What is a vacation if not for a luxurious, lavish accommodation to relax and lounge at! The ongoing holiday season got us sifting through a long list of the world’s most luxurious resorts and picking the top 25 that define luxury in the truest sense. From those that are tucked away in the game reserves of Africa to the ones that adorn the tourist-popular coasts of Thailand, the resorts are just what needs to be featured in your bucket list of stay options. Check ’em out!
1 Amanpuri — Phuket, Thailand
Quite literally meaning ‘the place of peace,’ Amanpuri in Phuket is indeed a paradise of a resort. One of the most premium properties in the world, Amanpuri offers an unmatched, luxurious experience on its own peninsula, where guests are pampered with experiences such as private yacht charters for island-hopping, dinners at torch-lit barbecues or bathroom vanities filled with large orchids. Doesn’t that sound like a dream now?
Prices start from $5000 onwards.
Book here – https://reservations.aman.com
2 Royal Malewane — Greater Kruger National Park, South Africa
The Great Kruger National Park in South Africa is already one of the greatest and most famous for jungle safaris. But what makes it even greater is the resort Royal Malewane in the Thornybush Private Game Reserve. The uber-luxurious resort has a handful of suites that make it one of the best jungle resorts in the world. What’s more fun are the game drives and other interesting activities that are organised by the resort.
Prices start from $4900 onwards.
Book here – www.theroyalportfolio.com
3 One&Only Gorilla’s Nest – Rwanda, Africa
The foothills of the Virunga volcanoes in Rwanda are home to the gorillas found in the mountains, thus giving the 21-room property its name ‘Gorilla Nest.’ But the property is much more than the flora and fauna found in the bamboo and the eucalyptus forests. One can go biking on the mountains, learn archery and drums or just sit back and enjoy the coffee-tasting sessions along with the other amenities that the resort offers.
Prices start from $4000 onwards.
Book here – www.oneandonlyresorts.com
4 Cheval Blanc Randheli – Maldives
Find luxury in the truest sense in this resort that is owned by the luxury conglomerate LVMH of Celine, Dior and, of course, Louis Vuitton fame. Set in Noonu Atoll, the northwest part of the Maldives, Cheval Blanc Randheli has a chic, classy vibe across all its villas. Soak in the sun, water and every bit of luxury this resort has to offer.
Prices start from $3250 onwards.
Book here – www.chevalblanc.com
5 Sensei Lanai, A Four Seasons Resort — Hawaii
The Hawaiian resort, which is 1,800 feet above the sea level and perched on the quaint, least-frequented and smallest island of Lanai, is what makes it a coveted property and a luxurious one at that. The wellness resort is an adults-only, which means couples who are looking to have a private getaway can consider this one to have that much-needed ‘us’ time right in the lap of luxury.
Prices start from $3000 onwards.
Book here – www.fourseasons.com
6 Deplar Farm – ólafsfjörður, Iceland
Situated in the endless acres of land that were previously sheep farms, the Deplar Farm is tucked in the Fljót Valley in northern Iceland. The icy terrains on the mountainous Troll Peninsula are ideal for every vacationer to go skiing. Apart from this, there’s kayaking, whale-watching, astro-tours and lazy geothermal pool times that can keep you occupied. And if you’re the lucky one, you’ll get to witness the Northern Lights quite closely.
Prices start from $2600 onwards.
Book here – www.reservations.elevenexperience.com
7 Le Barthélemy Hotel & Spa — St. Barts
Nestled amidst a lagoon and the Grand Cul-de-Sac beach in St. Barts, the Le Barthélemy is an epitome of luxurious stays in the region. Tread in the shallow waters or go kite-surfing, there’s plenty of water sports and activities to do here. Don’t forget to dine at the Aux Amis, which serves delectable French cuisine while keeping the menu just right in terms of the tropical vibe of the resort.
Prices start from $2400 onwards.
Book here – www.lebarthelemyhotel.com
8 Kokomo Private Island — Yaukuve Levu Islands, Fiji
It is only at the Kokomo Private Island where you would find their sweetest staff singing the traditional Fiji farewell songs to express their joy of hosting you and urging you to come back soon. A vacation here is an unforgettable experience that is replete with activities like snorkeling with the sharks, exploring the coral reefs, visiting the farms on the island and relishing the fresh catch of the day served on your plate.
Prices start from $2300 onwards.
