The most exciting new lodge on the Crater rim in more than a decade, Lemala Osonjoi is an instant icon and sets a fresh benchmark for hospitality in East Africa. Conceived in collaboration with local communities and designed to echo the quiet rhythms of the highlands, the lodge is shaped as much by altitude, mist, and moss as by the wildlife below.

“Osonjoi was created to feel like it belongs here, not imposed on the landscape, but emerging naturally from it” says Leanne Haigh, CEO of Lemala Camps & Lodges. “This is a retreat for travelers seeking depth as well as comfort. An experience that is slower, more intuitive, and grounded in place.”

A LOCATION LIKE NO OTHER

Set on the eastern rim of Tanzania’s Ngorongoro Crater, at nearly 2,500 meters above sea level, Lemala Osonjoi boasts one of the most enviable positions in African safari geography. Just outside the eponymous Lemala Gate, and perched above the world’s largest intact volcanic caldera, the lodge offers guests privileged access to one of the most biodiverse, visually spectacular ecosystems on the continent. Guests can reach the Crater floor and its lion prides in just 20 to 25 minutes via the least-used descent road, placing guests among the first to reach the Crater floor each morning, when wildlife sightings are at their peak – and allows for later departure to take advantage of the beautiful evening light, known by the world’s most renowned photographers as Africa’s golden hour. This quieter northeastern quadrant of the Crater is less visited than the western arc and is ideal for photographers and those seeking intimate, unhurried encounters with nature and rare species including black rhino, elephants, and big cats.

Lemala Osonjoi is a sanctuary within a sanctuary, a UNESCO World Heritage Site layered with geological, ecological, and cultural significance. The lodge’s location also allows for an exceptionally rare treat: fully catered private lunches on the Crater floor, transforming a traditional game drive into an immersive, all-day adventure with no need to return to camp.

WHERE ARCHITECTURE MEETS ALTITUDE

Each of the property’s 20 suites, including two two-bedroom family suites, is a celebration of Ngorongoro’s high-altitude beauty. Interiors balance warmth and refinement with hand-finished timbers, pigmented cement, charred wood cladding, and panoramic windows that embrace the region’s cool mountain climate. Thoughtful touches include slow-burning wood stoves, winter-weight duvets, hot water bottles, and a signature “secret nook” daybed tucked beside the fireplace for afternoon reading or a nightcap with views over the forest.

En suite bathrooms offer walk-in showers, freestanding tubs with panoramic views, and double vanities, while the lodge’s central pavilion houses a curated library, and an expansive outdoor deck with a roaring fire and endless sky.

Menus at Osonjoi Lodge celebrate the seasonality of the highlands, while design elements, such as volcanic glassware, handwoven throws, and ceramics crafted by women’s cooperatives embed a tactile sense of place throughout.

BUILT FOR THE FUTURE

More than just a design-forward lodge, Lemala Osonjoi Lodge is a model for regenerative safari tourism. Fully off-grid and powered by solar, the lodge is constructed using recycled and local materials, with no single-use plastics. From the outset, the lodge has prioritized community partnership – working hand in hand with local artisans to design and create décor that reflects the traditions, colors, and textures of East Africa. This approach ensures no displacement, fosters active collaboration with neighboring Maasai villages, and embeds long-term investment in education, local employment, and women’s empowerment.

By encouraging longer, more immersive multi-day stays and helping to disperse visitation across lesser-used access points, Osonjoi Lodge plays a key role in mitigating overtourism in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Guided crater rim walks with Maasai naturalists, wellness treatments, the Crater’s only indoor heated pool in the forest spa suite, and culture-focused programming allow for authentic layered experiences beyond the safari vehicle.

COMPLETING THE LEMALA CIRCUIT

Osonjoi Lodge completes the Lemala’s Lodge safari circuit through northern Tanzania, linking with Hamerkop House in Arusha, Mpingo Ridge Lodge in Tarangire, and Nanyukie Lodge and Kuria Hills Lodge in the Serengeti. This thoughtfully designed route offers seamless overland or fly-in itineraries, designed for discerning travelers seeking depth, continuity, and minimal environmental impact.

