What makes a holiday ‘luxury’?

When travelling the world, do it with class and style.

Luxury holidays are all about indulging yourself in a memorable and unforgettable experience.

It’s about going beyond the basic amenities of a hotel stay and stepping into a world of unparalleled service, comfort and exclusivity.

Do you desire to stay at some of the world’s top hotels? Where every morning you wake up like royalty with 5* breakfast in bed and return each night to fresh California Supima Cotton sheets…

How about a glitzy stay at the Beverly Hilton Los Angeles, home to the Golden Globe Awards? Or relaxing on your very own private islet at LUX* South Ari Atoll in the Maldives?

When browsing through the plethora of hotels out there, how can you pinpoint a true luxury experience?

What exactly makes a holiday luxurious? How do you scout out the best of the best?

Consider these important pillars when booking your next dream vacation.

Unmatched Service

A hallmark of a luxury holiday is exceptional service that anticipates your every need and desire.

It’s those little requests that you don’t even need to ask for, that makes a service go truly above and beyond expectations.

It’s ordering your favourite cocktail at the bar and getting all the added trimmings, and before you know it – that cocktail is waiting for you without even needing to ask.

For impeccable service;

  • Look for hotels with a high staff-to-guest ratio, ensuring attentive and personalised service.
  • Staff should be well trained and knowledgeable about the destination, able to assist you with anything from booking excursions to recommending the perfect a la carte dining and eateries nearby.

Recommendations from friends or acquaintances who’ve visited or online reviews are all good ways to find out about the service of a hotel, from those who’ve experienced it first hand.

Exquisite Accommodation

Your room or suite should be a haven of comfort and style. Luxury hotels offer spacious accommodations with high-quality furnishings, plush linens and stunning views. There is a je ne sais quoi about rooms in luxury hotels. Whether that’s vestibuled entry, deluxe linens or carefully curated art pieces…

Accommodation options to look out for include:

  • Presidential Suites – The epitome of luxury accommodations, presidential suites offer the ultimate in space and amenities. Expect features like private balconies or terraces, Jacuzzis, home theatres and even personal butlers.
  • Pool Villas – for an extra touch of indulgence, consider a pool villa. These private sanctuaries offer their own swimming pool, along with all the luxurious amenities of a presidential suite.
    • Some of the best resorts for pool villas include:
      • Eden Roc Cap Cana, Dominican Republic
      • Anantara Mai Khao Phuket Villas
      • Emerald Maldives Resort & Spa

Low dimmed lighting, silk draped furniture and first-rate views over oceans, mountains and lush forests are nothing short of a truly luxurious trip.

World Class Dining

Luxury hotels take dining to a new level. Expect a variety of fine dining options featuring international cuisine prepared by renowned chefs.

For example, the Wynn Las Vegas Hotel has one of the first Chinese restaurants to ever be awarded a Michelin star. Here you can experience East Asian cuisine at its best, where Ming Yu, the world-class executive chef serves an array of untouchable dishes that can’t be beat in the luxury dining world.

Experience the signature styles of celebrity chefs in luxury restaurants.

In addition to a la carte restaurants, some hotels may offer buffets with an extensive selection of dishes, with high-quality ingredients. Look for hotels with options and a range of eateries to cater to different dietary needs. For minimal hassle, look for a range of the best all inclusive luxury resorts, for all costs taken care of in one big package.

Need some inspiration? Read this blog for the latest scoop on the best hotel restaurants in the world.

Unique Amenities and Experiences

Luxury hotels go above and beyond to create unforgettable experiences for their guests. You’ll be hard-pushed to find a true luxury hotel that doesn’t offer the whole package. For example, the 5* Hilton Dalaman Sarigerme Resort & Spa in Turkey, offers a 650mn private beach, six a la carte restaurants, a spa, tennis courts, a fitness centre and its very own aquapark.

But luxury resorts don’t stop there, they go a step further. At the Hilton Dalaman, you can book a Lakehouse Villa suite, with direct access to a swimming pool from your own swim-up terrace with sun loungers, garden furniture and parasols.

Luxury amenities might include features like:

Spas: Relax and rejuvenate at world-class spas that offer a variety of treatments and therapies, such as the Armani Hotel in Dubai. The renowned spa offers a 12,000-square-foot facility that centres its services around the philosophy of Italian fashion mogul Giorgio Armani. Sequential thermal bathing? Creative spa cuisine? Armani has you covered.

Alternatively, a stay at Occidental Taksim, Istanbul would leave you relaxed and rejuvenated through the hotel’s famous traditional Turkish bath experiences, featuring authentic cleansing rituals and soothing massages.

Fitness Centres: State-of-the-art fitness centres with the latest equipment and personal training services will help you stay active on vacation. The Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit, Bangkok is an excellent choice for a luxury stay with a fitness focus. With an extensive fitness centre, comprised of premium steam rooms, saunas and a health bar – the Sheraton is just one example of balancing exercise and relaxation on your luxury vacation. Don’t forget the professional personal trainers on hand, too!

Pools: are the staple of many Luxury hotels and resorts. They also usually cater to different preferences, such as adult-only pools, activity pools and relaxation pools. In addition, the world’s most luxurious resorts can even feature beach clubs, infinity pools and sky pools.

For example, Atlantis The Royal, Dubai (also partnered with Louis Vuitton) offers an unparalleled pool experience, featuring 90 swimming pools, including:

  • Nobu By The Beach, an adults-only pool area, combines the renowned Nobu culinary experience with a serene poolside atmosphere.
  • Cloud 22, the resort’s rooftop infinity pool, offers breathtaking panoramic views of Dubai.
  • Guest private pools, where many of the suites and penthouses at Atlantis The Royal feature private infinity pools, providing ultimate exclusivity.

Activities and Excursions: The hotel may offer a variety of activities and excursions, such as cooking classes, wine tastings, cultural tours and water sports.

These also aren’t your standard jet ski tutorials, luxury resorts offer experiences you can’t get elsewhere.

Need some inspiration for once-in-a-lifetime experiences?

Go on a dolphin cruise on a traditional dhoni boat with trained marine biologists at the Four Seasons Maldives. Or perhaps, a nurse shark and ray adventure to encounter rare marine life.

Borrow the resort speedboat for your own chartered private cruise at One&Only Le Saint Geran in Mauritius, with a personalised itinerary voyaging from the beaches of Île aux Cerfs to snorkelling paradises like Ile Plate.

Additional Tips for Booking a Luxury Holiday

Luxury holidays naturally are set at higher rates, so it’s essential to set a realistic allowance to afford extra expenses whilst on your trip.

Do Your Research

Luxury has a different definition for many. Make sure to do some research on top-tier luxury hotels to find accommodation suited to your tastes. Look at online reviews, travel comparison sites and even magazines and blogs for the latest sought-after resorts.

Book in Advance

Luxury hotels often book up well in advance, especially during peak seasons. Aim for 6-12 months ahead, to start securing your dream location.

Be Flexible with Your Travel Dates

If you’re flexible with travel dates, you may be able to find better deals on luxury hotels. Avoid peak travel times and travel during the shoulder seasons to have a balance of good weather, without feeling overcrowded.

Book Your Next Luxury Holiday

By following these tips, you can book a luxury holiday that will exceed your expectations and create memories that will last a lifetime.

Browse your next luxury vacation and choose from our range of some of the world’s most exclusive destinations.

If you’re interested in booking a luxury holiday, fill out an enquiry form today and our team will be happy to assist.