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4 rustic retreats to beat the holiday crowd this Christmas
Take the road less travelled this Christmas season by booking a room at these far-flung locales.
By Richard Ng /
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Photo: Banyan Tree
It is that time of the year again, where things are slowing down at the office considerably as many take an early start to the festive season.
And while we’re just as big a fan of the hustle and bustle of packed Christmas markets in Europe, there remains the undeniable allure of a quiet holiday far from civilisation, a WiFi signal, and especially fussy toddlers. Here’s our pick of some hidden, far-flung gems that’ll give you an excuse to say: “Sorry, I’ll be uncontactable,” and almost mean it.
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Tucked away amid the peaks of the Dolomites in South Tyrol, Italy, is Hotel Hubertus, a family-owned luxury property with 64 rooms. There is plenty of good hiking in the surrounding mountains and even better views, but a highlight is certainly the architectural wonder that is the Heaven & Hell wellness spa. Suspended 15m above an alpine void, it features gable-roofed huts on both the top and bottom of a platform, such that several huts appear upside-down. The facility can accommodate 27 guests at once, with two whirlpools and panoramic showers on the upper floor, alongside saunas, a cold-mist shower and another outdoor pool on the lower portion.
Find out more: Hotel Hubertus
Hospitality brand Songtsam has established a niche for itself with more than a dozen luxury boutique hotels in remote locations scattered across Yunnan and Tibet. One of their newer properties is Songtsam Lodge Namcha Barwa, a 33-suite resort hidden away in the shadow of the famed Namcha Barwa mountain, towering above it at an impressive 7,782m above sea level. A stay here is a retreat meant for self-reflection, with scenic vistas available at every suite by way of floor-to-ceiling windows and a magnificent two-storey reading room. But if that isn’t your cup of tea, bespoke tours in the region to soak up some culture — or venture somewhere even more remote — are available too.
Find out more: Songtsam
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Luxury tent villas and spacious glamping experiences abound at hotel group Banyan Tree’s new 47-tent desert resort, located in the historic city of AlUla in Saudi Arabia. Think of it as a recreation of the nomadic lifestyle led by the ancient Nabataeans who plied the land for thousands of years, except ultra-comfy with modern niceties like terra-cotta walls, handcrafted Arabian-inspired antiques and private pools. Experiences include mini-desert camps, wellness packages and aerial adventures a la hot air balloon, helicopter and vintage plane.
Find out more: Banyan Tree
Our most rugged option on the list is Kolarbyn Eco-lodge, also referred to as Sweden’s most primitive hotel. This isn’t hyperbole: your stay will be in one of 12 wooden cabins given a living coat of sod and mud. Kind of like the Hobbits of Middle-Earth, but less cosy and far more rustic. Don’t expect electricity, showers or even second breakfast — your only entertainment comes in the form of rugged outdoor activities like hiking, wilderness riding or a bushcraft and survival course. All perfectly good fun if you’re willing to leave your laptop and fuzzy slippers back in Singapore.
Find out more: Kolarbyn Eco-lodge
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