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Guides
19 most luxurious all-inclusive resorts around the world
Melissa Klurman is a freelance travel reporter. Combining her journalism background with her love of exploring, Melissa turned her passion for travel into a profession, venturing everywhere from the Arctic to Zimbabwe in search of stories. She has worked as an editor at both Frommer's and Fodor's travel guides, editor at large for Bonnier's Travel Group (Islands/CTL/Saveur) and was a media spokesperson for both Fodor's and Travelocity. At Fodor's she created the first Southern Africa and African Safari guidebooks, which in turn has led to more than a dozen trips to southern and eastern Africa, including gorilla trekking in Uganda and a comically unfortunate horseback ride in the Kalahari Desert.
October 25, 2023 • 32 min read
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Quick summary
The article highlights top luxury all-inclusive resorts worldwide, offering exceptional dining, unique activities and high-end accommodations.
Featured properties span diverse destinations, including the U.S., Caribbean, Europe, Africa, Asia and Oceania, each with distinctive experiences such as private islands, wildlife safaris and spa retreats.
Amenities often include gourmet meals, personalized service, wellness programs, and exclusive excursions, with some resorts catering to families and others designed for adults only.
Rates vary significantly, with many resorts requiring minimum stays and offering packages with varying inclusivity, especially regarding beverages and certain activities.
What to consider
Some resorts require minimum-night stays and rates are typically based on double occupancy.
Inclusive offerings may exclude certain beverages, spa treatments or activities, so reviewing package details is essential.
Award bookings are available at select properties, with point requirements varying by loyalty program as of June 2024 per TPG's valuations.
What you'll miss from the article
A detailed comparison of standout amenities, dining options and signature experiences at each featured luxury all-inclusive resort.
Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.
Gourmet dining, private islands, butlers, unparalleled wildlife encounters and sumptuous accommodations: If you thought all-inclusive experiences were just about all-you-can-eat buffets and crowded pools, you’re in for a truly decadent surprise with this list of our favorite luxury all-inclusive resorts.
Nestled into a striking 4,200 acres in the Smoky Mountains, Blackberry Farm is where you go when you want a relaxing and luxurious getaway but you don’t want to break out your passport. Instead of a global journey, check in to one of this bucolic resort’s shiplap-clad cottages and snuggle up by the fireplace.
There are a number of ways to enjoy the vast foothills the property occupies, including hiking through the mountains, fly-fishing, cycling and horseback riding.
Blackberry Farm is most renowned for its culinary program, and all activities are really to build up an appetite for (or maybe burn off some calories from) the so-called foothills cuisine served at two main dining venues.
Elegant meals at The Barn (for guests 10 and older) include dishes such as farm lamb with crispy polenta and brown butter-poached trout paired with notable wines.
The Dogwood is a more relaxed venue where you’ll find fare like hangar steak with horseradish cream and honey-and-rosemary-roasted chicken. There is even a kids’ menu here with house-made purees for babies. Cooking classes and wine tastings are top culinary pursuits at Blackberry Farms, too.
Round out your visit with a treatment at The Wellhouse Spa, which offers a large range of skincare and massage treatments. There are special “junior” offerings here, too, for kids ages 5 to 16. Or, the kids can join the explorations and activities at Camp Blackberry.
Rates at Blackberry Farm start at $1,045 per room per night based on double occupancy; a three-night stay is required.
One of the most popular all-inclusive resorts in Mexico, Grand Velas Los Cabos has incredible food, great pools and beaches, and phenomenal ocean-view suites measuring over 1,000 square feet.
Best way to book:
Book through our partner Skylark for elitelike perks and on-property credits. If you have access to Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts, you can score a $100 spa credit, guaranteed 4 p.m. checkout and room upgrades when available.
A traditional all-inclusive resort in Mexico with a hyper-luxury twist, the Grand Velas Los Cabos is considered by many to be one of the best all-inclusive resorts in the country.
Just 30 minutes from Los Cabos International Airport (SJD), the family-friendly resort has a lot to offer guests, starting with stunning architecture, a series of pools overlooking the ocean (including an adults-only infinity pool) and included activities throughout the day like mixology classes, cooking classes, workouts and even fun things like painting hats with a margarita in hand.
The all-suite resort has rooms for every type of traveler, but know that you'll always have a balcony to breathe in the fresh salty air, and more than 1,100 square feet of space to relax in. Combine that with luxurious Molton Brown bath products, minibars stocked with premium drinks and snacks and a 24-hour butler concierge, and you'll likely never want to leave.
