1/50
Naladhu Private Island Maldives, South Malé Atoll
With only 19 expansive guest quarters in South Malé Atoll, this intimate resort provides a level of privacy and personal attention impressive even in the Maldives. Weathered-wood accommodations come with a private garden and an infinity pool, high-ceilinged interiors decorated in cane and tropical hues, and an open-air bathroom with L’Occitane products and a sea-facing tub for two. The Living Room’s dining spaces range from tables set around the all-glass wine cellar to cushioned Indian daybeds under the stars, and a fleet of dhonis adds onboard private dinners. Dedicated butlers, or VGCs (very good chaps), exceed expectations with quiet, smiling service. With a location only 30 minutes from Malé’s international airport by the hotel’s speedboat, Naladhu represents the Maldives’ most convenient exclusive destination yet.
2/50
Sanctuary Olonana, Masai Mara, Kenya
This camp, named for a Masai warrior, sits on acacia-dotted plains and prides itself on its eco-friendliness, using solar power and recycled water. Watch hippos wallow in the Mara River from one of 14 luxury tents with canopied beds, writing tables, screened windows, and verandas with daybeds. For meals, expect dishes such as Malindi sole, prepared with ingredients picked directly from the camp’s garden and served on the main deck—or book a picnic meal in the bush. Available activities include game drives in specially designed jeeps that offer 360-degree views of the savannah (and its inhabitants), visits to a local Masai village, and hot air balloon rides over the plains for a bird’s-eye view of the migrating herds.
3/50
Bahia Vik José Ignacio & Playa Vik José Ignacio, Uruguay
Want to book a room with a view? Start at one of the 11 unique stand-alone bungalows at Bahia Vik—with two or three bedrooms each and filled with site-specific art—or one of 10 suites in the central building. With views of the sand dunes of Uruguay’s eastern coast, the resort offers a library, a games room (with ping pong), a spa, and gym, all thanks to art-collecting and wine-making power couple Alex and Carrie Vik. Sister property, Playa, directly next door was designed by Uruguayan architect Carlos Ott, and the beach property contrasts startlingly with José Ignacio’s modest, whitewashed cottages: Six light-filled two- and three-bedroom casitas, walled in glass and roofed with sea grasses, surround a titanium-and-glass main building. There you’ll find an additional four suites, a Zaha Hadid–designed molded acrylic bench, and a wall of pulsating light from artist James Turrell in a dining area overlooking the beach.
4/50
Niyama Private Islands Maldives, Dhaalu Atoll
Booking at Niyama Private Island Maldives is the first step toward doing the Maldives right, as it’s the perfect resort for a honeymoon—but surprisingly great for families, too. Privacy is the operative word here, as the resort spans two islands, named “Play” and “Chill.” On Play, you’ll find water-based activities like zooming through the lagoon on an underwater rocket, or land-based ones, like a kid’s Zumba. On Chill, you’ll find incredible spa treatments and soothing, over-water studios. You don’t have to choose just one island, however, so hopping between is encouraged.
5/50
Jumby Bay Island, Antigua
Reopened in October 2017 as an Oetker Collection member (formally a Rosewood resort), Jumby Bay Island is accessible only by boat, with not a car in sight. With 40 villas off the coast of Antigua, there’s no need to worry about getting off the all-inclusive island. You’ll be plenty busy on one of the resort’s three tennis courts, two pools, more than four miles of beach, and kids’ club, for when you want to be anything but busy.
6/50
andBeyond Matetsi River Lodge, Matetsi Private Game Reserve, Zimbabwe
The best alternative to the stalwart (and crowded) Victoria Falls Hotel, andBeyond Matetsi River Lodge reopened last summer at the andBeyond Matetsi Private Game Reserve with modern stone-and-thatch bandas in a 123,500-acre concession 25 miles up the Zambezi River from the falls. Expect good elephant herds, a gym, and an 82-foot-long pool.
7/50
The Lodge & Spa at Brush Creek Ranch, Saratoga, WY
Consistently rated the best resort in the U.S. by our readers, The Lodge & Spa at Brush Creek Ranch—set on 30,000 acres amid the Sierra Madres—executes the luxury dude ranch concept with skill and style. Think spotted cowhide chairs in the lounge, fur throws at the edge of knotty wooden king-sized beds, and yurts decked out with antler chandeliers and leather couches. For an upscale group getaway, book the nine cabins that make up the Magee Homestead—it comes with its own concierge service.
