great barrier reef tours from townsville

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Museum Of Underwater Art And Great Barrier Reef Snorkeling Day Trip

Highlights & inclusions, select date, september 2024, select travellers, what you can expect.

Hop aboard a comfortable vessel and head out to the Central Section of the Great Barrier Reef for some of the best snorkelling in QLD on this full day tour from Townsville with one of the state's high standard tour operators! Head out from your choice of departure points - Townsville or Magnetic Island - as we set sail towards the pristine outer regions of the stunning Great Barrier Reef and the Museum of Underwater Art (MOUA) for an amazing snorkelling adventure. As the first of its kind in the Southern hemisphere, MOUA will act to highlight reef conservation, restoration, and education on a global scale. The Coral Greenhouse – first submerged building design by world-class artist Jason deCaires Taylor is a bucket list trip no one should miss! Surrounding the Museum of Underwater Art is an amazing coral reef bursting with a plethora of marine life. The bright and beautiful colours are the perfect backdrop for the museum and the location provides the perfect blend of man-made and natures art.

With plenty of reef nearby to explore and depths ranging from 1 to 20 metres, it is ideal for snorkellers and beginner divers. Discover how the Great Barrier Reef is managed and what work is being done to protect it.

Once arrived, you'll be able to don your snorkelling gear and get a firsthand, up-close look at the huge array of amazing marine life on offer - this part of the Great Barrier Reef includes the likes of turtles, stingrays, and numerous kinds of colourful fish, all in some of the clearest water with the best visibility in the region. With some great snorkelling opportunities combined with an array of great value inclusions - such as beverages, floating devices, all snorkelling equipment, and instruction - you'll have everything you need for the Townsville and Magnetic Island region's best snorkelling tour - so be sure to book online today!

What you need to know

• Full day Outer Great Barrier Reef Snorkel Cruise
• A visit to world-class Museum of Underwater Art (MOUA)
• Morning tea, cold buffet style lunch and afternoon tea
• Cold water, cordial, tea and coffee
• All snorkelling equipment including long length protection suit
• MOUA and Mooring fees
• Full demonstration and instruction on snorkelling techniques
• Environmental education
• Hotel transfers
• Minimum child age is 6 years old
• Snorkel some of the best sites of the Great Barrier Reef
• Visit the world-class Museum Of Underwater Art (MOUA)
• Be surrounded by a company of colourful reef fist, turtles, stingrays and more
• Tours depart on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays
• Departs from Breakwater Ferry Terminal, Townsville at approx. 7am
• Departs Nelly Bay Marina, Magnetic Island at 7.50am
• Please allow a full day for this experience
• Light jacket during winter months
• Minimum age of 6 years
• Confirmation in the form of a tour voucher will be received at time of booking
• Upon completion of purchase, please print the voucher and present on the day of the tour
• Vessel is subject to change without notice
• Availability was accurate at the time of booking however, is subject to change due to circumstances out of our control
• We strongly suggest reconfirming your booking with the tour operator within 24 hours of making your booking and prior to making other travel arrangements
• We recommend you reconfirm your booking at least 48 hours prior to arrival
• For your information, complete Tour Operator Information including contact details is included on your tour voucher

Accessibility

• Wheelchair friendly
• Vision Impaired friendly
• Hearing Impaired friendly
• Hidden disability friendly
• High sensory experience - aspects can be noisy, bumpy, crowded, dazzling or new smells introduced

Hop aboard a comfortable vessel and head out to the Central Section of the Great Barrier Reef for some of the best snorkelling in QLD on this full day tour from Townsville with one of the state's high standard tour operators! Head out from your choice of departure points - Townsville or Magnetic Island - as we set sail towards the pristine outer regions of the stunning Great Barrier Reef and the Museum of Underwater Art (MOUA) for an amazing snorkelling adventure. As the first of its kind in the Southern hemisphere, MOUA will act to highlight reef conservation, restoration, and education on a global scale. The Coral Greenhouse – first submerged building design by world-class artist Jason deCaires Taylor is a bucket list trip no one should miss! Surrounding the Museum of Underwater Art is an amazing coral reef bursting with a plethora of marine life. The bright and beautiful colours are the perfect backdrop for the museum and the location provides the perfect blend of man-made and natures art. With plenty of reef nearby to explore and depths ranging from 1 to 20 metres, it is ideal for snorkellers and beginner divers. Discover how the Great Barrier Reef is managed and what work is being done to protect it. Once arrived, you'll be able to don your snorkelling gear and get a firsthand, up-close look at the huge array of amazing marine life on offer - this part of the Great Barrier Reef includes the likes of turtles, stingrays, and numerous kinds of colourful fish, all in some of the clearest water with the best visibility in the region. With some great snorkelling opportunities combined with an array of great value inclusions - such as beverages, floating devices, all snorkelling equipment, and instruction - you'll have everything you need for the Townsville and Magnetic Island region's best snorkelling tour - so be sure to book online today!

Recent reviews

Leticia Lucindo

almost 3 years ago

Amazing crew and location! I got an upgrade to discover scuba diving on board.

The trip is long and a bit uncomfortable, the see is really rough and lots of people got seasick but the snorkeling was amazing, the reef is so close and packed with sea life. The scuba diving was also amazing, you can learn the basics and see the MOUA.

• Email us at [email protected]
• Help code: D2B-4190
• This experience is supplied by Outer Great Barrier Reef Dive Cruise from Townsville and Magnetic Island

We acknowledge and pay respect to the Traditional Custodians of Country and their connections and continuous care for the skies, lands and waterways throughout Australia.

• Apart of the AdventureFree Group

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Home › Travel Guide › Townsville

Loved for its history, Townsville is a great place to visit and to depart from to visit the Great Barrier Reef.

​Located on the North Eastern Coast of Queensland, Townsville is almost perfectly adjacent to the centre of the Great Barrier Reef. Its location makes it an idea to join a Great Barrier Reef Tour from Townsville. It is also the perfect spot to depart if you want to visit the Yongala Wreck, one of Australia’s most famous shipwrecks’ and dive sites.

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10 ways to experience the Great Barrier Reef from Townsville

Think Attenborough saw it all when he filmed his latest doco, Great Barrier Reef? Maybe not.

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From snorkelling trips you’ve never heard of, to educational behind-the-scenes journeys and limited-access island visits, there are still plenty of secrets to be uncovered on the Great Barrier Reef when you base yourself in Townsville North Queensland.

1. Join a snorkelling trip

Okay, so you can’t just strap on your snorkel and mask and dive off The Strand to experience the reef, but within an easy boat ride there are a plethora of pristine Great Barrier Reef snorkelling spots to get your Finding Nemo fix. After a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it ferry ride from town, join a Discovery Cruise with Adam from Aquascene and pull up anchor in some of Magnetic Island’s prettiest bays to immerse yourself in the coral and marine life that lies beneath. Or you could join marine biologist Andy on a guided Reef Eco Tour to spot giant clams and learn more about the fringing reef that surrounds the island.

Remote Area Dive offers day trips from Townsville filled with snorkelling opportunities at the relatively unknown (aka untouched!) Pelorus and Orpheus islands, while Adrenalin Snorkel and Dive heads to Lodestone Reef every Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday, where you’ll have the chance to snorkel over gigantic colourful bommies and spot vivid blue starfish, squidgy sea cucumbers, and see some of the planet’s prettiest coral.

2. Dive the Yongala

Keen divers will need no introduction to Townsville, knowing that one of the world’s Top 10 dive sites lies submerged just offshore. The SS Yongala is a bucket-list shipwreck dive – 107 metres long and listing to starboard 30 metres below the surface – it’s one of the most intact and pristine shipwrecks known to man.

