WILD PLACES
Site-specific, sustainable architecture begins not with what to build, but how to belong. These hotels are shaped by their surroundings—formed by local climate, terrain, and materials—to exist in harmony with nature. They follow the land’s contours, echo the colors of stone, and open to light and wind. In doing so, they heighten awareness rather than impose form, allowing us to experience a truer connection to place. Built from the earth, cooled by breeze, and warmed by sun, these designs blur boundaries between comfort and conscience, reminding us that true sustainability isn’t about minimizing impact, but deepening belonging.
From turquoise lagoons to dramatic cliffs, oceans offer both adventure and calm. Snorkeling, diving, kayaking, and whale watching reveal vibrant marine life, while waves, salt air, and endless horizons invite quiet reflection. Coastal hotels place you at the heart of this rhythm: a space to explore, unwind, and feel deeply connected to something vast and timeless.
The new age of family travel isn’t about distractions—it’s about discovery. Families are seeking journeys that spark curiosity, connect generations, and invite children to step into nature, culture, and community. From hands in the soil to paddles in rivers and nights under starry skies, travel becomes both classroom and sanctuary, teaching the value of food, wildlife, and water firsthand.
Estate hotels are living ecosystems where land, architecture, and hospitality come together. Set on working farms, gardens, vineyards, and forests, these retreats invite guests into the daily rhythm of the land. From animals grazing nearby to meals harvested straight from the soil, staying at an estate hotel means inhabiting a world that sustains itself and you.
Stripped to sky, sand, and stone, the desert sharpens the soul, bends perception, and invites raw self-encounter. Across the world, these vast dreamscapes vary in form but share the same power: to reshape perspective, magnify the smallest details, and remind us of our place in a landscape that stretches on without end. Landscape hotels in and close to the desert amplify this experience, offering sanctuaries where you can sleep beneath infinite skies, wake to sunlit dunes, and feel the desert’s timeless stillness become part of your own.
Room + Vineyard goes beyond wine tastings to offer immersive wine hotel experiences where you sleep among the vines and wake inside the terroir. From the volcanic slopes of Pantelleria to the valleys of South Africa, these destinations blend architecture, culture, and landscape into each glass. More than a stay, it’s wine travel redefined—where every pour tells the story of the land itself.
In Greece, the sea is a way of life - salt, sun, and stillness. Wellness here is elemental: mineral-rich waters, coastal hikes, wild herbs. The Aegean slows you down, softens you, and brings you back to yourself. Explore our favorite stays in Room + Sea: Greece.
Glamping began as a way to access the world’s most remote landscapes - deserts, jungles, forests, and mountaintops - without harming them. Designed for lightness and low impact, glamping architecture uses modular structures, natural materials, and off-grid systems to offer comfort without conquest. In national parks and wild places, these retreats let nature take the lead, proving that sustainable design can bring us closer to the elements, not shield us from them.
Discover the world of farm-to-table hotels, where sustainability begins in the soil and wellness grows from the ground up. From regenerative farms to eco-conscious kitchens, these rooted stays are redefining hospitality—inviting travelers to slow down, gather around the table, and reconnect with nature, community, and the true source of nourishment.
Discover landscape hotels located in or near UNESCO World Heritage Sites—destinations of global ecological, cultural, and historical importance. These unique stays offer more than just scenic views; they immerse you in protected environments with deep stories and rare beauty. From cliffside retreats to jungle lodges and cave dwellings, each property is designed to honor and preserve its surroundings.
At the world’s best landscape hotels, interior design is as meaningful as the view. Crafted by local artisans using natural, site-specific materials, these spaces tell stories of place and tradition. Here, design honors heritage, slows time, and deepens connection. It’s not just where you stay, but how it makes you feel.
As experiential travel reshapes the industry, hands-on experiences that teach new skills and foster deeper connections to place are becoming the new frontier. Rooted, immersive learning not only boosts joy through dopamine release—it also creates lasting, meaningful memories.
Rooted in both ancient wisdom and modern science, bio-harmonizing encourages living in tune with nature’s rhythms—through architecture, food, movement, and breath. It’s about aligning with the Earth rather than controlling it. A growing wave of landscape hotels is embracing this approach, inviting guests to reconnect, realign, and rediscover what it truly means to live well.
Art in hospitality goes beyond decoration—it defines space, evokes emotion, and connects guests to a hotel’s identity, culture, and landscape. Thoughtfully curated art transforms hotels into immersive reflections of their surroundings, whether through bold contemporary pieces, handcrafted details, or architectural storytelling.
The connection between humans and horses is one of the oldest and most profound relationships in history, spanning over 5,000 years. Once essential for transport, agriculture, and warfare, horses have evolved into companions for healing, adventure, and personal transformation. Their intuitive nature and rhythmic movement offer emotional and spiritual grounding, making equine experiences more than just riding—they are a way to reconnect with nature and oneself.
