The desire to travel and escape the city is being compounded by travel restrictions triggered by the global pandemic. With travel confined to destinations accessible by car, we are launching a Staycation Series, to provide you with unique staycation options around the world, spanning the Americas, Europe, Asia Pacific, and beyond. Join us as we explore Tribal Hotel located in Granada, Nicaragua.

Tribal Hotel is located in the old colonial city of Granada, Nicaragua, 50 minutes from Managua’s international airport to the North, and about two hours from the beaches near San Juan del Sur and the border with Costa Rica to the South. Home to the second-largest rainforest in the Americas, Nicaragua is also known as the ‘land of lakes and volcanoes’.

The seven-room hotel was conceived by New York hospitality veterans Yvan Cussigh (Thom Bar@Sixty Thompson) and Jean-Marc Houmard (Indochine, Acme, Tijuana Picnic). The hotel opened to great acclaim in 2014 and quickly became one of the most talked-about properties in Central America, with multiple accolades from international travel and lifestyle publications.

One of the reasons to plan a staycation at a property like Tribal Hotel is because every design element tells a story. Throughout the property, you will find decorative elements inspired by international projects and adapted with a local flavour, and intriguing pieces that highlight local craftsmanship and character.

Beginning in the lobby, the metal chairs were hand-forged over a live fire by a local blacksmith, and the geometric black and white tiles were inspired by an old Parisian residence and hand-cut one-by-one in a local tile shop. Stairs leading up to the Junior Suites from the main floor sport a similarly distinct pattern.

The small outdoor pool shrouded in lush greenery is undoubtedly the favourite leisure spot for all visitors. Here, whimsical tiles reminiscent of the famous sidewalks of Copacabana make up the walkway, and cabana-style outdoor lounging beds offer a relaxing escape from the city life. The two lounge chairs were cut from an entire tree trunk, the remainder of which turned into the dining table and coffee tables. The cabanas were crafted from hardwoods by millworkers high up on the Mombacho volcano.

Recline into one of the characteristic lounge chairs or curl up in the cabana as you feel yourself connecting with the local artisans through their designs and the beautiful natural surroundings.

A covered outdoor living room adjacent to the pool provides a comfortable and intimate communal living and dining area. It is decorated with custom pieces of furniture designed by the owners and handcrafted by local artisans from the country-side, as well as Kilims from Turkey and fabrics and objects from around the world. The decorative credenza was made from a rotting tree trunk that was found on the side of the road.

You will spend hours learning of the interesting stories behind each of the pieces, not a bad way to pass time (or forget time) as you unwind in the shallow pool.

The eclectic and vibrant decor extends into the bedrooms, where unique wooden furniture and local artifacts adorn the walls and bedside. Step onto the terrace and you may feel as though you are in the embrace of the rainforest; lush greens peep up from the floor and every other direction to enter your sightline.

The private terraces for each room are furnished with custom furniture and Turkish Kilims. After the local blacksmith built the metal frames for the tables and chairs, the items were shipped to a plantain plantation on the slopes of the Mombacho volcano where dried plantain leaves were tightly woven around the frame. This attention to detail to allow guests to experience local craftsmanship is another reason why Tribal Hotel stands out.

Not only do you get to enjoy a much-needed retreat with time to reflect and relax, but you are also invited to explore the culture and stories of Nicaragua through the various artifacts and custom furnishings on the property.

If you are ready for a getaway and able to travel safely to this destination, Tribal Hotel presents unique and intimate staycation experience where you can forget about the issues at hand and spend an entire day in the pool or sitting on your private terrace with a cocktail and good book to enjoy the day at your own pace. Visit Tribal Hotel’s website to find out more and to make reservations.

Photos courtesy of Tribal Hotel