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Harpers Bazaar Arabia
19-06-2025
- Harpers Bazaar Arabia
Why The ‘Our Habitas Ras Abrouq' Camp Is Our Ultimate Quiet Travel Trend Destination
The world of travel has taken a quiet turn for all the right reasons, so switch off your devices and try a travel option of a different kind Approximately 80km west of Doha among an expanse of white sand dunes, adventurers are met with a remarkable sculpture by the American artist Richard Serra. East-West/West-East consists of four steel plates, each more than 14 metres tall, arranged in a linear pattern stretching more than a kilometre. Some say it represents the passage of time. For others, it's a symbol of hope. Whatever its meaning, it invites a moment of quiet contemplation. Those making the pilgrimage are likely to make their base at Our Habitas Ras Abrouq, a recently opened luxury camp 20 minutes' drive from the sculpture. Hot on the heels of Our Habitas AlUla, a game-changing eco-friendly enterprise in Saudi Arabia's Ashar Valley, Ras Abrouq located in the UNESCO-protected Al-Reem Biosphere Reserve invites guests to unwind where the desert meets the sea. The founders have gone all in on the 'quiet travel' trend. Forty-two villas range from one to four bedrooms, each with its own private pool and vast outdoor deck delivering uninterrupted views of the Arabian Gulf. Then there are the activities to consider: guided meditations through the desert, sound ceremonies conducted under the stars, vibroacoustic massage. Guests are invited to try ancient traditions such as the clay pottery, calligraphy and Al Sadu weaving. 'With the world getting louder, it's increasingly hard to find corners of quiet – and it's increasingly important,' says general manager Mohammed Wazir. 'What we offer at Ras Abrouq is a secluded sanctuary that encourages guests to step away from everyday distractions and embrace a slower, more purposeful way of being.' Search for the term 'quiet travel' and you'll find entire websites devoted to the detrimental effects of noise and the healing benefits of quiet. The quiet travel trend is in direct alignment with the 'digital minimalism' movement, which is gaining traction internationally thanks to the American computer science professor and author Cal Newport. In his book Digital Minimalism: Choosing a Focused Life in a Noisy World, Cal argues for more intentional use of technology – removing apps that are not crucial tools and only picking up your smartphone when it's absolutely essential. The quest for quiet hasn't gone unnoticed by the luxury travel industry. More and more hotels are advertising 'no TVs in rooms' and 'no Wi-Fi in communal areas.' 'We have definitely seen a rise in demand for 'quiet trips' among our HNW clients,' says Aurelia van Lynden, head of travel at Pelorus, a travel company specialising in bespoke remote adventure. 'Time is a precious commodity and this style of trip allows people to disconnect from their day-to-day and reconnect not only with the ones they are travelling with but also with themselves – and their surroundings. Our world is loud with endless pings and chatter. We help our clients cut through the noise, whether that be a private camp in the middle of nowhere, hiking untouched paths basking in the scenery or on board their own private yacht exploring remote islands.' Silent safaris, off -grid Nordic adventures, Antarctic voyages and sleeping under the stars in Oman are among Pelorus' most popular offerings. Tom Barber, co-founder of Original Travel, says: 'There's been a lot of emphasis of late on dark sky destinations, where there is no light pollution and you can appreciate the wonders of the night sky, but we're also seeing growing demand from clients who want to avoid noise pollution. For this reason, Original Travel launched a 'pin drop collection' of places where you can literally hear a pin drop. Speaking from personal experience, Tom says: 'I will never forget the sound of silence in the NamibRand desert in Namibia. I was driven out to a beautiful viewpoint and left there to soak up the panoramic views and total absence of sounds with a cool bag of drinks. It's places like these that make you realise just how much noise most of us are bathed in especially in urban environments. There's rarely a moment of silence. For me, that makes the occasional stay somewhere off -grid, where the only thing deafening is the silence, so special.' Solitude is the subject of Lonely Planet's latest book The Joy of Quiet Places. A comprehensive guide to the world's most serene places, it offers expert guidance and travel tips. In his foreword, the Norwegian explorer Erling Kagge, the first person to reach the South Pole solo and author of Silence: In the Age of Noise: A Meditation on the Importance of Silence in a World Filled with Noise and Distractions, writes: 'Silence contains a quality more exclusive and long lasting than the more ordinary luxuries.' 