From icebergs
to Patagonia.
An inn on stilts above the North Atlantic, a desert retreat in Utah, a clifftop hideaway in Big Sur, a lodge facing Patagonia's granite towers, the only hotel inside Iguaçu National Park, and cloud forest gardens below Machu Picchu. This guide covers seasons in both hemispheres, routes, food and the parks worth adding.
- Countries
- Canada, United States, Chile, Brazil, Peru
- Currencies
- Canadian dollar · US dollar · Chilean peso · Brazilian real · Peruvian sol
- Languages
- English, Spanish, Portuguese, Quechua
- Time zones
- UTC−8 (California) to UTC−3 (Brazil, Patagonia); Newfoundland is UTC−3:30
- Power
- 120V Types A/B in North America; 220V in Chile and Peru; 127/220V in Brazil
- Best months
- North: June to October · Patagonia: November to March · Machu Picchu: May to September
- Between hotels
- Long-haul flights; each hotel is a trip in itself
- Entry
- eTA for Canada and ESTA for the US for many visitors; rules vary in South America
Two continents of wild places
Our hotels in the Americas are all about landscape. In the north: an inn on Fogo Island built to support its fishing community, a desert retreat cut into Utah's mesas, and wood-and-glass houses high above the Pacific at Big Sur.
In the south: a lodge at the foot of the Paine massif in Chilean Patagonia, a pink colonial hotel inside Iguaçu National Park, and stone casitas in the cloud forest below Machu Picchu.
Remember the hemispheres. When it's summer in Utah and Newfoundland, it's winter in Patagonia; the best months for the southern hotels are roughly November to March, except Machu Picchu, which is clearest in the dry season from May to September.
Who this region suits: hikers, photographers, architecture lovers and anyone who wants nature on a grand scale.
When to go
Fogo Island
- Late spring to early summer: icebergs drift south from Greenland along 'Iceberg Alley'. Sightings vary greatly by year.
- Summer: whales feed offshore, days are long and trails are at their best.
- Late summer to autumn: berry picking season and dramatic weather.
- Winter: pack ice, snow and storm watching for those who want true isolation. Ferry crossings can be disrupted.
Southern Utah
- Spring and autumn: warm days, cool nights and the best hiking conditions.
- Summer: days often above 35°C. Hike at dawn. From about July to September, monsoon storms can cause dangerous flash floods in slot canyons.
- Winter: crisp, clear days and cold nights, occasional snow on the mesas, and very few visitors.
Getting around
Newfoundland: fly into Gander or St. John's. From Gander it's about an hour's drive to the ferry at Farewell. The crossing to Fogo Island takes around 45 minutes, and ferries can be delayed by weather, so leave slack in your schedule.
The Southwest: a car is essential. Page has a small airport near Amangiri; most travellers fly into Las Vegas or Phoenix and drive. Fill up with fuel whenever you can, as distances between towns are long.
Time zones: Utah observes daylight saving time. Most of Arizona, including Page, does not, while the Navajo Nation in Arizona does. In summer, your phone may change time several times in a day's drive.
| Journey | Best way | Typical time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toronto to Gander | Flight | ≈ 2h 45m | Seasonal and connecting routes vary |
| Gander to Farewell | Car | ≈ 1h | Ferry terminal for Fogo Island |
| Farewell to Fogo Island | Ferry | ≈ 45m | Weather can delay crossings |
| St. John's to Gander | Car | ≈ 3h 30m | Along the Trans-Canada Highway |
| Las Vegas to Amangiri | Car | ≈ 4h 30m | Or connect to Page by small plane |
| Amangiri to Zion | Car | ≈ 2h | Through Kanab |
| Amangiri to Grand Canyon South Rim | Car | ≈ 2h 30m–3h | Via Cameron |
A two-week route between extremes
- 1
St. John's · 1 night
Fly into St. John'sSignal Hill, the colourful houses of Jellybean Row and Cape Spear, the easternmost point of North America.
- 2
Fogo Island · 4 nights at Fogo Island Inn
Drive to Farewell · about 4h 30m, then ferryCoastal trails, art studios, an iceberg boat trip in season and dinners built on cod and wild berries.
