From the Presidential Suite at the Vivanta by Taj — Bentota, Sri Lanka: This spacious 160-room hotel in southwest Sri Lanka (near historic Galle) has a rare cliffside location with dramatic views of the Indian Ocean from several vantage points. Vivanta is Taj's upscale (versus luxury) brand, and modern rooms all have private balconies.
showers, iPod docks, and comfy king-size beds; some rooms have semi-private pools. Sandbags, crabs, reef sharks, and fish are common sights in the surrounding lagoon and the island's location is ideal for spotting whale sharks and dolphins year-round. Standout and unique features include a chic airport lounge, beachside infinity pool with large bar, laser light shows, large overwater spa and gym, and small wine bar.
From the One-Bedroom Suite with Plunge Pool at the Four Seasons Resort Sharm El Sheikh
As expected of this luxury brand, the 136-room Four Seasons Resort has all the hallmarks of a five-pearl hotel — plentiful quality dining, lovely swimming pools, and beautiful sea views. Spacious, elegant rooms all have private outdoor balconies or terraces, most with lovely sea views, and lots of tech amenities can be rented for a fee, such as iPads and game consoles. The private beach, though a bit small, offers excellent diving and snorkeling opportunities as well as two yachts available for guests' use. There are also a spa, tennis center, and a kids' club. This is easily one of the top luxury resorts in Sharm El Sheikh.
From the Two Bedroom Penthouse Villa at Samabe Bali Suites & Villas
The Samabe Bali is an ultra-luxurious beachfront resort located atop a cliff a five-minute drive from central Nusa Dua. Its 81 suites and villas are elegant and stylish, with a gorgeous blend of contemporary and traditional Indonesian decor, top-notch amenities and balconies offering expansive ocean views. Villas have private infinity pools and up to two bedrooms. With a private beach, a wonderful spa, two excellent restaurants, a gorgeous infinity pool, a kids’ club and tons of daily activities, there is little guests can’t do on-site. Plus, all-inclusive rates cover everything from free daily spa treatments to cultural tours to beachside yoga classes.
From the Infinity Pool at Tadrai Island Resort, Fiji
One of Fiji’s top luxury properties, Tadrai Island Resort — located on Mana Island — is an adults-only, all-inclusive where peace and quiet is the focus. Here, guests can choose to participate in a wide variety of water sports, or instead spend most of their time at the spa; it’s also a great spot for diving. Private villas are super luxe and sleek, and many overlook the ocean from expansive porches with plunge pools.
From the Lounge at The Ritz-Carlton, Okinawa
The luxury Ritz-Carlton Okinawa has a dramatic hillside setting within a sprawling country club, lending it a tranquil atmosphere. The 97 modern rooms have large bathrooms, and many have secluded terraces with hot tubs and spectacular ocean views — but some rooms get outside noise. Facilities include attractive indoor and outdoor pools, a stunning spa and full gym, a championship golf course and three excellent restaurants. Wi-Fi is free, along with valet parking and a beach shuttle service. And a breakfast buffet is included in the room rate.
From the Luna Suite at Punta Caracol Acqua Lodge, Panama
The Punta Caracol Acqua Lodge consists of nine two-story cabanas built on stilts above crystal waters. It bills itself as eco-luxury, but with simple rooms and few amenities, rates are a little high. The suites are charmingly rustic rather than chic — there is very limited electricity — and each has a large deck with lounge chairs and a ladder for easy access into the water. A 30-minute boat ride from Almirante, the lodge is a truly remote, peaceful retreat for travelers wanting to relax on their deck with a book or take out the free kayaks and snorkel gear.
From the Ocean Pool Villa at Amarata Resort & Wellness, Phuket
Amatara is a five-pearl property overlooking the Panwa Cape on Phuket's quiet southern end. With a breathtaking infinity-edge pool overlooking the Andaman Sea, a private sandy beach and tricked-out villas and rooms, the Amatara Resort is an ideal spot for couples and families seeking a luxurious tropical vacation with all the trimmings. Fun extras include iPad tablets in the rooms, a full spa and salon, and a free breakfast buffet.
From the Presidential Suite at the Vivanta by Taj — Bentota, Sri Lanka
This spacious 160-room hotel in southwest Sri Lanka (near historic Galle) has a rare cliffside location with dramatic views of the Indian Ocean from several vantage points. Vivanta is Taj’s upscale (versus luxury) brand, and modern rooms all have private balconies. Four dining options serve quality cuisine (a Taj trait) and a trendy bar has sunset views and upbeat music. Daytime activities are pretty restricted to the outdoor pool, spa, fitness center and huge beach, but water sports and excursions can be arranged through guest services.
