My Favourite Stays In 2019

Accommodations aren’t usually what I write about as there’s no rhyme nor reason to what I book when I’m away. I’ve enjoyed staying in simple tent camps as well as party hostels, all-inclusive resorts, converted monasteries, villas, yachts, mud huts and boutique hotels. I did a post about my stay in Nairobi and Livingstone (click here), and since it has been a while, I decided to write about some incredible places that I have stayed in this year (with a nudge from my friend Uche).

New Year in the bay

Started the year cruising Lan Han Bay on La Pinta Cruise, one of the most highly-rated cruises covering the Halong Bay area in Vietnam. We settled for the suite with a stunning ceiling to floor windows and balcony and it was the best decision ever on New Year's Day! We enjoyed the space so much we declined activities on the boat to lounge on the balcony and take in the scenery as we cruised past fishing villages, caves, and dramatic shorelines.

The service was top notch from explaining the cruise itinerary to meal sittings and accommodating our special requests for arrival and departure.

Book: La Pinta Cruise

Jollof in the wood

Sometime in April, I went glamping at the Wriggly Tin in the Hampshire countryside. It was a much-needed break to get away from the craziness of London and this place, with no electricity nor mobile network, was just perfect!

My hut Walton, the newest of the seven huts available, had a wood-burning stove, the comfiest bed and luxurious sheets. I slept past 9 am on the mornings I was there and quite enjoyed gathering woods to make the fires with no phones to distract me.

I opted for the breakfast basket which contains locally-sourced groceries for making a full English breakfast. For dinner one night I made jollof rice and had it with a bottle of sparkling wine I had purchased directly from the Hambledon vineyard which is only a mile or two away.

Alex, the owner, is a great host who checked up on me as I was by myself, (where every hut was occupied by couples) and even gave me a ride back to the station.

Book: Wriggly Tin Huts

Birthday on a private island

I was having a conversation with my friend Yves when he mentioned Telunas Private Island as a resort Singaporeans typically go to unwind for a few days. I looked it up, fell in love and had to go there as I had already booked a trip to Singapore. Telunas is on a private island that is part of the Riau Islands in Indonesia. It is somewhere set up for romantic getaways as well as family trips but being me, I went by myself.

All villas are the same and sleep up to five people with the main bedroom, living room and an attic bedroom.

From making my reservation, being welcomed at the Batam ferry port and throughout my entire stay; I received excellent service. I was greeted by name, my preferences were noted early on and everyone seemed to genuinely care about making my stay perfect, especially as it was my birthday.

Every meal was a hit! I did not mind pigging out even though I lived in my bikinis my entire stay.

I had a 90-minute massage at sunset, listening to the waves crash against the rocks beneath the spa on stilt. Was presented a cake and personalised card during dinner, the other guests joined in to sing the birthday song.

The cherry on the cake was receiving a mail from them a week after my stay inquiring about the rest of my trip to Malaysia. They even mentioned the exact city I had told them I'd be in. How's that for 5-star service?

Book: Telunas Private Island

Wilderness Getaway

Western Cape in South Africa is one of my favourite regions in the world and so I was it was no brainer that when I went back to South Africa, I had to do the three-hour drive for some quiet R&R and rooibos. Nestled in the foothills of the Cederberg Mountains, Cederberg Ridge Wilderness Lodge is a new wellness lodge that offers a minimalist away-from-it-all experience.

It was a treat for my travel partner and they were right on the ball with my requests before we arrived so, someone was pretty chuffed opening the doors to a nicely decorated room with champagne on ice. And when we got back from dinner, there were candles everywhere!

The meals were tasty, the service was attentive yet discreet but my favourite thing about staying here was seeing the Milky Way from the balcony of the superior suite. Being out in the mountains with little light pollution, the sky was magical at night. Depending on the weather, you can request to have a bed set up in the balcony to sleep under the stars.

Oh, the suite had an outdoor shower too. What's there not to like? :)