Stylish beach resorts
Take a trip to one of Lizard Island's 24 private beaches
Lizard Island
Beach holidays aren’t all about lazing on the sand with a book and a mission to tan. Proximity to the sea also means great diving opportunities, fresh seafood and peaceful solitude. Whether you’re a night owl or a sporting enthusiast, here’s a range of beach resorts that offer more to satisfy your appetite than just a brief paddle in the surf.
Best for romance: Anantara Kihavah Villas, Maldives
Anantara
To experience this island nation paradise to its full potential, take a seaplane from the capital, Malé, to nearby Baa Atoll Island where one of the Maldives’ newest luxury resorts is located. Since opening in 2011, Anantara Kihavah has been committed to providing a utopian retreat for its guests. Whether you’re watching fish dart inches from your table in the resort’s underwater restaurant, experiencing a massage side-by-side at Anantara Spa, or enjoying a bath for two in your villa’s sunken tub underneath a blanket of stars, you would be hard pressed not to give into the allure of the area.
From US$1,800 per night for a beach pool villa.
Find the cheapest deal with World Travel Guide.
Best for keeping active: Pestana Porto Santo, Portugal
Grupo Pestana
When you’re not exploring the high peaks of the island, such as the 316m-high (1,036ft) Pico do Facho, you can still stay active at the Pestana Porto Santo hotel. Take a leisurely horse ride along the beach, try out the nearby 18-hole golf course or test out your sea legs with some deep-sea fishing. The beaches of Portugal’s ‘Golden Island’ will be waiting for you when you come back.
From €203 per night for a double standard room.
Find the cheapest deal with World Travel Guide.
Best for diving: Harbour Village Beach Club, Bonaire
Harbour Village Beach Club
Head to the Harbour Village Beach Club to enjoy daily boat dives and lessons amongst luxurious surroundings. As well as offering teaching, equipment rental and underwater tours, the resort is close to some of Bonaire’s most popular dive sites. The popular dive wreck, ‘Our Confidence’, can be accessed from the resort’s private beach, meaning you can be its first intrepid explorers of the day.
From US$275 per night for a courtyard-view room.
Find the cheapest deal with World Travel Guide.
Best for nightlife: Conrad Punta del Este Resort and Casino, Uruguay
Creative Commons / Duda Pan
There’s no need to stop the party when you get home either, as the Conrad Punta del Este Resort and Casino offers up its Las Vegas-style gambling facilities 24/7. There’s also the Lobby Lounge, which holds fashion shows and live music on weekends, and numerous music and dance events held around the torch-lit pools.
From US$310 per night for a premium ocean-view room.
Find the cheapest deal with World Travel Guide.
Best for foodies: Four Seasons Jimbaran Bay, Bali
Yaeko Masuda / Four Seasons
Step outside of the hotel and there’s an even greater range of feasting opportunities. Take a trip to one of the bustling night markets to sample some authentic street food, such as satay, bakso (meatball soup) and lemper (sticky rice). Afterwards, work off the calories by grabbing your surfboard to ride Bali’s famous waves.
From US$725 per night for a one-bedroom villa.
Find the cheapest deal with World Travel Guide.
Best off-the-beaten-track resort: Lizard Island, Australia
Lizard Island
Although it wields a hefty price tag, the resort’s all-inclusive nature means that thoughts of money can be left at home. Take a private charter to explore the nearby Great Barrier Reef, ride a motorised dinghy to a deserted beach for a spot of lunch, or watch the sunset from a hammock in your private garden with perfect peace of mind.
From Aus$1,444 per night for an all-inclusive room.
Find the cheapest deal with World Travel Guide.
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