EXCLUSIVE RETREATS

We dream of travelling and, while this type of leisure experience isn’t fully back to normal, we keep researching and exploring the best stays on the planet. Join us to discover this exclusive club of fabulous resorts and hotels around the world.

Astudy conducted by Washington State University showed that those who frequently travel are seven-per-cent happier than those who rarely do. This shows how getting out of your routine and experiencing new things directly affects your happiness level. Travel is also an activity that has a positive and lasting impact, promoting cultural awareness, acceptance and adaptability. Due to Covid-19, visiting new places and going on holidays is something that most of us have been putting on hold. However, things are starting to improve, and more countries are opening their borders again to avid tourists looking for new adventures.

After a year of restrictions, we’ve selected the most exclusive properties in the world for you to explore and celebrate the restart of the tourism industry. Places with unique details that make them worth a visit in an array of different settings. Travelling is all about experiences, and opting to have the best of the best is a memory to hold onto forever!

The Langham Nymphenburg Residence

Munich, Germany

This perfect property inhabits a spacious 900sq/m and dates from the 18th century. For more than two years, it went through a meticulous restoration to be reborn as a bespoke private residence. It directly views the majestic 490-acre imperial estate of Nymphenburg Palace and features unique handcrafted artworks in every room. The new place offers luxurious comfort, privacy and exclusiveness.

The Langham features seven bathrooms, four bedrooms, three living rooms, an airy dining room, a fully-equipped kitchen, fitness centre, conference suite, home cinema and cellar. The private sun-dappled terrace allows guests to relax in the middle of a beautifully landscaped garden and further offers enough space to seat 100 guests if an exclusive outdoor event is called for. The magnificent estate of the Nymphenburg Palace can be seen from the dining room on the ground floor.

What makes it exclusive: A 24-hour personal assistant, limousine service, and curated experiences such as a gondola ride on the Nymphenburg Canal, ice skating on the river, private visits to the Nymphenburg Castle, Majolica pottery painting, private workshops and a picnic feast in the gardens of the residence.

@langhamnymphenburg

Mandarin Oriental, Bodrum

Bodrum, Turkey

The property is located on the shores of Paradise Bay, minutes from the historic city of Göltürkbükü and the seventh Wonder of the World, the Tomb of Mausolus. The stunning resort is seasonal, so you have to book your stay in the period when it is open. The surrounding area is covered in pine trees and olive groves with breathtaking views of two private beaches. The resort has introduced enhancements, including augmented dining offers, a tennis academy, innovative fitness training and a shopping boutique featuring luxury international and local brands. The spa is located in a 2,700sq/m area with signature wellness concepts, luxurious hammams and private scrub rooms.

What makes it exclusive: The Melissa Villa, a chic and contemporary house with five bedrooms, various living areas and stunning views of the Aegean Sea. The villa comes with private butler service. The resort also offers tours by helicopter and traditional Turkish Gulet.

@mo_bodrum

One & Only Portonovi

Herceg Novi, Montenegro

This brand-new hotel is located at Boka Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its rich local culture and Venetian architecture. The nearby well-preserved medieval towns of Kotor, Risan, Tivat, Perast, and Herceg Novi feature hidden monasteries within caves, mythical citadels, and views of the Adriatic Sea and mountains.

The resort is a one-hour drive from Dubrovnik in Croatia and 50 minutes from Tivat Airport, and you can use the hotel’s private transfer by luxury car or helicopter. As a year-round destination, it has secluded private pools, a tennis club with two floodlit courts, a kids’ area, internal Venetian courtyards, and access to a private beach and jetty.

What makes it exclusive: The resort will feature a complete collection of 10 One & Only Private Homes with individual pools and direct access to your own beach and jetty. These homes let you experience the best of both resort and home comfort. The spa embraces the Chenot Method offering Biolight and Detox Diet plans to promote vitality and boost energy levels, with scientific backing.

@ooportonovi

Nay Palad Hideaway

Siargao, Philippines

If you are looking for a place in the sun, this resort located on the southeastern tip of Siargao island might do the trick. It is nestled between ancient mangrove forests and soft white sands, surrounded by tropical jungle, underground caves and untouched beaches; this hideaway gives a luxury barefoot vibe.

Activities such as kayaking through ancient mangroves, exploring the island on a motorbike, sailing, diving or surfing, in the famous Cloud 9 epic barrel waves, are available for sport lovers. Siargao has more than 20 different surfing spots catering to all levels. And non-surfers can enjoy this waveriding spectacle from a multistorey wooden watchtower on the beach.

What makes it exclusive: The Perlah Villa with two master bedrooms and one double bedroom, a private pool, fireplace, private beach and a tree platform. You can also enjoy dinner at a treehouse or watch a film by the pool at the resort.

@naypalad

KENSHŌ Psarou

Mykonos, Greece

Experience Greek hospitality in this shorefront hotel located on one of the world’s most exclusive stretches of sand, the Psarou beach in Mykonos. This property is a new addition to the KENSHŌ Boutique Hotels & Villas portfolio, and its design reflects Aegean architecture merging local stone and aged wood.

The rooms and suites come with either outdoor hot tubs or private plunge pools. The restaurant’s menu is designed by Mykonian chef Ippokratis Anagnostelis and offers modern Mediterranean cuisine with the emphasis on seafood.

What makes it exclusive: The Kenshō Villa Psarou, a four-bedroom, en suite private villa of 150sq/m and a 100sq/m outdoor area with a private pool, garden and a massive terrace. The villa has a panoramic open view over Psarou Bay.

@kenshomykonos

OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI

South Male Atoll, Maldives

The Maldives is known for its expansive white beaches and turquoise waters. At OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI, you get the perfect picture of a tropical paradise. This idyllic resort offers 90 secluded villas located overwater and beachfront (each villa comes with a private pool and direct beach or lagoon access), a luxurious spa and wellness centre and one of the largest kids’ clubs in the Maldives.

The resort has a RESERVE plan that includes the very best of fine dining, premium beverages, and exclusive experiences blended seamlessly with a hassle-free vacation. The activities on offer vary from enjoying an openair ice skating rink (the first of its kind in the Maldives), private yacht charters, motorised and non-motorised water sports, diving centre, and even cooking classes.

What makes it exclusive: The Royal RESERVE is a luxurious threebedroom residence with a private beach, spa pavilion, open-air Jacuzzi, gym, an overwater bar and a dedicated restaurant. At OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI, you can also stay on an opulent superyacht that accommodates up to eight guests overnight in two master cabins and two twin cabins, all with en suite bathrooms.

@ozenreservebolifushi

Sala’s Camp
Masai Mara, Kenya
Not exactly the most luxurious stay of your life, but if you are looking for an exclusive and authentic experience to embark on a safari observing African wildlife, Sala’s Camp might be the place to go. Located in the Masai Mara National Reserve by the banks of the Sand River, the camp is less than two kilometres away from the Tanzanian border with a splendid wild outlook and views into the Serengeti National Park. The camp has the best location in the Mara to witness the legendary annual wildebeest migration, which happens from June to September each year. And this ‘into the wild’ experience can occur from the comfort of rooms with en suite bathrooms with hot showers, bathtubs and running water— all powered by solar electricity with a standby generator for cloudier days. What makes it exclusive: The camp combines a traditional under-canvas experience with personalised service and fine dining. It offers seven spacious and luxurious tents that are glass-fronted and have private pools.

@thesafaricollection