The ultimate luxury experience: exploring Antarctica’s frozen otherworldly landscapes and awe-inspiring wildlife with the most luxurious lodge on the continent. Whichaway Camp is the polar equivalent of an exclusive lodge on the Moon or Mars. It’s the first and only luxury Antarctica hotel alternative, open seasonally from late October or November (the Antarctic Spring) through late February or early March (the Antarctic Fall).Book South Pole Central Hotel
This year, White Desert opened its second lodge at Echo Base – a space-inspired, remote base whose nearest neighbor is the International Space Station that flies some 250 miles overhead. It’s an excellent choice for those who want a full-on adventure that includes on-land excursions, such as visiting coastal colonies of dawdling emperor penguins and (at an additional cost) expeditions to the Geographic South Pole.
The Magic of the South Pole: Luxury Hotel Experiences Await
The ice-inspired décor carries over to the spacious Master Suites, which are designed for two. The floor resembles an ice floe, and the ceiling is decorated with a mural of a wandering albatross that has a 12-foot wingspan. Black and white accents adorn the room, as do LED downlights that resemble stars. The suites are also kitted out with a wide basin and an oversize walk-in shower that opens to a frosted glass dome. Eco-friendly toiletries add a thoughtful touch.
As a final note, the hotel doesn’t accept tips, which is an unusual move in Iceland, but the staff explained that they instead channel any funds to local search and rescue teams. The result: tens of thousands of euros donated so far.