by LAURA KERRY, Editor, Condé Nast Johansens
Sometimes you just need to get away from everyone, everything, the news and the noise; treat yourself to some downtime in nature where the land, sea and sky provide some well-needed perspective. A dose of hospitality therapy courtesy of Mother Nature, if you will, without any compromise on quality, of course. That’s where our hidden gems in the jungle, ocean, countryside and wilderness stand out: remote luxury hotels where nature sings and service shines. Whilst the surroundings are as nature intended, these secluded retreats are manmade feats of ingenuity, architectural magnificence and decadence. From the wilds of South Africa to the watery paradise of the Maldives, isolation has never been so healing.
Calanoa Amazonas
Winner of our 2026 Best Immersive Experience Award for Excellence (Central & South America)
Beside the Amazon River in the 124-acre Calanoa Nature Reserve, Calanoa Amazonas is reached by a 90-minute boat ride from Leticia city, southern Colombia. More than a simple jungle escape, this is a sustainable eco-lodge, conservation project and the beating heart of the owners’ foundation dedicated to spreading the word about the biological and cultural diversity of the Colombian Amazon. Staying here is an exclusive experience with just eight cabins. Some sit on the Amazon riverfront, others are nestled in the tropical greenery of the jungle and Yai cabins are suspended in the treetops. Guests enjoy two activities per night’s stay, and as you would expect from the most biodiverse jungle in the world, wildlife and vegetation thrive in every corner. Unforgettable highlights include boat trips along the mighty Amazon River, going on a guided search for jaguar tracks and visiting a remote village. Expect to hear monkeys chattering, a chorus of birdsong in the morning, age-old recipes dating back a thousand years, fluorescent insects and spotting pink dolphins, if you’re lucky.
Price: $440 per person, including all meals and two activities per night’s stay
Address: Leticia, Rio Amazonas Km 60, Leticia, Amazonas 910001, Colombia
Book now via our Book Direct enquiry form
Rancho Pacifico
Winner of our 2026 Readers’ Award for Excellence (Central & South America)
Set 2,000 feet above sea level in Costa Rica, the adults-only Rancho Pacifico is arguably one of the most romantic, adventurous, therapeutic and naturally wondrous destinations you can imagine. Encircled by rain forest, ocean views stretch out in the near distance and waterfall sprays can be heard splashing against the rocks close by. Surrounded by not one but three national parks – Corcovado, Marino Ballena and Manuel Antonio – there’s nothing but green flora and fauna as far as the eye can see, with the biological reserve of Caño Island within easy reach. Opportunities to help sea turtles, observe sloths in their natural habitat, see monkeys up close (outside your window!) and enjoy some world-class bird and whale watching are just some of the experiences Rancho Pacifico can deliver. And despite its incredibly remote location, you never feel alone thanks to the one-to-one personal service.
Price: $545 per night including breakfast
Address: 1 Rancho Pacifico Road, Uvita de Osa, Puntarenas, Costa Rica
Book now via our Book Direct enquiry form
Ibiti
Winner of our 2026 Best for Green Practices and Sustainability Award for Excellence (Central & South America)
Adjacent to the 14,800-acre Ibitipoca National Park in Brazil’s south-east state of Minas Gerais, Ibiti is a hidden gem with an innovative concept of regenerative tourism spanning approximately 40 years or so. On the one hand, this is a luxury retreat deep in the Brazilian countryside and on the other, it’s an environmental project mindful of its position next to one of the country’s most important ecosystems. Essentially, Ibiti is a protected reserve where a small community live, run and manage the day-to-day operations of the accommodation, restaurants, activities and land which contains a muriqui preserve, dozens of waterfalls, three large wild animal nurseries, forests, natural pools, the Black Lake, hiking, cycling and horse riding trails. Ibiti is so remote, it boasts its very own grass airstrip and 20 helipads; it even features a collection of accommodations aptly named Remote, located in remote areas in the mountains and far-flung corners of the reserve. These spaces are ideal for couples and families looking for a totally off-grid experience and chance to connect with Mother Nature.
