Low-Tech Luxury
Unplugging on vacation can be harder
than you think. These hotels vow to help.
Villa Stéphanie
—Baden-Baden, Germany
While most hotels advertise uninterrupted Wi-Fi, Villa Stéphanie — less than two hours from Frankfurt by train — touts the option for guests to turn off connectivity in their rooms. When guests flip a switch, a copper grid in the walls apparently blocks incoming signals (and unwanted phone bleeps). To further help guests unwind, the 15-room hotel has its own spa with personalized treatments, and it also connects to neighboring Brenners Park-Hotel & Spa, where a team of medics, nutritionists and trainers coax guests into tip-top shape. From US$413 per night. brenners.com/eng/villa-stephanie
The Ranch Malibu
—Malibu, California
At this weeklong luxury boot camp in the Santa Monica Mountains outside of Los Angeles, small groups of guests are guided through a daily regimen of long hikes, fitness classes, yoga, naps and even deep-tissue massages. (Plus, all of this activity is fueled by a 1,400-calorie plant-based diet, supported by the historic working ranch’s organic garden.) While program hosts recommend unplugging from devices, guest rooms are equipped with Wi-Fi for those who need to occasionally check in. $7,200, all inclusive. theranchmalibu.com
Eremito
—Umbria, Italy
What has the potential to soothe frayed nerves more than an eco-hotel built in the style of a 14th-century monastery, without a television or internet connection within reach? A member of the Design Hotels collection, Eremito (from Italian eremita, or “hermit”) puts a tasteful spin on austere, with rooms that mimic monastic cells, a pool dug from rock and a stone steam room. To top it all off, dinners are held in silence, featuring vegetarian meals made with ingredients from local organic farms. From $208 per night. eremito.com
Remote Safari Camps by Jacada Travel
—throughout Africa
Don’t want your fellow travelers’ phone screens obscuring your view of Africa’s great beasts? The travel designers at Jacada specialize in organizing custom “detox safaris” that transport guests to truly out-of-the-way spots, where phone coverage is either scant or nonexistent. These camps, from the heart of Tanzania’s Serengeti to the banks of Zambia’s Chongwe River, are elegant in an uncomplicated way. Some have limited power, which makes switching off easy. Those who want to really abandon routine can opt for a “mobile camp” trip, which follows the migrating herds. Prices vary. jacadatravel.com