But the real star of the show at Grand Velas Los Cabos is the food. You absolutely cannot miss a multicourse tasting menu experience at Cocina de Autor, where the first course is a drink and bite in the beautiful lounge followed by a powerhouse meal created by a chef with two Michelin stars under his belt. All the other restaurants are also incredible, from steak and flaming coffee overlooking the water at Velas 10 to a pick-your-fresh seafood lunch at the top-notch buffet called Azul.
Rates at Grand Velas Los Cabos start around $1,295 per night, based on double occupancy.
Romantic weekends away or disconnecting in nature while surrounded by world-class amenities.
Why stay here:
Alila Ventana Big Sur is arguably one of the best Hyatt properties in North America, perhaps even the world, thanks to its one-of-a-kind location in California’s coastal redwood groves and the value you can get from your Hyatt points.
Best way to book:
Book through our partner Skylark for elitelike perks and on-property credits, or book using World of Hyatt points for one of the best redemptions in the program. It’s also available through American Express’ Fine Hotels + Resorts and The Edit by Chase Travel, where you can get valuable perks like credits to use on the property, room upgrades and late checkout, depending on the program.
An adults-only resort on California’s scenic Big Sur coast, Alila Ventana Big Sur feels like it’s been curated by your most fashionable bohemian friend, with 59 rooms and suites tucked into 160 acres with prime views over the redwoods and out to the Pacific Ocean.
Rustic room elements are all focused on bringing nature front and center, with unfinished wood beams and large windows with redwood views. Wood-burning fireplaces and wet bars in suites, pillowy duvets and luxe stone bathrooms with top-end toiletries supply the in-room luxury.
One of the features that draw guests is the resort’s Signature Experiences, with yoga, meditation and Tai Chi complemented by a wide variety of coastal and foraging hikes, plus axe-throwing and crafts such as botanical infusions and leatherworking.
You’ll also have access to indoor and outdoor fitness studios; chauffeur service within a 3-mile radius; and The Excursion Outpost, which offers complimentary items for use during picnics and hikes to the redwoods and along the coast, which are a highlight of a stay here.
Enjoy a relaxing dinner at Sur House, which serves daily changing menus of fresh, seasonal fare on its expansive heated patio.
At Spa Alila, indulge in unique massages and beauty treatments that deliver the benefits of all-natural, organic remedies with personalized aroma blending. You can also participate in an evening fire meditation or mindful wine tasting. This spa also has couples treatment rooms, as well as new outdoor cabanas and Japanese-style outdoor baths for a tranquil soak.
Rates at Alila Ventana Big Sur start around $1,300 per night for double occupancy, including all meals and various activities. World of Hyatt members can book this Category 8 property from 35,000 to 45,000 points per night.
Spectacular scenery, stellar service and one of the most Instagrammable pools in the world.
Best way to book:
Book through TPG partner Skylark to enjoy elite-like benefits and on-property credits; or reserve through American Express Fine Hotels + Resorts for value-added benefits like upgrades and late checkout based on availability, plus on-property statement credits.
Amangiri sits on an expanse of 900 acres of remote desert in southern Utah surrounded by soaring rock formations that make it seem as though you’ve been transported to another planet — one with an incredibly comfortable hotel, that is.
Its location in the Colorado Plateau puts the property in easy exploring distance to many national parks, including the Grand Canyon, Bryce and Zion, and Amangiri will help coordinate visits to any of these natural wonders. Included in a stay are multiple outdoor excursions ranging from canyoneering to adventures by air, bike, boat or horseback.
Playing off the landscape surrounding the hotel, suites and villas here feature polished white stone floors and concrete walls with natural wood structural elements and furnishings. All rooms have large patios that open onto the desert views and fire pits so you can watch the lavender-hued sunset and the twinkling night sky in comfort. Many rooms also have plunge pools.
Relax in the main swimming pool and hot tub by the tented pavilion, which is framed by the rock escarpment and surrounded by a lounging terrace with king-size daybeds. Or, spend time in the spa with treatments featuring Aman’s line of natural skincare products. There’s even a flotation therapy pavilion where you can find inner peace after a grounding massage ritual.
Dining here focuses on both Navajo as well as American Southwest flavors, all presented in a fine dining environment with dishes such as Colorado River trout a la plancha or a Three Sisters curry with Sonoran grains. Just note that most rates include all meals, exclusive of alcohol.
