This is what an ultimate luxury escape looks like. You are whisked in a small chopper flying over the endless blue of the Coral Sea to a secluded cove amidst the lush rainforest-clad hills. A handful of thatched bungalows hide there behind a swaying row of palms, exuding utmost privacy and calm. An off-grid Elysian Eco Retreat perched in one of the world’s most remote locations promises precisely that – the serenity kingdom and a chance to completely unplug from the world while still enjoying all the pampering of an ultra-luxury resort.

An escapist’s dream, the adult-only 3.24-hectare Elysian Eco Island Retreat is snuggled into a private cove at the southern end of Long Island just off Australia’s North-Eastern Coast. It’s part of an archipelago of 74 Whitsunday Islands with the fringing Great Barrier Reef at their doorstep. Whitsunday Island, the largest in the group, is home to world-renowned Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet. The Elysian Retreat, accessible by a short helicopter transfer or a tide-dependent boat ride, consists of only ten private villas. A maximum of 20 guests can stay here at any time. During the stay, the guests get front-row seats to the nearly transparent turquoise sea. All bungalows boast oceanfront views, spacious verandahs with daybeds and swings, and a sizeable private courtyard with outdoor showers.

The paddock of solar panels at the south of the resort provides most of the energy for this boutique eco-resort. Since the significant renovation in 2019, Elysian Eco Island Retreat is the first 100% solar-powered hotel on the Grand Barrier Reef. Thatching on the roofs has reduced temperatures by 10 degrees, while high cathedral ceilings crafted from solid Australian hardwood draw the heat away and upwards inside. Tanks capture the rainwater in massive quantities, then triple-heated to optimize usage. Vegetables and herbs are plucked straight from the island’s herb garden. Much of the food is sourced from surrounding farm regions, and organic bathroom amenities come from refillable containers.

The commitment to minimize the eco-damage to the environment is no sacrifice to the high-end features. This resort is the epitome of barefoot luxury with a highly personalized touch. According to Charlton Craggs, the Elysian Eco Retreat General Manager, the guests arrive as friends but leave as a family. The all-inclusive package provides three gourmet meals daily and complimentary soft drinks and water all day. There’s also an offering of a cocktail and canapés before dinner and premium Australian and New Zealand wine paired with each course. The kitchen champions the freshest local seafood.

Standouts range from grilled prawns and garlic calamari salad to pan-fried coral trout sitting on a garden salad and a kombu-wrapped red emperor. The menu changes daily based on the best ingredients available, and the chef is eager to cater to any of the guests’ particular meal preferences.

The luxury component extends to the lodgings and amenities, too. The bungalows’ interiors sport non-fussy coastal chic. Think thatched roofs and timbered floors with plump couches with plenty of wicker, cane, hanging chairs, and hammocks. All rooms boast ultra-comfortable king-sized beds, Bose speakers, fans, air-conditioning, televisions, coffee machines, and mini-bars stocked with select Australian beer and wine. White egg chairs circling a fire pit on the main lodge deck overlook the ocean and Conway National Park – and so does the breezy dining pavilion. The lodge is a perfectly accommodating place to laze out in a hammock, cozy up around an eco-fire with a book one had meant to read in a while or treat oneself to a cocktail watching a blazing sun dip behind the mountain. And as the night sinks in, there’s a large telescope for gazing at the multitude of twinkling stars.

Elysian Eco Retreat has a highly relaxed vibe which is all about decompressing and washing away worries and stress. Yet plenty of activities are available for those who prefer a holiday on the move. A free daily morning yoga session is a great way to embark on a day full of discoveries, and a plunge into the resort’s magnesium pool will relieve tension, detoxify, and energize the body. Personalized ayurvedic therapies and other holistic treatments at the resort’s day SPA will help restore the body and mind balance. Decadent spa treatments are based on the organic range Edible Beauty Australia created by naturopath and nutritionist Anna Mitsios and Subtle Energies aromatherapy line, which won AsiaSpa Awards multiple times. And tailor-made cooking classes led by the head chef are a chance to peek into healthy cuisine and the local products and flavours.

A brisk walk through the bush on a nature-marked trail is a chance to hear and feel the remarkably dense rainforest surrounding the resort. And those seeking more active pastimes can indulge in unlimited use of water sports equipment, including snorkelling gear, SUPs, and glass-bottom kayaks. The dedicated resort vessel, Lotus, can whisk adventurous travelers out to picnic on the neighboring islands or to explore stunning underwater fauna on the Reef. There’s an option to see the beauty of the Great Barrier Reef from above as well, taking a scenic helicopter flight over this tropical paradise.

The romantic and serene Elysian Retreat is also a dream honeymoon location and a magical setting to say “I do” – especially for those willing to elope or have an intimate family-only wedding with bespoke service. Just imagine having the resort exclusively for you with many offers specially catered for couples from candlelight dinners at the villa to romantic picnics for two on an uninhabited island.

The Elysian Retreat is one of the Southern Hemisphere’s most faraway and secluded destinations, but the long way to get there is totally worth it. It’s one of those few unspoiled natural sanctuaries left in the world where one can completely unplug, unwind, taking some blissful time out to reconnect with oneself.