Thursday, October 18, 2007

Five-star Travel: Desert Resorts

It's too cold to stay in New York but if Aruba and St. Barts are too clichéd you can find a new hot spot in the desert.

In the Sahara Desert in Morocco, just outside the ancient city of Marrakech, lies Amanjena (amanjena.com), where guests can relax in the two-story Al-Hamra Maison with two bedrooms, private gardens and swimming pool and butler service for $3,000 a night. The resort tries to live up to its translation meaning “peaceful paradise" with an extensive spa menu and library and tennis courts that ensure guests are never bored.

At the Hotel de Lariche in San Pedro, Chile (explora.com/atacama), tourists can explore the secrets of the Atacama Desert via a personal guided tour and at the end of the trek, settle into their suite's Jacuzzi or comfortable sitting area.