Everyone’s idea of a dream holiday is unique, but we can all agree on certain standards of what constitutes luxury. Below are some of the finest holiday venues in the world, and all of them aim to go above and beyond in delivering a premium, bespoke holiday experience worthy of their sizable price tags and global reputation. Whether you’re the adventurous type looking to go on safari or want nothing more than to be left alone on your own private island, there’s something here for everyone to enjoy.
Royal Malewane Safari Lodge, South Africa
This South African hotel lodge is situated on the borders of the Kruger National Park. The Royal Malewane aims to deliver a thrilling safari experience without sparing any luxury. The lodge offers “Big Five” game viewing - that is, the opportunity to witness Elephants, Cape Buffalos, Leopards, Rhinos and, of course, Lions in their natural habitat. The Royal Malewane can boast among its regular guests the likes of Elton John and Bill Gates. It also offers a host of tantalising extras including a fully featured spa and the opportunity to dine al-fresco under the night sky of the savannah.
Royal Caribbean Oasis-Class Cruise, Caribbean Islands
These ships represent the pinnacle of cruise ship design. The Symphony of the Seas, the flagship, is currently the largest cruise ship in the world and along with its sister vessels it offers world-beating luxury on the water. Your 5 star experience aboard these liners will give you access to high quality shopping outlets, opulent spas, swimming pools and gyms. Nightlife is taken care of thanks to the Oasis-class 12 bars and 20 restaurants and fully stocked 1400m² casino with a dedicated high stakes poker room.
&Beyond Mnemba Island, Tanzania
Few notions of unparalleled luxury come close to the idea of having your very own private tropical island to enjoy. This is precisely what the &Beyond Mnemba Island hotel strives to offer. Situated not far from the coast of the Tanzanian island of Zanzibar, the island resort comes with a maximum capacity of 20 guests. Each beachside cottage is accompanied by its own segment of pristine, barefoot sandy beach for visitors to enjoy. In addition to this, the island is home to a small and shady pine forest in the centre and offers some of the best scuba diving around thanks to the reefs surrounding the Mnemba atoll. Finally, you can fulfil all your most romantic desert island dreams thanks to this world-class resort.
Burj Al Arab, United Arab Emirates
The city of Dubai, located in the United Arab Emirates, has rightfully earned its reputation as a playground for the rich and as home to some of the most exclusive and luxury experiences money can buy. There are a host of 5 star venues in Dubai worthy of this list, but the Burj Al Arab retains its crown as the finest holiday venue this city can offer. A popular myth has grown up around the hotel that it is, in fact, the world’s first 6, or even 7, star resort. While this is not officially true, with the star rating system maxing out at 5, it points to the top tier luxury on offer for holiday goers fortunate enough to book a stay here. Construction of the Burj Al Arab was completed in 1999, and its sail-like sweeping form has become one of the major landmarks of Dubai’s impressively vertical skyline. While it is dwarfed by its neighbour, the 828m Burj Khalifa, at 321 meters high the Al Arab remains one of the tallest hotels in the world. A stunning architectural feature of this height is an interior atrium that rises 18 storeys in the centre of the building, suffusing the structure with space and light. The Al Arab sits on its own man-made island, 1km off the coast of Dubai and offers palatial rooms that run to $24,000 a night.