Looking ahead to 2024, there is no doubt that ultra-luxe travel will continue to be on the rise. From private islands and all-inclusive stays to award-winning experiences and dining options, the hotels and resorts listed here offer the ultimate ultra-luxe experiences for travelers.
AMBERGRIS CAY - Turks & Caicos (pictured)
For travelers seeking a secluded luxury escape, Ambergris Cay is the ultimate destination. A private island, luxury resort nestled on the southeast corner of the string of Turks and Caicos Islands that surround the world-famous Caicos Banks, guests have access to over 1,100-acres of mostly untouched land ready to be explored. The luxury boutique hotel offers all-inclusive amenities and features 17 bungalows, eight villas and a collection of privately owned homes and luxury accommodations, ranging from three to six bedrooms. From delectable dining experience with the option to design any dish ‘your way’ to resort activities such as nature walks, yoga and watersports in addition to complimentary air transfers, the Ambergris Cay experience ensures guests have a memorable stay - one that is tailored to their paradise preference.
Island hosts work to create custom itineraries for each guest that speak to the luxe natural setting, from guided nature walks, to water adventures such as paddle boarding and whale watching, when in season, to beachfront cabana massages.
SECRET BAY - Dominica
Existing at the intersection of luxury and sustainability, Secret Bay is a Green Globe Certified, secluded six-star, all-vita resort experience in Dominica. Comprised of 12 freestanding, fully-amenitized and sustainably-crafted residential-style villas that feature spacious indoor-outdoor living spaces, private plunge pools and dedicated villa hosts who deliver highly-personalized service, Secret Bay offers one of the most intimate and transformative resort experiences in the world. Located on a cliff overlooking the Caribbean Sea, guests have the option to experience gourmet meals and extra inclusions, such as spa trips, horseback riding, night snorkeling and more.
CAYO ESPANTO - Belize
Cayo Espanto located off the coast of Belize, creates a unique experience for friend groups, couples and more to gather and enjoy a custom barefoot luxe experience. The private island resort transports travelers to serene nature and wonders of the Caribbean Sea. Diving in the world-famous Great Blue Hole, scavenger hunts, award-winning culinary, private yacht and/or helicopter tours, and more: the possibilities are endless. Home to seven villas total, each accommodation includes a personal butler, private dock area and a customizable menu presented prior to each lunch and dinner – a guest survey is sent prior to arrival to gather insight on dietary restrictions, preferences, etc. however, the menus and dishes are always able to be altered to fit any specific cravings or special requests during each stay. The resort’s ability to tailor activities and meals based on preferences enables travelers to ensure they are having a truly memorable getaway
Cayo Espanto’s newly appointed Executive Chef is a Belizean-born and worldly culinary expert who has taken the dining experience to a new level through combining his local Belizean roots with world-class techniques and flavors to create a truly unique dining experience, one that is catered to each guest.
AYANA VILLAS - Bali
Perched on a cliffside overlooking the sparkling Indian Ocean, AYANA Villas Bali are the ultimate luxurious experience, having earned the prestigious 5-star rating by Forbes Travel Guide for the seventh year in a row. Tucked in a private corner of the 222-acre AYANA Estate, spacious Villa options start at 3,200 square feet, with The AYANA Villa at an impressive 32,000 square feet. Each accommodation comes with 24/7 butler service, a private pool, and generous views of the Jimbaran Bay. As a Villas guest, enjoy access to all of the amenities that AYANA estate offers, including a world class 236,000 square foot destination spa, a selection of 26 dining destinations to choose from and VIP perks such as preferred access to the iconic Rock Bar, named one of the most spectacular hotel bars in the world, and private shuttle service.
LA CASA DE LA PLAYA - México
La Casa de la Playa, the newest, ultra-luxury, all-inclusive, adults-only boutique hotel by Grupo Xcaret, is quickly becoming the new celebrity hot spot, offering privacy and luxe amenities along with beautiful natural scenery, beaches, and cenotes. Nestled deep in the lush jungle and overlooking one of the world’s most iconic beaches, the hotel features eco-integrating architecture and design, paying homage to Mexican culture with handmade décor items by local Mexican artisans. Each of the 63 ocean-view suites is individually designed and attended by a personal butler, providing guests with spacious terraces with hammocks, and private plunge pools. With luxe amenities around every corner, guests can enjoy a number of complimentary amenities and tailor-made curated experiences to revitalize the body, mind and spirit including: 24/7 butler service; 24/7 access to Chocolatería a candy boutique by master chocolatier and designer Mao Montiel; 24/7 access to the CAVA wine cellar featuring more than 80 labels of exclusive Mexican and international wines and champagnes, curated by Mexican sommelier Sandra Fernandez where guests can enjoy private dinners, wine workshops, tastings and pairings; 24/7 access to Bodega the hotel’s self-service "canteen" to savor the best tequilas and mezcals; private dinner at a cenote in the jungle featuring live jazz music and a menu designed by one of the hotel’s celebrity chefs; a purification and new being ceremony ritual that calm the mind, purify the soul; a culinary collective made up of some of the most distinguished celebrity and Michelin-starred chefs in Mexico and beyond including Chef Martha Ortiz, Chef Virgilio Martínez and the Rivera Río brothers; luxury yacht tours on state of the art yachts to enjoy the Mexican Caribbean; unlimited access to the most iconic parks in Cancun and Riviera Maya including Xcaret park through the All-Fun Inclusive® program; and private transportation in luxury vehicles to and from the airport and the parks.
La Casa de la Playa also features an award-winning spa, Muluk Spa, and is full of special nooks, including a library with stories that can be read in front of a relaxing ocean view; the Room of Wonders, a Concept Store with Mexican art and textiles chosen by Carla Fernández; and the traditional Cafeteca, a sanctuary for those who value the aroma of a warm cup of coffee.
