Switch off and recharge at one of these views with cabins attached.

When you constantly live life on fast-forward, travelling can be a frenetic whirlwind of ticking off must-sees from the guidebook. So you often come back exhausted, needing a holiday to get over it.

There comes a point when you just need a proper break – to get away from it all, to unplug from work and actually do comparatively little for a few days (aside from some exercise). The key to truly restorative rest and relaxation is the luxury lodge: an isolated outpost where you’ll find sumptuous comforts and views in equal measure, as well as the time and the tranquility to truly enjoy them. 

Whether you want to head into the clouds in Ecuador, hit the plains of South Africa or breathe in the Alpine air of Switzerland, we’ve tracked down the finest luxury lodges in the world. These are places where you can lie on a king-size bed and look directly out at lush rainforest, or soaring mountains, or crashing waves – right outside your window.

We’ve done the hard work, so you can relax.

A bunker of modernity nestling in the Ecuadorian cloud forest, this is a unique feat of design. Located 70 miles northwest of the capital Quito, the minimalist 22-room eco-lodge is made almost entirely of glass, meaning the forest is around you at all times. Enjoy breakfast in bed while watching the toucans forage for fruit, then mount the observation tower as hundreds of different bird species fly about you. A full-time guide will take you out into the heart of the jungle and in particular, you should insist on seeing the “hummingbird theatre”. Here, water feeders brimming with sugary liquid tempt dozens of brightly coloured hummingbirds down to dance among the trees. Think Jurassic Park meets Avatar – viewed from Lando Calrissian’s penthouse suite in Cloud City. ** When to go:** February is one of the best months to visit Ecuador, striking the right balance between temperature and rainfall in the cloud forest. It’s also the month they celebrate carnival in Quito which you can experience as you pass through. ** Where to find out more:** mashpilodge.com

Renowned Chilean architects Messrs Rodrigo Searle and Matías González designed Tierra Atacama to make it appear as if the building had erupted from the landscape spontaneously. Constructed from volcanic rock, sand-blasted glass, oxidised iron and compacted earth, the rooms are spectacular: think alfresco showers and floors made from crushed seashells opening onto bamboo-roofed patios (where you should kick back with one of their legendary pisco sours, made with local herb rica rica). There are eight volcanoes visible from the property alone and, should you itch for activity, options include everything from diving into bright, secluded lagoons to horseback riding on the Altiplano (high desert). The star turn, however, is the moonlit night trek through nearby Death Valley. ** When to go:** In the high desert, temperatures are very pleasant all year round, but if you have a family, Chilean winter (June-August) is the time to visit, as children and teens can stay at Tierra Atacama for free. 
 ** Where to find out more:** tierraatacama.com

Built in 1786, this is a hideaway from a completely different world. The cosy Alpine hut – all solid wood panelling and luxurious sheepskin throws – originally sheltered local farmers tending cattle in the high pastures. Now it’s owned by the nearby five-star Gstaad Palace hotel, which has blended its high standards with the original features to create the perfect combination of comfort and authenticity. But you’ll need to be reasonably fit. A 13.5km ascent, the salubrious outpost is only accessible on foot (or horse-drawn carriage) up the wildflower-smothered hillside. It’s a much-in-demand lodge, particularly for couples, so you’ll need to book now for next summer. With striking natural vistas and panoramic mountain views down to Gstaad below, this is luxury with serious altitude. ** When to go:** Thanks to its remote location, this is very much a summer retreat. But that’s handy, because it’s also when all of the most interesting events take place in nearby Montreux. Beat the school holiday price hike by coinciding your trip with the Montreux Jazz Festival in the first fortnight of July, or the later music festivals in September. ** Where to find out more:** palace.ch/rooms-suites/walig-hut

One of Africa’s most resplendent game lodges. Each of its 12 suites is lavishly appointed with its own private plunge pool and dedicated staff member, while dinner is served each evening in the spectacular outdoor pavilion, conceived by leading South African designers Cécile & Boyd to look and feel like an ancient tree. The lodge’s breathtaking design is matched by its incredible location in the Sabi Sand Game Reserve, bordering Kruger National Park. Big cat sightings are plentiful here, particularly leopards, so keep your wits – and your binoculars – about you at all times. ** When to go:** The dry winter months, April to October, are best for game viewing – there is shorter grass, a lack of foliage and less water, meaning the animals have to gather together at the remaining waterholes, ensuring some great sightings. ** Where to find out more:** singita.com/boulders-lodge

When it comes to “living wallpaper” it doesn’t get much better than this lakeside property, tucked into the Queenstown hillside. The nine beechwood and stone lodges look out across Cecil Peak and the dramatic Remarkables mountain range, and down to stunning Lake Wakatipu below, as if teetering on the very edge of Mr JRR Tolkien’s Middle Earth. Which, thanks to Mr Peter Jackson’s repeated visits to film The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit movies, they are. These are some of the most breathtaking panoramas of what many consider to be the most beautiful place on earth: New Zealand’s South Island. But you're also only five minutes’ drive by on-demand complimentary transfer service from Queenstown, the world's adventure sports capital. After a day’s bungee jumping, jet-boating, heli-biking or skiing, there’s no better place to relax than in your double-person spa tub with bi-fold opening windows, admiring Mr Tolkien’s realm. ** When to go:** February is ideal. Not only is it the month with the warmest weather in New Zealand, it’s also immediately after the domestic holiday period (December-January). This means less crowding in hubs such as Queenstown – and less pressure on accommodation. ** Where to find out more:** azur.co.nz


Take one of the most dramatic coastlines in the world, then carefully sprinkle a selection of luxury huts around its beautiful curves. What do you get? A gold-standard retreat in the Golden State. The Post Ranch Inn, a former family-run ranch with striking views over the frothing Pacific Ocean below, is now one of the hottest tickets on America’s West Coast and a definite place to stop if you’re doing the San Fran-to-LA road trip. Some 40 recycled redwood cabins and cottages perch peacefully around the rocky ridges of California’s Big Sur – each with its own wood-burning fireplace, indoor spa tub and private decking. There’s a world-renowned restaurant here too, but if that’s too rich for your tastes, head to nearby Nepenthe (Post Ranch staff will drop off and collect you). The building was once home to Mr Orson Welles and Ms Rita Hayworth, now the Ambrosia Burger served here is the stuff of legend. ** When to go:** You’ll need to book far in advance. In terms of weather, October is still excellent on the Californian coast, but the price of both flights and accommodation is significantly reduced from August and September. ** Where to find out more:** postranchinn.com

This place is in a category of luxury entirely of its own. Located on the eastern edge of the Torres del Paine National Park, the Awasi consists of 12 luxury cabins surrounding a communal lodge. Each blends the design of traditional Patagonian shelters with the best in 21st-century luxury, such as enormous private hot tubs from which you can spot wildlife including rheas, condors and the occasional puma. Then there’s the bespoke excursions. Patagonia is an epic landscape of mountains, plains and glaciers – and with each cabin having its own 4x4 vehicle and personal guide, all points of the compass in that pristine wilderness are yours to explore in style. (If you book via bespoke travel company Brown + Hudson, the entire experience can be shaped by you from the word go.) At the end of each day, return to your cabin and sink into epic levels of comfort as the lodge’s staff take care of your every need – right down to cleaning your hiking boots for you.

When to go: It’s often assumed that the peak summer months of December to February are the best time to visit Patagonia, but there’s a catch: this is also the time of year that the region’s infamous winds are at their strongest – reaching speeds of more than 100mph. Instead, your best bets are October and November. 

Where to find out more: awasipatagonia.com