Our Ultimate Must-See Luxury Travel Guide for 2019

Photo by Assaf Pinchuk

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THE SETAI – Tel Aviv
With the historic Jaffa section of the city exploding as an enclave for our luxury travel guide, there’s never been a better time to discover Tel Aviv. Opened this year, The Setai has the perfect waterfront location, and is just steps from interesting shops, markets, attractions and restaurants in Jaffa. The 120-room, five-star property has an illustrious history, housed in a 12th-Century crusader building that was once an Ottoman prison and police station. The renovation took a whopping 12 years and $100 million to complete.

The Setai

Today, cellblocks have morphed into luxury rooms and suites. Original crusader and Turkish walls are evident throughout the hotel, accented by artifacts unearthed during excavation mix with modern décor in the hotel.

Jaffa

Let the concierge arrange a private VIP tour led by a local insider, exploring the old galleries and artisans who have studios in the hidden alleyways of Jaffa.

The Grace Bay Club

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GRACE BAY CLUB – Turks & Caicos
The first luxury, all-oceanfront suite property on Turks & Caicos, The Grace Bay Club, has redefined Caribbean luxury. The resort offers 82 rooms in three distinct areas including an adults-only hotel, family-friendly villas, and the newest addition, The Estate, with elegant custom-designed suites that take luxury travel to a new level.

The Grace Bay Club

Private villas scattered throughout the island are also available on request. Located on a beach that regularly makes the world’s best beaches list, it’s no surprise that water activities are the focal point of fun at the resort, and all non-motorized water sports are included for guests. With six dining outlets, including Infiniti Restaurant and Raw Bar, the top luxury travel gourmet dining spot on the island, there’s little reason to venture off this amazing property.

The Grace Bay Club

Enjoy the personal concierge available 24/7 via mobile phone provided at check-in who can do things like arrange a private boat to go to the main island, Iguana Island (Little Cay) or a secluded private beach, arrange fishing excursions and plan a private-chef experience on the beach.

Four Seasons Bora Bora

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FOUR SEASONS – Bora Bora
If you looked up romance in a picture dictionary, a photo of the Four Seasons Bora Bora is what you’d find. The natural setting, the overwater bungalows and the over-the-top service make it one of the best couples’ getaways in the world. In 2019, the hotel is adding eight new overwater bungalows with plunge pools, refreshing all of the suites and three restaurants, and adding a new resort-wear shop.

Four Seasons Bora Bora

A stay here is all about connecting with your partner, whether that means jumping into the ocean from your room, snorkeling in the resort’s private lagoon, or enjoying a couple’s treatment in the overwater spa suite.

What sets the Four Seasons above other resorts in this tropical paradise is incredible service and attention to detail.

Four Seasons Bora Bora

Guests arrive at the resort in style on a custom Andreyale yacht, modeled after the water taxis that used to transport Long Island stock traders to Manhattan.

Four Seasons Bora Bora

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BURJ AL ARAB – Dubai
It’s been repeatedly called the most luxurious hotel in the world, and there’s a good reason for that. When the Burj Al Arab opened in 1999, it ushered in an era of six- and seven-star luxury travel. With its iconic sail-mast shape, the more than 1,000-foot-high hotel features 202 duplex suites with floor-to-ceiling windows looking out to the Arabian Gulf, 24-karat-gold iPads, Eiderdown bedding made from feathers hand-picked from abandoned Eider duck nests in Iceland, and personal butler service.

Burj Al Arab

There are more than nine restaurants, including the seafood restaurant by British celebrity chef Nathan Outlaw at Al Mahara, an exotic restaurant with floor to ceiling aquariums that give the feel of dining underwater, two terrace pools featuring 10 million mosaic tiles, and the spectacular 16-room spa Taliese Spa, where La Prairie Caviar Skincare is used in most facials.

Burj Al Arab

See Dubai in style with an optional chauffeur-driven Rolls Royce or arrive at the hotel by helicopter.

