Luxury travel ideas for 2023 (2024)

2. The Caribbean

Best for laid-back sun-seeking
The sun-soaked Caribbean has long been the go to place for lavish holidays. With so many amazing islands to choose from, deciding where to base yourself can be agonising. Will it be the mountainous St Lucia, where you’ll encounter some of the most dramatic scenery in the Caribbean? Or does star-studded Barbados get your vote? Its historic sites, golden beaches and luxury hotels are definitely hard to top. How about the fabulous Jamaica, the island where James Fleming wrote all of the original Bond novels? And let’s not forget the glorious and more secluded St Barts and Turks and Caicos. But you don’t necessarily have to choose.

3. Bali

Best for tranquil retreats
Bali’s laid-back vibe, pristine beaches and mystical temples have made it synonymous with luxury escapes. Whether you’re bedding down in a luxury retreat, a beachfront resort, or a self-contained villa, you’ll find a slice of heaven. Mountain town Ubud is a great place to soak in traditional Balinese culture while marvelling at lush forests, rice paddies and conservation centres like the Sacred Monkey Forest, home to over 600 monkeys. The uber-stylish Seminyak is where you’ll find some of the most sublime beaches on the Indonesian island, along with trendy beach spas, exclusive fashion boutiques and luxury spas. Don’t leave Bali without catching a mega sunset — we recommend upscale Jimbaran Bay.

4. Seychelles

Best for miles and miles of coastline
It’s not hard to see why this archipelago situated off the coast of Tanzania is a favourite with the rich and famous. Made up of around 115 islands, the Seychelles is all about lush tropical vegetation, picturesque white beaches and sparkling waters. You can stay at a villa resort with its own 24-hour butler and spend your days bathing in private swimming holes and exploring coral reefs. Of course, a trip to the here wouldn’t be complete without at least one visit to Anse Source d’Argent. You may get a feeling of dejavu, as it happens to be one of the most photographed beaches in the world and even appeared in the movie Cast Away starring Tom Hanks.

5. Thailand

Best for beautiful, diverse landscapes
It’s not hard to work out why Thailand is known as the “Land of Smiles”. This enchanting country, as friendly as it is beautiful, will surely put a huge grin on the face of any holidaymaker. While bustling Bangkok is definitely worth a visit, it’s the islands that most luxury travellers come for. Koh Samui, Koh Phi Phi, Koh Lanta, Koh Samui, Koh Lipe and the Similan Islands are among the most famous for good reason. Stretch out on sun-bleached sands and take in the rich and diverse natural landscape. Go shopping at floating markets, explore remote jungles, dive among whale sharks and manta rays and visit elaborate temples. The possibilities are endless.

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6. Mauritius

Best for lagoon-side lazing
What could be more glitzy than a sun-soaked getaway to Mauritius? Everything about this volcanic island located in the southern Indian ocean exudes glamour – from the coral-fringed coastline, to the crystalline waters and turquoise lagoons. Did we mention luxurious resorts with everything from infinity pools to golf courses? Forgive us. Mauritius also happens to be circled by about 330km of pristine white beaches along its coastline, so you’re never too far from a beautiful stretch of sand.

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7. The Maldives

Best for exploring the ocean
The Maldives and luxury go hand in hand. This is a country made up of privately owned islands: one resort per island. Holidaying here feels very Robinson Crusoe-esque, albeit with a glamorous twist. How many places in the world can you sleep in an overwater villa at night and wake up to the soundtrack of the waves? All-inclusive holidays are very popular on the islands thanks to its remoteness. You can just kick back, relax and enjoy the wonderful scenery around you. The Maldives is also great for diving — its waters are filled with whale sharks, manta rays, turtles and coral reefs.

8. Hawaii

Best for volcanic scenery
Honolulu is big, brash, busy and, more importantly, easy to skip — there are direct flights from US west coast cities to other Hawaiian islands. So head straight for the “Big Island” — despite its extraordinary volcanoes — beaches are generally best on the west coast. The big prize is Makalawena Beach where postcard-ready white coves lie at the end of an unpaved road and a 30-minute walk across lava flows.

9. Fiji

Best for castaway fantasies
The Mamanuca Islands, a short ferry ride from entry hub Nadi, are where the paradise action is at. There are 20-odd atolls to choose from, all focused on watersports and hammock-based lolling. South Sea Island Resort is a true castaway fantasy — the tiny island takes about five minutes to walk around. Get up early for a gratis kayak or paddle-boarding session before day-trippers sully the serenity.

10. Australia

Best for world-class beaches
Oz isn’t just hip cities and big-scale natural wonders – it has some pretty sexy beaches, too. The white-sand stunners are concentrated – by no means exclusively – in the southwest corner and the east coast up to the Tropic of Capricorn. In the east of Australia, world-class beaches are the norm. Cool, forest-backed coastal towns Byron Bay and Noosa both have impressive main beaches, plus a series of dainty coves and near-deserted golden arcs accessed via walking trails through nature trails teeming with wildlife.

11. Cambodia

Best for an up-and-coming luxury scene
Typically Cambodia’s been known for its backpacker digs, not its luxury scene – but new resorts are changing that. Try Alila Villas Koh Russey, on a private island near Sihanoukville, or Six Senses Krabey Island, with herby Cambodian cuisine and a riverside spa. Zannier Hotels Phum Baitang, meanwhile, is a lodge complex near the celebrated temples of Angkor Wat. Don’t get stuck at the tourist hotspots — there are scores of temples to visit where most visitors never venture, not to mention many beaches and islands that are exploration-worthy.