Price: $550 per person, per night, full board, includes non-alcoholic beverages, a walking tour and yoga sessions
Address: Fazenda do Engenho, s/n Conceição do Ibitipoca, Lima Duarte, Minas Gerais 36140-000, Brazil
Book now via our Book Direct enquiry form
Coco Bodu Hithi
Winner of our 2026 Best Waterside Hotel Award for Excellence (Asia, Africa & Middle East)
Reached via a 35-minute speedboat ride from Velana International Airport, this Maldivian private island sanctuary in the North Malé Atoll feels a million miles from anywhere. Created with the intention for couples to romance, relax and adventure in equal measure, a multicoloured carpet of coral surrounds the island rich with marine life such as turtles, manta rays, reef sharks, nurse sharks and dolphins. Opportunities to dive with expert instructors from the Coco Dive centre allow you to see this wonderful underwater world in all its glory, whilst organised cruises and fishing expeditions provide over-water experiences to see the water from above. Hidden, isolated sandbanks are idyllic romantic spots for some quality time alone together, just as gourmet picnics and candle-lit dinners for two. Time has little meaning here, where you can imagine it’s just you, the stars and soft ocean breeze for the duration of your stay.
Price: $680 per person
Address: Bodu Hithi Island, North Malé Atoll, Republic of Maldives
Book now via our Book Direct enquiry form
Madifushi Private Island Maldives
Winner of our 2025 Readers’ Award for Excellence (Africa, Asia, Middle East & Oceania)
Totally encased by the crystalline waters of the Indian Ocean, Madifushi Private Island Maldives in the Meemu Atoll is a serene escape engulfed in natural beauty and remoteness. Reached in 35 minutes by scenic seaplane from Velana International Airport, slowing down and reconnecting with the present moment is the mantra here. And beyond its lagoon shallows resides a world of teeming marine life and reefs. If feeling adventurous, big-game fishing trips, diving with whale sharks, snorkelling with manta rays and sailing into the sunset while a pod of playful dolphins leap alongside you can all be arranged; island hopping too. The surrounding water is entirely at your disposal, waiting to be explored by jet ski, SEABOB, Flyboard, wakeboard, waterski, kneeboard, kayak… the list goes on. Plus, certified divers can lead guided boat dives. This is the beauty of nature in its purest form.
Price: $1,363 per person per night including breakfast
Address: Meemu Madifushi, 11020 Meemu Atoll, Republic of Maldives
Book now via our Book Direct enquiry form
Pondoro Game Lodge
Winner of our 2026 Best Small and Exclusive Property Award for Excellence (Africa, Asia & Middle East)
Reached via a comfortable 6-hour drive from Johannesburg International Airport, Pondoro Game Lodge scenically resides next to the Olifants River in the breathtakingly remote Balule Nature Reserve, part of Kruger National Park. With no boundary fences between the Reserve and Park, sightings of the Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo) and perhaps zebra, wildebeest and giraffe during game drives are a guarantee. Safaris traverse 30,000 acres of wild terrain, parts of which can be explored with nature walks accompanied by armed guides and off-road driving experiences. As a matter of fact, rates include two daily safari drives as well as a short nature walk after breakfast. Other popular activities include romantic picnics in the isolated treehouse and time spent in Serenity Spa, surrounded by cascading waterfalls. What’s more, every step of Pondoro’s construction and day-to-day management considers the conservation and preservation of endangered habitats.
Price: $1,042 per person, per night, all-inclusive
Address: Balule Nature Reserve, Greater Kruger National Park, Hoedspruit 1380, Limpopo, South Africa
Book now via our Book Direct enquiry form
Capim do Mato Pousada & Spa
Winner of our 2026 Best Hotel Spa Award for Excellence (Central & South America)
Located within Serra do Cipó National Park, two hours north-east of Belo Horizonte city in the south-east Brazilian state of Minas Gerais, Capim do Mato Pousada & Spa is a far-flung sanctuary in one of the region’s main tourist attractions. This mountainous terrain is inhabited by maned wolves, ocelots and hummingbirds, and features pretty waterfalls – Véu da Noiva, Farofa and Andorinhas – as well as the rugged Bandeirinhas Canyon with its natural pools. This is Brazil at its most colourful, intriguing and impressive best, and Capim do Mato provides an organic yet refined and rustic yet plush place to stay within its untamed landscape. The hotel’s modern aesthetic is surprisingly harmonious to its surroundings, which boasts the largest number of plants per square metre on the planet (more than 1,600 species of flower). The varied tours and treks available may include canoeing, abseiling, cycling, climbing, birdwatching and wildlife photography.
