Holiday Type / Private beach holidays

Chic amenities and traditional Mozambican design combine in this boutique retreat set in lush indigenous gardens. Spacious thatched villas, just footsteps from the beach, boast a private pool, alfresco shower and outdoor sala.The Presidential Villa and Villa Amizade are perfect for families seeking beachfront seclusion. Feast on fresh seafood in the restaurant or relax on the Gekko Deck for informal dining. Explore the pristine reefs of the Bazaruto National Park, sail in Azura's unique dhow or indulge at the Spa.

Ringed by pure white sands and dazzling azure waters, andBeyond Vamizi Island is the epitome of castaway chic. Spacious, romantically furnished villas lie along a gently shelving ten kilometre stretch of pristine beach, each with private sitting area and sundeck. A short drive from the main lodge are six private villas offering the ultimate in privacy and seclusion, with saltwater pools and full complement of staff. Tropical cuisine featuring the freshest seafood may be enjoyed in the dining room or on the beach. Plentiful activities, some at ...

This private island hideaway and member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World offers a rare opportunity for a handful of privileged guests to unwind and tune in to the soothing rhythms of the sea. Just a short boat ride from Union Island, Petit St Vincent is ringed by almost two miles of white sand, palms and tree-lined slopes that hide a collection of spacious cottages and beach villas, each featuring a sitting room and air-conditioned bedroom (blissfully free from external intervention in the form of telephones and TVs) and outdoor sun deck wi...

Set in thirteen acres of tropical gardens, the historical Cotton House is the beating heart of Mustique’s captivating social scene, where sampling the catch of the day at the Beach Cafe to sipping sundowners in the Great Room makes for a memorable retreat. Converted by Oliver Messel in 1968, the boutique hotel is the island’s social hub, the relaxed ambience being conducive to lively social gatherings where guests may mingle with villa owners over cocktails and canapés in the atmospheric Great Room. Dotted throughout the gardens, the villa-st...

At the end of a dusty track, this blissfully boutique little gem unfurls over a hillside and along the beach in a hidden cove, away from the cares of the world. It’s impossible not to switch off completely at this peaceful all-suite, all-inclusive hotel (don’t be fooled, the term all-inclusive here means fine rooms, an intimate restaurant, made to order meals from new menus written each day, champagne, afternoon tea and water sports). What with yoga, meditation and Pilates on the spa deck and healing rituals corresponding with the body’s chakr...

Set on its own dot of an island a six minute boat ride off the coast of Antigua, this estate’s reputation often precedes it, and for good reason. Much like the Antiguan word that inspired its name (jumbee meaning ‘playful spirit’), the laid-back feeling of Jumby Bay Island is tangible from the moment you step onto the welcome dock. The fortunate few who make it here are encouraged to roam wild and free. A destination in its own right, this is an alternative bolthole from the flashier hot spots in this part of the world, like chichi St Barths a...

An A-listers’ favourite, this private island paradise includes celebrity-owned private estates with a select few available for rent. Although the spa is the real star here. An escapist’s wonderland with an emphasis on rejuvenation, COMO is renowned the world over for its wellness offerings; and Parrot Cay is the place to come if you want to fully focus on your physical and mental health. A daily hour’s yoga, Pilates, fitness or meditation session or signature treatment is included as standard. The COMO Shambhala Retreat spa itself is mind-blow...

Peter Island is currently closed for refurbishment - please contact our team for specialist advice and personally tailored recommendations for other hotels in the Caribbean. The largest private island in the British Virgin Islands, this is a paradise of tropical vegetation, beautiful beaches and secluded bays. With the crystal clear waters of the British Virgin Islands just a toe-dip away from most rooms, guests can truly kick-back and relax with over 1,800 acres of private beach to explore. The spacious rooms lie either close to the pool or a...

A healthy dose of Four Seasons-style seclusion in an UNESCO biosphere reserve; home to manta rays, the country’s widest selection of water sports and mid-ocean dinners. The spa alone is worth the journey. Some islands in the Indian Ocean go for a low-key, wild beach shack vibe, and others for a blow-out party luxe; but Landaa Giraavaru charts its own path as a grown-up sophisticated refuge for people who want options. The island itself feels larger and grander than others, with bicycles to help all guests get about and an incredibly helpful te...

Classic luxury entwines with modern escapism at arguably the Maldives’ premier address – this is a glamorous island hideout for ritzy-glitzy beach goers. Meaning ‘beautiful island’ in the local Maldivian tongue, One&Only’s flagship has aged like a fine wine since its original opening 15 years ago. A contemporary escape resplendent with no less than a dozen beaches, six restaurants and a one-of-a-kind certified dive centre, its all-singing-all-dancing nature has earned it grande dame status in the Maldives. Here exists an inimitable class of ca...