From the Romance Pavilion at Melia Zanzibar
The 124-room Melia Zanzibar is a five-pearl beachfront resort in northern Zanzibar. Rooms are large and airy, while private villas have huge gardens and plunge pools. There are several board packages available, plus plenty of on-site activities and facilities, including an excellent spa, a fitness center, and a huge pool. Guests wanting to try out water sports can take a free golf cart ride up the beach to the nearby Gabi Beach Club.
From the Ocean View Luxury Suite with Pool at Aqua Wellness Resort, Nicaragua
Aqua Wellness Resort is a rustic-luxe retreat set into a hillside overlooking Redondo Bay on Nicaragua's Pacific coast. The resort has eco-friendly design, lush vegetation (expect to spot wildlife such as howler monkeys and iguanas), and rooms adorned with lots of natural wood; some units include plunge pools and stunning ocean views. The white-sand beach is secluded and beautiful, the restaurant serves simple but tasty local dishes, and group yoga classes on the ocean-view wooden platform are free. For a tranquil, unplugged getaway, this is one of Nicaragua's premier options — just note that there's no common pool (yet) and the climb from the beach to reception is extremely long and steep.
From the Bamboo Hut Villa at Koh Tao Bamboo Huts
The Koh Tao Bamboo Huts are set in a gorgeous location, right on a small white-sand beach. Bungalows here come with outdoor showers and some have their own pools. Wi-Fi is available in the rooms although service is not always reliable, and there are a few dining options, including the romantic Starlight, a dinner spot with beautiful sunset views. Visitors should be prepared to do a lot of walking, as the resort is spread out and getting from spot to spot often requires steep trudges.
From the Beach Villa at the Four Seasons Resort Langkawi, Malaysia
The Four Seasons Resort Langkawi, Malaysia is an unrivaled five-pearl property, an exclusive beachfront getaway on the north side of the island, which offers tours through the Kilim Karst Geoforest Park mangroves. Luxurious Malayan beachfront villas feature lovely wooden designs, outdoor terrazzo bathtubs, verandas and private pools. The vibe here is harmoniously balanced between romantic and family-friendly — there are intimate beach dinners, spa pampering in waterside cabanas, and an adult-only pool but also kids' pools, pony rides, rock climbing and an educational discovery center. The resort is isolated and not near Langkawi attractions, but it is self-contained, with restaurants, bars, pools and a private beach, and it should appeal to travelers seeking a luxury getaway.
From the Pier at Kempinski Hotel The Dome, Belek
Adorned in lavish Turkish designs, the 175-room Kempinski Hotel The Dome is a five-pearl chain property for golfers and beach lovers with two 18-hole golf courses and a picturesque seaside location. Five restaurants — with seasonal hours — provide international fare and all-inclusive packages. A chic pool stretches 7,000 feet and has a swim-up bar. Indoor pools and a modern gym are in the spa and tennis courts are outside. Elegant, simple rooms and one- and two-bedroom suites feature Seljuk designs and balconies, some with sea views.
From the Three Bedroom Presidential Suite at Banyan Tree Ungasan, Bali
The Banyan Tree Ungasan, Bali is a gorgeous five-pearl resort with 73 luxurious (and enormous) villas, many with private pools and/or Indian Ocean views. Located on Bali's southern coast, the hotel is ideal for quiet relaxation, with an elegant spa, a kids' club, a library, a modern gym with cardio and weight equipment, and a peaceful infinity pool abutting the ocean. There are numerous on-site dining options, ranging from a casual pool bar to a themed buffet restaurant, which frequently features traditional dance and music performances.
From the Viewdeck at El Nido Resorts Apulit Island, Philippines
Located on a remote beach in northeastern Palawan, the four-pearl El Nido Resorts Apulit Island is a stunning, intimate retreat for those looking to get in touch with nature. Its 50 rooms are housed in stand-alone thatched cottages built on stilts directly over the clear waters. Interiors are simple and in-room amenities are limited, but that only adds to the unplugged feel and tranquil vibe. The property offers a wide array of on-site activities, including water sports, a PADI diving center and a beautiful infinity pool with beach and sea views. In line with the hotel’s many eco-friendly practices, the buffet restaurant serves a menu made with sustainable ingredients, and meals are included in the rate. Getting to the hotel can be quite an ordeal — it requires a combination of air, land and sea transfers — but the gorgeous setting and peaceful atmosphere are well worth it.
From the Three Bedroom Anantara Overwater Villa at Banana Island Resort Doha by Anantara, Qatar
Guests of this luxury property reach the island by either yacht or helicopter; from there they can enjoy the resort’s countless amenities, from a beautiful spa to pristine pools to water sports — and even a nine-hole golf putting course. Focused on health and wellness, Banana Island is alcohol-free; however, there are eight restaurants and bars to choose from.
