A Room of One’s Own (With a View): The Rise of the Personal Hotel Solo Retreat

Travel

March 8, 2025

The House Magazine

When solitude becomes the ultimate luxury.

In an era that often feels like it’s moving at double speed, more travelers are discovering the profound luxury of going it alone. Enter the personal hotel solo retreat—a space designed not for romantic getaways or bustling family vacations, but for you, and you alone. It’s a trend driven by burnout recovery, creative recharge, and the quiet pleasure of being left entirely to your own devices (and possibly a room service menu).

Why a Solo Retreat is the New Self-Care

There’s something inherently glamorous about checking into a stunning room for yourself—no itinerary to follow, no conversation to maintain, no compromise to be made. It’s a chance to reconnect with yourself, your pace, your whims, your inner monologue.

In these spaces, luxury isn’t defined by excess, but by curation—of views, materials, and small, intentional comforts that let you feel cared for without interruption.

Exceptional Personal Retreats to Bookmark

Eremito: Umbria, Italy

If you’ve ever dreamt of pressing pause on the world, this is your place. Tucked into the rolling hills of Umbria, Eremito is an eco-luxury solo retreat designed in the style of a medieval monastery, where the art of solitude is woven into every detail.

Each guest stays in their own “celluzze”—a minimalist stone-walled room designed to resemble the living quarters of ancient monks. There are no TVs, no Wi-Fi, and no distractions—only candlelit dinners (strictly vegetarian), soft Gregorian chants in the background, and long, reflective walks through untouched countryside.

The experience is meant to be deeply introspective, perfect for writers, creatives, or anyone in need of a quiet reset. And while it may feel ascetic, it’s far from roughing it—think handcrafted linens, spa rituals, and thermal baths set against medieval stone walls.

Explore Eremito

Photography courtesy of Eremito.

The Fife Arms: Braemar, Scotland

For the traveler who finds solitude in storytelling, texture, and mood, The Fife Arms is a masterpiece of atmospheric escape.

Set in the mist-draped Scottish Highlands, this former Victorian coaching inn has been meticulously transformed by Hauser & Wirth gallery owners Iwan and Manuela Wirth into an art-filled retreat that feels as much like a private collector’s residence as a hotel.

Every corner tells a story:

  • Over 16,000 pieces of artwork and antiques, from a Picasso in the lounge to hand-painted botanical murals in the rooms.
  • Cozy fireplaces, four-poster beds draped in tartan, and clawfoot tubs for long, candlelit soaks.
  • Guided Highland walks where you might spot red deer grazing in the mist.

It’s the kind of place that makes you want to read, write, and think deeply while wrapped in a woolen blanket with a whisky in hand. A true solo traveler’s dream retreat.

Discover The Fife Arms

Photography courtesy of The Fife Arms.

The Arctic Hideaway: Fleinvær, Norway

Imagine waking up to nothing but the sound of the wind and waves, with no roads, no stores—just a scattering of modern, minimalist cabins perched on a remote Norwegian island. This is The Arctic Hideaway, where off-grid solitude meets contemporary Scandinavian design.

Set in the Fleinvær archipelago, this eco-conscious retreat is made up of 10 wooden structures—some for sleeping, others for gathering, all positioned to frame the wild, open sea. The entire space is designed to foster stillness, reflection, and a deep connection to nature. Here’s how:

  • There are no set itineraries—your day might consist of watching the shifting colors of the Arctic sky, taking an icy plunge in the sea, or sitting in the glass-walled sauna as the landscape unfolds around you.
  • Writers and artists often come here for creative solitude, drawn by the endless, uninterrupted horizon and the near-total silence.
  • Sustainability is key: everything here is powered by renewable energy, and meals are sourced from the surrounding waters and landscape.

This is the kind of place that resets your nervous system. No distractions, no schedules—just you, nature, and infinite time – the perfect solo retreat.

Visit The Arctic Hideaway

Shou Sugi Ban House: The Hamptons, New York

If you’re looking for a solo retreat where self-care is an art form, then Shou Sugi Ban House is your sanctuary.

Inspired by Japanese design and wellness principles, this 13-room retreat in The Hamptons is rooted in quiet luxury, balance, and restoration. The architecture is simple yet stunning—low-lying wooden structures, open courtyards, and wabi-sabi interiors that invite calm and the following features:

  • Holistic wellness is at the core of every experience—guests can partake in sound baths, reiki, hydrotherapy rituals, or customized nutrition programs designed to reset the body and mind.
  • The food is Michelin-level and fully plant-based, created with seasonal, locally sourced ingredients that feel nourishing in every sense.
  • The Japanese soaking tubs and outdoor saltwater pools offer the kind of relaxation that makes time feel deliciously slow.

A weekend here is like pressing reset on your soul, with nothing but the soft scent of cedarwood and the sound of your own breath to keep you company.

Explore Shou Sugi Ban House

Photography courtesy of Shou Sugi Ban House.

Amangiri: Canyon Point, Utah

If silence had a physical form, it would be Amangiri.

This stunning desert retreat, built into the raw, sculptural landscape of southern Utah, is a masterclass in minimalist luxury. The architecture is impossibly elegant—clean lines, neutral palettes, and seamless indoor-outdoor living spaces that make the landscape feel like part of the design.

  • Private terraces and outdoor fireplaces allow guests to watch the desert sky shift through endless hues of pink, orange, and violet.
  • Spa experiences draw on Navajo healing traditions, incorporating clay wraps, hot stone therapy, and immersive wellness rituals.
  • Stargazing is unparalleled—you can book a private guide to take you to the perfect location for observing the Milky Way in complete solitude.

Everything here is designed to make you feel small in the most beautiful way possible—surrounded by millions of years of earth’s history, with only your thoughts and the shifting desert light for company.

Discover Amangiri

Photography courtesy of Amangiri.

The New Definition of Indulgence

These solo retreats aren’t about being alone—they’re about being with yourself. Every design choice, from the bed linens to the window placement, is meant to remind you that silence can be beautiful, and solitude can be a gift.

Whether you’re there to write, read, or simply recalibrate, these spaces prove that sometimes the only company you need is your own.

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