8/50
L’Horizon Resort & Spa, Palm Springs, CA
“There were a lot of fun hotels in Palm Springs, but there weren’t any great ones, and I wanted to change this.” So says Steve Hermann, the L.A.–based residential designer who spent two years (and millions of dollars) turning the historic William F. Cody–designed L’Horizon into a luxurious boutique hotel. Hermann didn’t alter the footprint much—the main house and most of the 25 bungalows were built in 1952 as a vacation spot for Hollywood producer Jack Wrather (Lassie; The Lone Ranger)—but he added an open-air spa and an alfresco restaurant and gut-renovated the interiors.
9/50
Anantara Hua Hin Resort, Thailand
Just south of Bangkok, the Anantara Hua Hin Resort, set in a sleepy seaside town once frequented by Thai royals as their summer playground, still looks the regal part. Rooms have hand-crafted wooden armoires, luxurious silk accents, and the occasional private terrace that overlooks either the tropical gardens or the Gulf of Thailand. The roughly 14-acre garden dreamt up by architect and landscape designer Bill Bensley is designed to resemble an ancient Thai village, and water features like lagoons and lotus ponds fill the deeply lush property. With nine restaurants and lounges, there’s a lot to choose from: Readers recommend Rim Nam for Thai and fusion cuisines, or Spice Spoons, to school you in the art of perfectly balanced curries.
10/50
Cuixmala, Costalegre, Mexico
Cuixmala, a private estate south of Puerto Vallarta with four suites, six bungalows, three private villas, and 10 casitas, sits on a private beach backed by a 25,000-acre nature preserve. It doesn’t have a kids’ club, but who needs one when the whole family can go horseback riding and fishing, and watch sea turtles lay their eggs on the beach?
11/50
The Ranch at Rock Creek, Philipsburg, MT
At first glance, the price tag for a night at The Ranch at Rock Creek—upwards of $1,000 per person—is enough to make you do a double take. Dig a little deeper, though, and you’ll see that this luxury resort is worth it (and then some). All activities, meals, and most drinks are included in the rate, and the 25 accommodations, which comprise standard rooms, standalone log homes, and river-side cabins, are a welcome respite after a day of horseback riding, cross-country skiing, skeet shooting, fly fishing, and more across the 6,000-acre mountain playground.
12/50
Ulusaba Private Game Reserve, Sabi Sand, South Africa
One of Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Limited Edition collection of retreats, this private game reserve has 21 rooms and suites spread over two lodges. At the Rock Lodge, enjoy a post-game drive cocktail with panoramic views of the Drakensberg Mountains. Just 500 meters away at the Safari Lodge, walk between treehouse-style rooms on swinging rope bridges or just watch the zebras and impala stroll by on their way to the nearby watering hole.
13/50
Shambala Private Game Reserve, Vaalwater, South Africa
Many first-time safari-goers will make a beeline for South Africa’s Kruger National Park, but at Shambala Private Game Reserve, you can get the Big Five–viewing experience without the crowds. A river runs through the camp, with traditional Zulu style permeating—though those thatched roofs cover air-conditioned rooms in the bush. There’s a luxury spa, which isn’t always a given on a safari vacation, and makes for a soothing reprieve from the two-a-day game drives.
14/50
Sanctuary Chief’s Camp, Moremi Game Reserve, Botswana
On the northwestern tip of Chief’s Island in the middle of the Okavango Delta and shaded by jackalberry, sausage, and rain trees, the 10 spacious thatched-roof pavilions at this camp come equipped with private viewing decks, outdoor showers, and plunge pools. A sprawling luxury suite has even more space that seamlessly transitions from indoors to the great outdoors, plus the added comfort of a personal waiter and safari guide. And speaking of safari: You’ve come to this real-life Eden to see the Big Five and some of the over 400 species of birds that call the Okavangohome, which you can do from your private deck, on jeep drives, or aboard a traditional mokorocanoe that will take you down the delta’s seemingly never-ending tributaries.
