At cazenove+loyd, we believe in the importance of travel We know that the best trips are those that are planned meticulously and well in advance. There is no doubt that it does – and should – take time to get the perfect holiday just right. Here are the things we have been working on and reasons to start planning your next trip now.

Availability

Due to COVID-19, many of our clients have deferred their 2020 travel plans to 2021 and beyond, and while there is still availability in our favourite places to stay and with our best guides, we recommend starting to discuss your plans with one of our experts now.

The worlds best travel guides with cazenove + loyd

Flexibility

We understand from our client survey that the most important factor to you is flexibility to give you as much assurance as possible when booking your next trip. For clients who have been unable to travel due to COVID-19 in the last few months, we have had outstanding success at making alternative arrangements and deferring their bookings to a more suitable time in the future – in most cases, at no additional cost. Similarly, in the event of cancellation, we have actively worked with our suppliers on the ground to recover funds and, to date, have either managed to recover 100% of the funds, or the majority of the funds, with the balance in the form of a credit note where possible.

Going forward, we can guarantee that should you not be able to travel due to COVID-19, we can defer your ground arrangements to a date that you are able to travel, subject to availability and seasonality, at zero cost to you and have secured a no increase agreement with our suppliers for travel until the end of 2021. We are also able to change both international and domestic flights, but this may incur additional cancellation and alteration fees imposed by the airline, which we will mitigate when we can. For added peace of mind, all client funds deposited with us or suppliers are held in a distinct ring-fenced account, until such time as they become payable.

Protection

Booking and travelling with an accredited tour operator is more important than ever in these uncertain times. Unlike many others, cazenove+loyd is ATOL protected by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). Our ATOL number is 3208. This means that the UK government guarantees all funds paid out to a bonded operator and is bound to pay in full if the bond holder is unable to deliver as contracted.

Alila Purnama, Indonesia

Insurance

We have excellent relationships with a handful of insurance companies who provide various forms of COVID-19 cover in the event that you, or a member of your party, contract the virus either before or during your trip. Each one offers a different policy with varying terms and conditions, so we strongly recommend getting a series of quotes and discussing your personal requirements in detail with them in order to find the best one for you. Get in touch with us to find out more.

Safety + sanitation

We have put the relevant measures in place so that our destinations are ready to welcome you safely once borders are open. In all of our destinations, sanitation and hygiene in our vehicles and the properties we work with are extensive, with cleaning protocols rigidly followed as well as other necessary safety requirements. Every trip starts with a blank piece of paper and is totally tailor-made to you. However, we understand the demand for destinations that can be reached by direct flight and itineraries designed to avoid built-up and crowded areas and staying in smaller hotels, private houses and on boats that you can take with family and friends. We always arrange private vehicles and guides for our clients when travelling in a destination and can also organise private charters and private jet travel for both international and domestic flights.

Airports

We have a fantastic VIP service in place to help you navigate the airport to make your journey as smooth and easy as possible.

Exciting developments + new beginnings

Despite the negative impact of COVID-19 on the travel industry, many of our favourite places that we have long-standing relationships with have been making the most of this year and have been using their time productively and positively to support their local community, renovate and improve their offering in time to welcome our clients with open arms when they can, whenever that may be.

In Asia, Bawah Private Reserve has been busy constructing some magnificent new villas on a second isle, Elang, which are perfect for families. “This small reserve of private Indonesian islands, covered by bottle-green jungle and surrounded by aquamarine reefs and chalk-white beaches, are truly out of this world,” says Penny Buckley, Head of our Asia, Australasia + the Middle East team, who visited Bawah when it first opened. “I am so excited about the latest developments here, which – as elsewhere on the reserve – are being carried out with the utmost respect to preserving the natural environment.”

Aerial View of Bawah Private Reserve, Indonesia | Indonesia Luxury Holidays

Beautiful Bawah Private Reserve in Indonesia

Soneva Fushi, in the Maldives, is adding some amazing new water retreats, which we think will be ideal if you’re looking for a secluded slice of paradise.

Moreover, The Wallawwa and Nine Skies, both in Sri Lanka, have been doing a great deal of work to expand their vegetable gardens – growing amazing produce to share with the surrounding communities and ready to feed their guests the freshest ingredients during their stay.

View from the garden at Nine Skies luxury boutique hotel in Sri Lanka

A huge amount has also been going on behind the scenes in Africa. DumaTau, an eight-room tented camp in Botswana‘s Linyanti Wildlife Reserve, is being redesigned and rebuilt, with each room boasting its own plunge pool and indoor and outdoor showers. Nearby, the four-bedroom Little DumaTau is opening soon, ideal for families and groups of friends. “These new tented camps, in what I believe is one of the best locations in the Linyanti area, are going to be truly incredible,” says Claire Ferguson, Head of our Africa + the Indian Ocean team.

