Luxury properties across Europe are embracing a new kind of getaway, one that blends five-star comfort with the nostalgic spirit of summer camp. From Alpine wellness retreats to countryside adventures and family-friendly outdoor escapes, these destinations are proving that adventure and luxury can go hand in hand.
Tucked into Austria’s picturesque Grossarl Valley, Hotel Nesslerhof offers a refined take on camp-style adventure, rooted in wellness and the outdoors. The five-star resort invites guests to immerse themselves in the surrounding landscape, with access to more than 2,000 miles of hiking and biking trails winding through the breathtaking terrain of Hohe Tauern National Park.
For travelers looking to slow down, one of the resort’s most distinctive offerings is daily forest bathing, guided by hotel owner Tina Neudegger. The sensory-led practice encourages guests to fully connect with nature to relax and recharge.
For those seeking movement, the resort also offers tennis, swimming in its natural pond and outdoor pool, and reformer Pilates, with three dedicated retreats this summer focused on clarity, happiness, yoga, herbs, and breathwork. Families can join in, too, with kid-friendly hiking trails, themed game rooms, and spacious family suites designed for multi-generational escapes.
Across the English countryside, Wilderness Reserve takes the idea of a summer camp retreat to another level. Set across 8,000 acres of protected parkland, woodland, and lakes in Suffolk’s Yox Valley, the sprawling estate is built around privacy, conservation, and outdoor exploration.
Guests can spend their days walking or cycling along the property’s scenic trails, with opportunities to spot the reserve’s impressive wildlife, including more than 150 bird species, dozens of mammals, and hundreds of plant varieties, all monitored by in-house ecologists.
Traditional camp-inspired activities like birdwatching, falconry, paddleboarding, and bonfires are paired with unusual offerings such as tag archery, hawking, spoon carving, and ranger-led skill challenges. Accommodations range from secluded cottages to private homes, some complete with hot tubs, pools, and even moats, making it an immersive countryside escape with plenty of luxury woven in.
Meanwhile, in Surrey, Beaverbrook leans into old-world nostalgia with activities across its 470-acre estate. Set in the rolling Surrey Hills, the property channels the charm of classic family getaways with experiences like fencing, badminton, croquet, and tennis, all designed to tap into a simpler, more carefree kind of travel.
Families are especially well catered for, with Beaverbrook’s woodland adventure spaces featuring treehouses, teepees, obstacle courses, and outdoor play zones built for imaginative exploration. At day’s end, adults can retreat to elegant four-poster rooms with private terraces overlooking the estate, while younger guests can settle into bunk beds at The Village, the property’s newest family-focused addition.
