Perhaps every second person at least once in recent years has promised himself to stop regularly checking email, reading Facebook and uploading photos to Instagram. Many even tried to arrange a so-called digital or information detox for themselves, but often this idea failed – how can you not go on social networks when it’s so easy!
We propose to resolve the issue radically and go to a place where there is no Internet at all. We have selected 7 hotels where rooms are accessible but Wi-Fi is not. So post a “See You!” on Instagram and Facebook, pack your bags and go!
Brenners Park-Hotel&Spa, Germany
Let’s start small: after all, no one undertakes to run a marathon after a couple of training sessions. In Baden-Baden, of course, you will find free Wi-Fi in many cafes and hotels, but in this building, which is part of the Brenners Park-Hotel & Spa, offer what they call “the most comfortable digital detox in the world.” There are 15 rooms: 12 doubles and three large suites, all rooms with excellent design and views of the Oos River.
To disconnect from technology and digital networks, just press the button on the bedside table, and the connection and Wi-Fi in the room will immediately disappear. You can, of course, turn it back on, but why – there are many other pleasant and useful entertainments. Excellent spa program, Turkish bath, sauna and large swimming pool, which also do not have a hint of Internet access, for example.
Wi-fi: yes, but you can turn it off in your room
Room rate: from 19,352 RUR per night
Matamanoa Island Resort, Fiji
If you don’t agree to give up Internet addiction slowly and carefully, go to Fiji. Among the long list of amenities, you will not find the line “Wi-fi is free.” That is, it is there, but only near the reception and for a fee. And this means no Instagram photos on the veranda of your bungalow or on a piece of private beach.
The hotel owners did everything to distract their adult guests (children under 16 are not allowed here) from the temptation to pay and check their email while sitting on the floor. The hotel has diving and snorkeling equipment (and coral reefs a few meters from the shore),
tennis court, table tennis tables, beach volleyball, petanque, spa center (located on the top of a tree!),
even board games and a library! In general, turn off your gadgets and have fun like twenty years ago.
Wi-fi: only at the reception for a fee
Room rate: from 17,546 ₽ per night
Lapa Rios Ecolodge, Costa Rica
Technically, there is Internet here (it’s time to admit that there are few comfortable hotels left in the world that do not have Wi-Fi),
but it is only available in a special small area. So if you don’t want to feel like a smoker in an airport aquarium, put away your gadgets at the very beginning of your vacation.
The hotel complex is located in a private reserve of 405 hectares in the last lowland rainforest of Central America on the Osa Peninsula in Costa Rica. There is a swimming pool on site, and the windows offer sea views. You will live in one of 17 separate bungalows, which offer wonderful views of the ocean and bay. Bath or shower, terrace, seating area and other amenities are present.
The path here is not short: from the international airport of Costa Rica you can get there by transfer (including flights on local airlines) in 7 hours. But it’s definitely worth it.
Wi-fi: only in a special small area
Room rate: from 77,246 RUR per night
Attrap’Rêves, France
This is a small chain of hotels united by one theme: the rooms in them look like free-standing glass bubbles. They don’t have Wi-Fi, but they do have stunning views of sunsets and sunrises and the starry sky – all the capsules are located away from major cities, so light pollution won’t prevent you from finding the Big Dipper. For Internet addicts, there is still Wi-Fi, but only at the reception.
All hotels have only a few rooms – a total of 18 bubbles were built. Each has a bathroom, a separate bedroom and a telescope along with a star chart.
“Bubbles” can be found in the Provencal pine forest, near the regional natural parks of Luberon and Verdon, near the hills of Regagna and under La Tuilière. These are all very beautiful natural places – and the hotel will be happy to book a tour of the surrounding area for you.
Wi-fi: only at the reception
Room rate: from 109 euros per night
Hotel website:www.attrap-reves.com
Duli beach resort, Philippines
If half measures in the form of lack of Wi-Fi in the rooms are not for you, be prepared to move further away. For example, to this small hotel in the Philippines, where there is really no electricity. Just the ocean and simple bungalows scattered along the beach. In fact, they come here for the beach – Duli Beach stretches for 2 kilometers, they say you can walk endlessly, it’s so beautiful there. You will be able to admire the sea turtles – they lay their eggs on this beach, so there is a chance to feel like you are in the program “In the World of Animals” if you get to the right season.
When you get bored with walking, the hotel owners will give you snorkeling equipment or a beach volleyball. You can also go diving, but for this you will have to drive away from the hotel.
The only negative of this hotel is the difficult road to get there. First you need to Manila, from there get to Puerto Princesa (600 km by small plane),
further by bus to El Nido, and from there it is only 25 km to Dooley Beach, which can be covered by taxi. Detailed instructions are given on the hotel website.
Wi-fi: no
Room rate: 56 euros per night
Hotel website: www.dulibeach.com
Camp Grounded, USA
For those who manage to find Wi-Fi even where there is none, or are willing to spend a lot of money on mobile Internet, more stringent measures are needed. And they were invented! A digital detox summer camp for adults has been running in the United States for several years now. You choose where to go – in California, New York State (state, not city),
North Carolina and Texas – sign up on the website, choose a payment method (everything is not easy here, read the conditions in the description of each camp, but get ready to part with about $600) and wait. You will be sent into the wilderness and all gadgets and devices from which you can make calls or go online will be taken away. Even cameras, electronic books and watches are prohibited in the camp.
The program lasts four days, during which you will have a full rest. And we are not talking about passively lying under the pine trees with a book in hand: the camp organizers will not leave you until you choose one of the forgotten non-digital hobbies. You will be taught how to shoot a bow, knit, weave wreaths, carve spoons from wood, dye fabrics, make candy, meditate… The list of various activities on the site takes up one and a half screens.
You will live in a tent or in a house with two or three other people. The food is very varied, from vegan to burgers. And lots and lots of fresh air, sports and communication.
Wi-fi: no
Cost of the trip: about 600 $
Camp Grounded website: campgrounded.org
