When one thinks of the world’s most luxurious hotels, your mind probably drifts to a fancy suite with a long ocean view. Or, perhaps a French suite with a shot of the Eiffel Tower. Maybe even a Manhattan penthouse that overlooks Times Square. While these hotels seem nice at the start, imagine the complete opposite. No, not in quality, but in seclusion, while still being pampered. Nowhere is more evident than these remote lands, where lodges with thoughtful designs take you away from the connected world and leave you entwined with the land. Whether surrounded by mountains or a beach-side oasis, these are some of the world’s most beautiful remote hotels.
1. Fogo Island Inn
Located off the Northeast Coast of Newfoundland, Canada, Fogo Island is remote yet accessible. Nestled on the rugged shores of the wild North Atlantic Ocean, Fogo Island Inn is a haven perched atop stilts, giving floor-to-ceiling views of Newfoundland’s sky and sea. You can wander the island’s many trails to spot herds of caribou and foxes in their natural habitat, and if you plan your trip for the summer you might catch whales migrating through. The hotel’s fourth-floor, rooftop deck provides guests with relaxation by a wood-fired sauna, as well as featuring two outdoor hot tubs.
© Wyatt Clough
Situated on 6,600 acres of rugged Montana wilderness at the base of the John Long Mountains,
The Ranch at Rock Creek is a former 19th-century homestead turned hotel. When you plan your getaway, you can select suites from one-bedroom to five-bedroom homes, offering distinct styles of lodging. The design echoes home more than hotel, each with deluxe amenities, custom furniture and décor that showcases the Western culture. Located halfway between Glacier and Yellowstone National Parks, The Ranch at Rock Creek is the perfect place to go if you enjoy visiting America’s National Parks.
The Singita brand offers some of the most beautiful lodges with accompanying safaris, and the
Singita Lebombo Lodge’s in South Africa is the most forward-thinking, contemporary safari experience of them all. Resting on a ruffed cliff facing the N’wanetsi River, the lodge feels more like a private tree house. Focusing on the safari, visitors can get involved with the wilderness of Kruger National Park, where you can explore the desert filled with giant euphorbia trees. When you’re not out on a safari adventure, take a dip in the lap pool, where you can order endless rounds from the property’s smoothie and espresso bar.
Southern Ocean Lodge is Australia’s first true luxury lodge, offering a unique experience on Kangaroo Island in South Australia. Resting between the wilderness and the coast, the Southern Ocean Lodge is located on a secluded cliff where the lodge offers peerless views of the Southern Ocean. The suite is made of local limestone and glass, featuring glass-walled bathrooms and outdoor terraces, the perfect place to sip drinks and absorb the fresh ocean air. Start your morning with a cliff-top hike, then set out to explore Seal Bay, home to Australia’s third largest colony of sea lions. Keep your eyes open, you can also see a frequent koala, penguin and kangaroo passing by.
Built on a small plateau atop two extinct volcanic craters, the
Pikaia Lodge on Santa Cruz Island in the Galapagos is a 14-room kingdom on a hill. Villas resting on the slopes between the savannah and lush, steamy forest of the volcanic highlands, offer picturesque views of the surrounding terrain. Guests can spend their days relaxing at the property’s infinity pool, or my actively trying snorkeling above hammerheads and whale sharks. If sharks are a little much, you can also observe nearby flamingos who inhabit the area.
Cover photo © KimManleyOrt