The first thing you notice at a truly great resort is not always the room. Sometimes it is the silence, the view, or the feeling that everything has been taken care of before you even ask. At BrassSmile, we believe every travel experience should leave you beaming, and that starts with finding a destination that genuinely delights.
Imagine stepping off a boat onto a private island, entering a villa with an uninterrupted ocean view, and realizing there is nowhere else you need to be. That is the kind of experience that separates memorable luxury resorts from simply expensive hotels.
But choosing the right resort is not easy. A five-star rating does not automatically mean the best service, the most privacy, or the right experience for your trip.
So, this guide brings together 20 of the best luxury resorts in the world for 2026, covering private islands, beach escapes, wellness retreats, wilderness lodges, and destination resorts. The goal is simple: help you find the property that matches the kind of escape you actually want.
The Best Luxury Resorts in the World at a Glance
The best luxury resorts combine exceptional service, privacy, beautiful surroundings, distinctive accommodation, quality dining, and experiences that feel difficult to replicate elsewhere.
For 2026, standout choices range from the overwater villas of the Maldives to private-island retreats in the South Pacific and experience-led resorts in the mountains and desert.
Modern luxury is increasingly about personalization and memorable experiences rather than simply having the highest star rating. Forbes Travel Guide’s 2026 awards also emphasize customized service and the overall guest experience when evaluating luxury properties.
Key Takeaways
- Soneva Jani stands out for an imaginative private-island experience in the Maldives.
- Amangiri is a strong choice for desert luxury and dramatic scenery.
- Jade Mountain is ideal for couples seeking privacy and extraordinary views.
- The Brando combines private-island luxury with a strong environmental focus.
- Nihi Sumba is a great option for travelers who want luxury mixed with adventure and local culture.
- The best resort for you depends on your destination, travel style, privacy needs, and budget.
20 Best Luxury Resorts in the World for 2026
There is no single resort that is perfect for every traveler. The properties below are selected for different strengths, from privacy and wellness to adventure, design, service, and location.
| Resort | Destination | Best For | Standout Luxury |
| Soneva Jani | Maldives | Overwater escape | Private villas and unique experiences |
| Amangiri | Utah, USA | Desert luxury | Dramatic landscape and privacy |
| One&Only Reethi Rah | Maldives | Families and couples | Spacious private-island setting |
| Jade Mountain | St. Lucia | Romance | Open-air suites with dramatic views |
| North Island | Seychelles | Ultimate privacy | Private-island experience |
| Cheval Blanc Randheli | Maldives | Personalized service | LVMH-style island luxury |
| The Brando | French Polynesia | Eco-luxury | Private island and sustainability |
| Nihi Sumba | Indonesia | Adventure | Surfing, culture and nature |
| Amanpulo | Philippines | Seclusion | Private-island atmosphere |
| Velaa Private Island | Maldives | Exclusivity | Villas and personalized experiences |
| Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi | Maldives | Families and villas | Large private residences |
| Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora | French Polynesia | Classic romance | Lagoon and mountain views |
| Bawah Reserve | Indonesia | Nature | Remote island setting |
| Capella Ubud | Bali | Wellness and design | Jungle setting |
| Six Senses Zighy Bay | Oman | Adventure and wellness | Mountains and Arabian Gulf |
| Rosewood Mayakoba | Mexico | Couples and families | Jungle-meets-Caribbean setting |
| One&Only Palmilla | Mexico | Beach luxury | Cabo location and service |
| Explora Patagonia | Chile | Adventure | Wilderness immersion |
| COMO Maalifushi | Maldives | Surf and wellness | Private-island lifestyle |
| The Datai Langkawi | Malaysia | Nature | Rainforest and beach |
1. Soneva Jani – Maldives
Best for: Overwater luxury and unforgettable experiences
Soneva Jani is the kind of resort where the villa becomes part of the destination. Overwater accommodation, private pools, expansive ocean views, and imaginative experiences make it one of the Maldives’ most distinctive luxury escapes.
Its appeal is not simply extravagance. The resort focuses on privacy, space, nature, and experiences that encourage guests to slow down. It is an excellent choice when you want the resort itself to be a major part of the vacation.
Soneva Jani remains one of the leading names in current 2026 luxury-resort coverage.