Book here – www.kokomoislandfiji.com
9 Shinta Mani Wild — Ou Bak Roteh, Cambodia
The dramatic entry to this resort via a zip line that drops you right next to a waterfall is a glimpse of how close to nature your vacay will be. A plethora of activities also welcome you here such as participation in the anti-elephant-poaching patrols that would leave you feeling good about having a responsible vacation. The resort’s other activities include forest trailing, mountain biking, kayaking and taking a dip in the 100-foot long pool.
Prices start from $2300 onwards.
Book here – https://wild.bensleycollection.com
10 Singita Sabi Sand — Sabi Sands Game Reserve, Africa
Comprising three luxurious bases viz. the Ebony Lodge, Boulders Lodge and the Castleton Lodge, Singita Sabi Sands is definitely one of the gem resorts in South Africa. Expect suites that are glass-fronted, kitchens that are state-of-art and wine cellars that are overflowing with the best of wines from all over the world to blow your mind. While the architectural facets of the house are rich and traditional, some of the infrastructure is modern and lavish.
Prices start from $2300 onwards.
Book here – https://availability.singita.com
11 Velaa Private Island — Noonu Atoll, Maldives
Luxury meets privacy at the beauteous Velaa Private Island. When Jiri Smejc decided to build a resort, he had his vision set creating an experience where the guests can enjoy luxury with extreme privacy. Keeping it real private may be the motto of the resort but it doesn’t rob the guests of first-class enjoyment opportunities such as cocktail classes, turtle hatchery and conservation plans, diving and other water sports.
Prices start from $2250 onwards.
Book here – www.velaaprivateisland.com
12 Zadún, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve — San Jose del Cabo, Mexico
Say Ritz-Carlton and expect nothing but the best in luxury. However, for us, the Ritz-Carlton Reserve of Zadun in San Jose del Cabo, Mexico beats them all, thanks to the location of the resort that is situated on a 20-acre plot, partially sand dunes, giving an unbeatable view of the Sea of Cortez. Couple the scenic location with the finest suites, courteous staff and delectable cuisines to experience a vacation of a lifetime.
Prices start from $2200 onwards.
Book here – www.ritzcarlton.com
13 Cottar’s 1920s Safari Camp — Maasai Mara, Kenya
The resort has an unparalleled reputation of having the highest number of Gold Level guides in the safari properties of Africa, and that speaks a lot about the top-notch amenities the resort has to offer. The day and night game drives, spring-fed pools, and communal meals in the camps or out in the bushes are just some of the highlights of a vacation in this vintage resort.
Prices start from $1900 onwards.
Book here – https://cottars.com
14 The Brush Creek Luxury Ranch Collection — the United States
‘Reconnect, relax and rejoice’ — is the motto of this ranch collection that spans over 30,000 acres of secluded land. The all-inclusive guest ranches situated in Wyoming inspire you to pause from your daily life and soak yourself in an experience that gets you gazing at the golden sunsets and starlit night skies. The ranch collection is apt for family Christmas holidays, thanks to the numerous fun activities such as cross-country skiing, ice skating, snowmobiling, etc.
Prices start from $1900 onwards.
Book here – https://be.synxis.com
15 Hacienda AltaGracia, Auberge Resorts Collection — Pérez Zeledon, Costa Rica
With a view of the San Ysidro Valley, the expansive casitas of the Hacienda AltaGracia have spacious terraces laced with the finest leather and woods in the interiors. Check in here for a laid-back vacation where you can go horse-riding, visit the organic farms, lounge around in the pool when not spending your time at Central America’s largest spa. While at it, savour memorable meals at the farm-to-table restaurants.
Prices start from $1800 onwards.
Book here – https://aubergeresorts.com
16 Morukuru Family De Hoop — De Hoop Nature Reserve, South Africa
Situated a couple of hours away from Cape Town, you’ll find both — a five-suite Morukuru Family Beach Lodge offers access to the De Hoop Nature Reserve and the protected marine area. With a host of activities such as sandboarding, game drives, snorkeling, etc. lined up by the resort, one can never have a moment of dullness there. PS: The property is the only one where you can enjoy whale-watching from your bed!
Prices start from $1500 onwards.
