If your phone’s endless notifications make you dream of disappearing to a private island, you’re not alone. More travelers are trading crowded resorts for places where the loudest sound is the ocean and phone signals barely work.
These isolated travel destinations are redefining luxury, not by adding more, but by offering less: fewer people, fewer distractions, and more presence. From private islands to desert sanctuaries, these remote hotels and off-the-grid destinations prove that solitude is the new indulgence.
1. Amanpulo | Pamalican Island, Philippines
Set on its own private island in the Sulu Sea, Amanpulo is pure barefoot elegance. Expect powder-soft beaches, turquoise water, and villas tucked between palm trees. The resort features 40 casitas and 18 villas, all designed with local craftsmanship and natural materials.
Enjoy daily snorkeling trips, a wellness pavilion with yoga, pilates, steam room, cold plunge pool, non-motorised watersports, and so much more.
How to get there: From Manila, you catch a private flight (~70 minutes) to the island’s airstrip.
Travel tip: Take a moonlit swim—the bioluminescent water glows like liquid stars.
2. North Island | Seychelles
With just 11 villas, North Island is the definition of exclusivity. It’s a favorite for honeymooners and those who want that private-island experience.
Guests can enjoy holistic wellness at La Vie Spa, sunset cruises, and conservation experiences like turtle monitoring or tree planting.
How to get there: You’ll fly into Mahé (Seychelles), then take a helicopter or boat to the island.
Travel tip: Check if your villa includes a private buggy transfer. It makes arriving feel even more seamless.
3. Amangiri | Canyon Point, Utah, USA
Tucked deep in the Utah desert, Amangiri blends sculptural design with silence. Expect sandstone hues, spa rituals, and meditative calm.
How to get there: Fly to a nearby airport (like Phoenix or Las Vegas), then hop in a ground transfer for a ~4.5-hour drive.
Travel tip: Don’t miss a sunset hike or stargazing session — or simply watch the desert turn gold from your private plunge pool.
4. Tswalu Kalahari Reserve | Northern Cape, South Africa
In South Africa’s largest private game reserve, Tswali Kalahari Reserve feels worlds away. Accommodation is extremely limited (only about 40 beds across lodges), so you truly feel alone in nature. Every booking includes a private guide, tracker, and game vehicle, meaning your wildlife experience is tailored just for you.
How to get there: Fly into Johannesburg or Cape Town and take a charter flight or long scenic drive to this remote reserve.
Travel tip: Spend a night in the reserve’s star beds to appreciate the sights and sounds of the Kalahari after dark.
5. NIHI Sumba | Sumba Island, Indonesia
NIHI Sumba combines barefoot luxury with raw nature. Jungle villas with private pools, surfing, horseback beach rides, and “spa safaris” make it one of Asia’s most sought-after escapes.
How to get there: Fly into Bali, then onward to Sumba, and transfer to the resort by car.
Travel tip: The Sumba ponies are part of island tradition — ride one along the beach or swim with them at sunrise.
6. Song Saa Private Island | Koh Rong Archipelago, Cambodia
A female-founded resort and Cambodia’s first luxury island escape, Song Saa blends high design with eco-conscious living. Villas are jungle-backed or over water, built from reclaimed, local materials. The surroundings are pristine, with white beaches, turquoise water, and a coral reef, making this a true remote island getaway.
How to get there: Travel via Phnom Penh or Siem Reap, then take a ~30-45 minute boat ride to the island.
Travel tip: Go for a snorkel or reef walk early in the morning when the water is calm and you’ll often have the reef all to yourself.
7. Al Maha Desert Resort & Spa | Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve, UAE
Just 45 minutes from Dubai, Al Maha offers private pool villas amid rolling dunes. Arabian oryx and gazelles roam freely, and desert adventures include horse rides, camel treks, dune drives, and falconry. It’s unique in that it combines full-board luxury with desert adventure like horse rides, camel treks, dune drives, and falconry.
How to get there: Dubai International Airport, then a private ~45-minute 4×4 transfer into the desert reserve.
Travel tip: Ask for a villa facing the dunes with a private pool and spend at least one hour at sunset watching the shifting light on the sand sea.
8. Fogo Island Inn | Fogo Island, Newfoundland, Canada
On a windswept island off Canada’s Atlantic coast, Fogo Island Inn blends striking architecture with deep community ties. The resort’s 29 rooms are all designed with local art and craftsmanship, overlooking the rugged ocean. The building stands on stilts like traditional “fishing stages,” and the inn’s profits are reinvested into the island’s community.
How to get there: Fly to Newfoundland’s mainland (Gander or other) and then take a ferry or small plane to Fogo Island.
Travel tip: Pack a warm jacket — the Atlantic chill is real, but so is the beauty.
The joy of disconnection
There’s something powerful about places that make you slow down. These secluded vacation spots remind us that luxury isn’t about how much you have, it’s about how little you need.
But even the dreamiest trips can take a few unexpected turns. Delayed flights, lost bags, and bad weather happen, even in isolated places. With Faye Travel Insurance, you can focus on the view while we handle the rest. We’re built for travelers who want to roam freely, knowing support is always within reach.
So go ahead, get lost for a little. We’ll be here if you need us.
