USD 
It’s the most wonderful time of the year: ‘Best of’ is back and bigger and better than ever for 2025, with our top escapes from the year returning for a limited time only.
Read on for the global escapes you simply cannot miss (and here for our Best of 2025 Australia escapes). But be quick: they won’t be around for long.
Ayodya Bali
Taste and tipple anytime, anywhere at this all-inclusive oasis, perfectly positioned on one of Nusa Dua’s best beaches. Want for nothing with all-day dining and unlimited free-flow drinks wherever you land, whether it’s sipping on a signature cocktail at the sultry SOORA speakeasy bar, savouring plant-based plates at Vegan Deli or indulging in authentic Indian cuisine at Ganesha ek Sanskriti. This mega-resort caters especially well for families, with a family pool, Camp Ananda Kids’ Club, mini golf course and open-air Balinese amphitheatre with daily cultural activities.
Sofitel Nusa Dua, Bali
Treat yourself to a five-star tropical escape at the award-winning Sofitel Bali Nusa Dua Beach Resort, crowned ‘Asia’s Leading Resort’ at the World Travel Awards 2025. This French-inspired beachside retreat is tucked away in a quiet enclave of Bali’s famous southern peninsula, with exquisite dining onsite and a myriad of beachside bars and restaurants moments away. When you’re not enjoying the incredible dining, float throughout the almost resort-wide lagoon pool or indulge in an exotic treatment at Sofitel Spa.
Katathani Phuket Beach Resort, Thailand
This indulgent beachfront resort is a Luxury Escapes favourite time and again. With all-inclusive dining available, plus an hour of free flow drinks every day, you’ll never go hungry – between meals, hop between the six incredible swimming pools, sip cocktails at one of the five bars or board the shuttle to nearby Phuket Old Town to explore sacred temples, bustling markets and delicious street food.
Pullman Maldives Maamutaa
Embrace barefoot luxury like never before at this award-winning five-star hideaway, where powdery white sands meet impossibly bright turquoise waters. Surrender to complete relaxation with your every need attended to: savour unlimited a la carte dining across three onsite restaurants, let time melt away as you sip free-flow drinks (including curated selections from the resort’s wine cellar) and lose yourself in the magic of the Maldives with endless aquatic adventures, from paddleboarding over crystal-clear lagoons and snorkelling through vibrant coral gardens to kayaking across the Gaafu Alifu Atoll’s sparkling sea.
Seaside Finolhu Baa Atoll, Maldives
Set within the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Baa Atoll – just a 30-minute seaplane journey from Malé – this all-inclusive, all-villa hideaway is the perfect place to disconnect, with a beach club, yoga pavilion and indulgent day spa all at your fingertips.
Sofitel Dubai The Obelisk
Standing tall against the dazzling city skyline, this five-star haven is ready to welcome you to a world of unrivalled luxury. French sophistication meets ancient Egyptian styling in the Middle East’s largest Sofitel, which is ideally positioned for easy access to Dubai’s best experiences. Wine or dine at one of five enticing venues, or the ever-opulent Club Millésime Lounge where breakfast, afternoon tea, cocktails and canapes flow freely. During the day, unwind by a luxurious Egyptian ankh-shaped pool, or pamper yourself with a Provence-inspired retreat at the Sofitel Spa with L’Occitane.
OUTRIGGER Reef Waikiki Beach Resort, Hawaii
Say ‘Aloha’ to Hawaii’s most loved stretch of beach with a sun-drenched escape to this iconic Waikiki luxury beach resort, located just steps from the world-famous shores of Waikiki Beach and Honolulu’s laidback city centre. The resort’s design celebrates Hawaiian culture in all forms: evenings at the onsite Kani Ka Pila Grille are alive with the spirit of kanikapila (‘let’s play music’ in Hawaiian) – where local artists perform nightly – and at the resort’s A’o Cultural Center guests can unwind with beachside yoga, string fresh flower lei and play the ukulele.
Meliá Ho Tram Beach Resort, Vietnam
Between its beachfront location, all-inclusive drinks and dining packages and three dazzling pools, it’s no surprise this award-winning Vietnam resort is a Luxury Escapes favourite. Just 2.5 hours south of Ho Chi Minh City, the five-star hideaway offers a blissful retreat with exceptional restaurants, a laid-back beach club, swim-up bars, a yoga deck and world-class spa.
Pacific Resort Aitutaki, Cook Islands
The Cook Islands are quickly becoming a favourite for lavish island escapes: Pacific Resort Aitutaki offers one of the best. Beautifully remote yet offering everything you need for a five-star stay, the boutique private island retreat features just 29 beachfront villas alongside a dazzling infinity pool, holistic spa and two restaurants championing seasonal ingredients.
Marco Polo Hongkong Hotel
There’s simply no better location in Hong Kong – perfectly positioned on Canton Road, Marco Polo Hongkong Hotel offers spectacular views over the iconic Victoria Harbour waterfront and the city’s spellbinding skyline – plus Tsim Sha Tsui’s luxury shopping malls, Hong Kong Museum of Art and the legendary Star Ferry terminal are within easy walking distance. Return to classic Hong Kong high tea in the sophisticated Lobby Lounge.
Discover Best of Escapes
Feature image: Sofitel Nusa Dua. Source: supplied.
