Breadcrumbs ![The Travel Trend That Will Help You Switch Off This Summer](https://media.sheerluxe.com/kWmXkCdAD9pg3BPc8ZOhWlsW4Bg=/500x221/https%3A%2F%2Fsheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2026%2F04%2Fsl-site-assets-300426-hero-luxe-cabins-tents-trend-report.jpg) ![The Travel Trend That Will Help You Switch Off This Summer](https://media.sheerluxe.com/k8QFZojtSWGU4RUiQ6lkSJMgSpc=/400x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2026%2F04%2Fsl-site-assets-300426-thumb-luxe-cabins-tents-trend-report.jpg) [UltraLuxe](/ultraluxe) / 30 April 2026 # The Travel Trend That Will Help You Switch Off This Summer A surging desire for digital detoxes, adventure and privacy have combined to make high-end cabins and lodges the number one choice for discerning travellers. Here, six experts and hoteliers from around the world tell us how a craving for seclusion in nature is redefining this luxury part of the industry… ByHeather Steele [ Save To My Favourites ](/user/login?destination=/markdownify/node/52289) Image: Amangiri [ ![](https://media.sheerluxe.com/9p-la4MUSXlcqDTr0I5OP7W0ts8=/800x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2026%2F04%2Fsl-300426-cabins-zo-fidji-iceland.jpg) ](https://www.originaltravel.co.uk/itinerary/iceland-selfoss-golden-circle-grindavik-blue-lagoon/iceland-in-style-from-the-golden-circle-to-the-blue-lagoon/pei200509) Original Travel; Zoé Fidji “The definition of luxury is changing. For a long time, it meant space, service and opulence – the guarantee of something grand and polished,” says Federico Galligani, general manager of [Oasyhotel](http://www.oasyhotel.com/en) in the Tuscan Apennines. “Today, for a growing number of well-travelled guests, luxury means something simpler and much harder to find: time, silence, clean air, real nature, the possibility of being truly alone. Our lodges inside a 1,000-hectare forest deliver this more directly than any large hotel could.” As this growing desire for being among the elements meets a demand for ultraluxe, exclusive-use accommodation, [Alpine lodges](https://www.odleslodge.it/en), [treehouses in Thailand](https://khaoyaiart.org/) and [cabins on a private island](https://www.eharetreat.com/) alike are becoming popular. Luxury tents are no longer just for safaris. Hotel group Aman now has tented camps at one of its Indian properties, [Aman-i-Khás](https://www.aman.com/resorts/aman-i-khas), and its most Insta-famous hotel – [Amangiri](https://www.aman.com/resorts/amangiri) in Utah, USA – has [Camp Sarika](https://www.aman.com/resorts/amangiri/camp-sarika) for guests who want to immerse themselves more deeply in the desert landscape. And on the other side of the scale, Scandinavian cabin retreats are trending come snow or shine – from [Landet](https://www.landetstay.com/) in Sweden to [Skyra](https://skyraretreat.com/en) in Lapland. As part of its ‘Homes from Home’ initiative, luxury tour operator Original Travel offers everything from [road trips across Norway](https://www.originaltravel.co.uk/itinerary/norway-oslo-flam-bergen/discover-norway-s-fjords-from-oslo-to-bergen/pot186332) (featuring stays in exclusive cabins and lodges) to a [southern Morocco trip](https://www.originaltravel.co.uk/itinerary/azrarag-tighmert-ait-issafen-lake-iriqi-skoura/the-secret-south-of-morocco-an-exclusive-road-trip-with-a-private-driver/poi5869) from the Valley of Argan to the Sahara Desert (staying in kasbahs along the way). It can also organise a [13-day adventure in southern Africa](https://www.originaltravel.co.uk/itinerary/johannesburg-bergville-salt-rock-saint-lucia-hluhluwe-mbabane-johannesburg/southern-africa-road-trip-from-the-east-coast-to-eswatini/pot200119), taking clients into the majestic mountains of Bergville and the peaceful beaches of Salt Rock, staying in private lodges (including Mahatma Ghandi’s former home) throughout. [ ![](https://media.sheerluxe.com/dV6baEofePyQdDF6iNYSeDDh5nE=/800x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2026%2F04%2Fsl-300426-cabins-oasy-hotel-landscape-2.jpg) ](https://oasyhotel.com/en/) Oasyhotel ##### *To explore more, the experts answer our questions about this shift towards luxury escapism…* ##### Is the rise of luxury cabins a trend or a fundamental shift in how we define high-end travel? “High-end travellers consider privacy the ultimate luxury and to have exclusive use of their own cabin (with all the services of a five-star hotel) is the new benchmark in luxury travel. Interestingly, the