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Icons Only: The Best Loved Luxury Escapes of the Decade
Written by Rebecca Ellwood
All killer, no filler. From Maldives to Thailand and Bali, these resorts are the absolute crème de la crème of luxury travel.
Over the last 10 years, Luxury Escapes’ travel experts have scoured the globe in search of the best of the best (it’s a tough job, but someone has to do it).
Having tried, tested and tasted them all, this is the definitive list – and it’s no surprise Bali is a popular destination in this round-up to end all round-ups. “For me, this comes down to three things,” says Tom McMenemie, General Manager of Accommodation for Luxury Escapes. “Its proximity to Australia, value for money, and year-round good weather.”
Without further ado: scroll for some of the best loved escapes of the decade.
Katathani Phuket Beach Resort, Thailand
Perennially popular Phuket has its fair share of luxury resorts, but Katathani is without doubt one of its best. It sits in the pretty, jungle-framed bay of Kata Noi (just south of the famous – and inherently busier – Kata Beach), opening onto 850 metres of white sand, hitting that sweet spot of being just close enough to the action, while still offering seclusion. This is your quintessential Thailand flop-and-drop: there are six restaurants and bars, six pools, a spa and a kids’ club onsite, with Phi Phi and James Bond island tours should the urge for adventure strike.
“For a decade, Katathani has held its status as a Luxury Escapes favourite, seamlessly checking every box,” says Tom. “Whether a couple seeking a romantic getaway or a family in search of diverse options, it caters to every preference.”
AYANA Resort Bali
If you’re a sucker for fiery sunsets over the ocean, this one’s for you. This clifftop Jimbaran resort is leafy and luxe, incorporating AYANA Villas and the new AYANA Segara, across 90 hectares. Its famed Rock Bar, chiselled into the cliff face and licked by crashing waves, can’t be beaten for sundowner drinks. Over the years, it’s been hailed one of the best hotel bars in the world by Travel + Leisure, Forbes, CNN and the New York Times, as its magic simply never goes out of style. Incredibly, this just one of 28 restaurants and bars across the AYANA complex – in addition to 14 pools, a putting golf course, beach club, shopping arcade and monkey forest.
Double-Six Luxury Hotel Seminyak, Bali
Double-Six takes up prime real estate on one of Bali’s most sought-after beaches. Aside from its jaw droppingly big suites (the Two Bedroom Penthouse is 300sqm), the drawcard of the resort has to be its dining. The 1920s inspired Plantation Grill is well worth a visit whether you’re a guest of the resort or not, for its moody, prohibition-era design and dry-aged cuts cooked in wood grills. “It transports you to the age of The Great Gatsby and Ernest Hemingway,” says Tom. “It’s not just a meal, it’s an experience, serving up the best of steak and seafood in town.”
Cocktails with a side of panoramic views are served at Double-Six Rooftop Sunset Bar, one of the biggest in Bali, where booths that seemingly float on water are the perfect spots to soak up the sunset.
Pullman Maldives Maamutaa
It’s hard to go wrong in the Maldives, but when it comes to all-inclusive indulgence, Pullman Maldives Maamutaa is the jewel in the crown. We’re talking unlimited dining across three restaurants (with diversity from street food to buffet and gourmet vegetarian), twice-daily minibar refills (including wine and liquor) and premium, free-flow drinks, all day long. Fancy a drop of wine? There are no fewer than 80 bottles to choose from. In addition to beachside and overwater villas, it offers some seriously cool upgrades – including the two-storey Aqua Villa with underwater bedrooms, and the Four-Bedroom Ocean Pool Retreat with its own outdoor cinema.
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Hilton Surfers Paradise Hotel & Residences
Sometimes all the right ingredients come together to create the perfect storm, and Hilton Surfers Paradise Hotel & Residences recipe is time-tested. A Surfers Paradise location in the heart of the Gold Coast action? Tick. Glitzy dining? Of course. Room, suite and options? Yes, yes and yes. Set only one block back from one of Queenland’s most famous shorelines, the hotel also has four pools for those that prefer paddling without getting their feet sandy. Swap freestyle for facials at the blissful eforea spa, and refuel no matter your days’ pursuits with share plates at Ms Margot’s Bar & Eats, poolside snacks at Deck Bar, or a pick from the seafood-leaning dinner menu at Catch Restaurant.
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Mulia Villas Bali
There’s high chance you’ve already heard of The Mulia. Its oceanfront Oasis Pool, lined with statues of Balinese ladies harvesting rice, is a darling of Instagram, playing an integral role in making Bali the destination du jour. The complex is segmented into Mulia Resort (hotel rooms with resort facilities), The Mulia (beachfront suites), and Mulia Villas, which offers the quintessential Balinese villa experience, but with an added splash of opulence: think private hydrotherapy pools, jacuzzi baths, outdoor showers and cabana access at the pool, with a butler on-hand round-the-clock. The breakfast buffet, with its entire room dedicated to desserts, is something to write home about, too: it’s arguably one of the best in Asia.
Looking for more inspiration? Check out Luxury Escapes’ Top Bucket-List Destinations for 2024.
