Arctic igloos. Sky-high treehouses. Clifftop suites. These 15 places give new meaning to “being one with nature.” Chelsea Bengier takes in the views.
Starlight Room, Italy
You won’t find a better room with a view than the Starlight , which sits 7,000 feet up in the Italian Dolomites. It’s a small, glass-walled cabin that’s attached to a pair of large skis and comes equipped with adjustable seats to help you find the perfect stargazing position. Just note: Its remote locale means it’s not exactly easy to get to; snowmobiling, fat biking or snowshoeing are the only ways to reach the summit. Nature gets real out here.
Amangiri, Utah
Hidden away on 600 acres of Utah wilderness, the Amangiri wins our hearts for its natural, subtle design, all ambers, yellows and pinks, that blend seamlessly with the canyons of the American Southwest. The earthy vibe extends to the interiors, done up in white stone floors, concrete walls and exposed wood and black steel detailing. Don’t miss a dip in the ‘gram-worthy pool, which wraps around the landscape’s curved dunes and arid plateaus.
Photo courtesy of Aman
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Berggasthaus Aescher-Wildkirchli, Switzerland
No, this isn’t photoshopped. The 211-year-old rustic lodge actually does jut out from the side of the Appenzell Alps. Luckily, you don’t have to trek up a long trail to get there (unless you want to!) — you can hop the cable car from Wasserauen instead. Either way, you’ll be rewarded with knockout views of the Swiss countryside once you reach the top.
Photo courtesy of Switzerland Tourism
Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort, Finland
These arctic igloos make Urho Kekkonen National Park look like a dreamy winter wonderland. At night, snuggle up in the glass-roofed globe and watch the dancing northern lights overhead. Just prepare yourself before you step outside, temperatures can drop to -22 degrees!
Photo by Valtteri Hirvonen, courtesy of Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort
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Hacienda Na Xamena, Ibiza
Though Ibiza has a hard-partying reputation, the Spanish island’s northwest coast remains untouched. Here, you’ll find lush pine forests, hidden calas (cove beaches) and Hacienda Na Xamena , a resort suspended on a cliff 600 feet above the Med. People flock to its spa for the eight saltwater thalassotherapy lagoons, which are linked together with waterfalls. Our advice? Swim to the edge of the pool, and soak in the sweeping sea vistas.
Photo courtesy of Hacienda Na Xamena
Alila Jabal Akhdar, Oman
This design-forward hotel is so nestled in nature, you’d miss it at first glance. On the rim of a deep gorge, its rock exterior — which evokes traditional Omani architecture — camouflages with the rugged Al Hajar mountain range. Earthy tones of wood and stone are accented with copper ornaments, local handmade pottery, and a hand-painted rose pattern on the walls (inspired by the region’s damask roses).
Zanzibar White Sand Villas, Africa
It’s not hard to get on island time here. Mirroring Zanzibar’s laid-back beach vibes, the airy villas are all cream stone, natural wood and beige tones. Each consists of two units that are connected by a tropical garden and private pool. But our favorite spots to get bronzed are on the thatched rooftop terrace or in the tranquil outdoor tub.
Photo courtesy of Zanzibar White Sand Villas
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Hotel Astronomico Elqui Domos, Chile
The seven trippy geodesic domes of Elqui Domos are tucked in a steep, wooded slope in Chile’s wild Norte Chico region. The self-described “astronomy hotel” offers a range of stargazing amenities including an observatory, evening horseback rides and loft beds with detachable roofs (so you can see the sky). Who says all-nighters are a bad thing?
Entre Cielos, Argentina
You’ll have serious bragging rights after staying at this escape , in Mendoza. Stilted above an eight-acre vineyard, the hotel’s futuristic pod overlooks the foothills of the Andes and rolling vineyards. Sip a glass of local Malbec while soaking in the massive outdoor jacuzzi on the deck.
Post Ranch Inn, California
If you can’t seem to find Post Ranch Inn , just look up. Its 40 luxury homes and suites all hover on a ridge 1,200 feet above the coast in Big Sur. Each house is named and designed after their respective environments — the Peak overlooks the Santa Lucia Mountains and the Pacific has a curved deck with views of the ocean. There’s artisan craftsmanship in every detail, down to bathroom fixtures that double as art objects and old-growth redwood walls made from repurposed wine vats.
Photo by Kodiak Greenwood
Pacuare Lodge, Costa Rica
This jungle hideaway is so out there, you have to whitewater raft down a river or ride a gondola to get there. A network of hanging bridges connect the villas, which have thatched roofs, plantation teak wood floors, rattan furniture and private plunge pools. In the evening, zip 400 feet down a cable for a meal at the Nest, a platform at the top of a ceiba tree, then take a night-time stroll along romantic pathways lit by candles and lanterns.
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Longitude 131, Australia
On the outback’s rust-red sand dunes, surrounded by desert oaks and spinifex brush, are the 15 tented pavilions of Longitude 131 . Each suite is done up in Aboriginal artwork, framed historical artifacts, and custom furniture from Australian designers. There’s even floor-to-ceiling glass doors that open onto a private balcony with a plush daybed and fireplace — the perfect place to watch the sun rise over Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park.
Sakrisøy Rorbuer AS, Norway
It doesn’t get more off-the-beaten-path than this. In the remote Lofoten Islands, a tiny cove called Sakrisøy lies between the Norwegian Sea and the fjords. Here, a cluster of colorful rorbuer (wooden fishermen’s cabins) stand on stilts above the crystal-clear water and have a jaw-dropping backdrop of Scandinavia’s craggy snowcapped slopes. Though they’ve been converted to guesthouses, the ochre-colored abodes still maintain their charm: Row boats are docked below deck for summer use and giant cod are often piled on the quayside, ready to be hung on the stockfish racks.
Misool Eco Resort, Indonesia
Psst, want to hear a secret? An archipelago of uninhabited islands in southern Raja Ampat is just waiting to be discovered. Imagine powder-white beaches, colorful coral reefs, lush foliage, and your own private overwater bungalow, 105 miles from the nearest port. The cottages at Misool Eco Resort have reclaimed wood, thatched grass roofs and hammocks built right into the veranda floor so you can swing over fish. It’s also home to a shark and manta sanctuary, killer scuba diving sites and a conservation center. That’s our kind of tropical getaway.
Photo courtesy of Misool Eco Resort
Free Spirit Spheres, Canada
These hanging orbs look like something out of a sci-fi flick. Hand-crafted by the inn owners, the trio of adults-only treehouses give the feeling of living within the branches of Vancouver Island’s coastal rainforest. Climb the spiral stairs to be surrounded by mossy Douglas-fir, Mountain hemlock, red cedar and Sitka spruce trees. That’s one way to fulfill your Swiss Family Robinson fantasy.
Photo by Adam Clarke
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