UK is leading the charge with on-property cabins (think Gilpin Lake House, The Pig hotels and Soho Farmhouse) and that has really helped give the trend more traction. That’s not to say that there aren’t amazing cabins elsewhere – some of the ‘treehotels’ in Norway are a standout example, with each new cabin added more incredible than the last, while [Luxury Lodges of Australia](https://luxurylodgesofaustralia.com.au/) make excellent use of the vastness of the outback with cabins that offer acres of space and uninterrupted views that cannot be replicated elsewhere.” – *Tom Barber, co-founder of high-end tour operator* [*Original Travel*](https://www.originaltravel.co.uk/) “We see it as a fundamental and enduring shift – the definition of luxury is no longer material, increasingly what people truly value as a luxury is time, space and enriching experiences. Luxury cabins offer the comfort and amenities guests seek, but also stillness, immersion and authenticity. Their growing popularity as an experiential retreat reflects a deeper desire to disconnect from noise and reconnect with nature, without compromising on comfort or design”. *– Christine Mowinckel, co-founder of* award-winning tree cabins [PAN](https://panhytter.no/en/) [ ](https://panhytter.no/en/)*in Norway* [ ![](https://media.sheerluxe.com/N2t8hGjeMqw6n-d62-jJLW3zjg0=/1920x0/smart/filters:no_upscale()/https%3A%2F%2Fsheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2026%2F04%2Fsl-300426-cabins-kyf-suite-full-bleed.jpg) ](https://khaoyaiart.org/kyaf/) Khao Yoi Art Forest “The rise of cabins reflects a broader shift in how high-end travel is defined. At Eha, luxury is framed less by traditional opulence and more by space, stillness and connection to nature. The retreat’s philosophy centres on slow, immersive experiences rooted in seasonal rhythms and personal wellbeing, indicating a long-term evolution rather than a passing trend.” *– Eva Maran, co-founder of forthcoming wellness and nature retreat* [*Eha Retreat*](https://www.eharetreat.com/) *in Estonia* “It’s a fundamental shift – and one that's been quietly building for some time. It's a deeper reorientation in what people want travel to actually do for them. The traditional luxury proposition delivered comfort and a certain kind of status. What a growing number of travellers are now seeking is something less tangible and, I'd argue, more valuable: meaning, stillness, the feeling of having genuinely been somewhere rather than simply passed through it. “At [Cloud Collective](https://cloudcollective.co/), we started with a simple belief – that the world's most extraordinary places deserve hospitality built around them, not imposed upon them. That means going where no one else can, and building in a way that honours what already exists rather than replacing it. The retreat we’re developing at Khao Yai Art Forest is perhaps the purest expression of that thinking we've encountered: a former tapioca plantation, deliberately restored, now home to a living collection of commissioned artworks and, soon, 18 cabins that extend that experience into a full 24-hour arc. It’s not a hotel placed inside an art park but a place where hospitality, art, ecology and culture exist as a single, unified whole. That shift doesn't reverse. Once a traveller has experienced a place that gives them something real, the bar is permanently raised.” *– Beverly Chen, co-founder of Cloud Collective +* [*Khao Yoi Art Forest*](https://khaoyaiart.org/) *in Thailand* [ ![](https://media.sheerluxe.com/YT8FdaoEk6Is7KXKV2-fvlfJ9X0=/1920x0/smart/filters:no_upscale()/https%3A%2F%2Fsheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2026%2F04%2Fultraluxe-cabins-landetmarding6225jpg.jpg) ](https://www.landetstay.com/) Landet Stay ##### Are cabins replacing boutique hotels – or serving a different emotional need? “We often recommend cabins over boutique hotels for couples and especially for honeymoons. It’s an unparalleled opportunity to get away from reality. They also work well for clients who are looking for something a bit different and go somewhere ‘unchartered’ – i.e. not somewhere all their mates have been, and which gives them a bit of travel kudos. By their very essence, cabins have less capacity and can only host a small number of people, giving them an exclusivity that appeals to high-net-worth travellers – and even better if they are also situated in the wilds, where fewer people reach. “More broadly speaking, our ‘Homes from Home’ collection of private hire properties (think machiyas in Japan, hanoks in South Korea, villas in Bali, private safari lodges and Moroccan riads) are perfect for families, particularly for multi-generations travelling together. They offer communal space to come together and – just as crucially – separate spaces to retreat to.” *– Tom* “Both cabins and boutique hotels are desirable for different reasons. While you can of course relax at a boutique hotel, they are more social and interactive by design, whereas cabins are often remote offering introspection and grounding – which is ideal for those looking for seclusion among nature. PAN’s guests aren’t just looking for a place to stay, they are looking for a retreat and come to Finnskogen specifically to stay at PAN.” *–* *Christine* “They serve a different need. In a boutique hotel, however beautifully designed, the building is often the destination. In a forest lodge, the building recedes and the landscape takes over. Guests come to Oasyhotel not to admire a room but to step outside it: to walk into the woods at dawn, to listen to the silence at night, to watch the light move through the trees. This is a different kind of intimacy, quieter and more personal. Boutique hotels in cities and by the sea will continue to thrive for what they offer. A forest lodge answers another question: what does it feel like to stop, properly, for a few days.” *– Federico Galligani, general manager of wilderness resort* [*Oasyhotel*](http://www.oasyhotel.com/en) [ ](http://www.oasyhotel.com/en)*in Tuscany* [ ![](https://media.sheerluxe.com/lcdBLADuYCtfi_vAnXsvehjWmz0=/1920x0/smart/filters:no_upscale()/https%3A%2F%2Fsheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2026%2F04%2Fsl-300426-cabins-bolivia-landscape.jpg) ](https://www.swoop-patagonia.com/landmark/ramaditas-mountain-lodge) Ramaditas Mountain Lodge; Nick Ballon ##### What does ‘eco-luxury’ mean in this category? “In this context, eco-luxury is about enjoying time surrounded by nature (inside as well as out – cabins tend to lean towards biophilic design, using natural materials to blend into their surroundings) and being off-grid. It’s a chance to escape real life and truly reset.” *– Tom* “Eco luxury at Eha is defined through a regenerative, nature-first approach. This includes minimal environmental impact, zero-waste principles and the use of local materials in collaboration with Estonian designer-makers. It also extends to programming – where wellbeing, sustainability and cultural heritage are integrated into every aspect of the guest experience including locally-sourced treatment products, custom-woven natural fabrics designed and made in Estonia, and fresh produce from suppliers on the island.” *– Eva* “For us, it means that sustainability is load-bearing rather than decorative – not a set of credentials applied after the fact, but the foundational logic the project was built around from the very beginning. We go to some of the most extraordinary places in the world, which means we carry a particular responsibility to the places we touch, and that responsibility shapes every decision we make. “At Khao Yai, it runs deeper than most. This land was stripped bare over decades of monoculture farming. The art forest was conceived as a deliberate act of ecological and cultural restoration. Healing the land through art, rewilding and the careful preservation of knowledge on the edge of disappearing: indigenous seed varieties, ancient culinary lineages, craft traditions that exist almost nowhere else. The retreat we are developing there operates in that same spirit. Eighteen cabins, intentionally intimate. Locally sourced materials, solar power, rainwater systems – but more fundamentally, a project whose entire premise is that the land matters more than the development built upon it. There is a word that sits at the heart of the Khao Yai vision that I find myself returning to often: reciprocity. The guest participates rather than merely consuming. They plant a tree, sit at a loom, forage the food forest. Something of them stays when they leave. That, to me, is what genuine eco-luxury looks and feels like. It’s not a credential, but a relationship”. *– Beverly* [ ![](https://media.sheerluxe.com/v5mmQ9x7m4u4vJfzg5DMU3HzxNE=/1920x0/smart/filters:no_upscale()/https%3A%2F%2Fsheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2026%2F04%2Fsl-300426-cabins-amangiri-full-bleed.jpg) ](https://www.aman.com/resorts/amangiri/camp-sarika) Amangiri [ ![](https://media.sheerluxe.com/87v3Mnfo8yB9x3yYnAD6WIG7qG4=/800x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2026%2F04%2Fsl-300426-cabins-maison-morroco.jpg) ](https://inclusivemorocco.com/) Inclusive Morocco ##### What do guests love about staying in tented accommodation? “Guests are consistently struck by the sense of space, privacy and immersion that our tents at Aman-i-Khás offer. Unlike a traditional room, each tent feels like a personal sanctuary within the surrounding wilderness. There is a quiet rhythm to life here – waking to birdsong, wildlife watching from your private deck and al fresco dining that brings guests even closer to the destination. “What often surprises guests is just how expansive the tents feel. Our larger tented categories are closer in scale to a private residence or traditional ‘grand suites’, with generous proportions that allow for distinct spaces to sleep, dine and unwind. In our Grand Tent Pool Pavilions, for example, guests have their own temperature-controlled outdoor pool and a private sundeck which creates a very private, off-the-grid setting for everything from al fresco dining to quiet afternoons spent poolside. Inside, the experience is equally considered. Soaring canopies frame an elegant bedroom, twin writing desks and a central sunken living area, alongside a spacious bathroom with a soaking tub, walk-in wardrobe and rain shower. The design feels both elevated and deeply comfortable – very much a sense of being ‘at home’, albeit in the heart of the wilderness. Each tent also comes with its own dedicated host, ensuring intuitive, highly personalised service throughout the stay, alongside thoughtful touches such as nightly laundry, allowing guests to settle in without distraction.” *– Kishan Shekhawat, camp manager of* [*tented retreat Aman-i-Khás*](https://www.aman.com/resorts/aman-i-khas) *in India* ![](https://media.sheerluxe.com/nsABa2dnfYNtmUiQg88YpqZqrnY=/800x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2026%2F04%2Fsl-300426-cabins-odles-lodge-landscape.jpg) Odles Lodge ##### Do you feel like your guests feel more adventurous when they’re staying in the camp versus a traditional hotel? “The setting naturally encourages guests to slow down, with fewer distractions and a strong sense of stillness. There is space to pause, quiet to settle into, and a pace of life that allows guests to switch off quite quickly and fully unwind. At the same time, being right on the edge of Ranthambore National Park, with the opportunity to experience safaris and wildlife all around, tends to bring out a more adventurous side. Guests who might not normally choose early mornings often find themselves up before sunrise heading out on a safari or a hike to one of the nearby forts.” *– Kishan* ##### How much do guests want to be immersed in nature? Is it a big draw? “It’s really at the heart of why people come. The camp sits right on the fringes of Ranthambore National Park, so you’re not removed from nature, you’re right within it. Guests are increasingly looking for that kind of connection. Not just views, but something more immersive – hearing the forest at night, spotting wildlife in its natural habitat, and feeling fully present within the environment. Nature inspires everything we do, including our dining. Some of my favourite experiences include the Machan dining experience, where guests dine 20 feet above the forest on a raised platform overlooking passing wildlife, and picnics at the resort’s organic farm, set beneath a rustic hut and surrounded entirely by nature.” *– Kishan* “The immersion in nature at PAN is one of the main reasons our guests come. Many of our guests travel long distances specifically to experience the stillness and depth of the forest. They want to feel close to nature – hear it, see it and slow down within it. The floor-to-ceiling windows and quiet interiors allow guests to feel completely connected to the forest from the comfort of the cabins.” *–* *Christine* “It is consistently one of the most powerful draws we encounter and what strikes me is that many guests arrive not fully aware of how much they needed it until they are in it. What makes Khao Yai singular is that the immersion operates on more than one frequency at once. The forest is a living collection of commissioned works – Richard Long, Louise Bourgeois, site-specific installations created in dialogue with the land, each placed with an intention that goes beyond the visual. And when