9 of the World’s Most Remote Hotels

Have you ever wanted to get away from it all? At these nine extraordinarily remote hotels, that’s entirely possible. Whether you want to live out a Robinson Crusoe fantasy on a beachy private island or head to the white deserts of Antarctica, there are properties across the globe that cater to those seeking an off-the-map kind of experience—with luxury service, of course. They might be slightly hard to get to, but that’s part of their appeal.

El Questro Homestead, located on a clifftop with views of the Chamberlain River in Western Australia’s East Kimberley region. Photo: Courtesy of El Questro Homestead

1. El Questro Homestead, the Kimberley, Australia

The experience: The Kimberley is a remote area of northern Western Australia known for its ancient rock formations, isolated coastlines, and vast savannas. El Questro is a 700,000-acre nature park that brings guests into the heart of it. While there are a handful of accommodations in the park that skew toward the more rustic side, the most luxurious experience is at the El Questro Homestead, a nine-room luxury retreat set atop a cliff overlooking a crocodile-filled river.

Don’t miss: A scenic helicopter ride. A number of excursions are included in the rate for El Questro Homestead guests, including a boat ride through Chamberlain Gorge and a visit to the world-famous Zebedee Springs. But you’d be missing out if you skipped a helicopter ride over the incredible landscapes. (It does cost an extra fee.)

How to get there: First you’ll need to fly into East Kimberley Regional Airport, more commonly referred to as Kununurra Airport, which is serviced by flights on Airnorth, Virgin Australia, and Qantas from Broome and Darwin year-round and Perth seasonally. Then you’ll need to drive two hours to El Questro Homestead, either by your own four-wheel-drive vehicle or on a shuttle operated by the property. Alternatively, you can fly into El Questro on a private charter (Shoal Air is a popular one in the region) or helicopter.

Explora Rapa Nui, situated on Easter Island. Photo: Courtesy of Explora Rapa Nui

2. Explora Rapa Nui, Easter Island

The experience: To see the legendary Moai statues of Rapa Nui, you’ll have to head out to Easter Island, set in the middle of the Pacific Ocean more than 2,000 miles off the coast of Chile. The most luxurious hotel on the island is Explora Rapa Nui, a LEED-certified, all-inclusive property comprising just 30 luxe rooms.

Don’t miss: The Moai statues are certainly the biggest draw here—Explora Rapa Nui’s rates include tours of the structures with guides. But while you’re on Easter Island, you should also take advantage of great snorkeling and surfing.

How to get there: LATAM flies to Easter Island from Santiago, Chile, at least once a day, and there’s also one weekly flight from Tahiti.

A cabin on the property of Ultima Thule Lodge. Photo: Courtesy of Ultima Thule Lodge

3. Ultima Thule Lodge, Alaska 

The experience: One of the most, if not the most, remote lodges in Alaska, Ultima Thule is set deep in the wilderness, some 400 miles from Anchorage in the Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve. It’s all about nature here—you’ll head out on adventures each day to take in the mountains, rivers, and wildlife of Alaska.

Don’t miss: The scenic flights. Each day, you can head out on an aerial adventure with a bush pilot, which is one of the best ways to really see the landscape. Of course, it’s the only way to get around, too, since there are no roads out here.

How to get there: The nearest paved road to Ultima Thule is 100 miles away, so you won’t be driving in. Step one is to fly into Anchorage, from which you’ll need to catch a charter flight to McCarthy Airstrip (a one- to two-and-a-half-hour journey depending on the aircraft). You can also drive seven hours to McCarthy from Anchorage. From there, one of the lodge’s own aircraft will pick you up for the final leg of the trip.

Exterior of Newfoundland’s Fogo Island Inn. Photo: Courtesy of Fogo Island Inn

4. Fogo Island Inn, Newfoundland, Canada

The experience: Fogo Island Inn has become somewhat of a poster child for remote getaways, captivating travelers with austere, modern architecture juxtaposed against the Canadian coastal wilderness. The hotel is open year-round, which means activities vary from hiking to sailing among icebergs to snowmobiling.

Don’t miss: The artist’s studios. Peppered across the property are a number of high-design artist’s studios that are worthy of a peek.

How to get there: The easiest way is to hop on a private charter flight from Halifax, a new option as of 2019. But many guests take the scenic route, which involves a flight to Gander International Airport followed by some combination of drives and ferry rides to the hotel (which takes about three hours). Choppering in is also an option.