'Quiet is not a luxury – it is a human necessity,' argues acoustic ecologist and co-founder of Quiet Parks International, Gordon Hempton. Having spent the past three decades roaming rainforests, coastlines and deserts in order to record the sounds of nature, he's one of the world's leading experts on the subject. 'Taking a break from noise is essential for your health. In quiet places, stress levels decrease, one can think more clearly, problems appear less complex, people score higher on cognitive tests and they also become more creative and successful at home and work.' Dr Laura Walton, a clinical psychologist and PADI Instructor, who has dedicated her career to studying the psychology of deep-sea diving is in firm agreement. 'Descending into the depths on a scuba dive, one can only hear bubbles. The silence hushes the noise in our heads. Mind chatter reduces and we can focus on the present, paying attention to our dive and the environment around us. Many say diving is their therapy.' Safari outfits are jumping on the bandwagon too. 'We've noticed growing demand for spa safaris and meditation safaris, which put the emphasis on wellness,' says Julian Carter- Manning, founder of Yellow Zebra Safaris, a travel company specialising in tailor-made expert-guided safaris across Africa. 'We are increasingly steering clients towards quieter, less crowded destinations and activities that align with the quiet travel trend.' At the more extreme (and colder) end of the spectrum, you'll find White Desert, a carbon-neutral luxury camp outfit in Antarctica (accessible via private jet). Here, guests not only enjoy the privilege of total quiet (snow absorbs sound better than anything else), they get to experience what it feels like to be the only people on the planet. Let's not overlook the exhilarating daily excursions, six-course gourmet meals and one-on-one sessions with an on-site biokineticist. Prices start from Dhs252,000 per person for a six-day tour. Not convinced? Let me leave you with this thought. In a truly quiet location, it's possible to listen to more than 1,000 square miles at once. Sounds pretty cool, doesn't it?
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Travel + Leisure
06-05-2025
- Travel + Leisure
I've Been to At Least 15 Palm Springs, California, Hotels—This New Adults-only Retreat Is Among My Favorites
This is the only elevated hotel experience in an area otherwise limited to campsites, motels, and Airbnbs. The design, with natural hues, minimal furnishings, and lush outdoor landscaping, promotes high desert rest and relaxation. Rooms are generously sized and feature kitchenettes, allowing guests to cook with provisions from the hotel's terrific Windsong shop. Hotel Wren is just a 10-minute drive from the less-crowded north entrance to Joshua Tree National Park and its visitor center, where guests can buy park tickets in advance. California's Twentynine Palms has long been known as a military town and the less-busy entryway to Joshua Tree National Park. However, this high desert community is in the midst of a rebrand, featuring a burgeoning art scene, eclectic restaurants and shops, and now, its first boutique hotel. Just a few minutes' drive from the town's main business district and the park's rugged landscape, Hotel Wren feels like a private retreat, immersed in nature. An oasis of calm for chill seekers, the former 1940s motel has been reimagined as an intimate 12-room design destination by L.A.-based Manola Studio founder Jessica Pell. 