The 20 Best Luxury Beach Resorts in the World
If you’re living in a place that gets cold during the winter months, it might be time to check out a warmer destination for a well-deserved vacation from the cold. A change of pace can give you a wonderful reprieve and stimulate your senses in a climate that can help to rejuvenate your spirit and promote relaxation and fun in the sun. We’ve discovered the 20 top luxury beach resorts in the world. Each is highly rated for offering the best service with high class luxury in a beachfront setting. If you’re a fan of the beach and you’re ready to get away for some badly needed R& R, check out the top destinations and what they have to offer you.
20. GoldenEye Hotel, Race Course, Oracabessa, Jamaica
The GoldenEye Hotel is a world famous destination that was purchased by Chris Blackwell in 1976. He is the founder of Island Records and bought the estate and turned it into a 52 acre resort. It is the place where Ian Fleming created the agent 007 James Bond character. The villas on the resort flow into the Low Cay Beach where guests may enjoy kayaking from a private dock, take a bicycle tour to Firefly, the former home of famous playwright Noel Coward, or jet ski to other fabulous destinations. Some of the proceeds of rentals goes right back into the community by supporting vocational training and youth sports league programs. The high end luxury beach resort offers top notch accommodations and service.
19. Banyan Tree Spa Sanctuary Phuket, Thailand
Banyan Tree Spa Sanctuary is a modern Thai beach hotel and resort that features 14 exclusive villas with access to the Bang Tao Bay beaches. Guests enjoy pure luxury with private jetted pool, a steam room, both outdoor and indoor showers and bathtubs and several al fresco living spaces to lounge around for a little relaxation.Bedrooms are designed with glass walls that make them appear to float above a pond that is filled with lily pads and lotus flowers.
The villas belong to the Laguna complex which is security gated for privacy, and filled with several luxury resorts. There are several restaurants available in the community and guests are free to travel from one area to another to enjoy the cuisine. The spa features professional therapists with a host of amenities and services which include Tai chi, meditation and aerobics glasses. This resort is designed for adults who are either honeymooning or couples with a strict age limit of 12 years old and above.
18. Four Seasons Resort, Bora Bora
The Four Seasons Resort in Bora Bora offers several bungalows with thatched roofs on stilts that are suspended over the Bora Bora lagoon with crystal clear waters beneath. Enjoy romantic strolls across wooden walkways which link the islands together. Enjoy white sand beaches or enjoy the views of Mount Otemenu with its craggy green peaks. Enjoy sun and sand recreation with a variety of activities including shark feeding, paddleboard yoga, or snorkeling with a professional marine biologist. If you’re not comfortable being suspended over the water, you also have the option of choosing a beachfront villa for those who like to keep dry land underfoot. Enjoy the relaxing soaking tubs with a full view of the sea while you lounge and rejuvenate in a Polynesian high end luxury resort.
17. Benguerra Lodge, Benguerra Island, Mozambique
The Benguerra Lodge is a top rated beach front resort that offers stunning views of the Bazaruto Marine National Park. Enjoy deep turquoise waters with beautifully white sand beaches that offer a sight that dazzles the eyes. One of the most appealing features of the Lodge are the wonderfully bright coral reefs. The lodge is designed with a colonial Portuguese style that is a reflection of the region with outdoor showers, hand painted towels and beds featuring a four poster style with white linen canopy draperies. Enjoy lounging on the outdoor veranda which pour into larger outdoor dining areas.
16. Six Senses, Ninh Van Bay, Nhatrang, Ninh Hoa, Khanh Hoa, Vietnam
The Sixth Senses Resort in Nhatrang, Vietnam offers private pools with large and private personal spaces. The ambiance is low key yet very high end and luxurious. Choose from one of 58 villas in a variety of settings including water villas with roped walkways, thatched bungalows on dry ground with private access to the beach, or hillside villas. Enjoy swimming in a rock pool or take a walk along one of the roped walkways along the beach. Bathtubs in the room are greatly oversized, and each room features air conditioning a flat screen television with a DVD player, with options for either a bath or shower, or a hot tub. Each room comes with free toiletries, slippers and provided bath robes.
15. Soneva Kiri By Six Senses, Ko Kut District, Trat 23000, Thailand
Soneva Kiri is located at the remote end of the Thai island named Kood. The high end luxury resort is nestled among the lush and green tropical rain forest with access to beaches of white sand. Guests must take a one hour flight from Bangkok to arrive at the island. This resort features bamboo structures with a family friendly environment that contains educational programs and an immersion program into the local culture through music, films, books and lectures. If you’re into the culinary arts, you may opt to choose your favorite regional vegetables and cook your own meal along with the resident chef. The area is known for its slow pace and the resort is designed for education as well as offering information on wellness, organic cuisine and a sustainable lifestyle.
