Best Luxury Holiday Destinations
This guide lists nine of the world’s best luxury holiday destinations. Some are countries. Others are cities.
You will not find the usual suspects in this list. We consciously chose locations that offer luxury through design, privacy, service, or culture, not just branding.
By the end, you will be able to confidently choose a holiday destination that echoes your taste for luxury.
Bali, Indonesia
Why Is It a Top Luxury Destination?
- Many resorts are intentionally low-density. They offer more space, privacy, and personalised service.
- Ubud in Bali is Asia’s wellness capital. It has private spa suites and diverse traditional and modern wellness options.
- Balinese culture adds depth to your stay. You can join private temple tours or take part in purification rituals.
- Fine dining in Bali is tied to the setting — rooftop restaurants, cliffside sunset spots, and jungle hideouts. Some of Asia’s best restaurants are here.
Stay Recommendation: Viceroy Bali
Viceroy Bali has earned global recognition, including the Tripadvisor Travellers Choice Award 2024.
Viceroy Bali is a Bali luxury resort located in Ubud and is one of the few jungle resorts in Bali offering a private helipad for a grand arrival.
The resort features 40 five-star luxury villas and suites. Each offers a private infinity pool and stunning valley views.
The property houses Apéritif Restaurant — one of Bali’s premier fine dining spots. Its colonial-style interiors and acclaimed tasting menus make it a destination in itself.
Maldives
Why Is It a Top Luxury Destination?
- A collection of 1,000+ islands. Many are intimate.
- Private villas and overwater bungalows open straight into turquoise lagoons.
- Most resorts follow a ‘one island, one resort’ model. There are no outside visitors or shared spaces.
- World-class spas offering personalised wellness and ocean-view treatments.
- Michelin-level dining and curated wine lists at top resorts.
- Excellent snorkelling and diving opportunities.
- Signature dining experiences, including underwater restaurants at select resorts.
Stay Recommendation: Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi
The resort spans three private islands. You can rent one of them for complete privacy. Each villa has a private pool, direct sea access, and a personal concierge. Dining includes 11 venues — from treetop restaurants to beachfront spots. The resort has held a Forbes Five-Star rating for three years in a row, most recently in 2025.
Japan
Why Is It a Top Luxury Destination?
- Omotenashi — Japan’s signature hospitality — is legendary. It is reflected in their attention to detail, thoughtfulness, and personalised care.
- Cultural experiences include tea ceremonies, private sushi tastings, and traditional arts like calligraphy and flower arranging.
- You will find sleek hotels in cities and secluded ryokans with private hot spring baths.
- Japan’s dining scene includes Michelin-starred restaurants, kaiseki meals, and private tastings with local chefs.
Stay Recommendation: Aman Kyoto
Aman Kyoto is in an 80-acre forest. Its architecture blends traditional ryokan elements with clean, modern lines.
You can enjoy private onsen baths, shiatsu massage, and guided meditation. Taka-an, the in-house restaurant, serves seasonal kaiseki meals rooted in Kyoto traditions. Service is in line with omotenashi. It is intentional and unhurried.
Aman Kyoto was named Japan’s Leading Boutique Hotel at the 2024 World Travel Awards.
Amalfi Coast, Italy
Why Is It a Top Luxury Destination?
- Many villas and boutique hotels are located atop cliffs. They offer private infinity pools and uninterrupted sea views.
- The region is home to Michelin-starred restaurants and must-visit family-run trattorias.
- In towns like Positano and Vietri, you can commission hand-painted ceramics and custom sandals.
- Private yacht charters and helicopter transfers offer exclusive access to hidden coves.
Stay Recommendation: Caruso, A Belmond Hotel
A MICHELIN Guide hotel with one Michelin Key.
The hotel is set in an 11th-century palace perched above the Amalfi Coast. Its clifftop infinity pool is one of the most iconic in the region. Service is highly personalised, including in-room dining beneath lemon trees.
Each room features antique furnishings and a private terrace or garden.
You can enjoy sea-facing spa treatments, or take a private boat tour.
Morocco
Why Is It a Top Luxury Destination?
- Several Moroccan medinas are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
- Luxury stays often include riads. The are traditional Moroccan guest houses with courtyards and intricate designs.
- The cuisine blends Arab, Berber, and European influences. Meals are often served in opulent courtyard settings.
- Named the ‘Most Welcoming Destination’ at the 2024 Arab Travel Awards.
Stay Recommendation: Royal Mansour Marrakech
Royal Mansour is made up of 53 private riads. Each has its own rooftop terrace, plunge pool, and richly detailed Moroccan interiors.
The 2,500 sqm spa offers body, beauty, and hammam treatments. You can also enjoy a large outdoor pool and Moorish gardens. Dining spans Moroccan, French, and Italian cuisine. Staff move through underground tunnels for quiet, personalised service.