15/50
One&Only Reethi Rah, North Malé Atoll, Maldives
An instant favorite among honeymooners and celebrity couples, One&Only’s luxury resortscatters 122 thatch-roofed villas (all with terrazzo bathtubs for two) along the 12 beaches of this 109-acre island in the North Malé Atoll. Daybeds outside the Moroccan restaurant, Fanditha, are the best place to take your meals.
16/50
Cal-a-Vie, Vista, CA
At Cal-a-Vie, you could mistakenly believe you were somewhere in the bucolic French countryside. Suites are simple and rustic, and feature washed-out wooden floors, fresh flowers, and comfy, bounce-worthy beds. This is a no-nonsense place, where you can wake to a sunrise hike and follow it up with any combination of spinning, water volleyball, or piloxing (dance, pilates, and boxing). Soothe your sore muscles with a trip to the world-class spa—past patrons rave about the massages. Pair these deliciously pampering treatments with an on-site nutritionist, and you’ll leave feeling like a million bucks.
17/50
Four Seasons Tented Camp Golden Triangle, Chiang Rai, Thailand
With birdwatching and foraging expeditions all on site, guests don’t have to scrounge for ways to wile away the hours at the Four Seasons Tented Camp Golden Triangle. The jungle resort shares its name with the surrounding region—where the Mekong River borders Thailand, Myanmar, and Laos—and is a little over an hour from the Chiang Rai airport. Dinner at Nong Yao, a breezy, open-air thatched-roof pavilion, is memorable; the only thing hotter than the spicy Thai-style beef salad is the double-sided fireplace dividing the dining room.
18/50
andBeyond Serengeti Under Canvas, Tanzania
andBeyond Serengeti Under Canvas is luxurious but not hermetically sealed, balancing colonial and Maasai traditions both in design and in spirit. You still get the bucket shower-bush camp experience—along with surprise three-course picnic lunches made with fresh locally sourced ingredients and cocktails in the middle of the plains. But sometimes it’s the ineffable—the feeling of coming back to the warm, attentive staff after several hours in the bush with a skilled and passionate guide—that truly defines the experience here.
19/50
Four Seasons Resort Seychelles
Built like extravagant tree houses above Petite Anse, the resort’s 67 villas, each with an infinity pool and outdoor rain shower, have a Creole design style with French colonial and European influences. In fact, the resort’s design was inspired by a Creole village, with the beachside Kannel restaurant and bar, and main pool representing the sociable market place.
20/50
Soneva Fushi, Maldives
An eco-friendly getaway in the Baa Atoll, this chic island idyll offers nearly every indulgence money can buy—except those that compromise the resort’s eco-friendliness, that is. Go for a beachside picnic, kick back at an open-air cinema, unwind at a Six Senses spa, and sleep soundly in one of the resort’s 59 one-to-nine room villas, which are built with sustainable materials. Your wish? Literally their command: Each villa comes with its own private butler, which means that if you want ice cream at 2:47 a.m., you get it.
21/50
Singita Sabi Sand, South Africa
In 2013 Luke Bailes, founder of the renowned Singita safari lodges and camps, transformed his ancestral home, which is set on a private game reserve, into this retreat. The Cape Dutch charm, mullioned windows, antiques, expert safari guides, and longtime family staff remain—but the wine cellar, state- of-the-art kitchen, and full gym are all new.
22/50
Viceroy Bali, Indonesia
Set in the so-called “Valley of Kings,” a short drive from the cultural hub of Ubud, this collectionof luxuriously appointed villas will make you feel like you are one of the Balinese royals that give the lush region its name. It begins as soon as you enter: The-two tiered entryway to this resort is equal parts lobby and porch, and the design of the space is almost as grand as the views it offers guests. The open-air area is covered by a thatched roof and has lounge chairs for resting before going out, or simply for looking out over the palm tree grove and pool area at any time of day. Each villa offers views over the gorge below that will make it hard to leave your private balé. At the Lembah Spa, take in those same views while luxuriating in one of the many treatments that combine Western and local traditional techniques.
