A Love Letter to Getting Lost
The hottest trend in high-end travel isn’t infinity pools or butler service – it’s the feeling of being utterly, deliciously displaced. There is a word for this sensation, and it is dépaysement, a French word that encapsulates the unique thrill of being somewhere entirely unlike home. Think: waking up to the sound of temple bells instead of an iPhone alarm, eating seafood plucked from the ocean an hour ago, or watching the sky shift colours from a mountaintop with zero light pollution.
It’s a kind of disorientation, but the good kind. The kind that untethers you from routine, shakes up your senses, and makes the world feel wide open again. Tess Willcox, Co-Director of Slojourn Studio, puts it simply: "True dépaysement is about losing your anchor and realising you never needed one. It’s a free-fall into the unfamiliar… equal parts exhilarating and grounding."
And in a world where every trip looks the same on Instagram, travellers are seeking out places that feel different – not just visually, but emotionally. Enter Gundari Resort in Greece, Song Saa Private Island in Cambodia, and Zannier Bãi San Hô in Vietnam – three destinations where the only itinerary is surrender.
Gundari, Greece: The Island Where Time Slows Down
Perched on the rugged cliffs of Folegandros, Gundari is the kind of place where life moves at a different pace. No traffic, no high-rises, no tourist crowds — just whitewashed villas, hand-carved stone terraces, and the kind of sunsets that make you forget how to check your email. The Aegean stretches out in every direction, impossibly blue, and the only decision you need to make is whether to swim in the infinity pool or dive straight into the sea.
But Gundari is more than just a getaway – it’s a direct portal into Greece’s ancient soul. Every detail, from the architecture to the locally inspired cuisine, is a tribute to the region’s deep history. Ricardo Larriera, the resort’s founder, believes that dépaysement isn’t just about stepping away from the familiar, but about stepping into something far older than yourself.
“Gundari is a place where the whispers of the past still echo in the cliffs, the sea, and the night sky," he says. "Here, you don’t just observe history, you feel it in your bones. Every meal, every stone, every moment is touched by a civilisation that has endured for millennia. That kind of connection is rare, and it’s why people leave this place changed.”
Song Saa Private Island, Cambodia: The Lost Paradise You’ll Never Want to Leave
Tucked away in Cambodia’s Koh Rong Archipelago, Song Saa is what happens when luxury and wilderness collide. Built with reclaimed wood and surrounded by protected marine reserves, it’s a place where nature isn’t just a backdrop, it’s the star of the show. Guests swap screens for sunrise yoga, trade in WiFi for jungle hikes with a botanist, and let the rhythmic hush of the ocean replace the constant noise of the modern world.
But what makes Song Saa truly transformative is its profound connection to Khmer culture and the environment; a delicate balance that defines the resort’s ethos. Melita Koulmandas, founder of Song Saa, has spent years weaving sustainability and cultural preservation into every layer of the experience.
“Song Saa is proof that sustainability and luxury aren’t opposing forces; they’re soulmates,” she explains. "We’ve built a retreat that doesn’t just exist in Cambodia – it belongs to it. From the way we source our food to the way we involve local communities in everything we do, our goal is to honour this extraordinary place and its people. When guests come here, they aren’t just escaping the world, they’re stepping into a way of life that has existed perfectly for centuries.”
Zannier Bãi San Hô, Vietnam: A Deep Dive into Another World
If dépaysement had a physical form, it might look like Zannier Hotels Bãi San Hô. This sprawling, 245-acre retreat in Vietnam’s Phu Yen province isn’t just in Vietnam, it feels like stepping back in time to an untouched version of it. Here, modern distractions give way to the poetry of the past: weathered fishing boats bobbing on the horizon, rolling rice paddies tended by local farmers, and architectural details that echo centuries-old traditions.
The resort is a declaration of affection to Vietnam’s rich heritage, blending seamlessly into its surroundings with 73 handcrafted villas that take inspiration from ancient tribal longhouses, fisherman’s cottages, and stilted rice barns. Every design choice is intentional, honouring the cultural tapestry of the region while ensuring minimal interference with the natural environment.
For Arnaud Zannier, the brand’s visionary founder, dépaysement is not just about escaping, it’s about discovering. His ethos is rooted in cultural enrichment, drawing from personal experiences in each destination. “Luxury isn’t about excess. It’s about authenticity – feeling deeply connected to a place and its people. True escape happens when we allow ourselves to be absorbed into a world that isn’t our own,” says Zannier.
At Zannier Bãi San Hô, that philosophy translates into immersive experiences designed to dissolve the boundaries between guest and place. Travellers can learn the art of traditional Vietnamese fishing, cycle through hidden villages untouched by mass tourism, or dive into the region’s vibrant coral reefs, some of the most pristine in Southeast Asia. Even the dining experience is an invitation to step into the unfamiliar – whether it’s sampling ancient Cham cuisine in a thatched-roof pavilion or sipping rice wine under a sky that’s never known city lights.
Why Digital Detox is More Than a Buzzword
The rise of dépaysement coincides with a major shift in how (and why) people travel. Studies show that 24% of travellers actively seek destinations where they can disconnect – a number that’s rising every year. The demand for “digital detox” getaways has skyrocketed, with Google searches for “off-grid travel” surging by over 90% in the last five years. It’s not about avoiding technology; it’s about reclaiming presence.
Because the truth is, the most unforgettable travel experiences aren’t the ones that rack up likes. They’re the ones that rewire your brain, reset your soul, and remind you what it feels like to be truly alive.