Even if you haven’t earned your stripes for this advanced dive before you visit, you can start from scratch and tick off all the certifications and dives you need to reach the pinnacle in one trip with Adrenalin Snorkel and Dive or Yongala Dive.

3. Chopper to your own private island

If you’ve always wanted to feel like a high roller, save up your pennies for a chartered helicopter  light to Havannah Island – the southernmost island of the Palm Island Group. Never heard of it? Well, neither had we! Nautilus Aviation’s three-hour Havannah Island experience allows you to fly over the coral-studded Coral Sea, touch down on your own private white sand beach, snorkel the fringing reef and throw your head back and laugh your best evil villain laugh as you enjoy a gourmet brunch picnic.

4. On a cruise

As well as operating the passenger ferry between Townsville and Magnetic Island, SeaLink Queensland run a limited edition season of Great Barrier Reef cruises between May and September. On their Island Highlights Cruise (Jun 26, Jul 10, Aug 6 & 21, Sep 10 2016), you’ll spend the morning soaking up a traditional Indigenous welcome on Palm Island, then snorkel the dreamy turquoise waters of Pelorus Island and, after tucking into some lunch, snorkel or swim near Orpheus Island.

SeaLink also run a historic Cape Cleveland Lighthouse Tour (May 14, Jun 11, Jul 16, Aug 13, Sep 24 2016), where you can meet some of the lighthouse families who have called it home, and a Great Palm Island Day Tour (May 29, Jul 24, Sep 25 2016), giving you the chance to take an Indigenous guided walk to learn more about the island, browse local arts and crafts markets, get hands on with dot painting, and watch Aboriginal dance performances. 

5. Sail around Magnetic Island

Magnetic Island in winter is nothing short of magical, and Sydneysiders Paul and Clare Ley know it, which is why they’ll be sailing their 58-foot yacht called Pilgrim into Nelly Bay Harbour in May this year.

On offer are afternoon sailing trips (that include a swim stop and BBQ), a twilight cruise (aka ‘Sip and Sail’), and charters. If you fancy yourself a bit of a sea dog, or want to get prepped for the annual Magnetic Island Race Week, this is the boat for you. Pilgrim can also be hired for overnight expeditions, allowing you to explore the nearby Palm Island Group for that Beyoncé in the Bahamas feeling.

6. Visit Reef HQ Great Barrier Reef Aquarium

“If you sit long enough you’ll see interactions start to happen that you never could have expected, even if you were diving or snorkelling you wouldn’t comprehend it happening,” Reef HQ Great Barrier Reef Aquarium director Fred Nucifora says. “It can be so overwhelming when you’re in the water.” There’s no two ways about it, Reef HQ Great Barrier Reef Aquarium is hell-bent on educating as many people as possible about the reef. There are 140 passionate volunteers on hand to take you on a tour or just have a chat about what you’re seeing, all without getting wet.

As well as the many visitors to walk through the doors of the aquarium – the largest living coral reef aquarium in the world – the Reef Educators at Reef HQ beam out underwater classroom sessions to university students in the USA, school children in Mexico City, and classrooms and conference rooms all over the world. In fact, they reach as many students with their online education programs as they do in the flesh.But for the everyday Joe visiting Townsville? As well as the excellent existing displays and the opportunity to join a behind-the-scenes tour of their turtle hospital, a new biodiversity exhibition is currently being built that will cover everything from plankton up to charismatic megafauna.

Oh, and you can see the resident shark ‘Cuddles’ chow down on a seafood smorgasbord a couple of times a day. Reef HQ Great Barrier Reef Aquarium will also be introducing a Discover Scuba experience in the predator tank come 2017.

7. Visit a research station

Guests at the luxurious Orpheus Island resort have very special access to the Great Barrier Reef scientific research station in Pioneer Bay. Operated by James Cook University, the hub of fish fascination plays host to visiting scientists and students undertaking vital reef research. On the educational tour (that just falls short of kitting you out in your own white lab coat), you’ll be able to check out the facility, watch scientists at work, and experience the live reef touch tanks.

8. Learn to dive

Being the home of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority and James Cook University – aka the holy grail for anyone studying marine biology – Townsville literally breeds reef experts and passionate dive instructors who love sharing their secret patches of the world’s largest living organism.

Forget being confined to a resort pool or blowing bubbles in dull depths – see page 16 to suss out all your options when it comes to scoring your scuba accreditation in Townsville North Queensland.

9. Camp on an island

Is there anything else so fine, and so utterly Survivorlike, than camping on an island? Barefoot. Electricity free. Completely isolated.

This is what staying the night on Pelorus Island is like, where the only bumps you might hear in the night are the hooves of the goat family who call the island home, or the smooth rocks nudging each other on the shoreline as gentle waves roll in. You can hitch a ride with Remote Area Dive as part of their Unlimited Dive Safari, which runs every weekend and includes all the camping gear you’ll need, or if you’re lucky enough to have access to your own boat, you can camp a little further down the beach for free. Campers need to be totally self-sufficient – what you take on the island must come off, and remember to bring enough drinking water, especially if you like the idea of kicking it like Tom Hanks in Cast Away. You can also camp on Orpheus Island and Hinchinbrook Island. See the Department of National Parks, Sports and Racing for more information and to book a site.

10. Follow the self-guided snorkel trails off Magnetic Island

The more you get to know Magnetic Island, the more you find lies beneath her waters.This is excellent news for snorkellers since two fantastic self-guided snorkel trails were developed in 2012 to lead you quickly and easily to bommies flourishing with coral and fish, and historic relics like a WWII aircraft propeller and the SS Moltke wreck. There are two trails to choose from: Nelly Bay, which you can access directly in front of X Base Backpackers resort (you can pick up your snorkel gear and trail map from the dive shop there, too), and Geoffrey Bay – the latter of which hides the wrecks mentioned above just beneath the surface. The best time to snorkel is at low tide so you can get nice and close to the coral. At Geoffrey Bay, take advantage of the easy access near the old ferry terminus to save a swim across the bay to the first buoy – just be cautious as the rocks can be slippery! Numbers on the maps correspond with floats that are placed along the trails to give you an understanding of what you’re looking at – so you can identify that weird-looking fish or learn more about the history of the wreckages.

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Great Barrier Reef Cruise from Townsville or Magnetic Island

TICKET PRICES STARTING FROM

Taxes and fees will be calculated at checkout

Join a professional crew aboard a custom-built vessel for snorkeling, an introductory diving with an experienced instructor, or two certified dives in the UNESCO-listed Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. This day trip takes you from Townsville or Magnetic Island to the Central Section of the Great Barrier Reef, where you get the chance to see reef fish, sea turtles, stingrays, reef sharks and more up close. Snorkel equipment is included.

