10 Best Luxury Resorts in the World

When dreaming of the perfect honeymoon or vacation, many people picture unmatched luxury. Be it an African game reserve, a private island, or an elegant estate, there’s a luxury stay no matter what type of traveler you are.

Some of the resorts on this list are among the most expensive in the world, and others are pure luxury at excellent value. Here are our picks for the 10 best luxury resorts in the world.

Conrad Maldives Rangali Island, The Maldives

For a tropical all-inclusive vacation, one of the most fabulous places is the Muraka Suite at Conrad Maldives Rangali Island. Aside from its stunning location in the Maldives, we chose to highlight this suite in particular as it is among the most unique places to sleep on the planet and a perfect setting for a honeymoon or romantic getaway.

The suite has two levels, so it’s also a good choice if you’re traveling with friends or family. There is a living and dining space, a bathroom with sea views from the soaking tub, and an outdoor deck with its own swimming pool. Included in the rate are a personal chef, speedboat, jet skis, and even a film crew so you can cherish your memories forever!

Two bedrooms sit above the surface of the water, but the master bedroom is submerged below the Indian Ocean. Thanks to the acrylic dome ceiling, you can sleep in your very own aquarium and watch sharks, rays, and tropical fish swim by as you drift off to sleep.

The Muraka Suite is separated from the rest of the resort, so it feels more like you’re staying on your own private island. That said, it’s easy to access the restaurants, facilities, and amenities (such as watersports, a dive center, and a spa) any time you wish.

If this suite is a little out of your budget, the other rooms at the resort are also very impressive. There’s also a range of dining options on-site including the Ithaa restaurant, which offers an underwater experience!

Ikos Dassia, Greece

If you’re interested in a honeymoon in Europe, check out Ikos Dassia, located on the beautiful Greek island of Corfu. It is one of the few true all-inclusive resorts in the area and features a range of rooms and suites spread across two main buildings. One building sits beside the beautiful sea, and the other is by several unique swimming pools. Between these buildings sits the resort’s lovely beach.

The rooms at this resort are decorated in a modern style, with a Mediterranean influence, a neutral color scheme, and plenty of natural light.

Guests can choose from eight different restaurants and enjoy on-site amenities, including a spa, gym, live entertainment most nights, a sports center, and even a kids’ club to keep the little ones occupied while you relax.

Cottar’s 1920s Safari Camp, Kenya

Located on a 6,000-acre private game reserve in Kenya near the border of Tanzania, Cottar’s 1920s Safari Camp sits beside the Serengeti National Park and Maasai Mara National Reserve, giving you great views of all the wildlife here.

It is one of the most sustainable luxury properties in the world and offers a unique take on the words “safari camp.” Accommodations are made up of 10 ultra-luxe tents, each spaced far enough away from the next to offer plenty of privacy.

With four-poster beds, ensuite bathrooms, and antique furnishings as well as outstanding views, the accommodations leave little to be desired. Family-tented suites offer guests two bathrooms, living rooms with fireplaces, and a little more space. There are also honeymoon suites available, as well as the Cottar’s Bush villa, which has its own pool and sleeps up to 10 guests, perfect for family getaways.

Guests can enjoy communal-style dining, game drives, and walks led by expert Maasai guides, relaxing by the pool, or indulging at the spa.

Lily Beach Resort & Spa, The Maldives

Surrounded by beautiful clear waters, Lily Beach Resort & Spa sits on the Huvahendhoo island in the Maldives. It’s popular with snorkelers and divers, as it features fantastic coral reefs and some of the best dive sites in the world.

Villas at Lily Beach consist of both overwater bungalows and beachfront villas, each of which is outfitted with a contemporary interior and modern amenities, including air-conditioning, outdoor bathtubs, flat-screen TVs, and even home theater systems. There’s a selection of villa sizes too, ranging from family villas with interconnecting rooms to deluxe overwater bungalows with glass floor areas to admire the marine life below.

Dining at this resort is truly unmatched, with several dining venues and a range of cuisines from all over the world. There is plenty to see and do, including volleyball. tennis, snorkeling, an on-site gym, an overwater spa, and two swimming pools. The all-inclusive plan at this resort is optional. 

Royal Malewane, South Africa

If you’re looking for an excellent safari lodge in South Africa, Royal Malewane is a top choice. Situated in Thornybush Game Reserve and bordering Kruger National Park, it offers some of the best wildlife viewing on the planet.

While the resort only has eight suites, they are nothing short of extraordinary. Each features an elegant design, antique decor, and four-poster beds, as well as air conditioning, expansive decks, outdoor showers, and plunge pools.

Daily activities include both morning and evening game drives, as well as an on-site spa and a gym for guests to use at their leisure. While children of all ages are welcome at the resort, they must be over the age of 10 to stay in the luxury suites.

