After 2 years of extensive luxury travel around the world, I’ve chosen my five favorite luxury resorts. These establishments stand apart for their personalized approaches, creativity, extraordinary physical attributes, impeccable standards of excellence, and extensive amenities. They are the ultimate in luxury and sophistication. I’ve only included resorts that I’ve visited in the last two years. While there are thousands of resorts I’d like to consider, I have to cross them off my list first.
5 Best Luxury Resorts
Number 5: The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Golf Resort, South Carolina, USA
Located along the pristine shores of Kiawah Island, South Carolina, The Sanctuary is an exquisitely designed oceanfront hotel. It captures the spirit, history, and charm of the beautiful south. All guests enjoy onsite shopping, a spa, 12 different dining options, a club lounge, golf, a pool, and fitness facilities. Kiawah Island Golf Resort is one of the most decorated resorts in the country. In addition to the many golf, tennis and family awards, The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island has been honored with the prestigious AAA Five Diamond and Forbes Five Stars rating.
What set it apart for me: the highly maintained grounds, the unbelievable views, and the southern charm.
Number 4: Casa de Campo, Dominican Republic
A 7,000 acre tropical playground with world-class toys, Casa de Campo is more like a city than a resort, but with your own personal golf cart everything is at your finger tips. Casa de Campo’s unsurpassed amenities include golf, tennis, sport shooting, an Equestrian Center, watersports, pools, a private beach, a spa, a fitness center, shops and boutiques, and programs for families, teens, and children.
What set it apart for me: the endless sporting options, spa services, and personal golf carts.
Number 3: Gallery Park Hotel, Riga, Latvia
The only one hotel in Latvia, nominated a 5-star Superior luxury boutique hotel, Gallery Park is a heaven of grandeur, hospitality, and luxury. A gourmet restaurant with signature haute cuisine, impeccable, discreet service, a jet-stream pool, sauna, Technogym, and handpicked decor from Italy and France create the perfect setting for an unforgettable and a truly luxurious experience. Guest rooms and suites are decorated with antique furniture and original works of art. All rooms feature the most cutting-edge technology, spacious bathrooms with heated floors, luxurious amenities such as Frette bed linen, towels, bathrobes, and Thalgo toiletries. Gallery Park Hotel, a member of Chateaux & Hotels Collection, was opened in 2009 and has been already awarded the Best Hotel in Latvia and is located in the heart of Riga in a 19th century historical building that is on the list of the World Heritage sites by UNESCO.
What set it apart for me: the handcrafted furniture and lavish décor fit for royalty and the signature restaurant cuisine.
Number 2: Beaver Creek Lodge, Colorado, USA
Voted one of the “Top 40 Resorts in the West” by Condé Nast Traveler, Beaver Creek Lodge is an all-suite boutique hotel nestled at the base of Colorado’s Beaver Creek Mountain. Every suite features mountain chic decor, original artwork, and upscale amenities. Onsite amenities include: skiing, snowboarding, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, ice skating, snowmobiling, dog sledding, scenic chairlift rides, climbing wall, tennis center, 18-hole miniature golf course, fishing, hiking tours, river tubing, mountain biking, horseback riding, kayaking and rafting, hot air ballooning, and festivals.
What set it apart for me: the personal service, mountain vistas, and rustic charm.
Number 1: Matangi Private Island Resort, Fiji
Situated in the North-East part of the Fiji Group, Matangi Private Island Resort is an exclusively owned 240-acre unique horseshoe-shaped island paradise with virgin tropical rainforest and white sand beaches, surrounded by crystal clear waters and fringing coral reefs. Matangi Private Island Resort is the perfect South Pacific destination for couples seeking an exclusive Fiji private island hideaway.
Listed in Conde Nast Traveler as one of the “Top Five Most Romantic Resorts in Fiji”
Listed in Islands Magazine “Best Private Island”
As seen on The Travel Channel “Tremendous Treehouses”
What set it apart for me: the privacy, unique tree-top suites, and friendly Fijian service.
As I explore more of the world, my list will change but these luxury resorts have risen above the crowd as outstanding, luxurious places to stay. What are your favorite luxury resorts? Maybe I’ll add them to my list.
You’ve been to some exceptional resorts! The TOP of my bucket list is to visit Fogo Island, Newfoundland. The resort looks amazing!!!