Our Top Luxury Beach Resorts
Published on: September 5th, 2017
Last modified: March 21st, 2024
There are plenty of beach retreats to choose from, including secluded shoreline boutique hotels and lakeside lodges.
Here's Jacada's selection of the world's top luxury beach resorts in Africa, South East Asia and Latin America.
1) Song Saa Private Island Resort, Cambodia
The paradise isles of Song Saa in Cambodia’s section of the Gulf of Thailand are exclusive to this sustainable resort for the ultimate in private, conscientious luxury. You wouldn’t believe that you’re only a 45-minute speedboat ride away from Sihanoukville Port, one of Cambodia’s most popular (perhaps even too popular) tourist destinations.
Dive into waters teeming with vibrant marine life or delve into the island’s rainforest to discover its wealth of exotic creatures, in between relaxing in impeccable luxury, style and unique seclusion. What’s more, the team behind the resort are dedicated to protecting the natural habitats of the archipelago, and improving the welfare of its communities, making this a pure and pristine environment like no other.
2) The Nam Hai, Vietnam
The Nam Hai, one of the most elegant resorts in all of Vietnam, has it all: beach, culture and swathes of glamour and luxury. Its location, just outside the enchanting UNESCO World Heritage Site of Hoi An, means that you can combine the ultimate in beach luxury with an authentic cultural experience.
Dine on delicate Vietnamese to flavoursome Indian food, take a dip in the Olympic-sized infinity pool or indulge in a massage around a lotus-filled pond at the award-winning spa. Here, you can expect world class service and stellar pampering.
3) Nihi Sumba Island, Indonesia
If you wanted to conjure up the most untouched and remote island paradise that you could possibly visit, then you couldn’t do much better than Sumba in the Indonesian archipelago. Add in Nihi Sumba Luxury Retreat, made up of just three villas and six suites, and you’ll have an idea of the idyllic seclusion you’ll find in this luxury island paradise, where private luxury and natural beauty combine to stunning effect.
With half a kilometre of private beach, and things like horse riding, spa treatments, yoga and surfing to pass the time, the most remarkable thing about the island (and that’s saying something) is the extent to which its 6,000 native inhabitants have managed to sustain their ancient traditions as well as the pristine nature of their environment.
The best of the rest
4) Bunga Raya Resort, Borneo
Borneo’s coral islands are just as heavenly as they sound, and this is one of the best resorts from which to explore them and their underwater wonders. Sitting on a beach of fine white sands or ensconced in the vibrant foliage, your private handcrafted villa is an exotic retreat unlike any other. On top of all that, enjoy all the facilities and services of its sister hotel, the Gayana Marine Resort.
5) The Sarojin, Phuket, Thailand
Nestled against the fine white sands of Laem Pakarang beach in a secluded spot of Phuket, the Sarojin is the epitome of contemporary Siamese style and thoughtful indulgence. Dine on delicate feasts at its two restaurants (the hotel also has one the best wine cellars in the country), explore the countryside and coastline through a fantastic range of activities and discover new realms of relaxation at its spa.
6) Azura at Benguerra, Bazaruto Archipelago, Mozambique
There are far worse places to be stranded than Benguerra Island in the marine national park of Mozambique’s Bazaruto Archipelago. Azura’s sixteen private boutique beach-front villas, serviced by butlers, perfectly slot into the island’s natural beauty: and with tailored activities such as private island picnics and diving, plus superb cuisine including some of the freshest fish you’ll ever taste, you’ll begin to understand what makes this place so special.
7) Mnemba Island Lodge, Zanzibar Island, Zanzibar
A favorite amongst the likes of Bill Gates, Mnemba is a castaway island paradise off Zanzibar’s main island and exclusive to this wonderful and intimate island lodge. Its ten exquisite and naturally stylish Zanzabari bandas are spread out through a casuarina pine forest and bordered heavenly beaches that you can have all to yourself.
8) Shanti Maurice, Mauritius
Laid out amongst a large estate of manicured gardens bordering a blissful beach in the south of Mauritius, Shanti Maurice achieves the intimacy of a boutique hotel with the impressive array of amenities and first-class service of the five star resort that it is.
9) Nkwichi Lodge, Lake Niassa, Mozambique
Sitting on a very pretty and isolated part of Mozambique’s Lake Niassa, Nkwichi feels very special indeed. Secluded, informal, natural in its style and very comfortable, its six chalets are served by lovely staff and there are plenty of activities through which to explore the lake.
10) Fregate Private Island, The Seychelles
The Seychelles is home to numerous first class resorts, but Fregate really stands out for its privacy, naturally-styled luxury, divine villas with private pools, excellent dining experiences in assorted spots all over the island and a diverse list of activities.
11) Playa Vik, Jose Ignacio, Uruguay
This is an extraordinary beach property that feels more like a private home and is the very best place to stay in the A-list playground of Jose Ignacio. Its owners are passionate about Uruguayan artists and their various works of art, furniture and sculpture are displayed across its six casas. It also has the best looking pool you might ever set eyes upon.
12) Rosewood Mayakoba, Playa del Carmen, Mexico
Its dreamy setting on an iridescent Caribbean lagoon on the Mexican Mayan Riviera gives Rosewood Mayakoba a mesmerising edge – that and the fact that its divine suites, scattered over this heavenly terrain, are reached either by boat or golf buggy. You won’t want for anything during your stay in this dreamy resort.
13) Kura Design Villas, Dominical, Costa Rica
This collection of just six sustainable and cutting-edge design villas sits along the thickly forested shoreline of the southern Pacific coastline between Manuel Antonio and the Osa Peninsula. Super chic and yet conscientious, here you’ll find perfect tropical seclusion. The closest beach is only 15 minutes drive away, and you’ll be perfectly positioned for a visit to the unmissable Marino Ballena and Corcovado National Parks.
14) Ponta dos Ganchos, Florianopolis, Brazil
This is possibly the most luxurious beach hotel in all of Brazil. Its twenty five cutting-edge design and contemporary villas command uninterrupted sea views and exceptional service on the shores of the popular southern paradise of Florianopolis. Expect world class cuisine, heavenly pampering in the Dior spa, stunning beaches and perfect privacy.
15) Uxua, Trancoso, Brazil
This is the best boutique hotel in the trendy Bahian beach village and locale of Trancoso. Owned and designed by Wilbur Das of the Diesel fashion label, this hotel is suitably stylish and seriously soulful in that tropical Brazilian style that you simply can’t find elsewhere.
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