Ticket Options

2 Options Available

Snorkel Townsville: $304

Check-in at Breakwater Marina at 7am for approx. 7:30am departure. Includes snorkeling equipment

Certified Dive Townsville: $404

Check-in at Breakwater Marina at 7am for approx. 7:30am departure. Includes two certified dives with all diving equipment

Ticket Information

• Mobile or paper ticket accepted
• One per booking

What's Included

• Demonstrations and instructions on snorkeling techniques
• Use of Snorkel equipment (mask, snorkel, fins and full-length suit)
• Reef Ecology talks to enhance your experience
• Use of Floating Devices for Novice (pool noodles, life rings, vests with air)
• Iced water, cordial, tea and coffee throughout the day
• Transport to the Central Section of the Great Barrier Reef

What's not Included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off
• Snorkel Guide
• Dive Guide - compulsory for divers with less than 10 logged dives

Cancellation Policy

• For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Additional Info

• Wheelchair accessible
• Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels
• Minimum age is 6 years for Snorkelling and 12 for Discover Scuba Diving
• Certified divers must present proof of certification to crew on board on the day
• Introductory divers MUST fill out a basic medical form prior to their dive. Some existing medical conditions may not allow you to dive
• Please wear your swimwear and bring a towel, hat, sunscreen and camera
• Heights, weights and shoe sizes MUST be advised at time of booking

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Half Day Tours - Great Barrier Reef - Whitsundays - Cairns - Townsville

Our half day tours are one of our most popular tour categories on the Great Barrier Reef as guests can choose from early morning, mid morning, afternoon or balmy evening tours. Barrier Reef Australia offers a big selection of half day tours to suit all age groups and all capabilities in all region s and locations on the Great Barrier Reef. From Cairns, Port Douglas, Townsville, Magnetic Island, Airlie Beach, Hamilton Island and the Whitsundays. Take off to the Great Barrier Reef on a scenic helicopter flight early, then spend the afternoon back at your resort pool, or book another half day tour and spend it on a tropical island somewhere on the Great Barrier Reef. Half day tours allow you to see so much more of the Great Barrier Reef region in just one day. The choices of half day tours are plentiful so if you need advice, speak to the tour specialists at Barrier Reef Australia 7 days a week and don't forget to look for our 2nd Child Travels Free Deals.

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Half day tours.

Our half day tours are one of our most popular tour categories on the Great Barrier Reef as guests can choose from early morning, mid morning, afternoon or balmy evening tours. Barrier Reef Australia offers a big selection of half day tours to suit all age groups and all capabilities in all region s and locations on the Great Barrier Reef. From Cairns, Port Douglas, Townsville, Magnetic Island, Airlie Beach, Hamilton Island and the Whitsundays. Take off to the Great Barrier Reef on a scenic helicopter flight early, then spend the afternoon back at your resort pool, or book another half day tour and spend it on a tropical island somewhere on the Great Barrier Reef. Half day tours allow you to see so much more of the Great Barrier Reef region in just one day. The choices of half day tours are plentiful so if you need advice, speak to the tour specialists at Barrier Reef Australia 7 days a week and don't forget to look for our 2nd Child Travels Free Deals.

Showing Results 1 - 80 of 101

Green Island Tour | HALF DAY | By Great Adventures

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Cairns Scenic Flights - Helicopter Ride Great Barrier Reef - 30 Min |ZM

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Jetski Airlie Beach - 2 Hour Island Tour

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Pickup: Airlie Beach

Sunset Cruise Cairns - Dinner - Drinks

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Airlie Beach Jetski Tours

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Helicopter Rides Townsville | 15 Min Scenic Helicopter Flights

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Private boat charter from Hamilton Island for 24 guests for a sunset cruise.

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Magnetic Island Snorkelling Tour | Half Day Tour

This is a Magnetic Island tour with a difference, snorkelling, meeting marine life, wildlife, beaches.

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Port Douglas Sunset Cruise | Luxury Adults Only Sailing | SAS

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Helicopter Flights Cairns - Great Barrier Reef - Cairns 60 Minutes

60 minute helicopter flights over the Great Barrier Reef. Immerse yourself in a mesmerizing aerial adventure with the assurance of a guaranteed window seat during our 60-minute scenic helicopter flight over the Great Barrier Reef.

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Townsville Helicopter Flight – Remote Lighthouse – 45 Minute Scenic Flight

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Helicopter Townsville to Magnetic Island with Optional Scenic Flight

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Pickup: Magnetic Island, Townsville city

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Whitehaven Beach Half Day Tour - Whitsundays

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Sunset Sailing Cruise Townsville - 6 Guests Only

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Charter Boat Mackay - Snorkel Tour 40 Guests - Sunset Cruise 50 Guests

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Cairns Charter Boat | Snorkelling OR Dive Tours | Up to 8 Guests or 4 Guests for Diving

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Heart Reef & Whitehaven Beach Scenic Flight Hamilton Island 1 Hour Express

Heart Reef, Whitehaven Beach Scenic Flight Hamilton Island 1 Hour Express, over Hook Reef, Hook Passage, Cid Harbour, Whitsunday Passage

Heart Reef Helicopter Flights | Whitehaven Beach Helicopter Landing 2 Hours

Heart Reef Helicopter flight and Whitehaven Beach Helicopter Landing 2 Hours of brilliant scenery.

Hill Inlet - Half Day Tour - Overlook Whitehaven Beach | EXP

Hamilton Island half day tour to Hill Inlet lookouts to see the swirling sands and Whitehaven Beach. Choose a half day morning or afternoon tour.

Port Douglas Helicopter Flights - Sand Cay

Exclusive Port Douglas helicopter scenic flight to a remote sand cay in the middle of the Great Barrier Reef

Port Douglas Sunset Cruise | Luxury Yacht Charter | Max 45 to 80 Guests | SAS VI & VII

Our Port Douglas private charter sunset sailing tours are 100% pure sailing on the Great Barrier Reef, 1.5 hours of peace and serenity

Sunset Sailing Port Douglas - Luxury Yacht 33 Guests

Sunset sailing tours from Port Douglas can cater for up to 33 guests for a special event or celebration. Departing from the Crystalbrook superyacht marina at 5.00pm and returning at 6.30pm.

Helicopter Scenic Flights Townsville - Havannah Island Getaway

Exclusive Townsville Helicopter Scenic Flight and Great Barrier Reef Island Getaway, Havannah Island

Hamilton Island Tours – Sunset Cruise

Join us for a captivating sunset cruise from Hamilton Island for 1.5 hours of luxury.

Hamilton Island Snorkelling Tour - Whitsundays - Half Day | EXP

Hamilton Island half day tours to snorkel the beautiful fringing reefs of Hook Island.

Helicopter Flights – Heart Reef - Whitsundays Snorkel Tour

Heart Reef indulgence helicopter flight and snorkel tour of Langford Reef departing from Airlie Beach.

Helicopter Flights Airlie Beach - Snorkel Tour to Langford Reef

Take a luxury helicopter flight and snorkelling tour from Airlie Beach out to see the coral and fish at Langford Reef.

Heart Reef Tours –Exclusive Helicopter Landing - Heart Reef – Snorkel

The ultimate Heart Reef and Great Barrier Reef tour in the Whitsunday Islands. 3 Hour helicopter tour to Heart Reef.

Pickup: Hamilton Island

Sunset Cruise Townsville & Magnetic Island - 2 Hours - RM

From Townsville enjoy a sunset cruise across the Great Barrier Reef, see the sunset around Magnetic Island.

Townsville & Magnetic Island Half Day Snorkelling Tour - RM

Book your space on a Townsville and Magnetic Island half day Sailing and Snorkelling Tour.

Helicopter Flights Magnetic Island & Townsville - 30 minutes

Magnetic Island and Townsville helicopter scenic flight for 30 minutes over the Great Barrier Reef.

Sunset Sailing Tour from Airlie Beach – 24 guests – 2 hours

Sail the Whitsundays. Join us on a 2 hour sunset cruise departing from Airlie Beach on a Tall Ship.hing then jump onboard our timber Tall Ship.

