Where to Go in August: 10 Exclusive Retreats to Escape the Summer Rush
BY Jules PEULET
August is the ultimate challenge for the discerning traveler. When the entire world converges on the same coastlines, true luxury becomes about space and climate: seeking the coolness of high altitudes, the majestic isolation of Nordic fjords, or the silence of remote islands during peak dry season. To avoid tourist saturation without compromising on hotel excellence, La Suite has sourced 10 world-class micro-destinations. From Alpine peaks to Indonesia's wild sanctuaries, here is our confidential address book for an August defined by simplicity, design, and rarity.
August is the ultimate challenge for the discerning traveler. When the entire world converges toward the same coastlines, true luxury becomes spatial and thermal: seeking the coolness of high altitudes, the majestic isolation of Nordic fjords or the silence of remote islands in the heart of the dry season. To avoid tourist overcrowding without making any compromise on hotel excellence,
La Suite has sourced 10 world-class destinations. From Alpine peaks to wild sanctuaries in Indonesia, here is our confidential address book for an August under the sign of minimalism, design and rarity.
1. Sils Maria — Engadine, Switzerland
The atmosphere in August
To escape European heat waves, the upper Engadine valley is a climatic miracle. At 1,800 meters altitude, the air is crisp, crystalline, with a purity that Friedrich Nietzsche himself described as "champagne". In August, the Alpine lakes reflect an immaculate sky, offering sunny days and nights cool enough to appreciate a fireplace.
The precise spot: The village of Sils Maria
Nestled between Lake Sils and Lake Silvaplana, far from the ostentatious grandeur of Saint-Moritz, Sils Maria is the historic hideaway of intellectuals and aesthetes seeking absolute discretion and connection with monumental nature.
The aesthetic experience
Engadine hospitality masters a fascinating Alpine modernism. Very thick walls with asymmetrical windows (typical of Engadine architecture) house interiors where warm minimalism takes precedence. The suites showcase Arolla pine wood (reputed to soothe heart rate), Grisons stone and local wools. The absence of television is often compensated by vast bay windows acting as living paintings over the Bernina glaciers.
The Concierge's note: We will arrange a morning outing by traditional boat on the mirror waters of Lake Sils, at the moment the mist rises, for absolute tranquility.
Discover all our suites in Sils Maria.
2. Storfjorden — Sunnmøre Alps, Norway
The atmosphere in August
August is the perfect month to venture into the Norwegian fjords: the days are still incredibly long there (with the sun lingering late into the night) and the climate is remarkably mild. Nature bursts with deep green, contrasting with the darkened blue waters of the Norwegian Sea.
The precise spot: The wooded shores of Storfjord
Away from the routes taken by cruise ships, the Storfjord winds between steep mountains with snow-capped peaks. It is here, hidden in pine forests, that the most exclusive Scandinavian retreats are found.
The aesthetic experience
"Scandi-chic" takes on here its purest and most radical form. Hotel structures are inspired by traditional log cabins (laftehytter) or dare to venture into stealthy architecture with vegetated roofs and blackened wooden facades that disappear into the forest. Inside, the design is utilitarian and ultra-luxurious: suspended cast iron stoves, furniture by Scandinavian masters (Wegner, Jacobsen), sheepskins and enormous "glass boxes" extending over the void to contemplate the fjord from your bathtub.
The Concierge's note: Opt for a helicopter drop-off on a surrounding peak for a private gourmet picnic, with the fjord at your feet.
Discover all our suites in Storfjorden.
3. Sumba Island — Indonesia
The atmosphere in August
While Bali becomes saturated, the island of Sumba, an hour's flight further east, retains its wild spirit. August there corresponds to the dry season: rainfall is rare, humidity levels are low and powerful swells from the Indian Ocean carve out dramatic coastlines bordered by pristine, deserted beaches.
The precise spot: The southwest coast (Nihiwatu region)
Far from any urbanization, this stretch of coast is bordered by dense jungle on one side and world-class waves on the other. It is the paradise of "barefoot luxury" reserved for an elite seeking disconnection.
The aesthetic experience
Hotel architecture on Sumba pays magnificent homage to local vernacular constructions. The suites are vast villas topped with steep thatched roofs (symbolizing connection with ancestors). Interior design is both robust and refined: solid mahogany pillars, canopied beds draped in diaphanous mosquito netting, refined local craftsmanship (Ikat textiles) and outdoor showers carved into rock. Private pools blend into the canopy, overlooking the Indian Ocean.
