Ultra-luxury holidays around the world

The shiny city of Dubai boasts a variety of skyscraping five-star hotels – none more glamorous than Armani Hotel Dubai set over 30 floors of the ever-spectacular Burj Khalifa.

As the tallest building in the world, you can pretty much guarantee breathtaking panoramic views of Dubai’s downtime metropolis no matter what suite you choose; but we recommend the Armani Executive Suite for the swankiest overnight stay. You’ll lap up the luxury of custom Armani furniture and have an extensive private balcony to enjoy a dirty martini on before you head to the hotel’s super-rich Armani/Privē nightclub. Feel like a VIP as you take a seat in the club's exclusive after-hours cocktail lounge.

Next up on our list of the world’s top ultra-luxury holidays is a stay at Bvlgari Resort Bali, a beachfront resort elevated 150 metres above sea level to offer the best sweeping views of the vast Indian Ocean. There are countless five-star resorts dotted around the tropical island of Bali, but this place stands out for its selection of humongous villas and impeccable sense of style – everything’s designed around a fusion of traditional Balinese and high-end Italian fashion.

The grandest accommodation on offer is a five-bedroom mansion complete with private butler service, a two-tier swimming pool, and even its own elevator. But no matter what villa you stay in, just make sure you book a table at Il Ristorante – Luca Fantin, the resort’s super classy signature restaurant cooking up fine dining Italian fare that’ll knock your socks off. 

The Maldives often tops people’s holiday bucket lists – and for good reason too. There’s nothing quite like the feeling of stepping barefoot off a seaplane onto the soft white sands and gazing out at the endless rows of luxury water villas. One of which you’ll call home for a week or two. No doubt you’ll be greeted with a welcome glass of bubbly, too.

And if you’re going to the sunny Maldives, we say spare no expense on one of the biggest, most extravagant resorts on offer - the Conrad Maldives Rangali Island. Here you’ll find high-end villas, an ultra-glam spa, and an incredible selection of 12 world-class restaurants, including Ithaa, the world’s first undersea restaurant. You’ll dine on a fancy six-course meal whilst gazing out at the 180º view of exotic sea life. 
 

The Côte d’Azur (AKA the French Riviera) is a region that’s all about enjoying the finer things in life, whether it’s a classy meal at one of Cannes’ many Michelin star restaurants or a night-out painting the town red in Monte Carlo’s famed casinos. Even just the name of the place evokes a sense of opulence and expensive things. 

For the most luxurious stay here, we recommend staying in Saint Tropez’s newly-renovated Hotel Saint Amour - La Tartane. Here you’ll enjoy its selection of 17 beautiful private suites overlooking lush seaside gardens, you can even charter the hotel’s premium yacht for a night or two, sailing the Mediterranean Sea and sipping cocktails whilst the on-board private chef whips up a celebratory meal. This experience alone is worth celebrating, even if there’s no special occasion to raise a toast to!

At Kenya’s stately Giraffe Manor, you’ll wake up to breakfast with majestic giraffes peering their long necks in through the windows, whilst you sip on a morning tea. Also on offer are hot air balloon rides, horseback riding, animal encounters, and a variety of Serengeti safaris – this unique experience alone makes it one of the top ultra-luxury holiday destinations around the world. Especially if you’re an adventurous animal lover who also loves the luxury side of things.

That’s the thing about Giraffe Manor – despite a herd of giraffes also calling the 12-acre grounds their home, the hotel itself is still a lavish boutique-style retreat. There's a wellness spa, hot tub, and a selection of grand suites boasting four-poster beds, art deco décor, and antique furniture. Think of this place as like the glamorous version of a safari.

Last up on our list of the world’s top ultra-luxury holidays is a trip to Lake Como, one of Italy’s largest lakes spanning 56 square miles of serene blue waters. It’s also one of the richest places in the world, with many elitist aristocrats and millionaires settling in summer homes, villas and mansions dotted around the lake. 

But you can experience the glamour too by staying in one of Lake Como’s uber-chic hotels – the best of which we think is Mandarin Oriental Lago di Como, a magnificent lakeside property that’ll impress even the most seasoned travellers. The whole place is styled to the nines with hanging chandeliers, grand fireplaces, and high-quality contemporary Italian furniture.

When you’re not wandering around the place in awe, you can spend your days relaxing in the hotel’s wellness spa, sailing the lake waters on a private boat tour, or sipping the afternoon away at a wine-tasting experience. It's one of our favourite luxury honeymoon destinations. 

What is the most luxurious holiday destination in the world?
There are countless ultra-luxe holiday destinations to choose from around the globe – so much you can never really run out of ideas on where to push the holiday boat out. 

However, some of the world's most renowned luxurious destinations include the island paradise of the Maldives, the ritzy charm of the French Riviera, and the ultra-modern brilliance of Dubai. Where’s best for you all depends on what type of getaway you’re after, but we believe you simply can’t go wrong with these top-tier places.

Are first-class flights worth the price?
It all depends on the amount you’re paying – which is often way beyond most people’s price range. However, the level of service you receive on a first-class flight is next to none. The exciting experience itself is worth forking out for at least once in your life – especially if you’ve racked up some air miles to get a super cheap discount.