Want to take a vacation to a remote area where there will be little to no people around? There have been many vacations we’ve taken over the years where it was just us or just us and a few other families. Here are our favorite spots from all around the world to take a somewhat off the grid trip, including boutique hotels, ranches, and more.
1. Jetwing Lake in Sri Lanka
Staying at Jetwing Lake felt very remote to us even though it is not that far from Sigiriya Rock Fortress, one of the most famous landmarks in Sri Lanka that you must climb. Staying here you will have half board which means you get a breakfast buffet and a buffet dinner. Their buffet is extensive.
To get here you would fly into Sri Lanka’s main airport Columbo and hire a driver to take you to Kandy. While you are in the area you will want to go on an elephant safari. For more things to do read Sri Lanka Bucket List for Families.
2. Agionissi Resort in Greece
Agionissi Resort was one our entire family loved for multiple reasons. It’s well off the beaten path on Amouliani Island, with two beaches. Overall, it is incredibly peaceful. There are only 69 rooms, so you basically have the entire place to yourself, at least that is the way it feels. The rooms are basic but perfect and the food is excellent. This is near Ouranopolis in Greece, so if you need something you are a short ferry ride away. Cars are allowed on the island. Here is a Halkidiki Itinerary you can use to plan a lovely trip to this area.
3. Silvies Valley Ranch in Oregon
Gorgeous log cabins, profoundly delicious food, and activities like shooting guns and playing with goats! Plus, you are literally off the grid so whoever you are traveling with you are going to get some serious quality time with them. Read our in-depth review of Silvies Valley Ranch and check out Silvies Valley Ranch Golf courses!
4. L’Auberge du Vieux Moulin in Quebec
Central Oregon Hotel
Jonah and I stayed at the L’Auberge du Vieux Moulin last summer and we absolutely loved it. You feel like you are in the middle of nowhere and you kind of are. It’s secluded and has everything families need for a wonderful stay, including kayaks, paddleboards, a playground, and gourmet food. Plus, they have a Nordic spa which means lots of hot tubs. To see things to do in the surrounding areas check out Lanaudière Summer Travel Guide.
5. Steamboat Inn
A hidden gem in the middle of Oregon is the Steamboat Inn. It’s an exquisite little property with 20 intimate condos or cottages perfect for families in the Umpqua National Forest. The dining options are outstanding, some of the best we’ve ever had at a hotel. Families have a chance to reconnect since there’s no wifi in the cabins and you are basically off the grid. Their library is decked out with loads of board games, books, and a bar. People stay here to fly fish on the river that runs next to the hotel. Nearby are tons of waterfalls and good hiking. To learn more read The Ultimate Southern Oregon Road Trip; 9 Day Itinerary.
6. Loboc River Resort in Bohol, Philippines
The Loboc River Resort is surrounded by jungle by a river on the island of Bohol in the Philippines. It has 35 rooms which are all gorgeous huts on stilts. In the rainy season, the nearby river rises, and the huts are surrounded by water. The views are amazing and you do feel like you are surrounded by jungle.
Each hut has a living area, kitchenette, bedroom, and bathroom and is well furnished. The resort has many things to do on-site: from fishing, swimming in the pool, boat rides to animal feeding, and jungle walking. Our favorite activity was watching the fireflies surrounding our hut in the evening. Many activities are free or cheap. They can also organize trips to anywhere on the island. Everything is spaced out and we found we had most things alone.
Survey Suzi says it was the perfect jungle experience for our kids aged 3 and 5 at the time. It’s easy to get here if you can make it to Cebu which has a major airport in the Philippines. The next step is to take a ferry across to Bohol which runs regularly. From the ferry terminal, you can get a taxi to the resort or the resort can pick you up. December to March is the best time to visit with March to July being very hot. The wettest time is August to November and this is when you are most likely to have your hut surrounded by water.