CASA DE SIERRA NEVADA, A BELMOND HOTEL - San Miguel de Allende, México
Founded in 1542, Casa de Sierra Nevada, A Belmond Hotel, is a collection of meticulously restored historic buildings offering a luxury experience in the heart of San Miguel de Allende. With 23 unique suites and 14 rooms, each adorned with local art, antique furnishings, and some featuring private plunge pools, the hotel captures the essence of colonial charm. Its central location allows for easy exploration of the city, while the azure pool, lush lawns, and Tunki Rooftop by Handshake, a rooftop bar known for Peruvian-inspired cuisine and creative mixology, provide relaxing retreats. The hotel offers personalized workshops like the Sazon Cooking School, art classes, guided tours, horseback rides, winery visits, and spa indulgence, making it an immersive gateway to San Miguel de Allende's culture and beauty.
VELAA PRIVATE ISLAND - Maldives
Velaa Private Island is the epitome of luxury and exclusivity with a selection of 47 meticulously designed villas and residences. Located in Noonu Atoll, a 45-minute seaplane flight from Male, Velaa is a destination in a category of its own, home to an array of amenities unseen across the Indian Ocean. Dining options range from Aragu Signature Restaurant, presenting contemporary European cuisine with an Asian twist, to Athiri Restaurant, offering global cuisine prepared by chefs from 14 nationalities, and the exclusive Japanese tasting menus at Tavaru restaurant. The resort also boasts bars and a wine cellar where guests can savor some of the world’s finest and rarest champagnes along with over 1,000 labels of the most exclusive wine collections across South Asia.
For wellness and recreation, Velaa features cutting-edge spa experiences, traditional healing and a health-conscious restaurant at the Velaa Wellbeing Village. The resort offers water sports, diving and snorkeling, excursions, golf academy, land sports, a coral restoration program and an extensive kids' water park at LHA Velaa Kids Club. Additionally, the island provides boutiques with an exclusive range of premium fashion and accessories to complement the stay at Velaa.
VOLGA HOTEL - Mexico City
Newly opened in 2023, Volga Hotel by Hamak Hotels in Mexico City is the Cuauhtemoc Neighborhood’s newest luxury boutique property. A sophisticated enclave for cultural trendsetters, gastronomy aficionados and art enthusiasts, the hotel features sleek modern interior design, innovative art installations and showcases global artists to deliver a fully immersive hospitality experience. The centrally located boutique hotel features 50 rooms, including 34 deluxe rooms, 14 suites and two grand suites, all adorned with a variety of Turkish marble and a soothing scent collaboration with Aromaria. On property, Volga Hotel offers an elevated dining experience by world-renowned restauranteur Edo Kobayashi at Elora Restaurant as well as small bites and a unique ethnobotanical mixology program on the rooftop. The property also features a Sally Zaga concept store, a dedicated exhibition space, a rooftop swimming lane and sun deck, a subterranean Music Room coming later this year and an idyllic garden with a forthcoming Mezcaleria.
The Ranch Italy at Palazzo Fiuggi - Fitness, Wellness & Health Retreat Programs
The Ranch Malibu brings its award-winning, transformational wellness program to a historic property, nestled in one of Italy’s richest naturalistic areas, just 50 minutes from Rome. The Ranch Italy at Palazzo Fiuggi combines a results-oriented fitness program with the services and expertise of the esteemed team at this renowned medical wellness retreat. The result is an immersive and transformative program that gives guests a more complete picture of their overall health and longevity, departing with a greater sense of self, feeling rested and rejuvenated while losing weight and gaining muscle.
Rancho Valencia Resort & Spa - Rancho Santa Fe, California
Rancho Valencia Resort & Spa is Southern California’s only Relais & Châteaux property and has garnered a reputation as one of the West’s most sought-after five star resorts. A sanctuary of good living tucked away on 45 acres of lush gardens and olive groves, this Mediterranean-inspired, all-suite property near Del Mar, California offers 49 luxuriously-appointed, guest casitas with their own patios and fireplaces and 3 opulent private residences, all of which provide the perfect backdrop for your next weekend escape or extended family gathering. Situated across 45 acres of lush gardens and citrus groves, this Forbes 5-star rated Resort and Spa features rejuvenating wellness, fitness, and world-renowned tennis programming. The signature restaurant, The Pony Room, showcases Rancho Valencia’s commitment to fresh and sustainable culinary practice with its distinctive Coastal Ranch cuisine in an enchanting and delightful al fresco dining atmosphere.
Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac - Quebec City, Canada
Steeped in history, Fairmont Le Château Frontenac is more than a hotel, it is an iconic castle that inspires visitors from all over the world. For more than a century, young and old, music and film stars, members of the royal families, heads of state and celebrities of all origins have enjoyed the beauty and French charm of the Château. In line with the Renaissance architecture of the hotel, the prestigious suites were designed with the ultimate care and craftsmanship, providing unparalleled grandeur, elegance and refinement.
The Château is the heart of Quebec City, located on the cliffs of Cap Diamant, and is the world’s most photographed hotel. A stay allows you to venture out into a European style walled city, built in the 1600, with hundreds of restaurants, museums, art galleries and boutiques. The hotel features world class dining in four restaurants, our full-service spa, a wellness center and over 700 passionate employees to take care of your every request. In any one of its 610 guestrooms and suites, including 10 Dream Suites, you will feel an elegant touch of historic Europe. Your experience at this landmark luxury hotel will guarantee you a memorable and inspiring stay in one of the most beautiful, and walkable, cities in the world.