Book here – https://book.nightsbridge.com
17 The Bodrum Edition – Turkey
The latest addition to Ian Schrager’s chain of hotels raises the luxury quotient with its 108 rooms, suites, and villas. The design is subtle and the kind that warms you up with stories of the evolution of design in Turkey. Enjoy a quaint staycation as you gorge the delicacies rustled up by the Peruvian chef Diego Muñoz and spend endless time getting pampered at the Turkish Hammam.
Prices start from $1500 onwards.
Book here – www.editionhotels.com
18 Airelles Courchevel, Les Airelles — France
France is all about the bests, be it the monument of love or the cutesy cafes or the resort of Airelles Courchevel that is inspired by a 19th-century Austro-Hungarian castle. The winter wonderland that is replete with 48 rooms, a Hermès-designed horse-drawn carriage, a ski lounge having the Bernard Orcel gear and everything that is synonymous with lavishness. The over-the-top luxurious resort is a coveted dream for all those who enjoy the finest things in life.
Prices start from $1400 onwards.
Book here – https://airelles.com
19 Rosewood Little Dix Bay — Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands
The resort was the work of conservationist and billionaire Laurence Rockefeller who discovered the beach when he went sailing a few decades ago. The newly renovated 80 rooms and one-and two-bedroom suites and villas are a striking example of fine design and elements that are borrowed from mid-century influences. The resort is ethically committed to sustainability with composting projects and reducing single-use plastics being some of the sustainable practices in place.
Prices start from $1400 onwards.
Book here – www.rosewoodhotels.com
20 Soneva Kiri — Koh Kood, Thailand
Living up to its reputation of being one of the most ecological luxurious resorts in the world, the resort espouses sustainability while giving an unparalleled experience. All of the 36 villas have a separate dining deck, private pools, indoor and outdoor showers, giving the resort a touch of uber-luxury. We recommend you to eat your heart out at the restaurants here, as the supplies are freshly sourced from their own farms.
Prices start from $1300 onwards.
Book here – https://soneva.com
21 Mashpi Lodge — Pichincha, Ecuador
Tucked away in Ecuador’s Mashpi Natural Reserve, the Mashpi Lodge is a luxury property that is replete with a unique focus on biology research. The resort aims to give its guests an all-round, immersive experience with nature, by getting a biologist on board who talks about effective ways to conserve nature and support the Mashpi project. If you’re looking for a luxurious vacation but with an intent to make a difference, this place is for you.
Prices start from $1000 onwards.
Book here – https://www.mashpilodge.com
22 Naladhu Private Islands — Maldives
The Naladhu Private Islands in the South Malé Atoll stands out and apart for serving their guests with everything impeccable. The 19 spacious rooms give you a unique sense of privacy while being attended by the butlers and staff who are available to serve you at your beck and call. We personally love the dining spaces at the Living Room where one can enjoy a dizzyingly wide range of wines under the stars.
Prices start from $948 onwards.
Book here – https://secure.minorhotels.com
23 Dorado Beach, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve — Puerto Rico
This gem of a resort in Puerto Rico by billionaire conservationist Laurance Rockefeller is one of the best properties by the ocean, thanks to the beach-facing terraces, outdoor showers, museum-like art and the spa. The Spa Botánico gets a special mention for its matchless tropical vibe and is anything unlike the regular spas. The resort offers a rejuvenating experience that makes you want to keep coming back every time you set out for a vacation.
Prices start from $862 onwards.
Book here – https://skylark.com
24 Capella Ubud — Bali, Indonesia
The resort is a modern take on the tents that were erected by the early-19th-century spice traders by the jungle in the north of the city on the Wos River. The theatrics of the hotel include a welcome survival kit, a carved walking stick for the wobbly suspension bridges that take you to the secluded canvas tents replete with saltwater plunge pools. The resort is truly a nature-friendly resort in the South Asian region.
Prices start from $845 onwards.
Book here – www.capellahotels.com
25 andBeyond Nxabega Okavango Tented Camp — Botswana, Africa
andBeyond has time and again proved that nobody does luxury better than them. The Nxabega Okavango Tented Camp is one of the trio in the Okavango Delta of Botswana that has nine tented suites in the luxury-meet-jungle kind of vibe in the famous jungles of Botswana. Some of the must in terms of activities apart from safaris and game viewing are bird-watching, motorized boat cruise, etc. offering an unforgettable experience.
Prices start from $835 onwards.
Book here – https://www.andbeyond.com
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