Acqualina Resort & Spa

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ACQUALINA – Miami
With accolades ranging from the best hotel in Florida to five-diamond and five-star ratings, Acqualina Resort & Spa is the ultimate beach escape. In fact, it’s the only hotel in the Miami area with direct beach access. Set on 4.5 beachfront acres, the 98-room retreat welcomes you to enjoy its Mediterranean style and casually elegant vibe with a glass of bubbly as you check in.

Acqualina Resort & Spa

Stay in a one-bedroom deluxe suite for amazing ocean views and enjoy touches like a kitchen decked out with Sub-Zero appliances and a Jacuzzi tub complete with whimsical rubber ducky. The best thing about Acqualina is simply to enjoy relaxing whether you reserve a poolside cabana, lounge on the beach or enjoy a treatment at the ESPA spa.

Acqualina Resort & Spa

Acqualina partners with local photo biographer, Pipe Yanguas, to capture your Acqualina moments in a special photo shoot.

Royal Davui

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ROYAL DAVUI – Fiji
Play out your Robinson Crusoe fantasy at the intimate, adults-only private island of Royal Davui. This luxury travel eco-resort features large, secluded, thatched-roof pool “vales” (Fijian for suites).

Royal Davui

While you might be tempted to never leave the room, you’d be remiss to skip snorkeling, diving on the Beqa Lagoon’s coral reef, or engaging with some of the resort’s cultural offerings from Kava ceremonies to coconut-carving demonstrations. Guests arrive exclusively by private plane.

Royal Davui

Enjoy a romantic dinner on Sand Cay, a tidal islet accessible only by boat.

Ville d’Este

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VILLE D’ESTE – Lake Como
What started as two mansions, one built for the Queen of England, has morphed into Italy’s most iconic property, Ville d’Este on Lake Como. The magical setting was the birthplace of many famous romances including the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, Frank Sinatra and Ava Gardner, and Rita Hayworth and Orson Welles. It continues to be a favorite spot for royalty, celebrities and A-listers.

Ville d’Este

This luxury travel hotel exudes the opulence and classic elegance of a bygone era, with modern touches seamlessly woven into the environment. Every room and suite are unique in terms of size and décor and features original art and custom-designed furnishings. Don’t miss enjoying a Bellini while watching the sunset over breathtaking Lake Como.

Ville d’Este

The hotel’s fleet of yachts, along with a captain, is available for VIP guests who want to visit the many little towns dotting Lake Como.

Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise

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FAIRMONT CHATEAU LAKE LOUISE – Lake Louise
Located in Alberta, Canada’s Banff National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, this luxury travel destination is the perfect base camp in this natural wonder. For more than 100 years the resort has prided itself on its Mountain Adventure Program, helmed by expert guides who lead guests in both winter and summer mountain adventures. After a day on the slopes or hiking the glacier, head to the spa for a Mountain Stone Massage to ease sore muscles.

Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise

Then have dinner at one of six on-property restaurants including Walliser Stube, a restaurant and wine bar that pays homage to the property’s Swiss Mountain Guide heritage with traditional Alpine dishes and drinks.

Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise

Book a suite, and you’ll have a dedicated suite concierge.

Viceroy Sugar Beach

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VICEROY SUGAR BEACH – St. Lucia
With an enviable location in the valley of St. Lucia’s iconic Pitons, the Viceroy Sugar Beach is truly a tropical paradise. The site of a former sugar plantation, the Viceroy boasts the only white sand beach in the area. The property features 77 villas and cottages peppered on more than 100 acres. Guests enjoy private butler service and complimentary water sports. Don’t miss receiving a luxury travel treatment in one of six treehouse treatment rooms at the Rainforest Spa.

Viceroy Sugar Beach

While there are many restaurant and bars on property, we suggest finding your favorite private place at the resort and using the hotel’s dine anywhere feature to have a romantic picnic catered in your own special sanctuary.

