Travelling to unique destinations and being treated to luxurious experiences can create memorable memories you will carry with you forever. It can also unveil possibilities that you might not have been too familiar with previously. Be it a new unexplored place, the most exquisite meal, an unforgettable spa treatment or even an exciting and adventurous activity you might never have imagined attempting. What if you could try all those things and more at the same place and at the same time?
Luxury hotels in recent times have been meticulously designed and planned to provide guests with the most valuable, extraordinary and unforgettable experiences possible. Some of these places offer guests such an experiential value that the stay at one of these amazing places could possibly exceed the price tag itself.
Here’s a list of some of these one-of-a-kind destinations around the world and their unique offerings that could just prove to be that unforgettable holiday you’ve been looking for.
THE WESTIN CAIRO GOLF RESORT & SPA, KATAMEYA DUNES – EGYPT
A jewel that’s tucked away in the centre of a prestigious private enclave in New Cairo, The Westin Cairo Golf Resort & Spa, Katameya Dunes is a breathtaking five-star property. The establishment has 177 tastefully furnished luxury rooms and suites set in a charming modern tropical setting. The hotel boasts a masterfully planned 27-hole championship golf course designed by Sir Nick Faldo that has been distinctively laid out to appeal to professionals and guests. The property includes state-ofthe-art modern luxury spa facilities spread over 836sq/m that are sure to help guests unwind and experience absolute bliss. Furthermore, interested guests can also visit famed sites such as the Pyramids, Sphinx of Giza, Museum of Egyptian Antiquities and other attractions that are located close to the hotel.
@westincairo
AL MAHA, A LUXURY COLLECTION DESERT RESORT AND SPA, DUBAI – DUBAI
Overlooking starkly beautiful desert scenery and nestled among lush palm groves, emerald canopies and the iconic sand dunes of the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve we find the remarkable Al Maha, a Luxury Collection Desert Resort and Spa, Dubai. This five-star property resembles a luxurious encampment belonging to the Bedouin, the region’s warm and welcoming nomadic Arab people. The property boasts 42 luxury suites and includes private swimming pools with spectacular dunes and mountain views. The Bedouin-style suites bring together refinement with authentic regional antiques, local artefacts and thoughtful Arabic nuances. Guests can take on unforgettable experiences such as horse riding, camel trekking, nature walking or even join a signature desert safari or practice the distinguished arts of archery and falconry.
@almaha_resort
ULTIMA MEGÈVE – FRANCE
Set in the serene French Alps, looking out to horse-dotted pastures and the snow-tipped peak of Mont Blanc, this is where tranquillity and luxury come together at the Ultima Megève. Situated in the Demi-Quartier area of Megève, the property offers two ultra-luxurious chalets that have been designed for large families or groups of friends as the ideal getaway for a luxury ski holiday. The beautiful chalets offer 24/7 butler service and feature traditional stone, hand-carved woods, bespoke furniture, marble touches and also blend in modern décor. Available to guests is everything from a heated outdoor swimming pool, an arcade room and an underground private nightclub to a full spa with a Hammam, a massage room and dedicated hairdressing facilities. The Ultima Megève remains one of the most picturesque alpine properties and offers an abundance of summer and winter activities and seasonal events for guests.
@ultimamegeve
ONE&ONLY LE SAINT GÉRAN – MAURITIUS
Set on a private peninsula on the north-eastern coast of Mauritius, the One&Only Le Saint Géran is a vibrant tropical paradise. Built in 1975, this property was the first luxury hotel on the island. It underwent a multimillion-dollar transformation in 2018 and further accentuated its colonial-style architecture with contemporary wood, marble and Mauritian-style sugarcane thatch. The hotel’s private peninsula has 142 spacious rooms and suites that offer guests two breathtaking views, on the west are sugarcane-covered mountains and a tranquil lagoon, while on the east are the boundless vistas of the Indian Ocean. Guests at the property can explore the pristine waters surrounding the exclusive island and can experience memorable activities such as thrilling water sports, big game fishing, private yacht cruises and coral reef diving. The hotel also offers a world-class spa experience and dining options.
