Enjoy dreaming about the vacations you’d take if only you hit it big? Or, perhaps you’re one of the lucky few who have the cash to spare for a stay at one of these outrageously luxurious resorts? You’d be hard-pressed to find anything better than what these properties have to offer.
Sonora Resort - British Columbia, Canada
While many luxury resorts are in the tropics, this private island all-inclusive resort is a jewel in some of Canada’s most alluring, unspoiled environments, combining the insular solitude with the beauty of the North. At this top-rated resort in Canada, you can expect unparalleled service and five-star facilities, including spacious suites with amazing water views. To get here, you’ll have to take a water taxi or a helicopter ride from Vancouver, but once you arrive, you’ll have the opportunity to see grizzly bears, kayak among orca whales, go fly-fishing or take a wilderness tour. All fine dining meals, most drinks and all resort facilities, including stocked fly-fishing ponds, saunas and tennis courts, are included in the all-inclusive rates.
Key Amenities:
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Rates include gourmet meals and drinks
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Stocked fly-fishing ponds, saunas and tennis courts
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Remote sanctuary on archipelago accessible by air or boat
North Island Lodge, Seychelles
North Island Lodge, set at the edge of the azure, tropical waters of the Seychelles, provides a sanctuary for both guests and wildlife. Discover handcrafted villas dotted along the main beach of the Ile Du Nord eco-reserve, raised off the ground to catch a gentle breeze while opening up onto a private garden and the beach. Each villa also features a plunge pool and outdoor shower. On-site activities include sunset cruises and scuba diving on the coral reef. You’ll also have your own golf cart and mountain bikes for getting around the island.
Key Amenities:
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Handcrafted villas on private beach of eco-reserve
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Plunge pool and outdoor shower
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Golf cart and mountain bikes for transportation
Sun Siyam Olhuveli, The Maldives
Sun Siyam Olhuveli is set among lush tropical vegetation and swaying palms, surrounded by deserted beaches and a vast, crystal-clear lagoon. Each beautifully-designed villa stands over cerulean waters, blending modern flair with traditional architecture. Here, you can be as active as you’d like or as quiet as you want, with the Indian Ocean setting offering the ultimate in peace and tranquility. Guests also have access to infinity pools, a floodlit tennis court, volleyball and a watersports center, with one of the only registered kite-surfing schools in the Maldives. A selection of fantastic restaurants serving mouthwatering dishes is right on-site too. If you’re in need of a massage, visit the spa to get into a nice and relaxed vacation mode that allows you to completely forget about the outside world.
Key Amenities:
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Over-water villas on three private islands
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On-site spa and several restaurants
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Infinity pool and water sports like kite-surfing
South Male Atoll, Olhuveli Male, 08400, Maldives— +960 664-2788
Cayo Espanto, Belize
Cayo Espanto is one of the world’s best overwater bungalow resorts. It’s a tiny four-acre island just a short boat ride from the mainland of Belize, offering an idyllic getaway for those in need of some serious pampering. The moment you arrive, you’ll find the entire staff, including your butler, personal divemaster and personal staff at the dock there to greet you. With a handful of villas on the property, each set along the edge of the emerald water with infinity plunge pools, there’s no need to worry about crowds, although you can rent the entire island if you wish.
Key Amenities:
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Overwater bungalows on private islasnd
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Personal butler, divemaster and staff
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Infinity plunge pools with each villa
Belmond Khwai River Lodge, Botswana
The all-inclusive Belmond Khwai River Lodge offers an intimate, luxurious haven from which to watch some of Africa’s most amazing creatures. During the winter, the landscape at Botswana’s Moremi National Park is filled with an array of animal life, including lion, elephant, cheetah, giraffe, leopard, hippopotamus, wildebeest and buffalo, which follow the seasonal rains and the lush grass as it grows. A stay at this lodge will give you front-row seats to the action, with thousands of animals thundering across the floodplains day after day. You’ll stay in luxury tents set upon raised wooden platforms with traditional African thatched roofs and private decks with hammocks and easy chairs to take in the panoramic vistas. Enjoy al fresco dining with reserve views, a swimming pool, gym and spa facilities, traditional Boma for dinners, local performances and much more.
Key Amenities:
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Luxury tents on wooden platforms
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Pool, gym and spa facilities
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Local performances and traditional Boma for dinners
Kwai River, Okavango Delta, Khwai, Botswana— +27 21 483 1600
Cotton House, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Mustique is a private island in the Grenadines, known as one of the most exclusive in the world – and the Cotton House is its only full-service hotel. This bubble of total luxury at the edge of turquoise waters is known as a haven for celebrities and royalty as it’s renowned for its seclusion. In fact, Prince William and his wife Catherine spent several days here. This coral-white boutique resort combines French West Indies architecture with Caribbean trimmings, with most of its distinctive rooms and suites boasting private plunge pools along with the ultimate in modern comforts and luxury.
