As travellers seek respite from constant connectivity Unplugged has launched Elsa, its first cabin retreat in Cornwall where guests surrender smartphones for a mandatory digital detox. Olivia Palamountain reports

Digital detox company Unplugged has opened its first cabin in Cornwall. The new retreat, named Elsa, is tucked into a beautiful tree line on a country estate.

Located just 10 minutes by taxi from Bodmin Parkway station, Elsa offers peaceful woodland walks directly from the cabin door, though guests should bring supplies as no shops or pubs operate nearby.

This off-grid setting is brimming with nature and wildlife; guests might encounter Highland cows or wild ponies whilst en route to the cabin, which offers front-row views of grazing farmland and exceptional stargazing opportunities in the area's official Dark Sky Landscape. (For more on these destinations, subscribe to Globetrender's VOLT trend platform and download the Dark Sky Tourism issue.)Guests surrender their smartphones upon arrival for a mandatory 72-hour digital detox, receiving old-school Nokia phones for emergencies only. The cabin features a phone lockbox alongside an instant camera, encouraging guests to capture memories without digital distractions.

"Research shows 72 hours is the optimal time to fully benefit from a digital detox," the company says, citing studies demonstrating measurable improvements in mental wellbeing and sleep quality after three days without screens.The fully equipped off-grid accommodation includes hot shower facilities, gas hob and complete kitchen equipment, plus a wood-fired hot tub and fire pit outside.

The cabin welcomes dogs but guests should note roaming wildlife nearby, including sheep, a friendly pig, ponies and Highland cows. Guests planning to explore can drive across the surrounding moors and stunning coastline, whilst those preferring to remain near the cabin can settle into what the company describes as "the slow life".
The expansion comes as Unplugged plans aggressive growth from 32 to 60 UK locations by year-end, reflecting surging demand for alternative wellness travel experiences that address modern stressors related to technology overuse.

Unlike typical accommodation that simply encourages digital restraint, Unplugged's mandatory phone surrender eliminates the possibility of distractions entirely, positioning the company as offering serious wellness intervention rather than brief technology escape.