Sunset Cruise Port Douglas - Charter Yacht – 2 Hours - LD

Private charter sunset cruise for 2 hours from Port Douglas hosting 10 guests, relax, enjoy canapes, nibbles sailing the Great Barrier Reef

Port Douglas Helicopter Flights - Reef - Rainforest - 60 Minutes

The best 60 minute Port Douglas helicopter scenic flight over the World Heritage listed Daintree Rainforest, Mossman Gorge, the Great Barrier Reef and also Cape Kimberley, Cape Tribulation, Low Isles, Snapper Island, Cow Bay, Batt Reef

Great Barrier Reef Helicopter Flight Port Douglas – 45 mins

Great Barrier Reef Helicopter Flight from Port Douglas for 45 mins viewing islands, coral gardens and marine life

Helicopter Flights Port Douglas | 30 Min Rainforest Scenic

From Port Douglas take off on a 30 minute helicopter scenic flight to see the magnificent rainforests of Far North Queensland.

Helicopter Flights Port Douglas – 30 Minutes – Reef Scenic

Port Douglas helicopter scenic flight for 30 minutes flying over the magnificent Great Barrier Reef in Australia.

Sunset Cruise Magnetic Island | Only 14 Guests

Magnetic Island 2 hour sunset sailing tour on a 60 foot yacht on the Great Barrier Reef with only 14 guests

Magnetic Island Snorkelling Tour | Half Day Sailing

Magnetic Island snorkelling tour, explore coral reefs, or relax and watch the spectacular view sail by! Our personalised tours will suit any holiday in the tropics.

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Trying to work out where to stay at the Great Barrier Reef? Discover a great selection of accommodation, the length and breadth of the Great Barrier Reef and beyond. Search for hotel rooms and book online.

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Great Barrier Reef's islands are simply enchanting, with the choice of over 100 islands from unique and exotic islands to the world famous Whitsundays.

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Queensland is unique amongst the Australian states in that it has a number of genuine coastal capitals.

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Discover a diverse range of experiences in the Great Barrier Reef.

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The Great Barrier Reef is a gathering of brilliant, vivid coral providing divers with the most spectacular underwater experience imaginable.

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Townsville, Queensland Access the reef, rainforests and the outback.

Located on the north-eastern coast of Australia, Townsville (see video below – 3:12) is the unofficial capital of North Queensland and one of the fastest growing regions in Australia. Situated on Ross Creek and overlooked by the 290m-high Castle Hill, Townsville is a thriving metropolis.

Townsville offers visitors a world of new experiences – from the Great Barrier Reef and its tropical islands through to the historic outback and the lush rainforests, waterfalls and world heritage listed national parks in the surrounding region.

From diving in the Great Barrier Reef, trying your luck at the Casino, rafting white water rapids or simply lazing on golden beaches, Townsville offers the best of all worlds.

The city and its precincts are continually evolving. Discover the latest redevelopment along Flinders Street East – a mix of funky nightclubs, bars and restaurants housed in beautiful heritage buildings. Dining is a serious business in Townsville.

Take a wander down Palmer Street and find restaurants offering cuisines from around the world, prepared using the freshest local seafood and produce.

The city is the perfect stepping-off point to experience the wonders of the region – the outback, rainforests, magnificent waterfalls, tropical islands and of course, the Great Barrier Reef.

The city has two botanical gardens. The old Queens Gardens, a 4 ha park with extensive stands of tropical trees and flowers, is located 2 km from the city centre with the main entrance being from Paxton Street.

6 km from the city centre in the suburb of Mundingburra is the new Anderson Park Botanical Gardens covering 32 ha including a lagoon, conservatory and a number of picnic places.

Townsville’s many attractions include the world’s largest living coral reef aquarium, an Australian native wildlife sanctuary, art galleries, museums, parks, restaurants and the spectacular Strand beachfront promenade.

The Strand and it’s jetty (pictured below) are part of a world-class beachfront promenade custom-built for enjoyment.

Along this palm tree studded stretch are bike and rollerblade paths, safe swimming beaches, pretty picnic spots, a water park and chic restaurants and bars with to-die-for water views.

Townsville is also one of Queensland’s premier event destinations , with an exciting annual line up of sporting, aquatic, historical and cultural events. Using Townsville as a holiday base, visitors can experience the natural wonders of the diverse North Queensland region through day tours, cruises or adventure excursions – all operating out of the city.

Townsville – A Regional Gateway

Townsville is also encircled by other interesting towns and places to see, such as Charters Towers (pictured below) , a scenic gold mining city that is big on history and character just 90 minutes south-west of Townsville.

Around 80 Kms south of Townsville at the heart of one of the most productive sugarcane-growing areas is Ayr , a typical thriving coastal town. Magnetic Island is located just 8 kilometres off the coast of Townsville.

Townsville Accommodation

Townsville has many great hotels and resorts, perfect of a romantic getaway, weekend escape or family vacation. See a full list of over 60 Hotels in Townsville where you can check availability and compare pricing. Below are just some of the well priced 4 star hotels in Townsville.

More Townsville Accommodation

A1 Motel Rosslea 107 Bowen Rd Townsville Queensland 4810 Telephone: (07) 4779 3999

Beach House 66 The Strand Townsville Queensland 4810 Telephone: (07) 4771 6891

Billabong Lodge 94 Bowen Rd Townsville Queensland 4810 Telephone: (07) 4775 2055

Casino City Motor Inn 100 Bowen Rd Townsville Queensland 4810 Telephone: (07) 4775 4444

Cluden Park Motor Inn Bruce Hwy Townsville Queensland 4810 Telephone: (07) 4778 4555

Colonial Gardens Resort Woolcock St Townsville Queensland 4810 Telephone: (07) 4725 2222

Coolabah Motel 75 Bowen Rd Townsville Queensland 4810 Telephone: (07) 4779 2084

Downtown Motel 121 Flinders St Townsville Queensland 4810 Telephone: (07) 4772 5022

Hotel Allen Cnr Gregory & Eyre Sts Townsville Queensland 4810 Telephone: (07) 4771 5656

Midtown Hotel/Motel 718 Sturt St Townsville Queensland 4810 Telephone: (07) 4771 5121

Motel Palms 44 Bowen Rd Townsville Queensland 4810 Telephone: (07) 4779 6166

Motel Townsville 36­40 Bowen Rd Townsville Queensland 4810 Telephone: (07) 4779 2179

Raintree Motel Bowen St Townsville Queensland 4810 Telephone: (07) 4775 3066

Rex City Motel 143 Wills St Townsville Queensland 4810 Telephone: (07) 4771 6048

Sheraton Breakwater Casino­Hotel Sir Leslie Thiess Dve Townsville Queensland 4810 Telephone: (07) 4722 2333

Shoredrive Motel 117 The Strand Townsville Queensland 4810 Telephone: (07) 4771 6851

South Bank Motor Inn 23 Palmer St Townsville Queensland 4810 Telephone: (07) 4721 1474

Strand Motel 51 The Strand Townsville Queensland 4810 Telephone: (07) 4772 1977

Summit Motel 6 Victoria St Townsville Queensland 4810 Telephone: (07) 4721 2122

Town Lodge Motor Inn 15 Victoria St Townsville Queensland 4810 Telephone: (07) 4771 2164

Townsville Ambassador 75 The Strand Townsville Queensland 4810 Telephone: (07) 4772 4255

Townsville International Hotel Flinders Mall Townsville Queensland 4810 Telephone: (07) 4772 2477

Townsville Plaza Hotel Flinders Mall Townsville Queensland 4810 Telephone: (07) 4772 1888

Townsville Reef International 63 The Strand Townsville Queensland 4810 Telephone: (07) 4721 1777

Yongala Lodge 11 Fryer St Townsville Queensland 4810 Telephone: (07) 4772 4633

Map of Townsville

Explore more with our Great Barrier Reef map and find your way around Australia’s world famous icon. Zoom in on the map to discover more towns, islands and other interesting highlights.

