Sometimes you just need to disconnect in order to fully relax. Here at Millionaire Escapes we've picked the most spectacular secluded spots around the world for some pure escapism and plenty to do so you won’t even be tempted to check your phone.
Stay in a bungalow on the edge of Lake Juma in the Amazon
Only accessible via a three-hour trek, Juma Lodge is hidden deep in the Amazon Rainforest. The accommodation is a collection of simply-furnished but inviting thatched bungalows that stand on stilts on the edge of Lake Juma. Each one blends into the jungle, with far-reaching views of the tropical canopy. Internet access is a no go here, so either recline in the hammock on your private terrace all afternoon, go swimming in the lake, or partake in the plethora of rainforest experiences available (including jungle trekking and tree climbing). The Lodge has also won awards for its eco-conscious approach, using solar power and biofuel plants that provide hot water.
Watch the northern lights from the comfort of your own bed in Norway
Sitting on the shore of the longest fjord in Norway’s Troms county, and well within the Arctic Circle, you’ll find the remote Lyngen North. There are several self-catered suites available, but the best by far is the igloo with its domed, glass ceiling. Here you’ll be able to watch the northern lights dance above you as you lie in your warm bed, or wake up to a transfixing view of sea, snow-blanketed Lyngen Alps and icy, rocky wilderness. With sea eagles flying overhead, reindeer trotting past, seals bobbing in the fjord and glimpses of whales in the distance, you’ll feel immersed in nature, while also enjoying luxuries like an illuminated, outdoor hot tub surrounded by snow.
Enjoy almost total silence and calm at the Sopron Monastery Hotel
Escape the clutches of your work emails in the confines of a former monastery, at the Sopron Monastery Hotel. In its isolated location outside Sopron, this renovated, historic building enjoys almost total silence and calm. There’s a beautifully-kept garden and a path leading into the wooded hills with views of the town. The decor is understated, in keeping with its monastic roots with an exquisite, minimalist aesthetic. It features dark woods and plain linens, apart from the dining room where the ceiling is adorned with frescoes and enormous chandeliers, and where during breakfast you can hear the choristers rehearsing in the attached church. Pay a visit to the monastery library or dine in its restaurant where you can try the delectable tasting menu and fine local wine list. The hotel is large enough that it always feels quiet even when it’s fully booked, and guests have access to yoga lessons and everything you might need, without digital distractions. But you won’t have to go completely digital cold turkey, as WiFi is available in the dining room and other public areas.
Get away from it all amid the Icelandic wilderness of the Snæfellsnes peninsula
Located two hours by car from Reykjavik on the naturally astounding Snæfellsnes Peninsula, the main draws of a stay at Hotel Búdir are the serenity and scenery. Guests can visit Snæfellsjökull Volcano within 20 minutes, hike glaciers or go whale watching. You can also take a helicopter sightseeing trip over the surrounding lava fields, mountains and choppy sea to the nearby Snæfellsnes National Park, with only a few brightly-painted farmhouses to be seen for miles around. Walk along the windswept, sandy beach and past the little 19th-century church, before returning to the hotel. Here you’ll be greeted with a roaring log fire, a gallery of historic photographs and lithographs on the wall, antique chocolate leather sofas and dusty leather-bound books. The hotel has an award-winning Icelandic gourmet restaurant with a delicious seasonal menu.
Practise yoga in an outdoor pavilion overlooking the Himalayas
Ananda is a retreat in the foothills of the Himalayas that feels as if it’s floating above the treetops, looking down towards the holy Ganges River and the city of Rishikesh. It’s an easy place to detox digitally; just embark on any of the available wellness programmes, Ayurvedic healing treatments, or the yoga classes that are held in the magical outdoor pavilion or the amphitheatre. You can also hike to the nearby Kunjapuri Temple, try a spot of whitewater rafting on the Ganges, or explore the floral-scented grounds flecked with dappled sunshine, bamboo and even a resident peacock. All before a poolside cocktail while watching the sun go down over the mountains.
Hot springs and zen gardens await guests of Shukubo Koya-san Eko-in, a 1000-year-old temple
Staying at a 1000-year-old Buddhist temple is a great place to reassess your digitally-led modern lifestyle, sleeping on a futon bed in rooms with tatami-mat flooring, separated with paper screens. Guests can enjoy a quintessential Japanese experience with group meditations, a morning Goma fire ritual (a Buddhist tradition) and Buddhist calligraphy sessions. You can even take a night walk through the ancient cedar trees of Okura-no-in Cemetery, guided by one of the temple’s young monks. The temple serves authentic Japanese cuisine including lighter-than-air tempura and silken tofu, and even has its own onsen (Japanese hot spring) for a relaxing soak, and a beautiful zen garden filled with delicate flowers, pruned plants and streams dotted with stepping stones. Take a turn around the garden in the morning when it’s shrouded in mist, making the spiritual atmosphere even more invigorating.
Watch the sun set and then stargaze in the fireside, outdoor setting at Bushmans Kloof
In the foothills of the umber-coloured, rocky Cederberg Mountains, deep in the South African bush, Bushmans Kloof has regularly won awards as the best hotel in the world. It has outstanding views of open and rugged plains and you can visit 130 ancient and archaeologically-significant ochre rock paintings nearby. There’s also plenty of hiking, canoeing and other outdoor activities to help you reconnect with nature; walking The Crystal Pools Trail is particularly special, past staggering sandstone formations and tumbling waterfalls. Enjoy a sundowner on the lantern-lit decking, before an extraordinary, locally-sourced dinner at the main lodge, and finally some fireside stargazing in the circular stone seating next to the creek at the bottom of the garden.
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