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Condé Nast Traveller Readers’ Choice Awards 2026 | What the winners tell us about luxury travel

Condé Nast Traveller Readers’ Choice Awards 2026 | What the winners tell us about luxury travel

From legendary hotels to a new generation of all-inclusive resorts, this year’s results reveal a more personal approach to luxury travel.

 

Every year, the Condé Nast Traveller Readers’ Choice Awards offer an interesting insight into the places making the greatest impression on travellers around the world.

 

The 2026 results have now been revealed, recognising the best hotels, resorts, destinations and travel experiences as voted for by readers themselves.

 

Unlike an editorial list of the latest openings or the destinations tipped to become the next big thing, these awards reflect real travel experiences. They recognise the places people have visited, loved and would recommend to others.

 

And looking at this year’s winners, one thing becomes particularly apparent, there is no longer a single definition of luxury travel.

 

From historic city hotels and secluded Mediterranean retreats to all-inclusive resorts and extraordinary wilderness experiences, the results reflect the increasingly individual ways we choose to travel.

 

So, which names came out on top? And what do the Condé Nast Traveller Readers’ Choice Awards 2026 tell us about the future of luxury holidays?

The best luxury hotels in 2026

Some of the most interesting results come from the hotel categories, where established names continue to hold their own against an ever-growing collection of new luxury properties.

Finca Cortesín, Spain – Best Hotel in Spain

Set among the rolling hills of Andalucía, Finca Cortesín is one of Spain’s most celebrated luxury hotels.

 

Its appeal lies in an understated approach to Mediterranean luxury. Think beautiful gardens, spacious suites, exceptional restaurants and a world-class golf course, all within a setting that feels a world away from the busier resorts of the Costa del Sol.

 

Its recognition in the 2026 awards demonstrates the enduring appeal of hotels that prioritise space, privacy and attention to detail.

 

Rather than constantly introducing something new, Finca Cortesín has built its reputation around consistently delivering an exceptional experience.

The Carlyle, A Rosewood Hotel – Best Hotel in New York City

There are few hotels more closely associated with New York than The Carlyle.

 

An Upper East Side institution, the hotel is known for its Art Deco interiors, discreet hospitality and rich cultural history.

 

Its legendary Bemelmans Bar and Café Carlyle have welcomed generations of New Yorkers and international visitors, contributing to a personality that extends well beyond the hotel’s rooms and suites.

 

In a city where new luxury hotels regularly compete for attention, The Carlyle’s continued success suggests that heritage and atmosphere remain powerful attractions.

 

For some travellers, luxury isn’t about discovering somewhere new. It’s about returning somewhere that already feels special.

Mount Nelson, A Belmond Hotel – Best Hotel in Eastern and Southern Africa

Cape Town’s Mount Nelson offers another example of the enduring appeal of a heritage hotel.

 

Instantly recognisable for its pink exterior, the property has welcomed visitors for more than a century and remains one of South Africa’s most celebrated addresses.

 

Its expansive gardens, mountain views and established traditions give it a distinctive sense of place.

 

While contemporary luxury properties continue to open across Africa, Mount Nelson demonstrates that character, history and a recognisable style of hospitality still resonate with travellers.

The best luxury resorts in 2026

If the hotel winners celebrate heritage and established reputations, the resort categories reveal a broader interpretation of what a luxury holiday can look like.

 

From highly personalised wilderness experiences to contemporary all-inclusive escapes, the variety is striking.

Ikos Odisia, Corfu – Best Resort in Greece

One of the most interesting results is the recognition of Ikos Odisia as the best resort in Greece.

 

Set on Corfu’s coastline, the resort represents a new generation of premium all-inclusive holidays, where outstanding dining, beautiful accommodation and carefully curated experiences come together within one inclusive offering.

 

The Ikos concept challenges many of the traditional associations with all-inclusive resorts.

 

Rather than being defined primarily by convenience, the experience places considerable emphasis on quality, from à la carte restaurants and premium drinks to personalised hospitality and experiences beyond the resort.

Its success highlights how much the luxury all-inclusive market has evolved.

 

For travellers who value exceptional service without constantly having to think about the details, this approach has considerable appeal.

 

And as expectations surrounding all-inclusive holidays continue to rise, resorts such as Ikos Odisia are increasingly competing with traditional five-star hotels on the overall quality of the experience.

JOALI Maldives – Best Resort in the Indian Ocean

The Maldives has long been synonymous with luxury travel, but JOALI brings a particularly distinctive perspective to the destination.

 

Located on Muravandhoo Island, the resort combines extraordinary natural surroundings with a strong emphasis on art, architecture and design.

 

Its overwater and beachfront villas are complemented by carefully considered creative experiences, giving the property an identity beyond the familiar imagery of turquoise lagoons and white-sand beaches.

 

JOALI’s recognition reflects a growing appetite for luxury resorts with a personality of their own.

 

A spectacular location remains important, but increasingly travellers are looking for something beyond the view.

Four Seasons Tented Camp Golden Triangle – Best Resort in Thailand

In northern Thailand, Four Seasons Tented Camp Golden Triangle offers an entirely different interpretation of luxury.

 

Surrounded by bamboo forests and overlooking the landscapes where Thailand, Laos and Myanmar meet, the property combines tented accommodation with immersive experiences in an extraordinary natural setting.

 

Here, luxury is less about grand hotel lobbies and more about privacy, adventure and a connection to the surrounding environment.

 

It’s the kind of experience that illustrates why luxury travel has become difficult to define through traditional categories alone.

 

For one traveller, the ideal holiday might involve a beachfront villa in the Maldives. For another, it could be a tented retreat in the Thai wilderness.

 

Both can deliver an exceptional experience, but for entirely different reasons.

Jade Mountain, St Lucia – Best Resort in the Caribbean and Atlantic

Perched above St Lucia’s dramatic coastline, Jade Mountain is famous for its extraordinary views towards the Pitons and its open-air sanctuary suites.

 

The architecture is designed around the surrounding landscape, with expansive spaces that blur the boundaries between the accommodation and the natural environment.

 

Private infinity pools and an emphasis on seclusion make it particularly appealing to couples seeking a memorable escape.

 

Its recognition reinforces the appeal of properties that offer a genuine sense of escape, where the location itself becomes a defining part of the experience.

Beyond the hotels | The best destinations

The Condé Nast Traveller Readers’ Choice Awards extend well beyond individual hotels and resorts.

 

The destination results are equally interesting, particularly for anyone considering where to travel in 2027.

 

Greece was voted the best country in the world, reinforcing its continued popularity among travellers seeking everything from island escapes and historic cities to outstanding food and contemporary luxury resorts.

 

Meanwhile, Bangkok was named the world’s best city, reflecting the enduring appeal of a destination known for its dynamic restaurant scene, cultural attractions and impressive collection of luxury hotels.

 

For winter travel, Zermatt in Switzerland was recognised as Europe’s best ski resort.

 

With the Matterhorn providing one of the world’s most recognisable mountain backdrops, Zermatt combines exceptional skiing with mountain restaurants, luxury chalets and a beautiful car-free village.

 

These results demonstrate the breadth of experiences that travellers continue to value.

 

The perfect destination might be a Mediterranean island, an energetic capital city or an alpine village. What matters increasingly is how well it matches the experience someone wants from their holiday.

Our take | The future of luxury travel is personal

One of the most valuable things about the Readers’ Choice Awards is whose opinions they represent.

 

These aren’t predictions about the next big destination or simply a showcase of the latest openings. They’re a reflection of real travel experiences and the places that have made a lasting impression.

 

And with so many extraordinary hotels and destinations to choose from, the challenge isn’t necessarily finding somewhere five-star.

 

It’s finding somewhere that’s right for you.

 

That’s where recommendations from fellow travellers and advice from people who know these destinations personally become particularly valuable.

 

Because sometimes, the people who’ve already been and seen really are the best people to ask.

 

At Travel Seen, we explore the people, places and ideas shaping how we travel. When inspiration turns into plans, our specialist travel advisors across the Travel Seen Group can help create a holiday tailored to you.

Start planning your next escape

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Condé Nast Traveller Readers’ Choice Awards 2026 | What the winners tell us about luxury travel

The Condé Nast Traveller Readers’ Choice Awards 2026 have revealed the world's favourite luxury hotels, resorts and destinations. From iconic city hotels to exceptional all-inclusive escapes, we explore what this year's winners tell us about the changing face of luxury travel.

Airelles, the hotel name to know now

From Courchevel and Versailles to Venice and now St Barth, Airelles is quietly becoming one of the most exciting names in ultra-luxury hospitality. We explore what makes the collection different and why it says so much about the way luxury travel is changing.

