As we’re all settling back into reality with our new found resolutions; eating less, exercising more and generally being a better person, the trend for tech-free holidays has seen a sharp increase over the past year. What better way to enjoy the cold blues of January than in a warm climate and without any digital distractions? Turn off your phone and book into one of these digital detox retreats…
Grace Santorini’s Digital Detox
Grace Santorini is an exclusive boutique hotel in Santorini, Greece, perched above the world-famous Caldera with breathtaking views and sumptuous sunsets. But forget taking pictures for Instagram as your host invites you to leave your digital devices at the door. The two-bedroom villa is with a heated pool, a jacuzzi and its own massage room, where each guest can have a 90-minute Grace Royal spa treatment – a full body scrub and a massage. They’ll keep your mind off your phone with private daily meditation sessions and yoga classes, and they take the detox one step further with a menu from the award-winning Santoro restaurant, influenced by Chef Spyros’s passion; the flavours and produce of the Cycladic islands, the distinctive cooking of Greek villages and select elements from contemporary worldwide cuisine. But not to worry, avid amateur photographers, as guests can still photograph the beautiful scenic views with a retro Polaroid camera left in the room.
Three-night Digital Detox retreat, from £1,855 per person, half board, based on four sharing.
For those who aren’t quite ready to throw in the festival filled, sweat-soaked towel, this alternative adventure combines the best of festival fun and retreats. Restival have created a five-night ultra-travel transformational retreat in the Arizona Desert, offering Sybarites the rare opportunity to reconnect with yourself, others and nature in eco-lux comfort. A holistic library of experiences await: writing, dancing, yoga, meditation, gong baths, nutrition, sweat lodges, Navajo art, peace-making, workshops, Navajo astronomy, sound immersions and the chance to visit “secret Arizona” with Navajo elders, off the beaten track, to places with captivating stories from the beginning of time.
Five nights, all inclusive, from £1,200, including transfers.
Chewton Glen’s Digital Detox Retreat
Chewton Glen’s yogic healer and founder of Ila, Denise Leicester, constructs this three-day digital detox, where all devices can be helpfully confiscated on arrival and entrusted to reception for safekeeping. Sybarites will enjoy every aspect of the hotel’s spectacular tree houses, with a personal hot tub surrounded by the New Forest, then there’s the guided yoga, meditation and Nordic walking, two Ila treatments: the Kundalini massage and the Ananda facial. While a notebook to encourage daily journaling and an adult mindful colouring book are surprising necessities.
Two-night Digital Detox Retreat, full board, from £1,305.
Today, Eremito maintains as close as possible the core and the feeling of the ancient hermitages where time stood still. An ideal place to relax, rest and to concentrate in creative activities or to meditate; a luxury in today’s world. The so-called “Celluzze” are the cells used by monks in past times, who in their small and simple spaces were able to find time for meditation and prayer. Eremito has 14 rooms with a wrought-iron bed, a shower and toilet.
The temperature in the rooms is always constant without a need for air-conditioning, there is also under floor heating for the colder months. Although the basic comforts are in the room, you will not find a telephone, TV nor wi-fi connection. Instead, you will find a comfortable desk made of stone by the window where one can be inspired whilst admiring the green valley.
Single, full board, from £130 p/n.
