Top 10 World's Most Exclusive Wilderness Hotels & Lodges

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Top 10 World’s Most Exclusive Wilderness Hotels & Lodges

Wilderness adventures can be among the most memorable travel experiences in the world, whether they take you deep into a rainforest, across a desert, into the mountains, or onto the remote plains of Africa. For me, the appeal lies in combining spectacular natural surroundings and extraordinary wildlife with the comfort, privacy and service of a luxury hotel or lodge. Here is my selection of the world’s 10 most exclusive luxury wilderness hotels and lodges, where you can explore some of the planet’s most remote and beautiful landscapes without sacrificing comfort. Most are located in spectacular destinations and offer exceptional opportunities for wildlife viewing and outdoor adventures. I’ve also included one exceptional safari lodge, &Beyond Grumeti Serengeti River Lodge, which perfectly embodies the concept of understated luxury in the wilderness.

Think I missed one? Share your favorite wilderness hotel or lodge in the comments section.

10. Pikaia Lodge, Galapagos, Ecuador

Pikaia Lodge is a stunning luxury base for exploring the Galapagos Islands – often described as the “Last paradise on Earth” – in a comfortable and sustainable land-based setting. Designed for environmentally conscious and active travelers, the lodge combines close contact with the Galapagos’ extraordinary natural wonders with a high level of comfort and service. Guests can enjoy guided land and marine excursions in small groups, discovering the islands’ unique wildlife and landscapes before returning to spacious and peaceful accommodations.

Hotel website: Pikaia Lodge
Tip: get complimentary VIP perks when booking via Virtuoso (e.g. room upgrade, daily breakfast, early check-in, late check-out, and a complimentary 60 minute therapeutic massage).

9. Longitude 131°, Uluru-Katja Tjuta, Australia

Longitude 131° offers one of Australia’s most extraordinary luxury wilderness experiences, located in the heart of the country’s spectacular Red Centre. Facing majestic Uluru, the lodge enjoys a privileged position overlooking the iconic monolith and the UNESCO World Heritage-listed wilderness of Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. Set among desert oaks and spinifex, its luxurious pavilions appear almost dwarfed by the vastness of the surrounding landscape. Guests can explore the Australian outback, discover Anangu culture and experience the unique stories of the traditional custodians of this ancient land.

Hotel website: Longitude 131°
Tip: get complimentary VIP perks when booking via Virtuoso (e.g. room upgrade, daily breakfast, early check-in, late check-out, and $100 USD equivalent Spa Kinara Credit ).
Review: read my review of Longitude 131° here.

LONGITUDE 131°, ULURU-KATA TJUTA, AUSTRALIA

8. Sonora Resort, British Columbia, Canada

Sonora Resort is an extraordinary luxury wilderness resort set amid one of Canada’s most pristine and spectacular environments: British Columbia’s Desolation Sound. Surrounded by rugged mountains, ancient forests and rich marine life, the resort combines luxurious accommodations and exceptional service with some of Canada’s most memorable wilderness adventures. Guests can explore the coast by boat in search of grizzly bears, orcas, sea lions and dolphins, hike through old-growth rainforest or take a helicopter flight to a remote glacier for a private picnic. It is this remarkable combination of setting, wildlife and adventure that makes Sonora Resort such a special wilderness escape.

Hotel website: Sonora Resort
Other accolades: Sonora Resort also features in my top 10 lists of the best luxury hotels in Canada.
Tip: get complimentary VIP perks when booking via Virtuoso (e.g. room upgrade, daily breakfast, early check-in, late check-out, and a complimentary eco tour for two).
Review: read my review of Sonora Resort here.

7. Lapa Rios, Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica

Set within a private nature reserve spanning more than 1,000 acres of tropical rainforest on Costa Rica’s wild Osa Peninsula, Lapa Rios is a dream destination for lovers of wildlife, nature and secluded beaches. Its 16 private bungalows are scattered along three forested ridges overlooking the point where the Golfo Dulce meets the Pacific Ocean. More than simply a luxury eco lodge, Lapa Rios is a pioneering example of sustainable tourism in one of the world’s most biodiverse regions. Monkeys, macaws, toucans, tree frogs and countless other species inhabit the surrounding rainforest, making every stay an immersive wilderness experience.

Hotel website: Lapa Rios
Other accolades: Lapa Rios also features in my top 10 lists of the world’s most luxurious rainforest lodges and the best hotels in Costa Rica.
Review: read my review of Lapa Rios here.

