01 Nov Luxurious Destinations for the Ultimate Getaway
From island escapes in the South Pacific to European enclaves where you can visit sites that pop culture immortalized, these destinations ooze elegance. Look forward to mouth-watering gastronomic experiences and awe-inspiring culture and history.
Start your swear jar/vacation fund now to afford these once-in-a-lifetime luxury trips. From Necker Island, Sir Richard Branson’s private Caribbean paradise, to a rainforest lodge where you can wake up to howler monkeys and toucans, these dreamy locales will leave you feeling like royalty.
Maldives
There are many gorgeous beaches and fancy hotels in the world — especially in Hawaii, the Caribbean, and the Greek Islands. But what’s truly special about the Maldives is that, with some of their most luxurious resorts, you can get an entire, private island all to yourself. This is particularly true if you choose to stay on the Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi, which offers a Private Island Experience that lets guests have an entire ocean-surrounded playground all to themselves. When you arrive at the main international airport in Male, your hotel will arrange a seaplane or speedboat to take you to your destination where you can then enjoy personalized meal and activity services that let you really escape from the rest of the world.
Other Maldives resorts that offer this high-end vacation experience include the secluded Coco Bodu Hithi, which lets you slow down to the rhythm of your own heartbeat and explore the colors of the house reef by day and enjoy a transformative spa getaway at Soneva Soul by night. Or check out the round bijou coral island that makes up Baros Maldives for a resort that blends cultured elegance with the unfettered beauty of nature. At Soneva Jani, you can have your own waterslide from an overwater villa right down into a crystalline lagoon and, at the on-site Soneva Soul spa, enjoy a range of restorative treatments from around the world.
The Maldives is also a favorite spot for romantic couples. Whether you’re staying at the sun-brushed Six Senses Laamu on Olhuveli, where 97 weathered beachfront and overwater villas float atop emerald water, or the more intimate InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau with just 26 villas, where bicycles are the preferred mode of transportation for cruising along paved pathways that connect the lush green gardens to the pristine white sands, the idyllic vibe will have you falling in love all over again.
Mauritius
Mauritius is a tiny slice of heaven on the Indian Ocean. The island is famed for its gorgeous beaches, luxuriant palm plantations, enviable weather, and exhilarating water sports. It is also home to some of the best resorts in the world offering an epitome of luxury and comfort for tourists from all walks of life.
Mauritius offers everything from championship golf courses to peaceful spas and world-class diving. With its pristine white sand, azure waters, year-round sunshine and harmoniously diverse cultures, it truly is a tropical nirvana. Mauritius’s incredibly varied landscapes include craggy, jungle-covered peaks that cut through sugar cane fields, fishing villages and weekly markets, Hindu temples, stunning natural wonders, a lush, vibrant culture, and awe-inspiring architecture.
Mauritians are known for their incredible hospitality and visitors often feel that they are treated like family. The island is also a truly multicultural and multilingual place with English, Creole (which has been heavily influenced by French), Hindi, Urdu, and several other languages being spoken. It is a remarkably tolerant and friendly country with the majority of the population adhering to Hinduism but other religions are practised too.
Many of the top resorts in Mauritius are located on the east coast where the sheltered lagoon waters offer safe swimming and snorkelling. Some have amazing spa facilities, a choice of restaurants, and even a casino. Others are more remote and focus on eco-tourism with reclaimed wood furniture, considered pieces of art, and sustainably sourced toiletries. Some also have a focus on fitness and wellness with yoga classes, a gym, and an onsite physiotherapy clinic. They also offer activities including hiking, biking, bird watching, deep sea fishing, catamaran cruises, sailing, and a range of other sporting pursuits.
Monaco
Located in the heart of the Mediterranean Sea, Monaco’s privileged position is undoubtedly its biggest selling point. The tiny Principality is a hub for luxury, culture, and sports. “There are so many different nationalities here, and everyone seems to know one another,” says Marcela de Kern Royer, a Monaco resident. She also points to the mild climate, which makes it a year-round destination.
