Travel & Living

11 Luxury Resorts Around the World

Discover some of the best luxury resorts you can visit on your next trip. 

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As we approach the holiday season, it is common to get the family together and collectively begin planning the next family trip. Choosing the ideal destination remains one of the most important factors in determining how successful your next trip will be. 

Amongst all the possibilities, one type of accommodation—resorts—is gaining prominence as tourism begins to reopen in many countries. Hotels characterized as resorts are an elegant expression of the union of many popular travel concepts: luxury, comfort, fun, and convenience. Resorts offer travelers a variety of food, drink, and entertainment options without sacrificing the glamour of vacationing from a privileged locale such as a beautiful beach or relaxing hotel complex. 

Globally located, luxury resorts are often more private and intimate than normal hotels or other common types of travel accommodations. As enchanting as the destination is, the accommodation experience at resorts differentiates itself from other popular spaces for relaxation through the centralized, convenient nature of the resort experience. Most resorts have spas and fanciful dining experiences, in addition to close contact with nature. Oftentimes a variety of food options are available, which should be taken into account when choosing your future resort destination.

All Inclusive, Full Board, and Half Board: What's the Difference Between Them?

Depending on the type of experience you're looking for, it's important to consider the different meal systems resorts include. All-inclusive resorts refer to resorts where the cost of the daily rate guarantees a guest's access to all meals during the specified day, as well as any snacks or special meal events throughout the day. Drinks may or may not be included as part of an all-inclusive meal package—this varies from hotel to hotel.

Full board resorts include only the three main meals of the day: breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Finally, there are half-board resorts. Ideally, this option is for guests who desire a resort located near the main tourist attractions of the destination. These guests usually want to spend the afternoon away from their accommodations to explore other locations. This model only provides breakfast and dinner, leaving the afternoon free for tourists.

Coziness, comfort, and fun are guaranteed at resorts. However, it is still necessary to know some other information, such as how resorts are more intimate, personalized experiences, in order to differentiate resorts from luxury hotels. 

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@lizardisland

Personalization: A Guarantee of Glamour and Elegance

Nothing expresses the concept of luxury better than personalized services for guests choosing to stay in resorts. Providing unique, exclusive experiences tailored to every guest elevates resort spaces from the average luxury hotel. By providing additional flexibility and attention granted to every guest, resorts make travelers feel personally taken care of in a relaxing, intimate space for vacation. 

What differentiates a resort from an ordinary hotel is its structure. A higher standard must always be maintained—from the cleanliness of private rooms and common areas to the attractions that resort spaces offer. Even if a resort is exotically located, these vacation spots are spaces filled with the latest technological features for hotel management and to ensure the best visitor experience. For example, resorts often feature smart appliances, strong Wi-Fi networks, and specialized software to enhance visitor experiences.

Food is one of the best ways to experience a culture. Luxury travel understands this and emphasizes it. When traveling, we want to discover new places, and immerse ourselves in the culture of our destination. This is why resorts often focus on local gastronomy without sacrificing luxury by featuring picturesque dining experiences and highly regarded chefs. 

Many of the accommodations featured here are not only the most luxurious, but also highly regarded and recognized worldwide. 

The Atlantis | Paradise Islands, Bahamas

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@thecoveatlantis

Divided into five towers—Beach, Coral, Royal, The Reef, and The Cove—this Bahamas resort references the legend of the lost continent of Atlantis. This resort readily embraces the local flora and fauna with an on-site aquarium featuring notable aquatic species and glass tunnels. A large complex of swimming pools, waterfalls, and rivers allows guests to experience first-hand the aquatic treasures here. This resort transports travelers to an otherworldly experience that blends luxury with adventure.

Naladhu Private Island Maldives | Maldives Islands

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@naladhumaldives

For those seeking an intimate resort experience, Naladhu is the best option. There are only 19 accommodations available, which guarantee total privacy to guests. Here, the view from your window will be the crystal clear waters of the Maldives Islands. This resort focuses on providing personalized, tranquil vacation experiences. 

Private gardens, sumptuous decorations, top-quality products, and even an infinity pool for your use are part of the daily rate, which is around $2,677.41. 

