We as a society have become dependent on technology, so much so that a study in 2017 stated that people tap, swipe and click their phones an average of 2,617 times per day (according to research from dscout). Stepping away from technology is often difficult during our everyday lives, but a vacation to a remote spot can provide that platform to put our phones away. Unplugging from technology will recharge your motivation and allow you to be fully immersed in an experience; to be one in the moment and not worry about what is going on outside. These carefully curated experiences and locations provide travelers the ability to truly disconnect and instead connect to themselves and their surroundings.
Technology-Free Getaways: Castle Hot Springs
When travelers need to reconnect with nature and be surrounded by the natural beauty of the Arizona desert, Arizona’s award-winning and first luxury resort, Castle Hot Springs is a perfect solution. The off-the-grid Wild West desert oasis paradise (the resort is set on a sprawling 1,100-acre property) is set against the Bradshaw Mountains, just 50 miles outside of Phoenix, where Old West meets contemporary luxury in the heart of the Sonoran Desert. The boutique resort is made up of 30 standalone cabins and bungalows and encourages guests to unplug and reconnect with nature, so guests can truly unwind, find peace and disconnect in their own way. Along with being physically distanced in their own cabins, guests can find their own nirvana in the desert while also experiencing true high-end amenities. In addition to swimming and soaking in the thermal hot springs, guests can choose from a variety of outdoor activities including horseback riding, hiking, training in archery amongst the resort’s surrounding rugged terrain, pickle and bocce ball on the great lawn, yoga and meditation sessions, and a new Via Ferrata cable climbing course (Arizona’s first).
Technology-Free Getaways: Rumbo Malabo
Family-owned and operated, Rumbo Malabo crafts tailor-made packages for guests to discover all the secrets of Equatorial Guinea. Believing in responsible and ecological tourism to continue that path and reveal those secrets yet to be discovered are central to the company and can be found in their Tour to Ureka pack. This tech-free excursion will definitely connect any traveler with Mother Nature while trekking to the Ureka waterfalls on Bioko Island. Only 90 minutes from the international airport of Malabo, but totally disconnected from the world, there is no electricity nor cell service; just you, the jungle, the beach and some wonderful waterfalls. Immerse yourself in this adventure where you will camp on the beach and cook on fire and those who come during the period from November to March, can leave their tent behind and admire the spawning of the magnificent leatherback turtles.
Technology-Free Getaways: Cayo Espanto
Located three miles off the coast of San Pedro, Belize, Cayo Espanto is home to only seven villas, which provides guests an unplugged escape. The island provides the ultimate relaxing and rejuvenating experience for guests, starting with indulging in the natural surroundings (including the vast underwater life), culinary experiences crafted specifically for them, massages under the vast amount of palm trees and more. The on-island team is able to work with guests who wish to truly unplug and will remove all electronics from their villa in addition to holding onto their phones and any additional electronics brought for the entire visit (or part of the time). Guests will be able to explore the vast range of activities surrounding the island (i.e., Mayan ruins, private yacht experiences to nearby uninhabited islands along with snorkeling or diving, fishing) and enjoy all meals brought to their villas, private dock or beach areas to enjoy, providing a safe and exclusive dining experience through the stay. Guests of the private island fly into Belize City where they are greeted by the resort’s team and escorted to their local flight to San Pedro before a final short boat ride to Cayo Espanto, further disconnecting it from the mainland and providing an oasis of an experience.
Technology-Free Getaways: The Golden Door
The Golden Door opened in 1958, creating individualized programs for a healthier lifestyle for its guests in order to take a deep look into their mind/body/spirit connection. From fitness classes, spa treatments, workshops and more, the destination spa in San Marcos, CA has a mission to transform lives—for each guest as well as through their charitable causes. With only two televisions stationed in the two common lounges, each accommodation is tech-free, and the Spa does not allow its guests to not have any technology in common spaces. They encourage guests to use the cell phone sleep bags placed on guests’ night stands to encourage a true tech-free stay and connecting with oneself before a much needed night’s rest. With crafted programs, a classic 7-day program is $9950, a stay on the property with over 30 miles of hiking trails and rejuvenating classes will allow guests to recharge, no batteries needed.