Note that kids and families are welcome at Amangiri — there are multiple-bedroom villas with private infinity pools, activities such as family-friendly scenic desert tours and even special menus for kids with wood-fired pizzas and a fun gummy bear dessert.
Rates at Amangiri start at $3,000 per room per night, double occupancy.
Whether you're there for a snowy winter or a sunny summer stay, know you'll rest comfortably in one of the 28 beautifully designed suites and cottages that make up the property, which happens to be set on 300 acres. Those suites all include luxuries like a bathtub to soak in, a fireplace to relax by and bespoke bath products tailor-made for the property.
With the all-inclusive formatting of the resort, guests can enjoy picnic meals in various locations across the property or seasonally inspired dinners in the gorgeous main dining room. Just don't forget to stop for an evening cocktail by the fireplace in the Barn Room.
Other included activities range from getting out on the water in a kayak, snowshoeing in the winter or hitting up the spa for a long soak in a Japanese furo (bathtub) at the spa.
Rates at Twin Farms start at $2,600, based on double occupancy.
Set on 280 sprawling acres in the Texas Hill Country’s verdant Balcones Canyonlands Preserve, Miraval Austin is a spa with plenty of personality.
Wellness at this all-inclusive doesn’t mean lettuce leaves and long hikes to nowhere. Instead, there are thoughtfully prepared meals with Texas twists, fun activities that incorporate country music and attention to personal comfort on your way to wellness nirvana.
On the daily schedule at Miraval Austin are included activities such as TexZen yoga (set to some Austin music favorites), a Hill Country challenge course and cardio drumming. You’ll also find more typical workout options such as a climbing wall, body sculpting and barre, hiking and pilates.
And then some offerings that don’t sound like a spa at all, like fly-fishing, the joy of java coffee class, wine tasting, salsa making and, because this is Texas, even country line dancing.
It’s not all classes and workshops, though. There’s also a top-notch spa at Miraval Austin. A sampling of the services includes relaxation massage, a moisturizing vitamin C facial and manicures and pedicures.
Food at Miraval Austin is wholesome, fresh, healthy and integral to the whole experience. You’ll find queso made with vegetables instead of cheese, for example, and cauliflower tacos, but also seared salmon and Wagyu beef burgers, plus healthy (ish) margaritas made with fresh lime, oranges and honey.
After the full day of adventures, get comfy in serene and elegant rooms with sumptuous “cloud” bedding that all have private outdoor space and views of either Lake Travis or the nature reserve. Some of the 117 rooms are spread across 13 different lodge buildings and feature outdoor “star” showers, too — the perfect way to end a day here.
Rates at Miraval Austin start at $977 per room per night, based on double occupancy. Award rates start at 40,000 World of Hyatt points per night for single occupancy and 57,500 per night for double occupancy.
Ballyfin is a luxury estate set at the foot of the Slieve Bloom Mountains in the heart of Ireland, just over an hour’s drive from Dublin — and it offers certain packages that make the experience mostly all-inclusive (save the majority of alcoholic beverages).
The 614-acre, park-like property comprises woodlands, a lake, water features, grottos and walled gardens, providing an idyllic private world for guests to explore. Within these grounds is the country house hotel, offering the very best of Irish hospitality. Hiking, cycling, fishing, horseback riding, archery and skeet shooting are all available, so bring your best tweeds.
Each of the 20 grand rooms and suites here is uniquely designed, but all are adorned with Irish art and antiques from around the world, rich fabrics and special touches such as regal canopied beds, fireplaces and crystal chandeliers.
The garden provides fresh produce for the State Dining Room, the property’s on-site restaurant (you can also meet the gardeners to check out your dinner ingredients) and local fish and game are also served in the elegant dining room.
For more casual dining, pull up a chair in the Cellar Bar. Ballyfin can also create gourmet picnic baskets to enjoy for an alfresco meal on the grounds or while enjoying the views from the cozy picnic house.
Rates at Ballyfin start at $960 per night per room, based on double occupancy. Just be sure to explore the "Special Packages" page to get a better understanding of the inclusive packages on offer.
It’s fair to say that Sir Richard Branson doesn’t do anything halfway. And Moskito Island, his newest private island resort in the Caribbean, is proof.
The 125-acre private oasis sits opposite its famous sister island, Necker, and features four estates available for rent exclusively through Virgin Limited Edition, all surrounded by clear Caribbean waters and sparkling white-sand beaches.
