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We’ve just returned from a fabulous family vacation at Hamanasi. My husband and I had been there 4-5 years ago and loved it and thought it would be a great place to take our daughter and son-in-law (in their 30’s) and twin nieces (20 year old) to celebrate our 70th birthdays. We were not wrong!
The accommodations were fabulous. We all stayed in a tree house. The Deluxe tree house was a beautiful one bedroom apartment with wrap around porch (with hot tub and hammock). This is an eco-friendly resort and they are serious about protecting the environment and minimizing the use of plastics. There was a water jug in each room (to fill metal water bottlers that they give you upon arrival). Shampoos, conditioners, body wash were all in refillable containers (and housekeeping filled them daily!) and recycle bins were everywhere. The double showers were beautifully tiled (and made locally). Housekeeping came twice a day and the rooms were always meticulously clean. The tree houses are nestled in the woods and afforded beauty, luxury and privacy.
The food was great (and included in our package). There was a continental breakfast buffet in addition to hearty breakfast entrees and all were available daily from 6 to 9. Breakfast and lunch menus did not change but there was a daily special and enough variety to satisfy everyone for a week of meals. Dinner changed nightly and consisted of appetizer, entrée and dessert. The variety and freshness were remarkable and the presentation was picture worthy (although we never paused to take a picture….) Cocktails were interesting and plentiful and served with bamboo straws. They have an organic farm, and all menu items are locally sourced.
The activities were the main attraction. We did the Barrier reef snorkel trip, the Chocolate factory tour, the Jungle Rive canoeing, the Mayflower Jungle and Waterfall Hike, The Jaguar Preserve night Hike and the Monkey River Adventure. The adventure guides made the day. The breadth of their knowledge about the plants, animals, environment and culture was remarkable. It was like being with naturalists for a week. We experienced and learned so much! The little unscheduled time we had was spent kayaking, paddleboarding (always available at the beach) and swimming, lazing at the pool (which was NEVER crowded).
All of this made for a fabulous vacation. But what was really special and what sets Hamanasi apart from everywhere we have been (and we travel extensively) is the people. From the person who greeted us and drove us from the little Dangria airport to the wait staff who met us with a smile every morning (often as early as 6 AM as we headed out on an adventure), the adventure guides and staff at the adventure center, the bartenders, the maintenance workers, the front desk personnel and the housekeeping staff. They were friendly, warm accommodating and passionate. They all addressed us by name and I am embarrassed to admit that I did not remember all of their names so that I unfortunately cannot acknowledge them here. Every meal had a napkin of a different design and my husband and niece asked for a private tutorial which they graciously provided. And when a new design appeared later in the week the server stopped what she was doing to provide a demonstration of the technique. Who does that????? Fabulous. Juan was the beach bartender who made a point of informing us about the daily happy hour drink and snack promptly at 4 (when we were on property) and his attention and efficiency made our afternoons and evenings. The adventure guides were our personal naturalists and not only taught us so much about the environment, the history and the culture but made sure we were safe and happy at all times. A special shout out to Robert, Angel, Axel and Ems who entertained, educated and protected us…..
Thanks for an incredible week! We will be back! - via 