Great Barrier Reef Experiences

There are plenty of things to experience on Great Barrier Reef.

Townsville Townsville, a thriving metropolis, is the unofficial capital of North Queensland and one of the fastest growing regions in Australia.

Rockhampton Rockhampton is set under Mount Archer, posing an impressive backdrop for the vibrant City centre, coast and the outback beyond.

Charters Towers Charters Towers is one of the most beautiful inland cities in Queensland, with unrivalled architecture and a unique history.

Australia's great natural wonder

More great australian travel destinations.

• Uluru Australia
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• Fraser Island
• Lord Howe Island
• Hunter Valley
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• Moreton Island
• Great Ocean Road
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About 'greatbarrierreef.org'

greatbarrierreef.org is a 'Web Magazine' website that is dedicated to all things related to the Great Barrier Reef. We are passionate about Australia's great natural wonder, its vast marine life, its golden sun-kissed beaches, its warm turquiose waters and the unforgetable experiences that are waiting for all who visit. Our aim is to discuss the Great Barrier Reef, its history, its environment, its marine life and its spectacular destinations. We hope that this website will inspire all who visit, just as much as the Great Barrier reef has inspired us.

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The 50 Greatest Luxury Hotels on Earth

We have compiled a select list of luxury properties that have ascended to a rarefied pantheon: classic hotels around the world that transcend trends to achieve genuine—and sustained—greatness..

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For the first time last year, Robb Report scoured the world to unearth the 50 best luxury hotels. The list we created became the ultimate cheat sheet for those who demand nothing but the very best in travel. 

In 2024, we’ve done it again—with fascinating results.

As always, the hotels we selected vary wildly: They might be centuries old, or they may have only just opened within the last year. Some are city-center hideaways, while others are country estates. They are exemplars of bleeding-edge, contemporary design and reassuringly retro. Nevertheless, they share one thing in common: a commitment to the best in luxury hospitality. 

This year’s methodology was the same: We tapped the brain trust of the travel industry’s five-star elite— RR’s 22 Travel Masters, who service the world’s highest caliber clientele. We asked each of them to vouch for up to 10 properties that they regularly recommend to clients. We asked them to explain in detail what makes that hotel, resort or ranch a true standout. This ensures that every hotel, safari camp or resort on our list has been tried, tested and endorsed, again and again, by the world’s pickiest travelers.

Unsurprisingly, there were many overlaps, with multiple properties receiving endorsements from several operators—these are the hotels which earned a spot in the top 10. The rest we have organized by geography for ease of reference. 

This year, you may notice some similarities to our previous list in the top 10 (as well as quite a few shake-ups). Most notably, the No. 1 spot was once again claimed by London’s finest: Claridge’s. Kudos to them. 

But there are plenty of upsets, too. Last year, we noted the absence of a few of the world’s major tourism hubs from our list—notably Hawaii and New York. We hoped that would serve as a call to action for hoteliers—and we flatter ourselves that it has. This year’s list includes two new standout hotels in both of those locales. 

From the wilds of remote Mustang to the familiar names in the capitals of Europe, we present our guide to the World’s Greatest Hotels.

1. Claridge’s | London, U.K.

If Judi Dench were a hotel, she’d be Claridge’s . This grande dame of the London hotel scene is a beloved, determinedly British institution that’s been part of English life for decades, yet it retains a youthful vigor. The hotel, which opened in 1812, outpaces even the almost-90-year-old acting legend; in fact, it just added a subterranean wellness center kitted out in signature zen wood and limestone by designer André Fu. What other hotel can count both the late Queen Elizabeth II, a regular, protocol-stretching lunch guest, and Mick Jagger as devotees? The Maybourne-operated property is a sister to sites in Beverly Hills and the French Riviera, as well as another London spot, including the Connaught, but it outstrips them all—book in at the Mews Terrace for a charming only-in-London experience on a discreet back alley. Unique Properties and Events co-owner Cédric Reversade calls the entire place “perfection” and recommends truffle French fries in the foyer washed down with a dry martini, and the service of the “divine concierges, Nigel or Martin” whenever you leave its walls. Ashley Isaacs Ganz from Artisans of Leisure puts it more simply: “It’s my home away from home in London.”

Doubles from $1,493

2. La Mamounia | Marrakesh, Morocco

Think of La Mamounia as a Moroccan fantasy made real, a too-much-is-never-enough maximalist fever dream that just underwent another refresh during the pandemic. Come here to idle in the gardens while nibbling on a Pierre Hermé macaron or sashay round the sceney pool in a couture kaftan; make sure to book a room that overlooks the gardens and that pool and sip a glass of Champagne or two on the balcony. It’s been a boldfaced bolthole for decades, whether acting as the de facto winter home of Winston Churchill or as a shorthand for tasteful luxury for celebrities such as Kim Kardashian and, more infamously, Anna Delvey. “It’s iconic and legendary, but it still stays current,” says Isaacs Ganz. “I love the Moroccan design throughout, the colorful tiles, the gardens where Churchill painted, the hidden courtyards and the traditional hammam.” Bonus points for its location, a few minutes’ walk from the souk.

Doubles from $570

3. Flockhill Lodge | South Island, New Zealand

One of the most lauded openings of 2022, this authentic working sheep station sits on 36,000 acres of pristine South Island wilderness. While the first guests arrived last September, the homestead property actually dates back to 1857. Today, it can accommodate just one group of one to eight people at a time. It comes with a private chef (who will fully customize your menus), glass-wall views of the Southern Alps, and an action-packed itinerary of activities—including hiking, biking, fishing, kayaking, caving, and stargazing. You’ll probably want to board a helicopter, too. And when they say working farm, they mean it: There are 11,600 sheep and 450 head of cattle here. You can even play farmer for yourself, should you choose. “The clincher: It’s right next door to Castle Hill—Kura Tawhiti in Maori—also known as the birthplace of the gods to the pioneering voyagers from Easter Island, the Rapa Nui,” says Sandy Cummingham. “It was described by the Dalai Lama as the spiritual center of the universe.”

From $7,300 per night, with a two-night minimum

4. Le Bristol | Paris, France

The Oetker-operated Bristol sits in one of the best spots in the City of Light, per Red Savannah ’s Edward Granville. “It’s the ultimate location in the city boasting amazing views across the skyline, including Sacré Coeur and the Eiffel Tower,“ he says, of the property on the Rue de Faubourg Saint-Honoré. The hotel has its own appeal, too: Don’t miss the trompe l’oeil–decorated swimming pool on the sixth floor, and make sure to pause to pet Socrate, Le Bristol’s most important permanent resident: its in-house cat. Book dinner, too, at Epicure, its gourmet restaurant overseen by chef Arnaud Faye; try the macaroni stuffed with black truffle, artichoke, and foie gras or the on-site chocolate factory, which focuses on grand cru cocoas from around the world.

Doubles from roughly $2,054

5. Southern Ocean Lodge | Kangaroo Island, Australia

It was never any secret in Australia that Kangaroo Island was home to one of the world’s best resorts. It’s just taken a devastating fire and dramatic rebirth for the rest of the world to take notice. In 2020, the wildfires that incinerated nearly half of the island took the Southern Ocean Lodge , too. Four years later, it reopened in December. Max Pritchard, the property’s original architect, has created a near replica of the original. With 25 suites projecting from a central lodge—with the exception of a new four-bedroom suite looking over the entire property down toward the dramatic oceanfront—the mood here is serenely residential. The restaurant is ultra-refined, serving hyper-local ingredients, and the central bar is self service (as is the entire wine cellar, just grab what you want). Most come here for island excursions focused on stunning formations, rugged views, and unique wildlife, from penguins to koalas. “It’s the epitome of Australian contemporary coastal style and a luxurious gateway to uniquely Australian nature and wildlife experiences,” says Stuart Rigg of Southern Crossings. “Not only are there spectacular Southern Ocean views from every room but exclusive signature experiences included in every stay—like guided cliff top walks, stargazing, sundowners, and canapes served with the local kangaroos.”

