{"id":348094,"date":"2026-09-17T11:20:20","date_gmt":"2026-09-17T15:20:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.sothebysrealty.com\/?p=348094"},"modified":"2026-09-17T11:20:20","modified_gmt":"2026-09-17T15:20:20","slug":"outside-in-three-luxury-retreats-inspired-by-their-wild-surroundings","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/outside-in-three-luxury-retreats-inspired-by-their-wild-surroundings\/","title":{"rendered":"Outside In: Three Luxury Retreats Inspired by Their Wild Surroundings"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Remote landscapes provide stunning backdrops and design inspiration for these boutique getaways, writes Kerry Walker<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"exterior<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Ytri, on the north Norwegian island of Hus\u00f8y, makes the most of its elemental setting. Photo: Einar Aslaksen, courtesy of Banyan Group<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As the world takes a deep breath after the buzz of Northern Hemisphere summer, it\u2019s all too easy to heed the immediate call of work. But arguably now is the season to turn away from routine and slip back into nature instead, at one of a raft of newly opened boutique retreats.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From a luxury eco-lodge in the Tanzanian savannah to an intrepid getaway in the glacier-frosted peaks of Patagonia and a remote Arctic refuge in northern Norway, each of these architecturally striking escapes immerses you in the wild, taking its design cues from the great outdoors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Explora El Calafate, Patagonia<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Exterior<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Explora El Calafate nestles in the rugged Patagonian steppe. Photo: Courtesy of Banyan Group<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Opening in December 2026, Explora El Calafate<\/a> promises to drop you deep into the remote wilderness of Patagonia, with a dash of modern-day gaucho style. This is a place to absorb the silence of the steppe, the views of the Pampas plains, the towering Andes and the distant gleam of Perito Moreno glacier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The quietly luxurious 20-room lodge\u2014bearing the hallmark of Chilean architect Jos\u00e9 Cruz Ovalle\u2014melts into the epic surrounds of a 173,000-acre estancia<\/em> (estate). The design is light and airy, with skylit rooms and suites fitted out in pale lenga wood from nearby forests, all with views of piercing blue skies, sunsets and starry nights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The retreat has an intrepid touch, with pros on hand to help you tailor cross-border adventures into this starkly beautiful region of ice, rock and wind\u2014be it crossing the turquoise Lago Argentino, trotting off on horseback into mountains where condors soar or trekking into petrified forests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After a day braving the elements, warm up in the panoramic sauna and hot tubs or book a massage with warm river stones and local botanicals such as eucalyptus, lavender and chamomile. The peak-facing dining room nods to the Argentine asado<\/em> tradition, where fish, meats and vegetables are expertly grilled over an open fire.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ytri, Norway<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"interior<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Natural materials elevate the tranquility of Ytri\u2019s light-filled rooms. Photo: Einar Aslaksen<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Like a stepping stone to a wilder world, the Norwegian island of Hus\u00f8y is elemental. Surrounded by ragged peaks that punch above the booming ocean, waves bash rocky shores and white-tailed eagles wheel in expansive skies. The light, too, is entrancing, with summer\u2019s midnight sun giving way to the hypnotic Northern Lights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Slotting neatly into the picture is Ytri<\/a>, a Relais & Ch\u00e2teaux retreat that opened in April 2026. Arriving here is like rewinding to a slower, pre-digital age\u2014one in tune with nature\u2019s rhythms, tides and the stories of an island where folk have fished in icy waters for 9,000 years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Oslo-based architects Vardehaugen took inspiration from traditional fishing houses to create this 38-room sanctuary. Interiors by design studio Bonaparte capture the soul of the island with ash wood, Norwegian wool, linen and terrazzo adding depth and warmth. It\u2019s a comforting design that nods to the need for hygge in an extreme climate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hike to hidden coves, kayak between islands or glide across ink-blue waters by stand-up paddleboard. After a day on or by the water, return to the crackle of a wood-fired sauna and dinner at Alma restaurant, where menus sing of the seasons. Whatever has been fished, foraged or picked that day lands on a very elegant plate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ubuyu, Tanzania<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"handcrafted<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Handcrafted villas at Ubuyu take their circular form from traditional Maasai huts. Photo: Courtesy of Banyan Group<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An elephant silhouetted among the baobab trees in a rose-gold sunset. Floating above the savannah in a hot-air balloon at daybreak. Watching a pride of lions in breathless wonder. All snapshots from a stay at Ubuyu<\/a>, an exclusive eco retreat that opened in May 2026 in the heart of the vast Ruaha National Park in southern Tanzania.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Luxury at this off-grid lodge looks to the wild\u2014and there is plenty of that. Italian architects Fabric have grounded their vision in the local: six villas handcrafted from natural materials reflect both the curves of the Great Ruaha River and the low-impact design of Maasai bomas<\/em> (traditional huts). Flattering lantern light, plunge pools and decking frame cinematic views of the wildlife and glittering night skies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An \u201cescape host\u201d is on hand to arrange private safaris, balloon flights or wild dining. Return to base for a pamper at the Maji spa, an open-air pavilion perched above the river, or botanical-infused cocktails at the Mganga (Swahili for \u201cmedicine man\u201d) bar, either a fitting prelude for Ubuyu\u2019s zero-waste, plant-forward cooking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These epic rural homes around the globe bring \u2018Wuthering Heights\u201d-style drama<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Remote landscapes provide stunning backdrops and design inspiration for these boutique getaways, writes Kerry Walker Ytri, on the north Norwegian island of Hus\u00f8y, makes the most of its elemental setting. Photo: Einar Aslaksen, courtesy of Banyan Group As the world takes a deep breath after the buzz of Northern Hemisphere summer, it\u2019s all too easy […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":232770377,"featured_media":348101,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"jetpack_seo_schema_type":"","_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_wpcom_ai_launchpad_first_post":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[1393,1559],"tags":[1566,1546,1567],"class_list":["post-348094","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-art-and-culture","category-destinations","tag-argentina","tag-norway","tag-tanzania"],"jetpack_likes_enabled":false,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pf4gbL-1syq","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":347199,"url":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/inside-a-texas-estate-with-french-country-inspiration\/","url_meta":{"origin":348094,"position":0},"title":"Inside a Texas Estate with French Country Inspiration","author":"Natalie Davis","date":"June 23, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"This refined five-bedroom estate in a coveted neighborhood of Houston balances timeless French Provincial design with modern comfort and convenience. 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In the small, rarefied corner of Southern California known as the Platinum Triangle\u2014where three of the most\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Home and Design"","block_context":{"text":"Home and Design","link":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/category\/home-and-design\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/entry.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/entry.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/entry.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/entry.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":343751,"url":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/inside-a-classically-inspired-houston-home\/","url_meta":{"origin":348094,"position":2},"title":"Inside a Classically Inspired Houston Home","author":"Kate Marburger","date":"April 8, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"While it brings to mind an august Tudor-style estate in the countryside of Great Britain, this residence is resolutely contemporary, with abundant modern conveniences and sophisticated spaces for entertainment indoors and out. 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