Remote Luxury: The Hotels Worth the Journey
Top Picks
Some of the world's most memorable hotels aren't the easiest to reach. They sit beyond the usual tourist trail, deep in the wilderness, high in the mountains or hidden among landscapes that feel wonderfully untouched. Getting there might require a little more time, a winding mountain road, a small plane or a journey deep into the countryside — but that sense of arrival is part of the magic.
Remote luxury is less about excess and more about having the space to experience somewhere properly. Here, silence replaces city noise, nature becomes the backdrop and the usual distractions feel wonderfully far away. These are places where mornings begin with wildlife or mountain views, days unfold at an unhurried pace and the journey itself becomes part of the adventure.
From the Kenyan wilderness and Costa Rica's tropical landscapes to the mountains of India, the forests of Java and the vast landscapes of Patagonia, these eight HIP Hotels prove that sometimes the places worth travelling furthest for are the ones you'll remember longest.
The Kumaon
High in the Himalayas, The Kumaon is a study in understated mountain design. Perched among the treetops at 1,600 metres, its ten minimalist chalets are arranged to make the most of the extraordinary landscape, with huge windows framing forests, terraces and distant mountain peaks. The Kasar Devi ridge, where the hotel sits, has long attracted artists, pilgrims and scholars, and today offers a peaceful setting for village walks and slow days immersed in nature. At The Amaranth, the cantilevered restaurant crowns the main building with sweeping mountain views, while the quiet interiors and private terraces make it wonderfully easy to disconnect from everything beyond the forest.
Chetzeron
At 2,112 metres above sea level, Chetzeron is the kind of hotel where the journey is inseparable from the destination. Once a humble cable car station, it has been transformed into a contemporary mountain hideaway perched high above Crans-Montana, with panoramic views stretching towards the Matterhorn and Mont Blanc. Natural stone, warm woods and plush furnishings bring unexpected softness to its rugged alpine setting, while enormous windows turn the surrounding peaks into ever-changing artwork. Arrive by cable car or snowmobile, settle beside the fire with a glass of something good and let the mountains do the rest. Here, there is nowhere else to be — and that is rather the point.
Suitree Experience Hotel
Hidden among the tropical landscapes of Guanacaste, Suitree Experience Hotel is a peaceful retreat where modern design and Costa Rica's natural beauty exist in harmony. Open-air architecture, earthy materials and lush gardens create a sense of calm, while spacious terraces invite guests to slow down and take in the surrounding landscape. Beyond the hotel, the region's beaches, national parks and dry tropical forests offer plenty to explore, from wildlife walks and horseback rides to excursions into Rincón de la Vieja. Back at Suitree, locally inspired cuisine, yoga, meditation and quiet moments beside the pool bring everything back to the hotel's guiding philosophy of mindful, uncomplicated living.
UTSAV Camp Sariska
Set beside the Sariska National Park and surrounded by the Aravalli Mountains, UTSAV Camp Sariska is a wild retreat designed for reconnecting with the natural world. Stone Cabins and Swiss Tents open onto panoramic views, while stargazing beds make a night beneath the Indian sky part of the experience. Days are spent following tracking trails, exploring boulder landscapes and birdwatching, with the possibility of encountering the area's most elusive resident — the tiger. A zero-mile approach to dining brings vegetables and herbs from the camp's own chemical-free garden, while a rooftop pool, outdoor yoga and meditation space offer quieter ways to unwind.
Hôtellerie de Mascognaz
Hidden high in the Ayas Valley, Hôtellerie de Mascognaz occupies a former Walser village where eleven historic chalets have been transformed into an intimate five-star retreat. Accessible only by snowmobile or 4x4, the journey through the mountains is part of the experience, eventually revealing a scattering of beautifully restored stone and timber buildings at 1,800 metres. Inside, raw timber, stone fireplaces, soft wool and deep-soaking tubs create a warm interpretation of Alpine luxury. Days can be spent hiking ancient Walser routes, exploring alpine lakes or skiing untouched powder, before returning to a restaurant serving refined interpretations of Aostan mountain cuisine and a spa hidden beneath ancient stone.
Plataran Borobudur Resort & Spa
Surrounded by tropical gardens and the lush landscapes of Central Java, Plataran Borobudur Resort & Spa offers a peaceful retreat close to one of Indonesia's most extraordinary cultural landmarks. Traditional Javanese architecture, beautifully crafted interiors and sweeping views towards the surrounding hills give the resort a strong sense of place, while private villas provide an intimate base for slowing down. Days might begin with sunrise over Borobudur, continue with a traditional cooking experience or spa treatment, and end with dinner overlooking the forested landscape. Here, the richness of Javanese culture and the tranquillity of the natural surroundings come together in a stay that feels worlds away from everyday life.
Remota
At the edge of Chilean Patagonia, Remota feels less like a hotel and more like a gateway into one of the world's great wildernesses. Set beside the Seno de Última Esperanza fjord, with the mountains of Torres del Paine rising beyond, its distinctive architecture was designed to sit naturally within the vast landscape. Floor-to-ceiling windows bring the scenery inside, while warm, tactile interiors offer a welcome contrast to the rugged wilderness beyond. Days are made for exploring, with hiking, horseback riding, kayaking and excursions into Torres del Paine all on the agenda. Afterwards, return to the warmth of the hotel, where the landscape remains the star.
Ilora Retreats
Deep in the Masai Mara National Reserve, Ilora Retreats offers a rare chance to experience the wilderness at its most immersive. Fourteen beautifully appointed tents provide a luxurious base from which to explore a landscape alive with lions, elephants, leopards and cheetahs, while the nearby Serena Crossing places guests close to the route of the Great Migration. Days might begin with a photography or Jeep safari before continuing with yoga overlooking the savannah or an open-air spa treatment inspired by African botanicals. For something truly unforgettable, the Star Bed experience lets you sleep beneath the vast Mara sky, with nothing but the sounds of the wild around you.
The journey is part of the luxury
There is something wonderfully satisfying about arriving somewhere that feels genuinely removed from the everyday. The effort it takes to get there only heightens the sense of discovery — whether you're crossing the savannah, winding through mountain roads or climbing high into the Himalayas.
At these six hotels, remoteness isn't a compromise. It is the experience. The reward is space, silence, extraordinary landscapes and the rare opportunity to experience a destination at its most authentic.
Sometimes, the best places really are worth going the extra mile for.
