In the past few years, I’ve discovered some truly incredible hotels. My husband and I were having a conversation the other day trying to rank our absolute favorites. They are all so different so it was definitely a difficult task to pull together this list of the best luxury hotels in the world. I thought you all might enjoy hearing more about some of these unique properties to inspire your next vacation. Enjoy!
These are all places we have personally stayed at and paid for ourselves so you can count on me being a tough critic! 🙂
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1. Six Senses Zil Pasyon, Seychelles
My perfect day in Seychelles involved brunch room service on our porch, reading at a secluded beach all day, followed by snacks and rosé in the infinity pool until sunset, and completed with a dinner under the stars. Six Senses Zil Pasyon could not have catered to this leisurely honeymoon any better. It is the sole resort located on the private island of Félicité, blending seamlessly with the abundant, unspoiled landscape. Six Senses says it best themselves: “Coral-fringed beaches and massive granite rocks create an air of drama and beauty in this haven of perpetual summer.”
We loved staying on this private island because it felt like we were the only people there. They have an amazing spa, private white sandy beaches, snorkeling, kayaking, private infinity pools, incredible restaurants, and more. We spent lots of time drinking rose in our pool, reading books, walking around the island, and loved kayaking to a nearby tiny island. Although you are on your own island, it is about a 10 minute ferry to La Digue where you can spend a day biking to the different beaches.
2. Awasi Patagonia, Chile
The ULTIMATE in luxury hotels is Awasi Patagonia. Managed by Relais & Chateaux and named a Leading Hotel of the World, Awasi will blow you away with their first class service, cuisine, and friendly staff.
Awasi Patagonia offers isolation in a luxury setting. There is NO need to pitch a tent on the trails when you can stay here. A vacation to Awasi is complete with your own guide, 4WD, and truly tailor made experiences. If you are interested in glamping, you will want to stay at this luxury resort in Patagonia, Chile! One of my absolute favorite parts of the rooms is the wood-burning jacuzzi tubs. It’s the best way to relax your sore muscles after a long day of exploring.
Awasi Patagonia is committed to sustainability and proud to be completely carbon neutral. The Awasi brand protects 340 hectares of forests which absorb over 10,000 tonnes of CO2 each year. Additionally, Awasi puts a strong emphasis on sourcing local produce, meats, and even beer/wines.
3. Borgo Santandrea Amalfi, Italy
I recently returned from the most incredible vacation to Italy’s Amalfi Coast. We stayed at the most dreamy of hotels: Borgo Santandrea Amalfi and loved every second of our time there. This was a special trip – a babymoon – to celebrate our last international trip before we become parents.
I’m so glad I came across Borgo Santandrea, a true hidden gem on the Amalfi Coast. It’s one of the only hotels to offer a completely private beach and beach club right along the shore. We were able to enjoy a relaxing vacation to Italy without the crowds!
Did I mention the rooms come with a Dyson hair dryer?? Easily my new favorite marker for a luxury hotel!
4. Bürgenstock Resort Hotel and Alpine Spa, Switzerland
The Bürgenstock Resort is located in Switzerland above beautiful Lake Lucerne in the Burgenberg Mountain range. Arriving at the Bürgenstock Hotel Switzerland, up the winding mountains and approaching the grand entrance, feels sort of like you are arriving at the most luxurious summer camp! Ready to indulge in 5 star accommodations, partake in outdoor activities, and wine and dine every night. If you visit in the winter, I imagine it is a completely different feel while the property is blanketed in white snow. I can only guess that it is the coziest winter spot on the planet in front of the many fireplaces.
The Bürgenstock Hotel Alpine Spa and Pool is the main thing that drew me to this hotel. It is one of the nicest (and largest) spas I have ever been to, with Six Senses Zil Pasyon right behind it. The main feature is the large infinity pool overlooking Lake Lucerne and the Alps. It’s an indoor/outdoor pool available to guests regardless of a spa reservation. Make sure to head downstairs from the pool to check out the sauna (private women’s option available), cold plunge pool at 14°C, and relaxation room. The relaxation room is endless with plenty of options to sit! We spent an hour here reading books next to the floor to ceiling windows!
5. The Vines of Mendoza, Argentina
When visiting Mendoza, we chose to stay in the exclusive Uco Valley at The Vines Resort and Spa. The Vines is a 5-star hotel and the ultimate luxury retreat for your stay in wine country. Located on a vineyard at the base of the Andes Mountains, you’ll love this magical backdrop it provides to your adventures. With only 22 spacious private villas, this intimate paradise is the perfect spot to call home in Mendoza.
