Elite Traveler March-April 2015

elite traveler MAR/APR 2015 ISSUE 2 77

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Surrounded by mountains and lush rain forest, this all-inclusive resort in British Columbia’s Clayoquot Sound Biosphere reserve is inspired by the elegance of early 19 th -century tent camps. FromMay to September it offers hiking, riding, fishing, whale and bear watching, kayaking, canoeing, heli-exploring and more. Standout service An entire family was helicoptered out to the Wildside Trail so a gentleman could propose in a beautiful setting. Special amenities Clayoquot has launched the mountaintop “Peak Experience”. For an extra $2,100 per person guests are flown up to the pinnacle via helicopter, along with a guide and chef. Back at camp, there’s a dining cookhouse, the Healing Grounds spa, yoga studio, billiards tent, library tent, art tent, freeWi-Fi, hot tubs and saunas. Number of rooms There are 12 Luxury en-suite tents and eight Deluxe tents. Expect down duvets, woodstoves and opulent rugs. Room to Book One of the 12 luxury en-suite tents with king-size bed, day bed and indoor/outdoor shower. Who’s slept there Scarlett Johansson and Ryan Reynolds tied the knot here in 2008 (they divorced three years later). Contact John Caton, Clayoquot’s managing director, +1 250 266 0397; jccowboy50@me.com; wildretreat.com. Price Luxury en-suite tents from $5,050 per person per three nights including seaplane transfers, guided activity, food, drink and a massage. Clayoquot Wilderness Resort VANCOUVER ISLAND, CANADA A safari retreat in a remote spot on the edge of Kakadu National Park and Arnhemland, an area brimming with saltwater crocodiles and birds. Trips out to the floodplains in airboats for wildlife spotting are the mainstay as well as heli rides, 4WD safaris, rock-art tours and fishing. Standout service One guest wanted to be bitten by leeches and was obliged. Guides ensure guests with special interests such as fishing, photography or wildlife see the region from that perspective. Manager John spirits away guests by airboat for private afternoon drinks among the flooded paperbark forests or night spotting for crocodiles. Special amenities An inviting infinity pool and deck for communal suppers of wild barramundi, mud-crab ravioli and emu salads and a nature reference library. “The Hide”, new this season, is a 20ft-high platform at the edge of the floodplain where you can be dropped with a picnic hamper and 360-degree views. Number of rooms Nine mesh fabric bungalows with timber platforms have king-size beds, marshmallow-soft bedlinen and en-suite showers. Room to Book The easternmost safari suite, where you feel as though you have the floodplain and bush to yourself. Who’s slept there Nicolas Cage and his son showed enthusiasm for their cane toad elimination program; Germaine Greer is also a fan. Contact Alex Cody, reservations consultant, +61 2 9571 6399; alex@wildbushluxury.com; bamurruplains.com. Price $779 per person per night, including all meals, drinks and guided activities. Bamurru Plains NORTHERN TERRITORY, AUSTRALIA 4