There’s nowhere else in the Maldives quite like Soneva Fushi. This is the place that redefined the idea of barefoot luxury—long before it became a buzzword—and it still leads with quiet confidence. You won’t find shiny marble lobbies or gold-plated finishes here. Instead, it’s wild jungle pathways, tree-root walls, villas hidden behind palms, and experiences that make you feel like you’re discovering the island for the first time—every day.
Joali Maldives is a private island sanctuary where art, wellness, and nature come together to create a truly distinctive luxury escape. Located in the Dhaalu Atoll, the resort’s beautifully designed villas—each a unique work of art—offer a perfect blend of privacy and comfort, whether nestled on the beach or perched over the turquoise lagoon.
Set on half a million acres of remote outback country in Australia’s Top End, Bullo River Station is as wild and vast as it sounds — but also warm, intimate, and completely unforgettable. This working cattle station turned luxury wilderness lodge offers the rare chance to experience the Australian bush in its rawest form, without giving up comfort or care. Helicopter rides over gorges, fishing for barramundi in secret waterholes, and cruising past ancient Aboriginal rock art at sunset — this is adventure at its most authentic.
Set within a beautifully restored sandstone building in the heart of Sydney’s historic Sandstone Precinct, Capella Sydney brings a new level of quiet sophistication to the city’s luxury scene. Once the Department of Education, this grand heritage building has been reimagined into a serene, design-led sanctuary — where high ceilings, arched windows and heritage details meet contemporary Australian art, warm lighting and intuitive service.
Perched dramatically on the clifftops of Kangaroo Island’s wild southern coast, Southern Ocean Lodge is one of Australia’s most iconic stays — reimagined, rebuilt, and more remarkable than ever. This is the kind of place where luxury doesn’t compete with the landscape, it flows with it: curved, low-slung architecture that disappears into the dunes, floor-to-ceiling windows that frame the crashing sea, and interiors that draw directly from the island’s raw, elemental beauty.
Not all Adriatic escapes are created equal. One&Only Portonovi doesn’t just flirt with grandeur—it owns it, unapologetically. Set against the still, cinematic waters of Boka Bay, this is Montenegro at its most magnetic: dramatic limestone mountains, a pinch of Riviera glamour, and that lovely low hum of somewhere quietly confident in its own cool.
Perched above the Med, a short drive from the scene-y swirl of Place des Lices, Lily of the Valley feels like a serene secret – part wellness retreat, part Riviera dream. Designed by Philippe Starck and inspired by Provençal abbeys, Babylonian gardens and California cool, the hotel blends beautifully into the hillside, a cluster of terracotta-toned villas scattered among pines and palms.
Some hotels feel like a destination in themselves—and then there’s Passalacqua. Perched above Lake Como in the charming village of Moltrasio, this exquisite 18th-century villa has been meticulously reimagined by the family behind the Grand Hotel Tremezzo. With just 24 suites, it feels more like stepping into an aristocratic lakeside retreat than a hotel—where grand interiors, warm hospitality, and a deep sense of place come together effortlessly.
Perched high above Ravello, Caruso, A Belmond Hotel is a dazzling escape that feels like stepping into a living postcard of the Amalfi Coast. This isn’t just a hotel; it’s an experience that blends centuries-old history with the effortless, understated luxury that defines Belmond. Originally a 11th-century palace, the property oozes old-world charm, but it’s the sharp modern touches and impeccable service that really bring it into the 21st century.
On the Formentor Peninsula in the heart of Mallorca, Four Seasons Resort Mallorca at Formentor offers the perfect blend of history, luxury, and natural beauty. Once a beloved retreat for the island’s elite, this resort was first established as a grand hotel in the 1920s, frequented by artists, writers, and the world’s most discerning travellers.
Sani Dunes is all about relaxed luxury. Set within the expansive Sani Resort, this place manages to be effortlessly cool while offering a level of sophistication that doesn’t feel stuffy. Think spacious, sleek rooms with stunning views, a private beach to call your own, and world-class dining options that don’t need to shout about it.
Sani Club is the definition of a hidden gem within the exclusive Sani Resort, tucked away on the lush Kassandra Peninsula in Halkidiki. It’s a place that knows how to balance its quiet, understated luxury with the kind of laid-back atmosphere that makes it so easy to settle in.
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