McKinley Chalet Resort, near Denali National Park, Alaska
McKinley Chalet Resort (now called Holland America Denali Lodge) has an excellent location – just a couple of minutes from the entrance to Denali National Park. On arrival, the Resort is impressive. The large timber and stone chalet-style building houses the lobby, shops, restaurant and coffee shop with accommodation in separate buildings overlooking the mountains.
Although there is a crowd in the lobby, we have a quick and easy check in.
The rooms are located in two-storey timber buildings over quite a large area, on land sloping down to the river at the back of the main building – with a backdrop of snow covered mountains. We are in T Block – an attractive, rustic looking timber building in immaculate condition. Our room is on the first floor.
The room is a pleasant surprise – we have a warm and cosy living room, bathroom and bedroom, and a pretty view through the trees to the river and mountains.
Alyeska Resort, Girdwood, Alaska
The Alyeska Resort is a 4-star hotel in the pretty township of Girdwood – about a 50-minute drive from Anchorage. The hotel has a beautiful setting with mountain views. The Alyeska Resort is best known as a ski resort but is also popular outside the ski season.
On arrival we have a quick and easy check in.
Land’s End Resort, Homer, Alaska
Land’s End Resort has a wonderful location – at the tip of The Spit in Homer.
We booked into Room 206, on the first floor, up one flight of stairs (no lift) and in the original hotel building (built in 1958). We booked one of the cheapest rooms (Port City Room) – without a view. Rooms on the other side of the hallway have sensational views of the water and snow-capped mountains.
Comfort Inn Downtown, Ship Creek Anchorage, Alaska
The Comfort Inn Downtown, Ship Creek, (now called Wingate by Wyndham Anchorage Downtown – Ship Creek) was a good value hotel in Anchorage – an expensive town for accommodation.
We received a friendly welcome when checking in and are allocated Room 227 one floor up from reception. It is a large room with 2 queen beds and good sized bathroom overlooking the railway line and the street towards downtown Anchorage.
Allure on Ocean Motel, Mollymook NSW Australia
Mollymook is located on the South Coast of NSW, about a 3.5-hour drive south of Sydney. It has a beautiful beach, a slow-paced lifestyle and some fabulous restaurants – an ideal summer holiday destination.
The Allure on Ocean Motel is a small, family owned motel with just 11 beautifully refurbished rooms. What a find it was! It is ideally located – just a few minutes walk from the beach. From the moment we were greeted by the lovely owner, Belinda, we felt welcomed and relaxed.
Villa Amandhira, Thalpe, Sri Lanka
After a long drive from Ella, we arrive at Villa Amandhira at Thalpe, on Sri Lanka’s South Coast – and it is paradise!
We are presented with cold face washers, and the staff carry our bags to our rooms while we are served cool drinks on the terrace overlooking the garden and the sea.
The villa is amazing. It is a luxurious, modern villa that has been architecturally designed. The furniture and styling is very tasteful. We love the polished concrete floors, the white walls, the teak coloured timber furniture, the fresh flowers and the ocean view. In fact the villa is right on the beach. We have access to the sand via a gate (that is locked every night). The sunsets are incredible. An added bonus is that a stilt fisherman appears every afternoon/evening just out front of the villa.