Deals of the day
Azulik Tulum
In the heart of the Mayan jungle, a revolutionary project is about to redefine human evolution. A new vision of the future that is guided by ancestral knowledge and creates community is beginning to shape up.The VILLAS of AZULIK Tulum are built in harmony with the Mayan jungle and the Caribbean Sea. With no electric light, A/C, or television, we present nature as our main amenity, setting the perfect mood for a…
Cocos Hotel Antigua
Perched on a lush green hillside, encircled by miles of heavenly blue sea and sandwiched between two gorgeous white sand beaches is COCOS Hotel, an all inclusive Antigua resort for couples and adults only. This rustic yet romantic and cozy boutique resort is located on the sunset side of the beautiful Caribbean Island of Antigua and comprises of a collection of 35 quaint wooden Cottages positioned on a pictoresque…
Bawah Reserve
A gorgeous tropical paradise surrounded by a blue ocean, Bawah Reserve sits in sheltered seclusion 160 nautical miles (300km) northeast of Singapore in the remote Anambas Archipelago, Indonesia. This pristine and previously uninhabited marine conservation area is surrounded by turquoise lagoons and coral reefs, which cater to outdoor adventurers looking to indulge as well as those looking to relax in paradise…
Villa Principe Leopoldo Lugano
Live in a fairy tale, surrounded by prestige and nature. Imagine contemplating Lugano’s beauty in a princely residence. The former private home of German Emperor Wilhelm’s brother in law, the Villa is located on a picturesque promontory called the Collina d’Oro (Golden Hill), whose views and location are the best kept secret in town. If you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to live in a legendary home, a stay…
Aria Hotel Budapest
The Aria Hotel Budapest is a luxury boutique hotel with an exquisite design inspired by music. To compliment the musical concept, master designer Zoltan Varro’s vision was to simultaneously recreate the rich, lavish atmosphere of a historic Hungarian palace while also embracing visitors in the warmth and comfort of a private residence…
Royal Mansour Marrakech
The Royal Mansour can be counted amongst the few establishments in the world that defy hotel excellence. Just a few steps away from the famous Jemaa El Fna square beats the heart of the Marrakesh Palace, offering travellers the unique concept of a medina within a medina.
Each area has been designed to intuitively take guests on a sensory journey. Take a step into the secret and sumptuous history of one of the…
Il Sereno Como
Il Sereno brings a new era of luxury to the banks of Italy’s iconic Lake Como. Awarded the title of “Most Anticipated New Luxury Hotel Opening in 2016” by Luxury Travel Advisor magazine, Il Sereno’s ethos of understated elegance presents a freshness to this well-established destination. Designed by Patricia Urquiola, Wallpaper* Magazine Designer of The Year 2015, the all-suite hotel promises modern style and an authentic…
Meneghetti Wine Hotel & Winery
In search for unique places, sometimes you need to get off the main roads. However, let them lead you to Bale, Istria. Then slow down and follow the road that gets narrower with every mile, as nature draws closer. Slow down even more, and then make a turn into the white road. As the iron gates of the Meneghetti estate open up in front of you, stop for just one moment – and realize that the magic actually appears off the…
Boutique Hotel Die Alpbacherin
The history of DER ALPBACHERIN began in the former Angelika house. Some time ago, in the middle of Alpbach, at house number 405, stood the small bed and breakfast “Haus Angelika”. Georg and Lisa ran them with a lot of love. The success proved you right and so the desire for a new place for more guests was born. A dream came true. Together with daughter Valentina and her boyfriend Thomas, plans, dreams and…
Kudadoo Private Island
Kudadoo’s renowned eco-consciousness and sleek design extend to the Maldives island’s 15 over-water residences where your uninterrupted enjoyment of the private island charm and the splendid natural surrounds are the norm….
