Remote possibilities: seasonal escapes for a peaceful pause
Feeling the festive overwhelm? We’ve rounded up our favourite remote lodgings for a calm and contemplative break, against some of the world’s most arresting scenery
We’re not bah humbug at Roadbook, but truth be told, the social clamour of the holidays can feel overstimulating at times. Consider this guide the antidote: peaceful, thoughtful winter travel, where excess gives way to simplicity, temperance and reflection. We’ve rounded up a selection of our favourite remote cabins, quiet islands, winter farm stays and unique villas, which celebrate the contemplative joy in quiet moments, and not a trace of tinsel in sight.
Think of this list as a restorative palette cleanser, whether seeking refuge from the noise, or a gentle post-holiday slowdown after the festive rush.
A tranquil Asian stay
Siri Sala, Bangkok, Thailand
Why we rate it: An immaculately appointed teak house with laidback Thai charm
Address: Charan Sanit Wong Road, Arun Amarin, Bangkok Noi
Price: From 20,000 THB / 634 USD per night
Siri Sala is a riverside sanctuary from the frenetic city, perched on a quiet canal along the western bank of the Chao Phraya River. Visionary couple Irma Go and Kirati ‘Art’ Thepsoparn purchased a trio of traditional stilt houses and worked with local craftsmen to painstakingly restore and upcycle architectural elements of each building, creating an intimate hideaway on the water’s edge. Guests can book one of five bedrooms, which each sleep two, or book the entire villa. If it looks familiar, you may recognise it from The White Lotus Season three.
Dinner is cooked by a private chef, cocktails are served poolside or in the charming Heritage House and fresh herbs are picked from the garden. Explore surrounding Bangkok Noi, where local markets and centuries-old temples preserve the flavour of old Bangkok. December to March are some of the best months to visit, when the weather is warm, dry and bright.
Nirjhara, Bali, Indonesia
Why we rate it: A luxe jungle oasis
Address: Jl. Nirjhara, Banjar Kedungu, Belalang, Kediri, Tabanan Regency, Bali 82121, Indonesia
Price: 367 USD per night
Many travellers beeline for Bali to swap festive bustle for spiritual calm. Family-owned Nirjhara is an eco-conscious jungle resort in Kedungu, a quieter corner of the island. Sanskrit for waterfall, it is so named for the cascading falls opposite the boutique resort. There are 25 luxury villas furnished with locally crafted art and furnishings, with private pools, open-air living spaces and verdant jungle views.
Deep relaxation and mindful experiences are central here: all-day blessing ceremonies begin with sound healing and breathing before continuing to Sebatu’s sacred springs for a traditional cleansing ritual. Guests can also partake in daily yoga classes, surfing, guided hillwalks, and horseback riding at sunset through the surrounding rice paddies and along volcanic shores.
Quiet enclaves in California
Pioneertown Motel, Pioneertown, California
Why we rate it: Bohemian desert hideaway near Joshua Tree
Address: 5240 Curtis Road, Pioneertown, CA 92268
Price: 392 USD per night
Around two hours from Los Angeles, Joshua Tree in January brings a near otherworldly stillness, its rocky landscapes and towering cacti bathed in a soft, warm glow. On the outskirts is Pioneertown, a remote community founded by a group of Western actors in the 1940s that feels fittingly like a Wild West film set. The retro-rustic vibe is instilled at Pioneertown Motel, a soulful desert lodge with 19 rooms, each furnished with Aztec-style blankets and cowhide rugs. In the Red Dog Saloon lobby bar you’ll find line dancing and a Tex Mex menu, best followed by evening stargazing from the desert hammock garden. If you have ever romanticised the west, here it is at its nostalgic best.
Lodge at Marconi in Tomales Bay, California
Why we rate it: A woodland retreat close to the wild beauty of Tomales Bay
Address: 18500 CA-1, Marshall, CA 94940
Price: 443 USD per night
The Lodge at Marconi is a collection of 45 cabins, hidden in the forested hillside of Marconi State Historic Park, just an hour north of San Francisco. Tranquil, television-free rooms encourage quietude, while handcrafted and collected objects that reflect the area’s rich creative scene, noted for its artisanal makers and coastal influences.
