Dream Destinations 
As it is often easier to plan a journey with specific hotels
or guest houses in mind, we make a small selection of those establishments
that we consider particularly worthy of mention. Not all have hot water,
none have gold taps, but all are unique!
- Alvear Palace Hotel, Buenos Aires, Argentina (City hotel)
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One of the best hotels in Buenos Aires, the Alvear Palace is charming and full of character. An historic 1932 building in the heart of the elegant Recoleta district, the hotel is a member of the Leading Hotels of the World group. It is on a very fashionable shopping street, and from here, most of the city’s landmarks, particularly the famous cemetery, are within easy walking distance. The hotel is famous for its Alvear Afternoon Tea in the pretty L'Orangarie restaurant.
- Casa Palopó, Lake Atitlán, Guatemala (Inn/Posada)
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Beautiful hotel on a hill above the lake, with just 5 rooms, small heated pool and terrace with views to the volcanoes. A new 2 bedroom villa has recently opened which offers stunning views, total privacy and butler service.
- Casa Real, The wine valleys, Chile (Country hotel)
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An elegant small hotel, 1.5 hours south of the capital, on the estate of the famous Santa Rita vineyard. The main building dates back to 1883, there are 70 acres of beautifully maintained gardens designed by Guillermo Renner, two swimming pools, tennis courts and gym. There is also the Museo Andino, which is full of vintage textiles and artefacts from Easter Island.
- Chan Chich, Northern Highlands, Belize (Lodge/Hosteria)
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The lodge is constructed in the main square of a Mayan site. The access road is reputed to have the highest incidence of jaguar sightings in Belize and the area as a whole is great for wildlife spotting. There is a pool to relax in and is screened to minimise the risk of mosquito bites!
- Chateau D'Ancon, Mendoza, Argentina (Country hotel)
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85km south of Mendoza, the house is beautifully decorated (with many antiques) and is set in large gardens with a pool. Château d’Ancon is owned by Lucila Bombil and her husband Jorge Bailey. There is a boutique winery with 3 grades of wine.
- Eclipse, Galapagos Islands, Galapagos (Cruise ship)
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A 210' cruise ship carrying 48 passengers. Very spacious with an on-deck hot tub, shop, library and infirmary. Occasional family departures. Cruises at 14½ knots.
- El Molino de Cachi Adentro, South of Salta: Cachi and Cafayate, Argentina (Inn/Posada)
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A small inn with only 5 rooms, small boutique winery and working mill.
- Estancia Dos Talas, The Pampas, Argentina (Estancia/Ranch)
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The estancia was established in 1858 by the Basque Pedro Luro, a 19th century pioneer who owned vast tracts of land across the pampas. The farm has remained in the Elizalde family for 5 generations and the 1,500 hectares are used for the rearing of Shorthorns and Herefords. 40 hectares of parkland laid out by Charles Thays contain 50 tree species, a rose garden and artificial lake. In 1893 Pedro Luro's daughter, Augustina Luro de Elizalde, built the house as a summer residence to accommodate the stream of guests from Buenos Aires and it is here the current Elizalde family live with their four children. The magnificent library contains more than 3,000 volumes and the family has strong literary links. Past guests include the Spanish writers José Ortega y Gasset and Federico Garcia Lorca and the hero of Argentine gaucho culture, Ricardo Güiraldes, who wrote part of his masterpiece Don Segundo Sombra sitting on the terrace. The chapel is a replica of Nôtre Dame de Passy, commissioned by Augustina in remembrance of her daughter who was killed in a car crash in Paris in 1918. The chapel is consecrated and still used for summer masses and family weddings. Amongst the many European statues dotted around the estate are an amazingly intricate dovecote and a small museum to Pedro Luro's achievements.
- Estancia Las Mercedes, Misiones, Argentina (Estancia/Ranch)
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In Misiones province, 98km from the mighty falls at Iguassu, just off the road leading 200km west towards Posadas with its famous Jesuit Missions. Established in 1923 by the Lowe family who emigrated, after many adventures, from England via New Zealand, the Estancia is still owned and run by the same family. The house is of single-storey wooden construction, surrounded by rolling forested hills. There is a small pool.
- Estancia Río Quillén, San Martin de los Andes, Argentina (Estancia/Ranch)
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A small wooden estancia, previously a private home with wonderful panoramic views of Lanín National Park. It has a warm, relaxed atmosphere and plenty of hearty home-cooked food. The sitting area has a small bar and is very cosy and homely.
- Fazenda Santa Sophia, The Pantanal, Brazil (Estancia/Ranch)
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A lovely family-run fazenda on the Rio Negro and Aquidauana rivers, owned by Beatríz Rondón. Access only by small plane (the airstrip is close to the sede) - the nearest airport is Aquidauana. Plenty of Hyacinth macaws.