Rates at Lemala Osonjoi Lodge start from $690 (approx. £510 / €590) per person sharing per day, including accommodation, all meals, house drinks, Wi-Fi and laundry. Rates do not include NCAA Entry and Concession Fees, game drives, airstrip transfers, champagne, and premium house drinks, or government levies.

For more information on Lemala Osonjoi Lodge, please visit lemalacamps.com/stay/osonjoi-lodge.

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Situated in a ideal beachfront location and surrounded by 20,000 square metres of tropical gardens, the property was completely redesigned by the prestigious interior designer Jaime Beriestain, who has reinterpreted its historic essence with a sophisticated, warm, and profoundly Mediterranean approach. The result is a space where timeless elegance coexists with the most modern comforts – 308 rooms, suites, and residences offering panoramic views of the sea and garden, designed for a new generation of discerning travellers and to win back long-standing guests. Altogether, the ongoing renovations — already visible to guests during the summer 2025 season — along with the initiatives set to launch in 2026, amount to a total investment of approximately €45 million (approximately $52 million).

The rebirth of Don Carlos Marbella is not only an architectural and aesthetic transformation, but also a commitment to redefining the concept of Mediterranean luxury through authenticity, wellbeing, and gastronomy. The hotel thus consolidates its position as one of the great re-openings of the year in Europe, a place where every corner has been designed to offer unforgettable experiences. All the new leisure and gastronomic offerings the hotel has in this first phase of reopening will be complemented with exclusive leisure and dining options in the following months.

A Leisure Program for the Senses

Sport also plays a fundamental role at the new Don Carlos Marbella, featuring the Rafa Nadal Tennis Centre, the first in Spain and seventh centre in the world, created using Rafa Nadal’s training methodology. With this approach, the hotel seeks to offer its guests a unique experience complemented by high-level tennis training, whilst also being designed for everyone. This facility features seven clay courts, two padel courts with spectacular ocean views, and a Pro Shop with Nike and Babolat products. Its training programs are available for players of all ages and levels including The Wingfield System, which is the only technology of its kind available at a tennis center on mainland Spain. It tracks and analyzes gameplay, providing statistics and performance insights to help players improve. The centre follows the Rafa Nadal Academy by Movistar methodology, based on the experience acquired by the legendary tennis player and his team over more than 15 years of participating in the best international sports competitions.

Don Carlos Marbella also features a new and exclusive pop-up from Lucia, the new brand from Nikki Beach Hospitality Group that opened last year in Cannes: Lucia Summer Club 2025. This Summer 2025 pop-up further showcases the restaurant group’s vision with a vibrant design that offers a sneak preview of the Lucia Marbella that will open permanently in 2026 with an expanded outdoor area and a new evening restaurant on the hotel’s beachfront. At Lucia Summer Club 2025, guests can enjoy a special menu designed for the pop-up and centered on the brand’s Cuisine du Soleil philosophy, a fresh take on Mediterranean flavors with sun-drenched ingredients. This space offers a carefully curated selection of seasonal dishes, ideal for lunch or a snack by the pool or by the sea, in a family-friendly setting designed for relaxation, closely aligned with Don Carlos Marbella’s own concept of an eclectic and family-friendly menu. This concept adds to the beach area’s offering, where Nikki Beach has also been a success for years.

Gastronomy That Excites

The new Don Carlos Marbella also offers its guests and visitors a wide and varied culinary offering with four dining venues: Los Naranjos, Sol & Sombra, Break Point and Campari Bar Manero. These represent four different ways to savor the south, each with its own personality, but united by a common vision: authenticity, proximity, and a true connection with the Mediterranean environment.

