A Need for Nature

Situated in the Adelboden valley, The Cambrian offers 360-degree views and unparalleled access to the western Swiss Alps. Near the renovated 19th-century villa and its adjoining chalets is the Engstligenalp plateau, perfect for picturesque hikes in the summer and cross-country skiing in winter, and the Engstligenalp Falls, where water cascades from a height of 600 meters. Slightly further south but 2,112 meters higher is Chetzeron, a ski-in ski-out resort in Crans-Montana located in what was formerly an abandoned gondola station. Now, the secluded property, with its 16 rooms and on-site wellness area, restaurant, and bar, is an ideal location for enjoying the slopes and taking in views of Rhone Valley and stunning Alpine summits like the Matterhorn and Mont-Blanc. 

At the opposite end of the Swiss Alps is The HIDE Hotel Flims, where three crystal-clear lakes—Laax, Cauma, and Cresta—offer idyllic spots for swimming, rowing, and stand-up paddle boarding. The Flims Laax Falera area is renowned for its skiing and snowboarding in the winter, and the towering mountains are also ideal for a hiking, biking, and climbing in warmer months. Tamer cliffs and ascents can be found near Zum Löwen Design Hotel Resort & Spa in Duderstadt, a small town in central Germany. Within close range are lush forests and rolling hills, perfect for relaxing strolls and basking in the silence. The property also recreates a natural ambiance indoors with dark hardwood columns and beams, reflecting the architectural traditions of the German Timber-Frame Road, along which Duderstadt is located. 

A more tropical mountain retreat is Andenia, located in Peru’s Sacred Valley. Here, three adobe “casitas” are nestled within the valley and its surrounding gardens that are home to streams, a waterfall, a variety of fruit trees, and stunning mountain views. Beyond hiking or kayaking, there are also opportunities to learn the traditional art of “pachamanca” outdoor stone cooking, tour the local fruit and vegetable markets, and visit nearby archaeological sites and salt mines. Elsewhere, the natural beauty of Zanzibar, Tanzania is best experienced from Zuri Zanzibar. The village-like seaside property offers private access to pristine white sand beaches and its various thatched-roof buildings are camouflaged amongst palm trees, lemongrass, clove trees, and ferns. As the property’s founder Václav Dejčmar says, “We’re trying to connect guests with nature and, in turn, help them connect with themselves.” 

At Seaside Finolhu Maldives, villas on the beach and on stilts over the lagoon also offer private beach access, and invite an intimate connection with the utopian waters of the Baa Atoll. In addition to yoga, tennis, surfing, and boat excursions, the property also offers diving and snorkeling programs to discover the UNESCO-protected location, a renowned spot for manta rays and many other exotic sea creatures. Pristine waters can also be found in Paphos, Cyprus at Almyra, a property where uninterrupted ocean views are framed by banquette sofas, and two freshwater infinity pools seamlessly blend into the sea on the horizon. But Cyprus offers much more than the Mediterranean, and Almyra’s curated experiences include wine tours into the sun-drenched heart of the island, the chance to pick and press olives into oil, explorations of abandoned villages, and even a trek to the spot where Aphrodite met Adonis.