In 2024, it was awarded the No.3 Gin Art of Hospitality Award.
New Zealand
Why Is It a Top Luxury Destination?
- Named Oceania’s Leading Destination 2024 by the World Travel Awards.
- The country offers boutique hotels in cities and exclusive retreats in the wild.
- You can enjoy splendid vineyard stays and private wine tastings
- Helicopter rides, glacier hikes, and fjord cruises turn nature into a guided, high-end experience.
- Māori cultural experiences are unique to New Zealand. They can be arranged privately with local guides and performers.
Stay Recommendation: Rosewood Matakauri
Rosewood Matakauri is on the shores of Lake Wakatipu. It is ranked #2 among the country’s best hotel lodges in 2024. Its exceptional location offers panoramic views of snow-capped mountains. Many suites and villas have private terraces or courtyards. They offer high levels of privacy and uninterrupted alpine views.
Dining is centred around seasonal menus, including 5-course dinners and 3-course lunches.
Greece
Why Is It a Top Luxury Destination?
- Greece offers ancient heritage and modern luxury. Experiences include private access to UNESCO sites and curated cultural events.
- Santorini, Mykonos, and Hydra are known for cliffside villas, yacht charters, and boutique stays.
- You can enjoy private wine tastings and Mediterranean-based fine dining.
- Filoxenia — the Greek spirit of hospitality — brings warm, personalised service in villas and vineyards.
Stay Recommendation: Ikos Dassia in Corfu
Ikos Dassia has been voted among the top 5 resorts in Europe in the 2024 Condé Nast Traveller Readers’ Choice Awards.
The resort is situated on a 600-metre white-sand beach with full waiter service.
You can enjoy daily wine tastings, beachfront lounges, an infinity pool and kids’ areas, à la carte Michelin menus, over 300 wines, tailored spa treatments and a complimentary Tesla ride to explore Corfu.
Udaipur, India
Why Is It a Top Luxury Destination?
- Udaipur is called the ‘City of Lakes’. These lakes offer peaceful boat rides and wide views of palaces and surrounding hills.
- Many luxury stays are set within restored palaces overlooking the lakes.
- The city’s rich history is evident in its majestic Rajputana forts, ornate temples, and vibrant bazaars.
- Private boat rides, cultural performances, and bespoke dining add exclusivity to your stay.
Stay Recommendation: The Oberoi Udaivilas
The resort is set on the banks of Lake Pichola. It blends royal-era architecture with modern hospitality.
It features expansive suites with private pools, intricate frescoes, and domed ceilings.
You can indulge in exclusive Ayurvedic spa treatments and Rajasthani cooking classes.
The Oberoi Udaivilas was named Editor’s Choice: Best Luxury Resort for the second year in a row at Travel + Leisure India’s Best Awards 2024.
Cape Town, South Africa
Why Is It a Top Luxury Destination?
- Cape Town offers designer villas and boutique hotels with ocean views. Many include in-house chefs and attentive staff.
- You can visit wine estates by helicopter, enjoy private tastings, and also stay in vineyard estates.
- Dining is world-class. The region is home to award-winning restaurants offering multi-course menus with local pairings.
- Outdoor activities are customisable. You can book a yacht or hike with a private guide.
Stay Recommendation: Cape Grace
Situated on a private quay, Cape Grace blends classic elegance with contemporary luxury.
It offers panoramic views of Table Mountain, the marina, or the working harbour. Top suites include private terraces, Jacuzzis, and spacious living areas for full privacy and comfort.
Dining includes gourmet meals and afternoon tea served by the yacht marina.
The hotel was named Africa’s Leading Luxury Hotel 2024.
Best Luxury Holiday Destinations – Honourable Mentions
We have included few known destinations where luxury comes from scale, brand power, or iconic status. If you prefer the tried-and-tested, this list is for you.
- Paris, France — Known for historic five-star hotels and Michelin-starred dining.
- Dubai, UAE — Offers desert resorts with private dune-side dinners. Some hotels have the tallest suites in the world.
- St. Lucia — Features clifftop resorts with private plunge pools and views of the Pitons.
- New York City, USA — Offers penthouses with skyline views and world-famous Broadway.
- Seychelles — Home to private beach resorts on granite islands.
- Monaco — Famous for marina-facing suites and Monte Carlo’s casinos.
- Phuket, Thailand — Offers hillside villas overlooking Phang Nga Bay and private longtail boat trips.
- Fiji — Known for beachfront bures and coral reef diving.
- Barcelona, Spain — Known for Gaudí-style design hotels and rooftop tapas lounges.
- Vienna, Austria — Offers palace hotels and access to private classical concerts.
- Switzerland — Known for alpine resorts with lake views and luxury trains.
- Zanzibar, Tanzania — Offers Swahili-style villas with ocean views. You can also visit spice farms or take a dhow cruise.