2. Amangiri – Utah, USA
Best for: Desert luxury and dramatic landscapes
Amangiri takes a completely different approach to the typical tropical luxury resort. Set among the dramatic desert landscapes of southern Utah, it blends minimalist architecture with the surrounding rock formations.
The experience is about space, silence, privacy, and nature. Guests can explore the desert during the day and return to sophisticated accommodation that feels deliberately connected to its surroundings.
For travelers who want luxury without a traditional beach-resort setting, Amangiri is difficult to replace.
3. One&Only Reethi Rah – Maldives
Best for: Couples and families
One&Only Reethi Rah combines the privacy of a private island with a broad range of accommodation, dining, wellness, and recreational experiences.
Its appeal is flexibility. Couples can enjoy secluded spaces and romantic experiences, while families have plenty of room and activities to keep a longer stay interesting.
The resort is also repeatedly represented among leading Indian Ocean luxury properties, including current 2026 World Travel Awards nominations.
4. Jade Mountain – St. Lucia
Best for: Romance and dramatic views
Jade Mountain is built around one unforgettable idea: bringing the Caribbean landscape into the room.
Its open-sided suites are designed to frame the Pitons and surrounding sea, creating a sense of place that a conventional enclosed hotel room cannot easily match.
It is particularly suited to couples and honeymooners who value architecture, privacy, scenery, and a romantic atmosphere over a long list of conventional resort facilities.
5. North Island – Seychelles
Best for: Ultimate privacy
North Island is an excellent example of why private-island resorts occupy such a special place in luxury travel.
The experience revolves around seclusion, natural beauty, spacious villas, and personalized service. Instead of feeling like a large resort complex, the island can feel like your own remote world.
North Island has also earned strong recognition in the private-island category, including multiple World Travel Awards wins in previous years and a 2026 nomination.
6. Cheval Blanc Randheli – Maldives
Best for: Personalized service
Cheval Blanc Randheli brings the luxury-hospitality approach of the LVMH group to a private Maldivian setting.
The resort is known for its villas, refined design, personalized service, and attention to detail. It is a particularly strong choice for travelers who care about service quality as much as the scenery.
It remains among the leading luxury island-resort contenders in the Indian Ocean for 2026.
7. The Brando – French Polynesia
Best for: Private-island and eco-luxury travel
The Brando sits on Tetiaroa, a private island in French Polynesia, and offers a different definition of luxury: extraordinary surroundings combined with privacy and a strong environmental philosophy.
Guests can enjoy beaches, marine life, wellness, and Polynesian experiences without the feeling of being in a conventional large resort.
The property continues to appear in current private-island luxury selections, alongside other highly exclusive resorts.
8. Nihi Sumba – Indonesia
Best for: Adventure and culture
Nihi Sumba is for travelers who want more than poolside relaxation.
The Indonesian resort combines luxury accommodation with surfing, horseback riding, nature, wellness, and opportunities to experience the distinctive culture of Sumba.
That combination makes it particularly appealing if your idea of a luxury vacation includes something active and meaningful rather than spending the entire trip inside the resort.
Nihi Resort is also included in current 2026 luxury all-inclusive resort rankings.
9. Amanpulo – Philippines
Best for: Seclusion and barefoot luxury
Amanpulo occupies its own private island in the Philippines, giving it an immediate advantage for travelers seeking distance from crowded destinations.
The experience is intentionally quiet and private, with villas and casitas surrounded by tropical landscapes and beaches.
Amanpulo has also appeared repeatedly among recognized private-island luxury properties.
10. Velaa Private Island – Maldives
Best for: Exclusivity
Velaa Private Island is designed for travelers who want a highly personalized Maldivian experience.
Its spacious villas, private residences, dining, wellness facilities, and range of activities allow guests to create a stay around their own interests rather than following a fixed resort routine.
Velaa is currently listed among the Indian Ocean’s leading luxury island and private-island resort contenders for 2026.
11. Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi – Maldives
Best for: Large villas and families
Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi is a strong choice when you want the private-island experience but also value a broad range of facilities.
Its accommodation includes spacious villas and residences, while the resort offers multiple dining and recreation options.
The property also has recent recognition behind it: it was the 2025 World’s Leading Luxury Private Island Resort winner at the World Travel Awards and remains a 2026 nominee in the Indian Ocean category.
12. Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora – French Polynesia
Best for: Classic romantic luxury
Bora Bora remains one of the world’s most recognizable luxury resort destinations, and Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora makes the most of its lagoon setting.
Overwater accommodation, views toward Mount Otemanu, water activities, dining, and a strong couples-focused atmosphere make it a natural choice for honeymoons and romantic escapes.
It is a good option for travelers who want the classic image of a luxury tropical vacation without sacrificing service and comfort.
13. Bawah Reserve – Indonesia
Best for: Nature and remote escapes
Bawah Reserve is built around remoteness. Located among a group of islands and lagoons in Indonesia, it provides a sense of getting away from ordinary resort life.
Its appeal comes from the combination of natural surroundings, low-density accommodation, water activities, and an emphasis on the environment.
Bawah has appeared in private-island and eco-luxury selections, reinforcing its position as a nature-focused luxury escape.
14. Capella Ubud – Bali, Indonesia
Best for: Wellness and design
Capella Ubud takes luxury into Bali’s rainforest landscape rather than placing it directly on a beach.
The resort combines tented accommodation, private pools, wellness experiences, dining, and a strong connection to the surrounding environment.
It works particularly well for travelers who want Bali’s culture and scenery with a highly designed luxury experience.
15. Six Senses Zighy Bay – Oman
Best for: Adventure and wellness
Six Senses Zighy Bay offers a rare combination of rugged mountains, Arabian Gulf scenery, private villas, wellness, and outdoor adventure.
The setting is one of its biggest strengths. Guests can combine relaxation with activities such as hiking, water sports, and other experiences around the dramatic Musandam landscape.
It is a useful reminder that luxury resort destinations do not have to be tropical islands.
16. Rosewood Mayakoba – Mexico
Best for: Couples and families
Rosewood Mayakoba sits within a large coastal nature reserve on Mexico’s Riviera Maya.
The resort combines private pools, spacious accommodation, restaurants, wellness, and access to the region’s beaches and natural environment.
It is especially attractive to travelers who want luxury with enough activities and space for both relaxing days and excursions.
17. One&Only Palmilla – Mexico
Best for: Beach luxury in Cabo
One&Only Palmilla is one of Cabo San Lucas’s established luxury names.
Its appeal comes from the combination of Pacific coastline, refined accommodation, service, dining, wellness, and the ability to explore the wider Los Cabos region.
It is a strong choice for travelers who want a sophisticated beach resort but still want access to restaurants, activities, and the energy of a major destination.
18. Explora Patagonia – Chile
Best for: Wilderness and adventure
Explora Patagonia changes the idea of what a luxury resort can be.
Instead of focusing primarily on beaches, pools, or traditional resort entertainment, it places the landscape at the center of the experience.
Guests come for Patagonia’s mountains, lakes, hiking routes, wildlife, and remote scenery, then return to comfortable accommodation and thoughtful hospitality.
For an adventure traveler, that can be far more memorable than a conventional five-star beach stay.
19. COMO Maalifushi – Maldives
Best for: Surf, wellness, and relaxed island living
COMO Maalifushi offers a quieter interpretation of Maldivian luxury, with a strong focus on wellness, water activities, and the natural environment.
It is particularly appealing to travelers who want to combine relaxation with surfing, diving, snorkeling, and spa experiences.
The result is a luxury vacation that feels active when you want it to be and peaceful when you do not.
20. The Datai Langkawi – Malaysia
Best for: Rainforest and beach experiences
The Datai Langkawi occupies a rare setting where rainforest and beach come together.
Rather than isolating guests from nature, the resort makes the surrounding environment part of the experience. Wildlife, tropical vegetation, the beach, wellness, and outdoor activities all contribute to its identity.
It is an excellent choice for travelers who want a luxury resort with a strong sense of place.
Which Luxury Resort Is Best for Your Travel Style?
The best luxury resort depends heavily on what you want from the trip.
| Travel Style | Strong Choices |
| Couples | Jade Mountain, Four Seasons Bora Bora |
| Honeymoon | Soneva Jani, Jade Mountain |
| Families | One&Only Reethi Rah, Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi |
| Wellness | Capella Ubud, Six Senses Zighy Bay |
| Adventure | Nihi Sumba, Explora Patagonia |
| Privacy | North Island, Amanpulo |
| Nature | Bawah Reserve, The Datai Langkawi |
| Desert escape | Amangiri |
For example, a couple seeking complete privacy may prefer North Island, while an adventurous traveler could find Nihi Sumba or Explora Patagonia far more rewarding.
