a private Cloud Forest Nature Reserve. Senda officially opens on December 15 and to celebrate, is offering 10% when booked in conjunction with another Cayuga property. Details and restrictions are found via the link.
ECUADOR & GALAPAGOS
If you have any clients looking for a last minute "festive season" option, we just had some unforeseen prime date cancellations at Hacienda Zuleta in Ecuador. Couldn't think of a more welcoming place to be than with the Galo-Plaza family over the holidays - hiking and horseback riding during the day and feasting on farm fresh cheese and wine by the fireplace in the evening. You can either contact your DMC or email mariafernanda@haciendazuleta.com for updated availability over Christmas, New Years and into January.
If you are unfamiliar with Hacienda Zuleta, check out the video below for an overview on this gem of a property. If you would like a copy branded with your own logo as an intro, please send Clark your logo and he can provide it to you.
Mashpi Lodge has always maintained a great blog, but recent posts are particularly helpful for travel advisors from a sales perspective.
Seasonal Weather, Birds & Animals at Mashpi
What’s the Ride to Mashpi Lodge Like? (Good hour by hour breakdown of the journey from Quito to Mashpi)
Family Friendly Activities at Mashpi Lodge (Divided into younger children, older children and teens)
Galapagos Safari Camp owner Stephanie Bonham-Carter recently wrote a great blog post about “Appropriate Luxury”, a concept we applaud and support across all of our properties that operate in remote and fragile environments. Creating a luxury guest experience that is equally respectful of the natural world is a balancing act, and there’s a good reason you won’t find imported fish or out of season produce on the menu or air conditioning in your tented suites.
Check out the full post here: Appropriate Luxury in the Galapagos - The Safari Camp Approach and share this with your clients.
Galapagos Safari Camp also recently become of the Traveller Made consortia in November.
Do you have travelers staying at Casa Gangotena who like to get out and explore on their own?
Share these “Three Recommended Walks Through Quito’s Old Town” for suggestions on great self-guided walking tours to local markets, churches, down interesting side streets and to beautiful vista points. Quito’s Historic Center is best explored on foot and the staff at Casa Gangotena are always happy to suggest activities tailored to your client’s interests.
CHILE & ARGENTINA
Due to last minute cancellations, Awasi Atacama has space in January, which was previously 100% full. Here are the available dates for Awasi Atacama in January 2019.
6-10 January
10-15 January
14-17 January
18-23 January
25-28 January
28-31 January
Contact your DMC or info@awasi.cl to book. Additionally, Awasi Atacama welcomed new General Manager, Nicolás García to the lodge this month.
Need a moment of calm during the always busy month of December? Transport yourself into nature with this video from Awasi Iguazu.
Juan Pablo Culasso was born blind. He taught himself how to identify birds by listening to their song. He has become one of the world’s most respected bird experts; using just his ears, not his eyes. Listen to some of his recordings in Awasi Iguazú:
NICARAGUA
It was a hard year for Nicaragua & for Jicaro Island Lodge. After enjoying a hugely successful year in 2017, tourism in Nicaragua came to a standstill following political protests & violence that began in April of 2018. Jicaro Island was forced to suspend guest operations for a few months, though as many staff as possible remained employed throughout the temporary closure. Laying people off in a time of crisis only contributes to a desperate spiral and owner Karen Emmanuel used her personal resources to keep staff on the payroll through six months of closure.
With a quiet but emotional celebration on November 15, Jicaro Island Lodge officially reopened their doors to guests and Karen was there to share in the experience. In the video below, Karen shares her love for Nicaragua, especially the people who make Jicaro Lodge and the country so enchanting. Special reopening rates are available - contact your local DMC or reservations@jicarolodge.com.
PANAMA
We’re thrilled to welcome El Otro Lado Private Retreat into our portfolio. Located across the bay from Portobelo (which just received UNESCO recognition for the significance of the local Congo Culture), this colorful hideaway is an ideal base for exploring the Caribbean reefs, beaches and rainforests of Portobelo National Park, learning the fascinating legends of the likes of Sir Francis Drake and the pirate Henry Morgan, and immersing oneself in the colors, rhythms and flavors of the Congo Culture. Cozy details in the rooms and public spaces and a new wellness program also make it a perfect retreat to relax & recharge.
New in 2019, El Otro Lado will offer all-inclusive rates (full board, excursions, on-site activities & wellness experiences) and we’ll be hosting an extensive webinar on all of the changes and updates soon. In the meantime, enjoy this short video highlighting the best of Portobelo & El Otro Lado.
Panama is hot right now and Isla Palenque has been enjoying a fair amount of press. Check out the latest Town & Country issue for their guide on Where to Travel in 2019, featuring Panama and Isla Palenque.
Isla Palenque also recently announced their Dock to Dish program, making it the first hotel to Panama offer certifiably sustainable, community-sourced seafood through the award-winning program out of Montauk, NY. Learn more about the mission of Dock to Dish via the link to their website.
Latest News from the Properties
Here is a roundup of the latest news and happenings from each of the properties.