@oolesaintgeran
ASHFORD CASTLE – IRELAND
Immersed in stunning beauty on the shore of Lough Corrib in the Irish county of Mayo stands the remarkable Ashford Castle, a fairy-tale sanctuary on a 350-acre estate. Originally built as a fortress in the 12th century, the castle has been expanded over the centuries and turned into a five-star luxury hotel. Having most recently undergone an impressive USD75 million renovation, the hotel reopened in 2015 with even more impressive grandeur. Widely recognised as the best hotel in Ireland and the former home of the Guinness family, Ashford Castle is truly a oncein-a-lifetime luxurious experience. The property’s 83 rooms, suites and Hideaway Cottage represent traditional elegance and finesse. Guests can enjoy activities such as a nine-hole golf course, a clay shooting range, fly fishing, boat tours on the lake, archery, falconry lessons and horse riding.
@ashfordcastle
DE L’EUROPE AMSTERDAM – NETHERLANDS
Situated in the heart of the Dutch capital and overlooking the waters of the Amstel River, since 1896 De L’Europe Amsterdam has been a custodian of local culture that bridges the gap between heritage and luxury. This elegant property with 111 rooms combines old-world charm with contemporary luxury design, from the varied colour palettes to the modern furniture that still nods at local heritage. From the red-stone Renaissance façade to the recently renovated suites, all 48 of which showcase near-exact replicas of paintings from famous Dutch masters, thoughtful presentation is evident. A main highlight of the hotel is that it boasts a selection of the city’s finest restaurants, including the two-Michelin-starred and Green-starred Flore, the Italian Trattoria Graziella and Brasserie Marie. Furthermore, the hotel’s top-notch spa provides guests with luxurious body treatments and sublime skincare.
@deleuropeams
KOKOMO PRIVATE ISLAND – FIJI
Nestled on the Great Astrolabe Reef, Kokomo Private Island is a stunning destination that merges luxury and paradise into a singularly spectacular experience. Kokomo is a place where time slows down, and surrendering to the indulgence of island life is effortless. The property combines Fijian culture with luxury, peace, simplicity and seclusion to provide an incredible private island holiday. It has 21 exclusive beachfront villas that feature their own private pools, tropical walled gardens, ocean views and direct beach access. Guests can explore 30 unique dive spots, go deep sea fishing, try snorkelling with manta rays with Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) certified divers, paddleboarding and more. The hotel has its own seaplane and helicopter, which takes guests to and from Nadi International Airport.
@kokomoprivateisland
GRAND HOTEL TREMEZZO – ITALY
A grand symbol of Italian hospitality, the Grand Hotel Tremezzo stands proudly on the glittering shores of the beautiful Lake Como with mesmerising views of deep blue waters, awe-inspiring mountains, magnificent renaissance gardens, luxurious villas and charming villages. The century-old property has 90 luxurious rooms and suites, each overlooking either the flowering greenery of the garden or the waters of Lake Como. The hotel’s interiors are elegant yet colourful and vibrant, showcasing an Italian variant of Art Nouveau while still exuding an authentic and intentional tribute to the spirit of the 1910s. The hotel boasts an outstanding spa housed in the 18th-century Villa Emilia, three wonderful swimming pools, a floodlit clay tennis court, an 18-hole golf course close by and some of the most exquisite dining choices for guests to truly indulge themselves.
@ghtlakecomo
MANDARIN ORIENTAL HYDE PARK, LONDON – ENGLAND
Located in the fashionable district of Knightsbridge, right on the edge of Hyde Park, is a five-star hotel set in a historic Edwardian-style building – Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, London. The property offers guests a sense of timeless heritage coupled with contemporary flair and impeccable service. Following extensive restorations in 2018, internationally acclaimed designer Joyce Wang oversaw the redesign of the hotel’s exquisite rooms and suites, giving each space a timeless British elegance with art-decoinspired features and carefully curated artworks. The hotel boasts the award-winning two-Michelin-starred restaurant Dinner by Heston Blumenthal, as well as the Japanese Izakaya and the famed afternoon tea spot the Rosebery. After exploring the city and taking in all the sights London has to offer, guests can then unwind and transcend into bliss at the renowned spa at Mandarin Oriental.
@mo_hydepark