The Concierge's note: Don't miss the experience of a horseback ride at sunrise on a wild beach stretching 2.5 kilometers, accompanied by local Sumbanais riders.
Discover all our suites in Sumba.
4. San Cassiano — Dolomites, Italy
The atmosphere in August
To experience the romantic drama of Italian landscapes without enduring the stifling heat of the Amalfi or Puglian coasts, the Dolomites are the ultimate sanctuary. In August, the mountain air is crisp and pure. At sunset, the limestone rock blazes with shades of pink and violet, an enchanting natural phenomenon called Enrosadira.
The precise spot: Alta Badia and the village of San Cassiano
San Cassiano is the epicenter of discreet alpine luxury. It boasts the highest concentration of Michelin-starred restaurants in the mountains and hotel retreats of unparalleled sophistication, nestled at the foot of gigantic rock faces.
The aesthetic experience
Design here fuses traditional Tyrolean charm with sharp contemporary minimalism. Suites eschew the cliché of rustic chalets for pure lines: untreated larch, Luserna stone, heated slabs, and felted loden fabrics. The vast floor-to-ceiling windows are designed with no visible framing to blur the boundary between the padded comfort of the room and the majestic rudeness of the Dolomitic peaks outside.
The Concierge's note: Book a private hot air balloon flight departing from the Pusteria valley to admire the Dolomites' rocky pinnacles from the sky.
Discover all our suites in San Cassiano.
5. Clayoquot Sound — British Columbia, Canada
The atmosphere in August
On Canada's wild west coast, August offers a gripping escape. The climate is temperate, often hovering around 20°C, accompanied by poetic morning mist rising over ancient rainforests. It is a territory of immensity and silence, rhythmed by the breath of the Pacific Ocean.
The precise spot: Coves accessible only by seaplane
Near Tofino, the Clayoquot Sound Biosphere Reserve is a maze of fjords, islets and old-growth forests. True luxury retreats hide here by the water's edge, cut off from the rest of the world.
The aesthetic experience
This place invented the concept of the luxury eco-lodge. Accommodation often takes the form of enormous "Prospector" safari tents in late 19th-century style, mounted on cedar platforms on stilts. Inside: king-size beds dressed in Frette linens, crackling cast-iron stoves, antique Persian carpets, and sculpture driftwood furniture. It is the aesthetic of the pioneer magnified to its apex, where showers are taken outdoors beneath the canopy of thousand-year-old cedars.
Concierge's note: Set out at dawn in a Zodiac boat with a naturalist guide to observe black bears foraging on the shores at low tide.
Discover all our suites in Clayoquot Sound.
6. The Mani Peninsula — Peloponnese, Greece
The atmosphere in August
For lovers of Greece who refuse the crowding of the Cyclades in the height of August, the Peloponnese, and particularly the Mani Peninsula, is a revelation. It is an arid Greece, powerful, sculpted by the sun and swept by sea winds, where one feels the true mythological force of the Mediterranean.
The precise spot: Villages around Limeni
Nestled at the bottom of a bay or clinging to the cliff face, these former pirate havens have remained untouched. No mass tourism, but a few discerning boutique hotels frequented by Athenians seeking anonymity.
The aesthetic experience
Mani architecture is unique: hotels are arranged in former fortified tower-houses (Pyrgoi) of grey and ochre stone, rising toward the sky. The renovation of these military buildings gives birth to a brutalist luxury of beauty. Raw stone walls, beds built in polished concrete, narrow openings framing the Aegean Sea like a loophole, and secret terraces paved with stone slabs descending directly into intense emerald waters. A mineral aesthetic, with no superfluity whatsoever.
Concierge's note: Request a private dinner set directly on smooth rocks at water's edge at sunset, where sea turtles sometimes come to swim.
Discover all our suites in Mani.
7. Sacred Valley of the Incas — Urubamba, Peru
The atmosphere in August
August marks the heart of the Andean winter. The dry season is at its peak: the sky displays an insolent blue, the air is remarkably clear, and nighttime temperatures approach freezing, offering the perfect excuse to retreat into comforting luxury after sun-filled days of exploration at high altitude.
