1. AMANERA, PLAYA GRANDE, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
Beach day is everyday at República Dominicana. It has its smooth-as-silk beaches, the deep-blue ocean and just the perfect amount of sun. Now, it also has a sprawling beach resort at Playa Grande—Amanera by Amanresorts. This place is truly luxurious, with its 25 ocean-facing casitas (small houses) where guests feel right at home. Even for guests wishing to indulge in activities other than those at the beach, there’s a lot on offer. You can smoke a hand-rolled Dominican cigar at the in-house cigar shop. The standard casita is $1,216 a night, while the top-notch Amanera casita is $3,264; aman.com/resorts/amanera.
2. OZEN BY ATMOSPHERE, MALDIVES
Just a hop, skip and jump across the Indian Ocean, OZEN by Atmosphere is found among the paradise islands of the South Malé Atoll in the Maldives, which is globally known for its pristine beaches—many would claim the best in the world. On offer at OZEN is scuba diving, presenting ample opportunities to explore beneath the surface of the Indian Ocean (PADI certification is a must). The resort offers multiple activities in its immediate vicinity and elegant rooms with magnificent views. The main restaurant, The Palms, offers various international cuisines and exciting live cooking stations with customised professional service, offering everything for a relaxing getaway or a perfect party. In addition to this, there are complimentary non-motorised watersports such as windsurfing, complimentary snorkelling equipment and full access to Joie de Vivre sports and Recreation Centre. OZEN by Atmosphere is a resort of jaw-dropping beauty. From Rs 65, 591; ozen-madhoo.com.
3. PARK HYATT MALLORCA, SPAIN
The Spanish island of Mallorca (or Majorca) is the largest of the Balearic Islands in the Mediterranean and has for long been the preferred sun-sand-beach escape for Northern Europeans. So much so, that its dazzling coastline has very nearly descended into hippie hell (think North Goa’s beaches). This new resort—Europe’s first Park Hyatt—is a stunning attempt to draw attention away from Mallorca’s dazzling coast and towards its rich cultural history. Situated on the east coast of the island, it offers a full beach experience, but away from the overcrowded west coast. The 142-room resort has spacious accommodation, with even the lowest category equipped with a private terrace, some with views of the Balearic Sea, others of the Canyamel Valley. As with all Park Hyatt resorts, expect fine dining, indulgent spa service, apart from activities such as mountain biking, golf and, of course, a wide range of watersports. From approx. € 560 doubles; mallorca.park.hyatt.com
4. SIX SENSES ZIL PASYON, SEYCHELLES
This September, lotus-eaters will have an all new reason to indulge. Six Senses, those purveyors of classy get-away-from-it-all holidays, will open Zil Pasyon, their latest island resort in the Seychelles. Sprawling across one third of the island of Félicité, this stunning new offering takes luxury to a new level. The lowest category of accommodation is their ‘Hideaway Villa’, which at more than 1,800 sq ft, will be larger than most houses. And, of course, way more luxurious: private infinity pool, deck with sunchairs, outdoor shower, private wine cellar! There’s a range of other accommodation, offering variously, ocean views, or vistas of the surrounding islands or of the dense tropical vegetation. From € 1,100 doubles; sixsenses.com
5. FOUR SEASONS OAHU, HAWAII, USA
Situated on Hawaii’s most happening island, Four Seasons Oahu at Ko Olina is an exclusive five-star beach resort, combining thrilling adventures with authentic Hawaiian tradition, an ideal destination for families seeking sun, sea and an array of adventurous island activities. Entertainment for travellers includes a wide variety of watersports and all sorts of games, including tennis and golf. In addition, inspired by ancient Hawaiian healing traditions, the Naupaka Spa and Wellness centre offers innovative and luxurious treatments, complemented by local practices. Also, you wouldn’t want to miss the delicious variety of cuisines at its five restaurants and bars, offering a mix of indoor and outdoor settings. Indulging in fresh local island produce is part of the Oahu experience. It is a favourite getaway for those in search of some rest and recreation. From Rs 49,021; fourseasons.com/oahu
6. ALILA SEMINYAK, BALI