you add the full 24-hour arc of staying, you begin to understand that this is a place designed not just to be experienced, but to leave you genuinely different”. *– Beverly* [ ![](https://media.sheerluxe.com/imFl-fZD2RwOpvun_K283Iu9-Dg=/1920x0/smart/filters:no_upscale()/https%3A%2F%2Fsheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2026%2F04%2Fsl-300426-cabins-kyf-full-bleed.jpg) ](https://khaoyaiart.org/) Khao Yoi Art Forest ##### What activities or experiences do you offer that lean into being outdoors? “The safaris are naturally a highlight, with daily excursions into Ranthambore National Park led by our expert naturalists. These offer guests the chance to encounter everything from deer, sloth bears, leopards and crocodiles to, of course, the Bengal tiger. Beyond the safari experience, the journey extends into the rich culture and culinary heritage of Rajasthan. Guests can take part in guided walks, visit nearby villages or enjoy daily yoga sessions. Among the most popular experiences are the Surwal Lake excursion, which invites guests to discover more than 200 species of birds that inhabit the area, and the Khandar Fort trek, where guests explore the ruins of a once-majestic fortress.” *– Kishan* “We encourage simple, meaningful experiences – things such as forest walks, wolf and track safaris, forest bathing, canoeing or paddling on the river, or quiet time by the open fire learning about Forest Finn folklore. It’s less about structured activities and more about creating space for guests to discover and engage with nature at their own pace.” *–* *Christine* “Outdoor experiences are integral and vary seasonally. These include forest bathing and dusk lantern walks, bog walks, mushroom and berry foraging, guided nature immersion, stargazing and outdoor movement practices. Guests can also take part in traditional sauna rituals led by a sauna master and guided walks with tea ceremonies, all designed to deepen connection with the land.” *– Eva* “Our most popular activities are those that allow direct contact with nature: night walks through the forest with infrared binoculars, wilderness survival courses, foraging, forest escape experiences, beekeeping, cheesemaking and stargazing. Guests also greatly enjoy bike tours, orienteering and horse riding. Wellness in nature is another key focus. Our offerings include forest bathing, tree bioenergy, bio-swimming, yoga, meditation, breathing exercises, a forest fitness area, grounding and the ‘Cabin of Silence’, where guests can consciously listen to the stillness and sounds of the forest.” – *Federico* “At Khao Yai, the question almost inverts itself, with the question actually being how you'd ever choose to be indoors. The forest is a living collection of commissioned works, and the experience of moving through it changes entirely depending on the hour. Dawn here is not the same as dusk. Wellness at Khao Yai operates on the same philosophy. Rather than prescriptive or performance-driven, it’s agency-based and entirely nature-led. It’s designed to make you feel whole rather than accomplished. The forest yoga deck sits open to the canopy, oriented toward an uninterrupted view across the valley. Outdoor contrast therapy is set within the trees, elemental and designed to feel discovered rather than scheduled.” *– Beverly* *For more, visit* [ORIGINALTRAVEL.CO.UK](https://www.originaltravel.co.uk/), [PANHYTTER.NO](https://panhytter.no/en/), [EHARETREAT.COM](https://www.eharetreat.com/), [AMAN.COM](https://www.aman.com/resorts/aman-i-khas), [KHAOYAIART.ORG](https://khaoyaiart.org/) & [OASYHOTEL.COM](https://www.oasyhotel.com/en/) [ ![](https://media.sheerluxe.com/LI0JxId5eVsqSzkP0xbQ6olWhXU=/800x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2026%2F04%2Fsl-300426-cabins-ladet-mardings-portrait.jpg) ](https://www.landetstay.com/) Landet Stay Share This Story [Facebook ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?display=popup&redirect_uri=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com&u=https%3A%2F%2Fsheerluxe.com%2Fultraluxe%2Fluxury-cabins&t=The+Travel+Trend+That+Will+Help+You+Switch+Off+This+Summer) [ Pinterest ](https://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fsheerluxe.com%2Fultraluxe%2Fluxury-cabins&description=The+Travel+Trend+That+Will+Help+You+Switch+Off+This+Summer&media=) [ E-mail ]() DISCLAIMER: We endeavour to always credit the correct original source of every image we use. 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