- 3
Zion · 1 night
Fly Gander to Las Vegas via Toronto, then drive about 2h 45mHike the Riverside Walk or Angels Landing (permit required for the final section).
- 4
Canyon Point · 4 nights at Amangiri
Drive · about 2hAntelope Canyon, Lake Powell, the via ferrata and stargazing.
- 5
Grand Canyon · 1 night, then home
Drive · about 2h 30m–3hSunrise on the South Rim, then fly home from Phoenix, about 3h 30m away.
Customs and etiquette
- Newfoundland hospitality: people are famously friendly. Expect to be drawn into conversation, and accept an invitation to a kitchen party if you get one.
- The 'screech-in': a light-hearted ceremony for visitors involving a shot of rum and kissing a cod. Entirely optional.
- Tipping in the US: 18 to 22% in restaurants, a few dollars per bag for porters. Sales tax is added at the register, not shown on price tags.
- Tipping in Canada: 15 to 20% where service is not included.
- Navajo Nation: Antelope Canyon and other sites on Navajo land can only be visited with a licensed Navajo guide. Ask before photographing people and homes.
- Leave no trace: stay on trails, carry out all rubbish and never stack rocks or touch rock art.
What to eat
Toutons
Fried bread dough served with molasses, a breakfast classic.
Cod tongues
Small, tender pieces of cod, fried crisp. Better than they sound.
Jiggs dinner
Salt beef boiled with cabbage, potatoes and pease pudding; a Sunday tradition.
Fish and brewis
Salt cod with hard bread soaked overnight, topped with fried pork fat.
Partridgeberry desserts
Tart wild berries in jams, pies and cakes.
Navajo taco
Frybread topped with beans, meat, lettuce and cheese.
Green chile stew
Pork or beef slow-cooked with roasted green chiles.
Fry sauce
A pink mix of ketchup and mayonnaise served with every order of fries.
Prickly pear
The fruit of the cactus, turned into a bright pink syrup for drinks and desserts.
Ceviche
Raw fish cured in lime with chilli and red onion, Peru's national dish.
Feijoada
Black beans slow-cooked with pork, served with rice, greens and orange.
Cordero al palo
Lamb roasted slowly on a spit beside an open fire.
Parks and places worth adding
Gros Morne National Park
A UNESCO site with fjords, sea cliffs and exposed earth's mantle rock.
Twillingate
A fishing town known as a top spot for iceberg viewing.
Cape Spear
The easternmost point of North America, with a historic lighthouse.
St. John's
Colourful terraces, George Street pubs and Signal Hill.
Zion National Park
Towering red cliffs and the Narrows, a hike through a river canyon.
Bryce Canyon
Amphitheatres of orange rock spires called hoodoos.
Monument Valley
The sandstone buttes of countless Westerns, on Navajo land.
Grand Canyon
Two billion years of geology in one view. Stay for sunrise.
Sacred Valley
Inca terraces at Pisac, Moray and Ollantaytambo.
Puerto Natales
A small harbour town for supplies, seafood and boat trips to the glaciers.
Six houses, two hemispheres
Open any tab to read the full dossier: rooms, a three-day plan, dining, experiences, transfers, climate and local know-how.
The Americas hotels compared
Americas: frequently asked
Do I need a car?
In the Southwest, yes. On Fogo Island, the inn can arrange transport, but a car helps you explore Newfoundland before and after.
When can I see icebergs?
Usually in late spring and early summer, but numbers and timing vary every year. Local iceberg-tracking websites give live updates.
Is summer too hot for Amangiri?
Days are very hot, often above 35°C. Plan activities at dawn and dusk and spend midday at the pool or spa.
Are slot canyons dangerous?
They can be. Rain miles away can cause flash floods. Go with a guide and never enter a slot canyon if storms are forecast.
Can I reach Fogo Island in winter?
Yes, the ferry runs year-round, but ice and storms can cause delays or cancellations. Build in extra days.
What entry documents do I need?
Many visa-exempt travellers need an eTA to fly to Canada and an ESTA for the United States. Check official government sites for your nationality.