Top luxury island resort destinations
Top luxury island resort destinations
High-end island resorts for luxury travel
Luxury island travel is at its best when the setting and the experience reinforce each other, when the quality of what surrounds you matches the quality of where you are staying. The destinations on this list have been chosen because they offer that combination reliably, with accommodation and services that are genuinely exceptional set within natural environments that would be worth visiting regardless.
The range covers overwater villa resorts in tropical lagoons, private island retreats with very few guests, clifftop properties with dramatic ocean views and intimate boutique hotels on islands where the surrounding landscape does most of the work. Price points vary but the common thread is a level of attention to detail and quality of setting that justifies the investment.
Timing, transfer logistics and understanding what is and isn't included matter more at the luxury end of the market than elsewhere. Some of the most impressive properties are in remote locations that require seaplane or boat transfers and the additional planning that involves. Getting the season right and arriving with a clear sense of what the resort offers beyond the room itself tends to produce the most satisfying experience.
Lists by region
Outer Territory in United Kingdom
British Virgin Islands
Pristine sailing paradise with beaches
Entrepreneur Richard Branson built a private luxury retreat on Necker Island here. Resorts across this Caribbean territory cater heavily to sailing and yachting visitors. Visitors can charter boats between dozens of small islands and secluded coves. The Baths on Virgin Gorda draw visitors to swim among giant granite boulders.
Town in Indonesia
Canggu
Sunset beaches and vibrant surf culture
Beach clubs with infinity pools line the coast of this Balinese surf town. Rice paddies sit just inland from beachfront resorts catering to a younger luxury crowd. Visitors can book villas with private pools tucked among the surrounding rice fields. Surf breaks just offshore draw both beginners and experienced wave riders.
Island
St. Martin
Dual-Nation Beaches, Cuisine and Culture
This small Caribbean island splits between French and Dutch governance across its coastline. Luxury resorts cluster on both sides, each with a distinct national character. Visitors can book beachfront villas near Orient Bay's clothing-optional stretch of sand. Planes landing at the Dutch side's airport pass dramatically close to Maho Beach.
Island in French Polynesia
Bora Bora
Turquoise Lagoons, Overwater Dreams
This French Polynesian island popularised the overwater bungalow concept in the 1960s. Resorts here now build entire villages of thatched-roof huts suspended above the lagoon. Visitors can step directly from private decks into turquoise water below. Mount Otemanu's peak rises dramatically behind nearly every resort's shoreline view.
Island in Philippines
Boracay
Powdery white sands and turquoise waters
White Beach's powdery sand stretches along this Philippine island's western shore. Resorts here range from budget guesthouses to high-end beachfront villas. Visitors can watch sunset sailing tours called paraws glide past the coastline. The island closed briefly in 2018 for a major environmental rehabilitation before reopening.
Town in Greece
Oia
Sunsets Over Whitewashed Cliffs
Luxury suites carved into this Santorini village's caldera cliffs once served as wine cellars. Infinity pools built into former cave dwellings overlook the volcanic bay below. Visitors can book cliffside suites offering direct views of the nightly sunset crowds gather to watch. Boutique hotels here rank among Greece's most expensive per-night rates.
Island in Thailand
Phuket
Beaches, Culture and Nightlife
Amanpuri, one of Southeast Asia's original luxury beach resorts, opened here in 1988. Its Thai-style pavilions set a template later copied by resorts across the region. Visitors can book private pool villas scattered across a coconut plantation hillside. Patong Beach nearby offers a louder, more crowded contrast to the island's quiet luxury enclaves.
Country
Maldives
Coral atolls, lagoons and overwater villas
Overwater villas here stand on stilts above shallow, brilliantly clear lagoons. Each resort typically occupies its own private island across the scattered atolls. Visitors can book villas with glass floor panels revealing marine life below. Rising sea levels have made the low-lying islands a focus of climate concern.
Island in Spain
Mallorca
Mediterranean Magic: Beaches & Mountains
Superyachts fill this Spanish island's marinas throughout the summer sailing season. Celebrity visitors have long favoured secluded coves along the island's northern coast. Visitors can book boutique hotels converted from centuries-old fincas in the countryside. Palma's old town blends luxury shopping with narrow medieval streets.
Island
Tahiti
Sun‑kissed lagoons and volcanic horizons
Overwater bungalows line lagoons across this French Polynesian island and its surrounding chain. An InterContinental resort here helped popularise the overwater villa concept decades ago. Visitors can book suites with direct lagoon access and views of neighbouring Moorea. Black sand beaches near Papeete offer a contrast to the turquoise lagoons elsewhere.
Island in Thailand
Ko Samui
Tropical Vibes and Relaxed Luxury
One hillside Four Seasons resort here overlooks the Gulf of Thailand from above. Private pool villas throughout the island cater to honeymooners and luxury travellers. Visitors can book treehouse-style suites built among the island's coconut groves. Chaweng Beach nearby offers a livelier contrast to the island's quieter luxury enclaves.