Château de La Chèvre d’Or
Nature is everywhere at Château de la Chèvre d’Or. There are lots of different gardens filled with sculptures, fountains, waterfalls, flowers, herbs, trees and shrubs. The area is perfumed with the scents of jasmine, bougainvillea and roses. The magnificent colors create a framework that blends into the horizon and the sea…
Juma Amazon Lodge
With its prime location in one of the most remote and preserved regions of the Amazon Rainforest, Juma Amazon Lodge is an intimate and inviting property harmoniously nestled into the forest environment which defines it. Juma Amazon Lodge features 19 intimate bungalows seamlessly nestled into the lush surroundings of the Amazon Rainforest. In order to accommodate the water levels of the wet season…
Laucala Island Fiji
A private island refuge in the South Pacific, Laucala unites dramatic rainforest-laced landscapes and white sandy beaches with unparalleled levels of luxury and privacy. No expense has been spared at the exclusive tropical hideaway, where 25 Fijian-styled villas are set amid coconut plantations, beside deserted beaches and atop the island’s volcanic mountains, overlooking fertile coral reefs and endless jungle. Style and…
Cavo Tagoo Santorini
The exclusive Cavo Tagoo Santorini, twin of Cavo Tagoo Mykonos is located within walking distance from Fira and just a few kilometers from Oia, the resort offers luxurious suites, spectacular sunsets over the sea and a personalized service exceptional. All Suites are modern and feature a hot tub or private pool on the terrace style, design details, 43-inch LCD satellite TV, patio or terrace with stunning panoramic view…
Palazzo Navona Rome
The innovative Palazzo Navona Hotel fully deserved of its role as being amongst one of the most qualified 4 star Hotels within the city “centro”, capable of fulfilling its own lifestyle qualities to satisfy even the most demanding guest. The intimate and charming ambience emits a feeling of almost magic by creating a special atmosphere which pervades this residence surrounded by its historical-art and ancient Roman…
Cliveden House
Cliveden House is a privately owned 5 Red Star award-winning hotel, and sister to the world-renowned Chewton Glen Hotel & Spa in Hampshire. Our story is one of over 350 years of powerful personalities, iconic parties and scandalous affairs. Built in 1666 by the 2nd Duke of Buckingham, as a gift to his mistress, Cliveden House has remained a pinnacle of…
Mnemba Island Lodge
Steeped in culture and history, Zanzibar enticed adventurers, seafarers and traders from far and wide. Known as the spice island, from the centuries old trade of cloves, nutmeg and cinnamon, today the Zanzibar Archipelago is still bathed in the heady scents of spices and traditional dhows still drift across the horizon. A romantic hideaway, Mnemba Island is an exclusive paradise featuring twelve rustically chic beachside…
Villa Belvedere Taormina
Hotel Villa Belvedere is a delightful and charming boutique hotel, located at just a few minutes from Taormina’s lively town centre and from the world-famous Greek-Roman Theatre, which are both reachable by walking through the inspiring and panoramic Duca di Cesarò Botanic Gardens. The hotel benefits of wonderful views over the sea, the bay of Naxos and Mount Etna. The hotel has always been…
Gecko Hotel & Beach Club Formentera
In the beautiful and protected island of Formentera, Gecko Hotel & Beach Club was set out for like-minded individuals to unwind, connect with oneself and nature and above all celebrate life. Gecko brings to Formentera a new form of hospitality that unites our love for the island, the beach life and the elegance of a time in the past that continues to inspire us. Our clublike restaurant, in front of the Migjorn beach, offers a…
Casa Casuarina Miami
Casa Casuarina was built in 1930 by Alden Freeman. Alden Freeman’s father, Joel Freeman was Treasurer of The Standard Oil Trust (also known as Rockefeller’s Company) and left Alden a fabulous wealth when he passed away. That gave the young and wealthy Alden the opportunity to retire at the age of 27 from being an architect and travel all over the world. Alden was also a descendent of the Mayflower on his mother’s side…
Piccolo Hotel Portofino
Hotel Piccolo Portofino, surrounded by the typical luxuriant vegetation of the Liguria Riviera, among the crystal clear water of Portofino and the blue sky, is a piece of art of the reception, unique of its kind. A hidden jewel, that has to be searched end discovered. Obtained from a refined period villa, today it is a boutique hotel, and from its generous terraces, a breathtaking view onto this exclusive stretch of coast…
La Clef Champs-Élysées Paris
La Clef Champs-Élysées Paris, a 5-star hotel in the centre of Paris, offers you a unique stay in a typically Parisian atmosphere. The building was built in 1907 by the Hennessy family, during the enchanting interlude offered by the Paris of the “Belle Époque”. Reflecting this magical era, our luxury hotel in Paris embodies a certain French art de vivre. La Clef Champs-Élysées Paris enjoys an idyllic setting and immerses you in the…
Relais Borgo Santo Pietro
Situated in the heart of Tuscany, Relais Borgo Santo Pietro was once a healing stopover for medieval pilgrims. Today it continues to provide a sanctuary for modern souls, merging a 5 star luxury hotel and spa concept with a ‘farm to plate’ philosophy on a 300-acre estate. A sumptuous feeling of home pervades the 800-year-old luxury farmhouse hotel, with its worn leather armchairs pulled up around open fires, fresh flower…
Il San Pietro Di Positano
The San Pietro di Positano is more than a hotel. It is a journey within a journey, where memories are created and never forgotten. A haven of peace, immersed in nature, this elegant home harmonises old-world traditions of hospitality with contemporary, understated luxury. Escape to this small slice of paradise suspended between the sea and sky. Carved into the cliff overlooking the mediterranean Sea, our rooms are a…
Orca Island Cabins offers Alaska visitors unique yurt accommodations on a private island, and nearby shoreline property in scenic Humpy Cove in Resurrection Bay, AK located 9 miles southeast of Seward, Alaska, just a short drive south of Anchorage.
