Some of you travel for culture. Some of you travel to eat. And then there’s a special breed of you who travel for the hotels. Yes, you’re hotel junkies. You’re on the VIP list at Aman. You’re on a first-name basis with Louis the pool guy at the HdC. You’ve been to every Robertson-owned lodge in New Zealand, where the late Julien called in the rezzies for you himself. For the rest of us, where you’ve traveled are our future #goals. These are the hotels that define a bucket list, or in the case of this beauty, the 6-level 9-bedroom hotel villa that you need in your life. Staff of 18 included. And yes, you deserve it.
There are some of the hotels in the world that let you know that you have arrived. And by “arrived”, we mean the I’ve-accomplished-some-baller-stuff kinda “arrived”. Whether you are just wondering how the other half lives or whether you’ve made it to be the other half, this is your bible of the most luxurious hotels in the world to put on your list.
The Hotel: The Brando
The Location: Arue, French Polynesia
To be included in a list of the most luxurious, a crucial part of the hotel’s criteria is a deep history. The Brando easily attests to this standard; it is built on a three million-year-old atoll that was once a getaway for the Tahitian royalty. It also helps that 1950s heartthrob Marlon Brando founded the property. From the start, Marlon sought renewable resources for his 35-villa vision and now The Brando is a world-leading hotel in terms of sustainable luxury.
An abundance of plants secludes the villas, so if you’re looking for privacy, The Brando delivers. We haven’t even gotten to the best part. The Varua Te Ora Polynesian Spa is a sanctuary of its own; the entrance opens to a network of suspended pathways leading to “nests” for different healing practices. The Brando also has a store dedicated to Tahitian black pearls – a rare beauty and the perfect “I’ve made it” souvenir.
The Hotel: Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc
The Location: Antibes, France
Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc has a rich history, with 150+ years of supreme service. But another surefire reason it’s one of the best is the guest’s dedication. If a hotel continuously has regulars and an almost impossible-to-land reservation, you know it’s special. The hotel has mastered the art of elegance from the Grande Allée path to the infinity saltwater pool and designer-furnished rooms.
Options don’t end there, the hotel has five bars (one dedicated to ice cream), a lounge, and four restaurants. Don’t let the word buffet fool you at the Eden-Roc Restaurant, this is next-level stuff. The restaurants won’t be your only happy place; a collaboration between Dior and Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc for your spa needs means the choice of spa rooms, garden gazebos, or seaside cabanas… maybe all three?
The Hotel: COMO Laucala Island
The Location: Laucala Island, Fiji
COMO Laucala Island is one of the biggest private island resorts in the world with only 25 villas. The resort’s exclusivity is its superpower – staying here is like renting a private home. Except for a David Mclay Kidd-Designed 18-hole Championship Course, a 240-acre farm, and the Fiji rainforest, all of which happen to surround this resort.
Did we mention that the resort is all-inclusive? That includes food, drinks, and complimentary massages. The fresh produce is incorporated into the menus at their bars and restaurants with an emphasis on healthy eating. If health is on the mind, their spa COMO Shambhala Retreat is where the magic happens, on a hilltop with open-air treatments, you’ll find rejuvenation with the help of the island’s natural offerings.
The Hotel: Singita
The Location: South Africa, Multiple Locations
Singita makes it possible to enjoy the finer things and nature’s gifts in unison. The African Lodge brand is dedicated to environmental conservation. In fact, the first-ever Singita property, once a hunting concession, did a 180 and became a conservation reserve. Now, Singita has lodges in South Africa, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, and Rwanda covering six ecosystems across a total of one million acres.
You have to stay at Singita if a safari trip is on your bucket list. At a Singita lodge, you can live harmoniously with cheetahs, elephants, and rhinos; and there are no compromises on opulence. Have your pick, with lodges in South Africa featuring rustic accents, or a manor vibe at Singita Sasakwa in Tanzania. Each lodge celebrates its region in its culinary practices, activities, and decor.