23/50
Chiva-Som, Hua Hin, Thailand
This famous enclave, which opened in 1995 on the beach in Hua Hin as a wellness club, has since become one of the premier spa destinations in the world. There are more than 200 spa, medi-spa, physiotherapy, holistic, and fitness treatments on offer here, including reiki gemstone therapy and preparing for Everest in the hypoxic training chamber. Ocean Room suites, designed by American architectural guru Ed Tuttle, are all light wood and white, with floor-to-ceiling views of the resort’s seven acres of beachfront. Relax, much?
24/50
Bwindi Lodge, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Uganda
Despite the name, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, the primeval forest is certainly accessible, and your curiosity will be rewarded when you spot gorillas or enjoy a tour of the nearby waterfalls. While the lodge’s eight bandas blend right into the edge of the forest, each stands out internally, decorated with colorful local fabrics and wood furniture, while looking out toward the sumptuous forest. Thankfully, each room comes with an assistant to help you sort out a jungle trek and western amenities to make you feel at home—or perhaps better than at home, since your stay comes with complimentary laundry and shoe cleaning, given how gorilla tracking can take a toll on your clothes.
25/50
Hangaroa Eco Village & Spa, Easter Island, Chile
With 75 rooms and an ocean vista in the center of town, the Hangaroa Eco Village & Spa has it made: The retreat occupies a choice swath of land on the southwestern tip of Easter Island, about a four-and-a-half hour flight from Santiago, and sits just five minutes from the local airport. Aside from its prime location, the hotel’s breezy, open-concept layout and sea-view rooms (each outfitted with custom clay baths, crafted by Chilean artisans) help deliver that blissed out vibe—pretty rare for a retreat this close to the action. There are two restaurants and a bar, each of which draw from local seafood and produce, along with Polynesian spices, plus a four-room spa and a pool; but the main event at Hangaroa are the island excursions. Hop on a horse and tour the island, or hitch up for a two-hour sunrise hike in Ahu Tongariki, an ancient ceremonial platform outfitted with 15 giant stone statues. And should you decide to stay put on the pristine beaches of Rapa Nui? Well, that’s okay too.
26/50
andBeyond Phinda Private Game Reserve, South Africa
This eco-friendly, glass-walled lodge is set in a sand forest with a dense canopy of Torchwood trees. Expansive views of the surrounding ecosystem from all of the 16 air-conditioned suites with private plunge pools provide the perfect opportunity to view the Big Five from afar. Expect to also spot the elusive black rhino, ballet-like Nyala antelopes prancing, and scuttling Impalas. Meals are served on an open deck, a classic way to take in sundowners. Listen to the forest’s percussive sounds like the chatter of monkeys or the chirping of red Tonga squirrels. Rooms have a truly safari-style vibe, with Nguni fighting sticks and etchings of Zulu warriors adoring the walls.
27/50
Banyan Tree Cabo Marqués, Acapulco, Mexico
Though the resort city of Acapulco has seen better days, the Banyan Tree Cabo Marqués has been an escape since it opened in 2010. The Asian-inspired design includes villas on stilts with pitched roofs, each with its own private pool and wood sundeck. Interiors come adorned with Talavera earthenware, black onyx lamps, and etched-tin mirror frames. Visit cliff-perched Saffron for traditional Thai overlooking the Pacific Ocean or Las Rocas Grill & Bar for fresh grilled seafood and meat.
28/50
Royal Malewane, Kruger National Park, South Africa
It can be hard to make the Greater Kruger National Park—a popular destination for safaris that cover an area the size of Wales—feel exclusive, private, and intimate. But Royal Malewane, in Thornybush Private Game Reserve, manages to achieve that (and then some) with just six Luxury Suites, two Royal Suites, and the palatial six-bedroom, private chef-included Africa House. Twice daily game drives led by expert rangers far from Kruger’s crowds, means you’re almost guaranteed to be able to check off the Big Five before you leave.
29/50
Triple Creek Ranch, Darby, MT
Just 75 miles south of Missoula, Triple Creek nevertheless manages to feel like it’s in its own world. With 25 log cabins looking out onto the Bitterroot Mountains, all-inclusive Triple Creek pairs upscale rusticity with isolation—think exposed log walls, slate bathrooms, and private hot tubs. Fill your days with horseback riding, hiking or snowshoeing, a fly-casting clinic, archery, tennis, or simply relax by the pool.