From about $2,200

6. Shinta Mani Mustang | Jomsom, Nepal

The latest remote resort by exuberant designer Bill Bensley and Cambodia’s Shinta Mani brand, Shinta Mani Mustang opened not quite a year ago as the first luxury hotel located outside Nepal’s Kathmandu. Its 29 suites are located at 9,186 feet in the remote region of Jomsom, the gateway to the legendary Forbidden Kingdom. “Mustang’s short season and unpredictable weather has always deterred the luxury end of the market,” says Christopher Wilmot-Sitwell of  Cazenove & Loyd . “Bill Bensley’s dramatic hotel design gives the necessary comforts and finish for a harsh, high-altitude location while recognizing the cultural sensitivities of this ancient kingdom.” Expect floor-to-ceiling windows offering views of the Nilgiri range and personalized private excursions to monasteries and mountains of the Himalaya, as well as horseback riding, rock climbing, cycling, archery, and helicopter tours. The resort is all inclusive and features a 60-seat restaurant, a bar, and a wellness center with two treatment suites. 

From $1,800 per couple per night, with a five-night minimum

7. NIHI Sumba | Sumba, Indonesia

Knocking Bali down a peg or two as the go-to tropical island in Indonesia, Sumba is finally getting all of the attention (and investment) it deserves. But that all started with NIHI Sumba . It consists of just 27 thatched villas (with private swimming pools and traditional Indonesian architecture) spread across 667 acres of minimally developed island splendor. While it was once best known for its world-class surfing, the resort now offers so much more, from chocolate making to beach rides on (and therapy with) Sumba stallions. Owned by investor Chris Burch (ex to famed fashion designer Tory Burch), the resort also “connects guests with purposeful experiences through the Sumba Foundation ,” said John Clifford of International Travel Management. “It’s the leader in eco-conscious luxury. It walks-the-walk of giving back.”

Doubles from $1,795 in the high season

8. The Fifth Avenue Hotel | New York, New York

A spot on Fifth Ave. isn’t just an address, it’s a legacy to live up to—and that goes double for a hotel and triple for a new, independent hotel (like this one) with something to prove. If you then go the extra step of naming your hotel something as generic and provocative as the Fifth Avenue Hotel , you damn well better deliver even more. Luckily, owner Alex Ohebshalom and designer Martin Brudnizki have delivered in the form of a reborn McKim, Mead & White building attached to a new 24-story glass tower on 28th St. Nodding to all that history is an eclectic, at moments psychedelic, design with 43 suites, including a Flaneur penthouse tricked out with an outdoor soaking tub and a Japanese garden that overlooks the city skyline. “Aside from extraordinary design, the Fifth Avenue has an independent spirit that sets it apart from the pack in one of the greatest cities in the world,” says Black Tomato ‘s Sunil Metcalfe. “Walking through the hotel, you feel the inspiration drawn from the founder’s travels through Europe and Asia, but done in a way that feels singular to the hotel.” And you don’t need to be a guest to get in on the madness. Just swing by the Portrait Bar for Osetra caviar and a hot dog au poivre or stop in Café Carmellini for dinner and drink from the roaming martini trolley.

9. Janu Tokyo | Tokyo, Japan

Located in a new city-within-a-city development dubbed Azabudai Hills in the heart of Tokyo, Janu is a sister property to Aman. Designed by Jean-Michel Gathy—with 122 rooms and suites on floors six to 13 of its host tower—Aman junkies will recognize the minimalist Asian-inspired interiors with contemporary European detailing. The best room is the Janu Suite, with 3,056 square feet and a residential atmosphere. “It appeals to repeat and first time visitors to Tokyo who do not want to be based in a business district,” says Isaacs Ganz. The Aman Tokyo next to Tokyo Station is salary-man central. “It offers modern Japanese style and a great shopping, dining, wellness and art scene,” she adds. Azabudai Hills, near Tokyo Tower, is a compact cluster of three vertically integrated high-rise and low-rise buildings erected at a cost of $4 billion. Luxury shopping, art, and high-end restaurants fill the lower floors. Naturally, that attracts a younger, hipper guest, and it doesn’t hurt that the price point is around 30 percent less than Aman Tokyo, explains Remote Lands’s Catherine Heald. “It’s for those seeking a livelier and more social atmosphere in a more vibrant neighborhood with more restaurants and nightlife in walking distance,” she says.

10. Amanbagh | Rajasthan, India  

One of the earlier sites for this luxe chain opened in the Aravalli Hills outside Jaipur when the group was still under the esthetic iron grip of founder Adrian Zecha; it remains one of the standouts. The rooms here are Mughal inspired—think elaborate latticework and domed roofs on individual villas—and the best, the Pool Pavilions, have their own private swimming spot (though don’t be surprised to see curious monkeys scampering around it, too) Jaclyn Sienna India of Sienna Charles loves the wellness programs offered here with customized programming and superb Ayurvedic cuisine, while Wix Squared’s Alex Wix raves about its location, where you’ll easily access often overlooked ancient Rajasthani ruins with few other tourists nearby. One true standout, per Wix, is the private dining options offered by Amanbagh. “They will serve dinner for clients not just in the hotel grounds, but also in and amongst nearby ruins,” she says.

The Greatest Luxury Hotels in Europe

Whether you’re putting on the Ritz or sucking up the sun in Italy, Europe’s time-honored hotels practically invented the white-glove service we’ve come to expect. The brands and ownership may have changed over the years, but nearly all our guides’ favorite stays are grand dames fit for royalty.

Åmot | Bygstad, Norway 

“It redefines luxury, but with a soul, a completely restored farmhouse done in impeccable taste,” says Gray & Co’s Cari Gray of this Fjord-region exclusive-use property , which sleeps up to 14. This is the ultimate outdoorsy getaway, whether you want to go stand-up paddleboarding to see spectacular waterfalls or boat the fjords to visit old farms that are unreachable by road and hike above the treeline. Steinar Sørli and Yngve Brakstad have painstakingly restored this homestead, which was built in 1885 by Sørli’s great-grandfather, earning accolades for their work in regenerative luxury tourism, including a Norwegian Heritage Award. Underfloor and water heating, for example, comes from ground-source heat pumps, while head chef Tomas forages daily for the fixings to create all the meals on-site. Indeed, nature at Åmot has been so unsullied by mankind that it’s almost unnerving, adds Gray: “You can drink the water right from the streams.”

From about $16,800 per night for six people, with a three-night minimum, all inclusive

Bulgari Hotel Rome | Rome, Italy

It was a true homecoming when Rome-born jeweler Bulgari—which started right in the Golden Triangle here, on Via Condotti—opened one of its five-star hotels last summer, its entrant among the numerous new luxe spots crowding into the Eternal City. It‘s a decidedly different offering, though, than the palazzo-style hotels that are commonplace here; instead, it co-opted a Fascist Era-building, in the Realist style Mussolini championed, close to the Ara Pacis. The bombastic structure has been reborn as an exquisite hotel, courtesy of Milan-based architect Antonio Citterio and his team. Scott Dunn Private’s Jules Maury recommends it to clients because “everyone seems to log your preferences and idiosyncrasies after a few hours of being on the property.” Don’t miss the supersized roof terrace, either, she says. It’s the ideal place for a sunset aperitivo where you can always find a seat.

