We earn a commission for products purchased through some links in this article.
The World's Top Luxury Holiday Destinations For An Indulgent Escape
Lap up the luxury in these upscale holiday hotspots, from Iceland to the Seychelles.
If a no-expense-spared trip is what you have in mind, you've come to the right place as we've rounded up the best luxury holiday destinations to visit at least once in your life.
Whether you're after an icy adventure with plenty of pampering, or barefoot luxury on an idyllic island, there are many ways to splurge on a lavish holiday.
These five-star destinations are ideal for travellers who have cash to splash on an indulgent break. Bringing you luxurious accommodation, style and breathtaking scenery, these beach, city and island locations are the ones where A-listers and millionaires spend their downtime.
From paradise in the Indian Ocean to Northern Europe's sublime island country, here's where to go if you're searching for luxury holiday destinations...
Los Angeles
The home of Tinseltown, sprawling hills and one of the dreamiest coastlines in the world, it’s no wonder L.A has become the ultimate hotspot for A-listers and travellers alike. While Los Angeles is best known for its association to Hollywood (think La La Land and Singing In The Rain) and headache-inducing freeways, it’s a haven for food lovers (must visits include Nobu, République and Pizzeria Mozza), hikers (lace up for Runyon Canyon Park and The Charlie Turner Trail to Mount Hollywood) and hedonistic partygoers (we’ll see you at Sunset at EDITION and the Nomad Rooftop Bar). Prepare for sleepless nights because like its New York counterpart, this place isn’t one for shut-eye.
Where to stay: Boutique hotel The West Hollywood EDITION, located on the corner of West Sunset Boulevard, is a hop, skip and a jump away from Soho House, the Sunset Strip and the Troubadour, which makes it the perfect place to stay in the city. With two penthouses, Ardor (its signature Californian restaurant serving vegetable-heavy cuisine) a rooftop pool, basement club, a fitness centre and six-treatment room spa, The West Hollywood EDITION is luxury hospitality at its finest.
Iceland
Loved by billionaires and A-listers, from Beyoncé to Gwyneth Paltrow, Iceland is a playground for adventures. Seeing the Northern Lights, venturing inside otherworldly ice caves and witnessing mighty waterfalls are just some of the ways to get in on the action in Iceland. With its geothermal waters, it's also a luxurious spa destination, and the food here is second to none, too. Capital Reykjavik is home to a host of high-end restaurants including Kopar, Grillmarkaðurinn and Dill.
Where to stay: The Retreat at the Blue Lagoon offers the ultimate in VIP luxury. Guests here have access to their own private area of the famous attraction, where you can relax in the thermal waters without the crowds. Its spa provides off-the-scale luxury: think massages on the thermal water itself and a spa ritual that takes you through a series of chambers to exfoliate and hydrate your face and body.
Lake Como
The epitome of Italian elegance and glamour, Lake Como is the place to experience charming lakeside towns and villages, neoclassical villas with perfectly-preened gardens and upscale living. While it's a luxurious holiday destination to get out and about exploring, Lake Como is also an excellent place for a calm escape, where you're surrounded by breathtaking nature and can relax on the beaches and with scenic boat rides. Bellagio, Varenna and Tremezzo are just some of the most beautiful Lake Como towns to discover.
Where to stay: Grand Hotel Tremezzo is one of Italy's most opulent hotels and is located on the shores of Lake Como in Tremezzina. It has its own beach, three swimming pools (including one on the lake) and a marina with two classic boats that take you out on private tours of Lake Como. The rooms and suites are fit for royalty: some have large balconies overlooking the water and others have grand marble bathrooms with Jacuzzi tubs.
The Seychelles
When it comes to luxury in the Indian Ocean, you can't beat the Seychelles. It was the honeymoon destination of choice for the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, as well as George and Amal Clooney, and it's a great alternative to the Maldives and Mauritius if you're looking to splurge. An idyllic escape for romantic couples and solos alike, the Seychelles are like paradise on Earth. From their heavenly beaches (try Beau Vallon and Anse Royal on Mahé), to the incredible Creole cuisine and culture of capital Victoria, the Seychelles is the ultimate beach destination for lovers of luxury.
Where to stay: Mango House in the south of the island of Mahé is a five-star hotel that was previously owned and lived in by Italian fashion photographer Gian Paolo Barbieri. Offering an authentic atmosphere, with unrivalled hospitality, and contemporary style, this luxurious hotel has stylish rooms overlooking the quiet bay, Anse Aux Poules Bleues, fantastic dining (whether you're after freshly-made sushi or traditional Seychellois food), and amazing activities, such as mindful painting and kayaking.
The Cotswolds
With its quaint villages, rolling countryside and atmospheric pubs, the Cotswolds are one of the most picturesque places in the UK for a holiday. Also a luxurious place for a staycation, it's where you can shop for organic produce at Daylesford Farm, have an indulgent treatment at Bamford Wellness Spa and browse the gardens of Prince Charles' country retreat Highgrove. Whatever time of year you're visiting (we love Christmas as much as the summer months), the scenery and atmosphere will take your breath away.
Where to stay: While many head for Soho Farmhouse in Oxfordshire, Thyme in the Gloucestershire Cotswolds gets our vote. This beautiful estate is where you can feast on incredible seasonal dishes, like venison, in its stunning Ox Barn restaurant and relax in the serene spa with an outdoor pool. The country house hotel is more of a lifestyle brand, with it owns fashion boutique, art exhibitions and Bertioli skincare products.
Marrakech
Morocco's red city is a fashionable traveller's dream. Marrakech has hosted countless photoshoots and featured in numerous films and TV series (including Netflix's Inventing Anna and Sex and the City 2, starring as Abu Dhabi). The photogenic destination combines bustling medina life with the opulence of palaces and gardens. The Majorelle Garden, which was owned by Yves Saint Laurent, the Bahia Palace, with its symmetrical design, and palm-tree oasis the Palmeraie are the places worth checking out during a luxurious city break.
Where to stay: Palatial retreat Royal Mansour is just steps away from the lively medina while feeling like a peaceful, private retreat. It was commissioned by King Mohammed VI and built by 1,500 local artisans, with four acres of lush gardens, including a kitchen garden, Italian dining by three Michelin-starred chef Massimiliano Alajmo and a stunning open courtyard.
Roshina leads the digital travel content for Hearst UK, covering titles including Country Living, Red, Good Housekeeping and Harper's Bazaar.
When she's not eating her way around Istanbul or hiking the Dolomites' peaks, she loves nothing more than escaping the crowds of London for a country break.
From Bars To Boutiques, The 7 Most Fashionable Places To Visit In Copenhagen
ELLE UK's Guide To Bodrum
The ELLE Guide To Costa Smeralda
Forget What You Think You Know About Marbella
