Machaca Hill Rainforest Canopy Lodge
Included in the Conde Nast New hotel Hot List 2010
Originally established as a fishing lodge, Machaca Hill Rainforest Canopy Lodge is a remote haven set above the Rio Grande on a verdant plateau amid the Laughing Falcon Reserve.
This beautiful boutique lodge features 12 suites, all sited to frame dramatic vistas of the jungle through a large screened veranda. Rich autumnal tones set the theme of most suites with drapes and textiles adding further warmth to the sumptuous interiors. Vaulted ceilings soar above cool terracotta floors furnished with romantic wrought iron bedsteads, a desk and comfy chairs. Each private spa bathroom is a showcase of exceptional craftsmanship. The exotic hardwood cabinet, hand carved on-site, is coupled with a roomy shower stall clad in smooth pebbles and flooded with natural light from the floor to ceiling window that overlooks the forest canopy.
From the upper veranda in the main lodge one can see Honduras and Guatemala across the Caribbean Sea to the east and the Maya Mountains to the west. This scenic backdrop also sites a delightful setting for savouring the fine gourmet suppers prepared with organic ingredients grown on Machaca Hill’s 12,000-acre reserve. Guests can also dine at the riverside accompanied by the mesmerising sound of a drumming troupe.
The Toledo rainforest is home to a myriad of wildlife that can be discovered with experienced guides on daily hikes and nocturnal treks. Subterranean treks to the impressive caves of Blue Creek, Yok Balum and Hokeb Ha reveal awe-inspiring stalagmites and stalactites worthy of exploration. Water based activities offered at Machaca Hill include snorkelling, diving and world class fishing. For relaxation, the spa offers an array of core therapeutic treatments and yoga.