Remote getaways for ultimate seclusion

Although the future of travel remains uncertain in a post-pandemic world, experts in the travel industry predict that one trend will prevail: the growing interest in remote destinations where social distancing is simply a way of life, not an exception.

'Secluded locations will attract a new wave of travelers as people become more cautious about interacting with others,' says Andrew Steinberg, a travel advisor at Ovation Travel. 'They’re eager to travel but want to avoid crowds, and these remote spots offer just that opportunity.'

According to Steinberg, many of these destinations are deeply embedded in nature and feature high-end accommodations that offer guests a true sense of place—something that significantly influences the decision to visit.

Furthermore, U.S. travelers are likely to seek out domestic retreats rather than international escapes. 'A number of my clients are already telling me they prefer staying closer to home,' says Steinberg.

Erina Pindar, managing director of the luxury travel consultancy SmartFlyer, believes that isolation will be a key trend in the future of travel. 'Our clients are increasingly looking for control over their surroundings to ensure their health and safety, which can be difficult to achieve in tourist-heavy destinations,' she explains.

From Big Sur, California, to Lord Howe Island in Australia, these carefully selected destinations and properties provide the secluded retreats that travelers seeking safety and isolation are yearning for.

Big Sur, California

Situated about 150 miles south of San Francisco, the cliffside town of Big Sur offers a true escape from the world. Visitors come to experience its stunning landscapes, including the rugged Pacific coastline and vast stretches of open space, perfect for hiking through redwoods and soaking in the tranquility.

With a population of only 1,800 to 2,000 people, Big Sur is a remote, sparsely populated region, ensuring visitors a secluded and peaceful vacation free from large crowds.

Big Sur remains largely undeveloped: Dining options are limited, and WiFi and cell service are unreliable at best, allowing visitors to truly disconnect.

Accommodation options are few, but the Post Ranch Inn, a luxurious 39-room property with two private guest houses, stands out as one of the finest in the country.

Perched 1,200 feet above the Pacific Ocean, the Post Ranch Inn offers stunning ocean views, miles of hiking trails, and a forest spa. Popular activities include stargazing, yoga, and meditation. With accommodations spread out, it’s easy to enjoy complete privacy and avoid other guests.

Panama’s Pacific coastline

While Panama’s Caribbean coast has been a popular destination for international travelers for years, its Pacific coast remains largely unexplored. This untamed region is known for its dense tropical forests, diverse wildlife, and rich marine life.

The Gulf of Chiriquí, nestled along this scenic coastline, boasts pristine coral reefs and two protected marine parks. Visitors can enjoy surfing year-round without the crowds, dive or snorkel in clear waters, and even witness humpback whale migrations from July to October.

For accommodations, Islas Secas offers a private archipelago of 14 stunning islands in the Gulf of Chiriquí, which opened in 2019. The resort features four casitas, with options for one, two, or four bedrooms, all offering ocean views, expansive private decks, and plunge pools.

Guests can indulge in a private marine safari, unwind with a spa treatment, or simply relax and enjoy the peace and quiet of this remote paradise.

Canyon Point, Utah

As national parks gradually begin to reopen, the renowned Amangiri resort has become more appealing than ever. This luxury retreat is set to reopen on May 21, with enhanced safety protocols, including mandatory temperature and wellness checks for both guests and staff twice daily to ensure added protection during the pandemic.

Located on the southern edge of Utah, the property is conveniently close to iconic landmarks like the Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon, Zion National Park, and Monument Valley Tribal Park, all of which are easing their visitation restrictions.

In addition to its proximity to North America's majestic protected areas, the allure of this remote destination lies in its unique blend of vast space, rugged desert beauty, and complete solitude. Guests can explore the wilderness on foot or horseback, or delve into the rich history and culture of the Navajo, a Native American tribe that has inhabited the land for centuries, long before the United States was founded.

This July, Amangiri will unveil its Camp Sarika – an even more secluded tented retreat set on 136 acres, just a 5-minute drive or 30-minute hike from the main resort. Featuring ten private pavilions strategically positioned for maximum seclusion, Camp Sarika lives up to its name, derived from the Sanskrit words for 'open space' and 'sky,' perfectly capturing the essence of this extraordinary campsite.