Island living in Europe is where time fades, replaced by a rhythm of sun and sea. Nowhere embraces slow living like the Mediterranean islands, where long lunches, swims in crystalline waters, and afternoon naps under olive trees define the days. Whether exploring the rugged beauty of Corsica, the whitewashed charm of Folegandros, or the wild elegance of Sikelia, these islands invite travelers to disconnect, savor the moment, and embrace a life unhurried.
Modern rainforest resorts offer a rare opportunity to immerse yourself in one of Earth’s most biodiverse and vital ecosystems. Nestled within lush canopies, these retreats connect you to the vibrant rhythm of nature, where the air is rich with the scent of damp earth and blooming flowers, and the symphony of wildlife surrounds you. Towering trees, colorful orchids, and exotic birds create an awe-inspiring backdrop, while the sounds of rustling leaves, distant howler monkeys, and nocturnal creatures bring the rainforest to life. Staying in the heart of the rainforest is a sensory journey that deepens your connection to the natural world and its extraordinary beauty.
Saunas have evolved into global experiences while maintaining their connection to the healing power of heat. Today, saunas in the wild, promote relaxation, detoxification, and a deeper connection to nature. Whether nestled in forests, overlooking serene lakes, or surrounded by snow-capped mountains, these restorative escapes offer a perfect harmony of wellness and breathtaking settings.
With the wild becoming the ultimate luxury, a new wave of hospitality celebrates conservation, community, and creating thoughtful, sustainable experiences. Discover The Room+Wild Good List, where visionary hotels focus on feeling good and doing good—spaces that inspire well-being and connection - to ourselves, each other, and the planet.
Cooler destinations appeal to our desire for something different—an adventure that feels both grounding and extraordinary. With their crisp air, dramatic landscapes, and untamed beauty, these places evoke a deep sense of exploration and connection to nature. Whether it’s the striking landscapes of Iceland, the rugged wilderness of Patagonia, or the serene beauty of Norway’s coastal retreats, cooler destinations offer unique experiences that stand apart.
ROOM + WILD NATURALS
In R+W Naturals, we connect with extraordinary people making waves in sustainability, art, design, architecture, gastronomy, wellness, and wildlife — from travel and hospitality industry icons to acclaimed architects, designers, influential artists, forward-thinking musicians, and boundary-pushing chefs; visionaries who set the bar in sustainable initiatives, embodying the Room + Wild mantra of ‘landscape enhanced structures’ and ‘making a positive impact with the natural world.’
Refik Anadol is a Turkish-American media artist and pioneer in data-driven art who transforms AI into a creative collaborator. His groundbreaking projects, from Unsupervised at MoMA to the Large Nature Model and Winds of Yawanawa, explore the intersection of art, nature, and memory. By turning data into dreamlike, immersive installations, Anadol makes the invisible visible—revealing hidden patterns of ecosystems, wind, and collective memory. His work invites reflection, connection, and hope, showing how AI can preserve nature, extend human imagination, and inspire new ways of seeing the future.
Rob Blood’s vision for Lark Hotels is a testament to the power of nostalgia, place, and thoughtful design. By breathing new life into classic American inns and motels, he’s not only redefining the road trip experience but also setting a new standard for regenerative hospitality-one that honors history, fosters community, and invites every traveler to reconnect with the American landscape.
Karen Roos is a visionary designer and former Elle Decoration South Africa editor known for creating immersive, intuitive spaces where history, nature, and design converge. Her celebrated properties—Babylonstoren in South Africa and The Newt in Somerset—blend restored heritage architecture with contemporary comfort, rooted in a deep respect for the land.
Desert X is a biennial outdoor art exhibition in California’s Coachella Valley that transforms the desert into a platform for large-scale, site-specific installations. The 2025 edition explores themes of climate, time, and human impact through works by 11 artists. From living sculptures and light-based installations to 3D-printed adobe architecture and Indigenous futurism, Desert X redefines land art by confronting the environmental and cultural complexities of the modern desert landscape.
Exploration is rooted in human nature—the drive to push beyond the familiar, seek the unknown, and forge a deeper connection with the natural world. Few embody this spirit more than Børge Ousland, the Norwegian polar explorer known for his record-breaking solo crossings of the Arctic and Antarctic. His legendary winter expedition across the North Pole, enduring total darkness and extreme cold, remains one of history’s greatest feats. Today, Ousland continues to push boundaries, using his expertise to raise awareness of climate change’s impact on polar regions, proving that true exploration is about both discovery and preservation.
Wellness, at its core, is rooted in timeless principles: simplicity, mindfulness, and a deep connection to nature. Few embody this philosophy better than Deborah Szekely, the 102-year-old "godmother of wellness," who co-founded Rancho La Puerta in 1940. This revolutionary health retreat in Mexico, with its focus on sustainable living and mindful practices, laid the groundwork for modern wellness escapes.
If Wonderland existed today, it would be the realm of John and Cynthia Hardy - the visionaries behind Bambu Indah, an ecologically mindful retreat in Bali. Entering their world feels like stepping into another dimension where magic and curiosity thrive. John’s ideas are vast, boundless, and driven by a relentless passion for innovation, while Cynthia provides a grounding presence with her warmth, earthiness, and sense of home. Together, they create a balance, leading transformative initiatives with a shared commitment to the greater good. The couple's success is rooted in the simple yet profound belief that anything is possible with an open mind.
