Deals Of The Day
La Clef Champs-Élysées Paris
La Clef Champs-Élysées Paris, a 5-star hotel in the centre of Paris, offers you a unique stay in a typically Parisian atmosphere. The building was built in 1907 by the Hennessy family, during the enchanting interlude offered by the Paris of the “Belle Époque”. Reflecting this magical era, our luxury hotel in Paris embodies a certain French art de vivre. La Clef Champs-Élysées Paris enjoys an idyllic setting and immerses you in the…
Kudadoo Private Island
Kudadoo’s renowned eco-consciousness and sleek design extend to the Maldives island’s 15 over-water residences where your uninterrupted enjoyment of the private island charm and the splendid natural surrounds are the norm….
Cocos Hotel Antigua
Perched on a lush green hillside, encircled by miles of heavenly blue sea and sandwiched between two gorgeous white sand beaches is COCOS Hotel, an all inclusive Antigua resort for couples and adults only. This rustic yet romantic and cozy boutique resort is located on the sunset side of the beautiful Caribbean Island of Antigua and comprises of a collection of 35 quaint wooden Cottages positioned on a pictoresque…
Château de La Chèvre d’Or
Nature is everywhere at Château de la Chèvre d’Or. There are lots of different gardens filled with sculptures, fountains, waterfalls, flowers, herbs, trees and shrubs. The area is perfumed with the scents of jasmine, bougainvillea and roses. The magnificent colors create a framework that blends into the horizon and the sea…
Bawah Reserve
A gorgeous tropical paradise surrounded by a blue ocean, Bawah Reserve sits in sheltered seclusion 160 nautical miles (300km) northeast of Singapore in the remote Anambas Archipelago, Indonesia. This pristine and previously uninhabited marine conservation area is surrounded by turquoise lagoons and coral reefs, which cater to outdoor adventurers looking to indulge as well as those looking to relax in paradise…
Palazzo Navona Rome
The innovative Palazzo Navona Hotel fully deserved of its role as being amongst one of the most qualified 4 star Hotels within the city “centro”, capable of fulfilling its own lifestyle qualities to satisfy even the most demanding guest. The intimate and charming ambience emits a feeling of almost magic by creating a special atmosphere which pervades this residence surrounded by its historical-art and ancient Roman…
Royal Mansour Marrakech
The Royal Mansour can be counted amongst the few establishments in the world that defy hotel excellence. Just a few steps away from the famous Jemaa El Fna square beats the heart of the Marrakesh Palace, offering travellers the unique concept of a medina within a medina.
Each area has been designed to intuitively take guests on a sensory journey. Take a step into the secret and sumptuous history of one of the…
Villa Belvedere Taormina
Hotel Villa Belvedere is a delightful and charming boutique hotel, located at just a few minutes from Taormina’s lively town centre and from the world-famous Greek-Roman Theatre, which are both reachable by walking through the inspiring and panoramic Duca di Cesarò Botanic Gardens. The hotel benefits of wonderful views over the sea, the bay of Naxos and Mount Etna. The hotel has always been…
Juma Amazon Lodge
With its prime location in one of the most remote and preserved regions of the Amazon Rainforest, Juma Amazon Lodge is an intimate and inviting property harmoniously nestled into the forest environment which defines it. Juma Amazon Lodge features 19 intimate bungalows seamlessly nestled into the lush surroundings of the Amazon Rainforest. In order to accommodate the water levels of the wet season…
Il Sereno Como
Il Sereno brings a new era of luxury to the banks of Italy’s iconic Lake Como. Awarded the title of “Most Anticipated New Luxury Hotel Opening in 2016” by Luxury Travel Advisor magazine, Il Sereno’s ethos of understated elegance presents a freshness to this well-established destination. Designed by Patricia Urquiola, Wallpaper* Magazine Designer of The Year 2015, the all-suite hotel promises modern style and an authentic…
Aria Hotel Budapest
The Aria Hotel Budapest is a luxury boutique hotel with an exquisite design inspired by music. To compliment the musical concept, master designer Zoltan Varro’s vision was to simultaneously recreate the rich, lavish atmosphere of a historic Hungarian palace while also embracing visitors in the warmth and comfort of a private residence…
Cliveden House
Cliveden House is a privately owned 5 Red Star award-winning hotel, and sister to the world-renowned Chewton Glen Hotel & Spa in Hampshire. Our story is one of over 350 years of powerful personalities, iconic parties and scandalous affairs. Built in 1666 by the 2nd Duke of Buckingham, as a gift to his mistress, Cliveden House has remained a pinnacle of…
Cavo Tagoo Santorini
The exclusive Cavo Tagoo Santorini, twin of Cavo Tagoo Mykonos is located within walking distance from Fira and just a few kilometers from Oia, the resort offers luxurious suites, spectacular sunsets over the sea and a personalized service exceptional. All Suites are modern and feature a hot tub or private pool on the terrace style, design details, 43-inch LCD satellite TV, patio or terrace with stunning panoramic view…