Technology-Free Getaways: Grand Velas Resorts
Grand Velas Resorts, which operates six resorts in Mexico, offers guests a Digital Detox Program (prices start at $561) at their Riviera Maya and Riviera Nayarit locations, inviting guests to power down and disconnect. Freeing guests from the minute-to-minute stresses associated with technology, this experience allows them to untether from the world and focus on enjoying quality time with one another. Unique to the resort, the Detox Concierge in Riviera Nayarit ‘cleanses’ guests’ suites of technology (like televisions and personal electronic devices), replacing them with classic board games and giant mandala coloring maps. Those who decide to participate in the digital detox program in Riviera Maya can trade-in their electronics for complimentary activities like a bike tour, snorkeling tour, ecological tour of the property’s flora and fauna as well as facials and massages at one of the top spas in Latin America. Guests at both resorts can take advantage of the resorts’ complimentary roster of activities such as yoga, kayaking, picnic on the beach and campfire sessions.
Technology-Free Getaways: White Wolf Private Tours
Created with the mission statement ‘disconnect to connect’, White Wolf Private Tours has been crafting high-end custom tours of Yosemite since 2015. For those who want to experience the outdoors, but in a luxurious private manner without ‘roughing it’, guests are whisked around in a luxury private Mercedes SUV to learn, explore and discover the hidden spots and secrets of Yosemite. Their Yosemite Digital Detox Trek (prices start at $2,000/ guest) present travelers a 4-day, 3-night journey into the Yosemite backcountry to places where digital signals cannot extend. Led by a Wilderness First Responder or a certified EMT guide, travelers will visit El Capitan, Half Dome, Bridalveil Fall and more of the Yosemite backcountry where the backdrop is really the canvas of your adventure. With transportation from San Francisco, hiking equipment and all meals included while hiking in Yosemite, the experience encourages independence and self-reliance hiking and exploring Yosemite.
Technology-Free Getaways: Sheldon Chalet
Only accessible by helicopter from Anchorage or Talkeetna, Sheldon Chalet is perched on a nunatak 6,000 feet above the Don Sheldon Amphitheater on Denali National Park’s Ruth Glacier. This luxury chalet offers exclusive access to views of some of the most dramatic vistas in the Alaska Range where guests will truly be remote and off the grid, with no internet access. Sheldon Chalet provides the best way to explore Denali in true comfort and luxury from skiing, sledding or ice crevasse exploration to prime viewing of the aurora borealis, full moon glacier treks and golden sunrises. The remote engineering marvel allows guests to be truly close to the stars and thanks to little to no light pollution and stunning landscapes that frame the sky, evenings sparkle brilliantly with heavenly displays of the aurora in season and amazing stargazing year round.
Technology-Free Getaways: Bolt Farm Treehouse
Voted the No. 1 AirBnb in South Carolina, Bolt Farm Treehouse – The Majestic Treehouse is one-of-a-kind treehouse hidden in 40 acres of Oconee County forest in Walhalla, South Carolina. Nestled under the Blue Ridge Mountains, Oconee County is a forested paradise with abundant natural beauty, offering guests of The Majestic Treehouse the tranquility of untouched forest, songbirds, beautiful white and red oaks, hickory and dogwood trees, creeks, and 2.5 miles of trails suitable for walking, hiking, jogging, and mountain biking. The award-winning eco-friendly, adults only treehouse was designed by Seth and Tori Bolt to be the ultimate blend of childhood fun and grown up luxury, to provide a special tech-free nature retreat up in the trees. Immersed in nature and surrounded by comfort, the whimsical treehouse features one bedroom, two baths and two connecting treehouse decks where guests can rest, reconnect and have an unforgettable experience. With no TVs or complimentary access to Wi-fi, cell phone reception is limited, guests will immediately be enveloped by the stillness of nature whether cozy up by the indoor fireplace or lounging on the two-tiered deck. You can book the Majestic Treehouse on Airbnb or through their website.
Technology-Free Getaways: Jade Mountain Resort
Jade Mountain Resort is on St. Lucia’s south-western Caribbean coastline and majestically overlooks the Caribbean Sea and twin Pitons. Known for its cliffside, three-walled, open-air ’sanctuaries’ – there are a total of 29 double occupancy sanctuaries – these stunning accommodations feature touches like private en-suite infinity pools, stunning views and 24/7 butler service. A perfect getaway for travelers wanting to take a break and disconnect, the tech-free resort does not have any technology in its sanctuaries – no televisions, no radios and no telephones – and its open-air concept encourages guests to fully immerse themselves in St. Lucia’s stunning natural environment. The only form of technology guests have is a portable paging system to contact their personal Major-Domo (butler) when they are not out exploring their organic Emerald Estates Farm, going scuba diving, hiking the Gros Piton with a Jade Mountain hiking butler, learning how to make chocolate with a dedicated chocolate alchemist and more.