Island in Italy
Sardinia
Turquoise seas and ancient secrets
The Aga Khan developed Costa Smeralda into a luxury enclave starting in the 1960s. Marinas here fill with superyachts belonging to some of Europe's wealthiest visitors. Visitors can book resorts overlooking coves with unusually clear turquoise water. Porto Cervo's boutiques and restaurants cater almost entirely to high-end travellers.
Island in Cayman Islands
Grand Cayman
Crystal waters, stingrays and sunsets
Seven Mile Beach lines this Caribbean island's western shore with resort after resort. Offshore banking wealth has long supported the island's upscale hospitality industry. Visitors can dive Stingray City, where wild rays gather in shallow sandbar waters. Luxury condos and resorts now dominate much of the beachfront skyline.
Country
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
One destination, 32 islands, countless possibilities
Mustique, a private island within this nation, has hosted royalty and rock stars since the 1960s. Strict building codes here limit development to a small number of estates. Visitors can rent villas once owned by musicians and members of European royal families. Basil's Bar on the beach has served the same exclusive crowd for decades.
Island in Tanzania
Zanzibar
Turquoise Waters and Spice Perfume
Arab traders once shipped cloves and cinnamon from this Tanzanian archipelago. That spice trade history still shapes menus at its beachfront resorts. Powdery white sand lines the northern coast near Nungwi and Kendwa, where most high end properties have built their villas. You can watch dhow sailboats glide past at sunset from a pool.
Island in Italy
Capri
Mediterranean Elegance and Natural Beauty
Sunlight refracts through water into brilliant blue inside this Italian island's famous grotto. Celebrities and jet-setters have vacationed here since the mid-20th century. Visitors can ride a chairlift to Monte Solaro for views over the entire island. Luxury boutiques line Capri town's piazzetta near the island's grand hotels.
Island in Australia
Lord Howe Island
Secluded paradise with crystal reefs and cliffs
This Australian island permits only 400 visitors at any given time to protect its ecosystem. Luxury lodges here operate without traffic lights, chain stores or crowded beaches. Visitors can book one of a handful of upscale properties scattered across the island. Towering Mount Gower looms over beaches ranked among Australia's most pristine.
Island in Spain
Menorca
Tranquil Island of Hidden Beaches
This quieter Balearic island has drawn luxury travellers seeking an alternative to nearby Ibiza. Boutique hotels here occupy converted farmhouses scattered across the countryside. Visitors can book coves reachable only by boat or a long coastal walk. Development restrictions have kept much of the coastline free of large resorts.
Country
Mauritius
Tropical Bliss in the Indian Ocean
Luxury resorts ring nearly this entire Indian Ocean island's coastline. Honeymooners have long favoured its combination of beaches, reefs and mountain backdrops rising inland. Visitors can book overwater dining pavilions extending from beachfront resort properties. Chamarel's coloured earth formations offer an inland excursion from the coast.
Island in Greece
Santorini
Breathtaking Views and Blue Domes
Caldera-view suites along this Greek island's cliffs rank among Europe's most photographed accommodations. Volcanic activity that shaped the island also left behind fertile soil for local vineyards. Visitors can book infinity pools positioned for uninterrupted sunset views. Private yacht tours circle the caldera past the island's dramatic cliffside villages.
Island in Philippines
Palawan
Paradise of Lagoons and Limestone Cliffs
A single exclusive resort occupies its own private island within this Philippine province. Amanpulo's guests reach the island exclusively by small chartered aircraft. Visitors can book casitas set among coconut groves along a white sand beach. El Nido's limestone lagoons nearby offer a dramatic contrast in scenery.
Island in Turks and Caicos Islands
Providenciales
Turquoise Waters Meet White-Sand Beaches
Grace Bay's powder-soft sand lines this Turks and Caicos island's most exclusive stretch of coast. Luxury resorts and private villas fill nearly the entire beachfront here. Visitors can book oceanfront suites steps from consistently calm, clear water. Coral reefs just offshore draw snorkellers within easy reach of the resorts.
Country
Fiji
Tropical paradise with diverse landscapes
Private island resorts across this Pacific nation offer entire islets reserved for single parties. Turtle Island here once hosted a Hollywood film crew before becoming an exclusive retreat. Visitors can book resorts accessible only by seaplane or private boat transfer. Coral reefs surrounding many islands offer diving just steps from overwater villas.
Overseas Territory in France
Saint Barthélemy
Luxury Island with Caribbean Charm
Celebrities and billionaires have vacationed on this French Caribbean island for decades. Its harbour fills with superyachts during the high season each winter. Visitors can book villas perched above secluded coves away from the island's small airport. Designer boutiques line the streets of Gustavia, the island's main town.