Relais Borgo Santo Pietro
Situated in the heart of Tuscany, Relais Borgo Santo Pietro was once a healing stopover for medieval pilgrims. Today it continues to provide a sanctuary for modern souls, merging a 5 star luxury hotel and spa concept with a ‘farm to plate’ philosophy on a 300-acre estate. A sumptuous feeling of home pervades the 800-year-old luxury farmhouse hotel, with its worn leather armchairs pulled up around open fires, fresh flower…
Casa Casuarina Miami
Casa Casuarina was built in 1930 by Alden Freeman. Alden Freeman’s father, Joel Freeman was Treasurer of The Standard Oil Trust (also known as Rockefeller’s Company) and left Alden a fabulous wealth when he passed away. That gave the young and wealthy Alden the opportunity to retire at the age of 27 from being an architect and travel all over the world. Alden was also a descendent of the Mayflower on his mother’s side…
Azulik Tulum
In the heart of the Mayan jungle, a revolutionary project is about to redefine human evolution. A new vision of the future that is guided by ancestral knowledge and creates community is beginning to shape up.The VILLAS of AZULIK Tulum are built in harmony with the Mayan jungle and the Caribbean Sea. With no electric light, A/C, or television, we present nature as our main amenity, setting the perfect mood for a…
Meneghetti Wine Hotel & Winery
In search for unique places, sometimes you need to get off the main roads. However, let them lead you to Bale, Istria. Then slow down and follow the road that gets narrower with every mile, as nature draws closer. Slow down even more, and then make a turn into the white road. As the iron gates of the Meneghetti estate open up in front of you, stop for just one moment – and realize that the magic actually appears off the…
Boutique Hotel Die Alpbacherin
The history of DER ALPBACHERIN began in the former Angelika house. Some time ago, in the middle of Alpbach, at house number 405, stood the small bed and breakfast “Haus Angelika”. Georg and Lisa ran them with a lot of love. The success proved you right and so the desire for a new place for more guests was born. A dream came true. Together with daughter Valentina and her boyfriend Thomas, plans, dreams and…
Mnemba Island Lodge
Steeped in culture and history, Zanzibar enticed adventurers, seafarers and traders from far and wide. Known as the spice island, from the centuries old trade of cloves, nutmeg and cinnamon, today the Zanzibar Archipelago is still bathed in the heady scents of spices and traditional dhows still drift across the horizon. A romantic hideaway, Mnemba Island is an exclusive paradise featuring twelve rustically chic beachside…
Gecko Hotel & Beach Club Formentera
In the beautiful and protected island of Formentera, Gecko Hotel & Beach Club was set out for like-minded individuals to unwind, connect with oneself and nature and above all celebrate life. Gecko brings to Formentera a new form of hospitality that unites our love for the island, the beach life and the elegance of a time in the past that continues to inspire us. Our clublike restaurant, in front of the Migjorn beach, offers a…
Piccolo Hotel Portofino
Hotel Piccolo Portofino, surrounded by the typical luxuriant vegetation of the Liguria Riviera, among the crystal clear water of Portofino and the blue sky, is a piece of art of the reception, unique of its kind. A hidden jewel, that has to be searched end discovered. Obtained from a refined period villa, today it is a boutique hotel, and from its generous terraces, a breathtaking view onto this exclusive stretch of coast…
Il San Pietro Di Positano
The San Pietro di Positano is more than a hotel. It is a journey within a journey, where memories are created and never forgotten. A haven of peace, immersed in nature, this elegant home harmonises old-world traditions of hospitality with contemporary, understated luxury. Escape to this small slice of paradise suspended between the sea and sky. Carved into the cliff overlooking the mediterranean Sea, our rooms are a…
Laucala Island Fiji
A private island refuge in the South Pacific, Laucala unites dramatic rainforest-laced landscapes and white sandy beaches with unparalleled levels of luxury and privacy. No expense has been spared at the exclusive tropical hideaway, where 25 Fijian-styled villas are set amid coconut plantations, beside deserted beaches and atop the island’s volcanic mountains, overlooking fertile coral reefs and endless jungle. Style and…
Villa Principe Leopoldo Lugano
Live in a fairy tale, surrounded by prestige and nature. Imagine contemplating Lugano’s beauty in a princely residence. The former private home of German Emperor Wilhelm’s brother in law, the Villa is located on a picturesque promontory called the Collina d’Oro (Golden Hill), whose views and location are the best kept secret in town. If you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to live in a legendary home, a stay…
More than a lodge, Nkwichi is a complete experience offering a unique taste of Africa with exquisite lakeside scenery and unparalleled tranquillity. Eight secluded beaches set on 4 km of Rift Valley coastline embrace Nkwichi lodge in the perfect setting to discover a lost world; a fresh-water oasis and an Africa untouched.
