#luxury-travel

#luxury-travel

Deserted white sandy beaches, a 15-seat chef's table serving a farm-to-table Michelin-starred tasting menu, silence broken only by crashing waves, and not a cocktail bucket in sight. Oh yes, this is Phuket, but not as you might know it. For those willing to go against the grain and head north over the bridge, it's just 20 minutes to Iniala Beach House, but a world away from the island you think you know.

From ordering a Singapore Sling at Raffles to taking a scenic dip at the floating swimming pool on Lake Como at Grand Hotel Tremezzo, hotels have long enticed guests via destination restaurants, bars and swimming pools.

Since its debut in 2021, The White Lotus has become an unlikely kingmaker in the world of high-end travel. Each season's setting, from Hawaii to Sicily, has enjoyed a measurable boost in desirability, with hotels and destinations finding themselves reframed through the show's glossy, satirical lens. Equal parts escapism and social commentary, the series has proven especially potent in shaping where affluent travelers want to be seen next.

As international tourism grows, many popular luxury destinations once associated with wealth and exclusivity are now packed with large crowds, long lines, and constant noise. Rob DelliBovi, a luxury travel planner whose clients include celebrities and high-net-worth individuals, told Business Insider many of his clients feel crowded out of places that used to feel special. He said there's a "continuing trend of our clients believing everything is too crowded and they need their own space." As a result, wealthy travelers are deliberately seeking out destinations that others tend to overlook, or that don't yet have the infrastructure to accommodate swaths of more budget-minded travelers.

Through Airbnb, dozens of castles are available to book for a stay, from New York State to Italy. Many of these properties offer luxury accommodations, modern amenities, and transportive, historic estates and grounds. Whether you want to get lost in the corridors of a 12th-century Irish tower or lounge by the pool at a Loire Valley château, these castles are straight out of a storybook.

Set in the heart of the Baa Atoll, a Unesco Biosphere Reserve, the island offers a more intimate vision of Maldivian luxury; one that favors calm over excess and personalization over scale. Home to just 50 private villas, each with its own pool, Milaidhoo is deliberately small, creating an intimate island setting that feels both personal and unhurried. The experience is shaped around thoughtful service, generous space and a rhythm that encourages guests to slow down and settle into island life.

Your wanderlust doesn't have to end just because you've got a furry, feathered, or scaly friend waiting at home. In fact, the right pet can actually become the perfect travel companion for your adventures. Whether you're someone who craves luxury spa weekends, thrives on mountain climbing expeditions, or prefers budget-friendly road trips, there's a pet out there that matches your travel personality perfectly. The secret isn't just picking any animal and hoping for the best.

A luxury retreat is taking the guest experience to new heights. Famed Utah resort Amangiri will launch private flights to neighboring national parks for guests, making it easier to take in some of the region's most amazing natural sites, a spokesperson for Amangiri shared with Travel + Leisure. Guests of the resort will have the option to book a visit to Arches National Park, Canyonlands National Park, or Capitol Reef National Park. With these private jet flights, travelers will have the opportunity to visit each of the " Mighty 5" national parks in Utah as well as plan a trip to Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona during their stay.

This coming summer, Schloss Elmau in Germany's Bavarian Alps will offer children over the age of six soccer clinics run by top German soccer clubs, a literary workshop that culminates in producing a bound book, and classes on artificial intelligence and coding. No, this isn't an elite European finishing school or even a summer camp-it's a luxury hotel. Schloss Elmau is one in a growing set of hotels offering enriching activities for younger guests in the summer.

"When we walked onto the set of the Tipton Hotel, I remember thinking, 'Do hotels like this really exist?'"

If you needed one more reason to plan a last-minute trip to Switzerland this winter-outside of the country's Christmas markets, ski areas, fresh snow, and cozy chalets-we found it. This month, The Woodward, Auberge Collection, one of the best hotels in Geneva, announced a range of festive holiday amenities and experiences, all centered around its partnership with Italian jewelry house Pomellato.