14. The Ocean Club, A Four Seasons Resort, One Ocean Drive ,Nassau, The Bahamas
The Ocean Club is known as the Paradise island of Nassau. The resort is built upon the Cabbage Beach recreation area with extremely posh accommodations. The resort features 105 rooms to choose from with the inspiration of the 12th century Versailles in high end luxury. Your personal butler serves strawberries and champagne in the afternoon as you are pampered in one of the most highly rated resorts that cater to the upper crust with marble bathroom s that are spa sized, Wi-Fi in every room and the cuisine prepared by Jean-Georges Vongerichten, star chef.
13. Pink Sands, Dunmore Town, The Bahamas
The Pink Sands Hotel is a popular celebrity getaway resort, located in Harbour Island. Keith Richards, Kate Moss and Martha Stewart are just a few famous personalities who have stayed here. The accommodation choices are either one or two room cottages featuring a low key atmosphere that does not skimp on high end luxury with Moroccan/Asian style interiors. This amazing Caribbean getaway is one of the most beautiful resorts in the region and the service simply cannot be beat.
12. One&Only Hayman Island, Australia
Australia’s One&Only Hayman Island is a newer resort just opened in the summer of 2014. It is located on the Whitsunday archipelago on the northernmost island. It is one of the most beautiful islands in the world near the Great Barrier Reef standing between the resort and the pacific Ocean. the resort is a massively sprawling 726 acre island that offers sandy cays, turquoise lagoons and thousands of different species located in the largest reef system in the world. This tropical paradise offers investigation of more than 500 types of native plants and wildlife. The $80 million resort offers a family friendly environment with customized configurations for the rooms with a choice of penthouses to villas, private pools, multiple options for dining, tailored excursions and fun for people of all ages.
11. Le Sirenuse, Positano SA, Italy
The Le Sirenuse Resort is built directly into the hillside at Positano with a breathtaking view of the town’s village atmosphere with charming boutiques and pastel houses. You have access to a variety of art galleries, restaurants and other amenities of the town. The resort offers panoramic views from the large terraces with marble bathroom, whirlpool tubs and luxury toiletries. Enjoy the champagne and oyster bar or fine dining at the La Sponda restaurant which is Michelin starred. The fragrance of bottled lemon trees permeate the air while you enjoy the daily excursions on one of the resort’s vintage wooden boats or relax in the highly rated spa.
10. Cocoa Island by COMO, Maldives
Enjoy the very best in class and luxury at the Cocoa Island resort with your choice of 33 bungalows suspended by stilts over the water with large private terraces for jumping directly into the coral and fish filled lagoon. Located in the Indian Ocean, the resort offers some of the best diving experiences in the world. Tour a shipwreck or one of 25 other sites in the area. Learn more about their Coral Propagation Program which invites guests to get involved in their replanting program.
9. The Brando, Unnamed Road, French Polynesia
The Brando is located on the private Island of On Tetiaroa, a member of the Society Islands which are owned by the estate of Marlon Brando. The only way to access the island is by private plane. It features a luxury take on the South Pacific way of life. There is a choice of 35 villas which are all designed to be eco-friendly. Guests have private access to white sand beaches and excursions to view rare exotic birds, manta rays and sea turtles. There are also tons of activity choices including diving, snorkeling, paddle boarding or a trip to the Zen spa for a relaxing adventure. Two restaurants are available along with a bar.
8. Grand-Hôtel du Cap-Ferrat, Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, France
The Hotel at Saint Jean Cap Ferrat is located on the peninsula which just directly into the Mediterranean sea between Nice and Monaco. Enjoy the breathtaking view of the Antibes cape in the ambiance of the French Riviera. This is a resort that has been in existence since 1908 and has seen some of the most famous personalities as guests, in the world, including Pablo Picasso, Charlie Chaplin and the late great Winston Churchill. Revel in the relaxing pools or take a stroll through picturesque gardens. Enjoy a fun game of tennis on private courts. Retreat to a room with sliding glass door windows with amazing views of the sea, and soaring ceilings. Everything here is top notch luxury.
7. Gili Lankanfushi,Lankanfushi Island, North Malé Atoll, Republic of Maldives, Maldives
This resort features overwater bungalows which are known to be the largest in the world. Try a four bedroom bungalow built on a private reserve. Enjoy a private spa, wine list that is fully customizable, an in-villa cinema, a natural coral pool, a water slide and your own personal assistant service that is available 24 hours a day and seven days per week. If you’re looking for a luxury beach getaway for a larger family or group, then this Maldivian treasure is definitely worth considering, that is, if you have an extra $12, 495 just lying around the house. This is one of the more expensive resorts to stay at, but you cannot beat them in the services that they provide. For a tailor made vacation with all the amenities of a high end luxury class hotel, and total privacy as a guest, this is one of the best resorts in the world.