You’ll want to bring the family or a large friend group to fill up the first property.
The Branson Estate is an 11-bedroom mansion comprising three villas with plenty of indoor-outdoor living spaces set on the northeast tip of the island. Each villa has its own kitchen, living area, infinity pool and hot tub, and there’s a large, separate living room space where everyone can gather together.
Perched on the highest point of Moskito, The Oasis Estate is a nine-room retreat with a sleek, ultra-modern design. The four-story villa boasts unobstructed 360-degree views of the surrounding islands and has an infinity pool with a swim-up bar.
Nestled cliffside sits The Point Estate, an eight-bedroom home with an infinity pool and direct access to the beach. And finally, the nine-bedroom The Village Estate, which debuted in October 2022, is set atop Moskito’s cliffs and boasts a multilevel infinity pool with stellar views of the area plus an LED-lit staircase with lights that move to the beat of a song, and a private grotto beneath the estate.
It’s not just the accommodations here that are impressive. Moskito is an all-inclusive haven, and guests will enjoy a fully customized vacation.
The staff caters to every need, from setting up picnics and beach games on the island’s pristine Manchioneel Beach to themed dinners with live jazz bands. You can also enjoy the warm waters with kitesurfing, catamarans, stand-up paddleboarding, snorkeling and sailing.
Rates at Moskito Island for each property for one night start at $24,150 for The Village Estate; $28,750 for The Branson Estate; $21,750 for The Oasis Estate; and $20,250 for The Point Estate.
The pool deck at Impression Rooftop. ANDREA ROTONDO/THE POINTS GUY
Best for:
Discerning travelers that long for a beautiful, kid-free environment that's close to home (it's an easy nonstop flight to Cancun from many U.S. gateways).
Why stay here:
This exclusive resort-within-a-resort offers VIP access to several pools, a beach club, a lounge and gourmet restaurants — plus you have access to the entire Moxche complex. One of the best all-inclusive resorts there is.
Best way to book:
Book with World of Hyatt points to get the best value. Otherwise, book directly for elite night credit and benefits.
When it comes to sun-and-sand style all-inclusive resorts, Hyatt has been making big strides to bring the brand's offerings up to the next level. And that's where Impression Moxché by Secrets comes in.
The new property in Playa del Carmen quickly became one of the best in Hyatt's collection — and maybe even the best all-inclusive resort in Playa del Carmen. There, guests can expect large suites (starting at nearly 1,000 square feet), plus great amenities like private hot tubs, outdoor spaces and fresh and modern design and decor.
Of course, one great thing about all-inclusive resorts is that food and drinks are included, and guests here can enjoy meals ranging from Italian to French and Asian fusion to a seven-course tasting menu with wine pairings.
There's also tons to do. Start the day with a morning workout, head to the spa for a facial or massage, then take advantage of the resort's concierge service to book a day on a catamaran out on the water.
Rates at Impression Moxché by Secrets start at $800 per night, based on double occupancy. As a Category F in Hyatt's all-inclusive chart, award nights can be found between 42,000 and 58,000 points per night.
White Lotus fans who want the show’s scenery without the series’ drama.
Why stay here:
This is not a cookie-cutter all-inclusive. Everything here is the ne plus ultra, from the modern rooms to the elevated cuisine to the spectacular setting
Best way to book:
Book directly through the property for best availability as well as special offers.
On the northern coast of Sicily, standing atop rugged cliffs overlooking a stunning bay, Club Med Cefalú offers stunning scenery and a sumptuous setting.
Part of Club Med’s top-tier Exclusive Collection, the all-inclusive resort pulls out the stops for an Italian beach vacation. Enjoy the day relaxing on an oceanfront deck outside of your personal bayside suite, satiating your appetite with local Italian cuisine made from scratch and splashing in the infinity pool overlooking a 735-foot rock rising from the Tyrrhenian Sea.
Club Med Cefalú also offers various included activities such as yoga, hikes into the heart of the Sicilian countryside and sailing or paddleboarding.
Indulge in a sublime spa experience with a tropical shower, sauna or hammam while enjoying incredible views of the Strait of Sicily at the Club Med Spa by Sothys.
Rates at Club Med Cefalú start at $238 per person per night, based on double occupancy. A minimum stay of seven nights is required.
Intrepid travelers looking for a pampering escape in the bush.
