With more of us becoming increasingly dependent on technology for communication with loved ones we can’t see in person, as home offices and schools, and as one of our sole sources of entertainment when housebound, our screen times are at an all-time high. Though our digital support system has been very much needed during these testing times, it’s also felt difficult to truly switch off.
So if you’re looking to unplug and reconnect with what’s important, here are five digital detox destinations where checking out begins at check in…
Petit St. Vincent, Saint Vincent & the Grenadines – Caribbean
The castaway Caribbean island of Petit St. Vincent in the southernmost Grenadines is a private paradise all about laid-back, barefoot luxury. With just 22 cottages dotted about the sandy shores and windswept bluffs, this remote resort was social distancing long before the global pandemic. Without the distractions of in-room technology, and with limited internet available on the island, guests are invited to completely switch off from the rest of the world. Room service comes Robinson-Crusoe style through a flagpole communication system, delivering anything from fresh fruit platters to stacks of syrup-covered pancakes straight to your hammock. To take things to the next tranquil level, meditate to the sound of hummingbirds flitting between the treetops at the island’s hilltop Balinese spa, with four open-air treatment rooms to unwind with a selection of all-natural body scrubs and healing herbs.
Castle Hot Springs, Arizona – USA
Disconnect from the busy world and reconnect with yourself and nature at Castle Hot Springs with the rustic Bradshaw Mountains as the backdrop. The resort’s remote location, tucked in a rugged canyon surrounded by Saguaro Cacti, makes it an oasis in every sense of the word. With its digital detox philosophy, guests are encouraged to take in the natural beauty of the Sonoran Desert including the resort’s three hot springs which offer pristine 115-degree waters filled with revitalising minerals. The waters are also piped through for guests to enjoy in their rooms and to feed the three-acre sustainable farm. Spa services come in the form of custom cabanas set along the spring water creek under towering palm trees, with fully customised treatments using hot stones from the springs. Included in every stay is a whole host of immersive activities, from paddleboard yoga and guided hikes to mind and body classes and farm tours.
Rawah Ranch, Colorado – USA
Set on 8,000 acres within the rugged Laramie River Valley, Rawah Ranch is the real deal when it comes to living the Wild West experience. Over an hour’s drive from the nearest town, this self-styled ‘dude’ ranch was socially distant before its time. The cosy wooden cabins immerse you in the comforts of luxury mountain living, and without the modern day distraction of in-room TVs, this is the ideal setting for some back-to-nature bonding time. With limited Wi-Fi on the ranch, guests are encouraged to explore the great Colorado outdoors – from fly fishing in the Big Laramie River, horseback riding and hiking, to safari tours and overnight camping trips, there is something to keep every cowboy and cowgirl entertained.
Latest stories
Sun-kissed, self-care stays await at Teranka, Formentera
All trips to Formentera begin by boat and the lack of airport on the quietest and wildest Balearic Island adds to its castaway charm. For a hideaway with a luxurious, barefoot feel, Teranka ticks all the boxes with its proximity to the island’s azure waters, a gallery-worthy art collection, and
10 luxury hotels worth reserving for spectacular rooftop terraces
The ‘gram loves a good rooftop, doesn’t it? Infinity pools teetering over a city’s edge, open-air bars and sky-high restaurants to drink in those bird’s eye views and sip cocktails in the clouds. Now that summer is almost here, these are the best boutique hotels to book for rooftop access
12 of the world’s most photogenic hotel pools
Sure, some of us love to get a few early morning laps in, but for most travellers, the hotel pool is a place to stretch out and sunbathe beside — in full holiday mode. Ice-cold drinks delivered to your poolside lounger or cabana throughout the day, and only having to
Independent Minds: Steven Riseley, Castle Elvira
Crumbling castle it might have been for over a century, but Steven Riseley and husband, Harvey B-Brown, are writing their own contemporary fairy-tale at Castle Elvira in Puglia. Following a four-year restoration project with local craftsmen working to keep the original ceilings and stonework intact, the creative couple could finally