The rooms at The Vines Resort and Spa are all private villas with either one or two bedrooms overlooking the lake, the Andes, or the garden. The rooms are super spacious ranging from 1000-2700 square feet with full kitchen, living area, patio with fire pit and jacuzzi, and some rooms have a rooftop terrace – perfect for stargazing!
The restaurant featured on property is Siete Fuegos led by acclaimed Argentinian chef, Francis Mallman. If you have not seen his Chef’s Table episode, I highly recommend it before you visit Argentina. It’s available on Netflix. Siete Fuegos refers to the open flame cooking style (7 fires) and they serve seasonal dishes including salmon, grilled fruits and vegetables, empanadas, and of course, steak.
6. Casa Chameleon, Costa Rica
Casa Chameleon at Las Catalinas is an adults only hotel located above the beautiful town of Las Catalinas. The town is a fairly new development with villas, dining, shopping, and is completely walkable – no cars allowed!
Casa Chameleon is perched above the town on a cliff overlooking the Pacific Ocean. It’s the perfect intimate spot for your tropical getaway to Costa Rica! They picked us up from the airport and stocked the car with cold beers/drinks to enjoy for the hour ride. On arrival, we were greeted with fresh fruit skewers and a welcome juice before being escorted to our suite.
The accommodations are ultra luxurious villas tucked seamlessly into nature. You walk into the king bed room with a large bathroom to the side, complete with shower that leads to the patio. The large deck features your own infinity plunge pool with lounge chairs and room for yoga! My favorite thoughtful feature is the room keys shaped like chameleons.
The main infinity pool at Casa Chameleon is absolutely one of the highlights. It’s stunningly beautiful to lounge, take a dip, and drink margaritas! At sunset, there are flames lit around the perimeter making it even more gorgeous. See for yourself….
7. Verina Astra Sifnos, Greece
I still dream about staying at the Verina Astra Hotel. The truly incredible staff (that I still think about often) made this place so special for us. Prior to arrival they were great at coordinating transportation from the ferry port and arranging an ATV. When we arrived, they grabbed our luggage and escorted us right to our villa – no check in process necessary. It felt like we were welcomed to a friend’s house.
The villas are all named after constellations which I adore. We stayed in Delphinus, which means dolphin and is named for a small constellation in the Northern Hemisphere.
One side of the villa is a living and sitting area with a full bathroom and the other a king sized bedroom with a larger bathroom and additional entry onto the patio. The style is what you would expect in Greece: minimalistic, tranquil decor with beautiful stonework and natural palettes. Once you drop your bags, pop the bottle of wine in your fridge and enjoy the views over the vast Aegean Sea!
The hotel rooms and views are breathtaking, but the restaurant and infinity pool help complete the package. The pool was steps from our suite and often empty. We spent time here during the day, but also loved lounging here at night to view the stars along with a little (okay, a lot of) crisp white wine.
The restaurant at the hotel is quite impressive for breakfast and dinner. We dined here the first night and had one of the best meals followed by room service the next morning. I guess that is why Sifnos is called the foodie island!
8. Four Seasons Resort Jumeriah Beach, Dubai
Four Seasons Resort at Jumeirah Beach was the perfect home for our laid back days in Dubai. We were there to enjoy the culture and explore Dubai at a leisurely pace and this far surpassed expectations. The location is perfect, situated along the beach and close to downtown Dubai, historic Dubai, and the airport.
The accommodations at the Four Seasons Jumeirah are stunning and provide a sense of place without being overdone. The nods to Arabian decor are tastefully incorporated with local accents and materials. I personally loved the massive walk in closets to spread our things out! There are no bad views with the Persian Gulf on one side and the Dubai skyline on the other. We went for the city view because we were in such an incredible place – check out the views of the Burj Khalifa from our balcony!
Relaxing at the Four Seasons Jumeirah pool is a must! It is a peaceful environment with an adult only pool as well as a kids pool. I am so glad we ended our visit with massages at the Four Seasons spa. I had my first 90 minute massage and I did not want it to end. The spa is large, but intimate with unparalleled service you expect from Four Seasons. I loved the relaxation rooms where I was given fresh tea and locally made granola bars. Check it out for yourself!
And there you have it! A round up of the TOP best luxury hotels in the world that I’ve had the privilege to personally experience. Are you adding any of these to your bucket list? Let me know which ones in the comments below 🙂
10hotels says
Wow, these are stunning places that would make a great addition to anyone’s hotel bucket list. The photography is great, too.