- Flor Blanca, The Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica (Beach hotel)
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A beautiful and tranquil beachfront hotel with a large pool and stylish restaurant.
- Fundo Curanilahue, Northern Lake District, Chile (Estancia/Ranch)
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A working 1,300 acre farm run by John and Louisa Jackson. Wonderful hospitality (including delicious Chilean food and wine), beautiful gardens and riding. There is plenty to do in the area (Laja waterfall, river trips etc.) but it is also a lovely place to rest and relax.
- Hacienda San Agustin de Callo, Cotopaxi, Ecuador (Hacienda)
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Situated at the foot of the highest active volcano in the world, Cotopaxi. The colonial hacienda is on the site of an important Inca palace, with views of Cotopaxi and Chimborazo. Cobbled courtyard, gardens and sitting rooms for reading and relaxing. Good cuisine and hospitality.
- Hacienda San José, Mérida, Mexico (Hacienda)
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Spacious hacienda with 15 rooms and large grounds. Relaxed atmosphere. Lovely chapel with 18th century murals (weddings still held). Large pool with loungers and plenty of patio space.
- Hacienda San José, Coffee region, Colombia (Estancia/Ranch)
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Dating back to 1888, San Jose is a wonderful hacienda surrounded by spacious grounds and colourful gardens, situated at the heart of the coffee triangle in between Pereira and Chinchina. Owned and run by the Mejía Jaramillo family, the traditional two-story hacienda is full of charming colonial décor, period furniture and family mementos, an elegant testament to a by-gone era. There is an open verandah running the length of the building where breakfast and meals can be served while towards the back, a paved patio enclosing an elegant pool and Jacuzzi.
- Hacienda San Lucas, Copán, Honduras (Hacienda)
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Pretty hacienda owned by the same family for over 100 years. Wonderful kitchen with traditional log stove on which meals are prepared with fresh local ingredients. Gardens with views over the river to the ruins. Tiny Sapos Maya site is on the property.
- Hacienda Sepulveda, The Pacific south-west, Mexico (Estancia/Ranch)
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A beautiful family run hacienda which has been owned by the Serrano family for three generations. Juan Alfonso Serrano, the current owner has converted it into a premium property maintaining many original features. The dining room and bar are in the original granary which has thick adobe and brick walls and a wonderful boveda ceiling, the pool is set amoung arches in the old stables and the spa in is the old hay room.
- Hacienda Uayamón, Campeche, Mexico (Hacienda)
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Formerly a 16th Century cattle ranch and a sisal plantation. Casitas are spread around the grounds, candle lit at night. There is a jail in the grounds!
- Hostería Alta Vista, Calafate, Argentina (Country hotel)
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30km west of Calafate, Alta Vista is part of a 60,000 hectare sheep ranch. Built at the turn of the century, the single storey house is surrounded by poplar trees.
- Hotel El Lagar, Salta, Argentina (City hotel)
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An old colonial city mansion close to the railway station, still run by descendents of the original owners. The house has beautiful antique furniture, a library and wine cellar.
- M/V Delfin, Iquitos, Peru (Cruise ship)
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A traditional Amazon river boat built with tropical woods and decorated with local artefacts. The thatched roof upper deck has open sides with sitting areas and a bar. The restaurant is air-conditioned on the middle floor, and the food, using local produce is excellent. The service is very good and all of the staff will look after you well.
- Mallin Colorado, Balmaceda to Villa O'Higgins, Chile (Lodge/Hosteria)
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Deep in the heart of Chilean Patagonia on the Carretera Austral with views over Lago General Carrera. The nearest settlement (population 500) is Puerto Guadal 20 minutes away. The nearest airport served by scheduled flights is at Balmaceda, 220km away (5 hours by road). It is also possible to fly to Coyhaique by light aircraft in 45 minutes (weather permitting).
- Mansión Alcázar, Cuenca, Ecuador (Inn/Posada)
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A beautiful and peaceful hotel in the centre of Cuenca with its own private garden. The design is very tasteful and a large chandelier and fountain dominate the lobby. There is a drawing room upstairs which has its own library. The restaurant is very good.
- Mary Anne, Galapagos Islands, Galapagos (Sailing yacht)
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An elegant 119 foot motor sailor with almost 1,000 square meters of sail and good deck space. The interior is beautifully wood-panelled, she cruises at 8 knots under power and carries a maximum of 16 passengers.
- Morgan's Rock, Pacific Lowlands, Nicaragua (Beach hotel)
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A Hacienda and Ecolodge just over an hour north of Granada. This working farm has its own enormous private white sandy beach where turtles visit to lay their eggs. The lodge has a lovely large pool area. The restaurant uses as much local produce as possible and there is also a small bar.
