“Coolcations” Are Hot Right Now – These 5 Escapes From the S

August 14, 2025 | by Marco Santiago

"Coolcations" Are Hot Right Now – These 5 Escapes From the Summer Heat Elevate Travel's "Next Frontier" Through Design

Coolcations Are Hot Right Now – Escape the Summer Heat in Style

Coolcations Are Hot Right Now

This summer, the travel world is morphing beautifully. As temperatures climb, a fresh wave of seekers is embracing what many are calling the “Next Frontier” of travel—escaping the heat not just by geography, but by design. Welcome to the age of the “Coolcation.” These are not your regular getaways; they’re immersive escapes where temperature merges with aesthetics, innovation, and emotion to craft sublime experiences that soothe the soul and invigorate the senses.

In my journeys from the sun-kissed coasts of the Mediterranean to the frosty peaks of Scandinavia, I’ve witnessed how these five standout escapes are rewriting the summer travel script. Each one is a uniquely designed antidote to the oppressive summer heat, crafted with a vision so vivid it almost feels like stepping into a poem sung by the breeze itself. Let me take you on a journey through these cool havens that elevate travel through design:

1. The Ice-Blue Oasis: Arctic Treehotel, Sweden

Nestled in the heart of Swedish Lapland, the Arctic Treehotel crystallizes cool in every sense. These sprawling glass-fronted rooms perch high above the snow-laced forests, each designed to feel like a floating sanctuary amid the chill. Imagine waking in a crystalline cocoon with the Northern Lights swirling overhead, the cold outside only sharpening the warmth inside.

Here, design meets nature with minimalist Nordic flair—wood and glass harmonizing seamlessly with the unyielding Arctic cold. The icy air is invigorating and the silence, pure magic. This is a coolcation that teaches you to find beauty in stillness, coolness, and the glistening silence of a winter dream.

2. The Underground Chill: Cappadocia Cave Suites, Turkey

Far from the sun-baked Turkish plains, the Cave Suites of Cappadocia offer havens carved deep into soft volcanic rock. Their subterranean architecture naturally defies the summer scorch, keeping interiors cool and inviting. Staying here feels like stepping into a timeless storybook—ancient civilizations whisper through the stone walls while every room is thoughtfully appointed for modern comfort.

This coolcation isn’t just about temperature; it’s a sensory journey where earthy hues, flickering candlelight, and an organic, tactile design tell tales of resilience and serenity beneath the summer blaze.

3. The Ocean Whisper: The Brando, French Polynesia

If you picture an island escape defined by chic eco-luxury, The Brando in Tahiti is your haven. This pristine atoll emerges like a dreamscape—a cocoon of emerald palms, turquoise waters, and villas that blend open-air coolness with high-end elegance.

Here, architectural design honors nature gracefully; natural ventilation, shaded terraces, and infinity pools invite refreshing ocean breezes. The essence of this coolcation is the gentle hum of waves blending with the crispness of air cooled by the vast Pacific, a soothing balm against summer’s heat.

4. The Mountain Chill: Aman Le Mélézin, Courchevel, France

For those drawn to alpine coolness with a touch of refined grandeur, Aman Le Mélézin in the French Alps is a masterpiece. Nestled amid ancient pine forests, its design draws heavily from the surrounding landscape—warm woods contrast cool slate and sleek glass, harmonizing rustic charm with contemporary luxury.

Even in summer, the crisp mountain air offers relief from the heat. Outdoor pools glisten with cool mountain water, and terraces overlook valleys awash in endless greenery. The design invites you to slow down, breathe deeply, and savor a tranquil coolness that reawakens the spirit.

5. The Desert Mirage: Amangiri, Utah, USA

Last but far from least, Amangiri is an architectural gem carved into the vast Utah desert. Its muted, sandstone-hued buildings nestle seamlessly between mesas and canyons, cool hiding places where bold modernism meets the ancient Earth.

The real magic here is in the cool design innovations: shaded patios with commanding views, quiet pools infused with natural desert minerals, and interiors that stay temperate even as sun scorches the skyline. This coolcation is a poetic dance between fire and ice, heat and shelter, where the spirit of the desert cools you from within.

These coolcations represent a thrilling evolution in travel design, weaving climate-conscious innovation with sensory storytelling. They invite us not only to escape the sun but also to engage deeply with place, to cherish environments crafted with care, and to find solace in spaces that refresh body and mind alike.

As a traveler seeking more than just a break, these chilled gateways offer something far richer: a chance to immerse, to marvel, and to rejuvenate. Whether your heart longs for Nordic ice-blue nights, ancient earthly caves, ocean breezes on a private atoll, crisp alpine air, or desert tranquility, there’s a coolcation waiting to elevate your summer beyond the heat’s grip.