If you truly want to kick back and relax, these down-to-earth hotels are your best choice for a real holiday – away from all the distractions of phones, email, and TV!
Whether it’s switching off and heading to a wilderness retreat or lying by the beach without a care in the world, there’s definitely an art to finding peace and solitude without sacrificing your creature comforts.
Expedia.co.nz has collated a Listopedia of the top four ‘barefoot luxury’ hotels around the world – perfect inspiration for your summer holiday!
Wolgan Valley Resort and Spa, Australia: Tucked below a dramatic escarpment in NSW’s Blue Mountains, this five star establishment has no phone reception on site (although there is free Wi-Fi if you’re desperate!).
Instead, you’re left to distract yourself with the beauty of the Blue Mountains, an award-winning spa and the resort’s stunning Heritage Suites. Click here for more information.
Petit St Vincent, Caribbean: Surrounded by 115 acres of tropical woodland, 360 degrees of private island and 2 miles of sandy beach, Petit St Vincent offers 22 one bedroom cottages and two villas.
Guests are given red and yellow flags to hoist outside their cottage – red for ‘do not disturb’ and yellow to signal a butler in a buggy ready to sort out almost any request. Click here for more information.
Little Palm Island Resort and Spa, Florida Keys America: The ‘Island Customs’ at this bite-sized boutique resort – including a no kids and no mobile phones policy – are designed to help everyone detox from the digital.
The bungalow suites have vaulted ceilings, thatched roofs, king beds and big decks, and you can relax by swimming, snorkelling or checking out some live music. Click here for more information.
Anse Chastanet Resort, St Lucia, Caribbean: This St Lucia resort discourages the use of technology – you definitely won’t find a TV in your bedroom and cable is a dirty word – but they don’t sacrifice on anything else.
Taking eco-luxury to the next level, the resort’s beautiful villas are tucked into the hillsides and hidden from the world by lush rainforest. There’s 600 acres of rainforest to explore by bike or on a hike but just as spectacular is the Anse Chastanet Reef on your doorstep. Click here for more information.