Owned and operated by long-time Alaskans Dennis and Susan Swiderski, Orca Island Cabins invites you to enjoy comfortable and stylish overnight accommodations in yurt cabins with Alaska wildlife and marine life right outside your cabin door.
Enjoy the best in Alaska whale watching, kayaking, fishing and hiking or just sit back, relax and observe scenic views and wildlife from your private deck – a very special Alaska experience.
The Orca Island Cabins experience is often referred to in the adventure travel industry as an example of “glamping”, a shortcut for “glamorous camping”, where comfortable lodgings are nestled in a unique and beautiful wilderness setting.
Our “glamping” accommodations in Alaska allow nature lovers the intimacy and privacy of appreciating true wilderness in total comfort.
All yurts at Orca Island Cabins have living and dining areas, fully-equipped kitchens, private bathrooms (and running water) and private decks for watching the sunset. Our yurts are aesthetically pleasing with lattice walls, a circular design and overhead domes that let in abundant natural light.
And not only are our yurts comfortable and stylish, they are also eco-friendly, utilizing solar power for electricity and propane for their cabin heaters, hot water heaters and kitchen ranges. Hey, we might as well call this “eco-glamping”!
Our guests at Orca Island Cabins love to go kayaking, fishing, tide pooling, wildlife viewing, bird watching and beach combing or just sit back and relax. So, join the “eco-glamping” club and experience a very special wilderness setting in Alaska in safety, comfort and style.
ABOUT YOUR HOSTS
Your hosts, Dennis and Susan Swiderski, are long-time Alaskans and have operated Orca Island Cabins since 2004. Susan, born in New Mexico, came to Alaska in 1969 when her father, a petroleum engineer, took a position with the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission.
Dennis, originally from Michigan, was practicing law in 1977 in Washington D.C. when he seized the opportunity to relocate in Alaska to practice law with a telecommunications company in Anchorage.
After Dennis and Susan married in 1982 and while raising three boys, they operated an eight-bedroom Anchorage bed and breakfast for six years.
Later they operated a scenic wildlife viewing and charter cruise business in Seward, Alaska; served as naturalists aboard a catamaran charter that cruised the waters of the Kenai Fjords National Park; and managed the Kenai Fjords Salmon Bake and Lodge on Fox Island.
In 1996, the Swiderski’s moved to Seward, Alaska. Their decision to move from Anchorage (population 280,000), Alaska’s largest city, to Seward (population 3,000) was the result of their unique experience of living with their boys on Fox Island, combined with their appreciation of the beauty and history of Seward, its location at the head of Resurrection Bay, its many outdoor recreation activities, and its small-town atmosphere.
The natural beauty of the Alaska wilderness that abounds in Seward has been an inspiration for Susan, who is a fine artist by profession and whose art (using the different media of watercolor, oil, and charcoal/pastel) embraces the many Alaska landscapes and seascapes near Seward as well as many of the historic buildings that coincide with the city’s founding in 1903.
Susan has had a number of solo art shows in Anchorage and on the Kenai Peninsula and is a member of Seward’s Mural Society. Susan designed the Mt. Marathon mural on the Seward Senior Center Building.
A selection of Susan’s art can be viewed on her website at: www.susanswiderski.com and, for those visiting Orca Island Cabins, at her art gallery on the island. Dennis and Susan welcome one and all to their island accommodations, which they hope you will enjoy and share with friends and family.
ALASKA YURT CABIN
Our Alaska yurt cabins on Orca Island near Seward, Alaska offer you a wonderful way to experience Alaska’s scenic beauty in a comfortable but natural and environmentally-sensitive manner. This is “glamping”, glamorous camping at its best!
Each yurt cabin sleeps 2 to 4 persons with a queen bed and a futon. Linens are provided, including pillows, blankets and comforters.
Our eco-friendly Alaskan cabins have solar power and each features a kitchen with propane range and complete set of dishes and basic cookware, a dining and comfortable living area, propane fireplace, private bathroom with shower and compost toilet, and a large private deck with barbecue grill.
GETTING TO ORCA ISLAND CABINS
We transport you to Orca Island Cabins via our water-taxi from Seward, Alaska. Meet us at the top of J-Dock ramp in the Seward Boat Harbor then take a 1 hour wildlife cruise to our location in Humpy Cove in Resurrection Bay, AK.
The charming Alaska town of Seward is located at the head of Resurrection Bay on the Kenai Peninsula, 127 miles south of Anchorage and is easily accessible by automobile and rail.
The drive to Seward from Anchorage, AK takes you south along the Seward Highway (an Alaska Scenic Byway and All-American Road) and takes about 2.5 hours.