The rise of the Whycation

The new question isn’t where are you going, but why? From food and family to adventure, events and doing absolutely nothing, the Whycation puts the reason for travelling before the destination.
Get in touch today to start planning your trips

Airelles, the hotel name to know now

Travel is Changing | Airelles, the hotel name to know now

From Courchevel and Versailles to Venice and now St Barth, Airelles is quietly becoming one of the most interesting names in ultra-luxury hospitality. Here’s why it’s firmly on our radar.

 

There’s one hotel name that keeps cropping up at Travel Seen.

 

Airelles.

For those already familiar with the upper reaches of French luxury hospitality, it won’t be a new name. The collection includes Les Airelles in Courchevel, Airelles Val d’Isère, La Bastide in Gordes, Château de La Messardière and Pan Deï Palais in Saint-Tropez and Le Grand Contrôle within the grounds of Versailles.

 

It is a relatively small portfolio, particularly when compared with some of the world’s best-known luxury hotel groups.

 

And that is partly what makes it interesting.

 

Each property is completely individual. There isn’t an obvious Airelles design formula replicated from one destination to another. Instead, what connects them is a level of detail, generosity and sense of place that has become distinctly Airelles.

 

Now, the rest of the world is beginning to take notice.

From French secret to international hotel name

Until recently, Airelles was entirely French.

 

That changed with Airelles Palladio Venezia, the collection’s first hotel outside France.

 

Set on Giudecca, away from the busiest parts of Venice but just across the lagoon from St Mark’s Square, the hotel feels more like a resort hidden within the city.

 

There are just 45 rooms and suites, surrounded by extensive private gardens with three swimming pools and an Airelles Spa by Guerlain.

 

Then there’s the food.

 

Its culinary line-up brings together names including Nobu Matsuhisa, Jean-Georges Vongerichten and three-Michelin-starred chef Norbert Niederkofler.

 

It’s an ambitious arrival in Italy, but perhaps more importantly, it shows how Airelles approaches a destination.

 

This isn’t simply somewhere beautiful to sleep while you explore Venice.

 

The hotel becomes part of the reason for travelling there in the first place.

Next stop St Barth

Now Airelles is making another significant move.

 

From 1st November 2026, Le Guanahani in St Barth joins the collection, taking Airelles beyond Europe and into the Caribbean.

 

This opening is particularly interesting because Airelles isn’t creating an entirely new hotel.

 

Le Guanahani is already an established name in St Barth, with its own history, identity and loyal following. Set on a private peninsula between Grand Cul-de-Sac and Marigot Bay, its colourful cottages and tropical setting have long made it one of the island’s recognisable luxury addresses.

 

Taking on an existing icon presents a different challenge.

 

How do you introduce the Airelles approach without losing what people already love about the hotel?

 

We’re particularly interested to find out.

So, what is the ‘Airelles touch’?

It would be easy to attribute Airelles’ appeal to beautiful interiors and extraordinary locations.

 

But at this end of the market, those things are increasingly expected.

 

What makes the collection interesting is something less tangible – the feeling that almost everything has been considered before you have to think about it yourself.

 

Depending on the property and rate, that can mean everything from minibars and laundry to activities, dining and transport being incorporated into the experience.

 

Then there are the thoughtful extras, gifts and surprises that regularly appear throughout a stay.

 

It isn’t really about getting things for free.

 

When you are paying for a hotel at this level, that would be missing the point.

 

It’s about removing friction.

 

Perhaps one of the greatest luxuries now is simply having less to think about.

Even the children’s club tells you something

One of our favourite examples of the Airelles approach can be found at Château de La Messardière in Saint-Tropez.

 

Its children’s offering isn’t tucked into a spare room somewhere within the hotel.

 

Instead, younger guests have their own 500 sqm villa, complete with seven themed rooms, a private cinema, Lego workshop, swimming pools and a treehouse.

 

The wider Summer Camp even includes its own mini-farm.

 

It’s wonderfully over the top, of course.

 

But it also demonstrates something important about the way Airelles thinks about hospitality.

 

Children haven’t simply been accommodated while their parents enjoy the hotel.

 

Their holiday has been designed too.

 

Nothing feels like an afterthought.

What if your hotel could change the way you experience a destination?

Then there is perhaps the most extraordinary Airelles address of all.

 

Le Grand Contrôle at Versailles.

 

Staying within the grounds of the Palace of Versailles is already remarkable, but the real draw is the access that comes with it.

 

Private experiences allow hotel guests to encounter one of France’s most famous landmarks differently from the millions of people who visit each year.

 

And this is where Airelles starts to tell us something bigger about how luxury travel is changing.

 

In Courchevel and Val d’Isère, the hotel experience is intertwined with being in the mountains.

 

At Versailles, the hotel unlocks the destination in a way that would otherwise be difficult to experience.

 

In Venice, Airelles has created somewhere that feels almost like a resort within the city.

 

The hotel is no longer simply supporting the trip.

 

It is shaping it.

The rise of the hotel as a destination

This isn’t exclusive to Airelles.

 

Across luxury travel, we’re seeing travellers become increasingly interested in properties that offer a compelling reason to visit in their own right.

 

Part of that is a consequence of rising expectations.

 

Luxury hotels have become extraordinarily expensive and at the very top of the market, a beautiful bedroom, an excellent restaurant, a great spa and impeccable service are no longer enough to distinguish one property from another.

 

They are the starting point.

 

What is harder to replicate yourself is access.

 

It’s a genuine connection to a destination. An experience you couldn’t easily organise independently. A hotel that understands what you might want before you ask for it.

 

It is the difference between staying somewhere beautiful and feeling that the place you stayed fundamentally changed the holiday.

 

And that is where Airelles becomes particularly interesting.

Can Airelles grow without losing what makes it special?

There is, of course, a challenge ahead.

 

Part of Airelles’ appeal is precisely that there aren’t Airelles hotels everywhere.

 

The collection feels considered rather than ubiquitous. Each property has a reason to exist in its particular location and each has retained a strong individual identity.

 

As luxury hotel groups expand, maintaining that sense of rarity becomes increasingly difficult.

 

With Venice now open and St Barth joining the collection, Airelles is entering a new chapter.

 

The question is whether it can become a truly international hotel name without becoming just another international hotel brand.

 

If it can preserve the individuality, generosity and almost obsessive attention to detail that made its French properties stand out in the first place, we could be watching the emergence of one of the defining names in ultra-luxury hospitality.

 

For now, one thing is certain.

 

Airelles is firmly one to watch.

 

Travel is Changing is our ongoing series exploring the trends, destinations and ideas shaping the way we travel now.

Inspired to experience Airelles?

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Condé Nast Traveller Readers’ Choice Awards 2026 | What the winners tell us about luxury travel

The Condé Nast Traveller Readers’ Choice Awards 2026 have revealed the world's favourite luxury hotels, resorts and destinations. From iconic city hotels to exceptional all-inclusive escapes, we explore what this year's winners tell us about the changing face of luxury travel.

Airelles, the hotel name to know now

From Courchevel and Versailles to Venice and now St Barth, Airelles is quietly becoming one of the most exciting names in ultra-luxury hospitality. We explore what makes the collection different and why it says so much about the way luxury travel is changing.

The rise of the Whycation

The new question isn’t where are you going, but why? From food and family to adventure, events and doing absolutely nothing, the Whycation puts the reason for travelling before the destination.
Get in touch today to start planning your trips

The rise of the Whycation

The rise of the Whycation

The new question isn’t where are you going, but why?

 

For years, travel has started with a place. Let’s go to Italy. I’ve always wanted to visit Japan. Where should we go in October?

 

But one of the most interesting travel trends of 2026 turns that thinking around.

 

The Whycation is a holiday chosen around why you want to travel rather than where you want to go. The experience comes first and the destination follows.

 

Maybe you want to eat somewhere extraordinary. See an animal you’ve only ever watched on David Attenborough. Finally learn to ski. Get the entire family around one table. Follow your favourite band across Europe. Or spend four days doing absolutely nothing because life has been particularly loud lately.

 

The reason comes first. The destination follows.

 

Welcome to the Whycation, a more purpose-led approach to travel built around the thing you actually want to get out of your holiday.

You’d travel for dinner, wouldn’t you?

Food has always been part of travel, but sometimes it becomes the entire reason for going.

 

San Sebastián is the obvious example. You could tell yourself you’re there for the beaches, architecture and Basque culture, and you absolutely should enjoy all three. But when your itinerary contains more restaurant reservations than sightseeing, you know what really brought you there.