Wolgan Valley, Australia

Just a three-hour drive from Sydney, Wolgan Valley offers complete escape from civilization. Nestled within the World Heritage-listed Greater Blue Mountains, this pristine Australian bushland is home to canyons, ancient rock formations, national parks, and an abundance of iconic wildlife, including thousands of kangaroos and wallabies.

Visitors can explore the valley through breathtaking hikes, like the sunrise trek up Donkey Mountain in the Gardens of Stone National Park, where panoramic views of Wolgan Valley await at the summit.

The most luxurious accommodation option is Emirates One&Only Wolgan Valley, a sustainable resort with 40 rooms set on nearly 7,000 acres of pristine land. Currently closed due to the coronavirus, the resort features over 15 miles of hiking trails, a world-class spa offering unique treatments like sound therapy, and a variety of activities including a nocturnal wildlife safari and a curated Australian gin tasting experience.

Bolivia’s Salt Flats

The Uyuni Salt Flats, located in southwest Bolivia near the Andes, are the largest salt flats in the world, spanning over 4,000 square miles. This sparsely populated region is dotted with ancient villages that have remained unchanged for centuries, as well as archaeological sites like the pre-Columbian city of Alcaya and isolated islands covered in cacti.

Until late 2019, exploring this natural marvel was nearly impossible due to the absence of accommodations. However, the opening of Kachi Lodge changed that. Nestled at the foot of a volcano on the salt flats, this upscale lodge features six domed structures adorned with local textiles, art, and furniture. Guests can begin their day with a sunrise hike, explore the volcano crater, stargaze, or even collect salt that forms on the surface of the flats.

Sunnmøre, Norway

The scenery in this coastal region of northwest Norway is truly awe-inspiring. Here, travelers will encounter dramatic natural landscapes, including stunning fjords, waterfalls, and abundant wildlife such as puffins, orcas, and seal colonies. The area remains largely untouched by human presence.

The luxury experiential travel company 62ºNORD offers curated itineraries to this pristine region, allowing visitors to kayak through fjords, visit Runde Island—home to over 500,000 seabirds—and take helicopter tours over the rugged terrain. The company also operates two hotels in the area: Hotel Union Øye, which reopens on April 23 and is perfect for hiking enthusiasts, and Storfjord Hotel, a 30-room lodge offering sweeping views of the Sunnmøre Alps.

Chile’s Northern Aysén region

Unlike the popular southern Chilean region that draws travelers to Torres del Paine National Park, the Aysén area in North Patagonia remains largely unexplored. Its dramatic landscapes, featuring ice fields, glaciers, lakes, rivers, and the towering Andes framed by verdant valleys, are captivating. What makes Aysén truly special, though, is its isolation from the crowds.

The newly opened Rio Palena Lodge is the ideal base for exploring this remote area. Situated by the river it’s named after, the 35-acre property offers seven rooms designed with adventure in mind. Activities include world-class fly fishing, mountain biking, hiking, rafting, kayaking, helicopter tours with picnics, and wine and Pisco tastings. To experience everything the lodge has to offer, guests will need at least a week.

Lord Howe Island, Australia

Lord Howe Island, located off the coast of New South Wales in the Tasman Sea, boasts long sandy beaches, lush subtropical forests, and thriving bird colonies—ideal for budding ornithologists. Surrounded by coral reefs, it’s home to over 500 species of fish, making it a prime destination for snorkeling and scuba diving. This island also has the southernmost reef in the world. With a strict limit of only 400 visitors per day, Lord Howe offers a truly isolated retreat, where hours can pass without encountering another soul.

Capella Lodge is the island’s premier luxury accommodation, offering nine suites, each with sweeping views of Mount Gower, the tallest peak on Lord Howe Island. The lodge is set to reopen this summer following a recent renovation and features a top-tier seafood restaurant showcasing the region’s oceanic treasures, including kingfish, tuna, and squid.

Northeast Nevada

Northwest Nevada is a vast expanse of desert plains, marked by sagebrush and wildflowers, where the wild mustangs outnumber the people. While small towns in the region are unremarkable, the true appeal lies in the rugged landscape and abundant wildlife, which embody the essence of the American West.

A compelling reason to visit this remote part of the United States is the opening of Mustang Monument on June 1. This expansive resort, owned by philanthropist Madeleine Pickens, sits on 900 square miles of wilderness where 750 mustangs roam free. The property offers a blend of tipis and cabins, with a variety of activities such as mustang safaris, desert hiking, rock climbing, off-roading, and roping available for guests.