30/50
Mount Gahinga Lodge, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, Uganda
If you’ve ever wanted to set up base at the base of a volcano, there’s no better place than Mount Gahinga Lodge. From any of the six stone bandas with papyrus roofs, you’ll be able to dart out to track gorillas or rare golden monkeys, hike the volcano, or meet local Batwa pygmies, the oldest inhabitants of the Central African rainforest. Each banda is decorated in a style of the Bafumbira people, giving the rooms lodging both a pop of color and a local nod of flavor.
31/50
The Reef by CuisinArt, Anguilla
The Anguillan all-suite resort is currently restoring its amenities and structures on the western end of the island after hurricanes damaged the resort in September 2017, and is expected to open in April 2018. What should you expect once it reopens? An 18-hole golf course, six restaurants that source ingredients from the resort’s own hydroponic farm, poolside spa treatments, glass-bottomed kayaking in the clear Caribbean waters, and more. Plus, each suite comes with panoramic views, walk-in closets, free-standing tubs, and private outdoor terraces.
32/50
andBeyond Sandibe Okavango Safari Lodge, Moremi Game Reserve, Botswana
Set on a private concession, adjacent to wildlife-rich Moremi Game Reserve, this lodge was completely rebuilt and reopened in late 2014. A striking series of decks, indoor/outdoor lounges, pathways, and modern, curved, wooden rooftops (all inspired by nests of golden weaver birds) make this a safari experience far from ordinary.
33/50
Caresse Resort & Spa (Luxury Collection), Bodrum, Turkey
With 76 sleek, modern rooms and suites—not forgetting the grandiose ‘King Villa’ suite—this relative newcomer to the area comes with everything you would expect of a lavish retreat, including sweeping views of the Aegean Sea and a private beach dotted with sunbeds. Lunch is spent at the beachfront restaurant La Plage dining on crispy fried calamari, and long afternoons melt into cocktail hour at the Glass Restaurant and Lounge Bar.
34/50
Cheval Blanc Randheli, Maldives
It stands to reason that the Cheval Blanc Randheli, a relatively recent resort from luxury conglomerate LVMH (owners of Louis Vuitton, Céline, Dior, etc.), would set the bar high. The white sands and turquoise waters of the Noonu Atoll, in the northwest Maldives, are the backdrop for 45 one- and two-bedroom villas. As looks go, it doesn’t get chicer than this, but the whimsical touches—turtles drawn in the sand along the path to the villa, thoughtful little notes from my butler left alongside the pitchers of fresh juice—are what truly give this place its character.
35/50
Royal Chundu Luxury Lodges, Zambezi River, Zambia
The Royal Chundu commands a private stretch of the Zambezi River, located less than 20 miles upstream from the thunderous Victoria Falls, but expect pin-drop tranquility save the occasional cry of a native African Fish Eagle or frothy bubble of nearby rapids. Choose your hub: River Lodge, with its 10 Zambezi-facing suites suspended on stilts with an open deck, or rooms on Katombora Island’s Island Lodge flanked with baobabs and 2,000-year-old Jackalberry trees. Four-day yoga retreats on the riverbank, nature walks, and helicopter flights over Victoria Falls are just some of the activities on offer. Return after exploring the Zambezi to a dinner around the boma with Makishi dancers and traditional Zambian drums.
36/50
Guana Island, British Virgin Islands
Guana Island doesn’t have beach attendants. Cocktails are DIY, and you fetch your own beach towels. Yes, ninety percent of Guana Island remains wild but the resort, which holds just 35 guests, finds its decadence in privacy and natural beauty. Plus, in the resort’s kitchen, you’ll find chef Xavi Arnau who trained at Nobu in London and El Bulli in Spain, and Matthew Lightner, alum of multiple two-Michelin-starred restaurants like Noma in Denmark, Mugaritz in Spain, and Atera in New York. Sand, seclusion, and some serious farm-to-table Caribbean-inspired cuisine, what more could you want? Note: As of late September, 2017 Guana Island continues to assess the impact of Hurricane Irma. No further news has been provided from the resort beyond the relief that all staff is safe and that the property was closed at the time of the storm.
