As a city-dweller, you might be forgiven for thinking other people are inescapable: some 8.4 million are packed into New York City’s 470 square miles, while roughly 9 million call London home. And while travel is often a route to discover new metropolises – maybe to Delhi, where the population hovers around 35 million, or Tokyo, at approximately 37 million – increasingly often, it’s a means to escape the crowds altogether.
Where then, can you go to really get away? What hotels are positioned virtually at the ends of the world, far away from the iPhone cameras, heaving bars, and the steady hum of humanity. The answer lies in these properties. Deliberately positioned in some of the world’s most remote locations, they lift travelers out of the every day and into the luxury of seclusion. The journey will likely be long, but the reward is immensely satisfying.
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Remote hotels offering true seclusion
andBeyond Sossuvlei Desert Lodge, Namibia
You could drive to this villain-like lodge, designed to merge into the vast Namibian landscape, but for a truly cinematic arrival, charter a plane from Windhoek. The descent onto the property’s private runway sweeps over scorched, cratered earth and sand dunes so otherworldly they feel closer to Mars than Earth. Given the remoteness, the level of comfort is impressive: each of andBeyond Sossuvlei’s ten standalone suites comes with an all-inclusive bar, Swarovski binoculars, an easel and paints, and a private swimming pool. Dining is in the main lodge, and focuses on the limited local availability (don’t be surprised to see some unusual meats on the menu), but the wine list is extensive and international. Daily game drives encounter virtually zero other humans (bar one or two locals on bikes, once you hit the so-called ‘main’ roads), and wildlife sights are equally sparse. Only a few species, including oryx, jackals, and the odd ostrich, are hardy enough to withstand this unforgiving environment.
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Aurora Radar Station, Finland
In the vast expanse of the Arctic tundra, at the point where Finland meets Sweden and Norway, is Aurora Radar Station – an invite-only, ten-bed retreat. The property was once the Finnish Defence Forces radar station and evidence of its past life remains intact: barbed wire still lines the perimeter and the original bomb shelter is in place. But don’t expect white-glove levels of five-star luxury here. You’ll be comfortable but not waited on hand and foot – the real allure of this place is the complete, vast remoteness it offers, alongside immersive experiences from snowmobiling to Arctic snow plunges. The Northern Lights are at their strongest in this part of the world, so gear up for staggering night skies views.
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Deplar Farm, Iceland
A pioneer of off-grid luxury, Deplar Farm is a converted sheep farm that began welcoming guests in 2016. The exclusive-use property is in Iceland’s north, in the secluded Troll Peninsula – by summer, green pastures are lit by 24-hour daylight; by winter, thick blankets of snow coat the valley. Activities make full use of the wild, largely untouched terrain: paddleboarding on glassy fjords, fly fishing for salmon, sea kayaking, whale watching, even heli-skiing in the colder months. Back at base, make use of the wooden sauna, sound bath studio, cinema room, and fully-equipped recording space.
Fogos Island Inn, Canada
Fogo Island Inn is just about the final frontier between the northern reaches of Fogo Island, which juts off to the east of Newfoundland, and the roaring Atlantic Ocean. Getting here is not easy: a private charter into the Fogo’s tiny airstrip is the quickest route, but the ferry is more scenic, and comes with the chance of spotting whales and icebergs en route. Once you arrive, the inn’s hospitality is famously cosseting (it is a member of the luxe Relais & Châteaux group). All 29 rooms and suites face the sea, framed by floor-to-ceiling windows, and the experience is entirely all-inclusive – from meals and activities to gratuities. Said activities are rooted in the spirit of the island itself, celebrating its culture, history, and raw natural beauty: guests might forage along the coastline, join intimate music sessions, try bushcraft workshops or traditional boat building, or brave the thrill of a cold-water swim.
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Three Camel Lodge, Mongolia
Deep in Mongolia’s Gobi Desert, close to the Gobi-Altai Mountains and the Chinese border, Three Camel Lodge is exceptionally remote. Reaching it requires commitment: a flight from Ulaanbaatar to Dalanzadgad, followed by a long, bumpy, often off-road drive across dust-blown plains to the lodge itself. The journey is duly rewarded, with a stay at one of the most unique hotels in the world. Experiences are a showcase of regional culture and include archery (using replicas of ancient Mongolian bows), horseback riding with locals, and stargazing. The lodge reinterprets the ‘ger’ – a traditional felted yurt, primarily used by nomadic Mongolians – and is furnished with camel-hair blankets, hand-carved furniture, and thick woollen carpets, while a wood-burning stove warms desert nights.
Tierra Patagonia, Chile
Perched on the southeastern edge of Chile, near the Argentinian border, Tierra Patagonia stands as a final outpost before the flat plains rise into the dramatic peaks of Torres del Paine National Park. Its 40 bedrooms are simple yet stylish: locally sourced lenga wood is paired with a neutral color palette and minimal furnishings – all deliberately chosen to let the sweeping views take center stage. The Uma Spa makes the most of the scenery too, with two walls of floor-to-ceiling glass. Beyond soaking in the mountains from the comfort of the hotel, guests can explore the wilds through hiking, puma spotting, horseback riding or glacier cruises.
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How we chose these remote hotels
Each property featured is independently selected by Elite Traveler’s editors and contributors, informed by first-hand experience where possible and in-depth research where not. Our curation spans the world’s most luxurious properties and in-the-know addresses, chosen for their uncompromising standards, exceptional service, and access to the extraordinary.