Cosy viewing platform at DumaTau camp in Botswana's Linyanti Wildlife Reserve

Cosy viewing platform at DumaTau camp in Botswana’s Linyanti Wildlife Reserve

In Kenya, the team at Ol Malo, a fantastic family-run lodge and wildlife sanctuary in Laikipia, has extended their vegetable and herb gardens and their orchard, adding lemon, avocado, berry and orange trees, as well as restructuring their brood of chickens and livestock to produce compost to fertilise the gardens. “We have a number of lovely homebred youngsters to add to our horse safari string,” adds Chyulu Francombe, Co-owner of Ol Malo, “so I have finally had some time to break in and bring on five young fillies who are all now getting well accustomed to wildlife and they’ll be ready for your guests to set out on exciting expeditions soon. We have also been out discovering new places to ride, walk and camp – and have found a stunning new area. It’s a very cool place to do a chopper camp, so you can fly in and sleep a night or two under the stars out in the open country of the lower river valley. It’s an amazing spot and fun to explore the surrounding area by helicopter and on foot during the day.”

Chopper camp at Ol Malo, wildlife sanctuary in Laikipia, Kenya

Chopper camp at Ol Malo, wildlife sanctuary in Laikipia, Kenya

We are also very excited about the gorgeous new villa at Kinondo Kwetu, a boutique beach lodge south of Diani. “Kinondo Kwetu having a new private villa is fantastic news,” says Claire, “as it is our favourite beach retreats for families and couples alike, and perfect for some R&R after a Kenyan safari.”

Kinondo Kwetu, Private Villa in Kenya

Beachside lunch at Kinondo Kwetu, private villa in Kenya

In Australia, Silky Oaks Lodge in Tropical North Queensland is soon to start a huge makeover, which we are incredibly excited about, as the property will become the first of its kind in this spectacular area, home to unspoilt islands, the Great Barrier Reef and dense rainforests. We can’t wait to design some amazing new hiking, horse-riding, snorkelling and scuba-diving experiences from this fantastic base.

Silky Oaks Lodge in Queensland, Australia

Silky Oaks Lodge in Queensland, Australia

In addition, we are thrilled to announce that Southern Ocean Lodge, on Kangaroo Island, which tragically burnt down in the bushfires earlier this year, has made a start along its road to recovery. “Southern Ocean Lodge was in one of the most memorable locations of any hotel I have visited in the world,” says Penny Buckley, Head of our Asia, Australasia + the Middle East team. “Set on a secluded clifftop facing out to sea, it was so sensitively designed that it blended seamlessly with this rugged, untouched landscape. The new lodge will be exactly the same and I cannot wait to return there to look out over those crashing ocean waves towards Antarctica, as the sun goes down.”

Southern Ocean Lodge, Kangaroo Island, Australia

Southern Ocean Lodge, Kangaroo Island

In Latin America, two beautiful new tented suites are being created at the fabulous Kasiiya Papagayo, an off-the-radar retreat in Costa Rica that we absolutely love for its wilderness location on a bay gently lapped by the Pacific Ocean and backed by one of the last swathes of primary tropical ‘dry’ forest on the west coast of South America. “Kasiiya is a dream jungle hideaway for those looking to get off the beaten track, slow down, connect with nature and enjoy the wonderful and wild beaches you’ll find here,” says our Latin America expert, Milly Warr.

Kasiiya Papagayo secluded retreat in Costa Rica

Kasiiya Papagayo secluded retreat in Costa Rica

In Ecuador, Hacienda Zuleta in the Norther Sierra,has been using its surplus milk to make different cheeses, while Hacienda la Danesa, an hour west of Guayaquil, has been supplying the local community with homegrown produce to support them at this challenging time. “Both owner-run lodges, these are as much about the people as they are about the place,” says our Director + Co-Owner, Christopher Wilmot-Sitwell. Hacienda Zuleta and Hacienda Danesa are two of those special places we have worked with from the very start.”

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They say there is no time like the present, so we suggest using this time wisely to let us know what it is you need. Don’t hesitate to pick up the telephone, speak to one of our experts and start discussing your options. Now is the time to start the conversation and get planning your next incredible escape.

Chat to an expert to start planning your trip

Get in touch and one of our luxury travel experts will answer any questions you may have and help create your dream tailor-made holiday.

Aisha Gross
Auriole Potter
Karen Chapman

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