You’re likely reading this on a computer, tablet, or, most likely, your phone. And we appreciate the click and scroll—really, we do—but sometimes what you actually need is to disconnect. That can be a pretty hard thing to do in your everyday life, which makes booking a boutique hotel with no Wi-Fi or cell service in sight all the more attractive. At Tumbling River Ranch in Colorado, the lack of bars really is the best amenity. "With no cell reception, I decompressed completely," our very own Editor in Chief Brandon Berkson, who stayed at the hotel over the summer, says. "Wi-Fi was something I chose to turn on, and only in certain spots, so I could actually be present, no medley of notifications pulling me out of the moment."
And it’s not the only spot offering an off-grid experience. At Nimmo Bay in British Columbia's Great Bear Rainforest, co-owner Becky Murray says its lack of Wi-Fi often leads to deeper connections. "At Nimmo Bay, conversation quickly changes from 'I like your new bag, did you get a haircut?' to something deeper: why are we here, why do we think we need so many things, I just remembered who I am," she says. "It's a beautiful thing to see people leave the world behind and connect with themselves, each other and nature in a place where Wi-Fi isn't missed." On the Croatian island of Hvar, Cast Away strips things down to ten wooden beach huts with no Wi-Fi, and takes it a step further with limited electricity. "The appeal is having so much of the day within a few steps: swimming in the Adriatic, preparing a meal in the shared kitchen or settling into a hammock," travel journalist Tanya Bricking Leach shares. She also notes that the memory foam mattresses and sea views don’t hurt either, but the star of the show here really is the surrounding landscape.
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Those looking for another nearly electricity-free stay can find it in Jordan's Dana Biosphere Reserve at Feynan Ecolodge. "You're encouraged to bring a flashlight, as the lodge is completely candlelit except for the bathroom in your bedroom," travel writer Kelly Stilwell says. The hotel’s rooftop is lined with hammocks and a powerful telescope, which also makes for some of the best stargazing anywhere on the planet. "After a few hours, you'll forget about your phone," she says. "But you won't forget about this experience." Quisisana Resort on Maine's Lake Kezar swaps out all that screen time for play time with its guests instead. "This is a camp in western Maine that has been transformed into a version of performance-driven summer camp," journalist Jacqueline Dole, a past guest, says. Here, Dole explains, Broadway-trained actors and musicians wait tables during the day and perform at night. And they always have a captive audience as “There's no wi-fi or cell service throughout the property, so it forces you to truly unplug." And along Malaysia's Kinabatangan River, Borneo Natural Sukau Bilit Resort trades connectivity for wildlife spotting. "Without Wi-Fi or really any cell service, you get to appreciate nature that is unlike anywhere else in the world," Jen Miranda, a former guest, says. “There along the Kinabatangan River, there are species of animals that are endemic to Borneo, such as orangutans and pygmy elephants. You get to really connect with fellow travelers about all the animals you saw on your river cruise." |