Los Naranjos is the culinary heart of the hotel, a refuge of flavor and light where Andalusian tradition takes centre stage. Here, each breakfast begins peacefully, in a space filled with Mediterranean aromas and cuisine born from a profound respect for the products of the land and sea. As evening falls, the restaurant transforms into a tribute to the tastes of the south, a proposal to awaken the senses. Among its offerings are the Signature Trio (natural oyster, crispy caviar fritter, and mini tempura lobster brioche), the Risotto with Red Shrimp Carpaccio, and the Mediterranean-style Top Sirloin Tagliatelle. Sol & Sombra, located next to the pool, is an open-air oasis that adapts to the rhythm of each guest: from a refreshing drink at the bar in the sunshine to a leisurely lunch, this space celebrates the vitality of summer. This restaurant has two settings: one in the bar and sun lounger area, and another with tables for a more relaxed experience. The cuisine is fresh, light, and tasty, designed to be shared with laughter and good company. Break Point, located inside the Rafa Nadal Tennis Centre, is the ideal café to recharge with snacks, natural juices, or healthy food to complement your workout. Located in the hotel’s elegant Andalusian courtyard Campari Bar Manero is a unique cocktail experience that fuses the Italian sophistication of the aperitif with the warmth and vitality of Spanish culture in a space designed by interior designer Lázaro Rosa Violán. This innovative concept is born from the collaboration between the iconic Italian brand CAMPARI and the renowned Spanish restaurant group MANERO. The carefully crafted cocktails pay tribute to Italian classics while incorporating ingredients and techniques that reflect the rich culinary heritage of Spain.

With these four new offerings, Don Carlos Marbella strengthens its commitment to a cuisine that connects with and celebrates the Mediterranean lifestyle. Los Naranjos, Sol & Sombra, Break Point and Campari Bar Moreno aren’t just restaurants: they’re four distinct concepts that complement the experience.

A Destination for Wellness

Among its new key features, Don Carlos Marbella features a state-of-the-art indoor spa featuring Natura Bissé —a brand renowned for its innovation, effectiveness, and sensorial sensitivity—designed to offer wellness experiences with exclusive treatments. Here, wellness becomes an art that transcends aesthetics to embrace the essential, a space where the body is liberated and the mind rests. This temple of wellness captures the vibrant energy of the Mediterranean, transforming it into rituals that pamper the body, mind, skin, and soul. From the citrus freshness of Andalusian orange blossom that awakens the senses to the warm touch that releases tension, every detail is an invitation to reconnect with oneself, the present, and with what truly matters.

Among the most notable treatments offered at this space is the Don Carlos Charm Ritual, a deeply sensorial experience that combines an exfoliation with crystals and fresh petals and a massage with orange blossom and warm stones, restoring inner balance; the Mindtouch Experience Ritual, which goes even further: an immersive experience that, through sensorial technology and evocative fragrances, dissolves tension and awakens a deep connection with yourself; and the Golden South Essence Massage, inspired by the light of the south, celebrates the calm and natural beauty of the Mediterranean with a relaxing body massage that leaves a feeling of absolute serenity.

Design Inspired by Andalusias Essence and Timeless Luxury

Under the vision of prestigious interior designer Jaime Beriestain, every corner of the hotel now reflects the essence of Andalusia, inspired by cultural and natural elements. From the Andalusian shawl, the waves of the Mediterranean Sea, and the horizon line, to the reinterpretation of classic 17th-century furniture, the entire design proposal is built on a central axis that enhances the hotel’s identity. Furthermore, for Beriestain, the interaction of light with the sharp edges of shapes, the Dolce Vita, and Parisian brasseries have also been sources of inspiration in his creative process. These, although they may seem very different from each other, have been integrated into the designer’s universe to create the new identity of the Don Carlos Marbella.

The new lobby now boasts enhanced panoramic views of the sea, so guests feel its presence from the very first moment. Meanwhile, materials such as raffia, stone, and natural wood have been used in the guest rooms, offering an immersive experience of comfort. The color palette, inspired by the iridescence of seashells, provides an atmosphere of calm and well-being. Thus, the combination of craftsmanship, natural materials, and a contemporary approach makes this hotel a destination in itself.