It takes little more than ten minutes to complete a circuit of reef-fringed Baros Maldives. An idyllic island right in the heart of the Indian Ocean, this picture-perfect setting is a private paradise that’s home to nothing more than luscious lazy days, captivating cuisine, and scintillating scuba sessions. Upon arrival at this desert island setting, welcoming staff lead the way along shady paths lined with hibiscus and bougainvillaea to a choice of serene accommodations. Baros Pool Villas feature a private plunge pool and outdoor garden show...

A paradise on earth, or more accurately on water. The superlatives flow easily when the location is as stunning as Conrad Maldives Rangali Island, spanning two idyllic islands. On the main island of Rangalifinolhu, beach villas stand by a pristine white coral sand beach, whilst across the bridge on Rangali Island guests stay in enchanting water villas built on stilts over the lagoon. For true romantics the two Sunset Water Villas, with their glass-floored lounges and pool on the sundeck, provide a never-to-be-forgotten experience. Two spas of...

COMO Cocoa Island is a nirvana for anyone who appreciates the pleasures of luxurious seclusion. A private island, known locally as Makunufushi, it is located in the less developed South Malé Atoll, flanked to the west by a superb diving channel and to the east by a quiet snorkelling reef. Overhanging the water are a number of thatched Dhoni Suites in bleached wood with kajan roofs, along with a selection of one to four-bedroom villas and a number of enchanting white-finished Loft Villas featuring private sundecks and full-length windows overlo...

Powder white sands, unusually rich vegetation, crystal clear waters and understated luxury is what the original desert island hideaway is all about. Soneva Fushi is fifty seven vast villas and private residences, ranging from one to nine bedrooms, all hidden amongst dense foliage within touching distance of a pristine, UNESCO protected Biosphere Reserve. If the experiences are magical, the philosophy is simple: No news, no shoes. Intuitive service is provided by Mr./Ms. Friday private butlers who know what you want before you want it. Every v...

Shaped like a traditional Maldivian dhoni Constance Halaveli, a member of Leading Hotels of the World, brings signature five star deluxe service to a delightful island set within the North Ari Atoll. This sister property to Constance Moofushi encompasses beautiful Water Villas with plunge pool and sundeck, Beach Villas with their own plunge pool and garden, family friendly Double Storey Beach Villas with their own private garden and al fresco dining area, Family Beach Villas with gated garden and plunge pool plus one sumptuously equipped three...

A secluded fishing village on the Sultanate’s northern Musandam Peninsula is the location for these stunning Pool Villas and Pool Villa Suites fronting an expansive sandy beach. The design is an authentic Omani village, bathrooms extend to an outdoor shower area, and all suites and villas have a private pool and butler service. Guests can choose one of three unforgettable arrival experiences: a scenic ten minute speedboat trip; a drive down from the mountains, or choose to travel as a companion passenger with the resort’s professional paraglid...

A Zen-like tranquility pervades this exclusive property on a picture-postcard cove replete with requisite palm-fringed golden beach. In inimitable Aman style, each suite is impeccably furnished with features including an oversized bath tub, whilst a generous plunge pool and daybed awaits beyond the sliding doors. Overlooking the emerald sea is a forty seven metre pool, which is in turn overlooked by the panoramic restaurant where local seafood from the Indian Ocean is a speciality. For those who can tear themselves away from such indulgence, t...

Situated on a headland commanding panoramic views, a pinnacle of the vacation experience is the adult-oriented and ultra-opulent Al Husn. Deluxe rooms, which are amongst the largest in Oman, feature lavish décor inspired by royal Arabian palaces and come complete with balconies or terraces from which to admire the views of the courtyard and pool; deluxe sea view rooms open up entrancing panoramas of the Gulf of Oman from their furnished balconies. Culinary experiences, accessible only to Al Husn guests, include a beach grill serving fresh sea...

Cradled between the jagged Hajar Mountains and the azure waters of the Gulf of Oman, the Al Bustan Palace is a luxury oasis just ten minutes’ drive from the capital city of Muscat. Originally built to host the Gulf Cooperation Council Summit in 1985, it is now widely regarded as one of the premier hotels in the Arabian Gulf. Meticulously designed rooms and suites reflect both local traditions and art deco designs – the exclusive Lagoon Rooms offer guests direct access from their private patios to the lagoons, while Executive Suites provide spe...

Exclusive and award-winning, qualia nestles on the quiet northern tip of Hamilton Island, with mesmerising views over the Whitsunday and surrounded by the beauty of the Great Barrier Reef. Spacious high-spec pavilions blend seamlessly into the environs, many incorporating plunge pools, whilst the Beach House presents an extensive entertaining area, separate guest pavilion and private lap pool. Find sanctuary in Spa qualia with its outdoor Vichy shower and indigenous Australian treatments, swim in one of two pools and dine royally in the Long P...