Latest News from the Properties
COLOMBIA
Coffee Region, Colombia
Tourism to Colombia is booming. Hacienda Bambusa is essentially already full for January and February of 2018. Remember to take advantage of the special 25% discount at Bambusa from mid April through the end of June. An updated 2018 Rates Sheet can be downloaded here, which includes details on this discount.
ECUADOR & GALAPAGOS
Hacienda Zuleta - Ecuador
Construction of the new dining room at Hacienda Zuleta is complete and guests are now enjoying more space and seating options. Guests can choose to dine family style with others or select individual more private tables, even outdoor patio seating.
Have a look at the new dining room below and then read about options to visit Zuleta for the day, for those that can't swing an overnight.
If you have travelers who will just be in Quito for a night or two but want to venture out of the city, consider Hacienda Zuleta's new "dine & learn" option. Designed for travelers who can't stay at the Hacienda but want to have lunch and learn about the property's rich history, the experience lasts four hours and includes a homemade three-course lunch. Optional add-ons include a bike or horseback ride in the surrounding region or a guided visit of the cheese factory and embroidery workshop. A great option for travelers just stopping over in Quito on either end of a Galapagos trip - we bet they'll want to return to Zuleta! Net rates start at $90 per person and can be booked via your Ecuador Tour Operator or DMC.
Cloudforest, Ecuador
You can now venture behind the scenes of Mashpi Lodge on Netflix. The BBC series "Amazing Hotels" is newly available for Netflix subscribers.
You can also delve behind the scenes with "The Mashpi Project", the title of a photography book due for publication in 2018 that showcases the unique and often difficult to spot members of the Choco Ecosystem. The project brings together both Mashpi staff and award-winning photographers and graphic designers and 50% of all sales proceeds will go towards funding conservation efforts at Mashpi. For a sample of the stunning wildlife photography and more about the project, read The Mashpi Project post on Mashpi Lodge's blog or search #themashpiproject on Instagram.
Our annual Ecuador and Galapagos FAM trip is now set for May 4th-13th, 2018. This trip stays at Casa Gangotena, Mashpi Lodge, Galapagos Safari Camp and Hacienda Zuleta. If you are interested in being considered for this trip, please express your interest via email and also provide a bit of history on your current and prospective Galapagos and Ecuador bookings.
Enjoy this short new promotional video from Galapagos Safari Camp.
December 6th is Quito's official day of founding but the city devotes the whole first week of December to celebrating the "Fiestas de Quito." If you'll be in Quito during this celebratory period, be sure to check out Casa Gangotena's blog post on the "Top Things to Enjoy During Fiestas de Quito." From drinking hot canelazo to riding a chiva to learning how to play cuarenta, these tips will have you partying like a local.
CHILE & ARGENTINA
As most of you know by now, Awasi Iguazu will open its doors for public bookings beginning February 5th, 2018. Rates and booking details are available for download via this link. An extensive Fact Sheet and a presentation of the property with information on the common areas + blueprints of the villa layout can be found by clicking on the respective imbedded links. I'm heading down to experience the property in late January and will send a full update + schedule of webinar trainings after my return.
Award-winning National Geographic photographer Keith Ladzinski is currently at Awasi Patagonia documenting the wildlife and landscapes. Follow their facebook page for the latest photos from Keith and check out his awesome time-lapse of a windy morning in Torres del Paine, shared via Instagram.
PERU
Titilaka will take care of your guests in Lima!
Guests booked for stays at Titilaka occurring from January 15th till March 15th of 2018 will receive complimentary hotel nights in Lima. Three nights in Titilaka equals 2 complimentary nights in Lima or book 2 nights Titilaka and receive 1 complimentary night in Lima.
Titilaka also has availability over Christmas and Easter Week 2018 as of this writing.
Two rooms are available from December 20-27th, 2017 and four rooms are available from March 25th to the 31st. Easter Week is an excellent time for guests interested in cultural traditions as nearby Puno is renowned for its Semana Santa (Holy Week) festivals and parades, which present a colorful blend of Christian and Andean customs and symbolism.
Considering Titilaka and Lake Titicaca as part of a family trip to Peru? Tara Cannon of Pint Size Pilot wrote about her family's recent stay at Titilaka on her blog.
Hotel B has curated a series of excellent experiences that highlight the world-class culinary scene of Lima. Read the full blog post for details on their market visits & cooking class or shorter craft cocktail lessons, a fun way to kick off or end a trip to Peru.
December marks the return of Hotel B's beloved 'Christmas Tea' available daily from 4:30 pm to 7:00 pm. Think full High Tea service with a festive twist. If you have guests staying at Hotel B in December, make sure they are aware of this offer as reservations are suggested due to the popularity. It's an excellent experience to return to after a day of exploring Lima.
To reserve, please email: recepcion@hotelb.pe (Price: S/59 Adults; S/35 children) (About $18 USD for adults and $11 USD for children.)
Tara Cannon of Pint Sized Pilot recently traveled to the Peruvian Amazon and stayed at Inkaterra Reserva Amazonica as part of their family trip to Peru. Read Tara's take on exploring the Amazon with children on her recent blog post.
For our "The People Behind the Experience" series, we recently interviewed Luisella Garmendia, General Manager at Inkaterra La Casona in Cusco. Learn more about Luisella and the fascinating history of the La Casona building on the CK blog.