 

The same applies to following truffle season to Piedmont, planning a few days in the Douro around wine or booking Japan with a mental list of everything you intend to eat before you’ve even looked at hotels.

 

This kind of food-focused Whycation turns the usual holiday planning process on its head.

 

You decide what you want to taste, then work out where you need to go to find it.

Sometimes, there’s only one reason you’re going

There are certain experiences powerful enough to warrant an entire journey.

 

Gorilla trekking in Rwanda is one of them.

 

You don’t casually add it to the itinerary because you happen to be nearby. You go to Rwanda because you want to walk into the forest and see a mountain gorilla in the wild.

 

The same could be said for watching the Great Migration, seeing the Northern Lights or travelling at precisely the right time to witness cherry blossom in Japan.

 

These are experience-led holidays where nature decides the destination, the season and sometimes even the dates. Everything else, from the hotel and food to the days either side, gets built around that one extraordinary moment.

 

For travellers wondering where to go next, perhaps the better place to start is asking: what do I want to see at least once in my life?

What if you came home better at something?

Not every souvenir has to fit in a suitcase.

 

There’s something particularly satisfying about going away unable to do something and returning home even marginally better at it.

 

Learning to ski in the Alps. Taking a cooking class in Sicily. Learning about wine in the Douro. Finally attempting surfing somewhere you don’t mind repeatedly falling into the sea.

 

Travel gives us permission to be beginners in a way everyday life often doesn’t.

 

Learning holidays and skill-based trips also give us something increasingly valuable: a reason to properly focus on what is happening in front of us.

 

And unlike the holiday where you return with a thousand photos you’ll probably never look at again, you’ve actually brought something home with you.

“We should all go away together”

Possibly the most frequently uttered sentence in any group chat and one of the least frequently achieved.

 

Which is why, when the family Whycation actually happens, the destination can almost become secondary.

 

The real luxury is getting grandparents, parents, siblings, cousins and children in the same place for long enough to have breakfast together without somebody needing to leave for football practice, work or another commitment.

 

A villa in Mallorca. A resort in Greece. A big house in Tuscany. Somewhere everyone can do their own thing during the day and reconvene around a table in the evening.

 

You haven’t necessarily travelled because everyone desperately wanted to visit that particular corner of the Mediterranean.

 

You’ve travelled because everyone said yes.

 

And for multigenerational family holidays, that might be reason enough.

The holiday with a finish line

Then there are trips where you want to prove something to yourself.

 

Hike through the Dolomites. Cycle Mallorca. Run the New York Marathon. Complete a section of the Camino. Reach the top of a mountain you’ve been talking about for years.

 

It might sound suspiciously like hard work for something you’ve used annual leave for, but that’s rather the point.

 

For some travellers, switching off doesn’t mean lying horizontally beside a swimming pool. It means becoming completely absorbed in something that has nothing whatsoever to do with normal life.

 

Adventure and active holidays can offer a sense of achievement that simply being somewhere new doesn’t always provide.

 

And there is something rather nice about returning home with a story that starts:

“I actually did it.”

Yes, a concert is a perfectly good reason for a holiday

Perhaps the most fun version of the Whycation is simply finding an excuse.

 

You couldn’t get tickets in London, but there are some available in Madrid? Looks like you’re going to Madrid.

 

Formula 1 in Monaco. Wimbledon in London. Art Basel. A closing party in Ibiza. A favourite artist playing in Paris.

 

Suddenly an event that lasts a few hours becomes three nights somewhere brilliant.

 

Event-led travel is a perfect example of the Whycation because the holiday often starts almost accidentally. The concert, sporting event or exhibition gives you the reason and the destination does the rest.

 

And arguably that’s the point of the Whycation. 

The reason doesn’t have to be profound. It just has to be good enough to make you book the flight.

So, why are you going?

And sometimes the reason is… nothing.

 

No mountain to climb. No restaurant to tick off. No new skill to master. You’re going away because you need to stop.

 

Breakfast at 10.30. A swim. A book. Lunch that accidentally lasts three hours. Perhaps a massage. Definitely a nap.

 

In a culture obsessed with making every trip worth it, there is something quite luxurious about deciding that doing very little is exactly what the holiday is for.

 

And perhaps that’s what makes the Whycation interesting. It isn’t really a new type of holiday at all. It’s a different way of choosing one.

 

Instead of scrolling through endless lists of where we’re supposed to visit next, we start with ourselves.

 

What do I want to eat?
What do I want to see?
What have I always wanted to learn?
Who do I want to spend time with?
What would I love to say I’ve done?
Or do I simply need a week where nobody expects anything from me?

 

Answer that first and the destination has a funny way of revealing itself.

 

Because maybe the most interesting trips aren’t the ones where you can say “I’ve been there.”

 

They’re the ones where you can say:

“I went because…”

Start planning your Whycation

Ready to book?

Speak to a Travel Seen specialist and start planning your next escape →

Ready to book?
Send us an enquiry and we will get you matched to the right experience. Call or Whatsapp us on 0333 305 9912.

More From Our Blogs

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Condé Nast Traveller Readers’ Choice Awards 2026 | What the winners tell us about luxury travel

The Condé Nast Traveller Readers’ Choice Awards 2026 have revealed the world's favourite luxury hotels, resorts and destinations. From iconic city hotels to exceptional all-inclusive escapes, we explore what this year's winners tell us about the changing face of luxury travel.

Airelles, the hotel name to know now

From Courchevel and Versailles to Venice and now St Barth, Airelles is quietly becoming one of the most exciting names in ultra-luxury hospitality. We explore what makes the collection different and why it says so much about the way luxury travel is changing.

The rise of the Whycation

The new question isn’t where are you going, but why? From food and family to adventure, events and doing absolutely nothing, the Whycation puts the reason for travelling before the destination.
Get in touch today to start planning your trips

Birthdaymaxxing | 8 luxury birthday trips worth travelling for

Birthdaymaxxing | 8 luxury birthday trips worth travelling for

Forget the birthday dinner. In 2026, birthdays are getting an upgrade.

 

Welcome to birthdaymaxxing: the idea of making far more of your birthday than a table for six and a cake at the end of dinner. Instead, the occasion becomes the reason to finally book that trip, get your favourite people together or do something you will still be talking about several birthdays later.

 

The term comes from the wider ‘maxxing’ trend that has taken over social media this year, with people applying the idea of going all-in to everything from wellness and food to simply having more fun. ‘Birthdaymaxxing’ has become one of its more joyful iterations.

 

And travel lends itself rather well to it.

 

Why celebrate for a few hours when you could cross Europe aboard one of the world’s most iconic trains, take over a safari villa in South Africa or disappear to a private Caribbean island?

 

Whether there is a milestone approaching or you have simply decided this year’s birthday deserves more, these are eight luxury birthday trip ideas worth putting on the list.

The iconic journey - Venice Simplon-Orient-Express

Best for: old-school glamour

 

Some birthdays call for a trip. Others call for making the journey itself the occasion.

 

The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express is firmly in the latter camp. Step aboard its restored carriages and the usual rules of travelling from A to B disappear. Days unfold over long lunches, Champagne and changing European landscapes while evenings mean dressing properly for dinner, cocktails and live music.

 

This is travel with theatre built into it.

 

Belmond currently operates journeys between more than 15 European cities with routes including Paris to Venice, Vienna to Paris and Istanbul to Paris.

 

For the birthday where you want everyone to dress up, stay up late and remember the journey just as much as the destination, it is hard to beat.

 

Birthdaymaxxing level: Make the journey the party.

The private island - Ambergris Cay, Turks & Caicos

Best for: disappearing somewhere beautiful

 

If your idea of a birthday present is being temporarily unreachable, Ambergris Cay makes a compelling argument.

 

The private island resort sits in Turks & Caicos surrounded by brilliant blue water and more than 1,100 acres of largely untouched landscape. Its new Waterside Bungalows come with heated plunge pools and direct water access, meaning a kayak or paddleboard can be waiting almost outside your door.

 

Fill the days with swimming, snorkelling and sailing or make absolutely no plans at all.

 

For a bigger birthday group, private villas make it possible to bring everyone with you without losing the feeling of escape.

 

Birthdaymaxxing level: If you’re going to disappear, disappear properly.

The big adventure - Singita Lebombo, South Africa

Best for: the birthday story you’ll tell forever

 

There are birthday weekends and then there is waking up in the South African wilderness.

 

Singita Lebombo sits within Kruger National Park, where the trip becomes as much about what happens beyond the lodge as what happens inside it.

 

Days shaped around wildlife, game drives and the landscape give the celebration an entirely different rhythm, while sundowners provide a rather better birthday drink than your local bar.