Price: $195 per person, per night, including breakfast
Address: Serra do Cipó, Alameda Rubens Ferreira Belisário, Minas Gerais, 35830-000, Brazil
Book now via our Book Direct enquiry form
Siwash Lake Wilderness Resort & Ranch
You’re invited to ‘find your wild’ at Siwash Lake Wilderness Resort & Ranch, a regenerative ranch resort encompassed by 10,000 acres of rugged rangeland, lakes and rivers in British Columbia’s Cariboo wilderness, just north of Montana. This is Canadian cowboy country and Siwash Lake is redefining the meaning of luxury dude ranch with its collection of accommodations that include canvas cabins, luxury tents at Star Camp™ and a loft suite in the log barn; each one with a private balcony for enjoying the starlit sky. Much of your time at Siwash is spent outside with horse riding – the resort’s main attraction. However, there are so many more ways to make the most of your time here such as canoeing, kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding, hiking, biking, fly-fishing (for rainbow trout), marksmanship, bush craft, cross-terrain archery, outdoor yoga and waterfall exploration. As a family-run operation, this is a family-friendly escape into the wild that’s also extremely meditative.
Price: US$1,295 per person, per night, all inclusive, including alcohol and choice of guided daily adventures
Address: Box 39, 70 Mile House, British Columbia V0K 2K0, Canada
Book now via our Book Direct enquiry form
Mandapa, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve
Winner of our 2026 Readers’ Spa Award for Excellence (Africa & Asia)
Cloaked in jungle majesty, the Three Michelin Key-awarded Mandapa, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve is located at Bali‘s cultural and spiritual heart of Ubud, at the point where the Ayung River gently flows and hidden waterfalls cascade. This magical setting is a green blanket of rolling hills, tropical plant life and verdant rice paddies – often covered with a ethereal cloud of mist. Many consider Mandapa a sanctuary of spirituality, relaxation and pampering offering the chance to take a sensory journey to well-being and connect to nature. For instance, Mandapa Spa’s Disconnect to Reconnect Wellness Journey invites guests to take part in a transformative experience of inner reflection and rejuvenation harnessing Bali’s rich traditions of healing and spirituality through therapies such as vibrational sound, quantum healing and targeted sleep treatments. Immersive experiences in and around the surrounding jungle include cycling through the rice terrace, visiting the Bali Elephant Camp, taking a night safari, rafting along Ayung River, taking part in outdoor yoga sessions, hiking the majestic Mount Batur and one-to-ones with a traditional healer.
Price: please enquire
Address: Jalan Kedewatan, Banjar Kedewatan, Ubud, Gianyar Regency, Bali, Indonesia 8057
Book now via our Book Direct enquiry form
Maloba Private Game Reserve
Off-grid Maloba Private Game Reserve spans 20,000 hectares/49,421 acres of untouched South African bushveld in Free State. Meerkats, cheetahs, wildebeests, buffalo, hippos, antelopes, zebras, aardvarks, warthogs and giraffes are just a few of the 330 species of mammals, birds and reptiles that roam freely here. And Maloba is thoughtfully placed within the semi-arid landscape to admire them all. In recovery from decades of human interference, the Reserve’s untamed beauty and ecosystem are now gradually returning to their natural state thanks to Maloba’s ongoing conservation programmes and mindful eco-tourism practises; chiefly the limit of 10 guests per stay. Maloba’s Lodge, five tented suites, garden and farm are the only manmade structures across the entire Reserve and it’s all completely self-sufficient, powered by solar energy. Personalised wildlife experiences are available by jeep, on foot, horseback and helicopter. Guests are always invited to participate in the conservation programmes.
Price: £2,145 per person, per night including breakfast
Address: 19 Schmidtsdrift Road, Rhodesdene, Kimberley 8301, Free State, South Africa
Book now via our Book Direct enquiry form
Aarunya Nature Resort & Spa
Winner of our 2026 Best Countryside Hotel Award for Excellence (Africa, Asia & Middle East)
Hidden within Sri Lanka’s central highlands, specifically the misty UNESCO-listed Knuckles Mountain Range, Aarunya Nature Resort & Spa is at the heart of the Cultural Triangle. Despite its seemingly isolated location within a 10-acre jungle estate, the city of Kandy is just 30 to 45 minutes away and the ancient rock fortress of Sigiriya is nearby. Waterfalls, hiking trails, nature walks, spice gardens, tea plantations, the Aluwihare Temple, Kandy’s Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic and the Royal Botanical Gardens in Peradeniya are all within reach too. But at Aarunya’s heart is a love of the wilderness and serenity that allow couples to focus in on one other from the privacy of their pool villa. Everything about the resort encourages you to reconnect, reflect and feel renewed; to take in the sweeping mountain vistas and breath it all in. All the while, sustainability and social responsibility play an important role in the day-to-day operation. The Aarunya Nature Foundation champions eco-friendly practices, supports local communities and protects the environment.