Viceroy Sugar Beach

Rent one of two beachfront residences designed by London-based, award-winning architects Michaelis Boyd Associates for the ultimate luxury travel experience.

Taj Palace

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TAJ PALACE – New Delhi
India is known for being chaotic, harried and crowded, so finding an oasis like the Taj Palace in the center of New Delhi is a relief. Tucked on six acres, the more than 400-room hotel is a favorite of princes, heads of state and executives. There are six restaurants on property, and the hotel is famous for its afternoon tea featuring rare and unusual teas from around the world and delectable sweets.

Taj Palace

The hotel’s Golden Key concierge team can help guests plan a trip to the famous Taj Mahal. Book a club level room and enjoy a special lounge with complimentary food service, one-way airport transfers and pillow menu.

Taj Palace

For a taste of tradition dine at the hotel’s House of Ming restaurant, the first Chinese restaurant in New Delhi.

Amandari – Photo by Aman

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AMANDARI – Ubud, Bali
In 2019, Amandari in Bali, part of the uber-luxurious Aman collection, celebrated its 30th anniversary. Throughout the year, the hotel held special events ranging from painting workshops with a local artist, to local dancers performing the traditional Jogged dance, an ancient harvest dance (watch out: they love audience participation!). Amandari was created to evoke the design and feel of a traditional Balinese village. Rice terraces and jungle frame the bucolic property. Accommodations are all-suite Alang-alang thatched houses that all feature a private garden, some with a private pool.

Amandari – Photo by Aman

The spa, with two open-air treatment rooms set by a lotus pond is not to be missed. The hotel and the local Kedewatan community have a very symbiotic relationship. The concierge can arrange for guests to go into the village, and in 2019, local children were invited to the hotel to learn about environmental stewardship, and artwork from the kids at the orphanage was available for sale throughout the year.

Amandari – Photo by Aman

Take home one of 30 products from the just launched Aman Skincare line.

Baccarat Hotel

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BACCARAT HOTEL – New York
Baccarat crystal is the epitome of luxury. That iconic luxury travel is authentically captured in the Baccarat Hotel in New York City. Timeless heritage and elegance gracefully combine with modern amenities and flair to create an atmosphere akin to staying in a fine French chateau in the world’s most dynamic city which is why this hotel makes our luxury travel guide this year. Most of the furniture and accessories were custom designed and, naturally, Baccarat crystal is woven into many features. The Grand Salon is designed with champagne-colored silk drapery with vibrant red roses arranged into an elegant ball perched on the bar.

Baccarat Hotel

There are even Glass Attendants, employees whose entire job is caring for the crystal. My favorite use, though, is Bedside Bubbles: simply press the CHAMPAGNE button on the phone, and your favorite bubbly is delivered to the room with Baccarat flutes. To look as pretty as the hotel itself, suite guests can receive a complimentary blowout in the room from the hair artists at the Paul Labrecque Salon.

Baccarat Hotel

Make time to enjoy a crisp glass of bubbly from an impressive list of champagnes and sparkling wines by the glass in The Grand Salon.

Ballyfin Demesne

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BALLYFIN DEMESNE – Ireland
If you’ve ever dreamed of being a princess (or prince) Ballyfin Demesne in County Laois, Ireland is your fantasy come to life. This lavish former country mansion is set on 614 acres and features a scant 20 rooms. After eight years of restoration, the house is as over-the-top as Versailles and feels like going back in time, albeit with all the modern conveniences of 2018. Turn back the hands of time and opt for the costume experience. With a selection of more than 40 outfits from the Lyric Opera in Chicago, it’s dress-up time for adults as you morph into 19th-Century ladies and gents for a fun-filled dinner.

Baccarat Hotel

Stay in the Westmeath room with its 19th-Century carved wooden bed, with a canopy so ornate that the bed impressively sits in the center of the room.