 

For a group celebration, Lebombo Villa can accommodate up to eight guests across four bedrooms with its own living spaces, pool and private boma.

 

This is the one for the birthday where you want to come home with stories rather than things.

 

Birthdaymaxxing level: I want a story to tell.

The girls' escape - OKU Ibiza

Best for: birthdays with your favourite people

 

Not every Ibiza birthday needs to begin at a beach club and end at sunrise.

 

OKU Ibiza gives you the best parts of the island without requiring a military-level party itinerary: long pool days, beautiful surroundings, spa treatments, great food and sunset drinks with the option to turn things up when you feel like it.

 

The hotel sits close to Cala Gració on Ibiza’s west coast and has two pools including a 50-metre adults-only pool, alongside its spa, yoga programme and resident DJs.

 

The agenda? Get ready together. Order another round. Have a very long lunch. See where the evening goes.

 

Birthdaymaxxing level: Just the girls, somewhere beautiful.

The main-character birthday - Fouquet's New York

Best for: dressing up and doing absolutely everything

 

Few cities understand the concept of a birthday main character quite like New York.

 

Base yourself at Fouquet’s in Tribeca and the itinerary practically writes itself: shopping, cocktails, galleries, Broadway, dinner reservations you have been planning for months and at least one evening requiring a very good outfit.

 

Then retreat from Manhattan to the hotel’s spa, with its indoor pool, sauna, steam room and treatment spaces.

 

New York already makes an ordinary weekend feel like an occasion. Add a birthday into the equation and leaning into it feels entirely appropriate.

 

Birthdaymaxxing level: This city is my backdrop.

The wine birthday - Six Senses Douro Valley, Portugal

Best for: long lunches and even longer dinners

 

For some birthdays, the itinerary only really needs three things: good wine, good food and good company.

 

Six Senses Douro Valley sits above the vineyards and terraced slopes of one of Portugal’s great wine regions, with the Douro River below.

 

Days can involve winery visits, tastings and exploring the river before returning for dinner, spa time and another glass overlooking the valley. Six Senses itself has an interactive wine library and offers experiences including guided tastings and river trips.

 

The real luxury here is not having to pack too much into the schedule. Bring the people you actually want around the table and give yourselves time to enjoy it.

 

Birthdaymaxxing level: Another bottle? It’s my birthday.

The snow birthday - Experimental Chalet Val d'Isère

Best for: ski, après, repeat

 

A winter birthday gives you an excellent excuse to take the celebration to the mountains.

 

Experimental Chalet Val d’Isère puts skiing, restaurants, cocktails and après within easy reach, with ski-out access from the hotel and more than 300km of pistes across the wider Tignes–Val d’Isère ski area.

 

Ski in the morning, stop somewhere very good for lunch, head to La Folie Douce when the mood takes you then retreat to the hotel’s pool, hammam, sauna and spa before doing it all again the following day.

 

For a group of friends who cannot decide between a ski holiday and a party, there is no real need to choose.

 

Birthdaymaxxing level: Ski hard, après harder.

The ‘I deserve this’ birthday - Clinique La Prairie, Montreux

Best for: making yourself the present

 

Perhaps the most grown-up form of birthdaymaxxing is deciding you do not need a party at all.

 

Set beside Lake Geneva, Clinique La Prairie in Montreux takes the traditional wellness break considerably further with structured programmes built around health, wellbeing and longevity.

 

Its programmes can span several days and combine personalised approaches to nutrition, movement, medical expertise and wellbeing.

 

It is a very different way to mark another year: less Champagne tower, more reset button.

 

And sometimes that is exactly what you want.

 

Birthdaymaxxing level: My gift to myself is a reset.

So, what exactly is birthdaymaxxing?

Birthdaymaxxing does not have to mean spending the most money, travelling the furthest or planning the most elaborate itinerary.

 

The point is simply to make more of the occasion.

 

A milestone birthday becomes a safari. A girls’ birthday becomes Ibiza. A winter birthday becomes Val d’Isère. A birthday demanding a little old-school glamour becomes a journey across Europe by train.

 

It is about choosing the experience you have been saving for ‘one day’ and giving yourself a reason to finally do it.

 

Because the birthday dinner will still be there next year.

 

This year, make the birthday the trip.

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The rise of the Whycation

The new question isn’t where are you going, but why? From food and family to adventure, events and doing absolutely nothing, the Whycation puts the reason for travelling before the destination.
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The Human Advantage | Why AI can’t replace the travel agent

The Human Advantage | Why AI can’t replace the travel agent

AI can build you an itinerary in seconds. It can compare hotels, suggest destinations and surface flights almost instantly. But can it actually know you?

 

Artificial intelligence is already changing the way we travel. From inspiration and research to itinerary planning, it has made access to information faster than ever.

 

Ask for a two-week itinerary through Japan and you can have one in seconds. Ask for the best hotels in Ibiza and you’ll get a list. Ask for a comparison of flight routes and it can work through thousands of options far quicker than any person could.

 

So, does that mean the traditional travel agent is becoming obsolete?

 

We think the opposite could be true.

 

As travel becomes increasingly automated, the value of genuine human expertise may become even more important. Across our own specialist brands including Oxford Ski Company, eShores and Luxx Collective, technology can support the process. But the part that makes a trip feel truly personal still comes down to people.

AI can give you options. A travel expert can tell you which one is right.

AI is exceptionally good at processing information.

 

It can analyse reviews, compare hotels, identify flight routes and put together an itinerary based on almost any brief. For straightforward travel research, that can be incredibly useful.

 

But choosing a holiday is rarely just about finding the hotel with the highest rating or the flight with the shortest journey time.

 

Someone might tell us they want a family-friendly hotel but what they really mean is somewhere that welcomes children without feeling like a traditional family resort.

 

A couple might ask for somewhere lively but they are imagining great restaurants, bars and atmosphere rather than a nightclub beneath their bedroom.

 

And someone asking for luxury may not mean chandeliers or white-glove service at all. They may mean privacy, space, brilliant food and somewhere that feels individual rather than corporate.

 

Those distinctions are difficult to capture in a search box.

 

They come from conversation, judgement and getting to know the person travelling.

The best hotel isn’t necessarily the right hotel.

One of the biggest differences between information and expertise is knowing when not to recommend something.

 

Travel trends move quickly. A particular hotel might suddenly be everywhere on Instagram or a destination might become the place everyone is talking about.

 

That doesn’t automatically make it right for every traveller.

 

A good travel expert knows which room category is genuinely worth upgrading to. They know whether the hotel that looks beautiful online actually delivers the experience a client is looking for. They may know what has changed at a property since their last visit or whether another hotel ten minutes away would suit that particular client far better.

 

Sometimes the most useful thing a travel expert can say is:

 

“I don’t think that’s right for you.”

 

That judgement is hard to automate because it isn’t simply based on what is objectively ‘best’. It is about understanding what is best for that person.

Then something goes wrong

The difference between booking a trip and having someone look after a trip often becomes clearest when plans change.

 

Flights get cancelled. Airlines alter schedules. Transfers are delayed. Weather disrupts itineraries. Hotels make mistakes.

 

When everything is running perfectly, technology can make travel feel incredibly straightforward.

 

When something goes wrong, another page of search results is rarely what you want.

 

You want somebody at the end of the phone or WhatsApp who knows your trip, understands what has happened and can work out the best solution.

 

Technology might identify three alternative flights.

 

The human expert knows which of those three their client will actually be happy taking.

 

And sometimes what someone needs most in that moment isn’t more information at all.

 

It is reassurance that somebody is dealing with it.

Travel is more emotional than we sometimes admit

When people talk about travel technology, the conversation often focuses on efficiency.

 

But holidays are not purely functional purchases.

 

They are honeymoons, anniversaries and milestone birthdays. They are the first family holiday with a new baby or perhaps the last big family trip before children leave home.

 

They can be celebrations after difficult years or holidays somebody has spent a long time saving for.

 

That emotional investment matters.

 

A machine can tell you that a suite has a sea view.

 

A travel expert can understand why having that sea view matters to you.

 

For higher-value trips in particular, confidence can become just as important as convenience.

 

People are not only paying for flights and hotel rooms. They are paying to feel confident that someone has thought carefully about what they are booking.

Perhaps AI will make the best travel agents even better

The future of travel probably isn’t going to be AI versus the travel agent.

 

It is far more likely to be travel agent + AI.

 

There are plenty of parts of the travel industry where artificial intelligence can be genuinely useful.