7. The Greenhoose in Cape York, North Queensland
Cape York in Far North Queensland, Australia is a remote Australian area filled with lush rainforests, red dirt, and amazing wildlife. In the North East is a tiny indigenous community called Lockhart River, right near the gorgeous Chilli Beach.
Accommodation at The Greenhoose is nestled in the rainforest amongst some of the rarest wildlife in the world according to Lifestyle Queensland! There is a total of 20 rooms, most of which have great views of the rainforest. Access to the area is only possible by plane from December to May due to heavy rainfall causing the rivers to flood and roads to be cut off. Don’t let this put you off though – it’s one of the best times to visit.
Birdlife is abundant, everything is lush and green and there are significantly fewer tourists on the roads. From around May to December it is possible to reach the area by road, but you’ll need a 4wd vehicle. Think red dirt roads and typical outback Australia vibes. The nearest town is an 11-hour drive away so you’ll need to be stocked up with supplies! Australian outback holidays are becoming more and more popular with families every year. It’s a unique experience that even many Australians never get to see. The landscape changes constantly and the kids will love spotting native wildlife.
8. Sundance
Sundance is a small ski resort in Utah Valley owned by Robert Redford. It is made up of individual condos and homes. You can rent a condo that will best suit the needs of your family. We stayed in a one-bedroom cabin that could accommodate four people.
Sundance Condo in Utah
At Sundance, there is enough to do to keep you busy. Summer is a great time to visit. You can enjoy incredible hiking, zip-lining, and delicious food at the Foundry Grill. Plus, it’s during the summer months they put on a musical production like Mama Mia. During the winter you can ski or snowboard!
9. Tetherow Lodge
Tetherow Lodge is in Bend, but just outside of town making it more secluded. It’s situated on a golf course and has its own dining on-site. Their rooms are set up well for those going skiing. Bend is a great destination year-round with lots of outdoor things to do including skiing, snowboarding, hiking, rafting, kayaking, fishing, and much more. To get here you can either fly into Bend or fly into Portland and drive down. Read our full review – Tetherow Lodge a Family-Friendly Hotel in Bend, Oregon
10. Salishan
Salishan is located between Newport and Lincoln City on the Oregon coast. It is just far away enough that you can get away from the crowds. Salishan has a little bit of everything so your family will never need to leave. With multiple restaurants, golfing, a ropes course, a private beach, and more. Read our full review – 23 Reasons Families Love Salishan Resort.
11. Steamboat Bay Fishing Club – Alaska
Steamboat Bay Fishing Club is an exclusive experience featuring six ocean-front suites and four forest-view suites. The resort is located on Noyes Island by SE Alaska’s Inside Passage, one of the most famous fishing locations on earth and still only an hour and a half by plane from Seattle. Here you will catch fish like king salmon (Chinook), Coho Salmon, and my favorite halibut.
12. Cloudhill in Southern Highlands, New South Wales
Cloudhill, a lovely refurbished cottage, in the Southern Highlands of New South Wales, Australia is a fantastic semi-off-the-grid location for a family vacation according to Clara from Petite Capsule. It’s a six-bedroom cottage sitting on 6.5 acres of land with beautiful panoramic country views across farmlands to Sydney and the Blue Mountains.
It has a nice country charm to it, having retained some of the original parts when it used to be a dairy cottage over 100 years ago. This is perfectly balanced with modern amenities and antique and vintage furnishings. Internet is not available, which is great for semi off the grid family retreat.
One of the best features of Cloudhill is the combined dining room and sunroom because of the magnificent view. The indoor wood combustion fireplace is amazing too. This and central heating means any time of year is great for a visit.
The best way to get to Cloudhill is to fly into Sydney or Canberra and then drive. Cloudhill is a quiet and peaceful getaway for families.
Check current rates.
13. Lone Mountain Ranch in Big Sky, Montana
Located in the scenic town of Big Sky, Montana, Lone Mountain Ranch allows guests to really experience all of the beauty Big Sky has to offer while paying homage to the American West. Guests can veer off into the sunset during a horseback ride, get the family together and head out for fly fishing or experience Yellowstone Park with lodge naturalists on all-access tours.