January brings fewer crowds and cool, bright days for forest walks. Breathe in lungfuls of pine-scented air on surrounding trails or join yoga sessions on the dunes overlooking Tomales Bay. Gather around the fire pit in the evening or retreat to your cabin for stargazing through wide windows, which frame the clear night sky.
A mezcal-laced break in Mexico
Casa Silencio, Xaagá, Mexico
Why we rate it: Design-forward, eco-retreat by an Oaxacan mezcal distillery
Address: 0430 Xaagá, Oaxaca, Mexico
Price: 1,187 USD per night including all food and drink
Casa Silencio is a boutique hotel set on the grounds of the El Silencio mezcal distillery in Xaagá valley, an hour outside of Oaxaca. Owned by architect Alejandro D’Acosta and his daughter Martina, sustainability is integral to this six-key retreat: energy is solar-powered, operations strive for zero waste, and buildings are constructed from reclaimed wood and tapia (rammed earth). Rugs, copper lamps, bespoke furniture and folkloric decor are all crafted by local artisans, mixing contemporary design with regional tradition.
Guests can tour the distillery and learn about the mezcal-making process, finishing with smoky sips in the tasting room. A five-course dinner takes place around a communal stone table, hand-cut from a single slab of basalt, followed by mezcal-laced cocktails by the fire.
Xaagá Valley is known for its mezcal production. Expect bright, sunny days for exploring the rugged hills and agave-studded landscapes, which encourage a quiet, meditative calm.
Coastal charm in New Zealand
Annandale, Christchurch, New Zealand
Why we rate it: Luxe coastal retreat in Christchurch’s rugged natural landscape
Address: Banks Peninsula, Christchurch, New Zealand (private access; GPS coordinates provided upon booking)
Price: From 2,851 USD per night for holiday homes
Far from the tourist trail, Annandale is a working coastal farm set along the dramatic Banks Peninsula. Its tagline, “Stay where the world can’t find you”, rings true for its cottages, stables and larger villas, which are only accessible by four wheel drive (or helicopter). With its own private bay, Seascape is a modern, glass-walled masterpiece that appears to hover above the Pacific, offering uninterrupted ocean views. For larger groups, Scrubby Bay is a secluded, cedar‑clad villa that sleeps 14.
January is a popular time to visit, during New Zealand’s warm summer season. Farm-to-table cooking showcases the season’s larder, such as freshly caught snapper, alongside berries and heirloom vegetables grown in the gardens or foraged from the surrounding bay.
Remote stays in the UK
Wildland, Scottish Highlands
Why we rate it: An immersion in the Scottish wilderness
Address: Across the Scottish Highlands
Price: From 340 USD per night
Wildland in the Scottish Highlands is Europe’s largest and most ambitious rewilding project, led by Danish philanthropists Anne and Anders Holch Povlsen. It comprises 21 properties across 13 Scottish estates, cocooned by forestry and rugged glens. These range from exclusive hire of 400-year-old Aldourie Castle to converted bothies and farmhouses. The closest to civilisation is Loch Ness, while farthest north is the windswept reaches of Sutherland, where the coastline meets the wild Atlantic. Days are spent walking through arresting, frost-tipped nature and quiet encounters with deer, eagles and Highland cattle. Take in early evening sunsets when the sky blazes bright orange and temperature dip below zero, at which point a wee dram by the fireside beckons.
Unplugged
Why we rate it: Digital detox in the Welsh countryside
Address: Various
Price: Minimum 3-night stay from 550 USD
As its name suggests, Unplugged curates cabins across England and Wales with a focus on disconnecting – whether from devices or daily life. Select from a collection of tranquil cabins in North Wales’ picturesque Dee Valley, where windows frame views of misty rolling hills and snow-capped mountains. Blustery winter walks give way to sauna sessions, before the lure of a good book by the wood-burning stove beckons. Tuck up under linen bedsheets by British brand Piglet and awaken to birdsong and the quiet beauty of the valley.