12. Costa Rica

Best for wildlife watching
The Costa Rican rainforest is one of the most biodiverse places on the planet, and if you want to spot wildlife, it’s a paradise. The country has some fabulous rainforest lodges where you can wake up and watch howler monkeys, toucans, macaws and hummingbirds from the comfort of your balcony. Try Casa Corcovado for jungle atmosphere, Origins Lodge for all-round luxury and Pacuare Lodge for the most dramatic method of arrival — you paddle yourself in aboard a white-water raft.

13. Tahiti

Best for a South Seas fantasy
Nowhere is more suited for indulging your inner Robinson Crusoe than Tahiti — or more specifically, Bora Bora, where you’ll find some of the fanciest resorts anywhere in the South Pacific. Thatched bungalows, private yachts, beachside banquets, Instagrammable overwater bungalows — you’ll find them all here, and more, as long as you’re happy to pay through the nose for the privilege. For a more local vibe, and a better insight into Tahitian culture, head for the nearby islands of Moorea or Rangiroa.

14. Antarctica

Best for an icy adventure
Forget seven-star hotels: a cruise to the bottom of the earth is as exclusive as it gets. For a start, it takes ages to get there (count on a round trip of three to four weeks by sea), and it’s eye-wateringly expensive (packages from around £10k, ranging up to £50k plus). Most cruise ships depart from Ushuaia, and sail across the infamous Drakes Passage before exploring the northern edge of the continent. Zodiac boats sail to remote coves where you can watch the wildlife and even step out onto the Antarctic ice. Walking in the footsteps of Scott, Amundsen and Shackleton: if you can afford it, this is the definition of a once-in-a-lifetime trip.

15. The Côte d’Azur, France

Best for Riviera style
The French Riviera has long been synonymous with the high life, and while it might no longer boast the Jazz Age pizazz of F Scott Fitzgerald et al, it’s still a chic spot. St Tropez is the classic choice, once a simple fishing town now a seaside enclave for the super-rich — with luxury hotels and Michelin starred restaurants. Yachties plump for Antibes, high-rollers make a beeline for Monaco, film lovers go to Cannes and pretty much everyone else heads to Nice to sunbathe along the Promenade des Anglais. To escape the summer crush, take a boat trip out to one of the offshore islands, such as the Îles de Lérins or Île de Porquerolles.

16. Kenya

Best for a luxury safari
Kenya is home to some of Africa’s most incredible safari lodges: places such as Angama Mara on the edge of the Rift Valley, the vintage-style Cottar’s Safari Camp or the glorious hilltop Angama Mara, overlooking the Masai Mara. Go on a private jeep safari with local guides to spot lions, leopards, rhinos and elephants, have a picnic out in the bush, head back to camp for some spa pampering and a slap-up supper cooked up by your own personal chef, then go back out at dusk for yet more animal encounters. You’ll need deep pockets, but there’s no experience on earth like it.

17. The Galapagos Islands

Best for cruising
Galapagos is an archipelago where Mother Nature let loose all her wackiest ideas: swimming iguanas, giant tortoises, rainbow-coloured crabs, giant manta rays and blue-footed boobies, to name a few. Access to the national park is carefully controlled, so the best way to visit is aboard an organised cruise — and there are some beauties to choose from. Expeditions onshore are led by licensed naturalists, and there’s a wealth of adventures — from trekking over lava flows to tracking giant tortoises through the undergrowth.

18. Lake Como, Italy

Best for old school glamour
Since Roman times, this Italian mountain lake has been the go-to place for aristocrats, nobles and the European elite when they’re looking for a summer holiday home — and things haven’t changed all that much (some of the world’s richest people own houses here, and it’s one of George Clooney’s favourite holiday spots). Palatial mansions and villas line the lakeshore, many of which have been turned into seriously chic hotels — including the Grand Hotel Tremezzo. Che bella.

19. Bhutan

Best for mountains
The tiny mountain kingdom of Bhutan has remained wary of embracing mass tourism: visitor numbers are limited, and a government fee covers accommodation, activities and guides, meaning there are few backpackers wandering about, in stark contrast to nearby Nepal. It’s a fascinating country, with a rich, complex culture, majestic mountain views and some of the most spectacularly sited temples on earth. Perhaps surprisingly, it also has a few upmarket hotels — the epitome of which is Amankora, a luxury lodge not far from the city of Paro.

20. Patagonia

Best for wild nature
Patagonia is nature in the raw: arid pampas, glittering glaciers, snowy peaks and pumas. It’s hard to get to and there are few hotels — but if you’re prepared to spend out, you’ll find luxury galore at all-inclusive lodges such as Tierra Patagonia. It provides a pamper-factor quite out of keeping with the wild landscape: gourmet meals, heated pools and in-house guides to take you on a hiking adventure or find the best spot to watch the sunset over the Torres del Paine.

21. Tanzania

Best for next level glamping
The Ngorongoro Conservation Area offers incredible wildlife (all the Big Five can be seen here), as well as corking Kilimanjaro views. There are many lodges and luxury bush camps to choose from: top of the pile is Ngorogoro Crater Lodge, which has 30 stilt-legged treehouses, split between three camps, all bringing sweeping views over the crater. Despite the fact that you’re out in the African bush, you get your own private butler, there’s a wine store to browse and you can even take a bubble bath.

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