Courtesy of Petite St. Vincent
How many times have you vowed to disconnect—to turn off your tablet, to leave your laptop at home, to make your smartphone play dumb? It might sound crazy, but the only way to really “recharge your battery” is by unplugging. That’s why we love these resorts. They force you to turn off the power. All right, maybe “force” is too strong a word—because once you’ve settled into these tranquil hideaways and they begin to work their magic on your frazzled nerves you won’t miss your electronic gadgets one little bit.
Petit St. Vincent
If you’re cutting the electrical cord, you might as well go all the way and retreat to your own private island for some serious alone time. Petit St. Vincent in the Grenadines is place to go. You’ll fly into Barbados and then travel by private or charter plane on a short hop to PSV. There are 22 one- and two-bedroom cottages at the resort, all built of native stone and wood, which gives them an organic, rustic ambiance And while you won’t find TV or Internet here, you will find all the creature comforts that are really important: High-quality furnishings and linens, whisper-quiet air conditioning, hammocks, private teakwood decks, a spa, fine dining, and a pristine beach where you can indulge in water sports (all non-motorized of course!).
Jade Mountain
You won’t exactly scale a cliff to reach Jade Mountain Resort in St. Lucia, but when you’re there you just might feel like you’re at the top of the world. Adjacent to its sister resort, the lovely, romantic Anse Chastanet, Jade Mountain shares the same relaxed, environmentally conscious, yet always elegant sensibility. This is a style you will definitely grow to love: basic and pure, yet embracing and indulgent. (Resort designer Nick Troubetzkoy is a master of this style and we love him for it!) They call the accommodations here not suites or rooms but “sanctuaries” and that is not an overstatement. Each is individually designed and features an open 4th wall with views of St. Lucia’s famed Pitons. They have everything you could possibly need—24 of the 29 sanctuaries even have their own private infinity pools! What they don’t have are TV, radio, phone, or WiFi. We challenge you to vacation here and tell us that you miss them!
Other resorts let you unplug partially, by removing some of the electronic conveniences and access that would otherwise tempt you. At The BodyHoliday in St. Lucia, for example, you won’t find a TV in your guestroom. (And really, when you could be looking at the gorgeous scenery why would you want to watch TV?) Some resorts do not offer WiFi Internet access in guestrooms or charge an additional fee for its use. (Think of that as an incentive to unplug and save money at the same time!)
Even if the resort you choose for your next vacation isn’t totally “unplugged,” you can follow these tips to disconnect on your own:
- Ask that the TV be removed from your guestroom or, if possible, simply keep the doors of the TV cabinet closed. If the TV is out of sight it’s easier to resist.
- Lock your laptop and smartphone in your in-room safe or, better yet, in the resort’s safe deposit vault.
- Avoid the resort’s business center. Pretend it doesn’t exist. Don’t even ask where it’s located!
- Spend as much time as possible outdoors. Walk on the beach, play golf, swim, go snorkeling or diving (there’s no email access underwater!). Stay busy doing all the activities your resort offers. (You won’t find “checking email” on any resort activity list that we’ve seen!)
What Do You Think?
What are your tips for a totally “unplugged” vacation? Comment below. And, if you’d like assistance planning an unplugged getaway, contact Ultimate Jet Vacations at 1-800-231-4095.
—Emma Sandoval for Ultimate Jet Vacations