While A-listers flock to the usual suspects like St. Barts and Necker Island, savvy travelers know the real luxury lies in places where paparazzi can’t follow. These hidden gems offer the same five-star treatment and jaw-dropping locations, minus the chance of bumping into your favorite reality TV star at breakfast.
These 20 resorts prove that you don’t need celebrity endorsement to find paradise. Here is a list of 20 private luxury resorts where you can relax without checking over your shoulder for telephoto lenses.
Atzaró Okavango, Botswana
This brand-new safari camp puts you right in the heart of one of Africa’s most pristine wilderness areas. The luxurious tents, ranging in size from 1,740 to 4,130 square feet, feature bathtubs and a mix of mid-century and antique African furniture.
The game drives here are genuinely spectacular, and the chances of spotting a famous face are about as slim as finding a leopard taking a selfie.
Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge, British Columbia
Set on the edge of the Pacific Ocean, Vancouver Island’s remote luxury outpost, Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge, is situated on 600 acres of pristine wilderness where abundant wildlife roams freely. Getting here requires a 45-minute seaplane ride, which naturally weeds out the casual visitor.
The 25 canvas tents on stilts feel like a prospector’s dream come true, minus the back-breaking gold mining.
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Six Senses Thimphu, Bhutan
Start your day at Six Senses Hotel in Bhutan with yoga or meditation at the lodge’s Prayer Pavilion. Bhutan limits the number of tourists and requires a daily fee, making it practically impossible for celebrity entourages to descend en masse.
Plus, the kingdom measures Gross National Happiness instead of GDP, which tends to attract a different crowd than Instagram influencers.
Amankila, East Bali
Tucked away in the remote village of Manggis in East Bali, the incredibly luxurious Amankila allows you to experience traditional Balinese life away from the hustle and bustle. While celebrities flood southern Bali’s beach clubs, this clifftop resort remains blissfully overlooked.
The three-tiered infinity pool is one of the most photographed spots you’ve never seen on a red carpet Instagram story.
Maxx Royal Bodrum Resort, Turkey
Last May, Türkiye’s Maxx Royal Resorts made a showstopping entrance into the luxury hotel scene on the Bodrum Peninsula with Maxx Royal Bodrum Resort. This wildly chic paradise seems to sprout organically from the dreamy Aegean landscape.
This new property is so fresh that it hasn’t had time to build a celebrity following. The stone and wood construction gives it an understated elegance that exudes luxury without being overt.
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Fogo Island Inn, Newfoundland
A feat of modern architectural significance, Fogo Island Inn sits on a 400-year-old island just off the coast of Canada’s Newfoundland. The stark, angular building jutting from the rugged coastline looks like something from a sci-fi movie.
Getting here involves multiple flights and a ferry ride, which tends to deter anyone who owns a private jet but lacks a sense of adventure.
Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar, Oman
Peak seclusion is the name of the game at Oman’s Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar. A knee-wobbling 2,000 meters above sea level and two hours from Muscat, the plateau-crowning resort is ringed by rugged mountains and accessible only by chopper or (chic, chauffeur-driven) four-wheel drive.
The altitude alone would give most celebrities altitude sickness before they could pose for photos. This is desert luxury at its finest, minus the desert party crowd.
Zaborin, Hokkaido
Soaking in the scenery takes on new meaning at Zaborin, a modern ryokan in Hokkaido built around volcanic onsen hot springs. Each villa has two private hot spring baths, and the snow-covered landscape for six months of the year creates a meditative atmosphere that’s a far cry from flashy celebrity culture.
Japanese hospitality meets minimalist luxury in a way that would bore most attention-seeking personalities.
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Rock Creek, Montana
A classic Montana ranch, Rock Creek has an authentic homestead vibe that’s synonymous with the landscape. This working cattle ranch offers horseback riding and fly-fishing without the pretension.
The accommodations are luxurious but grounded, exactly the kind of place where celebrities would have to participate in ranch activities instead of just posing with props.
Under Canvas Lake Powell, Utah
The tents at Under Canvas Lake Powell — Grand Staircase, which have real king-size beds and ensuite bathrooms, sit on a canyon-rim plateau, making them privy to cinematic panoramas. This is glamping for people who want to see the stars instead of being one with them.
This is the first DarkSky-certified resort in the world, so after the (not inconsiderable) sunsets, s’mores, and sing-alongs around the fire, a cosmic ballet starring the Milky Way, meteor showers, and perhaps distant planets takes place.