Why stay here:
Encounters with wildlife with all the (human) creature comforts you need.
Best way to book:
Like many high-end safari lodges, there is no direct reservation option for Singita properties. You’ll need to book with an African travel specialist or travel agent to book both the lodge and the flights and transfers needed to reach the remote location.
It seems as though there’s nothing the staff at Singita Boulders, a plush outpost in the private Sabi Sands concession of South Africa, won’t do for you.
Feel a bit hungry? A plate of gourmet bites will appear in your room. Mention you have a slight chill? A fire will blaze in the fireplace the next time you return to your room. Casually talk about yearning for a glass of wine while you’re whizzing through the bush looking for lions or watching for wild dogs? Chances are the sommelier will have already located your vintage in the property’s wine cellar and have it waiting for you when you return back to camp.
And the stellar service is only a small part of the overall Singita experience. The safari is the reason you’ll come here, especially to spot the Big 5 — elephants, lions, leopards, Cape buffalo and rhinos — in one of the most game-rich spots in all of Southern Africa. The expert rangers and trackers at Singita will whisk you to the animals while also imparting incredible stories of the bush and the wildlife that lives here.
Back in your glass-fronted villa, spend the downtime between morning and evening drives lounging in your plunge pool, napping on the verandah or the canopied bed, or soaking in the massive freestanding bath. A masseuse is also on call.
The main lodge has an infinity pool, the Copper Bar — serving freshly pressed juices, espresso and cocktails — and is also where many meals are served.
However, there are a number of moments to surprise and delight when it comes to meals, including pop-up breakfasts in the bush, dinners around the boma fire and sundowner cocktails out in the wild as the sun sets.
Rates at Singita Boulders start from $2,182 per person per night, based on double occupancy.
Arriving in Patagonia can feel a bit like you’ve set foot at the edge of the earth. Windswept and remote, the landscape — often called the “Realm of Giants” due to its vast size — holds a wealth of fascinating natural wonders, including glacial landscapes, blowsy steppes and snow-capped mountains. It’s stunning and grand, and also not a place easily explored on your own.
Happily, the experts at Tierra Patagonia know every inch of the Torres del Paine National Park and can create custom itineraries for you to explore the park’s unusual terrain, including hiking, biking and horseback riding on land and boating excursions to explore the area’s pristine lakes.
After a day of exploring, kick back in suites decked out with natural wood and large windows so you can enjoy your view of Torres del Paine even when you’re indoors. Then head to the contemporary dining room, which also lets you keep an eye on the scenery while you feast on hearty stews, slow-cooked soups and tasty Chilean cuisine.
Another distinctive space at Tierra Patagonia is The Uma Spa, with steam rooms, a sauna and an outdoor Jacuzzi that all have stunning vistas of the surrounding lakes and mountains.
Rates at Tierra Patagonia start from $1,950 per person, based on double occupancy. Minimum stays are often required.
Travelers of all types looking for a highly curated and customizable, once-in-a-lifetime vacation in a destination that feels like the ends of the earth.
Why stay here:
Private luxury on a beautiful and unspoiled island where no request is too much.
Best way to book:
Book through our partner Skylark for elitelike benefits and on-property credits, or reserve your room through American Express Fine Hotels + Resorts to enjoy extra perks during your stay.
About an hour’s flight from Bali brings you to Sumba Island, a longtime favorite of TPG founder Brian Kelly, and it’s easy to see why.
The 27 freestanding villas at Nihi Sumba aren’t merely hotel rooms, they’re massive and magnificently designed homes. Depending on your travel group, you can choose from one- to four-bedroom layouts, all of which have canopy beds, elegant living room furniture and large, lushly landscaped private pools.
Explore the cerulean waters here with complimentary paddleboarding and snorkeling around Nihiwatu Beach. And surfers, take note: The swells here are some of the best in the world. There’s also a full complement of land and sea activities for an additional charge, including horseback rides on the beach or (and this is something we don’t see every day) swimming with horses.
Dining options include Ombak Restaurant, a relaxed, sand-floored dining space where breakfast and dinner are served daily, and beach barbecues are a specialty; and Nio Beach Club & Pool, where you’ll find lunchtime fare including rotisseried fresh-caught fish and hand-tossed pizzas.
Rates at Nihi Sumba start from $1,075 per villa per night, based on double occupancy. Minimum stays are often required.