Recommended: 9 Incredible Hotels Overlooking the World’s Most Famous Landmarks

A villa at Awasi Patagonia with views of Torres del Paine National Park in Chile. Photo: Courtesy of Awasi Patagonia

5. Awasi Patagonia, Torres del Paine, Chile

The experience: The world’s southernmost Relais & Chateaux property, Awasi Patagonia sits in the shadow of Torres del Paine National Park, a surreal region in Chile known for its mountains, glaciers, and grasslands. Each of its 14 villas is staffed with its own private guide who takes guests into the wilderness.

Don’t miss: The gastronomy. While the views are dazzling, the food is, too. Executive chef Matías Crosta creates gourmet dishes with local ingredients that are a true highlight of a stay at Awasi Patagonia.

How to get there: Fly into Puerto Natales in Chile or Punta Arenas in Argentina; the former is a two-hour drive from the hotel, and the later is a five-hour drive.

Villas at the Berkeley River Lodge. Photo: Courtesy of the Berkeley River Lodge

6. Berkeley River Lodge, Kimberley Coast, Australia

The experience: The Berkeley River Lodge is the most remote luxury hotel on Australia’s mainland—it’s about 100 miles from the nearest town, Wyndham, which has a population of just 780 people. With just 20 villas for two, there’s certainly never a crowd here. Spend your days exploring the coastal Kimberley region by boat or helicopter, or take a scenic drive along the beach in a four-wheel-drive safari vehicle. Sadly, you can’t swim in the ocean—it’s home to saltwater crocodiles—but there’s a lovely pool if you’d like to take a dip.

Don’t miss: The waterfalls. Depending on how much rain has fallen in the area, you might be able to spot dozens of waterfalls flowing from the cliffs along the Berkeley River. You might even be able to stand beneath one, which is a real coastal Kimberley right of passage.

How to get there: There are no roads that lead to Berkeley River Lodge, so you have only one option—fly in on a charter from Kununurra or Darwin, both of which are relatively remote airports themselves.

Sleeping pods at the White Desert Whichaway Camp. Photo: Courtesy of White Desert Whichaway Camp

7. White Desert Whichaway Camp, Antarctica

The experience: The majority of tourists visiting Antarctica have to get there by cruise, and they’ve got to sleep on that cruise while they’re down there. That’s not the case if you sign up for one of White Desert’s extraordinary adventures. You’ll fly to Antarctica on a private jet, then have a chance to stay in the company’s Whichaway Camp, which comprises seven luxurious “sleeping pods” styled with contemporary furnishings and outfitted with a private toilet, plus main “lodge” facilities with a dining room, a lounge, and a cocktail deck. Showers, however, are shared.

Don’t miss: The cocktails. They’re served with 1,000-year-old ice.

The main lodge at Three Camel Lodge and Mongolian gers for guests to stay in. Photo: Courtesy of Three Camel Lodge

8. Three Camel Lodge, Mongolia

The experience: Rising from the vast plains of the Gobi Desert is a collection of gers, or traditional Mongolian tents. It’s not a mirage—it’s Three Camel Lodge, an eco-resort that champions ecological and cultural sustainability. During your stay, you can tour nearby sites like the Hongoryn Els sand dunes and Tugrigiin Shiree, where dinosaur fossils were discovered, as well as experience cultural performances and meet local nomadic families.

Don’t miss: Chatting with the staff. The lodge is just as focused on the people and the culture of Mongolia as it is its natural setting, so it’s staffed entirely by locals who have fascinating stories to tell.

How to get there: First you’ll need to get to Ulaanbaatar, the capital of Mongolia, from where you’ll need to take an hour-long flight to Dalanzadgad, the nearest major town to the lodge. The last leg of the journey to the lodge is a 90-minute off-road drive.

The South Beach Villa at Constance Tsarabanjina. Photo: Courtesy of Constance Hotels & Resorts

9. Constance Tsarabanjina, Madagascar

The experience: For a true deserted-island vibe—well, perhaps a soft one—visit Constance Tsarabanjina, a private-island hotel off the coast of Madagascar with thatched villas for accommodations. You won’t actually be roughing it, as each room includes air-conditioning and a minibar, but you also won’t have access to TVs or Wi-Fi. But there’s plenty to do to entertain you, from snorkeling to listening to live music to getting massages.

Don’t miss: The offshore reefs. Charter a snorkeling boat tour through the hotel to get out to them!

How to get there: From Antananarivo, the capital of Madagascar, take an hour-and-a-half flight to Nosy Be, where you’ll then take Constance Tsarabanjina’s regularly scheduled 20-minute boat transfer. You could also charter a helicopter from Nosy Be.