From a stunning resort 2,300 miles off the coast of Chile to beautifully designed lodging in a Rwandan forest, these are the locales to visit if you need to get away from it all
In a world of global connectivity, getting away from it all can seem like an impossibility. But for some travelers, there is a class of five-star resorts working to provide peaceful solitude without asking you to sacrifice luxury and comfort. Legendary hotel designer Bill Bensley has been at the forefront of this movement, creating award-winning remote getaways in Vietnam, Thailand, and Bali (and soon, North Congo). “The majority of projects I choose are places I’ve never been,” Bensley told AD. “You won’t find a lobby full of flowers, for example. Savvy travelers don’t care about those things anymore,” Bensley explains. “They want to discover new trails or the best place to catch a boat to see kingfishers. These life-changing experiences are a hell of a lot more important than what kind of flowers are in the lobby.” After all, what modern amenities can compete with an underwater suite in the Maldives or meditating in a 14th-century monastery? Below, AD has scoured the globe to bring you the world’s most beautiful secluded getaways.
Photo: Courtesy of Islas Secas
10/18
Islas Secas (Chiriquí, Panama)
A privately owned archipelago 20 miles off the southern coast of Panama, this remote luxury eco-lodge is home to just seven thatched-roofed casitas that can accommodate up to 24 people. (Guests are flown in from Panama City aboard the resort’s private plane.) Sustainability is key for Islas Secas owner Louis Bacon, with the 14 islands that comprise the archipelago largely untouched by development. The resort itself runs on solar energy, and uses brown-water irrigation and composted waste. Guests can trek to thermal springs, kayak to mangrove forests, or, depending on the time of year, marvel at humpback whales surfacing in the ocean. After a day of adventure, tuck into locally sourced food prepared by chef Saul Umana in Terraza restaurant.
Read the full article at Architectural Digest.