From about $1,900

Gleneagles | Perthshire, Scotland

Sure, this five-star, 232-room resort in Perthshire an hour or so outside Edinburgh might be considered golf’s spiritual home: It has three landmarks, 18-hole courses, and a storied history as the site of the first playoff between Brits and Americans that’s now better known as the Ryder Cup. But you don’t have to be a putt-prone golf devotee to stay here, according to Isaacs Ganz, who calls it a “destination in and of itself for anyone who wants a luxurious getaway in the beautiful Scottish countryside.” Come to hike—the 11-mile Blackford route is a bracing way to explore the rolling landscape nearby—and to enjoy a snifter or two of whisky; Perthshire’s roster of distilleries may not include many household names, but some of Scotland’s oldest distillers are a short drive away, including Glenturret , which claims to be the oldest still-working site dating back to 1775.

Country rooms from about $800

Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc | Antibes, France

This is less a hotel than a mythical place made real, a Second Empire villa turned five-star pile wreathed in glamorous mystique: F. Scott Fitzgerald used it as the basis for the Hôtel des Etrangers in his Cote d’Azur–set novel Tender is the Night, while Taylor and Burton had one of their honeymoons here. When the French Riviera became a summertime playground for the fast set in the 1920s (via pioneers such as Coco Chanel), this hotel was one of its de facto clubhouses. It retains that role today, albeit for a more globe-trotting clientele. The star wattage remains undimmed, especially when it hosts the annual AmFAR gala each spring, a legacy of its close connections to Elizabeth Taylor; this year, Demi Moore chaired the fundraiser. Don’t miss a martini made from the hotel’s house gin, a custom recipe cooked up using botanicals from its grounds by the nearby Distillerie de Monaco, and it’s okay to marvel when you sidle up to a lounger on the first day after check-in. “It has the most iconic pool, one that continues to shine year after year,” says Stacy Fischer-Rosenthal of Fischer Travel.

From $1,150

One&Only Aesthesis | Athens, Greece

After decades of struggle, Athens is once again the place to be. Famed for soaking up yesteryear VIPs from Brigitte Bardot to Richard Nixon, its famed riviera is also very much back and perhaps even more glamorous than ever before. Last year, One&Only Aesthesis opened here on a 21-hectare beach and forest reserve, just 30 minutes from the city’s ancient marble marvels. The new resort features 95 bungalows and 18 residences that come with terraces, private pools, and outdoor showers. It’s also home to two sprawling multi-bedroom villas dubbed Villa One and Villa Nostos. “This new opening is a jewel in Athens’s crown,” says Metcalfe, who adores the resort’s modish 70s design. “What’s exceptional and standout is how they balance families and couples, discretion, and privacy, with a planned adults-only beach on the way and an exceptional kids club.” The resort is also home to the first Guerlain Spa in Greece. Its Mediterranean restaurant, Ora, is by Michelin-starred chef Ettore Botrini. Add all that together and Athens finally has a resort that can give the buzzy Greek isles a run for their money.

From about $770 from November to January; high-summer season rate from about $2,000.

Passalacqua | Lake Como, Italy

Few hotels manage to become instant icons, but the newest property from Grand Hotel Tremezzo owner Valentina De Santis has pulled it off just a year after she rebooted a private villa from the 1780s on the shores of Lake Como as this 24-room hotel. “It goes above and beyond any other place in Italy,” says India—and she warns visitors not to oversleep and miss the exceptional maritozzi or whipped cream-filled donuts served up every morning at breakfast. It has the largest suite on the lake, too, in the 2,700-square-foot Bellini, named after the composer who once played the piano here, as well as delightfully playful touches, such as a series of tunnels that lead to the new spa, which is accessed by a secret staircase.

Doubles from about $2,660

The Beau-Rivage Palace | Lausanne, Switzerland

Come here for “old-world elegance and incredible, lake-view rooms, not to mention close proximity to the Lavaux wine region” says Isaacs Ganz. Lausanne might be a minnow compared to Geneva on the same lake—it’s barely half its size—but as a destination, it’s far more appealing than that cash-and-cachet-powered city, with an emphasis on good living and luxury that’s epitomized by this hotel (and many of its past regulars, who included the Duchess of Windsor). None of the 95 rooms at this palatial property , which first opened in the 1860s, is the same, and the decor is an eccentric mishmash that combines every era since then, from Victorian fripperies to sinuously streamlined Art Nouveau. The modern spa is a major plus, with its own full hammam and indoor and outdoor pools—though why not just take a swim in the lake, where the water’s disconcertingly clean?

Doubles from about $577

The Ritz Paris | Paris, France

Sure, it’s a cliché, but for good reason: The Ritz has been synonymous with effortless Parisian glamour for decades, an insouciant ultra-luxe spot for the world’s most luxurious travelers since Cesar Ritz and chef Auguste Escoffier opened it in 1898. It was the backdrop to not one but three Audrey Hepburn moves in the 1950s and ’60s, yet still retained enough rock-star cachet to be the place where Johnny Depp and Kate Moss decided to fill a bathtub with Champagne. (The recently retired head bartender here, Colin Field, was in charge of cocktails at the model’s later wedding to Kills guitarist Jamie Hince.) Fischer-Rosenthal calls it a “crown-jewel hotel” and recommends the Coco Chanel suite, named after its most famous resident; the designer lived here for more than 30 years and often used the staff entrance to access her apartment for complete discretion.

Doubles from about $1,540

The Greatest Luxury Hotels in North America & Caribbean

New York? Los Angeles? Sorry, it’s all about the great outdoors for our travel masters and their discerning clientele. From five-star farms to ritzy ranches, you’ll want to pack your hiking boots for these escapes (or swap them for flip-flops if you are heading for a certain famed Caribbean society seat).

Amangiri | Utah, USA

The name to know here? Audrey Huttert. Kevin Jackson of EXP Journeys says the GM of this property is the reason he recommends it to so many clients. It was only the second Aman to open stateside, after Jackson Hole, and it took seven painstaking years of planning to workshop the footprint of the property, nestled in 600 acres of the southwestern desert like a series of concrete boxes half-concealed in the landscape. Come here for outdoors adventuring aplenty amid the national parks of Bryce Canyon, sunrise hot-air ballooning, and trails on horseback. Camp Sarika is the latest addition to the complex, with 10 one- and two-bedroom glamping tents (known as pavilions) scattered around 55 acres on-site as an alternative to the hotel proper. “The guests have a sense of luxury in a remote place with spectacular food and scenery,” Jackson raves.

Doubles from $4,200

Blackberry Farm, Tennessee, USA

The original luxury Relais & Chateau farm resort that lured private jets to East Tennessee, Blackberry Farm is still on top of its game after decades. Spread over 4,200 acres, this much-imitated, family-owned, working farm property offers just 68 five-star rooms. “Their local flare and over-the-top high-end service deliver the ultimate in luxury,” says Kevin Jackson. “The property has redefined farm-to-table food, and the wine cellar, attention to detail in every room and the grounds are amazing. But for us, it’s the sense of place, warmth of the staff and southern hospitality that sets it apart.”

King Historic Rooms from $1,345 and suites from $2,245 per night.

