Suffering from Nomophobia? Get Off-Grid on a Wellness Retreat
Since the advent of the smartphone and social media, we have become constantly switched on. So much so, there is even a term for this addiction: nomophobia, the fear of losing access to our mobile phones.
With numerous studies praising the health benefits of going offline (as well as the negative effects of spending too much time on our smartphones!), it’s little wonder that when travelers want to switch off, they really want to switch off.
Escapes that are off the beaten track with little-to-no Wi-Fi access are fast becoming popular – and Agoda’s latest Travel and Tech Study found that nearly three-fifths of those surveyed globally want to travel off the beaten path.
Luckily for those seeking off-the-grid escapes, the APAC region is dotted with many remote yet luxurious properties that can help wean you off your smartphone while keeping you within first world comforts. Check out our top picks:
Sal Salis Ningaloo Reef Hotel – Cape Range National Park, Western Australia
Check In to Sal Salis, an exclusive beach-side safari camp made up of only 16 spacious tents in the dunes. Each of the 16 tents sit on raised platforms and offer views of the surrounding bush & beach. Wake up to the song of a butcher bird (instead of your smartphone alarm) and fall asleep to the sound of waves crashing on the beach.
Step Out to World Heritage Site Ningaloo Reef, home to over 750 species of fish and coral. Just beyond the reef, count your lucky stars and you just may come across whale sharks, humpback whales, orcas, manta rays and dolphins.
Book here.
Dedon Island Resort – Siargao Island, The Philippines
Check In to Dedon Island Resort, a remote paradise 800 km south of Manila. The resort specializes in custom cocktails, bespoke menus, surfing lessons and spa therapies. The good news – everything is covered by the all-inclusive fee.
Step Out to nearby island Casolian, which features the oldest marine sanctuary in Siargao and a charming little fishing village.
Book here.
Alishan House – Alishan Township, Taiwan
Check In to picture perfect Alishan House, situated near the Alishan National Scenic Area. Set at 2,200m above sea level, this is the ideal remote escape for those searching for some of the most epic mountain views. The property is made up of two buildings in different styles, named “Historical House” and “Modern House”.
Step Out into the Alishan Mountains, which feature cloud-ringed peaks, green valleys and cherry blossoms. The area is home to the tiny but highly influential Tsou villages, responsible for popularizing the method of cooking rice in bamboo tubes across Taiwan.
Book here.
Pangkor Laut Resort – Pangkor, Malaysia
Check In to Pangkor Laut Resort, a multiple award-winning, privately owned resort island. With access to the resort only available via speedboat or helicopter, this is the ultimate getaway for those who want to get off the grid. Nothing can stop you from achieving ultimate relaxation.
Step Out to Pangkor Island, whose name originates from Pang Ko in Thai and literally translates to “beautiful island”, known for pristine secluded beaches and sleepy fishing villages that have changed little in the last 50 years.
Book here.
Bamurru Plains Hotel – Mary River, Australia
Check In to Bamurru Plains, a luxury camp made of just 10 safari-style bungalows. This remote property offers travelers the ultimate technology-free experience – no internet, no TV, and no telephones – so you can soak up the beauty of the surrounding savannah and wetlands without any distractions.
Step Out to Kakadu National Park, nearly 20,000sqm of wildland, home to over 2,000 plant species and wildlife from crocodiles to turtles & birds. The park also houses one of the greatest concentrations of Aboriginal rock art sites in the world and can be viewed within sites such as Nourlangie, Nanguluwur and Ubirr.
Book here.
Six Senses Con Dao – Con Dao, Vietnam
Check In to Six Senses Con Dao, the quintessential remote beach escape. The property sits right on a shoreline of white sandy beaches, surrounded by majestic mountains. For ultimate privacy, each villa has its own pool.
Step Out to the mostly uninhabited Con Dao Islands. Explore miles of coastal roads, coral reefs, hiking trails and a wide range of wildlife watching opportunities.
