There is nothing quite like being pampered and staying at top-rated beach resorts when travelling. The delicious breakfast buffets, maid service, massage and spa treatment, and the overall services make you feel like royalty. When you feel like pampering yourself on a vacation, luxury resorts can be a great option to unwind.
In this article, we’ll answer what makes a good resort while we list some of the best resorts in the world for your consideration.
What to expect during your next luxury resort holiday?
The first picture that comes to mind when thinking about a beach resort is, well, the beach, and most importantly, the climate. Many people who are stuck in dreary and cold weather yearn for a sunny tropical paradise to thaw out and relax.
That is why activities such as golf, tennis, hiking, swimming, and nature and culture tours can be expected at some of the best resorts in the world. Luxury resorts typically offer full-service up-to-date gyms, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, saunas, state-of-the-art amenities and excellent customer service.
Convenience is the main priority for hotel staff, and some of the best resorts have attendants that coordinate and make reservations for guests. Beach attendants can organize group activities, rent beach equipment from cabanas and umbrellas to catamarans and jet skis.
The top 10 best luxury resorts in the world
- Velaa Private Island, Maldives
- Nihi Sumba Island, Indonesia
- Royal Malewane, South Africa
- Atlantis, The Palm, UAE
- Sofitel Bora Bora Motu Private Island
- Jade Mountain Resort, St. Lucia
- Twin Farms, Vermont, USA
- Soneva Kiri, Koh Kood, Thailand
- InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort, Da Nang, Vietnam
- El Nido Pangulasian Island, Palawan, Philippines
10Velaa Private Island, Maldives
Allowing the Indian Ocean to take centre stage, Velaa Private Island was developed with privacy for guests in mind. Each private retreat was built using local materials that focus on sensory exploration.
The name Velaa comes from generations of sea turtles that inhabit the island. From above, the villas of this beach resort resemble the head of a turtle with the island forming the body.
READ MORE: The most luxurious hotels and resorts in the world
9Nihi Sumba Island, Indonesia
Nihi is one of the best resorts in the world, and an example of harmony with the environment and the Sumbanese people, as well as maintaining a sustainable operation. Nihi Sumba builds itineraries that go above and beyond the traditional vacation experience.
Additionally, what is unique is that once a day, 17 Sumba horses come running down Nihi’s 2.5km beach to swim with guests near the shore.
READ MORE: We ranked the best all-inclusive resorts in the world
8Royal Malewane, South Africa
Located in South Africa’s Greater Kruger National Park, Royal Malewane is a luxury safari lodge where guests can experience unrivalled wildlife experiences that provide fascinating insights into the complex ecosystems of the South African bush.
Guided game drives with expert rangers and trackers are conducted in the morning and afternoon aboard specialised open-top Land Rovers.Additionally, at the lodge’s special dining area, meals under the stars are served around the fire in the traditional boma or out in the African savannah.
7Atlantis, The Palm, UAE
The Atlantis Hotel on the Palm offers some pretty insane snorkelling in their 11.5-million-litre fish tank, the largest open-air aquarium in the Middle East. The Atlantis sits on the famous man-made palm-shaped archipelago overlooking the Persian Gulf and Dubai.
It is a massive luxury resort and has everything you need on-site. Besides, their Signature Suites offer bedroom views of an aquarium filled with 65,000 marine animals and palatial three-bedroom suites with 360-degree views.
READ MORE: Best underwater hotels in the world
6Sofitel Bora Bora Motu Private Island
This private island features stunning views of Mount Otemanu and Matira Bay and is only a few minutes’ boat ride across Bora Bora’s breathtaking fifty shades of blue. It’s the perfect choice for romantic getaways (no children allowed).
Unlike many other reef and beach resorts that have lagoon on one side and ocean on the other, this retreat is completely encircled by the lagoon, creating an all-around gorgeous view of Bora Bora. It is arguably one of the best resorts in the world.
5Jade Mountain Resort, St. Lucia
Clinging to a cliffside, the luxury resort encompasses a series of open-sided rooms and common areas that embrace these breathtaking vistas, so you always feel like a part of your surroundings. Despite their sweeping views, the suites offer total privacy making this a favourite hideaway for honeymooners.
The bold architectural design of individual bridges leading to exceptional infinity pool sanctuaries and rugged stoned-faced columns reaching towards the sky make Jade Mountain St. Lucia one of the Caribbean’s most captivating resort experiences.
4Twin Farms, Vermont, USA
Twin Farms is an 18th-century farmhouse 75 miles southeast of Burlington, Vermont that once belonged to Nobel Prize-winning writer Sinclair Lewis. It is the perfect spot to get away from the city and relax amid maple and pine trees.
There’s a guide readily available for walks through the surrounding woods, an on-call chauffeur for local outings, and even someone to bring you milk and cookies at any hour at this luxury resort.
3Soneva Kiri, Koh Kood, Thailand
Just off the coast of Bangkok, Soneva Kiri is one of Thailand’s most exclusive beachfront escapes. Located between the jungle and the ocean, this luxury resort features 36 villas made of recycled materials and sustainably sourced wood.
This luxury resort also has the jungle-enshrouded Cinema Paradiso, an open-air movie theatre set above a lagoon that screens films nightly.
READ MORE: The most beautiful beaches in the world
2InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort, Da Nang, Vietnam
You will be tempted to take photos of everything in this resort, from the Citron restaurant where guests can dine in a cone suspended over the mountain, to the white sand beaches dotted with palm trees.
The most popular of all is this luxury resort’s Long Pool: an adults-only infinity pool overlooking the entire resort and Son Tra Peninsula.
READ MORE: Top 10 best hotels in the world
1El Nido Pangulasian Island, Palawan, Philippines
This private island luxury resort is among the most posh in Palawan with 42 palm-thatched villas sprawled along white-sand coves. Villas are designed in modern Filipino decor – coffee-coloured textiles, rattan furniture and local art and have large private balconies.
The resort has special Canopy Villas that are perched 15 to 18 metres above the ground, having the most expansive view of the island’s greenery.
READ MORE: Best places to visit in 2020
Book your next luxury resort getaway
Thinking about booking your next beach resort holiday? We hope that these top 10 best luxury resort options are a source of inspiration that can help paint a picture of what is possible. Whether it be an African safari, kicking up your feet and relaxing on the beach watching the shades of blue change in the Indian Ocean, or snorkelling in a massive fish tank in Dubai. The options are limitless, and each luxury resort has something different and unique to offer.
