Whether it’s a once-in-a-lifetime trip, your honeymoon or just time to relax and take a break, a bit of luxury on vacation can go a long way. Many hotels and resorts claim to offer you a slice of opulence but some hotels really do stand out if you want to live like royalty for a week or two.
Below we’ve listed some of the most luxurious hotels in the world. Peruse at your leisure and take your pick from the spectacular locations, sumptuous rooms, and infallible services.
We ranked the top 10 luxury resorts in the world
The world’s most luxurious hotels and resorts
Experience a James Bond-style getaway at Soneva Kiri, Thailand
With 36 villas built from sustainable eucalyptus and an electric cart transportation service, at Soneva Kiri, you can indulge in guilt-free opulence. Arrive James Bond style on a private airstrip on a nearby island and be ferried across to the idyllic Koh Kood via a short boat ride. Whilst some of the villas overlook a stunning private beach, others nestle in the hillside and all come complete with indoor and outdoor showers, a dining deck and a private infinity pool.
For a completely unique dining experience, look no further than Soneva Kiri’s bamboo ‘Treepod’ where you’ll be served exquisite dishes and fine wine by a ziplining waiter. If that isn’t enough excitement for your evening, you can top it off with an open-air movie theater experience.
Live like royalty at the Emirates Palace, Abu Dhabi
With nearly 400 rooms and suites, 40 conference and meeting rooms, a beach, a lavish spa and a multitude of fountains and pools, Emirates Palace- aptly named, is more like a royal residence than a five-star luxury resort. The marble floors and countless crystal chandeliers only add to the palatial effect.
Arabian style decor and elegant architecture are sure to capture your imagination as are the magnificent endless views of the sparkling Arabian Gulf. Take advantage of the impeccable service which includes a butler for all rooms and enjoy a luxury vacation to top all others.
Relax into nature at the Ritz-Carlton Langkawi, Malaysia
Experience the wonders of nature without sacrificing any of the luxuries by booking yourself into the Ritz-Carlton in Langkawi. Here you can drift asleep to both the sounds of the Malaysian rainforest and the gentle lapping of the waves of the Andaman Sea. With treatments that were designed to reflect generations of the island’s midwives and shaman’s learning, the spa experience in pavilions resting over the ocean is something, you won’t forget.
Get adventurous with hikes through the jungle or water skiing on a volcanic lake. Indulge in art by making traditional jewelry or trying out textile printing. Or sit back and enjoy your well-earned break by claiming your spot on the close-by Pantai Cenang Beach. The four restaurants and bars right on the beachfront make the perfect place to end your day.
Encounter ultimate exclusivity at Velaa Private Island, Maldives
Holiday like the world’s mega-rich for the duration of your vacation on Velaa Private Island, on Noonu Atoll in the Maldives. You can choose from an array of individually designed villas, all encapsulating the resort’s pledge to offer “beyond luxury”. With azure seas never more than a few sandy steps away, this resort surely epitomizes a luxury resort like nothing else does.
You may expect that such exclusivity comes at a cost to the variety of activities available, but think again! Sail, windsurf, dive, stand-up-paddle-board and jet-ski all day if those are your vacation requirements. You can even take a ‘Sea-Bob’ underwater scooter to propel yourself through the reefs.
Indulge in sumptuousness at Mardan Palace Hotel, Turkey
If you’re looking for an experience that epitomizes extravagance, the Mardan Palace Hotel in Antalya, Turkey, is sure to tick all the boxes. Built by the Russian Billionaire Telman Ismailov just over a decade ago, the Mardan can claim the prize for the biggest pool in the Mediterranean (over 1,000 guests can swim here). 17 bars, a sumptuous spa, beautifully decorated rooms, ten dining spots and entertainment from top performers make it easy to lose track of time for your whole stay.
If that isn’t enough indulgence to satisfy you, a sunken aquarium of exotic fish and a beach of several thousand tons of imported white sand can keep you fascinated for days and more.
With all-inclusive room packages and round-the-clock personal butler services, surely this is the pinnacle of luxury all-inclusive resorts.
See sublime scenery at Boulders Resort and Spa, Arizona, USA
Nature does the hard work at Boulders Resort and Spa, with a spectacular ancient rock-formation providing the ultimate setting for a luxury retreat. Blanketing 1,300 acres of the Sonoran Desert, some of the guests at this exclusive hotel are so famous that the hotel is not even allowed to disclose who they are. The spa compound is a vast 33,000 square foot and the options for outdoor activities are never-ending. Rock-climb, horseback ride and even stargaze to your heart’s content.
There’s plenty to experience here, but perhaps the most remarkable aspect of this astonishing retreat is the two on-site golf courses that are considered among the best in the U.S.
The best luxury hotel and luxury resort
Pick your favorites from our list above, get your reservation placed and your holiday wardrobe ready to live like a movie star for your vacation of a lifetime. From stunning settings to premium pampering, you’re sure to experience something out of this world.
