7 Incredible Luxury Holiday Destinations

The days may be getting colder but that doesn’t mean you need to resign yourself to winter just yet—sunny getaway options abound, blissfully uncrowded and ready to welcome you.

A little pampering is exactly what’s needed at the tail end of 2020, so we’ve gathered seven of the most dazzling luxury destinations on the planet to inspire your holiday vacation this year.

W MALDIVES

The Maldives

The Maldives dot the topaz waters of the Indian Ocean like a string of bright pearls, nearly 1200 tiny islands crowned in white sand and swaying palm trees. Resorts in this tropical paradise set a new standard for luxury, and none more so than the glamorous W Maldives.

Tucked away on a private island in North Ari Atoll, W Maldives is ultra-chic and modern without sacrificing the friendly, laid-back vibe you want from an island resort. It’s packed with the kind of luxurious touches you’d expect, including an award-winning over-the-water spa, impeccably-designed villas, gourmet eateries, and its own private reef.

Visitors in need of a little R&R can spend their time relaxing in the comfort of their secluded beach or overwater villa—taking full advantage of the stylish interior and personal infinity pool—while guests looking for something a bit more active to do can hit the underground nightclub or strap on a snorkel and explore the stunning coral reef right at their doorstep.

MATANGI PRIVATE ISLAND RESORT

Fiji

Much like the Maldives, luxury resorts in Fiji deliver the ultimate private island experience. (If there’s one thing Fiji’s got in spades, it’s islands—333 of them, to be exact, and each one prettier than the last.)

The tiny volcanic island of Matangi sits near the outside of the archipelago, circled by pristine coral reefs and blanketed with magnificent tropical rainforest. Matangi Private Island Resort spans the entire area, making it the perfect place to unwind in peaceful solitude.

The resort features 12 traditional Fijian bures—cozy, thatch-roofed bungalows that dot the island’s sugary beaches and the treetops overlooking the ocean. The bures are beautifully furnished and come equipped with luxurious amenities like outdoor lava rock showers, secluded sun decks, four-poster king beds, and an unparalleled view of Fiji’s spectacular sunsets.

Can you think of anything more perfect than lounging on the veranda of your private island treehouse, watching the sun sink below the water in a blaze of colour, rum-spiked coconut in hand? Neither can we.

HOTEL MARIA CRISTINA

San Sebastián, Spain

Pressed up against the golden swath of sand known as Playa de la Concha amongst the rolling emerald hills of the Basque countryside, the city of San Sebastián is postcard-pretty. It was a favorite among vacationing Spanish royalty once upon a time, but these days, San Sebastián is often overshadowed by tourist magnets like Barcelona and Madrid. This just adds to its appeal, in our opinion—fewer tourists mean visitors get more of this incredible city to themselves.

“Incredible” is a word you’ll be using a lot to describe San Sebastián after your visit: incredible beaches, incredible architecture, incredible festivals, and (most importantly) incredible food. This place is a mecca for gourmets and foodies, packed with delicious little pintxos (Basque tapas) bars and seaside eateries, charming cafes and Michelin-starred restaurants—so many, in fact, that San Sebastián is second only to Kyoto in the number of Michelin stars per square meter. Gastronomy is an art that the chefs of San Sebastián take very seriously.

Once you’ve sampled as many delicious Basque dishes as you can handle at once, you’ll need to retire somewhere comfortable—look no further than the Hotel Maria Cristina. Over a century old and luxuriously appointed, the Hotel Maria Cristina offers style, sophistication, and the sort of Belle Époque splendor Europe does so well. Head to the rooftop for a magnificent view of the city or simply cozy up in your royalty-worthy suite and relax until it’s time for your next meal.

COMO PARROT CAY

Turks & Caicos

Venturing to Turks and Caicos means leaving the frantic pace of daily life behind—which is exactly why we love it so much. Clocks are set to island time here, tuned to the slow rhythm of the tides, the swaying of the coconut palms, and the easy smiles of the locals. The tranquility is so infectious, you’ll feel the tension drain out of you the minute you step off the plane.

There’s no better place to ramp up your relaxation than COMO Parrot Cay, a luxe spa retreat and hotel situated on a private island off the coast of North Caicos. COMO Parrot Cay is designed with serenity in mind, from its bright and airy white-washed rooms to its sleek infinity pools and shady daybed pavilions. Wellness is woven into the entire experience here, with an emphasis on holistic approaches to mental, physical, and spiritual well-being. Guests are encouraged to take advantage of the decadent spa treatments and make use of facilities like the open-air yoga room to rejuvenate and rebalance themselves.