'The sound of silence is such a rarity in the city. It was about letting that and the sounds of nature come forward,' Pell told Travel + Leisure. She spent three years transforming the fire engine–red Americana-style motor lodge into a desert-modern escape, incorporating Santa Barbara-style plaster walls, textured wood and rattan accents, and a desert-inspired color scheme of sand, sage, adobe pink, and ochre. The hotel's unofficial slogan is 'no time to rush,' and from the moment my husband and I walked into the lobby living room—with its crackling fireplace and custom circular windows framing the mountains of Joshua Tree—we started to shake off the drive and let go of the week's stresses. Soon, with Madre tequila and hibiscus soda cocktails in our hands, we were embracing the laid-back desert vibe. We put on our swimsuits and settled onto loungers outside, tuning into the meditative rustling of the palms overhead. In the morning, we enjoyed our complimentary breakfast—local Canyon Coffee, 29 Loaves bagels, and steamed eggs—while listening to birdsongs, and watching the hotel's namesake wren guarding its nest. Below, my full review of Hotel Wren in Twentynine Palms, California. A King Deluxe guest room interior. Hotel Wren has four King Standard rooms, two Queen Double rooms, and six King Deluxe rooms. The midcentury Wren House, a two-bedroom two-bathroom retreat with artisanal finishes, is a wonderful choice for groups of friends and can also be booked for special events and artist residencies. Furnishings are slightly different in each room, with handsome cherry wood beds and custom-made vanities, Noguchi-style pendant lights, vintage accent pieces, and Pell's own collected artworks, such as a Richard Neutra drawing of Joshua Forest. The suite-style spaces have a residential feel, enclosed patios with gas fireplaces, and integrated kitchenettes stocked with cooking necessities. L.A. ceramicist Michelle Blade hand-painted the charming tiles in the bathrooms and bathtubs, while Parachute linens, plush robes, and Wonder Valley bath products enhance the luxe experience. Some private patios open directly to the outside and have cozy built-in banquettes to catch the sunset and firepits when the weather turns chilly. Long tables set up outside for al fresco dining. While there is no bar or restaurant, a complimentary daily breakfast is served in the lobby living room. Gourmet pantry necessities are for sale at the on-site store Windsong, including frozen dumplings and pizzas, pancake mix, eggs and butter, pasta and sauce, local cheeses, and charcuterie. The mini-bar and in-room snack offerings are a treat, offering products from many local and independent brands. Lounge chairs around the salt water pool and hot tub. The hotel can arrange guided hikes with a local outfitter. We went on an easygoing but immensely photogenic park hike to Arch Rock and Heart Rock, which was recommended by the hotel's general manager, Jared. There is no on-site gym, but rooms are stocked with yoga mats and meditation blankets. Guests tend to gravitate toward the saltwater swimming pool and hot tub. The lush outdoor garden features native California plants and plenty of seating around the communal fire pit and bubbling water features, offering opportunities for quiet reflection or socializing. The exterior of a guest room. Hotel Wren has no spa, but guests can book in-room massages. Windsong also stocks wellness books, essential oils, and other beauty products by brands like Ten Thousand Waves and Mojave Desert Skin Shield. There is one ADA-compliant queen double guest room and one ADA-compliant parking space. The hotel has electric car chargers and donates a percentage of proceeds to the Mojave Desert Land Trust and other local organizations. Twentynine Palms has several spots worth visiting, including a robust Saturday farmers' market, the Old Schoolhouse Museum chronicling the area's homesteading history, and a cluster of cool stores. One evening, we ventured out for a fun dinner at the local gastropub Grnd Sqrl, where we sampled local beers and enjoyed the funky murals on the buildings around town. Also, 29 Palms Beer Co. has a solid smashburger, and Campbell Hill Bakery has people lining up for its pastries and pizzas. La Copine is a consistently dazzling daytime restaurant that's worth the wait to get in. Another converted motel, Kitchen in the Desert, is the place for Caribbean-influenced food, a sexy scene, an indoor-outdoor party, and a Desert General store selling books, locally made Mojave Mercantile tie-dyed canvas hats, and cheeky gifts. Further afield, artist Noah Purifoy's outdoor installation of 'junk art,' as he called it, is an incredible experience. Pioneertown's old Hollywood history is enchanting, where Pappy and Harriets saloon has hosted some of the best musical acts on the planet, including Paul McCartney, the Arctic Monkeys, and Andre 3000. Hotel Wren does not participate in any loyalty program. Nightly rates at Hotel Wren start at $330 a night. Every T+L hotel review is written by an editor or reporter who has stayed at the property, and each hotel selected aligns with our core values.
