Savvy travelers often try their best to stretch their pennies and save on accommodations to roam the world without raiding the coffers. But sometimes, folks simply want to be spoiled and pampered.
When you’re ready to splurge on the ultimate luxury getaway, it’s good to know where to go to make the most of it. Here are a few of the world’s finest luxury resorts that provide unique experiences worth every penny.
1. Kimpton Seafire Resort + Spa: Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands
Is this the best beach resort ever? That’s for you to decide. With its prime location on Grand Cayman’s Seven Mile Beach, fantastic all-day dining at Ave restaurant, the exquisitely refreshing Library by the Sea bar and lounge, the sumptuously soothing Seafire spa, and elegantly comfortable rooms and suites, it’s hard to argue that Kimpton Seafire Resort + Spa doesn’t go the distance to make your stay the ultimate Caribbean dream come true.
2. Londolozi: Kruger National Park, South Africa
For a uniquely luxurious ecotourism adventure, it’s hard to think of a better base camp than Londolozi at the foot of Kruger National Park. Londolozi seamlessly combines safari traditions with cutting-edge luxury and industry-leading environmental stewardship.
Though it may be tempting to lounge around at camp, this is the ideal place to head out for a guided tour to meet the local populations of lions, cheetahs, elephants, rhinos, and many more animals.
3. Ritz Paris: Paris, France
Opened by César Ritz and Auguste Escoffier in 1898, this five-star original continues to put on the Ritz like no one else. Come for the classically elegant rooms and suites and stay for the Espadon and Bar Vendôme, venues that both continue to lead in haute cuisine. Stick around to explore the spa, garden, boutiques, and bars, which will help you understand why this historic hotel is still considered the poshest address in all of Paris.
4. Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora: Bora Bora, French Polynesia
Located on the tip of Matira in Bora Bora, this Four Seasons not only feels like a world away, but it also truly does place you far away from the hustle and bustle.
At this tropical paradise, you will enjoy a spacious and serene suite, bungalow, or villa that lets you jump right into a picturesque turquoise lagoon and marine sanctuary. When you’re ready to do something else, the concierge team can help with everything from shark snorkeling to electric surfing.
5. White Desert: Antarctica
Just because you’re venturing to the coldest and most isolated continent on earth doesn’t mean you must lower your expectations for hospitality. At White Desert, you can take your pick of three camps that provide all the creature comforts that make you wonder how they made all this happen in Antarctica.
Because they offer all sorts of guided adventures, from summit hikes to South Pole expeditions, White Desert lets you explore Antarctica in epic style.
6. Mandapa, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve: Ubud, Bali, Indonesia
There’s Bali, and then there’s Mandapa, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve resort nestled in the charming Balinese town of Ubud. In the Sanskrit language, mandapa means “temple,” and this resort lives up to the name.
Already equipped with massive suites and villas with 24-hour butler service, a serene spa along the Ayung River featuring locally sourced products and treatments, and several show-stoppingly delicious restaurants, a concierge is also available to help you make the most of your great Bali escape.
7. The Vines Resort & Spa: Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina
Tucked away in Argentina’s premier wine region, The Vines Resort & Spa provides guests with a fully immersive wine country escape. Stay in a spacious villa that integrates all sorts of natural elements, swim in the heated pool sporting incredible views of the Andes Mountains, ride a horse into the scenic countryside, and taste the pinnacle of fine dining at the Siete Fuegos restaurant.
Oh, and, of course, you can blend your own wine at The Vines’ own winery—with grapes grown in the onsite vineyards!
8. Ballyfin Demesne: County Laois, Ireland
Why settle for any other hotel when you can enjoy the ultimate country estate? At Ballyfin Demesne, you will discover a splendid manor at the foot of the Slieve Bloom Mountains, where you can try some expert-guided shooting, ride some horses, partake in an Irish whiskey tasting, relax at the spa, or embark on a hike up Ireland’s most stunning mountains. After whatever you do during the day, you can return to the manor for your best night’s rest.
9. Six Senses Laamu: Laamu Atoll, Maldives
Sure, other tropical coastal resorts offer over-the-water villas, but do they seamlessly blend top-of-the-line luxury with a “no shoes, no news” carefree attitude like Six Senses does at their Laamu resort?
From the expertly designed villas that invite you to leave all your cares behind to the opulent champagne breakfasts and the studio dedicated to house-made chocolate, Six Senses Laamu truly provides the ultimate feast for all your senses.
10. Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc: Antibes, France
When you’re heading to the French Riviera, you might as well go all in on balling out. Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc definitely fits this bill with its stunning beachfront location in Antibes (between Cannes and Nice), ornately designed rooms and suites, a delectable collection of Mediterranean-style restaurants, and a posh spa that was created in collaboration with the legacy fashion brand House of Dior.
11. Çırağan Palace Kempinski: Istanbul, Türkiye
Known as “The Grande Dame of the Bosphorus,” it’s easy to see why the Çırağan Palace Kempinski is often considered Türkiye’s top luxury hotel.
Originally built as an Ottoman royal palace during the 1860s, this historic hotel still feels quite regal, with several grand restaurants, a sumptuous spa offering traditional and contemporary treatments, and a wonderful collection of recently renovated rooms and suites sporting some of the best views of the city.
12. Montage Los Cabos: Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur, Mexico
Over the years, Montage has quietly ascended in the ranks of the world’s top resort brands, and perhaps the best place to experience Montage-level hospitality is their Cabo resort. Even the Montage’s standard rooms measure a whopping 895 square feet—plus, they offer much larger suites, residences, and casas. Even better, the Montage sits right on the Playa Santa Maria, one of Cabo’s most beautiful and most swimmable beaches.
13. The Icehotel: Jukkasjärvi, Sweden
Make no mistake: This is no ordinary hotel! Though the Icehotel does have plenty of traditional hotel rooms that look and feel like the pinnacle of contemporary Swedish design, what really makes this place special are the rooms made entirely of ice and snow.
If you’re down for the ultimate “cold therapy,” book a trip that includes a night in one of their world-renowned ice rooms, and get ready for a unique experience that will give you eternal bragging rights.
14. Four Seasons Resort Whistler: Whistler, British Columbia, Canada
Four Seasons is one of the world’s most iconic luxury hospitality brands, and Whistler may be Canada’s premier ski destination, so the combination of these two results in something truly magical.
The Four Seasons is only a five-minute walk from the ski lifts, and this resort has a full-service spa, two restaurants, an elite (seasonal) whiskey bar, and a collection of well-appointed rooms and suites for the ideal après-ski experience.
15. Wynn + Encore: Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
In a town full of sizzle, these twin resorts serve serious steak: Yes, really, Wynn and Encore house several of Las Vegas’s finest restaurants, including Wing Lei for Chinese, Sinatra for Italian, and SW for classic steakhouse meals.
Beyond the restaurants, Wynn and Encore also offer lush pool grounds, lavish spas, the hottest nightclubs on the Strip, and some of Vegas’s most opulent rooms and suites. (Pro tip: Upgrade to the Tower Suites for even more luxury!)
It’s Okay to Indulge
After many long days full of hard work, you might very well be ready to take a break. When you’re finally ready for that break, why not make the absolute most of it?
Hopefully, you now have plenty of great ideas for your next five-star getaway. Because you’re reaching for the top shelf, you now know where to reach for the crème de la crème.