The world is more than enough when it comes to satisfying that wanderlust. There’s an almost never-ending list of countries to explore and an extended bucket list of crafted holidays (private jet journeys, anyone?). After that, you can also filter by local or international, staycation or exploration, and budget-friendly or luxe. For the latter, leading online accommodation booking website Hotels.com recently revealed the recently won Loved by Guests Awards 2016 picks for the “Best for Luxury” getaways that encompass both the destination and the hotel. Here are three of the places that made it onto the list.
Dubai
When it comes to luxe places to visit, the desert oasis of Dubai is a familiar name. Once a vacant outpost, it has since transformed into a glitzy vacation hotspot known for its breathtaking contemporary architecture and world-class shopping, dining and entertainment. It has also attracted the attention of celebrities such as Lewis Hamilton, Tom Cruise (who even shot Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol there) and Richard Branson. Some of the must-visit attractions include a visit to the world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa and the Deira Gold Souq, which is the famous largest gold bazaar in the world.
Luxe Stay: Jumeirah Al Qasr
The luxurious resort is situated on its very own private beach complete with an exclusive night club and rooftop terrace, and its award-winning Talise Spa boasts glamourous treatments like the Shiffa 24-Carat Gold Hammam which involves… well, gold and lots of it.
St. Barth’s
Beach getaways are a favourite for many but this particular alluring Caribbean island is the go-to choice for most famous personalities such as John Lennon, Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon and Martha Stewart who frequents the world-renowned St. Jean Beach there. The quaint village nearby has plenty of small restaurants and shops to dine and unwind and since St. Barth’s is a duty-free port, shopping on the island’s many boutiques is a pleasure for many. And mind you, this includes designer boutiques which include brands such as Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Bulgari and more.
Luxe Stay: Le Sereno
It’s one of the finest in St. Barth’s but the room that you should really book there is the 7,000-square ft. Le Sereno Villa that comes with its own private pool, terrace, all the comforts of home and your own personal butler.
Croatia
We mentioned five reasons to visit this Eastern European country before and with its name on this list, it only strengthens its position as a must-visit holiday destination. For Croatia, Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton are some of the notable visitors but it’s slowly making a name for itself as a playground for the rich and famous. It’s not hard to see the charms of the tiny bay town of Hvar with its ornate Gothic palaces, medieval towns that are brimming with charisma and traffic-free marble streets. Your first stop should be the Hvar’s Fortica Castle for a sweeping view of the city and island, followed by lunch at any of the restaurants in St. Stephen’s Square where fresh seafood is ready to be served. The party really starts come night fall as the numerous world-class bars and clubs around town will leave you spoilt for choice.
Luxe Stay: Hotel Park Hvar
Besides being a chic accommodation, the hotel is close to attractions such as the Benedictine Monastery and Hvar Town Arsenal.
To find out the rest of Hotels.com‘s top picks in the luxury hotels category for other places around the world, visit their Loved by Guests Awards 2016 page.
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