Imagine yourself on a picture-perfect peninsula which can be reached only by boat, whiling away glorious days beside a private sandy beach in idyllic Ninh Van Bay. This is the romantic setting for the recently renovated Six Senses Ninh Van Bay which nestles amidst a backdrop of mountains and impressive rock formations. Accommodation is provided in spacious private pool villas that blend harmoniously with the natural environment either on the hillside, beachfront, the water’s edge or over the rocks – all with spectacular views. Villa interiors ...

Nestled on the largest island of the Con Dao archipelago off the south east coast of Vietnam, the resort exemplifies the Six Senses ethic of luxurious pampering underpinned by environmental responsibility; Con Dao has been built with the very lightest ecological footprint. The thinking is innovative, beginning the moment you arrive in the main guest area, which resembles a local fishing village complete with market stalls. From here, guests cross a stream via a wooden bridge to the sand dunes where the villas and spa are located. Each villa ha...

A bewitching welcome awaits you at The Datai – one of the premier resorts on this magical isle, which is swathed in legends of romance and mystery. Get close to nature as you tread footpaths through centuries-old rainforest or head for a white sand beach by the shimmering Andaman Sea. Perfection is all around and begins in your chosen accommodation – a Suite with an expansive private balcony, elegant villas within the lush tropical rainforest, or the contemporary Beach Villas with generously sized private pools and dedicated butlers. Here, th...

Flanked by towering limestone cliffs on one of the finest mile-long white sand beaches in the Langkawi UNESCO Geopark lies a resort both infinitely stylish and instantly captivating. The ambience is that of a typical Malay village, with Pavilions, Villas and Family Beach Villas woven through acres of beautifully landscaped gardens – the luxurious Beach Villas featuring floor-to-ceiling windows and a private garden with pool and reflecting pond, whilst generously sized Melaleuca Pavilions feature contemporary Malay designs. Delightful specialit...

Stylishly designed with local woods and glass panels in the bungalows to view the marine life in the crystal clear waters below, ultra luxurious thatched Overwater Suites stretch out into the lagoon whilst Beachfront Villas are blessed with private pools. Four options for dining showcase a range of Polynesian delicacies including superb seafood, all enhanced by subtle French culinary influences. Meet up in the aptly named Sunset bar to sip champagne as the sun sinks low in a flashy display of colours. Overwater treatments can be experienced in...

Beautifully located and refreshingly modern in design, the resort is centred around the unique Thalasso spa, where spa aficionados can experience therapies which employ water pumped from the deep ocean. Overwater villas provide the wow factor with panoramic private sun decks and pontoons. Savour tantalising gourmet cuisine at Le Reef or dine at The Sands, set on its own enchanting stretch of beach. For evening relaxation, musicians play in the bar accompanied by views of spectacular Mount Otemanu. For a unique experience, the hotel can arrange...

Nine hundred metres of beachfront, one hundred acres of paradise. Tucked away in tropical rainforest this award-winning Small Luxury Hotels of the World property lies on unspoilt Koh Lanta, on a rugged hillside above the shore. Here, the one-to-three bedroom Pool Villas form an exclusive complex around their own central hub and breathtaking infinity pool. There is also an infinity pool and day bed on the terrace of each villa, while interiors house a fully-equipped kitchen, lounge/ dining room and bedrooms with four-poster beds. Pool Villa gu...

Cascading serenely down a forested hillside on the north west tip of Koh Samui lies a ravishing resort within a hidden cove. From here, the views across the Gulf of Siam and surrounding islands are simply breathtaking. Settle into your freestanding villa or private residence - raised on stilts in the traditional local style - to bask on your spacious deck with its private infinity-edge pool, perhaps working up the energy to slip down to the Coco Rum Bar or to the porcelain-white beach complete with a 50 metre pool. Five individual spa salas (c...

Fronting Phang Nga Bay, easily one of the world’s most surreal seascapes, this is a place that is unfailingly flawless when it comes to mellowed island discovery. Mix friendly island locals, a brand dedicated to authenticity, traditional Thai thatched bamboo villas and humbling views of limestone pinnacles, and you have the conscious, rustic essence of Six Senses Yao Noi. A small but mighty institution of intrinsically incorporated villas clinging to the rocks, its widespread social and environmental impact means it feels almost impossible to ...

Cognoscenti of the Far East need look no further than Song Saa, Cambodia’s first genuine luxury beach resort, set on a pair of exclusive private islands amidst the sapphire blue Gulf of Thailand and reached by speedboat. Meaning ‘the sweethearts’, Song Saa is surrounded by untouched islands with private beaches fringed by palms – a blissful backdrop for the selection of twenty seven Ocean View, Jungle Villas and overwater stilted villas complete with thatched roofs, an eco-conscious design inspired by Cambodian fishing villages. Standards of lu...