There are many luxury hotels and resorts scattered around the world. But these are ranked as some of the very best. Make sure to put a stay in each on your bucket list!
Asia:
Raffles Sentosa Resort & Spa, Singapore
More than 135 years after the original Raffles opened its doors, Singapore got its second Raffles. It is the first villa-only resort in the country, set among over 7.5 acres of tropical gardens alongside the beautiful South China Sea. The 62 villas all feature private swimming pools and terrace areas for the ultimate seclusion and comfort. The markers that make Raffles a legendary name — including the famous Raffles Butlers and Raffles Spa — are also central to the Raffles Sentosa resort experience.
Europe:
Manna Arcadia, Greece
Surrounded by forest at an elevation of nearly 4,000 feet in the dreamy region of Arcadia, Manna is Greece’s latest addition to its luxury hotel scene. It’s situated in a former sanatorium renovated by the K-Studio team to create a 32-room hotel that celebrates serenity, purity, pleasure, and craftsmanship. The hotel focuses on well-being and connecting with nature, with amenities such as a spa with treatment rooms, a library, and lounge areas. Wild treks and sunset yoga sessions are just some of the activities offered to guests.
Latin America
Banyan Tree Veya Valle de Guadalupe, Mexico
Banyan Tree Veya Valle de Guadalupe is a luxury resort located in the emerging food and wine parts of Baja California. The resort features 31 villas — all with swimming pools — and is home to Banyan Tree Group’s first proprietary winery. The resort occupies 39 acres of land and follows the brand’s philosophy of “sanctuary for the senses” offering a unique, luxurious experience that connects guests with the beauty of the surrounding valley.
North America
Little Palm Island, The Florida Keys
Little Palm Island is as close as you can get to reserving an exclusive private island in the continental United States. Accessible only by boat or seaplane, this Florida Keys resort is a secluded world of lush tropical gardens, crushed seashell paths, and 30 thatched-roof, Bahamas-style bungalows. With no phones or television, the soundtrack at this resort is the lapping of ocean waves, the rustle of the leaves in the breeze, and the melody of neighboring birds and tree frogs. Days are spent in hammocks fixed to the palm trees, lounge chairs on the small beach, and the world-class restaurant and spa.
Australia
Qualia Great Barrier Reef, Hamilton Island, Queensland
The resort’s sun-drenched location on the secluded northern-most tip of Hamilton Island provides the ideal location to appreciate the passing beauty of each day, with a choice of 60 extremely private individual pavilions, many of which have a private plunge pool and natural touches like outdoor showers. Guests may indulge and unwind at the stunning Spa qualia, or play at Australia’s only island championship golf course, the Hamilton Island Golf Club, with stunning 360-degree views of the Whitsunday Islands from every hole.
Africa
The Homestead, Nambiti Game Reserve, South Africa
The Homestead is a lodge with twelve luxury suites that blend into the landscape of Nambiti. It’s a little-explored Private Game Reserve and South Africa’s hidden gem. The ethos of the Homestead centers on sustainability, with a range of initiatives as part of the lodge’s daily operations: tree planting, rainwater tanks, and a solar farm that supplies most of the electricity. The suites, or bungalows, are true five-star luxury abodes. Six feature individual infinity pools — ideal for couples or solo travelers — while families or groups can choose among six garden suites.
Middle East
Nujuma, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, Saudi Arabia
The Nujuma is a luxury destination with 63 one- to four-bedroom water and beach villas and a range of luxurious amenities and services. Occupying a coveted spot in a small archipelago in Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea, the reserve makes for an easy choice for travelers seeking a distinct and luxurious escape in a chic, relaxed, and intimate setting.
Indian Ocean
SO/ Maldives, Maldives
SO/ Maldives is a luxurious 80-villa resort set on a private island only a 15-minute speedboat ride from Malé’s Velana International Airport. The spectacular villas are positioned on the beachfront or over-water, designed with avant-garde style and sophistication. The facilities here also include a chic beach club, a 30-berth yacht marina, and the Marine Discovery Centre with meeting spaces.