That is why simply calling one property “the best” can be misleading.
The World’s Leading Luxury Resort Destinations
Tropical Island and Beach Destinations
The Maldives, Seychelles, French Polynesia, Indonesia, and the Philippines remain especially strong for travelers seeking beaches, private villas, snorkeling, diving, and secluded island experiences.
The 2026 World Travel Awards listings show how heavily represented destinations such as the Maldives and Seychelles remain in luxury-island categories.
Mediterranean and European Destinations
Europe offers a different style of luxury. Historic architecture, fine dining, wine regions, coastal villages, and cultural experiences can be as important as the resort itself.
Italy, Greece, Spain, France, and other Mediterranean destinations are particularly attractive for travelers who want luxury combined with food and culture.
Nature, Wilderness, and Adventure Destinations
For travelers who do not define luxury by beaches, places such as Utah, Patagonia, Oman, and Costa Rica offer another route.
Here, the landscape becomes the main attraction. The resort simply provides the comfort and service needed to experience it well.
What Makes a Resort Truly Luxurious?
Personalized Service
Luxury begins with service that feels thoughtful rather than mechanical.
A great resort anticipates reasonable needs, remembers preferences, and makes the stay feel effortless.
Forbes Travel Guide’s 2026 methodology places substantial emphasis on service, noting that service accounts for 70% of its hotel rating.
Privacy and Exclusivity
Privacy can be more valuable than an oversized lobby.
Private villas, secluded beaches, low-density layouts, private islands, and personalized dining can create an experience that feels genuinely special.
Accommodation and Design
A luxury room should do more than look expensive.
The best properties use architecture, views, materials, space, and indoor-outdoor design to make the accommodation part of the destination.
Dining and Wellness
Excellent food and meaningful wellness facilities have become central to modern luxury.
Today’s travelers increasingly expect high-quality dining, spa treatments, fitness, relaxation, and experiences connected to the destination.
Experiences and Location
This may be the most important factor.
A beautiful room can be copied. A private island, a desert landscape, a rainforest, or a dramatic mountain setting cannot.
That is why current luxury-travel coverage increasingly defines luxury around unique experiences rather than simply traditional five-star features.
Five-Star Resorts vs. True Luxury: Is There a Difference?
What a Five-Star Rating Tells You
A reputable five-star system can provide useful information about service and facilities.
Forbes Travel Guide, for example, uses anonymous inspectors and up to 900 objective criteria, with properties earning their ratings through inspection rather than purchasing them.
Why Five Stars Do Not Guarantee the Best Experience
A five-star city hotel and a private-island resort can both carry a five-star rating while offering completely different experiences.
One may excel at dining and urban service. Another may offer complete seclusion and direct access to nature.
So, five star resorts are not automatically interchangeable with the world’s best luxury resorts.
What to Evaluate Beyond the Star Rating
Look at:
- Service
- Privacy
- Location
- Accommodation
- Dining
- Wellness
- Activities
- Personalization
- Overall experience
The question is not simply, “How many stars does it have?”
It is, “Is this the right kind of luxury for me?”
What Are You Actually Paying for at a Luxury Resort?
Service and Personalization
Part of the premium pays for staff who can make a complicated vacation feel simple.
Privacy and Space
Private pools, larger villas, secluded beaches, and low-density properties can dramatically change the experience.
Location and Accessibility
A remote private island or wilderness resort may cost more partly because getting there requires additional logistics.
Dining, Wellness, and Experiences
Fine dining, specialist wellness programs, guided activities, water sports, and private excursions can all increase the value and cost of a stay.
Exclusivity and Design
Sometimes you are paying for something that is difficult to reproduce: a particular view, architectural concept, private island, or limited number of rooms.
How Much Do Luxury Resorts Cost?
There is no useful single average price for all luxury resorts.
A city-based luxury property, a Maldivian overwater villa, and a private-island resort can have dramatically different rates.