With its unique, all-embracing approach to tourism over the last 15 years, Nkwichi is intrinsically linked to the surrounding communities and their natural environment.
Dedicated to conserving the pristine lakeshore and virgin wilderness in which it operates, Nkwichi engages with the local Nyanja people in their development and helps preserve and enhance their colourful culture.
Nkwichi is entwined in the fabric of local life by the lake; it ensures guests a 5-star experience and leaves the indelible imprint of an authentic Africa in their hearts. Nkwichi, a halcyon paradise hidden on the pristine Mozambican shores of Lake Malawi.
More than a lodge, Nkwichi is a complete experience offering a unique taste of Africa with exquisite lakeside scenery and unparalleled tranquillity. With 8 secluded beaches set on 4 km of Rift Valley coastline, Nkwichi is the perfect setting to discover a lost world; a fresh-water oasis and an Africa untouched.
HISTORY
In 1994 two brothers, Patrick and Paul Simkin, discussing the problems of development in Africa, conceived a tourism initiative that would bring in guests and revenue, offering unparalleled beauty and comfort, yet at the same time help local people in the area to receive the benefits of modern development.
They set about looking for a place, and luck soon followed when a friend, Lola Castro, who had been working on a programme repatriating refugees returning from Malawi after the end of the civil war, told of the untouched beauty and wilderness on the Mozambique shores of Lake Malawi.
After a canoeing expedition up the little-explored coastline, a potential site for the lodge was discovered. And what a site it turned out to be. For many years, the unique beach, where the lodge is now built, was known as ‘Mchenga Nkwichi’ by the local fishermen of the lake.
Named after the squeaking noise it makes when you walk on the sugar-fine sand. In the local ChiNyanja language it literally means ‘Squeaking Sands’. The name Nkwichi stuck, and construction started on the lodge, built using local materials by local craftsmen.
Designed to fit in with the local environment, using the natural features of the land, the lodge may have grown in stature from humble beginnings but has , never lost its feeling of intimacy, gathering awards and guests on the way.
Nkwichi Lodge became the catalyst for the Manda Wilderness Project, a far-reaching bid to help people in the area around Nkwichi Lodge enjoy the benefits of modern development, including the results of tourism.
Through combining tourism with conservation and community development, the project so far has so far positively affected the lives of 20,000 people, and helped ensure the preservation of one of Africa’s most beautiful places.
RESPONSIBLE TOURISM
Nkwichi is an integral part of the Manda Wilderness Project, an initiative designed by Nkwichi’s investors to bring the communities of the area together and help them use their environment and resources sustainably, making sure it brings the concrete benefits they need.
Perhaps the best way to describe the Manda Wilderness Project, and its goals, is to imagine an African three-legged pot, which needs three equally-strong legs to stand.
CHALETS
Tucked away in the treeline, each chalet is unique. All individually designed and built using local materials to blend in to their surroundings, they deliver absolute luxury in a natural setting.
HOUSES
For those looking for the ultimate retreat, Nkwichi’s private houses, designed for groups and families, offer sanctuary in a sumptuous setting.
STAR-BED
The ultimate way to savour Lake Malawi, Nkwichi’s ‘Lake of Stars’ Bed’ is a unique and unforgettable experience. Set on a deserted, virgin beach surrounded by breathtaking baobabs, or on a private rock island close to the shore with Fish Eagles soaring overhead, this is the perfect way to see the wonders of an African night-sky.
DINING
With delicious fish served fresh from the lake and a variety of vegetables, salads and fruit from our organic farm, natural, sumptuous meals are freshly prepared each day by our team of trained, local chefs. Tantalize your palate at a number of exquisite settings of your choice, from picnicking on pure-white beaches to dining under the starry night-sky.