The Hotel: Sirai House
The Location: Laikipia, Kenya
Safari trip: part two. Africa is home to some of the most gorgeous conservancy sites in the world and the secluded 250-acre estate Sirai House is up there on the list. There is the Main House along with six private suites, stables, a tennis court, and a spa on the property. The details are what make Sirai House a must-visit. Furs and drapery, mesmerizing lighting fixtures, large soaking tubs, and walk-in closets are just highlights of the rooms. Then there’s the food: produce is grown in the shamba, protein comes from local herds and farm animals, and even the honey and granola in your breakfast is homemade. For food that is good, the dining areas and drink pairings have to match. The grand dining room seats up to 22 and the wine cellar is a spectacle with more than three thousand fine wines, so mission accomplished.
The Hotel: Amangiri
The Location: Canyon Point, Utah
Aman Resorts never fails to create a one-of-a-kind understated luxury experience, and Amangiri is no different. Whether you choose between the resort suites or the tented pavilions of the Camp Sarika retreat, you’ll be enveloped in deep relaxation. The accommodations are beautiful in their simplicity, and there is no better way to let the mesas, canyons, and deserts of Utah shine through. Don’t be alarmed by the word tent, these pavilions are far from an average campground. Each pavilion comes with a private plunge pool, fire pit, and oversized terrace.
The camp harnesses the power of nature to channel the Old West spirit. Mindfulness walks, rock climbs, and guided yoga classes all infuse the natural elements into well-being. After a full day of wellness, you can fuel your body with the four-course ‘Spirit of the Journey’ tasting menu. Not only does it come with wine pairings, but is a tribute to the five indigenous tribes inhabiting the area.
The Hotel: Amanzoe – Villa 20
The Location: Agios Panteleimonas, Greece
One of the most show stopping hotels to open in the past 20 years is Amanzoe, set on the Peloponnese Peninsula on the mainland of Greece. We would say that Amanzoe put this region on the map as a place to vacation for the summer. The hotel is the very best of Aman, Greek-style.
Let’s set the scene: pavilions and villas are scattered amongst olive groves and the Aegean Sea. Dramatic Greek architectural elements like large columns, marbled floor terraces, and a serene environment that puts you into vacation mode. All of the villas and suites are sublime luxury, but then you get to Villa 20.
Villa 20
Amanzoe is on the list of the most luxurious hotels in the world because of this baller villa. If you’re a billionaire with a special occasion to celebrate, Villa 20 makes its way onto your list. This may just be the most luxurious villa to rent in the world too, as it’s a 9 bedroom, 6 level villa with 11 pools. The gym is 7,000 square feet if that gives you an idea of how baller this villa is.
Amanzoe Restaurants
Back to the regular scheduled program of Amanzoe though, restaurants like Nura where olive oil is free-flowing, and Nama for sushi which never disappoint. On this Mediterranean adventure, your skin and hair will glow from all the nutrient-rich omega-3-dense meals. Add sunbathing at the beach club and a watsu pool therapy session at the wellness spa and Aphrodite will be asking you for beauty secrets.
The Hotel: NIHI Sumba
The Location: East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia
Wilderness is at the core of your NIHI Sumba experience. There’s something therapeutic about bringing the outdoors in. NIHI Sumba incorporates natural surroundings in all aspects. You can cook from an open-air kitchen, take a ride with the wild horses along the water, or even shower outside while overlooking rice fields. The waters are perfect for surfing on its pristine beaches, and if you’re not a swimmer, no problem. Local activities are abundant, from weaving to touring the chocolate factory and checking out the stables and yoga sessions. Then there are the villas, the scene is ideal for both a romantic getaway and large groups. Mamole Tree House has three conjoint villas built around a tree trunk and for lovebirds, the Secret Villa is at the top of the spa with cliffside views.
FAQs
Q: What is a good family-friendly hotel?
A: NIHI Sumba has built-in children’s experiences like the Kids Pony Club, Kids’ Spa-tacular, wilderness programs, and chocolate making.
Q: What makes The Brando Sustainable?
A: The resort utilizes two varieties of solar panels and is the first resort worldwide, awarded the LEED Platinum Certification. Scientists work together to keep marine biodiversity on the atoll.
