5 Best Places to Unplug for a Week
As more and more companies switch to hybrid working models and the line between home and work is consistently blurred, most of us could probably use a little unplugged vacation time. And I’m not talking about going on vacation and just leaving your laptop at home, but still checking emails on occasion via your phone. I'm talking real unplugged vacation time — completely free of emails, Slack and spreadsheets. Think of it as a digital detox, if you will.
I recently enjoyed a week unplugged myself and can vouch for the rejuvenating effects you’ll feel if you just give it a try. And, yes, while unplugging for a bit can be stressful at first (How will those emails get answered? Who will the interns report to? What will my boss do without me?), I guarantee that, after the first time you try it, it becomes at least an annual tradition for you and your family.
So, where will you head on your digital detox? Here are five best places to unplug for a week.
Unplug and Journey Inward
1. Jade Mountain Resort, St. Lucia
One of the Caribbean’s most popular luxury resorts, all thanks to its stunning views of St. Lucia’s Pitons World Heritage Site, Jade Mountain Resort will help you feel a world away from it all, so long as you keep your hands off your cell phone. The guestrooms forgo any tech amenities. That’s right; there’s not even a television. A land line allows you to contact hotel services, but other than that, you're on your own.
Jade Mountain - St. Lucia
If you still can’t trust yourself to digitally detox and properly unplug, and you feel your hands creeping toward your cell phone, you might want to take things further with a digital detox stateside, at Wild Dunes, the island resort right off the shore from Charleston, South Carolina. The resort offers a special digital detox package that inspires you to literally lock away your cell phone in a safe for the entirety of your stay.
Wild Dunes Resort South, Carolina
But you can get even more off the grid than that. At Ultima Thule Lodge in Alaska, there’s no cell service whatsoever, so good luck letting your boss reach you during your week-long retreat. You can pay for some in-room WiFi, but it's limited to 1G of data per day, so it's not like you'll be able to do very much, if anything at all. Instead of scrolling, you’ll get to enjoy all sorts of adventure and outdoor activities, from fly fishing to hiking to skiing.
Ultima Thule Lodge - Alaska
4. Little Palm Island Resort & Spa, Florida Keys
But if you’re envisioning your digital detox taking place among warmer waters, you may want to head to Little Palm Island Resort & Spa in the Florida Keys. Named a top resort in the United States and in the world, the vibe here is very much anti-tech. In fact, the home page of the hotel’s website strictly mentions that ringing phones are a big taboo. You can pay for WiFi, but why would you want to, when there’s so much luxurious relaxing to be had here, from fine dining to spa treatments to lazing the day away on the beach?
Little Palm Island - Florida Keys
A private island that only permits 28 guests at a time, Turtle Island in Fiji restricts your WiFi usage to the guest shop — and since you likely don’t want to spend most of your days lurking around there, you’ll find plenty of time to enjoy the mix of adventure and relaxation activities the property offers, from local cultural experiences to boating, biking to hiking.
Turtle Island, Fiji
Where’s your favorite spot for a digital detox?
Where have you traveled recently, that you’ve felt able to completely unplug and get away from it all? Drop your recommendations below — for not only favorite travel destinations, but also your best tips for successfully unplugging.