37/50
Unique Garden Hotel & Spa, Mairiporã, Brazil
This estate 35 miles outside São Paulo is truly one-of-a-kind. The 27 accommodations—some gingerbread-style, others dramatically modern villas (all plushly done, albeit with a peculiar fusion of English country house and Brazilian fazenda, or farmhouse, design)—are set amid hilly acres of lush gardens that are in bloom year-round.
38/50
Chablé Resort & Spa, Yucatán, Mexico
The cenote-centered spa is the draw at this 38-casita resort, just 25 minutes south of Mérida. Opened in June 2016, it offers all the sorts of spa therapies and activities one expects from a wellness retreat (think: Ayurvedic yoga, Thai massage, Reiki, and three variations of temazcal), but with a touch of shamanism thrown in, too. For those more interested in indulging than detoxing, Jorge Vallejo of Mexico City’s Quintonil is the resort’s consulting chef, and onsite restaurant Ixi’im, surrounded by lush jungle, features the largest tequila collection in the world.
39/50
St. Regis Bali Resort, Indonesia
Occupying a prime tranche of sea coast in the resort enclave of Nusa Dua, the 123-room St. Regisbrings Fifth Avenue sophistication to the tropics without losing a scintilla of the island’s languorous magic. Even standard rooms are enormous (990 square feet) and turned out in cosmopolitan style. Spacious villas offer a choice of garden seclusion, a private gate to the beach, or hop-in access to the meandering nearly 40,000-square-foot lagoon. There’s no end of things to do here— an athletic club, a private entry to the adjoining Bali Golf & Country Club, events showcasing the island’s cultural richness, and an exquisite spa are just the beginning. The resort also abounds in private nooks: A magnificent formal garden dotted with thatched pavilions occupies an expanse of nearly two acres between the main building and the golf course. The beachside Kayuputi restaurant is easily one of the island’s best, offering extravagances like wagyu beef and Prunier caviar, and desserts both delicious to the palate and pleasing to the eye.
40/50
Rosewood CordeValle, San Martin, CA
Located near the Santa Cruz Mountains, this secluded California-Craftsman resort is a solid favorite with readers. Spacious rooms come with fireplaces, leather chairs, Frette linens, and whirlpool tubs, while bungalows and villas on a hillside have private gardens or vineyard views. Play a round on the 18-hole championship golf course or take advantage of the spa facilities before tucking into some contemporary Californian cuisine at Il Vigneto. Hole up at the One Iron Bar, which has panoramas of the golf course, two fireplaces (one indoor, one outdoor), and a list of martinis.
41/50
andBeyond Benguerra Island, Bazaruto Archipelago, Mozambique
Whether you’re looking for the perfect beach escape after a long safari in mainland Mozambique, or want to keep the animal adventure alive with horseback rides, snorkeling, and big game fishing, andBeyond Benguerra Island is the perfect point of relaxation. The property provides a refreshingly intimate, Africa-meets-colonial-Portugal vibe, with just 10 casinhas, two cabanas, and one three-bedroom casa. Just set aside time to get there, as the most efficient route flies into Vilankulous and requires an eight-minute helicopter ride.
42/50
Hidden Pond, Kennebunkport, ME
Sitting on 60 acres about five miles outside of preppy Kennebunkport, Hidden Pond has a fantasy summer camp feel, with hand-painted wooden signs pointing to a garden where you can pick vegetables or to a bike shed where you can borrow a retro cruiser for a sunrise ride to Goose Rocks Beach. Though if you’re not a morning person, don’t worry: Every morning, hot coffee and a canvas bag of fresh-baked pastries are left outside your door.
43/50
The Ranch at Emerald Valley, Colorado Springs, CO
A short ride from the nearby 786-room Broadmoor resort, the intimate ranch has just 10 cabins, each with their own fireplaces. Set in the Pike National Forest, the all-inclusive retreat offers guests a rustic outdoor experience, with fly-fishing, hiking, and horseback riding daily, as well as access to the Broadmoor’s more urban amenities, including a golf course, spa, and pools. It’s the best of both of Colorado’s worlds.
