Six Camouflaged Stays to Go Off-Grid in Style

There is a common perception that traveling off-grid means giving up luxuries. However in 2023 there is a strong desire to combine the two with half (48%) of travelers only considering traveling ‘off-grid’ if it can be at a more indulgent stay. With a mission to make it easier for everyone to experience the world, we are sharing six unique camouflaged stays that offer the back to basics feel that 44% of global travelers are wanting in 2023, without sacrificing any luxuries. 

Heritance Kandalama, Sigiriya, Sri Lanka
 

Perched on a hill, overlooking the rock fortress of Sigiriya, Heritance Kandalama is a tranquil Travel Sustainable accommodation designed in the early 90s by Sri Lankan architect Geoffrey Bawa who had the vision of an “austere jungle palace”. Showcasing the architect's environmental sensitivity, this minimalistic hotel was one of the first to be awarded with the LEED Green Building certification, the world’s most widely used green building rating system. The property is successfully integrated into the surrounding landscape, as it’s heavily camouflaged by greenery, giving the impression that it is attached to nature. This unique design hotel provides three impressive pools and exotic activities like bird watching and jungle trekking, making it a perfect sanctuary for travelers who are looking to escape from reality in the new year by embarking on an ‘off-grid’ vacation. Heritance Kandalama is a short drive from the 2,000-year-old Dambulla cave temple and the ancient rock fortress of Sigiriya, a high red stone fortress. Travelers can enjoy a lot of activities around Sigiriya, including a Dambulla Caves and Sigiriya Tour to explore the ancient palace ruins or a guided safari to admire the wildlife and scenery of nearby Kaudulla National Park. 

Hotel Føroyar, Tórshavn, Faroe Islands
 

Known for its wooden turf-roofed houses and colorful buildings in the waterfront area, Tórshavn is the capital city of the Faroe Islands and one of the world’s smallest capitals ideal for travelers looking for a destination that will give them a sense of escapism. Designed by the well-known Danish architects, Friis & Moltke, Hotel Føroyar offers breathtaking views of Tórshavn and the surrounding landscape. Opened in 1983, Hotel Føroyar is a Booking.com Travel Sustainable hotel with a natural grass roof matching the surrounding green countryside. With a goal to design a building specially adapted to the ground and landscape, the architects created a building that looks like it is carved into the rocks. 

Phu Chaisai Mountain Resort, Mae Salong Nai, Thailand

Offering sweeping landscape views from its hilltop position, the Booking.com Travel Sustainable property Phu Chaisai Mountain Resort & Spa features eco-friendly thatched cottages and herb gardens. Inspired by M.L. Sudavdee Kriangkrai, Thailand’s leading interior designer, the beautiful resort is surrounded by lush tropical greenery, featuring bamboo cottages with leaf covered roofs, perfectly blended into the natural surroundings. Thanks to the fresh mountain air, there is limited need for air conditioning that completes the sense of being close-to-nature. The resort is about 18 miles (30 km) away from the beautiful mountains of Doi Mae Salong and Doi Tung. Guests can also rent a car and visit the beautiful city of Chiang Rai, just an hour drive away. Highly endorsed by Booking.com travelers for temples, nature and relaxation, Chiang Rai offers a variety of attractions, perfect for a day trip. Travelers can book a guided tour to explore the natural scenery and cultural landmarks of Chiang Saen in the northern part of Chiang Rai province or visit Chiang Rai's famous temples including the Wat Phra Kaew temple, the Blue Temple and the Baan Dam Black House Museum. 

Art Villas Costa Rica, Uvita, Costa Rica
 

Surrounded by pristine nature, Art Villas Costa Rica is located in Uvita, a small town in southern Costa Rica. Hidden in the jungle, the contemporary concrete villas have a green roof which blends perfectly with the surrounding natural environment. Guests who are looking for a stay in nature without compromising on the luxury travel aspect of their vacation, can spend the night in one of the lodge’s villas or at the unique cabins inspired by seed cones, interconnected via walkways and terraces floating high above the ground. With no set boundaries between inside and outside and discrete luxury, this exclusive property offers beautiful views of the Whale Tail, a natural sand formation in the shape of a whale tail, part of the Marino Ballena National Park. 

Rondane River Lodge - Rondane Gjestegård, Enden, Norway
 

Rondane River Lodge - Rondane Gjestegård is a  Booking.com Travel Sustainable vacation park offering traditional rooms and log cabins. Each of the wooden cabins is camouflaged with green roofs, blended perfectly with the surrounding forest. With the Vulva River flowing through the property’s garden, this mountain stay is perfect for a relaxing getaway in nature and  a great base to explore the nearby Rondane National Park. Norway’s oldest national park offers a selection of excellent hiking trails for all adventurers and is home to wild reindeers, roe deers and elk. Rondane River Lodge is 155 miles (250 km) north of the Norwegian capital of Oslo, while the charming city of Bergen is 190 miles ( 305 km) away.  

Huilo Huilo Montaña Mágica, Huilo Huilo, Chile
 

Huilo Huilo Montaña Mágica is a volcano shaped hotel covered by lush vegetation and a permanent waterfall. Perfectly blended with nature, this fairytale stay is situated in the middle of the Patagonian Rainforest, and is an off-grid escape with all the amenities of a luxury hotel. The Booking.com Travel Sustainable lodge has a spectacular architecture with rooms built mainly from stone and wood, giving its guests the feeling that they have returned back to nature. Travelers can enjoy a variety of activities including biking, trekking or visiting the hot springs in the middle of the forest. Chile’s capital city Santiago is about one hour drive from Huilo Huilo, which is perfect for a day trip full of activities like a sightseeing tour to explore Santiago's famous attractions and landmarks.

Travel Predictions 2023 research commissioned by Booking.com and conducted among a sample of adults who plan to travel for business or leisure in the next 12-24 months. In total 24,179 respondents across 32 countries and territories were polled (including 1014 from Argentina, 1006 from Australia, 505 from Austria, 504 from Belgium, 1009 from Brazil, 503 from Canada, 1009 from China, 1010 from Colombia, 505 from Croatia, 505 from Denmark, 1010 from France, 1001 from Germany, 500 from Hong Kong, 1005 from India, 504 from Ireland, 504 from Israel, 1008 from Italy, 1003 from Japan, 504 from Mexico, 502 from The Netherlands, 1007 from New Zealand, 1009 from Portugal, 507 from Singapore, 1008 from South Korea, 1001 from Spain, 505 from Sweden, 508 from Switzerland, 500 from Taiwan, 504 from Thailand, 1006 from the UK, 1009 from the US and 504 from Vietnam). Respondents completed an online survey in August 2022.