 

Research can become faster. Administrative tasks can become easier. Data can be analysed more efficiently and the first stages of itinerary building can happen in a fraction of the time.

 

Used well, that doesn’t remove the need for human expertise.

 

It gives travel experts more time to use it.

 

Less time spent on repetitive admin means more time to listen to clients, challenge assumptions, research the finer details of a trip and build relationships.

 

The technology does the processing.

 

The person does the understanding.

The real luxury is having someone who knows you

Travellers have never had more information available to them.

 

They can research destinations, compare hotels, read thousands of reviews and increasingly use AI to plan an entire trip themselves.

 

That means the modern travel expert has to offer something more than access to a booking system.

 

The value lies in expertise, curation and confidence.

 

It is the person who remembers that you loved one hotel but found another too formal.

 

The person who knows you would rather have the smaller suite in the better location.

 

The person who understands that when you say you want somewhere quiet, you still want to be able to walk somewhere for dinner.

 

And the person who is still there when the flight is cancelled.

 

AI can tell you what is available.

 

A great travel expert can tell you what you should choose and why.

 

That is the human advantage.

Start planning your Ikos escape

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Airelles, the hotel name to know now

From Courchevel and Versailles to Venice and now St Barth, Airelles is quietly becoming one of the most exciting names in ultra-luxury hospitality. We explore what makes the collection different and why it says so much about the way luxury travel is changing.

The rise of the Whycation

The new question isn’t where are you going, but why? From food and family to adventure, events and doing absolutely nothing, the Whycation puts the reason for travelling before the destination.
Get in touch today to start planning your trips

Hushpitality | Why silence is becoming travel’s ultimate luxury

Hushpitality | Why silence is becoming travel’s ultimate luxury

Luxury hotels have spent decades giving us more.

 

More restaurants. More treatments. More pools. More experiences. More things that absolutely must be squeezed into the three days we are staying there.

 

But somewhere between the breakfast reservation, the 10.30 pilates class and the reminder that dinner starts in precisely 15 minutes, holidays started becoming surprisingly busy.

 

Now the pendulum is beginning to swing the other way.

 

There is a new travel buzzword for it: hushpitality.

 

The term has become one of the defining themes of Hilton’s 2026 Trends Report, describing a growing desire for travel that reduces noise, stimulation and demands on our attention.

 

And there is evidence behind it.

 

Hilton surveyed more than 14,000 travellers across seven countries and found that 56% said their number-one motivation for leisure travel in 2026 was to rest and recharge. Spending time in nature mattered to 37%, improving mental wellbeing to 36% and one in five specifically wanted more “me time”.

 

Perhaps that should not be surprising.

 

Our everyday lives are saturated with messages, calls, podcasts, traffic, screens and notifications. Genuine silence has become surprisingly difficult to find.

 

Which means it has acquired something luxury has always relied upon – scarcity.

 

Hushpitality is not really about retreating from the world entirely. Nor does it mean abandoning beautiful restaurants, brilliant spas or interesting experiences.

 

It is about hotels and destinations recognising that sometimes the most valuable thing they can offer is less.

 

Less noise. Less stimulation. Less pressure to maximise every minute.

 

Sometimes the luxury is simply having nowhere you need to be.

Amangiri - where space becomes the luxury

There are few places where the idea makes more immediate sense than Amangiri.

 

The Aman resort occupies more than 900 acres of the Colorado Plateau in southern Utah. Yet within that landscape sit just 34 suites.

 

That ratio tells you rather a lot.

 

The resort’s modernist architecture was deliberately designed to sit within the surrounding rock formations rather than compete with them. Beyond it, the desert stretches seemingly endlessly into dunes, plateaux and ridges.

 

Aman itself describes Amangiri as a place defined by the tranquillity of Canyon Country. Nearby Camp Sarika consists of just ten tented pavilions and is specifically positioned as somewhere guests can spend time off-grid.

 

Of course, there are things to do. This is still one of America’s great luxury resorts.

 

But that almost misses the point.

 

At Amangiri the landscape gives you permission not to do them.

 

You can walk. Swim. Look at the desert. Sit somewhere and realise you have not picked up your phone for an hour.

 

In 2026 that can feel remarkably indulgent.

Eremito - silence, literally

If Amangiri gives you the option of quiet, Eremito goes considerably further.

 

Deep in the Umbrian countryside, the former hermitage sits alone within the UNESCO Monte Peglia Biosphere Reserve, far from towns and busy roads.

 

There is no Wi-Fi. There is no television. There is no mobile signal inside.

 

And every evening guests gather at 7.30pm for a vegetarian dinner eaten in complete silence, accompanied by Gregorian chant.

 

It sounds severe until you begin to consider how unusual that actually is.

 

Guests can talk during the rest of the day, although anyone who wants to spend their entire stay in silence can wear a small badge signalling their preference to staff and other guests.

 

Eremito was doing this long before anyone thought to give the trend a name: its silent dinners date back to the hotel’s opening in 2013.

 

It is also particularly interesting for another reason.

 

Most of its 18 small “Celluzze” rooms are designed for single occupancy.

 

Because hushpitality is developing alongside another major shift in how people travel.

Fogo Island - letting nature fill the silence

On the north-east coast of Newfoundland sits another compelling example.

 

Fogo Island Inn rises dramatically from the rocks above the North Atlantic but its contemporary architecture was designed to remain deeply connected to the place around it.

 

The island is still dominated by rocky coastlines, bogs, coniferous forests and wild sea.

 

Rather than trying to compete with that setting, much of the experience deliberately directs guests back towards it.

 

The Inn describes walking its trails as an opportunity for reflection and quiet solitude. Guests can hike, paddle, cycle, swim or simply spend time watching the ocean.

 

It even produces a dedicated solo-travel itinerary centred on solitude, nature and quiet contemplation.

 

There is plenty happening here.

 

It simply does not demand your attention.

 

And perhaps that distinction is going to become increasingly important.

Soneva Jani - switching off without roughing it

Of course, seeking less stimulation does not necessarily mean seeking less luxury.

 

Soneva Jani makes a particularly persuasive case.

 

Its villas sit across the turquoise waters of the Maldives’ Noonu Atoll and Soneva’s long-standing “No News, No Shoes” philosophy feels almost designed for this particular moment.

 

Guests are explicitly encouraged to leave the heels at home, embrace the island’s relaxed pace and pick up a book instead. Many villas have their own bookshelves and Soneva operates its Barefoot Bookseller concept for guests looking for something new to read.

 

Importantly, this philosophy is not something Soneva invented because quiet travel suddenly became fashionable.

 

It has been fundamental to the brand for years.

 

Perhaps the rest of us are simply catching up.

Bhutan - when an entire destination thinks differently

Then there is Bhutan.

 

Including an entire country alongside four hotels might appear slightly odd until you consider how closely its approach to tourism aligns with the hushpitality idea.

 

Bhutan continues to pursue a deliberately “high-value, low-volume” tourism model designed to protect its natural environment, cultural heritage and infrastructure.

 

Its tourism policy explicitly targets mindful and responsible visitors rather than pursuing visitor numbers at any cost.

 

That philosophy sits within Bhutan’s broader concept of Gross National Happiness.

 

Rather than measuring progress purely through economic output, its framework includes nine areas ranging from psychological wellbeing and time use to environmental protection and community vitality.

 

For a traveller, the result is a destination that almost forces you to change pace.

 

Monasteries, forested valleys, mountain walks and long journeys through the Himalayas are difficult to turn into a frantic city-break checklist.

 

And that is precisely the point.

Perhaps wellness doesn't need another treatment

Hushpitality also raises an interesting question for the wellness industry.

 

For years, luxury wellness has largely expanded through addition.

 

Another treatment. Another therapy. Another diagnostic test. Another three-day programme promising to optimise some previously unconsidered part of ourselves.

 

Some of those things can be brilliant.

 

But there is an irony in travelling somewhere to recover from an overstimulated life only to receive a printed itinerary containing six appointments before dinner.

 

The next evolution of wellness might therefore be remarkably simple.

 

Space.

 

Sleep.

 

Nature.

 

A book.

 

A meal without a phone sitting beside the plate.

 

Time in which nothing is expected of you.

Is silence the next luxury hotel amenity?

Probably.

 

Not because travellers suddenly want monasteries instead of martinis or empty hotels instead of brilliant restaurants.

 

Hushpitality is not really about rejecting everything we enjoy about luxury travel.

 

It is about recognising that silence has become scarce and therefore valuable.

 

The best hotels have always understood that luxury is partly about removing friction. Someone else carries the bag. Someone remembers how you take your coffee. Someone has already thought about the detail before you have to ask.