Island in United States
Lānaʻi
Privately owned paradise of contrasts
Software billionaire Larry Ellison purchased nearly this entire Hawaiian island in 2012. Two Four Seasons resorts now operate on land largely owned by a single individual. Visitors can book oceanfront suites or a clifftop property overlooking former pineapple fields. Shipwreck Beach nearby remains largely undeveloped despite the island's luxury reputation.
Bay in New Zealand
Bay of Islands
Sunlit coves echo with ancient legends
Luxury lodges here overlook secluded coves scattered across 144 small islands. Game fishing charters have drawn wealthy anglers to these waters since the 1920s. Visitors can book private boat charters exploring islands accessible only by water. Dolphins and whales regularly surface near the lodges' private beaches.
Region in Indonesia
Bali
Tropical beaches, vibrant culture and adventure
Clifftop resorts along Uluwatu's coast perch dramatically above crashing Indian Ocean surf. Private pool villas here often overlook rice terraces or ocean views. Visitors can book infinity pools that appear to merge directly with the horizon. Beach clubs along the southern coast draw a mix of luxury travellers and surfers.
Outer Territory in United States
U.S. Virgin Islands
Caribbean Paradise with U.S. Convenience
Trunk Bay's underwater snorkelling trail on St John sits inside a national park shared with nearby luxury resorts. Villas and beach clubs across St Thomas and St Croix cater to American travellers arriving without a passport. You can sail between the three islands on day charters leaving straight from resort marinas.
Island in Japan
Okinawa Island
Reef beaches and Ryukyu Kingdom heritage
Luxury resorts line this Japanese island's coast facing some of the clearest reef water in the region. Traditional Ryukyu architecture influences the design of several high-end properties. Visitors can book resorts with direct access to coral reefs just offshore. The Kerama Islands nearby offer day trips to even clearer water.
Island in United States
Maui
Island of Sun, Surf and Serenity
Wailea's resort district lines this Hawaiian island's sunny southern coastline. Championship golf courses and spa resorts cluster along a stretch of manicured coastline. Visitors can book oceanfront suites within walking distance of protected snorkelling coves. Haleakala's summit offers sunrise views for guests willing to leave before dawn.
Island in Seychelles
Mahé
Tropical Paradise with a Wild Side
Granite boulders frame secluded beaches lined with luxury resorts across this Seychelles island. Anse Intendance's dramatic coastline hosts some of the archipelago's most exclusive properties. Visitors can book villas built directly into the island's granite hillsides. Morne Seychellois National Park covers much of the mountainous interior behind the coast.
Island in Bahamas
Paradise Island
Turquoise Waters and Endless Thrills
A massive resort complex dominates this Bahamian island connected to Nassau by bridge. Its Atlantis property features a water park built around a mythical lost city theme. Visitors can book suites overlooking a marine habitat holding thousands of sea creatures. Casino floors and celebrity chef restaurants fill much of the resort complex.
Island in Malaysia
Langkawi Island
Tropical Beaches, Rainforests and Sunsets
Cable cars here climb steeply above rainforest canopy to a skybridge near the summit of Gunung Mat Cincang. Resorts along Langkawi's western beaches pair private villas with that same jungle backdrop rising behind the shoreline. You can kayak through mangrove channels one morning and shop duty free the next.
Island in Spain
Ibiza
Mediterranean Energy, Timeless Charm
Superyachts anchor off this Spanish island's coast throughout the summer high season. Beach clubs here have hosted world-famous DJs since the 1990s club scene emerged. Visitors can book villas overlooking secluded coves away from the island's louder resorts. Sunset views from the island's west coast draw crowds nightly during peak season.
Island in Greece
Mykonos
Whitewashed beauty and wild nights
Beach clubs along this Greek island's coast draw a wealthy international crowd each summer. Windmills overlooking the harbour have become a symbol recognised worldwide. Visitors can book boutique hotels carved into cliffs above secluded beaches. Superyachts anchor offshore near the island's most exclusive clubs and restaurants.
Island in United States
Kauai
Lush Landscapes and Secluded Beaches
Luxury resorts along this Hawaiian island's coast overlook dramatic sea cliffs and beaches. The Na Pali Coast's jagged ridgelines remain accessible mainly by boat or helicopter. Visitors can book oceanfront suites within reach of some of Hawaii's least developed coastline. Waterfalls tumble down lush valleys visible from several resort properties.
Island in Bahamas
Great Exuma Island
Crystal clear waters and tranquility
A Four Seasons resort anchors much of the luxury development on this Bahamian island. Swimming pigs on a nearby cay have become an unlikely tourist draw for visitors. Visitors can charter boats out to swim alongside the pigs in clear water. Sandals Emerald Bay's golf course sits along the island's turquoise coastline.
Island in Malaysia
Sipadan
Crystal reefs and untouched tropical paradise
Strict permits limit the number of divers allowed on this small Malaysian island daily. Barracuda gather here in a spinning tornado formation just off the shore. Visitors can book liveaboard boats since no permanent hotels operate on the island itself. Green turtles rest on ledges along a reef wall dropping nearly 600 metres.
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