Book here.
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Since the advent of the smartphone and social media, we have become constantly switched on. So much so, there is even a term for this addiction: nomophobia, the fear of losing access to our mobile phones.
With numerous studies praising the health benefits of going offline (as well as the negative effects of spending too much time on our smartphones!), it’s little wonder that when travelers want to switch off, they really want to switch off.
Escapes that are off the beaten track with little-to-no Wi-Fi access are fast becoming popular – and Agoda’s latest Travel and Tech Study found that nearly three-fifths of those surveyed globally want to travel off the beaten path.
Luckily for those seeking off-the-grid escapes, the APAC region is dotted with many remote yet luxurious properties that can help wean you off your smartphone while keeping you within first world comforts. Check out our top picks:
Sal Salis Ningaloo Reef Hotel – Cape Range National Park, Western Australia
Check In to Sal Salis, an exclusive beach-side safari camp made up of only 16 spacious tents in the dunes. Each of the 16 tents sit on raised platforms and offer views of the surrounding bush & beach. Wake up to the song of a butcher bird (instead of your smartphone alarm) and fall asleep to the sound of waves crashing on the beach.
Step Out to World Heritage Site Ningaloo Reef, home to over 750 species of fish and coral. Just beyond the reef, count your lucky stars and you just may come across whale sharks, humpback whales, orcas, manta rays and dolphins.
Book here.
Dedon Island Resort – Siargao Island, The Philippines
Check In to Dedon Island Resort, a remote paradise 800 km south of Manila. The resort specializes in custom cocktails, bespoke menus, surfing lessons and spa therapies. The good news – everything is covered by the all-inclusive fee.
Step Out to nearby island Casolian, which features the oldest marine sanctuary in Siargao and a charming little fishing village.
Book here.
Alishan House – Alishan Township, Taiwan
Check In to picture perfect Alishan House, situated near the Alishan National Scenic Area. Set at 2,200m above sea level, this is the ideal remote escape for those searching for some of the most epic mountain views. The property is made up of two buildings in different styles, named “Historical House” and “Modern House”.
Step Out into the Alishan Mountains, which feature cloud-ringed peaks, green valleys and cherry blossoms. The area is home to the tiny but highly influential Tsou villages, responsible for popularizing the method of cooking rice in bamboo tubes across Taiwan.
Book here.
Pangkor Laut Resort – Pangkor, Malaysia
Check In to Pangkor Laut Resort, a multiple award-winning, privately owned resort island. With access to the resort only available via speedboat or helicopter, this is the ultimate getaway for those who want to get off the grid. Nothing can stop you from achieving ultimate relaxation.
Step Out to Pangkor Island, whose name originates from Pang Ko in Thai and literally translates to “beautiful island”, known for pristine secluded beaches and sleepy fishing villages that have changed little in the last 50 years.
Book here.
Bamurru Plains Hotel – Mary River, Australia
Check In to Bamurru Plains, a luxury camp made of just 10 safari-style bungalows. This remote property offers travelers the ultimate technology-free experience – no internet, no TV, and no telephones – so you can soak up the beauty of the surrounding savannah and wetlands without any distractions.
Step Out to Kakadu National Park, nearly 20,000sqm of wildland, home to over 2,000 plant species and wildlife from crocodiles to turtles & birds. The park also houses one of the greatest concentrations of Aboriginal rock art sites in the world and can be viewed within sites such as Nourlangie, Nanguluwur and Ubirr.
Book here.
Six Senses Con Dao – Con Dao, Vietnam
Check In to Six Senses Con Dao, the quintessential remote beach escape. The property sits right on a shoreline of white sandy beaches, surrounded by majestic mountains. For ultimate privacy, each villa has its own pool.
Step Out to the mostly uninhabited Con Dao Islands. Explore miles of coastal roads, coral reefs, hiking trails and a wide range of wildlife watching opportunities.
Book here.
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