Travelers in search of out-of-the-ordinary activities can look to these Small Luxury Hotels of the World member properties that go beyond their menus to serve up unique culinary experiences.
4. Milaidhoo Island Maldives
At Miliadhoo Island Maldives, the resort offers five different curated mood dining menus paired with wellness treatments—such as special baths, meditation, and spa treatments—designed to fully immerse guests in the experience and alter their mood. The Deep Sleep, Getting into the Milaidhoo Mood, Sunrise Awakening, Curious Adventures, and Sunset Chill mood dining menus are offered at specific locations on the island with the intention of enhancing the experience.
Currently, the most popular option is Deep Sleep, which addresses both physical and mental hurdles that prevent a good night’s sleep. The experience begins with a relaxing spa treatment followed by a light dinner served in the guests’ villa with a menu designed to encourage sleep. After dinner, Milaidhoo’s resident yogi leads guests through a private moonlight meditation session on the deck of their villa. The evening ends with a scented candlelight bath.
Nightly rates at Miliadhoo Island Maldives start at $2,563 and include daily breakfast and dinner, as well as complimentary WiFi. For more information, visit slh.com/hotels/milaidhoo-island-maldives.
3. Dar Ahlam—Ouarzazate, Morocco
The boutique hotel Dar Ahlam can customize and serve meals to guests in a variety of distinct, private settings that ensure guests never have to dine in the same place twice and no meal is ever the same. One of the unique experiences available at this property is dining in the Sahara Desert. Shown above is a lunchtime set up near Sidi Fla, but guests can also choose to indulge in an intimate candlelight dinner for two atop a sand dune in the Sahara Desert. After dinner, guests can sleep in a canvas tent featuring African reed mats, Berber cushions and vintage camp decor, plus an en-suite bathroom.
Nightly rates at this all-inclusive property start at $986. The Sahara Desert dining experience is included in this rate, along with transfers from Ouarzazate, all meals, snacks and beverages (except a la carte wines and champagne), private excursions, unique dinners, plus a Hammam and traditional bath.
For more information, visit slh.com/hotels/dar-ahlam.
2. Hulbert House—Queenstown, New Zealand
Available to guests at Hulbert House, the Milford Sound Luxury Day Cruise brings travelers into the heart of Fiordland by helicopter before they board a luxury cruise where they can relax in the on-deck hot tub and munch on a seafood lunch prepared by a private chef with crayfish, blue cod, and bluff oysters on the menu. After lunch, guests can use the ROV to view the unique underwater creatures of the fiord or hop on a kayak to get up close to the many waterfalls pouring off the sea cliffs.
Rates at Hulbert House start at $612 per night. The Milford Sound Luxury Day Cruise can be booked for $1,030 pp. For more information, visit slh.com/hulbert.
1. Ka’ana Resort—San Ignacio, Belize
Guests at Ka’ana Resort can learn to prepare classic Maya dishes during a Maya-inspired cooking class. Guests will prepare several items including tamales and corn tortillas. They will also have the opportunity to prepare caldo. Classes are followed by a Maya-themed dinner.
Rates at this property start at $375 per night including breakfast. The Maya-inspired cooking class can be booked for an additional $50 pp. For more information, visit slh.com/hotels/kaana-boutique-resort-and-spa.