&Beyond Sandibe Okavango Safari Lodge | Botswana, Africa

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@andbeyondsandibe

Tourism in Africa is being explored more and more as luxury resorts recognize this untapped tourism opportunity. &Beyond Sandibe Okavango Safari Lodge is an all-inclusive resort located in the northern region of Botswana.

Safaris are one of the main tourist attractions in the country. This resort makes it easy for hotel guests to plan a safari without needing to leave their comfortable accommodations since &Beyond Sandibe Okavango Safari Lodge allows you to hire tours and boat trips on site. They offer an exclusive safari experience available only to guests so you can see rhinos, giraffes, lions, and elephants up close.

Four Seasons Bora Bora | Leeward Islands, French Polynesia

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@fsborabora

The Four Seasons resort chain is known for its comfort and luxury. The Bora Bora unit is considered one of the most glamorous of this resort chain's many accommodations. 

Guests are provided beachfront accommodations, with intimate bungalows facing one of French Polynesia's most charming beaches, Bora Bora.  It was named the best in the world in 2012 by US News.

Four Seasons Tented Camp Golden Triangle | Thailand

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@fstenedcamp

Also from the Four Seasons group, Tented Camp Golden Triangle is worth acknowledging here. Ideal for an end-of-the-year holiday, this resort offers guests all-inclusive dining along with activities, including elephant rides. 

Visitors experience the natural wonders, favorable climate, and rich culture of Thailand as they attend diving tours and excursions through local regions. 

El Dorado Maroma | Riviera Maya, Mexico

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@eldoradoresorts

For those who want to go to the Caribbean but don't want to stay in trendy Cancun, El Dorado Maroma may be the first option on the list. With overwater bungalows and overseas chalets, the suites express modernity while exposing visitors to the natural beauty of Mexico.

Luxury, of course, is at the heart of the resort. Glass floors, private jacuzzis, and renowned gourmet cuisine add value and refinement to the guest experience. You won't want to leave this paradise. 

Lizard Island Resort | Australia

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@lizardisland

Has the idea of staying on an island just for you ever crossed your mind? This Australian all-inclusive resort has 40 extremely luxurious accommodations in an area surrounded by 24 idyllic beaches on the Great Barrier Reef.

Ideal for nature lovers, being on an island gives you several possibilities to explore anything from the sea to the resort surroundings—all with the proper support from the resort at no extra cost. 

Burj Al Arab | Dubai, United Arab Emirates

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@burjalarab

Representing the luxury of luxury by being the only seven-star resort in the world, the Burj Al Arab has as its motto, “All that glitters is gold." In this case, the phrase takes on a literal meaning. Located in Dubai, the hotel has parts of its decor done in gold.

One of the landmarks of the Emirate, the Burj Al Arab has a famous sky bar with a privileged view of Dubai, while guests taste various dishes of Mediterranean cuisine.

It is interesting to search for car subscriptions and explore the main tourist attractions in the Emirate: Burj Kalifa (the tallest building in the world), the Dubai Mall (largest shopping) and even go to the neighboring Emirate, Abu Dhabi, to discover the Grand Mosque.

Wilderness Safaris Bisate Lodge | Rwanda

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@wearewilderness

Another country that's visited by tourists from all over the world is Rwanda. Located near the area of one of the former extinct volcanoes, the resort has daily rates of over $24,000.

Price is synonymous with exclusivity. Altogether, the hotel has only nine rooms and strives for the total relaxation of its guests. It is possible to enjoy the highlights of this resort while admiring Volcanoes Park, with its Mikeno, Bisoke, and Karisimbi volcanoes.

UXUA Casa Hotel & Spa | Trancoso, Bahia, Brazil

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@uxua

Finally, the best resort in the world, currently chosen by readers of Condé Nast Traveler, is the Uxua Casa Hotel & Spa in Brazil. More than encouraging domestic tourism, the resort shows strong ideals from its Afro-Brazilian roots.

Spread across more than 9,000 square meters, the hotel has a quartz pool, private gardens, and several attractions to entertain travelers. The resort also has various international restaurants with delicious dishes for all tastes.

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