The island of Parrot Cay itself is 1,000 acres of unspoiled beaches, hidden coves, salt marshes, and pristine forest all begging to be discovered. Visitors ready for a change of pace can dive the beautiful coral reefs off the coast, cycle through banana plantations and tropical forests, charter a private fishing boat for an afternoon on the water, or explore the mangroves around the island by kayak or paddleboard.

HOTEL TIARA YAKTSA

Cannes, France

For celeb-spotters and glamour-seekers, glitzy Cannes holds a special appeal. The city has long been a playground of the rich and famous, and it shows—posh restaurants and designer shops line the palm-fringed boulevard of La Croisette, flashy yachts bob in the marinas, and exotic cars rev their engines along the winding coastal roads. Major events like the Cannes Film Festival, MIPIM, and the Festival d’Art Pyrotechnique keep the city buzzing year-round, lit by the sparkle of haute couture gowns and camera flashes.

That’s not to say you can’t find pockets of peace and quiet here, though. Perched high on a hill in the tiny town of Théoule-sur-Mer (just a 20-minute drive from bustling Cannes) is the Hotel Tiara Yaktsa, a lavish retreat with incredible views of the French Riviera. The hotel’s Southern-France-meets-Moroccan-medina aesthetic gives the whole place a velvety, sensual vibe, making it the perfect spot for couples to rekindle their romance. Embrace your most hedonistic impulses and spend the day soaking up the sun (and the views) by the sea-facing infinity pool, wandering the lush gardens, and indulging in gourmet Mediterranean fare at the in-house restaurant.

Serene Tiara Yaktsa might feel worlds away from Cannes in spirit, but in reality you’re just a quick car ride away from all the action—the perfect compromise for travelers looking to blend metropolitan glitz with calm natural beauty.

MARQUIS LOS CABOS

Los Cabos, Mexico

If you’re looking to spend less time on the plane and more time with your toes in the sand, stick to this side of the ocean and set your sights on Mexico’s luxury resorts—specifically, Marquis Los Cabos.

This upscale all-inclusive sits at the southernmost tip of the Baja Peninsula, where the desert meets the sea. The landscape here is a study in dramatic contrasts, with barren swaths of sand and rock butting up against the towering Sierra de San Francisco on one end and the white-capped Sea of Cortez on the other. Fresh-caught seafood headlines the menu at Marquis Los Cabos, but so does some of the finest tequila in Mexico, thanks to the agave plants that dot the surrounding desert.

Suites are elegant, modern, and outfitted with high-end touches like jetted bathtubs and private balconies offering sweeping ocean views. Guests who need to unwind can hit up the mammoth 13,000-foot Spa Marquis or bring their sunglasses and beach reads to one of the resort’s three sparkling pools. Vacationers who’d rather not lounge around for too long will be happy to know that Marquis Los Cabos hosts a wide range of activities catering to every possible whim—from wine-tasting sessions, cooking lessons, and casino nights to beach parties, archery lessons, and bar-hopping in Cabo San Lucas.

BANYAN TREE SEYCHELLES

The Seychelles

The Seychelles sits more than 900 miles off the coast of East Africa, a tiny cluster of islands whose colonial history has resulted in a unique cultural mishmash of African, French, and British influences.

To say that the Seychelles is beautiful would be the understatement of the year—its islands are completely breathtaking, each one a work of ecological art. Unlike Hawaii or Fiji, which were formed by volcanoes, the Seychelles archipelago is made of granite and limestone. Towering mountains and sheer cliffs jut at hard angles from the lush jungle that covers the islands, giving them a truly otherworldly appearance.

Mahé is the biggest of the 115 islands and home to the stunning Banyan Tree Seychelles, a luxury boutique resort nestled among the native takamaka trees and bordered by the creamy white sand of Anse Intendance beach. The villas blend traditional Seychellois architecture with French and English colonial style for an atmosphere that’s both sophisticated and laid-back. Luxe perks like private infinity pools, furnished sun decks, personal steam rooms, and alfresco dining pavilions elevate the guest experience to a whole new level.

While you could easily spend your entire vacation basking on your terrace, you should make sure to take advantage of the other experiences that the Banyan Tree offers: stop by the resort’s world-class onsite spa for some holistic self-care, take a wetland tour and learn about the rare flora and fauna that call the Seychelles their home, or visit the Rum Shack to sample some delicious local cocktails.