44/50
Kyambura Gorge Lodge, Bushenyi, Uganda
In a past life, Kyambura Gorge Lodge was meager coffee store. But today, it’s reincarnated as an ecolodge consisting of eight chalets on stilts—though they’re more than just solar-paneled huts on high. After a long day of tracking chimps in Queen Elizabeth National Park, you’ll welcome a luxurious shower or a massage by the pool. Then again, with majestic views of the savannah, faraway mountains, and Kyambura Gorge, you might never want to leave the property.
45/50
The Lodge on Little St. Simons Island, GA
Want to escape the annoyances of 21st-century life? Head to this island lodge just off the coast of Georgia, accessible only by boat. Only 32 guests at a time can stay overnight in the rustic digs, which range from river houses to the main 1917 hunting lodge. Expect Adirondack-style furniture, family-style meals in the dining room, and lots of bonding time with nature.
46/50
Banyan Tree Lang Co, Vietnam
The Banyan Tree Lang Co is a collection of sixty-two villas on the central coast of Vietnam, right between the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Huế and Hoi An. It’s the ideal launching point to explore those towns and to soak in the tranquility of Central Vietnam’s countryside—but you’ll find it hard to leave this two-mile stretch of pristine beach, or your villa for that matter. Each villa comes with a private pool and depending on which you stay in, you’ll either have views of a natural lagoon, the beach, or the surrounding mountains. An 18-hole golf course, a yoga pavilion, three restaurants, and a spa, mean there’s plenty on offer for any kind of traveler. But whichever you are, you’ll find its natural setting, seamlessly embedded into rural Vietnam, the main attraction.
47/50
Bushmans Kloof Wilderness Reserve & Wellness Retreat, Clanwilliam, South Africa
Located on 18,500 acres in the foothills of the Cederberg Mountains, this reserve offers light-filled contemporary rooms, a heated pool, a fitness center, and a spa. Meals at Makana draw from native fynbos herbs and local meat, and guests’ stays are elevated by the spirit and insight of an affable staff who happily share their culture and history. The reserve also serves as custodian to the 130 rock art sites, some that date back 10,000 years—guided tours are offered earlier. For those looking to get out into the bush and see the region’s flora, fauna, and awe-inspiring geology up-close, there are hiking trails (of varying difficulty) on the reserve, as well as opportunities for canoeing and fly-fishing at the dams on the property.
48/50
Santa Marina (Luxury Collection), Mykonos, Greece
If you’re looking for a respite from Mykonos’s party-till-dawn ethos, bed down at Santa Marina, which is set on Ornos Bay and offers everything from partial-sea-view suites to 7,578-square-foot villas. Sporting the island’s only private sandy beach, Santa Marina also has an infinity pool with panoramic views of the Aegean Sea, which means no one will fault you for sticking close to home base. Want to get out of Dodge, figuratively? Take a private helicopter tour of the Cyclades, or explore nearby islands with a speedboat rental from the hotel.
49/50
UNICO 20°87° Hotel Riviera Maya, Quintana Roo, Mexico
An all-inclusive, adults-only resort set along the Riveria Maya, the food, spa treatments and stellar views are the main attractions here. Rooms and suites come with perks like private swim-up pools, outdoor spa tubs and panoramic views, while the airy interiors feature wooden accents, hand-crafted furniture, and works made by local artists. Guests can opt for their own personal Anfitrión instead of a personal butler service: They will help arrange everything from a pillow menu request to an insider’s guide to the local food scene. Alternatively, take your pick from the five onsite restaurants—spanning Mediterranean, Mexican, Japanese and European cuisines—overseen by former Top Chef contestant Chef Christian Bravo.
50/50
Malolo Island Resort – Fiji
Leave your smartphone at home before traveling to this family-owned resort: The 46 villas (or bures as they’re known in Fiji) are ritzy yet rustic takes on the traditional Fijian bungalow that eschew the obligatory gadgets of modern hotel rooms without losing the luxury (no flat-screen TVs or Wi-Fi to be found here). High ceilings, airy drapery, and white cane chairs accent the rooms, all of which have access to terraces that you will feel hard pressed to leave. Activities include snorkeling in the crystal clear waters, fishing excursions to catch Dog Tooth Tuna and Coral Trout in the Pacific Ocean, or island hopping to nearby Mamanucas where, incidentally, the movie Castaway was filmed.
Source: https://www.cntraveler.com/gallery/best-resorts-in-the-world