Price: $450 per person per night including breakfast
Address: 100 Malgamandeniya Road, Alawatugoda, Kandy, 20140, Sri Lanka
Book now via our Book Direct enquiry form
Sailrock South Caicos
Winner of our 2026 Best Waterside Hotel Award for Excellence (North America: USA & The Caribbean)
Although geographically closer to the Bahamas, the Turks and Caicos archipelago is part of the Caribbean, and discovering the quiet island of South Caicos feels like uncovering an untouched corner of the world. This most southern island of the archipelago is accessible by plane via Miami twice a week and daily from nearby islands, Providenciales and Grand Turk. Utterly private and breathtakingly beautiful, one of the many factors that makes this a unique hidden gem is its location between two bodies of water: the Caicos Bank to the west and Atlantic Ocean to the east. This provides Sailrock Resort with two pristine beaches, which lead to one of the largest coral reefs in the world (50 species of coral). The island’s nature reserves are home to a diverse ecosystem and vibrant collection of wildlife lapped by calm turquoise waters where humpback whales, manta rays, turtles, and dolphins all live. Stays here are all about scuba diving, sailing, game fishing, bonefishing and ‘beach-bumming’ due to the average temperature of 80°F/27°C and 350 days of sunshine with water temperatures ranging from 78°F/26°C to 82°F/28°C in the winter and summer respectively.
Price: $950 per night including breakfast
Address: Front Street, South Caicos TKCA 1ZZ, Turks and Caicos Islands
Book now via our Book Direct enquiry form
Plataran Komodo Resort & Spa
Winner of our 2025 Best for Romance Award for Excellence (Asia, Africa, Middle East & Oceania)
The 10 villas comprising Plataran Komodo Resort & Spa are encircled by a canopy of trees or landscaped gardens on the north-western tip of Flores island; the largest of Indonesia’s 500 Lesser Sunda Islands archipelago. To its east lies Komodo Island – home to the UNESCO Komodo National Park – and to its west is Lembata Island. Primarily known as the gateway to the national park where Komodo dragons roam free, the resort is a diving and adventure playground surrounded by dramatic, untouched scenery. Just moments away are the soft sandy shores of Waecicu Beach where boats transport guests to Labuan Bajo town, from which Komodo National Park is reached within 10 minutes. These nearby transparent waters are home to pristine coral reefs and countless species of marine life, including manta rays, dolphins, turtles and dugongs. And adventures take in waterfalls, limestone caves and quiet villages, whilst cruises and castaway experiences to a totally isolated island provide opportunities to see parts of the world only a fortunate few encounter.
Price: $320 per person
Address: Waecicu Beach, Near Labuan Bajo, West Manggarai, Flores Island, East Nusa Tenggara 86757, Indonesia
Book now via our Book Direct enquiry form
Sobreiras Alentejo Country Hotel
Winner of our 2026 Best Pet Friendly Award for Excellence (Europe & The Mediterranean)
Nestled in 62 private acres of the green Serra de Grândola mountain range, Sobreiras Alentejo Country Hotel provides a unique opportunity to explore rural Alentejo’s cork oak forests, vineyards, rice fields and traditional villages. Time somehow slows down here whilst nature embraces you and uninterrupted tranquillity brings an immediate sense of peace. Days are spent resting and reseting in nature’s beauty with activities from horseback riding and cycling to hiking. And it’s all just a convenient 70-minute drive from Lisbon. Awarded Biosphere Sustainable Certification, Sobreiras is dedicated to preserving its surrounding ecosystem of flora and fauna as well as the stunning nearby coastline, known as the country’s largest expanse of beach; considered some of the finest sandy treasures in all of Portugal.
Price: €105 per person, per night, including breakfast
Address: Herdade do Vale das Sobreiras, Mosqueirões, 7570-336 Grândola, Setúbal District, Alentejo, Portugal
Book now via our Book Direct enquiry form
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