Key Amenities:
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Private island with multiple beaches
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Rooms and suites with private plunge pools
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On-site spa and dining
Mustique, Mustique Island, St Vincent and the Grenadines— +1 784-456-4777
Forte Village Resort, Hotel Le Dune - Sardinia, Italy
Forte Village Resort, set in the middle of an expansive bay on Sardinia’s southwestern coast is home to a collection of bungalows and luxury suites known as Le Dune that occupy a spectacular area near the edge of the sea, offering an idyllic blend of tropical nature, tranquility and elegance. The resort is internationally renowned for its spa, featuring treatments based on marine elements, like water, sand and algae, all aimed to restore the senses and the spirit. Offering the seclusion of a private villa along with the exceptional service of a world-class hotel, Le Dune offers an idyllic escape.
Key Amenities:
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Bungalows and luxury suites with private patios
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On-site spa featuring treatments with marine elements
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Children’s activities with aqua park and nursery
Guana Island, British Virgin Islands
Guana Island is a private 850-acre island in the British Virgin Islands with no public access. This resort island offers an especially tranquil tropical getaway, home to powdery white sand beaches and an abundance of plant and animal life, particularly bird species. It’s also ideal for snorkeling on three reefs. Guests enjoy an all-inclusive experience in sea-view cottages with three meals per day, snacks, wine and use of all facilities included. You’ll dine on excellent gourmet selections at the onsite restaurant and enjoy yoga, tennis or even an aromatherapy massage overlooking the beach.
Key Amenities:
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All-inclusive with three meals a day, snacks and wine
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Sea-view cottages with terraces and private pools
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Private island with no public access
COMO Cocoa Island, Maldives
The water villas at COMO Cocoa Island are directly above the glistening azure waters and connected by a boardwalk. They range from split-level suites to two-bedroom villas, all featuring a private sundeck. Just a few of the resort activities include fishing, catamaran snorkeling, outstanding scuba diving and even island hopping trips. Indulge in holistic wellness treatments at COMO Shambhala Retreat, dine on South Indian-influenced organic cuisine and then come back and relax in your luxury over-water villa with a soothing white-on-white interior and teak flooring.
Key Amenities:
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Over-water villas with private sundeck
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Holistic wellness treatments
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Fishing, catamaran snorkeling and scuba diving
Makunufushi South Malé Atoll, 20109, Maldives— +960 664-1818
InterContinental Hayman Island Resort - Great Barrier Reef, Australia
Hayman Island is another stunning private island, offering a premier location for a front window seat of the Great Barrier Reef, set right within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, stretching for more than 1,400 miles along the Queensland coast in the Whitsunday Islands, internationally renowned as one of the most magnificent stretches of tropical coastline on the planet. A stay on this island means lots of attention to detail and elegant resort living set within three distinct areas, each designed to make the most of the awe-inspiring island views and natural surroundings. Feast on innovative cuisine in a variety of restaurants and take part in all sorts of thrilling activities including helicopter and seaplane adventures, diving, snorkeling, fishing, kayaking, sailing and more. The resort also features the Hayman Spa, a fitness center, tennis courts and a driving range.
Key Amenities:
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Private island on Great Barrier Reef Marine Park
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On-site spa, fitness center, tennis courts and driving range
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Complimentary non-motorized water sports
Hayman Island Whitsunday Islands Hayman Island, Whitsundays QLD 4801, Australia— +61 7 4940 1234
Belmond Maroma Resort & Spa - Riviera Maya, Mexico
Belmond Maroma Resort & Spa is set among a lush jungle beside a white sandy beach between Cancun and Tulum on a prime stretch of Riviera Maya beachfront. This luxurious paradise offers the chance to start your day with a class or take a refreshing dip in your own plunge pool – every suite has one here. You can also relax at the Mayan-inspired Kinan Spa and treat yourself to the unique self-serve mud bar. An array of activities and attractions await, including the chance to explore some of the country’s great heritage sites, dive in underwater caves and shop in Cancun. In the evening, enjoy modern Mayan-Creole dishes followed by a session in the traditional temazcal sauna.
Key Amenities:
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Mayan-inspired Kinan Spa with mud bar
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Suites with own plunge pool
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Temazcal sauna
Carr. Cancún - Tulum Km 51, 77710 Riviera Maya, Q.R., Mexico— +52 984 370 0400
Bungaraya Island Resort, Malaysia
Bungaraya Island Resort is a small resort island that sits off the coast of Borneo, featuring luxe villas overlooking the beach and the South China Sea. Each villa, built by local tradesmen using a variety of natural materials with traditional Bornean architecture combined with a wealth of luxurious touches and modern amenities, is just steps away from the sand, ranging from ironwood timbered houses to lavish three-bedroom digs with private plunge pools. Activities include the opportunity to go diving among whale sharks and sea turtles and explore virgin forests and mangroves, followed by relaxing with indulgent spa treatments. Guests also have access to a high-quality wine cellar and a number of dining choices, some accessible only via boat.