The Mediterranean archipelago of Malta is small but mighty, with 21 miniature islands offering wide golden beaches lapped with aquamarine waters, glorious sandstone cities filled with Baroque temples, cathedrals to potter through, and a foodie haven in its laidback capital Valletta. Of course, there are plenty of wonderful Malta hotels - and cosy Airbnbs - scattered throughout the archipelago, but those looking for ample space to lounge should look to its

A week before speculation mounted over which glamorous French retreat would star in the much-anticipated season 4 of The White Lotus, my family and I pulled up to the palatial gates of the Grand-Hôtel du Cap-Ferrat, A Four Seasons Hotel. It's a tradition we've upheld since I was pregnant with my eldest daughter, and every summer thereafter, visiting as a party of three, four, and, eventually, five.

Air carriers around the world expand premium seats and luxury cabins for big spenders.

For a panoramic perspective, the Dubrovnik Cable Car offers magnificent views of the city's ancient rooftops and the distant Elaphite Islands. As the sun sets, enjoy a cliffside dinner with a glass of Dingač wine and soak in the fiery horizon. The following day, sail to the Elaphite Islands, a trio of serene escapes. Continue to St. Pietro, a secluded islet perfect for swimming, a chef-prepared onboard picnic, or simply enjoying the peace.

Or maybe you've followed his global travels via social media with his pitbull, Kuma, who accompanies him everywhere, from film sets to far-flung escapes. Now, 11 months into a year that's taken him all over, Theroux steps into the role of Global Explorer for Marriott International's The Luxury Collection, starring as "The Curator" in a new series of short films that follow the actor as he enjoys breakfast, unwinds in a bubble bath, and generally shows off his love of hotels.

Every hotel on this list has been selected independently by our editors and written by a Condé Nast Traveller journalist who knows the destination and has stayed at that property. When choosing hotels, our editors consider both luxury properties and boutique and lesser-known boltholes that offer an authentic and insider experience of a destination. We're always looking for beautiful design, a great location and warm service - as well as serious sustainability credentials. We update this list regularly as new hotels open and existing ones evolve.

For the second year in a row, Condé Nast Traveller released its list of the UK's top travel specialists - the people we trust most when it comes to advising us on travel plans, booking our trips and making certain we get insider access, those impossible restaurant reservations and the ultimate immersive experiences we will remember for years to come.

As workplaces have evolved, billionaire executives have quickly upgraded their luxury travel options to be fully equipped for remote work. This has included dedicated office space, high-speed satellite internet connections, board rooms, and even additional desk areas for support staff on yachts. "After Covid, working remotely became easy for everyone, and there's no reason you couldn't do it from a yacht," said yacht charterer Dimitris Angelakos, per the Wall Street Journal.

Skiing is both a beloved pastime and a lifestyle throughout Europe, which means choosing a destination for a transatlantic ski trip can be a dizzying experience. While ski resorts can be found all over the continent, France, Switzerland, Austria, Italy, and Norway are particularly renowned for their ski-friendly climates, terrain, and infrastructure. Villages like St. Moritz and Cortina d'Ampezzo have welcomed snow-seeking travelers for years.

Guests trade sleeping bags for plush bedding and rustic campsites for thoughtfully designed retreats like domes, yurts, or treehouses. These accommodations often feature private bathrooms, climate control, and even gourmet dining options. It's the perfect blend of rustic charm and refined living, allowing travelers to unwind in serene settings while still enjoying modern conveniences. Whether nestled in the woods, perched in the mountains, or overlooking a desert landscape, glamping provides a refreshing escape with just the right touch of indulgence.

Rates start at €475 a visit, with special packages for honeymooning couples Everyone from Taylor Swift to Johnny Depp has passed discreetly through the hidden terminal

At its core, padel is a doubles sport played on a small enclosed court, blending elements of tennis and squash. It's easy to learn, low-impact, and inherently social - three reasons it's resonating with a generation of travellers increasingly drawn to movement, community, and connection, says Krieger. It requires less training than tennis, and isn't as overly saturated as pickleball. As a result, it seems to be filling a peculiar gap at just the right time.