Isla Palenque, Panama

Set on a 400-acre private island in the Gulf of Chiriqui just off the coast of Panama, Isla Palenque is truly a hidden paradise. This eco-friendly all-inclusive resort is the perfect spot for a remote and tranquil getaway where you can make the most of the natural surroundings.

Thatched-roof casitas offer paths directly to the beach, outdoor soaking tubs, furnished terraces, and sliding glass doors.

A stay here includes meals and beverages as well as activities including cooking and pastry classes, morning yoga sessions, use of paddleboards and kayaks, and dance workshops. When you’re not too busy with one of these, there are seven secluded beaches on the island and a jungle forest interior with more than ten amazing nature trails to hike.

North Island, a Luxury Collection Resort, Seychelles

Looking for a nature-infused getaway at an eco-friendly resort in the Seychelles? Head to North Island, a remote island resort that prides itself on conservation and restoration. Guests can even get involved in the conservation of the island during their stay.

The open-plan guest villas have been constructed from local materials, harvested during the island’s restoration. There are just eleven of these set alongside a beautiful stretch of beach. Each has a chic interior with a combination of natural textures and materials, deep soaking tubs, netted beds, decks with plunge pools, and folding doors to welcome the outdoors in.

With the on-site butler service, guests are able to dine anywhere they choose on classic Creole cuisine, using mostly ingredients from the island. There’s a whole range of things to see and do while including guided walks, water sports, a spa, bicycles and electric golf carts for transport, two gorgeous beaches, excursions to other islands, yoga, and a selection of children’s programs including pizza-making lessons and treasure hunts.

Lizard Island Resort, Australia

Lizard Island Resort is a truly unique getaway. Located inside a national park right on Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, this amazing island is only reachable by a private air charter flight from Cairns, making it a beautifully luxurious way to start your vacation!

This all-inclusive resort offers a variety of rooms, suites, and villas to choose from, all with a modern style and plenty of natural light. If you choose to stay in one of the villas, you can also enjoy the use of a private plunge pool.

Despite offering only one restaurant, guests won’t get bored of dining at this resort, as there is a rotating menu on offer. If you’d prefer to dine outdoors, you can enjoy a sunset dinner on the beach with multiple courses.

Lizard Island Resort is a near-perfect dive site if you’re a certified scuba diver. If not, there are plenty of snorkeling opportunities right from the 24 gorgeous white-sand beaches scattered around the resort. 

Four Seasons Tented Camp Golden Triangle, Thailand

If you’re looking for something a little different, why not enjoy an Asian wilderness adventure? Bordering Burma and Laos sits the beautiful Four Seasons Tented Camp Golden Triangle in Thailand, which is a fantastic vacation spot if you’re a nature lover. 

Also featuring luxurious tents, these safari-style accommodations sit among a lush jungle background and feature elegant interiors with clawfoot tubs and handcrafted furniture. 

As Four Seasons’  first all-inclusive property, dining at this resort is also a unique adventure. Guests can take a foraging walk to pick their produce from the trees for the chef to conjure up a delicious meal with, or prepare their dinner with a Thai cooking class. 

Aside from the interactive dining, there is plenty to see and do during a stay at this resort. Guests can spot wildlife during a wilderness walk or river cruise, relax at the jungle spa, enjoy a day trip to a temple, or take hillside bicycle tours through rice paddies and pineapple plantations. 

The Brando, Tahiti

Tahiti is a spectacular destination in its own right, but if you’re looking for something extraordinary, book a stay at The Brando. Set on its own private island and boasting a three-mile lagoon, this carbon-neutral resort stands as a model of sustainability and is a top choice with many eco-conscious travelers. It works hard to preserve the island’s biodiversity and uses sustainable energy systems to power the whole island, including seawater air conditioning systems and solar power energy. 

The thatched villas have modern furnishings, natural materials, and a range of amenities including media rooms with TVs and WiFi, private plunge pools, and outdoor bathtubs. If you’re looking to explore the island, all the villas come with their own bicycles so you can head out at your leisure. 

Dining is especially praised at this resort and frequently incorporates fresh produce from the island’s organic gardens. Dishes fuse French and Polynesian flavors, focusing heavily on local seafood. Guests particularly enjoy the melt-in-the-mouth breakfast croissants. A range of vegan options are also offered. 

A hotspot for nature lovers, there is plenty to see and do here. With coral reefs for  underwater adventures, sea turtles nesting on the white sand beaches, snorkeling, diving, kayaking, and paddle boarding, you’ll likely want to spend most of your time outdoors.

For those who enjoy something a little more educational, you can head down to the eco-station to chat with the researchers and learn more about the island’s ecology and conservation, or Polynesian culture and history. Guests can also enjoy tennis, dancing, spa treatments, fitness classes, and deep-sea fishing. There is a Lagoon School to keep the little ones entertained.

Which of these best luxury resorts in the world appeals to you most? Let us know in the comments! And if you’d like help planning your visit, or want more suggestions, reach out to our trusted travel advisors. Their expert guidance can help you create the luxury honeymoon or vacation of your dreams.