World’s best lodges, says NatGeo
Thatched bungalows in the rainforest of Costa Rica and luxurious tents in the Australian Outback are among some of the properties chosen to form National Geographic’s new collection of boutique hotels and lodges. Launched as the National Geographic Unique Lodges of the World, properties chosen were judged on factors such as design and character, guest experience and quality of service, and sustainability practices. The initial collection includes 24 lodges that span the world, from Australia to Canada, South Africa and Latin America. The only property from the US to make the cut is The Ranch at Rock Creek in Montana. Special NatGeo packages are also being launched within the group […]
New ice hotel emerges in Sweden
The 25th Hotel in Jukkasjärvi, Swedish Lapland, has opened its doors and the establishment has released a video showing the building of the bar. Titled “Booom!”, the ice bar features a central block of crystal designed to look like it has created splashes of snow on the walls. Designed by Italian sculptor Maurizio Perron, Bulgarian architect Viktor Tsarsk and Dutch designer Wouter Biegelaar, the bar forms the centerpiece of the hotel. This year’s ICE HOTEL displays hand-carved rooms by 42 artists, in addition to an ice church, the bar and a majestic Aurora hall theater. The 5,500-square-meter hotel is constructed every year from 1,000 tonnes of Torne River ice and […]