6. Amangani, Wyoming, United Stated of America

Situated above Jackson Hole, Amangani is a spectacular all-season luxury resort overlooking the Grand Teton range and Snake River Valley. Perched on the crest of East Gros Ventre Butte, the resort combines the understated elegance of Aman with the dramatic landscapes of the American West. Its 40 suites, private home, spa, heated outdoor pool and ski lounge provide a luxurious base for exploring one of America’s great wilderness regions. Amangani is also ideally positioned near Grand Teton National Park, Yellowstone National Park and the National Elk Refuge, offering exceptional opportunities for outdoor adventures throughout the year. Amangani is currently closed while it undergoes an extensive refurbishment to usher in a new era.

Hotel website: Amangani
Other accolades: Amangani also features in my top 10 lists of the world’s most luxurious ski resorts and the best luxury hotels in the USA.
Tip: get complimentary VIP perks when booking via Virtuoso (e.g. room upgrade, daily breakfast for 2, early check-in, late check-out, and $100 USD resort credit).

Saffire Freycinet, Tasmania, Australia

Tasmania is one of Australia’s great wilderness destinations, and Saffire Freycinet complements rather than competes with its spectacular natural surroundings. This intimate 20-room luxury lodge was designed by award-winning Tasmanian architect Robert Morris Nunn, with an organic architecture inspired by the surrounding sea, mountains, beaches and native bushland. The interiors draw their colours from the landscape, including the pink granite of the Hazards Mountains and the sapphire waters of Freycinet Peninsula. Beyond the lodge, guests can hike to pristine beaches, explore the coastline and search for Tasmania’s distinctive wildlife.

Hotel website: Saffire Freycinet
Other accolades: Saffire Freycinet also features in my top 10 list of the best luxury hotels & lodges in Australia.

4. Explora Patagonia, Torres Del Paine National Park, Chile

Explora Patagonia occupies one of the most spectacular locations in South America, at the heart of Torres del Paine National Park, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Set on the shores of turquoise Lake Pehoé, the hotel places guests directly in the middle of Patagonia’s legendary wilderness, surrounded by the dramatic Paine Massif. The hotel’s architecture is designed to maximise the extraordinary views, while its rooms and suites provide a comfortable retreat after days spent exploring the national park. A heated indoor pool, sauna and outdoor jacuzzis further enhance the experience.

Hotel website: Explora Patagonia
Other accolades: Explora Patagonia also features in my top 10 list of hotel rooms with the best views.
Tip: get complimentary VIP perks when booking via Virtuoso (e.g. room upgrade, daily breakfast, early check-in, late check-out, and $100 USD resort credit).

Southern Ocean Lodge, Kangaroo Island, Australia

Completely rebuilt after a devastating fire, Southern Ocean Lodge is Australia’s original true luxury wilderness hotel and offers an exceptionally secluded escape on South Australia’s Kangaroo Island. Perched dramatically above a rugged stretch of coastline, the lodge commands spectacular views of the wild Southern Ocean and the pristine landscape beyond. Kangaroo Island is often described as Australia’s Galapagos because of its extraordinary wildlife, including sea lions, kangaroos and koalas. The lodge’s 21 luxury suites combine contemporary comfort with dramatic ocean views, creating an exceptional base for discovering this remarkable island.

Hotel website: Southern Ocean Lodge
Other accolades: Southern Ocean Lodge also features in my top 10 lists of the most spectacular hotel bathrooms in the world and the best luxury hotels & lodges in Australia.

2. &Beyond Grumeti Serengeti River Lodge, Tanzania

Tucked deep into the remote western Serengeti, &Beyond Grumeti Serengeti River Lodge offers an exceptionally intimate luxury safari experience far from the busier areas of the park. Located beside a tributary of the Grumeti River, the lodge is surrounded by an extraordinary wilderness landscape where hippos, lions and other wildlife provide a constant connection with nature. The lodge has just 10 suites, each designed for privacy and featuring an open-fronted design, spacious deck, deep soaking tub and private plunge pool overlooking the river. The setting is particularly special during the Great Migration, when wildebeest and zebra can move through the western Serengeti and cross the Grumeti River. For me, it is the combination of remote location, intimate scale, exceptional wildlife and understated luxury that makes Grumeti one of Africa’s most remarkable wilderness lodges.

Hotel website: &Beyond Grumeti Serengeti River Lodge

1. Amangiri, Utah, United States of America

Amangiri is one of the world’s most extraordinary luxury wilderness resorts, tucked into a protected valley in the dramatic landscapes of southern Utah. Surrounded by deep canyons, towering plateaus and vast desert scenery, the resort appears almost sculpted into the landscape. Its architecture, centred around a spectacular swimming pool and framed by the surrounding rock formations, creates a remarkable sense of place. Guests can explore the desert on foot through the resort’s extensive trail system and enjoy unrivalled access to the surrounding wilderness before returning to the resort’s exceptional spa and luxurious accommodations. Operated by Aman, one of the world’s most exclusive ultra-luxury hotel brands, Amangiri is a remarkable example of how contemporary architecture and wilderness can coexist.