ALASKA ACTIVITIES
Situated in a protected cove, Orca Island Cabins guests can enjoy Alaska whale watching, fishing, kayaking, birdwatching, tidepooling, exploring by paddle or foot, or just relax as Alaska wildlife surrounds you both by land and sea.
Watch mountain goats grazing on the mountainside, bald eagles overhead and Orcas (killer whales), humpback whales, Dall’s porpoise, Harbor porpoise, Steller sea lions and sea otters as they feed and play in Humpy Cove and Resurrection Bay.
SEA KAYAKING
Humpy Cove is an ideal location for sea kayaking – a protected and scenic cove; rugged coastline; snow-capped mountains; frequent sightings of harbor porpoise, sea otters, river otters, harbor seals, Steller sea lions and the occasional Orca (killer) whale and Humpback whale.
A popular destination for many of our guests is a salmon stream within Humpy Cove (30 minute paddle) where thousands of pink salmon spawn each July/August and where many bald eagles congregate to feed.
Contending with the bald eagle at the dinner table are the black bears who are adding pounds as they approach their hibernating period. A short hike to the head of the stream reveals a majestic waterfall which cascades into an elevated pond.
More challenging paddles outside Humpy Cove include Sandspit Point on Fox Island to the south and Thumb Cove to the north.
In addition to the marine life regularly observed in Humpy Cove, a variety of bird life is likewise on display throughout the summer months as thousands of seabirds nest and feed in nearby waters.
Marbled murrelets, black-legged kittiwakes, bald eagles and cormorants are regularly seen within the cove; and other seabirds, including common murres, horned and tufted puffins, are seen just outside Humpy Cove.
Whatever your interest, photo opportunities abound in Humpy Cove and its nearby waters for both the novice and experienced kayaker.
HIKING
In addition to beaches and expanses of shoreline to explore in Humpy Cove, there are 2 hiking trails in the cove for those who want the challenge of ascending to greater heights.
Jeep Trail: Hike the historic World War II jeep trail that begins in the NE corner of Humpy Cove (5 minutes from the island by kayak or row boat) and terminates at the mountain top at the northern point of the cove.
This trail was established by the military to access a base station/overlook at the summit. Wonderful views of Humpy Cove and Resurrection Bay can be seen along the ascent.
Waterfall Trail: For those who kayak to the salmon stream and waterfall in the southern end of Humpy Cove, the opportunity to hike around and above the waterfall awaits you. The trail begins at the right side of the waterfall and continues along a rather steep and rocky pathway.
This is a demanding hike and requires much caution, especially under inclement/rainy conditions. But scenic vistas, small waterfalls and a variety of fauna await you.
RESURRECTION BAY CRUISE (2 hours)
Join us on a cruise of Resurrection Bay and see some of the most breathtaking coastal seascapes and landscapes in southcentral Alaska.
This is an area where snow-capped mountains meet the ocean and provide nesting grounds for cliff-dwelling seabirds, haul-out areas for the Steller lea lion, and feeding grounds for Orca and Humpback whales.
As we cruise by the bird rookeries at Cape Resurrection and Barwell Island, we’ll observe tufted and horned puffins, cormorants, black-legged kittiwakes, common murres, pigeon guillimots, black oystercatchers, bald eagles and other seabirds.
And along the cliffs we often spot the sure-footed mountain goat who seeks the cliffside for protection from its predators. Our cruises are scheduled at times convenient for our guests.
FISHING
Enjoy casual fishing from Orca Island itself, from its dock or from our rowing skiffs. Complimentary fishing gear is available to our guests for their use and enjoyment. A variety of bottom fish, including rockfish, flounder and sea bass are in our Alaskan waters all summer.
During July and August, look for schools of pink (Humpy) and silver (Coho) salmon as they swim by the island in pursuit of salmon spawning streams of their origin.
For the serious fisherman, half-day and full-day fishing charters can be arranged with fishing charter operators in Seward who will pick up and drop off our guests at Orca Island.
STAND-UP PADDLEBOARDING
The calm waters within Humpy Cove offer our guests the unique opportunity to enjoy paddleboarding in a majestic, coastal setting.
Explore the intricate coastline and rock formations near Orca Island, explore the island’s inter-tidal zone, observe a variety of marine life – harbor seals, harbor porpoise, river and sea otters – who often visit you while underway, or just lie back and relax on your paddleboard and experience island time while adrift.
Whether by kayak or paddleboard, many paddle under our footbridge – a popular photo op. Wet suits are available for our guests to use for paddleboarding or for just taking a dip in our “cool” ocean waters.
ART GALLERY
Many of our guests enjoy the opportunity to browse among the art works in the island’s art gallery. On display in the gallery are original oil paintings of Susan, many of which are painted in the “plein air” tradition, and select pieces of jewelry and other locally crafted items.
The gallery is open at all times for our guests to visit. A cozy fireplace in the gallery and its spacious deck make this a comfortable venue for our guests to enjoy at any time.