Benchmark for Event Hosting on the Costa del Sol

In its new phase, the hotel will offer a completely renovated and diverse offering for the MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Events) sector. Specifically, there will be 17 multifunctional rooms, all with natural light, that adapt to different types of events, from intimate meetings to large conferences and banquets. With meticulous attention to detail, the hotel has opted for a combination of sophisticated design and cutting-edge equipment to guarantee unique experiences for guests who choose the hotel for all types of events.

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Korčula: A Tapestry of History, Cuisine, and Elegance

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Travelers feeling overwhelmed and burnt out by technology in their daily lives can partake in Six Senses La Sagesse’s Digital Detox Program, designed to enhance mental clarity, reduce stress, improve sleep quality, boost focus, strengthen real-life connections, and promote mindfulness. The program has four levels of immersion:

Level 1: Unplugged Meals

Guests are invited to enjoy relaxed, communal dining experiences without digital distractions. Phones can be secured in Yondr Boxes placed next to the dining table, while conversation cards are provided to encourage meaningful conversations, creating opportunities to connect with loved ones and fellow guests.

Level 2: Unplugged Moments

Guests can experience the beauty of Grenada firsthand through a 2-3 hour guided adventure, phone free. Options include the Reggae Fields Journey and Hidden Haven: Explore Seven Sisters. Following the excursion, guests are encouraged to continue their mindful conversations over a nourishing meal.

Level 3: Unplugged Rooms

Families looking to strengthen their bond while on vacation can opt for in-room digital detox activities, including board games, bedtime storybooks, or creative activities to inspire connection and mindfulness. Guests can request a Yondr Box for their room via the Six Senses app or Guest Experience Maker (GEMS).

Level 4: Unplugged Experiences

For a full transformative experience, guests can choose a three-to-seven night digital detox stay, featuring grounding meditation, Yoga Nidra and Alchemy Bar sessions, holistic healing treatments, signature massages, wellness meals, and nightly sound healing or storytelling rituals around a bonfire. Rates start at $850/night for Level 4: Unplugged Experiences.

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Bonito is undoubtedly a hidden paradise in the heart of Brazil, where you can connect with nature through its crystal-clear waters, mysterious caves, stunning waterfalls, and unique biodiversity. This destination is a feast for the eyes and a rush for the heart. Have you ever experienced this thrill?

For those who haven’t yet discovered this national treasure, Bonito, located in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul, is world-renowned for its high-level ecotourism and is considered one of the best adventure tourism destinations in the country.

The destination stands out not only for its environmental conservation but also for how it uniquely offers extreme activities, all in harmony with nature. Whether you love outdoor adventures or are seeking intense experiences, Bonito is the perfect place to create unforgettable moments. Get ready to be amazed and discover the adventures waiting for you in this paradise of Mato Grosso do Sul!

Snorkeling in Rio da Prata

Floating in the transparent waters of Rio da Prata is a magical experience. During the 1.5-hour journey, you’ll pass through lush vegetation, surrounded by colorful fish. The sensation of truly being suspended in the water is simply indescribable—you have to experience it! A useful tip is to wear a neoprene suit for comfort or rent one from local agencies, as the water can be quite cold. And remember to respect the environment—sunscreen and insect repellents are prohibited in these areas.

Waterfall Rappelling

Love challenges? Try waterfall rappelling in Bonito! A 50-meter descent through the forest, with the sound of cascading water, will send your adrenaline levels soaring. It’s undoubtedly one of the most thrilling experiences in the city. Be prepared physically, as the trail to the top requires some effort. And, of course, take in the breathtaking view before making your descent!

Boia Cross on Rio Formoso

Fun for all ages, Boia Cross on Rio Formoso guarantees excitement whether you’re traveling solo or with family. You’ll ride the river rapids on an inflatable tube, feeling the heat of adventure. The thrill of navigating the river’s descent is unique and provides endless fun!

Trekking and Diving in Abismo Anhumas

Abismo Anhumas offers one of the most extreme experiences in Bonito. After a challenging trek, you’ll descend 72 meters into an underground cave and dive into crystal-clear waters, surrounded by a unique underwater landscape. This is one of those activities where you feel like you’re in an exclusive, otherworldly place—an unforgettable journey.