Lone Mountain Ranch offers guests a variety of luxury cabins to stage the perfect Montana adventure. Featuring a dining experience like no other, the Ranch’s Horn & Cantle Restaurant provides guests with crafted-food and drink, all within an intimate social atmosphere that is perfectly suited for any getaway. Bringing together a variety of cultures and fresh flavors, all inspired by local purveyors and seasonal ingredients, Chef Eric Gruber takes guests on a culinary journey. In collaboration with Chef Gruber’s culinary creations, a team of certified mixologists works to guide guests through an extensive wine, spirits, and cocktail menu, that ranges to satisfy all palates.
14. Mohicans Treehouse Resort in Ohio
The Mohicans Treehouse Resort is located in Glenmont, Ohio halfway between Cleveland and Columbus and right in the heart of Amish country. It is an ideal destination for families with children and for those interested in the outdoors and adventure, not to mention privacy and seclusion. They have 4 ground cabins and 9 tree houses. All treehouses feature a blend of old and new materials, including 100-year old barn siding, hand-hewn beams, ladders, and sliding barn doors accented with granite countertops, high-end bedding, and contemporary décor.
It’s the perfect escape for a digital detox and fulfills the need to slow down and reconnect with the earth, nature, and the elements–not to mention experiencing one’s very own childhood nostalgia of staying in a treehouse. The property sits on 77 private acres surrounded by a beautiful natural landscape and rolling hills.
15. Lake Kora in the Adirondacks of New York
As former Great Camps situated deep in the dense forests of the Adirondacks, Lake Kora (as with most Great Camps of their day) provided the owning families and their guests a remote and healthy private summer and fall retreats from overcrowded and polluted cities in the late 19th- and early 20th-centuries. Their location in the heart of the Adirondacks, rich in natural beauty, at the edge of a shining lake.
Lake Kora is only open seasonally, from July 1 – October 15, and is available only by exclusive reservation (inclusive of all meals and non-alcoholic beverages). Lake Kora offers 12 guest rooms in 7 separate historic structures and accommodates a maximum of 24 guests. The cost to reserve the Great Camp is steep, $19,980 per night (based on 12 bedrooms for 24 persons, inclusive of children). Carte blanche use of sports equipment and facilities and all farm-to-table meals and non-alcoholic beverages are included. Please note: additional rooms can be added for an additional fee. There is no age minimum and pets are welcome as well. There is plenty to do with tennis, hiking, boating, fishing, swimming, squash court, bowling alley and much more.
16. Lancemore Lindenderry Red Hill in Australia
17. Coaster Cottages in the Kei Islands – Indonesia
18. Bom Bom Beach Resort in Sao Tome and Principe
19. Evolve Back Resorts in Kabini
20. Gili Lankanfushi in Maldives
21. Deki’s Tatksang Bungalow
22. Qimi Chalet on Kapas Island
23. House Boating on Lake Shuswap
House boating is an ideal way to have a vacation and stay away from other people. Our favorite place to houseboat is Lake Shuswap in British Columbia. It’s incredibly peaceful, especially if you go outside of the peak summer months. You can spend an entire week house boating and never have to interact with a single person.
24. Bali Hai in Kauai
The Bali Hai resort in Kauai, Hawaii is up in Princeville away from the more congested areas. They have timeshare units here, so you can get a one or two-bedroom condo. This is fantastic for families needing to spread out. The pool is zero entry, which is great for toddlers. You will need to rent a car to get here and to be able to go out and do any activities. For more on visiting Kauai with younger children read Navigating Kauai with Infants and Toddlers.
Do you have a favorite place you go to get away from people and have a relaxing vacation? We would love to hear about it in the comments below. We are looking for some new places to take a secluded vacation.
Read Next:
Best Lake Vacations in the United States
13 Insanely Affordable Summer Vacations in the United States