IN THE WATER
The crystal-clear freshwater of Africa’s most bio-diverse lake awaits you – explore secluded bays, untouched beaches, towering monoliths and an underwater world of wonder.
- Paddle and play in pristine fresh-water
- Snorkel safari through a world of brilliantly-coloured tropical fish
- Canoe along the magical Rift Valley shoreline
- Watch the world go by in a sunset dhow cruise
- Savour fishing trips in a traditional dug-out
UNDER THE STARS
The magic of the Lake of Stars. As the sun slips gently across the water, highlighting the distant mountains of Malawi, a thick band of orange gives way to blue. The first flickering of an African night sky heralds a gallery of cascading shooting stars. Fireflies glitter in the trees, the fire crackles by your feet and sense of timelessness drifts through your mind.
- The Lake of Stars as never before from Nkwichi’s unique Star Bed
- Sun-downers with the first flickering of twilight
- Romantic dinners on secluded beaches
- Night cruises under a canopy of starlight
- Uncovering the universe’s secrets through the lens of a telescope
ON THE LAND
Explore the hidden wonders of the ancient Rift Valley landscape, from panoramic vistas to idyllic waterfalls and soaring Baobab trees. Through the eyes of one of Nkwichi’s qualified, local guides, discover one of Africa’s last unspoiled pieces of paradise.
- Hike along the rugged coastline of one of Africa’s oldest paths
- Picnic under a 2000-year-old Baobab
- Track game through pristine woodland
- Visit villages in timeless surroundings
- Get a Fish Eagle’s eye-view of the lake from spectacular viewpoints
LOCATION
A world and its people unchallenged by thoughtless development, the secret Mozambican shore offers a chance to experience an Africa untouched. The pristine, unspoiled Mozambican side of Lake Malawi offers a chance to explore the lake as it once was. Virgin woodland, teeming with life, ancient rock formations and scattered, secluded bays by the dozen.
SEASONS
Each time of year offers a different experience and a different view of Lake Malawi.
January to March
Green season. While there can be some rain, it never lasts all day. With the lake at its calmest and the birds singing in the trees, this is also one of the most beautiful times of the year.
April to May
An African Autumn. One of the best times to visit; the lake is crystal clear, the bush still green and the temperature perfect.
June to July
Mid-Winter. Warm in the day and cooler at night. The bush dries out bringing the animals closer to the water sources. Perfect for warming your toes round the fire at night.
August to September
Things start to heat up! This makes a very welcoming lake. The bush is also now dry giving fantastic views of the surrounding bush.
October to November
The hottest time of the year but the lake is an oasis of freshness. Excellent visibility ensures fantastic snorkelling.
November to December
Summer arrival. Hot and slightly humid with occasional showers. Fireflies light up the trees, storms brew on the horizon and the birds arrive to start the season off again!
NKWICHI. THE BEST SUNSETS IN AFRICA
In a continent full of wilderness and wonder, there’s little to compare with that special feeling, fantastical yet fleeting, of an African sunset. And there are a few reasons why Nkwichi offers some of the best…
Most importantly, Nkwichi sits on the wild, Mozambican shores of Lake Malawi, meaning it faces West, one of the few lodges on the lake to do so. This means a clear, unobstructed view, every evening, of the sun slipping slowly towards the water.
There are few better surroundings on the continent in which to experience an African sunset. The ancient Rift Valley coastline, resplendent with pristine natural woodland, scattered sandy bays and volcanic rocks, provides a perfect frame for capturing a moment of magic.
With 4km of coastline, there are a number of tantalizing places to view from, giving a different feeling every night. Atop a rock island, witness the last of the suns rays bringing the dazzling mica and quartz to life, or gaze from one of Nkwichi’s viewpoints, with panoramic views over the lake, and the first stars heralding the curtain of night.
Completely cut off from the rest of the world, there’s little to disturb the serenity. No roads, cars, phones or bars. No noise or dust polluting the air. Just the magic of Africa’s most incandescent hour complemented by the lapping of the waves and the cry of the lonely Fish Eagle.
Nkwichi gives you the freedom to decide how to enjoy your moment. Sit back with a G&T, the soft sand between the toes while the tales of fellow travellers hover over a crackling fire. Or choose a quiet corner with your partner, glass of wine in hand, taking a moment to share the golden embers of the day glittering in each other’s eyes.