ROKI, Queenstown
A gateway to the rugged natural splendor of New Zealand’s South Island, Queenstown is getting a luxurious new pre- and post-adventure relaxation hub. Opening in 2025, this 15-suite resort overlooks Lake Wakatipu and focuses on adventure tourism rather than red-carpet arrivals.
The emphasis on outdoor activities would require celebrities to break a sweat, which tends to be a natural deterrent.
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Awasi Patagonia, Chile
Located in a secluded private land reserve in Southern Chile, Awasi Patagonia has views for days. The Torres del Paine National Park location means you’re more likely to encounter a puma than a pop star.
Each villa has its hot tub for stargazing, and the remoteness means the only drama you’ll witness involves guanacos and condors.
Ananda in the Himalayas, India
This destination spa resort is situated on a sprawling estate once belonging to a Maharaja, surrounded by Sal forests and overlooking the Ganges River Valley in India. The focus on detoxification and wellness attracts health-conscious travelers rather than party-seeking celebrities.
Digital detox programs and yoga retreats often deter those whose careers depend on a constant social media presence.
Dedon Island, Philippines
Dedon Island provides a remote outpost on Siargao Island in the far south of the archipelago, about a five-hour trip from Manila via Cebu, followed by a 40-minute ride in the hotel’s jeepney bus. The journey alone would test most celebrities patience levels.
From open-air pavilions to coconut tree groves, frangipani gardens, a hidden treehouse, romantic daybeds, and bird’s nest woven chairs, every detail has been carefully designed to celebrate the area’s natural beauty.
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Capella Lodge, Lord Howe Island
A volcanic, reef-circled speck in the Tasman Sea between Australia and New Zealand, Lord Howe Island is famous for its hair-raising 2,900-foot-long runway. The island limits visitor numbers to 400 at any time, and there is no mobile phone reception.
Bicycles are the preferred mode of transport, and visitor numbers are strictly limited. These restrictions would send most celebrities running faster than you can say “Instagram story.”
One&Only Moonlight Basin, Montana
It picked Big Sky, Montana, for its debut here, in a 190-acre ranch resort it has dubbed Moonlight Basin. Opening in 2025, this ski-in, ski-out resort operates year-round with horse riding, hiking, and fly-fishing in summer.
The authentic Western atmosphere would require celebrities to trade designer heels for hiking boots, a sacrifice few are willing to make.
Six Senses Krabey Island, Cambodia
Savor the tranquility of Six Senses Krabey Island, a tropical and sumptuous private island escape, with an extensive spa and memorable dining experiences. This private island in Cambodia’s Kep archipelago offers the ultimate escape without the Maldives price tag or celebrity spotting opportunities.
The focus on local culture and sustainability attracts travelers who prioritize conservation over being seen.
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Almare, Isla Mujeres
Repurposed from a previous life as a mid-range all-inclusive into a Marriott Luxury Collection resort, the adults-only Almare offers a much-needed shot in the arm to sleepy Isla Mujeres across a peaceful bay from the buzz of Cancún. While celebrities party in Tulum and Cancun, this quiet island remains refreshingly off their radar.
The emphasis on local Yucatecan cuisine and morning yoga suggests a more grounded luxury experience.
Minaret Station, New Zealand
A unique lodge situated deep within the Southern Alps, with just four guest chalets and accessible only by helicopter, Minaret Station combines luxury service and accommodations with rugged adventure. The helicopter-only access and four-chalet limit mean you’re more likely to encounter a kea parrot than a Kardashian.
The combination of luxury and genuine wilderness adventure appeals to serious outdoor enthusiasts rather than social media performers.
Resort at Paws Up, Montana
A working cattle ranch with gorgeous glamping setups and cozy cabins, The Resort at Paws Up is remote and serene with a touch of luxury, too. Spread across 37,000 acres of Montana wilderness. This ranch offers luxury camping experiences that would horrify most celebrities.
The thought of sleeping in a tent, even a very nice one, filters out the high-maintenance crowd quite effectively.
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Where Privacy Actually Means Privacy
The beauty of these resorts lies not in their exclusivity but in their authenticity. While celebrity hotspots focus on being seen and photographed, these properties prioritize genuine experiences and natural beauty.
They prove that true luxury isn’t about who else is there but about having the space and freedom to disconnect from the performance of modern life. Sometimes, the best company is no company at all—except for the occasional black bear or wandering guanaco.
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