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

July 19, 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

“Coolcations” Are Hot Right Now

In a world seemingly ablaze with relentless summer heat, the travel scene is evolving. A new wave called “coolcations” is sweeping across the globe—escapes that don’t just provide refuge from soaring temperatures but elevate the very concept of travel through thoughtful, inspired design. These journeys serve as sanctuaries where architecture and environment dance in harmony, creating experiences that soothe the senses and awaken the spirit.

As a cultural explorer who’s wandered through both sun-drenched deserts and mist-clad mountain villages, I’ve come to appreciate how cool design—both literal and metaphorical—can transform a trip into an unforgettable voyage. Let me take you through five enchanting escapes where coolcations are not just a trend but a new frontier of travel, where the art of cool is masterfully crafted in every detail.

1. The Ice Hotel, Jukkasjärvi, Sweden – Frozen Elegance in Arctic Wonder

Imagine stepping into a crystal palace sculpted entirely from ice and snow. Each winter, the Ice Hotel rises from the frozen Torne River, a shimmering realm of midnight blues and frosted whites. The design here is less about mere shelter against chill and more a celebration of it. Sculptors and artists from around the world converge to craft intricate suites, where the cold is an art form—translucent ice walls, chandeliers carved in ice, and beds layered with reindeer skins.

This is a coolcation in every sense: the temperature may hover far below zero, yet the warm glow of creativity defies the cold, weaving a fairy tale steeped in nature’s raw purity and human ingenuity. It’s a living testament that design can elevate the harshest landscapes into luxurious experiences.

2. Amanemu, Japan – Zen and the Art of Onsen Cool

Nestled in the shadow of the sacred Ise-Shima mountains, Amanemu redefines hot springs tourism through a minimalist yet profoundly elegant design. While the natural thermal waters offer warm relief, the architecture balances it with cool serenity—clean lines, open spaces, and calming gardens bathed in gentle light. Each private onsen bath floats like a quiet, steamy jewel amid verdant greenery, creating spaces that invite both introspection and connection to nature.

Amanemu embodies how coolcations can merge cultural heritage with modern luxury, proving that sometimes, the coolest design is found in simplicity and harmony.

3. The Alila Villas Uluwatu, Bali – Clifftop Cool Meets Tropical Breeze

On the edge of the Indian Ocean, Alila Villas Uluwatu offers a sublime escape where the tropical heat is softened by ocean whispers and architectural innovation. The villas themselves are crafted with volcanic stone and timber, blending effortlessly with Bali’s dramatic cliffs. Sleek infinity pools spill toward the horizon, reflecting skies ablaze with sunset colors, while open-air pavilions invite the balmy breeze to cool every corner.

Here, coolcations are born from a deep respect for place and climate—where design captures the raw power of the sea yet cocoons guests in tranquil luxury.

4. The Fah Lanna Spa, Chiang Mai, Thailand – A Sanctuary of Shade and Silence

Walking into Fah Lanna Spa feels like entering a secret garden carved from the lush jungles of northern Thailand. The design answers the tropical heat with thick wooden shutters, woven bamboo walls, and shaded courtyards filled with trickling water features. The interplay of shadow and light conjures a timeless calm, offering refuge for body and soul amid the bustling city heat.

This is a coolcation centered on well-being, where every corner whispers stories of tradition, healing, and a profound sense of pause—an invitation to slow down and savor stillness.

5. The Blue Lagoon Retreat, Iceland – Geothermal Cool in a Lunar Landscape

Set against a surreal backdrop of black lava fields and ethereal steam clouds, the Blue Lagoon Retreat marries high design with elemental forces. The geothermal waters, naturally warm, are enveloped by sculpted white silica walls and panoramic glass vistas, fusing indoor and outdoor with breathtaking effect. The coolness here is paradoxical: a distant landscape of volcanic austerity warms the soul while the crisp air sharpens the senses.

It’s an otherworldly coolcation that invites travelers to embrace contrasts—fire and ice, starkness and comfort—a narrative woven through every curve and contour of the architecture.

Each of these coolcations offers more than respite from heat; they invite us to experience travel as a sensory journey where design awakens wonder and elevates comfort. In a world rapidly warming, these escapes become essential for renewal—not just physically but emotionally and creatively. They remind us that the next frontier of travel lies as much in the spaces we inhabit as in the places we visit.

With every step into these cool sanctuaries, we come closer to understanding that true luxury is not just temperature controlled—it’s thoughtfully designed and deeply felt.