 

Perhaps the next version of that service is removing something else.

 

The noise.

 

Because amid increasingly connected, scheduled and stimulated lives, having nowhere you need to be might be one of the hardest things to find.

 

And perhaps one of the most valuable things a hotel can offer.

Inspired by the trend? Start planning your next escape

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Condé Nast Traveller Readers’ Choice Awards 2026 | What the winners tell us about luxury travel

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Airelles, the hotel name to know now

From Courchevel and Versailles to Venice and now St Barth, Airelles is quietly becoming one of the most exciting names in ultra-luxury hospitality. We explore what makes the collection different and why it says so much about the way luxury travel is changing.

The rise of the Whycation

The new question isn’t where are you going, but why? From food and family to adventure, events and doing absolutely nothing, the Whycation puts the reason for travelling before the destination.
Get in touch today to start planning your trips

How padel became the new luxury travel status symbol

How padel became the new luxury travel status symbol

Luxury padel court at a high-end resort surrounded by dramatic scenery

There was a time when the hotel tennis court lived somewhere behind the gym.

 

You might notice it on the resort map. You might even book it once. But it was rarely the thing appearing first in the hotel’s photographs.

 

Padel is changing that.

 

Some of the world’s most recognisable luxury hotels are now putting courts in remarkably beautiful places: surrounded by Indonesian jungle, on private Maldivian islands and against the mountains of St. Moritz.

 

And increasingly, the court itself is becoming part of the sell.

 

That is what makes this more interesting than another story about the rise of padel. We already know the sport has exploded.

 

The International Padel Federation’s 2025 World Padel Report puts the number of players at more than 35 million worldwide, up by more than five million in a year. There are now around 77,300 courts across 150 countries, while the number of courts grew by 15.2% in 2025 alone. Britain is among the European markets FIP identifies as still growing rapidly.

 

The more interesting question is what happens once all those players go on holiday.

The court has become part of the picture

Look at NIHI Sumba.

 

Its vivid blue padel court sits among the tropical greenery of the Indonesian island, immediately making the setting part of the game.

NIHI describes it as the first and only padel court in Sumba. It is complimentary for guests and open from morning until evening, with weekly social games and private lessons available through coaching partner Liga Tenis.

 

This is not a court that happens to exist at a hotel. It looks like somewhere you would want to play specifically because of where it is.

 

And that distinction matters.

 

Luxury hotels have always competed on things that photograph well. The infinity pool became an obvious example: somewhere to swim, yes, but also an architectural feature that could communicate a resort’s entire proposition in one image.

 

Padel courts are beginning to perform a surprisingly similar role.

 

They signal activity, sociability and a certain kind of lifestyle — while still producing the sort of imagery luxury hotels want associated with their brand.

Padel is becoming a social space too

At Delano Dubai, the idea goes even further.

 

La Cantine Sports Club has six outdoor padel courts set among landscaped social areas on Bluewaters Island. But the concept also includes a wellness-focused café inspired by Mediterranean dining and spaces deliberately designed to encourage people to stay before and after playing.

 

That says quite a lot about why hotels like padel.

 

A gym is normally something guests use individually.

 

Padel creates an occasion. Four people play. Others watch. Somebody stays for lunch. A morning activity turns into half a day.

 

For hotels trying to create more reasons for guests to spend time within the resort, it makes commercial as well as cultural sense.

It fits the way luxury travel is changing

There is also a broader shift at play.

 

Luxury travel used to be strongly associated with doing very little extremely well.

 

That still has its place, but the modern luxury resort increasingly needs to offer something more active: hiking, wellness programmes, cycling, watersports, tennis and now padel.

 

At Four Seasons Astir Palace Hotel Athens, the resort has added a dedicated padel court alongside three tennis courts at its Tennis and Padel Club. Guests can simply reserve a court or book private coaching.

 

Its location on the Athenian Riviera makes the appeal fairly obvious.

 

A game can become one part of the day rather than the purpose of it: padel in the morning, the beach afterwards and lunch overlooking the water.

 

That may be padel’s biggest advantage as a holiday sport.

 

It is sociable enough for a group, accessible enough for relative beginners and competitive enough for people who actually care about winning.

The Alps might be clearest sign yet

Then there is Badrutt’s Palace.

 

The St. Moritz hotel now has what it describes as the highest padel court in Europe, open year-round and surrounded by the Engadin’s mountain landscape. Equipment rental, partner arrangement and coaching are all available.

 

The hotel’s own 2025 coverage described the new court alongside its infinity pool as part of the latest evolution of its leisure offering.

 

And perhaps nowhere makes our argument more neatly.

 

Padel is no longer confined to Spanish resorts or beach clubs.

 

A grand Swiss hotel synonymous with skiing, old-school glamour and Alpine luxury now considers a padel court noteworthy enough to promote as part of the Badrutt’s Palace experience.

 

That is a status shift.

Even the Maldives isn’t exempt

At One&Only Reethi Rah, padel sits within Club One alongside the resort’s wider sports programme.

 

The island has floodlit tennis and padel courts, resident professionals and hitting partners who can arrange personalised games. One&Only even includes tennis or padel lessons within some of its family holiday packages.

 

There is something faintly absurd about flying to a private island in the Maldives and immediately seeking out a racket.

 

But it also perfectly explains the sport’s appeal.

 

Padel does not necessarily feel like the thing you are supposed to do on holiday.

 

For its converts, it is the thing they want to do.

Luxury padel court at a high-end resort surrounded by dramatic scenery

And of course, the Mediterranean gets it

At Ikos Porto Petro in Mallorca, new outdoor padel courts now form part of the complimentary activity programme alongside three tennis courts, paddleboarding, canoeing and fitness.

 

It is an especially natural fit for the Ikos model.

 

Play a match. Have lunch. Swim. Order something cold. Repeat tomorrow.

 

No logistics and, thanks to the all-inclusive format, very little friction.

 

That might ultimately be why padel works so well within the luxury resort world.

 

It gives people something to organise the day around without making the holiday feel organised.

So, is the padel court the new infinity pool?

We are not suggesting hotels start filling in their swimming pools.

 

But there is a similarity.

 

The infinity pool became much more than an amenity. It became visual shorthand for the hotel itself: the image that appeared on Instagram, in travel features and perhaps ultimately made you want to stay there.

 

The best resort padel courts are beginning to occupy some of the same territory.

 

They are placed somewhere beautiful. They photograph brilliantly. They say something about the people who stay there and increasingly, they give travellers who already play at home another reason to choose one hotel over another.

 

That last part is important.

 

With more than 35 million players globally, padel has a sizeable audience of travellers who do not necessarily want to stop playing just because they are away.

 

Hotels are responding by turning the humble resort court into something altogether more aspirational.

 

The question may no longer be whether your hotel has padel.

It might be what the view is like from the court.

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Condé Nast Traveller Readers’ Choice Awards 2026 | What the winners tell us about luxury travel

The Condé Nast Traveller Readers’ Choice Awards 2026 have revealed the world's favourite luxury hotels, resorts and destinations. From iconic city hotels to exceptional all-inclusive escapes, we explore what this year's winners tell us about the changing face of luxury travel.

Airelles, the hotel name to know now

From Courchevel and Versailles to Venice and now St Barth, Airelles is quietly becoming one of the most exciting names in ultra-luxury hospitality. We explore what makes the collection different and why it says so much about the way luxury travel is changing.

The rise of the Whycation

The new question isn’t where are you going, but why? From food and family to adventure, events and doing absolutely nothing, the Whycation puts the reason for travelling before the destination.
Get in touch today to start planning your trips

Why Sani Marina is the secret to how Sani Resort works

Why Sani Marina is the secret to how Sani Resort works

There are plenty of luxury resorts where you could spend a week without ever really leaving your hotel.

 

Sani is different.

 

Yes, there are five individual hotels, each with its own pools, beaches, restaurants and personality. But at the centre of the wider resort is something that completely changes how a holiday here feels, Sani Marina.

 

It is easy to look at photographs of the yachts and waterfront restaurants and assume the marina is simply another attractive part of the resort. Once you are actually at Sani, you realise it plays a much bigger role.

 

It gives the whole resort somewhere to go.

More than a marina

Sani Marina is a working harbour with 215 berths accommodating boats up to 33 metres long. It has also been awarded Blue Flag status and acts as a departure point for everything from complimentary cruises to private yacht charters around Halkidiki and the Aegean.

 

But unless you are arriving by yacht, those statistics probably are not the reason you will remember it.

 

What matters much more as a guest is everything that has been built around the water.