Key Amenities:
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Traditional Bornean villas on beach with private plunge pools
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Diving and jungle expeditions available
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Underground wine cellar
Polish Bay, Gaya Island, Tunku Abdul Rahman Park, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia— +60 88-380 390
Secrets Bahía Real Resort & Spa - Fuerteventura, Canary Islands
Secrets Bahía Real Resort & Spa is a luxury, five-star resort that is set within one of the most beautiful areas of Fuerteventura. It is directly at the ocean’s edge near Corralejo Natural Dune Park and is renowned for its magnificent views of the islands of Lobos and Lanzarote. It features spectacular gardens, an outdoor pool and an enormous spa with personalized treatment rooms. There’s no need to leave the resort at all unless you really want to, as it also has multiple restaurants to choose from. You’ll probably want to take the time to explore your surroundings, though, with a well-known nature reserve and fine sand dune beaches just steps away. Within a mile are outstanding shopping and entertainment venues too.
Key Amenities:
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Adults-only with unlimited dining and select drinks
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Gardens, outdoor pool and fine sand dune beaches
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On-site spa with personalized treatment rooms
Av. Corralejo Grandes Playas, 103, 35660 Corralejo, Las Palmas, Spain— +34 911 22 98 66
Matangi Private Island Resort, Fiji
Matangi Private Island Resort is known as one of the best resorts in the South Pacific, providing an unforgettable vacation or honeymoon experience. It’s the only resort on this 240-acre horseshoe-shaped private island, offering the chance to stay along the beach or among the trees in its famous treehouse with an outdoor Jacuzzi and lava rock shower. Visitors can enjoy exploring the rain forest as well as snorkeling and diving in the crystalline waters. The “Vale-Ni-Kana” Dining Room provides breathtaking ocean views and cuisine largely influenced by the tropical surroundings, Fijian heritage and unique flavors of the South Pacific. Indulge in the “Ocean Spa,” with its overwater deck and wide variety of treatments reflecting the natural surroundings and Fijian culture.
Key Amenities:
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Horseshoe-shaped private island
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Beach or treehouse suites with outdoor Jacuzzi
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Ocean Spa with an overwater deck
Canouan Estate, St. Vincent and the Grenadines
Canouan Estate is nestled upon a five-square-mile island in the Caribbean, surrounded by one of the largest coral reefs in the world in the spectacular Grenadines. It features a collection of lavish rooms, suites and villas on a sprawling 300-acre property with stunning views, deep soaking tubs and private swimming pools. The highlight here is the endless expanse of fine, powdery white sands that offer a dramatic contrast to the turquoise sea along with the spacious, light-filled suites and luxurious villas featuring amazing sea views nestled in the hillsides. Guests also enjoy access to an 18-hole championship golf course, watersports and multiple restaurants and bars.
Key Amenities:
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Rooms, suites and villas with private pools
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Access to private white sand beaches
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18-hole championship golf course
Anantara Maia Seychelles Villas, Seychelles
Anantara Maia Seychelles Villas offers a stay on your own private peninsula overlooking Anse Louis Beach on the southwest coast of Mahe in the Seychelles. Often referred to as a hedonist’s hideaway, it’s all five-star service, with over-the-top opulence and paradise waiting just outside your door. You’ll find all the Indian Ocean clichés and then some, including palm trees gently swaying in the warm breeze and strikingly white sands that abut against azure waters. An extensive menu at the spa offers treatments that are provided in thatched-roof-shaded open-air pavilions. The Ocean Panoramic Villas are the best of the best with awe-inspiring 180-degree vistas of the sea and lush surroundings.
Key Amenities:
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Private peninsula overlooking beach
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On-site spa with open-air pavilions
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Villas with panoramic views of ocean
The Ranch at Rock Creek - Philipsburg, Montana
This spectacular wilderness ranch is spread out over 6,600 acres and bordered by the Sapphire, Flint Creek and Anaconda Mountains of Montana. You’ll enjoy world-class, regionally inspired cuisine at this all-inclusive luxury resort, including Montana-raised beef, lamb and chicken as well as local, organically grown produce. Activities here are practically endless, including fly-fishing in legendary creeks, horseback riding through miles and miles of wildflower-filled meadows and around high-country lakes, hiking and wildlife viewing. This region is home to elk, moose, deer, bighorn sheep, wolves, beaver, fox and a host of bird species like bald and golden eagles, osprey, hawks and more. The wide variety of accommodations includes sprawling log cabins with private hot tubs, remodeled barn houses, luxurious lodge rooms and even “Glamping” in upscale tents along the creek.
Key Amenities:
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Log cabins with private hot tubs, glamping and lodge rooms
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Fly-fishing and horseback riding available
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All-inclusive resort with world-class cuisine
79 Carriage House Ln, Philipsburg, MT 59858, USA— +1 877-786-1545