Whether you’re swaying on an overwater treatment bungalow, sailing around remarkable karsts, or pampering yourself at a world-renowned spa, this luxurious hideaway does it all. It’s no wonder that billionaires love to flock here to frolic on Godahl Beach, dine on exquisite international cuisine, and shack up in sophisticated ocean-view suites and villas.
While you’ll never find yourself in the same league as the world’s richest residents, you will be dazzled by the dazzling array of glamorous experiences on offer. From a Lamborghini driving experience to visiting the Oceanographic Museum of Monaco, there’s something for every luxury-seeker.
The city of light is home to more extraordinary five-star hotels than just about anywhere else on the planet. Among the very best is the Hotel Plaza Athenee. With its illustrious history and almost too many tres chic spots for Instagram-worthy snaps, this Parisian legend is a must-visit. Stay in one of its lavish suites to experience the true meaning of luxury. It will cost you, but the experience is worth it.
Bali
From tropical hideaways where Rihanna and Simon Cowell frolic to palatial Caribbean estates that rival Necker Island, these opulent destinations are known for luxurious beach villas, high-end resorts, and over-the-top excursions and experiences. We consulted travel experts (including many of our own A-list agents) to find these incredible getaways that are fit for a king. One thing that might pique your interest is the caravan ownership which you can explore to learn more since this is related to purchasing holiday homes.
A favorite destination for travelers from all over the world, Bali charms visitors with everything from dramatic dances and ceremonies to pristine beaches and rice terraces. It also offers a range of hotel options, from luxury resorts to affordable bungalows. The best places to stay include Kuta for nightlife and shopping, Ubud for cultural sights and natural beauty, Canggu for hipster cafes, Uluwatu for beaches and surfing, and Sanur for family-friendly accommodations.
The most luxurious hotels in the world have a unique flair, from secluded beach cottages designed to feel like home (Nihi Sumba) to safari lodges where guests sleep in rooms that are shaped like wrecked ships (Shipwreck Lodge, Namibia). KK Travel Worldwide’s Kristen Korey Pike recommends Laucala Island in Fiji, which boasts luxurious villas that mimic traditional Fijian homes with thatched roofs and organic materials—and are updated with modern luxuries, including private gardens lit by tiki torches, hot tubs, and personal chefs.
If you’re looking to spoil yourself, consider taking your vacation to the next level with a helicopter tour of the island’s pristine coastline or a trip to the top of a dormant volcano. Or channel the sweeping romance of Out of Africa at a lodge that helps you leave love messages in bottles on the beach (Las Ventanas al Paraiso). No matter what your style, these luxury retreats will give you a taste of paradise that is sure to have you coming back for more.
Dubai
The best luxury destinations aren’t just about high-end resorts, but rather unique experiences. For example, in northern Tanzania, sleep in a treehouse—an experience endorsed by Simon Cowell and Rihanna—at the secluded &Beyond Lake Manyara Tree Lodge. In Namibia, enjoy a safari and beach vacation at the Shipwreck Lodge on the Skeleton Coast. Here, you’ll stay in villas shaped like shipwrecks and venture out on 4×4 jeep safaris to the dunes and Clay Castles, extraordinary rock formations that house desert-adapted elephants, lions, and seals.
The Maldives, of course, is synonymous with opulence, thanks to the overwater villas that allow you to feel practically one with the emerald water. But you can also travel to the secluded island of Velaa Private Island for the ultimate in-resort luxury. Described as “a destination unto itself,” it offers equal parts contemporary wow-factor and secluded natural beauty.
A favorite of Sir Richard Branson, Necker Island is an intimate private Caribbean island with pristine beaches, white-sand beaches, and a variety of wildlife from turtles to flamingoes. The luxury hotel on the property tempts you to never leave, with a range of once-in-a-lifetime experiences like a barbacoa dinner or a one-on-one blind tasting with a tequila master.
Whether you want to indulge in the best of NYC, visit the awe-inspiring temples of Kyoto, or dine under the stars at a rooftop restaurant in Paris, there’s something for every luxury traveler. Europe, in particular, has plenty of luxury experiences, from a wine tasting with a sommelier to privately visiting the Colosseum.