From the Hilltop Ocean View Villa at the Four Seasons Resort Seychelles
Sitting on a granite plateau overlooking stunning Petite Anse Bay, the luxurious Four Seasons Resort Seychelles marries elegant interiors with the sweeping grandeur of its natural surroundings. Guests stay in individual treetop-level villas, each with its own private plunge pool, whirlpool and outdoor shower. There's little in the immediate area, but the resort is jam-packed with five-pearl amenities including a spa with a massive menu, a golf driving range, a fitness center with personal trainers, and a dive shop. Classes in yoga, surfing, Creole cooking, art, hiking, sailing and more keep guests busy. But the private beach with staff delivering refreshments and attending to guests' needs is the ultimate way to spend a day doing nothing.
From the Royal Horizon Pool Villa at The Naka Island, a Luxury Resort & Spa Phuket
It's pretty difficult to beat the wow factor found at The Naka Island, A Luxury Collection Resort & Spa Phuket. Guests arrive at the small, tropical island via a five-minute speedboat ride from Phuket. The five-pearl property consists of 67 private villas with private courtyards that boast plunge pools and giant outdoor soaking tubs. Naka Spa is one of the best in Thailand; it includes an ice room and warm Watsu pool. A private sand beach, a gorgeous two-tiered swimming pool and three on-site restaurants are convenient and necessary features, as there isn't much else on the island besides natural jungles and a small Muslim fishing village. Overall, this is an excellent choice for those who want a quiet tropical beach vacation with all the trimmings and no crowds.
From the Ocean Pool Villa at Kandolhu Island, Maldives
A top-notch five-pearl luxury boutique, Kandolhu Island is home to 30 villas, all featuring private sundecks and sea views. Surrounded by a fish-filled house reef and close to good dive spots, it’s a good option for underwater lovers — and it offers various packages, including an all-inclusive plan. This small, screensaver-come-to-life island has four a la carte restaurants, a relaxing beachside bar, spa, dive center, library lounge and state-of-the-art gym. Favoring couples, this idyllic island is set up for privacy, limited social interaction and relaxation. Upscale and contemporary styled rooms are outfitted with all the trimmings — from fluffy towels to wine fridges — and can feature outdoor bathrooms, private beach areas and personal dipping pools.
From the Villa Farida (Queen Farida Palace) at The Royal Savoy Sharm El Sheikh
The Royal Savoy Sharm El Sheikh is the exclusive wing of the five-pearl Savoy Sharm El Sheikh complex and offers a luxurious experience in a prime location right next to the Soho Square center, which is full of restaurants, nightlife and a host of activities. There are three pools and a small beach, and guests also have access to all of the main hotel's facilities, which include several restaurants and a spa. The 36 spacious, high-end rooms and suites are bedecked in plenty of deluxe touches, including fresh flowers and large, furnished balconies that overlook the pools or gardens, and luxurious villas with private pools and gardens are also available. The hotel's adults-only policy means that the atmosphere is peaceful.
From the Tides Restaurant at Breezes Beach Club & Spa, Zanzibar
The largest and most affordable of the island's Zanzibar Collection hotels, Breezes Beach Club & Spa is a 74-room boutique resort popular with couples and vacationing families. Rooms and suites are large and feature locally crafted wooden furniture, though they lack TVs and the Wi-Fi is both expensive and unreliable. There's plenty available on site, including a dive center, a tennis court, fitness center and a large swimming pool. There are also eight bars and restaurants, as well as a gorgeous spa with a whirlpool tub and beachside massages and treatments.
From the Spa at Mukul Luxury Resort and Spa, Nicaragua
Mukul is more than just a luxury resort; it is one of the most exclusive hideaways not only in Nicaragua, but Central America. The name, Mukul, is Mayan for "secret," and guests are assured of a high level of privacy: The resort, part of a sprawling, 1670-acre beach community, has only 37 luxurious Bohios and Villas, and the grounds are not open to the public. The existence of the resort is hardly a secret, however, as this $40 million project helmed by Don Carlos Pellas, a Nicaraguan business magnate, is helping to change the face of the country's tourism industry. The guests who can afford Nicaragua's most expensive hotel rates will be rewarded with a gorgeous white-sand beach, one of the most beautiful spas in the world, an 18-hole golf course, gourmet cuisine, and pampering service.
From Solana Bar at Shangri-La’s Boracay Resort & Spa, Philippines
The sprawling Shangri-La’s Boracay Resort & Spa is a five-pearl, 219-unit property located in a secluded spot amid lush tropical gardens in northern Boracay. All rooms are stylish and elegant, and villas have private pools or outdoor whirlpools, sweeping ocean views and butler service. With an excellent spa, varied dining options, tons of activities for all ages, three striking pools and access to two lovely beaches, there's little guests can’t do on-site. But those seeking to see the sights or experience the island’s famous nightlife can easily access Station 2 via the hotel’s free shuttle.
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