6. The Trident Hotel, Jamaica
The Trident Hotel is located in Port Antonio on the eastern portion of the island. You will have your choice of 13 waterfront villas for a low key experience that isn’t teeming with too many guests. Dine at Mike’s Supper club with live music provided by an occasional celebrity guest performer and local musicians. The Hotel was formerly a private residence that was transformed into one of the most amazing destinations for lovers of high end luxury. Port Antonio is a long trip, but well worth the time that it takes to get there. The usual means of accessing this private Jamaican paradise is via helicopter. This is a well known musicians hangout and it is adjacent to Geejam, also a member of the Trident Hotel family with a complete recording studio where famous musicians have been known to record a few songs, then enjoy the accommodations. Each villa comes with an outdoor tub, a private terrace and a heated plunge pool. During your stay you can make arrangements for surfing lessons which are conducted at Long Bay Beach, or the staff will assist you in chartering a private boat for a fishing trip if that is your preference.
5. Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa, Noordelijke Malé-atoll, Maldives
One of the most popular high end luxury beach resorts for surfers, this spot offers some of the best surfing breaks in the world. If you don’t know how to surf, but would like to learn, The Four Seasons employs a private team of instructors who are on standby to give lessons for people of all skill levels including novice through the riders of the big waves. Passes are available for sale if you’re staying there during the international surfing competitions that continues for about a week. Enjoy their specialized sleep therapy and other wellness treatments offered by the spa, belonging to the resort, sitting on its own island.
4. Sofitel Bora Bora Motu Private Island, Nunue, Bora Bora, Vaitape, French Polynesia
Rest in the lap of luxury in the over water villas located at Marara Beach Refort which is located on the main island. This is only half of the resort. The rest is located on dry ground on the private island. The resort offers extreme privacy because it is a private island that takes a while to reach, but the long trip is well worth the time.
3. Amanyara, Northwest Point, Turks & Caicos Islands
Amanyara in Turks & Caicos Islands is a resort that was built by the famed Italian film director Dino De Laurentis. It was one of Bora Bora’s first big name hotels and was built in 1977. Enjoy stunning views of the Blue Hils, Grace Bay and Mt. Otemanu, which is the central volcano in the area. The resort is a popular luxury getaway for honeymooners and couples. Swim at midnight in the infinity pool, enjoy dining in a second story treehouse room and get the full immersion in a style that will remind you of a French Robinson Crusoe experience.
Full service and multiple amenities offered including top notch restaurant and some of the best personalized services that can be had in the entire world. Snorkel with the manta rays or feed the sharks. The while sandy beach is an excellent place to play, relax or just catch some rays. Enjoy the seclusion of a private island and a romantic environment that is made to meet the needs and expectations of even the most discriminating couples. You can have your breakfast brought in by a canoe, enjoy champagne at sunset on a hill top or have a romantic dinner for two under the stars and on the beach.
2. Atlantis, The Palm, Crescent Rd – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
What can you expect when vacationing in Dubai? This resort is home to the 11.5 million liter fish tank which is the biggest open air aquarium in the entire middle east. A replica of the Lost City of Atlantis is located in the massive fish tank. you are also close enough to check out the Wild Wadi water park if you enjoy water activities. Atlantis offers a variety of amenities as well.
The accommodations cannot be beat anywhere in the world. If you’re into high end luxury and you’re looking for a resort that with pamper and spoil you, then this is definitely the place to be. Dubai is known for its high end luxury hotels and resorts and it offers some of the best accommodations for its patrons. This resort offers an amazing opportunity for all guests who have a fascination with the lost city of Atlantis. While this isn’t actually the real city it’s a nice touch and it does spark creativity and imagination.
1. Sofitel Moorea Ia Ora Beach Resort, French Polynesia
If you’re a fan of natural beauty, then the Sofitel Moorea Ia Ora Beach Resort may be your best choice. The on property lagoon is turquoise in color and boasts some of the clearest waters on the planet. You have your choice of activities including fishing, swimming, or jet skiing. Of course you’ll be taking these activities away from the resort, because in an effort to maintain a slow pace and a noise free experience, no jet skis are allowed this close to the resort. Sofitel Moorea values the comfort of each and every guest who books with them.
The decor is a modern Polynesian style and the resort consists of more than 100 bungalows. International flights take you as far as Papeete, Tahiti, where you will be boated out to Moorea by a high speed jaunt on a catamaran. Guests appreciate the large resort that features glass panels that allow them to see fish which are swimming by. The resort also features three different restaurants and bars for those who enjoy adult beverages an a bit of a nightlife. If you’re the athletic type, you have the option of swimming from dry ground to the over water bungalow that you’ve reserved. You’ll find that the water in the lagoon is crisp, clean and clear.
This world-famous destination has been visited by popular personalities from television including the cast of “The Real Housewives of Orange County” among others. You can also enjoy one of the three restaurants that are owned by the resort. You have your choice of multiple cuisine options. The cocktail bar is available for those who enjoy an adult beverage now and then. Enjoy luxurious accommodations, amazing food featuring a gourmet chef, a swimming pool, champagne bar and other wellness/treatment options. The Overwater Bliss is properly named because guest who stay experience a sheer rush of bliss when staying at this wonderful luxury resort.
You can also read:
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- The 10 Best Hyatt All Inclusive Resorts in the World