Natural Seclusion: 5 Rainforest Hotels

“Relaxing on a balcony surrounded by the gentle sounds of tropical birds and crickets, or tearing through jungle canopy on a high wire 100ft from the forest floor; a stay in the rainforest can be as relaxing or adrenaline-pumping as you want. Whichever appeals, there’s something irresistibly special and exotic about the rainforest. Check out these five rainforest hotels that put you in the thick of the jungle for a truly wild experience.

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Daintree Wilderness Lodge, Australia
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If you believe local guides, the Daintree is the oldest rainforest in the world. Whatever the truth, this extraordinary ecosystem certainly feels ancient – the massive swathes of rainforest are incredibly dense and stretch all the way from Mount Sorrow down to the impossibly perfect beaches, where you can join a trip out to the Great Barrier Reef. With white sand, the reef in easy distance and trees groaning with wild fruit and coconuts, this is as close to paradise as anywhere in Australia. Daintree Wilderness Lodge lets you stay in the heart of Tropical North Queensland’s rainforest – falling asleep and waking up each day to the sounds of the jungle here makes you feel like you could have travelled back in time a million years.

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Nayara Resort Spa & Gardens, Costa Rica
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The perfect cone of Arenal Volcano is one of Costa Rica’s most emblematic sights. Stay at the Nayara Resort Spa & Gardens and you can enjoy a view of the volcano over the jungle canopy from your balcony. The resort is a luxury base for exploring the Arenal Volcano National Park, whether you’re interested in nature tours or adventurous activities like canyoning, ziplining and rafting. Rooms are in independent bungalows standing above tropical gardens and you can even have your own private plunge pool fed by nearby geothermal springs.

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Mutiara Taman Negara, Malaysia
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Across the Tembeling River from the cluster of resorts in the little town of Kuala Tahan, this family-friendly resort is the only one actually in Taman Negara National Park, putting you right in the jungle. Malaysia’s largest and oldest national park has some of the oldest rainforest in the world (it’s often claimed to be the oldest) and is home to the world’s longest canopy walkway. It’s a must on a visit here, and probably the most spectacular way to conquer a fear of heights. A stay at Mutiara Taman Negara makes it easily accessible, with hiking trails into the park starting at the hotel, and rooms come with traditional décor and modern facilities.

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Maya Ubud Resort and Spa, Bali
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Ubud is Bali’s cultural centre, and the Maya Ubud Resort and Spa is ideally placed for exploring the ancient temples and trekking the jungle nearby. But the resort’s massive range of onsite activities makes deciding what to do each day here a tough prospect. There’s a focus on wellness, with an open air pavilion for yoga sessions overlooking the nearby rice fields, and you can even learn to prepare traditional Balinese cuisine at a cooking class onsite.

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Rainforest Boutique Resort, India
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Opposite the hypnotically beautiful Athirapally Falls, both the rooms and restaurant of this outstanding hillside hotel give some of the best views in Kerala. The waterfall is one of the most spectacular in India – even in the dry months it’s roaring – and waking up to see the falls in flow is an experience that stays with you. It’s hard to overstate how special the vista is, and you’re instantly struck by it when you arrive at Rainforest Boutique Resort.

You can trek down to the base or up to the pools at the top of the falls, and there are wildlife tours into the surrounding forest where you can expect to see Malabar giant squirrels, macaques and – if you’re lucky – elephants. The relative remoteness gives Rainforest a secluded feel, making it an ideal honeymoon location or a romantic part of a longer tour of India; there’s even a tree house.”