Pioneered by visionaries such as Javier Senosiain, organic architecture challenges conventional notions of space and design, fostering a deeper connection between the inhabitants and the natural world around them. We spoke to Senosiain about designing to enhance the human experience, exploring the interconnectedness of our bodies and architecture, and blurring the lines between time and space.
Philipp Frank, a visionary land-light artist, merges nature, technology, and emotion to craft immersive spaces and captivating imagery that defy conventional boundaries. His innovative creations challenge viewers to rethink their perceptions of space and time, drawing inspiration from natural phenomena, science, and philosophy. In our conversation with Frank, he elaborated on how his art underscores nature's timeless relevance and role as the ultimate gateway to the present.
WILD GUIDES
Iceland’s hot springs are natural wonders born from its volcanic landscape, offering both beauty and wellness benefits. From iconic spots like the Blue Lagoon, Sky Lagoon, and Hvammsvík Hot Springs to hidden gems such as Hrunalaug, Krosslaug, and the Reykjadalur Valley Thermal River, each geothermal pool is unique. Rich in minerals that relax muscles and ease stress, these warm waters provide an unforgettable way to connect with Iceland’s dramatic landscapes year-round.
Discover Italy through its destination hotels — places so rooted in their surroundings, they become the reason to travel. These are stays that shape your experience of the land: cliffside villas, alpine hideaways, seaside retreats, and design-led sanctuaries where food, culture, and nature converge.
A day at Rancho La Puerta, one of the world’s leading wellness resorts in the Baja California foothills, is thoughtfully designed to support whole-body renewal through five key pillars: creativity, movement, nature, mindfulness, and community. From sunrise hikes and sound healing to cooking classes and inspiring talks, every experience is rooted in purpose and balance.
ELEMENTS
Land, Water, Sky: A Taste of Place with The Botanist Gin explores how landscapes shape our emotions, movements, and sense of belonging. Through Room + Wild’s elemental pillars—land, water, and sky—we discover how place grounds, renews, and inspires us. In collaboration with The Botanist Gin, crafted at B Corp certified Bruichladdich Distillery on Islay, we’ve created cocktails and pairings that capture the spirit of these elements. Infused with 22 hand-foraged botanicals, The Botanist reflects a shared commitment to sustainability, stewardship, and celebrating the beauty of nature through taste and experience.
From the ancient rituals of forest bathing in Japan to the therapeutic qualities of coastal living, we delve into the age-old wisdom that recognizes the intrinsic bond between humans and the natural world.
Blue by design, Belize is leading the way in eco-tourism, the branch of travel that celebrates and showcases the fact that nature knows best, allowing us to experience the elements in their purest forms.
Across various cultures, mountains have long been revered as symbols of strength, power, and sacredness, inspiring a sense of awe and reverence. Join us on a journey to explore the captivating practice of healing with the natural elements, where we'll uncover the extraordinary connection between the human spirit, these towering natural wonders, and the boundless serenity they offer.
The soothing presence of water, with its profound ability to reflect the natural rhythms of our internal world, holds a unique power over our mental well-being. It is by the water's edge that we are gently reminded of our innate capability to find harmony, deep alignment, and unwavering focus.
LONG + LAT
with ROOM+WILD, THE SLOW SUITES, PERMANENT VACATION, ACACIA SWIM, BEACHGOLD & VITALY
We explored the hidden corners of our favourite part of Ubud, Bali - Bambu Indah, an eco lifestyle boutique hotel.
with ROOM+WILD, CHLOE HOLMES, ION ADVENTURE HOTEL, SILICA HOTEL, KIT AND ACE, VITALY, RAINS, & RETROSUPERFUTURE
JOURNEYS
Bolivia's landscapes are a mesmerizing tapestry of diverse ecosystems, ranging from the otherworldly salt flats of Salar de Uyuni to the lush Amazon rainforest, the rugged peaks of the Andes, and the serene beauty of its high-altitude lakes. Visiting Bolivia is a journey through a land of stark contrasts and unparalleled natural beauty.
After meeting my husband 13 or so years ago, he took me to a really special place his Greek side of the family descended from - a tiny colourful island called Kastellorizo. Known as the easternmost point of Greece and geographically residing closer to Turkey, the island is only 3 km across. It only seemed right to come back here with 40 of our closest friends to celebrate our love in 2018.
Jungles are Earth’s densest ecosystems — tropical forests where heat, rain, and life intertwine. From the Amazon to Southeast Asia, they act as the planet’s lungs, sustaining over half of all known species. Bathed in endless shades of green — a color proven to calm the mind and restore balance — these landscapes offer both visual and emotional renewal. Hotels invite guests into this living pulse, where architecture yields to nature, air feels richer, and every moment hums with rain, birdsong, and rebirth.