We’re big fans of a proper digital detox. Whether it’s on a remote Asian beach, a private island getaway in the Caribbean, or a high alpine hotel without a hint of Wi-Fi, there’s nothing more refreshing than a week (or three) of complete disconnection. If you’re looking for the latter, here are four of the world’s best mountain hotels.
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Terminal Neige Refuge du Montenvers Hotel
Chamonix, France
France’s Terminal Neige Refuge du Montenvers Hotel has changed little since opening its doors in the late 1800s, and why would it? Tucked high into the French Alps, the hotel offers panoramic views of the Mer de Glace glacier and snow-capped peaks of Grandes Jorasses and the Drus. Each of the 17 guestrooms exudes old world traveler charm with vintage luggage accents, old miner’s lamps, and raw, reclaimed wood paneling. Both on-site restaurants hang precariously off the side of a cliff — a fitting spot for a nightcap after a day of climbing or glacier hiking.
Topas Ecolodge
Northwest Vietnam
Perched atop a hill in Vietnam’s lush Sapa Valley, Topas Ecolodge offers stunning mountain and valley views. Guests stay in one of only 33 one-bedroom bungalows built into the hillside. The granite structures feel intimate and secluded with private balconies that offer sweeping views of the rice-producing valleys below. The hotel’s infinity pool is one of the most Instagram-worthy spots we’ve ever seen. If you can peel yourself away from all that R&R, however, the area is also ideal for more active pursuits like mountain biking, hiking, and trail running.
Ion Adventure Hotel
Iceland
“Where everything meets nothing.” It seems like an appropriate movie poster slogan for Interstellar. But, it’s also a fitting tagline for the Ion Adventure Hotel. It’s hard not to shower every waterfall, volcano, hiking trail, and coffee shop in Iceland with superlatives, and this newest of the country’s hotels is no different. There’s something for almost every type of guest here. Scene seekers will find the hustle of Reykjavik less than an hour away; the location along the Golden Circle is great for exploring Iceland by truck; and the surrounding Thingvellir National Park offers plenty of outdoor exploration opportunities. But, for those in search of disconnected downtime, the design hotel promises plenty of “nothing” to do as well. Start at the spa, make your way to the Nordic-inspired bar, then round out the night in the outdoor hot tubs, surrounded by towering glaciers and lava fields as the Northern Lights ignite the sky overhead.
Mashpi Lodge
Quito, Ecuador
Although technically within the metropolitan district of the Ecuadorian capital Quito, Masphi Lodge feels a million miles from anywhere. The lodge’s sole purpose is to fully immerse every guest in nature. That’s an easy goal when the property is surrounded by La Bosque de Niebla (“the Cloud Forest”). It’s a raw, pristine terrain full of amazing waterfalls, lush jungle, raging rivers, and the dramatic peaks of the Andes. The private, 3,000-acre reserve is home to some of South America’s most fascinating wildlife, including dozens of mammalian species, 400 bird species, and 200 types of amphibian. Needless to say, a hike anywhere on the property is a near-perfect prescription for a digital detox.