Bali has long been a favoured destination for those looking for an island holiday, without the cut-off-from-everything, Robinson Crusoe-style experience. Seminyak is perfect for those looking to combine beachy relaxation with hip enjoyment—it’s one of the coolest places in Bali these days, offering everything from happening nightclubs to posh shopping apart from the usual Bali loveliness such as lush vegetation, old temples, lively local markets and the like. The Alila Seminyak makes a good base to savour these pleasure, offering luxurious but relatively affordable accommodation, fine dining and all the other amenities one might expect from a world-class resort chain. The resort is situated at the quieter end of an eight-kilometre beach that stretches between Kuta and Legian, and is a 30-minute drive from the international airport. From approx. $220 doubles; alilahotels.com
7. ZEMI BEACH HOUSE, ANGUILLA
The best beach hotel in the world according to hotel deals website Jetsetter, Zemi Beach House has a lot on offer. 69 sprawling suites, a three-century-old Thai spa house, the Bohique mud deck for therapeutic mud massages and, of course, a breathtaking view. In fact, the spa experience here is so magnificent, it has been nominated for the 2016 World Spa Awards. The hotel is located in remote Anguilla, which is British overseas territory in the Carribbean islands. Opened just a few months ago, Zemi provides a number of watersports including snorkelling, kite surfing and boat racing for those with a penchant for thrill. As far as dining is concerned, it provides exciting sea-food options which combine imported delicacies with locally-grown herbs. Starting at $396 a night for the Deluxe King Resort Room to $2,205 a night for the Three-Bedroom Beachfront Suite; zemibeach.com
8. MILAIDHOO ISLAND, MALDIVES
In the Baa Atoll of the Maldives, there is a small island, which also happens to be a very comfortable and secluded boutique island-resort. Milaidhoo Island Maldives, once it opens in November, will have 50 beautiful rooms; some of them lodges, the others sea-facing villas and all of them promising great comfort and space. The spa is an intimate experience and is situated in an open-air pavilion. While visiting this place primarily for relaxation, do enjoy thrilling activities such as scuba diving and unique experiences such as boat building. There’s a gym, a library and a games room for entertainment. As far as food is concerned, three dhoni-styled boats, which are native to the Maldives, house the three rather fancy Milaidhoo restaurants. The Water Pool Villa is from $1,148 a night while the Beach Pool Villa is from $1,275; milaidhoo.com
9. SHANGRI-LA’S HAMBANTOTA RESORT AND SPA, SRI LANKA
For new luxury hotel junkies, here’s one that will be hard to pass by. The considerable tropical charm of Sri Lanka combines with the hospitality major Shangri-La’s well known warmth in a brand new resort. And one that till take some exploring, given that Shangri-La’s Hambantota Resort & Spa becomes the island nation’s largest, spanning 53 hectares. There are 300 rooms, including 21 suites, all surrounded by stunning tropical gardens. For those looking to pamper themselves, there’s an expansive spa, Shangri-La’s signature Chi. Add a health club, a 30-metre sunset pool and an additional free-form lagoon pool, and relaxation is at every turn in this new resort. For those looking for a spot of retail with local culture woven in, there’s an artisan village that celebrates local arts and crafts. For golfers, there’s an 18-hole golf course. The resort is also well positioned to be a wedding and honeymoon destination. From Rs 11,600; shangri-la.com/hambantota/shangrila
10. FRENCH COCO, MARTINIQUE
Come July, 1st, and a new luxury boutique hotel will open up in the French island of Martinique. French Coco is not just about its delicious name, but is also about a brilliant island experience, fine décor and unmatched luxury for its location. It is the first five-star resort in the little isle. Guests can stay in one of the 17 suites, each with a covered terrace, a private swimming pool and a garden. The décor, once again, deserves mention here—rooms with Caribbean-style wooden furniture and a rustic charm. Nathanaél Ducteil, the chef here, is also Carribbean and brings his authentic touch to the food. Organic vegetables and freshly-caught local fish are the highlights. French Coco is proud of its garden, which has much to offer with its diverse flora and interesting landscaping. Its suite begins at € 275 for one person, while its priciest suite, the Suite Presquile, is priced at € 635 for three people; hotelfrenchcoco.com