The precise spot: The banks of the Urubamba River
Halfway between Cusco and Machu Picchu, the Sacred Valley sits at 2,800 meters altitude (which aids acclimatization). It is dotted with ultra-exclusive lodges that cultivate the spirit of a mystical retreat.
The aesthetic experience
The architecture of luxury Andean lodges is an encounter between Incan geometry and contemporary design. The suites are constructed with noble materials rooted in the earth: red adobe walls, exposed eucalyptus log timber framing, cut stone flooring. Enormous glass doors open onto private terraces offering a direct view of the snow-capped peaks of the Andes cordillera. Inside, traditional Peruvian textiles in alpaca wool sit alongside designer wood-burning stoves and bathrooms the size of private spas.
The Concierge's note: Arrange a private "Pacha Mama" ritual (earth ceremony) with a local shaman in the hotel gardens, facing the sacred mountain.
Discover all our suites in the Sacred Valley.
8. Braemar — Cairngorms, Scotland
The atmosphere in August
Late summer in Scotland is visually breathtaking: it is when the heather blooms, covering the mountains in intense shades of violet. August's climate there is crisp and changeable, bringing the dramatic melancholy characteristic of the Highlands. It is the perfect antidote to continental heat waves.
The precise spot: Cairngorms National Park
Around the royal village of Braemar (neighbor to the Balmoral estate), Scotland offers its most aristocratic version. Wild moorlands conceal ancient hunting lodges transformed into world-class boutique hotels.
The aesthetic experience
Forget minimalism, here we celebrate historical maximalism. The Highland Revival style deploys a comforting opulence: reinvented tartans, oversized leather upholstered headboards, bespoke thick carpeting, and bold contemporary art collections that stand out against walls adorned with dark oak paneling and deer antlers. Each suite houses a crackling period fireplace and a luxurious copper freestanding bathtub, perfect for warming up after a walk in the glens.
The Concierge Note: Enjoy a private tasting of rare Single Malts with the hotel's sommelier, comfortably settled in the original Scottish smoking room.
Discover all our suites in Braemar.
9. Mount Desert Island — Maine, United States
The August atmosphere
There is the European summer dream, and then there is the East Coast American fantasy. In August, the State of Maine benefits from fresh and invigorating breezes from the North Atlantic. The scent of pines, iodine and grilled lobster permeates the atmosphere with Old Money luxury, relaxed and deeply rooted in maritime culture.
The precise spot: The edges of Acadia National Park
Far from the commercial streets of Bar Harbor, connoisseurs settle in the villages of Northeast Harbor or Seal Harbor. Silent bays where exclusive retreats hide in the shadow of dense forests plunging into the sea.
The aesthetic experience
New England architecture reigns supreme here through the famous "Shingle Style". The grand summer homes, transformed into very private inns, display facades of cedar shingles weathered by the elements. The interior design focuses on timeless seaside elegance: painted pine flooring, pristine wainscoting (beadboard), subtle canopy beds and striped linen fabrics. Vast wraparound porches equipped with rocking chairs invite you to contemplate the silent coming and going of classic sailing boats.
The Concierge Note: We will charter for you a majestic classic Hinckley sailboat for a private late afternoon cruise, accompanied by the traditional Maine lobster dinner.
Discover all our suites on Mount Desert Island.
10. Kadavu Archipelago — Fiji
The August atmosphere
For the ultimate getaway in August, the South Pacific is the absolute answer. It is the heart of the dry season in Fiji: humidity is dispelled, days are bathed in radiant sunshine, and water clarity is optimal. Above all, you find yourself at the exact opposite of the tourism frenzy of the northern hemisphere.
The precise spot: Private islands around Kadavu
Forget the larger islands of Viti Levu. Fijian ultra-luxury is experienced on tiny private islands scattered across the south of the archipelago, offering the sensation of being alone in the world on your own coral sand bank.
The aesthetic experience
The design of the suites (the famous Fijian Bures) redefines sustainable tropical hospitality. The majestic roofs are made of hand-woven palm fronds, while the framework uses coconut wood and local mahogany. Living spaces, often devoid of walls on several sides, open entirely onto the beach. Oversized beds face the lagoon, showers are nestled in private fern gardens, and immense geometric infinity pools create a perfect optical illusion with the Pacific Ocean.
Concierge note: Request the organisation of a fully self-contained picnic on a deserted sand atoll, dropped off by boat in the morning and collected only at dusk.