Hidden amid a canopy of magnificent trees, Xigera offers high design in the renowned wildlife area of Botswana’s lush Okavango Delta. This property is newly refurbished and is now part of the Red Carnation collection. As such, it still offers the same incredible location, but now with luxury touches around every corner.
The 12 spacious and unique suites are individually designed to immerse guests in the experience of being surrounded by the floodplains of the magnificent Okavango Delta. If you’re traveling with kids, the massive two-bedroom family suite on two islands bridged together with an extraordinary bronze lily centerpiece, the emblem of Xigera, is sure to impress.
The property also showcases an extraordinary collection of pan-African art created by a roster of 80 globally acclaimed African designers, the scope of which is the first of its kind on the continent.
As with other safari lodges, you’ll have the opportunity to explore the wildlife-filled bush on twice-daily game drives. Only available here though: glass-bottom mokoro (a type of dugout canoe) excursions gliding across the delta’s waterways and a special sleepout experience in a baobab treehouse.
There’s also an extensive spa program in partnership with Tata Harper, plus practitioners focused on mindfulness, wellness and holistic healing.
Rates at Xigera Safari Lodge start at $2,597 per adult per night, sharing double occupancy.
Travelers looking for an exclusive, once-in-a-lifetime private-island experience.
Why stay here:
This private-island resort offers luxurious, spacious accommodations and a balance of relaxing moments and family-friendly activities.
Best way to book:
Book through our partner Skylark for elitelike benefits and on-property credits, including a $100 spa credit. You’ll also be eligible for an upgrade (when available).
Set in one of the most beautiful, untouched locations in the world, Jumby Bay Island is a private isle of simple pleasures in the Caribbean nation of Antigua and Barbuda.
Ringed by coral reefs and reachable only by boat, with no cars in sight, this private spit of white-powdered beaches and winding bicycle paths is a one-of-a-kind hideaway considered by many to be one of the Caribbean’s most beautiful resorts.
The 300-acre island features 40 suites, 14 luxury villas and 22 private residences, the latter of which have large pools that are perfect for families. All are just steps away from the pristine beach.
Fresh and local, the food here is a big perk, and miles away from the usual all-you-can-eat resort fare. Menus feature an abundance of fresh, sustainable produce and Moet & Chandon is the resort’s house Champagne. Don’t miss dining in the circa-1830 plantation house, recently revamped to the tune of $6 million.
Although you can have a romantic getaway here, especially in one of the luxury villas, Jumby Bay Island is also good for a family vacation. There are kids programs for tots through tweens that include cooking classes and zip lining, and visits to calm ocean inlets for easy floating for little ones.
Among the recreational offerings are waterskiing, windsurfing, wakeboarding, kayaks, paddleboards, catamarans, sailboats and snorkeling. Around the resort, there are bicycles, multiple pools and tennis courts, a yoga pavilion and a spa.
Rates at Jumby Bay Island start around $2,200 per room per night, based on double occupancy.
Just 20 miles off the coast of Panama is this palm-tree-filled marine paradise of 14 private islands surrounded by crystal Caribbean waters.
Islas Secas, the only developed island, has just seven casitas, with a maximum of 24 guests in the entire archipelago at any time. With a strong focus on sustainability, Islas Secas aims to create a tranquil hideaway that provides the perfect springboard for water and land adventures in this lesser-explored part of Panama.
There are several different accommodations from which to choose, all of which have either jungle or ocean views and impeccable style and furnishings. Tented casitas are the most unique and offer a true taste of indoor-outdoor living with walls that roll up to let in the views and sunlight.
Don’t worry, though, you won’t be roughing it: There is still air conditioning, canopied beds, polished wood floors and even outdoor soaking tubs big enough for two on the wooden decks. More traditional casitas are large and luxe, with one to four bedrooms, either tucked away in the dense foliage or facing the sea.
There are two spots for dining: Terraza, which offers an open-air setting for enjoying meals of locally sourced and Panamanian-inspired dishes; and Balboa Bar, the spot to kick back with a cocktail.
You can even relax into one of the pillow loungers and eat with the sand between your toes, enjoy a beach barbecue with the family or have a romantic dinner under the stars.
Explore the island paradise with a range of included activities such as guided nature hikes, scuba diving and snorkeling trips out in the archipelago, sunset cruises on a private yacht, wakeboarding, e-foiling, stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking and sailing. All stays also include a half-day fishing trip, as well as one 60-minute spa treatment per guest per stay.