 

Restaurants and bars line the marina. There are boutiques to wander through, coffee stops, places for an ice cream or crêpe and the central piazza comes to life as the day moves into evening. Sani currently describes the marina as the heart of the resort and with 11 restaurants and bars here alone, it really does function that way.

 

We found ourselves naturally gravitating towards it.

 

You can spend the day completely settled into your own hotel then shower, change and head down to the marina for dinner. Suddenly the evening feels like a change of scene rather than another night at the same resort.

 

And that distinction is important.

It makes a resort feel more like a destination

Large resorts can sometimes have one drawback: no matter how many facilities they contain, after a few days you become very aware that you are still inside the same hotel environment.

 

Sani gets around that particularly well.

 

The marina effectively creates a little waterfront neighbourhood within the resort.

 

You can walk beside the boats, browse the shops, stop somewhere for a drink then have dinner somewhere completely different from the restaurant you visited the night before. Afterwards, rather than heading straight back to your room, you can sit in the piazza and watch the marina change after dark.

 

There is movement. There are people arriving for dinner. Children are walking around with their parents. Couples are having drinks beside the water. Yachts are coming and going.

 

It creates the feeling of having gone out without any of the logistics normally involved in leaving a resort.

 

For families in particular, that works brilliantly. Everyone gets the ease and reassurance of remaining within Sani but your evenings do not have to revolve around the same hotel and the same few restaurants.

Five hotels but one resort

The marina also helps make sense of Sani’s unusual set-up.

 

Rather than being one enormous hotel, Sani Resort is made up of Sani Beach, Sani Club, Sani Dunes, Porto Sani and Sani Asterias.

 

They genuinely feel different from one another.

 

Porto Sani is moments from the marina and has been designed particularly well for young families. Sani Dunes sits close to the marina too but has a more grown-up, contemporary atmosphere. Sani Asterias has residences overlooking it while Sani Club sits further away in the quieter, greener part of the resort and is now connected back towards the rest of Sani by a walkable coastal promenade.

 

That means choosing your Sani hotel is less about deciding which facilities you will have access to and more about choosing where you want your base to be and how you want it to feel.

 

You might want the peace of Sani Club during the day then head towards the marina for dinner.

 

You might choose Porto Sani because you want everything close at hand with young children.

 

Or you might stay at Sani Asterias or Sani Dunes because being right beside the marina is part of the appeal.

 

We experienced both sides ourselves, staying beside the marina at Sani Asterias before moving to the much more secluded Sani Club. The contrast actually made the concept easier to understand: the hotels can have very different personalities because the wider resort gives everyone so much more to explore.

The restaurants are a big part of it

The marina also dramatically expands your dining options.

 

Sani’s Dine Around programme currently covers 24 restaurants across the wider resort with options ranging from Japanese dining at Katsu in the marina to restaurants within the individual hotels. Depending on your board basis, guests can choose selected menus without an additional charge or use their meal allowance towards à la carte dining.

 

That variety is one of Sani’s real strengths because dinner becomes part of planning the holiday rather than simply something you do at the end of the day.

 

You can have Greek food one evening, sushi another then spend a night somewhere overlooking the water.

 

For 2026, Sani Asterias’ Water restaurant has also been reimagined in collaboration with two-Michelin-starred chef Bruno Oger, positioned between the beachfront residences and the marina.

 

The setting matters as much as the number of options.

 

Walking down to the marina before dinner and choosing somewhere overlooking the yachts feels very different from walking into another restaurant attached to your hotel lobby.

Then there is the water itself

One of the nicest things about having a genuine working marina at the centre of the resort is that the sea becomes part of the experience rather than simply the backdrop.

 

Sani offers complimentary morning and sunset cruises departing from the marina, subject to weather conditions. Private yacht charters can also be arranged for anything from a half-day trip to a full day exploring the coastline.

 

That is something we would absolutely build into a Sani holiday.

 

Even if you never charter a yacht, simply being somewhere with boats coming and going gives the resort a different energy.

Why we think the marina matters

We talk a lot about choosing the right hotel at Sani because the five options really do suit different types of traveller.

 

But perhaps the more interesting thing about Sani is that you are not only booking a hotel.

 

You are booking into a wider destination.

 

The beach might be where you spend most of your day and your particular hotel will determine whether your holiday feels quieter, livelier, more family-focused or more grown-up.

 

The marina is what brings all of those different experiences together.

 

It gives you somewhere for dinner. Somewhere for a drink. Somewhere to wander. Somewhere to shop. Somewhere to board a boat. Somewhere to spend an evening when you do not want the day to end at your hotel.

 

And that is probably why Sani manages to feel both incredibly easy and surprisingly varied at the same time.

 

Sani Resort, been & seen by Travel Seen.

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Is the Ikos Olivia Deluxe Collection Worth It?

Is the Ikos Olivia Deluxe Collection worth it?

Choosing the resort is only the first decision when booking an Ikos holiday.

 

The next is whether to stay in one of the standard room categories or upgrade to the Deluxe Collection.

 

We toured two of the Deluxe Collection two-bedroom bungalow suites during our visit to Ikos Olivia: one in a beachfront position with a private garden and another with its own private pool.

 

We also spent time beside the exclusive Deluxe Collection pool and looked more closely at the additional inclusions that come with the upgrade.

 

Having now seen the rooms and experienced the Deluxe areas in person, our view is clear.

 

When the budget allows, the Ikos Olivia Deluxe Collection is worth the upgrade.

What is the Ikos Deluxe Collection?

The Deluxe Collection is Ikos Resorts’ upgraded accommodation and service concept.

 

It combines larger or more premium suites with exclusive resort areas and additional benefits that are not part of the standard Ikos experience.

 

Deluxe Collection guests have access to a dedicated pool and exclusive beach area with additional space between the sunbeds. A dedicated Deluxe concierge, upgraded minibar, enhanced pool and beach service and a dinner beside the sea are also included.

 

Guests receive a bottle of Taittinger Champagne during their stay as well as two complimentary 25-minute neck and back massages per suite or villa.

 

For the 2026 season, Deluxe guests can also use an electric MINI Countryman for two days as part of the Local Drive Adventure.

 

It is not simply a case of booking a slightly better room.

 

The upgrade affects where you relax, the level of service you receive and the additional experiences available throughout the holiday.

Inside the two-bedroom Deluxe Collection suites

We toured two different two-bedroom options at Ikos Olivia.

 

The first was a beachfront suite with a private garden overlooking the sea.

 

The second had its own private pool.

 

Both offered the space and flexibility needed for a family of four, two couples travelling together or a wider group wanting separate bedrooms with a shared living area.

 

Ikos Olivia’s Deluxe Two Bedroom Bungalow Suite Beachfront measures approximately 90 square metres and can accommodate up to six guests. It is available with either a balcony or private garden depending on its position.

 

The Deluxe Two Bedroom Bungalow Suite with Private Pool is also part of the resort’s current Deluxe accommodation collection.

 

The rooms felt modern, calm and spacious with enough room for guests to unpack and properly settle in.

That space would make a real difference during a longer family holiday. Nobody wants to spend a week stepping over suitcases or trying to create privacy in one open-plan room.

Beachfront garden or private pool?

The better option comes down to how your family prefers to spend its holiday.

 

Choose the beachfront suite when:

You want to be as close to the sea as possible.

 

The private garden gives you your own outdoor area while keeping the beach directly in front of you. It would be ideal for guests who enjoy an early morning walk beside the water or want to move easily between their suite, garden and the beach.

It also gives the holiday a strong sense of place. You wake up looking towards the Aegean and the coastline remains part of the experience throughout the day.

 

Choose the private-pool suite when:

Your family will spend most of the holiday in the water.

 

A private pool gives children somewhere to swim whenever they want without the family needing to gather everything together and head to one of the resort pools.

It also creates a completely private space for adults to relax while still being able to keep an eye on younger guests.

For two couples travelling together, the private pool can also make the suite feel more like a private villa experience within the wider resort.

 

What does the Deluxe Collection add?

The Deluxe Collection offers more than a larger room.

 

Guests have access to a separate pool and beach area, which felt noticeably quieter during our visit. Ikos Olivia is already calm for a family resort but these exclusive spaces add another level of privacy without taking you away from the restaurants and facilities of the wider resort.

 

The upgrade also includes use of an electric MINI Countryman for two days, allowing guests to explore Halkidiki without arranging separate car hire. A bottle of Taittinger Champagne, complimentary spa treatments, a dedicated concierge and upgraded in-room, minibar and poolside service are also included.

 

Our favourite moment came beside the Deluxe pool when the team arrived with the day’s complimentary treat: an outrageous milkshake topped with an entire doughnut. We immediately said how much children would love it before the adults finished it themselves.

