Rainforest Retreat, Franz Josef

Rainforest Retreat - Franz Josef

Pippy McCurdy: 
 http://www.unusualstays.com/
http://www.stumbleuponcroatiaslovenia.com/

Franz Josef is an isolated spot, but the village at the foot of the mountains buzzes with a constant influx of tourists as bus-load after bus-load pull in, stay awhile then move on down the rugged West Coast. Rainforest Retreat at Franz Josef is an extensive complex with all levels of accommodation from backpacker cabins to comfortable family units. There are numerous facilities for guests from spa pools and sauna, to onsite restaurant, and friendly staff to cope with tourist enquiries and travel arrangements.

The restaurant and bar have a fabulous open fire to make up for the disinterested staff and the mediocre food.

Chalets are discreetly positioned in amongst the trees of the rainforest and efforts have been made to preserve and retain this forest cover as much as possible whilst still providing the facilities on most tourist agendas. Behind the buildings high up on the mountainside the glacier is clearly visible - weather allowing. With so much forest nearby the forest birds can often be seen and heard flitting between overhanging branches.

Across the road from the Rainforest Retreat - barely two minutes walk away -  are the gorgeous Franz Josef Hot-pools - also set in amongst the bush, under canvas canopies to provide all-weather enjoyment.

With so much going for it could there be anything to object to about the Rainforest Retreat? Well  yes, because as nice as it was, tree houses it was not.

Log cabins advertised as tree houses and tree huts are in fact houses and huts made of trees. (Logs ). They are not houses or huts in trees. Surely this is misleading? Log cabins 'raised up into the forest canopy' suggests something that is not born out in reality. Four steps does not a tree hut make!

The 'tree huts" were in fact rather nice. Comfortable, attractive and well appointed. This may not be an unusual place to stay ( which is what I was hoping for) - but in other respects it was eco-aware and very pleasant as far as tourist motels go.

Websites: http://www.unusualstays.com/
http://www.stumbleuponcroatiaslovenia.com/