Already one of the world’s best resources for discovering our planet, National Geographic is now helping travelers have the very best experiences through their new Unique Lodges of the World collection. Featuring a network of boutique properties in extraordinary places around the globe, National Geographic further builds upon their travel portfolio which includes Traveler magazine, National Geographic Expeditions, and the @NatGeoTravel digital and photography community.
The new venture will offer full-service experiences from booking to departure and guests can choose a lodge by the property itself, its location or by expedition. The initial collection of 24 properties on six continents was chosen through a rigorous evaluation process based on three categories: The Property, Guest Experience/Quality of Service, and Sustainable Tourism Best Practices. While the list is worldwide, the only US hotel to make the cut is The Ranch at Rock Creek in Montana.
The collection includes Southern Ocean Lodge, Lapa Rios Eco Lodge, Mashpi Lodge, Grootbos Private Nature Reserve, Rosalie Bay Lodge, Sukau Rainforest Lodge, Tierra Patagonia Hotel & Spa, Zhiwa Ling Hotel and Three Camel Lodge among others.
“The National Geographic brand is universally recognized for its commitment to exploring and protecting the planet, so we are uniquely positioned to unite and promote these exceptional properties and to set a new standard for tourism,” said Lynn Cutter, National Geographic’s Executive Vice President for Travel and Licensing. “These lodges share the Society’s vision of preserving the planet for future generations and they demonstrate that sustainability and a world-class guest experience can go hand-in-hand.”
NatGeo has also partnered with Virtuoso®, a network of luxury-focused travel agencies and advisors, on their new Private Expeditions programs. Through their series of itineraries, guests are able to explore each destination with an insider’s lens through curated tours as well as immersion programs. National Geographic also urges that these lodges are not simply hotels, but rather the concepts of dreamers coming to fruition. “We invite you to discover how ‘staying’ can be truly extraordinary,” reads the website.
