Imagine accenting your trip to Italy with a stay in a Paleolithic-era cave dwelling, or watching hippos play in a lagoon in Zambia while relaxing on your room’s terrace, or waking up in a bungalow nestled in the shadow of a volcano in the depths of a Costa Rican rainforest…

Our small group tours of just 12–24 guests allow us to stay in unique, intimate lodgings just like these – a feature typically not available to conventional tour groups of 35, 40, or more. Below, we’ve highlighted 10 of our favorite small group accommodations, each of which you can experience for yourself on an Odysseys Unlimited tour.

Locanda di San Martino – Southern Italy & Sicily

The 40-room Locanda di San Martino in Matera, Italy, offers guests the rare opportunity to stay in cave dwellings created thousands of years ago. These ancient caverns have been renovated into comfortable guest rooms while maintaining the original layouts and stonework of each historic home. Rock-hewn passageways, external staircases, and elevators connect all four levels of the hotel. The focus of our stay is the unique experience the hotel can offer in an area famous for this type of dwelling.

The Royal Senchi Hotel and Resort – West Africa Discovery

The Royal Senchi Hotel and Resort, a serene getaway off the shores of the Volta River in remote Akosombo, Ghana, is surrounded by a thirty-five-acre conservation nature park, allowing guests the opportunity to spot the rare butterfly and bird species who live on the grounds. The hotel blends traditional architecture and native flora and fauna with its contemporary comforts and modern amenities, all accented with Ghanaian-inspired décor.

Kennicott Glacier Lodge – Alaska’s Untamed Wilderness

This family-owned 43-room lodge boasts gracious hospitality and breathtaking Alaskan scenery with views of the Kennicott Glacier, Mount Blackburn, and the Chugach Mountains. Located near the center of the 40 remaining structures that make up the historic town of Kennicott, the main lodge is a replica of one of the copper-mining buildings from the town’s early 20^th-century mining boom days.

Royal Palm Galapagos – Machu Picchu to the Galapagos

The Royal Palm Galapagos comprises a secluded private estate set in a lush Miconia forest in the highlands of the Galapagos’ central island, Santa Cruz. Along with rainforest-like gardens, the 480-acre property is home to extensive webs of onsite lava tunnels. The guest accommodations consist of 21 separate casitas and villas, each designed with a blend of colonial and traditional island elements that complement the natural surroundings.

Mfuwe Lodge – Africa’s Wildlife

Surrounded by two lagoons and canopied by ebony and mahogany trees, Mfuwe Lodge sits within South Luangwa National Park in a “watering hole” renowned for its excellent wildlife sighting locations. In fact, in November, elephants are known to wander directly through the open-air lobby to reach a nearby mango tree. The lodge’s 18 air-conditioned, open-plan, thatch-roofed guest chalets provide guests with a rustic yet comfortable – and unique – experience.

Lomas del Volcán Hotel – Costa Rica’s Natural Heritage

The Lomas del Volcán Hotel is nestled within 370 acres of lush Costa Rican farmland at the base of the Arenal Volcano, surrounded by the diverse flora and fauna for which the country is known. The hotel’s 47 private bungalows emulate the traditional local architecture, each with wood-plank walls, vaulted ceilings, comfortable furnishings, and two terraces with views of the volcano and the rainforest.

Manoir de Mathan – Provincial French Countryside

Experience French country living in rural Crépon while staying in this stately 17^th-century manor. Once a private residence, the hotel comprises a garden courtyard surrounded by three buildings, each with exposed beams, antique furniture, and stone staircases. The manor has been extensively renovated to house 21 modernly outfitted guest rooms featuring unique layouts, furnishings, and décor that reflect the property’s vintage French farmhouse aesthetic.

Dera Village – The Clement Retreats – Mystical India

Off the beaten path in rural Rajasthan sits Dera Village – The Clement Retreats, a rustic yet comfortable haven of guest cabins ideal for experiencing firsthand how many Indians live: away from cities in the remote countryside.  The retreat offers 16 private “Dhanis”-style cottages surrounding an outdoor common area, where guests can enjoy a bonfire; play croquet, cricket, or badminton; or just relax and enjoy the surrounding gardens.

Pousada dos Loios (Pousada Convento Évora) – Paradores & Pousadas

This former 15^th-century convent, now converted into a hotel, sits in the midst of historic Evora, Portugal, with sites such as Catedral Gótica de Évora and the Roman Temple right next door. The building has retained much of the fine architectural details from its past, including decorative arches, a marble staircase, a cloistered garden, and frescoed walls and ceilings. The convent’s 36 monastic cells have been converted into small but comfortable guest rooms; only the function and the décor of the rooms have been changed since the 1400s.

MyBanLao Hotel – Southeast Asia Odyssey

Located just a short walk from the center of the UNESCO World Heritage town of Luang Prabang, Laos, MyBanLao Hotel has played numerous roles throughout history: in the 1960s, the general in command of the Royal Lao Armed Forces called this place home; during the Secret War between the U.S. and Laos (1964–1973), it housed an undercover CIA headquarters hidden under the guise of USAID offices; and finally, in 2022, it was renovated and opened as a hotel. The 60-room boutique accommodation is surrounded by tropical gardens and accented with French-inspired décor.

Let us help you make your next travel experience unforgettable; reserve your spot on one of our small group tours today. You’ll enjoy all the benefits of small group travel: unique accommodations, intimate experiences, spontaneous encounters, and more freedom and independence than conventional group tours. To make your reservation, just give us a call or submit an online reservation request and we’ll be happy to assist you.