Rates at Islas Secas start from $2,500 per room, per night, based on double occupancy. A three-night minimum stay is required.
More than 85% of the plants and animals in Madagascar are found nowhere else on Earth, but to see them, you have to journey to one of the truly remote wildlife areas of the world. Once you arrive, you’ll discover rare chameleons and curious lemurs in the jungle, plus the crystal-clear waters of the Indian Ocean teeming with sea turtles and marine life and birds everywhere you look.
Miavana by Time + Tide is unique even in this rarified setting. A relatively new resort on an island that was, until recently, only visited by pirates and fishermen, the entire property is an exclusive haven.
It took four years to plant the 100,000 indigenous trees you see now, and only natural and recycled materials were used to create the 14 private villas peppering the pristine beach.
This is not only an exquisite beach lodge on an untouched island. It also offers all the adventures you’d expect on a safari, with wildlife and activities galore — something that truly sets it apart as a destination.
Travelers can head out for an early morning dive to discover the underwater environment or heli-hop across to a neighboring island to search for the golden-crowned sifaka lemur and other endemic wildlife species.
The list of inclusions here is incredibly robust. You’ll have everything from guided lemur walks and quad biking to scuba diving and fishing trips, plus all nonmotorized water sports and a 30-minute spa treatment per person. All villas also include the use of an electric buggy.
Rates at Miavana by Time + Tide start from $3,400 per adult per night, based on double occupancy.
Couples eager to get away from it all in paradise.
Why stay here:
Far from the rest of the world and with just 35 villas, this stunning resort is the perfect place to spend some quality time together.
Best way to book:
Book through our partner Skylark for elite-lite benefits and on-property credits or through Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts for a guaranteed late checkout and potential room upgrades.
Yes, this is actually Marlon Brando’s former private island.
The reclusive “Godfather” actor purchased Tetiaroa Atoll in 1967 while filming “Mutiny on the Bounty” with the idea of turning it into a model of sustainability. It took until a decade after his death for his dream to become a reality for travelers to visit, but for eco-minded luxury lovers, it was worth the wait.
Each of The Brando’s 35 thatched-roof villas with varnished wood floors and dining and lounge areas has private beach access and plunge pools with views of the white sand and azure waters just beyond. They are also all powered with coconut oil and solar panels and are cooled using seawater.
The all-inclusive rate here truly encompasses an elevated level beyond any others we’ve seen. The culinary offerings were designed by chef Guy Martin of Paris’s famous Le Grand Véfour, and French Champagne is a given (this is French Polynesia, after all).
Activities focus on the blue-on-blue lagoon: snorkeling to spot sea turtles, rays, reef sharks and a dazzling array of tropical fish or exploring Polynesian outrigger canoe, kayak or paddleboard. Or, swim at Mermaid Bay and relax on the beach or by the pool.
A delightful additional perk: Spa treatments (one per room per day) are included here, too.
Rates at The Brando start around $2,600 per night, based on double occupancy. A two-night minimum stay is required.
Emerald green farmland greets you at this luxury lodge in the stunning Bay of Islands, where you can discover the beauty of northern New Zealand and enjoy panoramic views across the dramatic coastline and deep-blue ocean.
It feels a bit like Ireland here when you survey the glorious fields, posh country estate and PGA golf course that are part of the 6,000-acre Lodge at Kauri Cliffs. But then, your gaze drifts to the rugged New Zealand shore and the Pacific Ocean below, and you’re transported back to the far reaches of the Southern Hemisphere.
The 22 guest suites and a two-bedroom owner’s cottage all have private porches for taking in the bay views, while interiors have a soft-hued palette of neutral tones and comfy armchairs by fireplaces along with deep soaking tubs. One extra bonus for booking the owner’s cottage is its private infinity pool.
Meals are served in various dining rooms and feature a daily menu of seasonal, local dishes, including New Zealand lamb and fresh-caught seafood.
When you’re in this gorgeous corner of the world, you’ll want to spend all the time you can exploring what makes it so diverse and engaging. To this end, the lodge offers myriad activities, such as fishing, surfing, sea kayaking and hikes and nature walks to explore the area.
Golfers will want to leave plenty of time to play a round on the world-renowned golf course. Don’t golf? Spend that time soaking at the pool or Jacuzzi, relaxing on one of three beaches or indulging in a therapeutic treatment at the spa, which is nestled in the native Totara forest.
Note that this property will become a Rosewood starting Dec. 1, 2023.
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