What Determines the Nightly Rate?
| Cost Factor | Why It Changes the Price |
| Season | Peak periods usually cost more |
| Room or villa | Larger and more private accommodation costs more |
| Destination | Remote or highly desirable locations can command premiums |
| Meal plan | All-inclusive packages can increase the upfront rate |
| Transfers | Boats, seaplanes, and private transfers add cost |
| Activities | Private excursions and specialist experiences may be extra |
What May Cost Extra?
Check whether your quoted rate includes:
- Airport transfers
- Meals
- Drinks
- Spa treatments
- Excursions
- Water sports
- Taxes
- Service charges
A lower room rate is not necessarily cheaper once these costs are added.
Are Luxury Resorts Worth the Price?
They can be, especially when the resort delivers an experience you cannot easily recreate elsewhere.
The best value is not always the lowest nightly rate. It can be the property that gives you the right combination of service, privacy, location, accommodation, and included experiences.
How We Selected These 20 Luxury Resorts
The selection focuses on the qualities that make a luxury resort genuinely distinctive rather than simply expensive.
We considered:
- Destination and setting
- Service and personalization
- Accommodation
- Privacy
- Dining
- Wellness
- Activities
- Design
- Reputation and industry recognition
- Distinctiveness of the overall experience
Current 2026 industry awards are useful supporting evidence because they provide updated recognition across global luxury properties. Forbes Travel Guide’s 2026 awards cover more than 100 countries, while the World Travel Awards’ 2026 Indian Ocean nominations show continued competition among leading luxury island resorts.
The list is therefore an editorial selection, not a claim that one universal ranking system has officially declared these the world’s 20 best resorts.
How to Choose the Right Luxury Resort
Match the Resort to Your Travel Purpose
For a honeymoon, prioritize privacy and romance.
For a family trip, look for space, activities, connecting accommodation, and family services.
For adventure, choose a destination where outdoor experiences are genuinely accessible.
Check What Is Actually Included
Read the rate details carefully.
A resort that appears cheaper may become more expensive after meals, transfers, activities, and taxes are added.
Compare the Total Trip Cost
Think beyond the nightly room price.
Include flights, transfers, accommodation, food, activities, and the experiences you actually plan to use.
Consider the Best Travel Season
Weather can change the experience as much as the resort itself.
Check rainfall, temperatures, hurricane or monsoon periods, local holidays, and peak-season demand before booking.
Check Location and Transfer Time
A remote island may be exactly what you want, but reaching it could require a seaplane, boat, or multiple transfers.
For some travelers, that is part of the adventure. For others, it is an inconvenience.
Find the Luxury Resort That Fits Your 2026 Escape
The best luxury resort is not necessarily the one with the biggest villa, highest price, or longest list of amenities. It is the one that gives you the experience you actually want.
For some travelers, that means an overwater villa in the Maldives. For others, it means a private island in the Seychelles, a desert retreat in Utah, a rainforest escape in Bali, or an adventure deep in Patagonia.
Choose the destination first, decide what kind of experience matters most, and then find the resort that makes that experience unforgettable.
Frequently Asked Questions About Luxury Resorts
What are the best luxury resorts in the world?
There is no single answer for every traveler. Soneva Jani, Amangiri, North Island, Jade Mountain, The Brando, and other properties on this list stand out for different reasons.
What makes a resort a luxury resort?
Luxury resorts typically combine high-quality accommodation, personalized service, privacy, excellent dining, premium amenities, attractive surroundings, and distinctive guest experiences.
Are five-star resorts the same as luxury resorts?
Not necessarily. A five-star rating measures defined service and facility standards, while luxury can also depend on privacy, setting, personalization, and the uniqueness of the experience.
How much does a luxury resort cost?
Prices vary widely according to destination, season, accommodation, inclusions, and exclusivity. Private villas and remote island resorts can cost substantially more than conventional luxury properties.
Are luxury resorts worth the money?
They can be if the experience matches your priorities. Compare what is included and focus on service, privacy, location, accommodation, and experiences rather than the room price alone.
What is the best luxury resort for couples?
Jade Mountain, Soneva Jani, and Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora are strong choices for couples because of their privacy, scenery, romantic accommodation, and destination experiences.
What is the best luxury resort for families?
One&Only Reethi Rah and Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi offer a strong combination of space, accommodation choices, activities, dining, and resort facilities.
What should I look for when choosing a luxury resort?
Start with your travel purpose, then compare location, accommodation, privacy, service, inclusions, dining, activities, season, and the total cost of the trip.
