Are you frequently glancing at your phone’s push notifications every five to 10 minutes or constantly on the lookout for an email you need to respond to instantly, even hours after you’ve left the office? You, my friend, are in need of a serious digital detox. Whether you’re seeking a remote getaway in an area devoid of technology or simply craving a serene environment to disconnect from your mundane life and stress, consider these six destinations where you can (and, in fact, must) power down your smartphone, tablet, and laptop completely.
1. Eremito, Itlay
Surrounded by 3000 hectares of forest, this converted monastery from the 14th century is the perfect place to speak with the soul. The hotel functions as an eco-luxury hermitage, where visitors disconnect from the material distractions of contemporary life in order to reconnect with a deeper, more meaningful reality. Eremito’s monastic rooms are just nine square metres and contain only handcrafted ceramics. Electricity is discouraged, and the internet is foreign. Candlelight flickers everywhere and there is very little to distract you from yourself. The relaxation area features heated pools and steam rooms made entirely out of ancient stone, as well as a fully equipped yoga studio. The food is comforting and nourishing, full of fresh local ingredients mostly grown on Eremito’s grounds or bought from local organic producers,and all the meals are vegetarian.
2. Pine Cliffs Resort, Portugal
A digital detox with three days in the glorious sunshine on one of the Algarve’s white-sand beaches is just what you need. Pine Cliffs Resort, a luxury beachfront hotel, offers a three-day screen-free wellness programme designed to combat burnout and stress while embracing the art of slowing down and rediscovering inner harmony. Upon arrival, the resort’s staff will take your phone and place it in a “sleeping bag,” while providing you with a variety of therapeutic and relaxing treatments. The Serenity Spa at Pine Cliffs Resort in Portugal offers rejuvenating treatments and access to the Thermal Oasis, which is equipped with an herbal sauna, hydrotherapy pools, a jacuzzi, steam rooms and a salt sauna.
3. Castle Hot Springs, Arizona
Castle Hot Springs invites you to break the pattern and unplug in the serene desert oasis with a digital detox. Nestled in the Sonoran Desert, Castle Hot Springs has been a cornerstone of providing wellness, adventure and relaxation where guests can enjoy the mineral-rich hot springs. As you arrive, you can almost hear the thermal springs bubbling up all around this unique retreat, creating the sense of a natural, luxury oasis amid the sun-soaked desert. The rooms do not have televisions, and the Wi-Fi service has limited availability. Guests can enjoy gas fireplaces and oversized soaking tubs filled with water from the hot springs in the 12 Spring Bungalows, which are set on a hillside surrounded by palm trees. Individual luxury accommodations and incredible culinary offerings, supported by an onsite farm, plus an array of activities, provide hotel guests with a unique and personalised stay.
4. Unplugged, Across Several Locations in the UK
Unplugged is the UK’s “first and original” off-grid cabin escape, which offers guests a 3-night digital detox in nature. They have cabins all over the UK, with locations near major cities like London and Manchester. Inside, the interior is completely wood, adorned with cute features in every corner. There are books, board games, a cassette player and you’re even given an Instax camera with 10 free films to use for your stay. They also provide a small wooden box with a padlock and key to lock your phone away and an old-school Nokia phone for emergencies. All the eco-friendly cabins come with a fully equipped kitchen, a hot shower and toiletries, a log burner and a fire pit.
5. Rancho La Puerta, Mexico
The Ranch’s results-oriented fitness and wellness programmes will “recalibrate the mind and body” through an intense fitness and wellness regimen paired with a highly structured, plant-based nutritional diet. Each day includes eight hours of exercise, including daily hikes, core and abs workouts, body toning and sculpting, weights, yoga sessions, nap time and deep tissue massage. None of the casitas comes with a television, encouraging guests to get outside to create their own entertainment and Wi-Fi is only available in designated rooms and areas around the property. Each guest is greeted with a tote bag to carry their belongings in as they scamper off to classes, hikes, workouts and meals—and with the bag comes a small drawstring “cell phone sleeping bag,” encouraging guests to put connections to rest for a bit.
6. Shreyas Yoga Retreat, India
Renowned globally as a premier destination for wellness, The Shreyas Yoga Retreat is committed to fostering holistic healing for the body, mind, and spirit. Through the practice of authentic Ayurveda, Panchakarma, Naturopathy, and the spiritual discipline of yoga, guests are invited to embark on a transformative journey. The retreat follows a traditional ashram format, offering daily sessions of yoga, meditation, and chanting, complemented by exquisite vegetarian cuisine and a serene, alcohol-free environment. Visitors here have the opportunity to engage in a variety of enriching activities, including cooking classes, participation in organic farming, and learning traditional Indian customs.