Stand-Up Paddle on Rio Sucuri

For those looking for a more tranquil experience, stand-up paddleboarding on Rio Sucuri is an excellent option. Gliding across the crystal-clear water while observing aquatic life is both relaxing and rejuvenating. If you’ve never tried it before, don’t worry—hiring a local agency will provide guidance and add a little challenge to your adventure.

When is the Best Time for Adventure?

Bonito is located in central-western Brazil and has a tropical highland climate, characterized by warm temperatures year-round and a distinct rainy season. The best time to enjoy adventure activities in Bonito is from March to November when the weather is milder, and the waters remain crystal clear—perfect for snorkeling and diving.

From March to June, the atmosphere is calmer, with fewer tourists. July to September is peak season, attracting more visitors with its fresh climate. October and November offer pleasant temperatures and lush vegetation. The rainy season, from December to February, can affect some outdoor activities.

Want to know more about these adventures? Visit the destination’s official website and Instagram.

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Just two hours from Juan Santamaria Airport or Limon, El Lugar is an enchanting retreat—a sublime sanctuary designed for both the spontaneous traveler and the lifelong seeker of discovery. Rare birdwatching unveils over 130 species aloft and amid the lush canopy, while exhilarating horseback adventures meander through a vibrant rainforest. Guests can then immerse themselves in the quiet luxury of a handcrafted casita or unwind by an infinity pool, where gentle natural breezes invite serene reflection.

Where Sustainability Meets Luxury

Think of El Lugar as a place where the past and present intertwine in a timeless space, where time seems to stand still yet hum with energy and possibilities. Every element has been carefully considered:

•  No trees were cut down
•  No terrain was leveled
•  Lightweight steel structures and helical piles preserve the natural water drainage
•  Thermodynamic water heating systems and gravity-fed water distribution, ensure the resort is as gentle on the earth as it is indulgent for its guests.

The vision was to deliver luxury without compromising the raw beauty of this untouched place. El Lugar was designed to feel as if it had been here for a century, built to last for many more.

The casitas were crafted by hand, down to the one-of-a-kind doors, screened windows, and exposed beam ceilings. The carefully chosen antiques whisper of a journey around the world.  When you step through your casita’s door, the ambiance and bright, airy energy beckons you inside to reflect, rejuvenate and experience wherever the rainforest breeze takes you.

A World-Class Equestrian Experience at El Encanto

A crown jewel of El Lugar is its extraordinary equestrian offering at El Encanto. Home to over 100 beautiful horses and set on 740 acres of protected rainforest, El Encanto invites guests to explore the rainforest on horseback.

Experience the grace of the Costarricense de Paso—Costa Rica’s elegant walking horse, whose noble lineage traces back to Carthage and the Royal Courts of Spain. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned rider, group rides and one-on-one training sessions promise an unforgettable journey through one of the world’s most biodiverse landscapes.

A Living Connection to Costa Rican Culture

Beyond its sustainable architecture and equestrian adventures, El Lugar is a vibrant community hub. The resort proudly employs over 100 local artisans and staff, preserving traditional craftsmanship while fostering cultural exchange and empowerment in the local community.

Guests will find themselves transported to a simpler time—where:

• Oxen and buggy transport your luggage
• Herds of horses roam freely
• Antique furnishings tell stories of the past
• Nature’s sights and sounds envelop you

Yet, modern comforts remain seamlessly integrated—ensuring an indulgent, yet authentic Costa Rican experience.

Future Vision: Stage 2 Expansion

With Stage 2 already in the pipeline, El Lugar is set to become a trailblazer in eco-luxury. The next phase will introduce:

•  Costa Rica’s largest conference center
• A grand restaurant with volcano views
•  Additional handcrafted casitas

This expansion will solidify El Lugar as a place where heritage, innovation, and nature converge for generations to come.

Discover your sanctuary at El Lugar and follow our journey on Facebook and Instagram.

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