 

It captured the experience perfectly. The headline benefits are impressive but the smaller, unexpected touches are what make guests feel particularly well looked after.

Who is the Ikos Olivia Deluxe Collection for?

The Deluxe Collection is especially well suited to families who want more space and privacy, larger groups sharing accommodation and two couples travelling together.

 

It also works well for guests who value quieter pool and beach areas, are celebrating a special occasion or plan to make use of the spa treatments, MINI Countryman and additional service.

 

It gives you access to everything that makes Ikos Olivia a strong family resort while providing calmer spaces to retreat to throughout the day.

Is the Deluxe Collection worth it?

Our honest opinion is yes, when the budget allows.

 

You are not simply paying for a different room category. The larger accommodation, quieter private areas, upgraded service and additional experiences can make a meaningful difference across a week-long stay.

 

The value will be strongest for guests who want more space and intend to use the exclusive pool, beach and wider benefits. Those planning to spend very little time in their suite may prefer to put the budget towards a longer holiday.

 

We would book it ourselves. Our founder, Jen, always books the Deluxe Collection when staying Ikos.

 

The private-pool suite would suit a family that wants to swim throughout the day while the beachfront garden suite would be ideal for guests who want the sea to be central to their stay.

 

What convinced us was not one individual inclusion but the way the rooms, quieter areas and added benefits come together to create a more private and flexible Ikos experience.

Choosing the right Ikos resort

The right room at Ikos Olivia depends on your party size and how you want to spend your holiday.

 

A private pool may sound like the obvious choice but a beachfront garden could suit your family better. Some guests will also make far more use of the exclusive Deluxe areas and added benefits than others.

 

Enquire with Luxx Collective for help choosing the right Ikos resort and room category for your trip.

 

Having toured the accommodation ourselves, we can explain the practical differences between the options and help you choose the room that genuinely suits your party rather than relying on a standard booking description.

 

Ikos Olivia, been and seen by Travel Seen. Booked by Luxx Collective.

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Ikos Olivia Review | What the resort is really like

Ikos Olivia Review | What the resort is really like

A family resort can have beautiful rooms, excellent restaurants and an impressive list of facilities but none of that matters quite as much if it feels overcrowded once you arrive.

That was one of the first things we noticed during our day at Ikos Olivia.

The resort was almost full when we visited, yet it never felt particularly busy. There were families around the pools and restaurants but the overall atmosphere remained calm, relaxed and surprisingly peaceful.

We spent the day exploring the grounds, visiting different room categories, dining at Ouzo and speaking with the hotel manager about what makes Ikos Olivia work so well for families.

Here is what the resort is really like when you experience it in person.

First impressions of Ikos Olivia

Ikos Olivia is set on the coast of Halkidiki with landscaped gardens, mature trees and views across the Aegean Sea.

It is a large resort but it does not feel like a vast hotel complex. Walking around feels more like exploring a beautiful Mediterranean setting with accommodation, restaurants and pools woven into the landscape.

The grounds are manicured but not overly formal. There is plenty of greenery and the long coastline gives the resort a sense of openness.

Even though the property was operating at close to full occupancy, we never felt hemmed in or surrounded by crowds.

Guests naturally spread themselves between the beach, pools, restaurants and quieter areas of the resort. This means there can be plenty happening without the atmosphere becoming frantic.


A relaxed resort designed for families

Ikos Olivia is clearly familyfocused but it does not feel as though every guest is expected to holiday in exactly the same way.

Families who want activities, sports and entertainment have plenty to choose from. Those who want to spend most of their time beside the pool or on the beach can have a much slower experience.

Ikos Olivia offers tennis, cycling, water-based activities and access to the resort’s wider programme of entertainment and facilities. Complimentary bike hire is also available for guests wanting to explore the local area.

There are different pools and accommodation areas throughout the resort so it is possible to find a setting that suits your party.

That flexibility is one of its strengths. You can be active when you want to be but the resort is equally well suited to long lunches, iced coffees and days that involve very little movement at all.

What does Ikos Olivia look and feel like?

Ikos Olivia is one of the more established properties in the Ikos collection.

It does not have quite the same overt glamour as some of the newer resorts but it has a very attractive, relaxed Mediterranean character.

The resort underwent a major redesign for the 2024 season with further updates introduced for 2025. These changes included refreshed rooms and bungalows, redesigned restaurants and new areas across the resort.

The accommodation feels modern while the grounds retain their mature, natural setting.

Everything looked incredibly well maintained during our visit. The gardens were immaculate, the restaurants felt polished and there was a clear sense that the details were being looked after throughout the day.



What is the food like at Ikos Olivia?

Dining is where Ikos Olivia moves furthest away from the traditional idea of an all-inclusive resort.

Ikos describes its concept as “all included” and that distinction makes sense once you have eaten there.

The food and wine did not feel like something designed simply to satisfy a large number of guests. The restaurants had their own identities, menus and settings so the experience felt much closer to dining independently while on holiday.

Ikos Olivia currently has six main dining venues covering Greek, Italian, French, Asian and Mediterranean cuisine. Its restaurants include Ouzo, Provence, Fresco, Anaya, Flavors and The Garden.

There are also opportunities to dine outside the resort at selected local restaurants as part of the Ikos Dine Out concept.

We had lunch at Ouzo, the Greek restaurant beside the beach, where the setting was beautiful and the food and wine were excellent.

It felt like the kind of restaurant we would have chosen independently on holiday rather than somewhere we were eating simply because it was included. That is the key difference at Ikos: there was no sense of settling for repetitive food, poor wine or a limited all-inclusive menu.

We also stopped at Provence for an excellent iced coffee beside one of the pools. These smaller moments matter too. You can enjoy a drink, an ice cream or another coffee without constantly thinking about the extra cost.

The ease of an all-inclusive holiday is still there but without many of the compromises people often associate with it.

Meet the hotel manager

During our visit we met Skerdi, the hotel manager at Ikos Olivia.

Having worked across different properties in the Ikos collection, he understands both the consistency of the brand and the individual personality of each resort.

He spoke warmly about how well Ikos works for families.

That became obvious as we explored the resort. Families are well catered for but the experience does not feel generic.

Different rooms, pools and resort areas allow guests to choose whether they prioritise privacy, beachfront access, activities or convenience.

A family with young children may want a private pool and easy access to snacks throughout the day. Another might prefer a beachfront garden and spend most of its time beside the sea.

Ikos Olivia can accommodate both.

Does Ikos Olivia feel like an all-inclusive resort?

Not in the traditional sense.

The food, wine and surroundings do not feel compromised by the all-inclusive model. Each restaurant has its own identity, the standard of service remains high and the resort is spacious enough that guests are not constantly gathering in the same areas.

Ikos also encourages guests to experience more of the destination through selected local dining and opportunities to explore beyond the resort.

It is particularly well suited to families who want a premium holiday without sacrificing convenience, as well as couples and multigenerational groups looking for plenty of choice alongside quieter spaces.

The resort is spread out, which may not suit guests who prefer a smaller hotel with every facility close by. For most people, however, that space is exactly what keeps Ikos Olivia feeling calm and relaxed.

How does Ikos Olivia compare and would we return?

Each Ikos resort has its own setting and personality.

Ikos Olivia feels slightly more traditional and relaxed than some of the newer properties in the collection. It may not be the most overtly glamorous or contemporary option but the rooms and restaurants are modern and the resort feels beautifully maintained.

The quality of the food, wine and service is consistent with what we have experienced elsewhere across the Ikos collection. The decision is therefore less about choosing the “best” resort and more about finding the location and atmosphere that suit your party.

We would return.

Ikos Olivia manages to feel family-focused without becoming chaotic and comprehensive without feeling overwhelming. The beach, gardens and spacious layout create a relaxed atmosphere while the restaurants and all-included concept make the practical side of a family holiday remarkably easy.

For anyone looking for a calm beachfront resort with excellent dining and plenty of choice, Ikos Olivia deserves serious consideration.

Choosing the right Ikos resort

Ikos Olivia may be the right resort for your family or another Ikos property may suit the way you travel more closely.

The best choice will depend on who is travelling, the atmosphere you prefer and whether your priorities include a private pool, direct beach access, activities or a more contemporary setting.

Enquire with Luxx Collective for help choosing the right Ikos resort and the right room category for your party.

Having visited the resorts and toured the accommodation ourselves, we can help you look beyond the standard room descriptions and find the option that genuinely works for your holiday.

Ikos Olivia, been and seen by Travel Seen. Booked by Luxx Collective.

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