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Six off-grid getaways you need to take around the globe

If you’re looking for seclusion, these six Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH) escapes have just what you need. From a snow-globe-like Swedish lodge to a Montana mountain getaway, these retreats are tucked away in awe-inspiring destinations where privacy is first class.

Chalets at Blackheath, Australia

Visit Chalets at Blackheath for an alpine experience in the heart of UNESCO World Heritage-listed national park in the Blue Mountains. Nestled among one million hectares of national parkland, the freestanding chalets are spread over expansive grounds. Only two hours from Sydney, but a world away, you’ll be greeted with floor-to-ceiling windows, breathtaking bush views and oversized bathrooms with twin rainfall showers.

Take to the bush trails for a quintessential Australian experience from soaring sandstone formations and scented eucalyptus forests to ancient Aboriginal sites. Wander amongst the Jenolan caves or abseil a waterfall. For gourmands, visit the boutique vineyards nearby and take a culinary tour of local restaurants. Dine at Ates for Mediterranean share plates cooked from the 150-year-old ironbark-fuelled oven. Or, for a private dining experience, The Loft at Cinnabar features two unique grazing rooms.

Chalets at Blackheath © Lee Besser

LOST LINDENBERG, Bali

Surrounded by jungles, temples and ocean, LOST LINDENBERG, Bali is a lost oasis. Wake and walk mere metres to the lush black lava sand beach. This entirely-vegan property is a hidden gem in the middle of Bali’s west coast. And, it’s all yours to explore.

Surf, sleep, sip (on delicious cocktails) and repeat. Lost Beach and Medewi point are popular surfing spots, ideal for a morning of uninterrupted wave catching. Or, embark on a secret river tour, guided by Putu and his family from the village. After that, seek out west Bali’s secret waterfalls with the resort’s own vintage VW camper. End your day with a delectable feast at the Lost Restaurant, where a fusion of plant-based Balinese home cooking meets Western influences. Sleep in the heavens in tree-house-style rooms among swaying palm trees where you’re serenaded by birdsong. The only other sound is the waves crashing on black-sand shores below.

You’ll be whisked a world away.

LOST LINDENBERG, BALI © Small Luxury Hotels of the World

Op Oost, Netherlands

Disappear to an 18th-century Dutch farmhouse culinary retreat to feed the soul. Wooden floors and upcycled old furniture welcome you into one of 12 spacious suites and lodges. Here, in the east corner of Texel, one of Holland’s Wadden Sea islands, chickens roam freely, bees hum around fruit trees and butterflies dance through herb and vegetable gardens.

Begin your day with a fresh organic breakfast from locally sourced ingredients. Spend your days cycling or wandering to gather oysters. Or, forage for delicious seaweed and wild herbs. Later, indulge on salty, sweet Nordic and botanical cuisine at Kook Atelier. Dine on a ‘surprise menu’ determined by seasonal produce – with everything foraged, farmed and fermented within 150 metres. Wash down the farm-to-fork food with local beer from nearby Bird Brewery – for every 10 litres of beer sold, a tree is planted.

Op Oost, Netherlands © Small Luxury Hotels of the World

Arctic Bath, Sweden

With a backdrop of frost-crowned forests and moose and reindeer tracks through snow beds, Swedish Lapland is a winter wonderland worth getting lost in. A one-of-a-kind immersion in epic scenery, Arctic Bath is made up of 12 eco, floating lodges encased by glass walls, floating walkways and sky-gazing decks. The chic Scandinavian design intertwines wood, stone and textiles – taking loft living to a whole new level.

For slow immersion, go berry picking with a guide, take a photography tour or soak in the open-air bath. For the adventurists, steep yourself in forest bathing, kayaking the Luleå River or exploring the wilder Storforsen Nature Reserve. Plus, be on the lookout for the Northern Lights. Winter calls for sledding and riding the snowmobile across the frozen landscape. While in spring, witness the midnight sunrise along with the sleepy local bears leaving hibernation. There’s even a resident moose whisperer onsite. The restaurant serves a set five-course menu with innovative spins on recipes handed down through generations.

Arctic Bath, Sweden – Image 1, 4, 6: © Alex and James | Image 2: © Daniel Holmgren

Bay of Many Coves, New Zealand

Surrounded by an eco-marine haven, Bay of Many Coves is a unique New Zealand escape in the tranquil cove of Marlborough Sounds. The one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments offer stunning views of the cove and provide ample privacy for guests. If nature submersion is your prerogative then you’re in the right place.

Discover the private walking trails that surround the SLH retreat. There are more than six kilometres for your pleasure. Explore the internationally renowned Queen Charlotte Track which is linked nearby. Bathe in the sounds of native birds singing. Kayak and paddleboard around the bay and discover the abundant marine life that lives here. Upon your return, bask in a spa treatment before dining at the hands of world-class chefs. At Foredeck, savour a five-course degustation menu in a moody, candle-lit setting. For breakfast or lunch, The Kumatage Guest Lounge offers sweeping bay views in a relaxed setting. If a crisp Marlborough sauvignon blanc is on the radar, The Quarterdeck is the best place to quench that thirst. It’s highly recommended to be sipped over a charcuterie board.

Bay of Many Coves, New Zealand © Small Luxury Hotels of the World

the green 0, United States of America

Small Luxury Hotels’ member, the green o, is an adults-only Montana retreat, that is so remote and vast you’re given a Lexus to use during your stay. If you’re seeking an antidote to city living, the green o is it. Here, big blue skies stretch as far as the eye can see, companioned by spectacular glacier-carved Blackfoot River Valley views in a world where wide open spaces meet wellness, fine dining and ultimate bliss.

The four ‘haus’ designs blend total privacy with grandeur qualities. Think floor-to-ceiling windows with awe-inspiring views. Observe a brilliant starry night from the skylight above your bed or from the rooftop deck. Soak in solitude in the hot tub or get toasty by the outdoor fire and roast s’mores. Choose a Tree Haus and sleep four-and-a-half metres in the air.

Leave your cocoon for a blissful spa treatment, yoga class or forest bathing. To fill your exploration cup, wander the valleys, rivers and mountains. Go horseback trekking in summer or snow tubing in winter. Make your way to the Social Haus for dramatic live-fire cooking and creative small plates.

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