Fantastic hotels in the great outdoors from $85/nt

Lodges, tented camps & resorts in Canada, Namibia, Chile, and the Australian Outback

By ShermansTravel Staff

February 27, 2008 10:47 am EST

Book By:  ASAP

Travel By:  Various through 2008

Escaping city life for an exotic wilderness vacation doesn't mean you have to rough it on the road. With the fantastic lodges, resorts, and tented camps we've screened – from an upscale Canadian mountain lodge to a star-gazing resort in Chile and a luxury desert camp in Namibia to an award-winning hideaway in Australia's Outback – you won't miss a single creature comfort in the great outdoors. Rates at these unique properties start at a very reasonable $85/night. Plus: Look for an Exclusive Offer just for Sherman's Top 25 subscribers!
 
Elqui Domos, Chile
Exclusive 10% discount just for Top 25 subscribers!
For a unique stay under the stars, book yourself into Elqui Domos in the scenic Elqui Valley of Chile. Not only is this area famous as a center of magnetism, natural energies and UFO sightings, it’s also a prime stargazing area. Seven two-floored geodesic domes cater to guests at this unusual hotel, where detachable bedroom roofs allow you to truly sleep under the stars. Each unit comes with its own terrace, telescope, and astronomy literature. Activities include astronomic tours, nighttime horse rides and telescope operating sessions. Domes are already an affordable $85/night, but with the extra 10% discount for Top 25 subscribers, you'll pay $77/night instead.

Sentry Mountain Lodge, Canada
For a wilderness sojourn in Canada's beautiful Selkirk Mountains in British Columbia, we recommend Sentry Lodge operated by Golden Alpine Holidays. This remote alpine destination sits at 6,920 feet and is the most northern and luxurious of the agency's four properties. Reachable only by helicopter, the area is famous for its consistent dry powder snow during the winter and wildflower hiking in summer. The intimate lodge features four guest rooms; a Finnish cedar sauna; great cuisine; and even internet access, so you won't feel completely cut off from the rest of the world. Winter stays cost $2595 per person for a seven-night stay.

Little Kulala, Namibia
If you’ve always wanted to combine stargazing with sand-dune sliding, we recommend heading to the Namibian desert. The luxurious retreat known as Little Kulala, in the private 52,000-acre Kulala Wilderness Reserve, is right at the gateway to Namibia's Sand Sea, with its giant red dunes and starry skies. Each of the 11 thatched villas comes with a rooftop sky-bed and a plunge pool, while resort facilities include a library, wine cellar, and lounge and dining areas. A on-site water hole also provides ample opportunity to see springbok, bat-eared Fox, aardwolf, ostrich and jackals. All-inclusive rates start at $705/night per person.

Longitude 131°, Australia
For a deluxe wilderness escape in the Australian Outback, the award-winning Longitude 131° is a top choice. Set atop an isolated sand dune close to Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, this exquisite retreat of 15 palatial linen-canopied tents offers five-star perks and private views of the sun rising and setting over the legendary Ayers Rock. Activities and tours include gourmet dining under the southern night sky; the Uluru sunrise walk; and discovering ancient Aboriginal lore at the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park Cultural Centre. Two-night packages start at $1745 per person, all-inclusive.

More Wilderness Retreats
Pansea Ksar Ghilane, Tunisia
Whitepod, Switzerland
Three Camel Lodge, Mongolia
Al Maha Desert Resort & Spa, United Arab Emirates

At the Sentry Lodge, the seven-night winter stay comes out to $370/night per person, with all meals, helicopter transfer and guided tours once you get there. If you gather a group of 12 people, four of these people receive a 25% discount. Summer rates start at $1230 per person for a three-night stay and run up to $2565 for a weeklong sojourn, with the same inclusions. The $85/night price at Iqui Domos is valid in the low season but peak winter stays cost just $99; both rates include breakfast. Little Kulala depend on the season and run up to $1130/night per person. At Longitude 131°, the per-person rate of $1745 covers all meals, lodging, tours, transfers, and taxes. If you want to save 15%, book a three-night stay and pay just $2223.

You will be staying in the middle of nowhere!

For Elqui Domos in Chile, visit www.elquidomos.cl. Be sure to mention Sherman's Top 25 when you book to receive an exclusive 10% discount!

For Sentry Lodge in Canada, check out www.goldenalpineholidays.com

For Little Kulala in Namibia, visit www.wilderness-safaris.com

For Longitude 131° in Australia, go to www.longitude131.com.au