Whether you’re looking for a last-minute getaway or already planning to pamper yourself in summer 2024, look no further.
There are some truly stunning luxury hotels dotted all over the world. Here are seven of the best.
1. Port Lympne Hotel, Kent
The Grade-II listed Port Lympne Hotel and Animal Reserve in Kent offers something of a unique experience.
The four-star boutique hotel sits within the 15-acre landscaped grounds of the historic Port Lympne mansion, with access to the 700 rare and endangered species housed in the Port Lympne Animal Reserve.
Relax like an aristocrat in one of the hotel’s eight luxurious bedrooms and then head out on a golf buggy ride, during or after opening hours, into the reserve. Here you’ll find spectacled bears, giraffes, zebra and more.
After your adventure, return to the hotel to explore its courtyards and terraces and have dinner at any of several restaurants and cafes that all pride themselves on the use of locally sourced ingredients.
2. Le Garage Biarritz, France
A mainstay of European royalty since the 1800s, Biarritz later became a buzzword for elegance and cool during the Belle Époque.
Situated in southwest France, Le Garage sits directly on the beachfront, promising stunning views across the Bay of Biscay or inland, over this picturesque seaside town.
The hotel offers 27 luxurious avant-garde rooms and suites, with beautiful terraces and a swimming pool. In your room you’ll find a coffee machine and flat-screen TV, while outside, you’ll find a town steeped in history and the wide sweeping beach typical of the Basque Coast region.
3. Son Bunyola, Mallorca, Spain
Richard Branson’s Son Bunyola hotel is situated within a Unesco world heritage site on the northwest coast of Mallorca.
Built within a 16th-century, 810-acre estate, you’ll find 26 bedrooms and suites, an outdoor pool and a restaurant.
With three miles of stunning coastline and acres of orchards and olive groves, you can set off to explore a different side of this popular Balearic Island or relax back at the pool.
Just be sure to check out the Foradada rock formation, a dramatic natural landmark that you won’t want to miss.
4. Six Senses Rome, Italy
The ancient city of Rome is steeped in history and famous landmarks of huge cultural significance. And if you opt to stay at the Six Senses Rome, you’ll be in the heart of the city, within easy reach of all of them.
Less than 500 yards away from the Piazza Venezia, you’ll also find the Pantheon and the Largo di Torre Argentina close by. At the latter, walkways allow you to walk above the 2,000-year-old ruins of a Roman Republic temple and the Theatre of Pompey.
The hotel boasts the BIVIUM restaurant and café, the NOTOS Rooftop bar, and 96 rooms and suites designed to offer calming tranquillity, away from the bustle of the historic city.
5. Joali–Being, Maldives
The Joali-Being wellness retreat is situated on a small, remote island within the Maldivian Archipelago, perfect for getting away from it all.
After a 45-minute seaplane trip, you’ll arrive at the wellness island and begin your recommended two- to three-week stay. Over that time, you’ll be guided along a path to self-discovery and renewal tailored to your own life journey and aspirations.
The food, accommodation, and activities (or, “curated offerings”) are designed around the four pillars of wellness: mind, skin, microbiome and energy. You’ll find spas, guided meditations and sound therapy, as well as a herbology centre.
6. Shinta Mani Mustang, Nepal
The Mustang area of Nepal, also known as the “Forbidden Kingdom”, opened to international visitors in 1992.
The Shinta Mani hotel, meanwhile, is set to open in August 2023 and promises a “bespoke, luxurious, cultural and spiritual adventure”, a once-in-a-lifetime chance to explore and enjoy an untouched paradise, far from the beaten track.
As well as horse riding, rock climbing and cycling trips, you’ll get the chance to hike among Buddhist monasteries and the snow-capped mountains in the shadow of Everest.
Each of the 29 suites has been designed in the open-plan style of a traditional Tibetan home and offers full-length windows to maximise the 360-degree views of the Nilgiri mountain and the magical paradise of the Forbidden Kingdom.
7. Chiva-Som, Hua Hin, Thailand
Winner of the Conde Nast “Best Destination Spa in the World” traveller awards in both 2021 and 2022, the Chiva-Som offers a one-of-a-kind experience.
You’ll find bespoke treatments across the hotel’s range of fitness studios, indoor and outdoor pools and spa treatment rooms, as well as yoga and tai chi spaces.
Once you’ve finished relaxing in the spa, why not retreat to your room and relax there instead? With 54 exquisitely refurbished rooms, you’ll find golden beaches, tropical forests and tranquil pavilions on your doorstep.