- Mosquito Blue, Jericoacoara, Brazil (Beach hotel)
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A stylish, contemporary hotel on two floors with pool, sauna, gym and spa. The restaurant is directly on the beach under the shade of palm trees and serves good Italian food.
- Napo Wildlife Centre, The Amazon, Ecuador (Lodge/Hosteria)
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In Yasuní National Park, 3½ hours by boat from Coca. It is the only lodge on the relatively undisturbed south bank of the Rio Napo, in an 82 square mile nature reserve, where it is estimated there are 30% more bird and animal species. Based on a conservation partnership with the local community.
- Pacuare Lodge, San José and the Central Valley, Costa Rica (Lodge/Hosteria)
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A beautiful lodge on the Pacuare River best accessed by raft (grade 2-3) with a lovely relaxed atmosphere. The main building is set above the river with great views, a large dining area (mostly open air), open kitchen and upstairs bar with comfy sofas and chairs. Very friendly staff and good food.
- Palmetto Bay Plantation, Roatan, Honduras (Beach hotel)
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Villas set in 100 acres on a private bay on the north side of the island, 30 minutes from the airport. Pool side restaurant and bar, with ocean views.
- Pelican's Pouch Hotel, The Cayes, Belize (Resort)
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The caye is reached by boat (40 minutes) from Dangriga and is the perfect place to relax! There are plenty of hammocks and a lovely beach from where you can snorkel.
- Peuma Hue, Bariloche, Argentina (Estancia/Ranch)
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A small estancia, on 500 acres, with 2 miles of lakeshore at the foot of a mountain, surrounded by pristine forests, creeks and waterfalls. A homely atmosphere with home cooked food and meals are eaten together.
- Posada del Angel, Antigua, Guatemala (Inn/Posada)
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A small inn which oozes style and good taste. 4 blocks from the main square. Family atmosphere and guests are provided with a list of things to do in the area. Breakfast only, drinks extra, but many good restaurants within walking distance.
- Posada La Sevillana, The Andes, Venezuela (Inn/Posada)
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A lovely family-run inn with a dozen rooms built in traditional style clustered around a central patio, and set at the top of the Pedregosa Valley above the town of Mérida. The dining room, open kitchen and sitting room are situated in the old family house with its huge fireplace and this gives the posada its very friendly feel.
- Punta Caracol Lodge, Bocas del Toro, Panama (Beach hotel)
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Comfortable beach hotel set on stilts in the Caribbean sea, 15 minutes by boat from Bocas town (and the airport). There are nine comfortable bungalows set on stilts and a central living area with restaurant, bar and sitting area. They have a boat for trips to nearby islands.
- Sagitta, Galapagos Islands, Galapagos (Sailing yacht)
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A spacious 120’, 3-masted motor yacht with 10 cabins (double lower and single upper berths) on 2 decks with maximum capacity of 16 passengers. Large communal areas both inside and out. Cruises at 8 knots under power.
- Solar da Ponte, Minas Gerais, Brazil (Inn/Posada)
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Pretty colonial house just over the bridge (from which it takes its name) from the leafy cobbled square of Tiradentes, about 3 hours from Belo Horizonte or 5 hours drive from Rio.
- Suasi Island, Lake Titicaca, Peru (Lodge/Hosteria)
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On a private island near the Bolivian side of Lake Titicaca, with stunning views and lovely gardens. The lodge is build with adobe bricks and thatched with local grass. The atmosphere is warm, friendly and very relaxing and they produce most of their own food grown in the herb and vegetable garden. All rooms have lake views and there are rose gardens, comfortable lounges and a library.
- Victoria House, The Cayes, Belize (Beach hotel)
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An exceptional hotel on a white sand beach with pool, bar and restaurant all set in lovely grounds. A quiet hideaway just 2 miles from San Pedro, which is easily accessible by buggy, bike or taxi.
- Waku Lodge, Canaima, Venezuela (Lodge/Hosteria)
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A lovely lodge on the banks of the Canaima Lagoon.There are extensive gardens full of tame wildlife (toucan, macaws, various parrots, woodpeckers) and all meals (buffet style) are included, though drinks are extra. The Canaima lagoon, where the Carrao river plunges over a series of falls, is one of the most spectacular sights in Venezuela. Included in your stay is a short canoe trip around the lagoon.
- Wayra Lodge (MLP), The Inca Trails, Peru (Lodge/Hosteria)
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In a windswept valley at 3,900m below Humantay mountain, this lodge has a small Jacuzzi in an inner courtyard. Bar and dining room.
- Xaloc Resort, The Yucatán Peninsula, Mexico (Beach hotel)
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Small, beachfront hotel run by a friendly Mallorcan couple. Excellent seafood restaurant, pool and sitting area.
