10 of the world’s most remote hotels for a crowd-free holiday

Truly get away from it all come the next global crisis and consider holing up in one of these out-of-the-way retreats, hand-picked by Tamara Hinson

Bawah Resort on the Riau Archipelago (Bawah Resort)

Pandemic restrictions may be lifting, but it can’t be long until the next global calamity shows up. In which case, where better to sit it out than one of these 10 remote hotels, as far from the madding crowd as it’s possible to get?

Wa Ale, Myeik Archipelago, Myanmar

If the thought of getting to Myanmar sounds like a hard slog, you ain’t seen nothing yet. Wa Ale, a 5,000-acre private island off the southern tip of the country, has 11 tented beach villas and three tree houses. To get there, you’ll start with a flight (via Bangkok) to the Thai town of Ranong, before a short drive to a nearby jetty. From there you’ll take a boat to Myanmar’s Kawthaung Jetty, before a final 90-minute boat transfer to Wa Ale. Feeling guilty about the carbon footprint you’ve just laid down? Offset your guilt with the knowledge that this is one of Asia’s most sustainable resorts – it’s built entirely by hand using reclaimed materials, and 20 per cent of profits go towards local communities and conservation projects. The resort is currently closed but will reopen in October 2022; it’s now taking reservations.