Clayoquot Wilderness | British Columbia, Canada

This high-end camp in the remote forest of Vancouver Island sets a benchmark in barefoot luxury, with tented camp rooms that don’t skimp on conveniences (think heated floors in the bathrooms) that act as the perfect perch for adventuring round the untouched landscape: Expect days filled with whale-watching, bear-spotting, biking. and rain-forest trekking. Its isolation is core to its appeal, the hard-to-reach resort worth the 45-minute plane ride from the city. “Arriving by float plane is always exciting,” says Maury, “And we saw bears, whales, eagles, and more as we took zodiacs around deserted beaches and sleepy backwaters in this extraordinary area.” Conservation is core to its mission, too: For more than 20 years, it has worked with the government and local Indigenous people to help bolster native salmon stocks in and around the waters here—the more of these fish found in the river, the better the overall health of the ecosystem.

Doubles from about $9,070 for three nights

Eden Rock St Barths | St Barthélemy

There’s a frisson of je ne sais quoi to this 34-room hotel in the Francophone Caribbean, a burst of witty subversiveness amid the po-faced pantheon of luxury. Look for its signature scarlet color everywhere—think bright-red rubber ducks and nail varnish in bathrooms—and decor that’s quirky and off-beat, with the latest wood paneled suites drawing direct inspiration from an old-school superyacht. Credit superstar GM Fabrice Moizan with striking such a distinctive note, which combines an insouciant geniality with an obsessive attention to detail that means nothing’s ever overlooked. Clifford calls it “the best of the best on the island” right on St. Jean Bay and recommends Villa Rockstar, the six-bedroom standalone penthouse suite , complete with its own full-sized private pool and recording studio.

Doubles from about $1,035

Maroma, A Belmond Hotel | Riviera Maya, Mexico 

“I was blown away by the indoor-outdoor spa,” says Metcalfe, who calls the service here “best in class.” And we’d agree—that’s why the reimagined Maroma earned one of the slots on Robb Report’ s coveted Best of the Best list this year. The 72-room spot, originally built as a private home, was much in need of an overhaul, and the gut-renovation conducted by LVMH, its deep-pocketed newish owners, was as much a reimagining as a renovation. The rooms have been deftly designed by rock-star British interior designer Tara Bernerd, who added her signature swagger to the decor, combining locally made details, such as custom tiles and turquoise barware, with a boho glamour—the floaty cotton caftans are a major upgrade from conventional robes and ideal to wear on the beach or in the room. It doesn’t hurt, either, that it sits on one of the best stretches of beach in the Riviera Maya, wide swathes of secluded golden sand that are postcard perfect.

From $1,095

Rosewood Kona Village | Hawaii, USA

The original Kona Village Resort opened on the Big Island of Hawaii back in the swinging ’60s. It drew an A-list crowd including Goldie Hawn, Kurt Russell, Kevin Bacon, George Clooney, Jeff Bridges, and Whitney Houston, to name a few. Then, in 2011, a tsunami shuttered the resort for more than a decade. In July 2023, it reopened once again under the Rosewood flag with the most expensive suite in Hawaii. Design powerhouse Nicole Hollis and her San Francisco–based team are behind the 150-room redesign, as well as that aforementioned suite, dubbed Maheawalu Kauhale. More of a gated compound than a single room, it has four standalone one-bedroom bungalows, plus a fifth one that acts as a living and dining room. There is also a sundeck with an infinity pool, a fire pit, a hot tub, and an outdoor kitchen. Another highlight: the first Asaya Spa in the U.S. It’s built directly into the lava flow to offer massively dramatic views should you open your eyes mid-massage for a pinch-me moment. “This new resort has large rooms and incredible views in the oceanfront rooms,” says Jackson. “The property is perfect for large family gatherings, corporate events, or celebrations.”

Suites rates range from $22,000 to $40,000 a night based on the season

The Post Ranch Inn | California, USA

Call it the Big Deal of Big Sur. The one-time motel sitting on the PCH was reimagined as an upscale, 30-room hotel 30 years ago and has become a mainstay of luxury hospitality in the three decades since (and it’s added 10 more rooms). Those are impressive, of course, slickly designed with their own private hot tubs, and the restaurant on-site serves up delicious, modern Californian food. But who comes to this region for the resort itself? The spectacular setting is its real draw, perched 1,200 feet above the crashing waves of the Pacific—think Big Little Lies meets Castaway . “Early one morning I breakfasted alone looking down the Pacific Coast blinded by the cobalt sea, aquamarine skies, and emerald-green and taupe shaggy coastline,” Maury says. “Sunset was arguably even more spectacular.” There’s no issue too big or too small for superstar GM Tim Lee to tackle, she adds.

Doubles from $2,200

Wildflower Farms, Auberge Resort Collection | Hudson Valley, New York

Upstate New York is a buzzy new luxe destination , with a plethora of high-end hotels in the pipeline, including Six Senses. One of the most impressive new arrivals is this Auberge-operated ranch-style hotel in Ulster County in the Catskills, set on its own 140-acre site with spa, outdoor pool, and 65 freestanding cabins. There are three miles of trails quilting the property, but the nearby Mohonk Preserve is a great option if you’d like to push your limits. Metcalfe raves about the in-room amenities, including foraging shears for you to use in the on-site farm; you can also help with the chickens, whether feeding them or collecting just-laid eggs for your breakfast. The convenience for New Yorkers is a major plus—just 90 minutes or so from Manhattan—and it’s also a great getaway if you want to bring your dog. “Auberge has made a name for many properties being above and beyond pet-friendly,” he adds, “And they have animal reiki sessions here.”

From $1,050

The Greatest Luxury Hotels in Central & South America (and Beyond)

Patagonia has emerged as a safari alternative for those who have been there and done that. But the varied hotels and experiences our western continental neighbors to the south (and the deep, deep south of Antartica) have to offer prove that there is a lifetime of stylish exploring to do in our own backyard.

Belmond Palacio Nazarenas | Cusco, Peru

This 11-year-old, centrally located hotel sits in its own gardens, with rooms ranged around the property, the decor a winning collision between Inca-referencing stone walls and gold-heavy details that nod to its colonial-era origins as a private home. The redeployment of this onetime convent emphasized some of its most endearing quirks, too, retaining many of the murals painted on the walls—look for one suite, with a coffered ceiling festooned with pink roses, that is believed to have been where the Mother Superior would have slept. And no detail has been overlooked: Don’t worry about fitful sleep at 12,000 feet above sea level in a suite at this hotel, since oxygen’s piped into the 55 rooms to improve the air quality. Jean Sanz Bernay of JSB Journeys sums it up this way: “beautiful city views, personal butlers, and pisco classes on the terrace.”

Doubles from $1,238

Ibitipoca | Lima Duarte, Brazil

Four hours’ drive from Rio de Janeiro, think of this sprawling property as part country-estate, part-safari camp, a chance to decompress from daily grinds and reconnect with nature. It’s the brainchild of Carioca businessman Renato Machado, who started buying land here more than two decades ago, attempting to preserve the landscape around Ibitipoca National Park. Now, his project also employs more than 200 people caretaking guests at a cluster of reconditioned properties ranged around his 16,000 acres. The standout is Fazenda, an eight-bedroom terracotta-roofed lodge from the 1700s. Wilmot-Sitwell calls out this property as a pioneer in true sustainable luxury. “The local community has been part of the planning here since the purchase of the Fazenda do Engenho in 1984,” he says, “Their welcome is part of any stay in Ibitipoca, from cooks to guides to villagers.”

Doubles from about $459

Islas Secas | Panama

This Panamanian archipelago property is a destination in and of itself, in the Gulf of Chiriquí off the country’s Pacific Coast. “It offers a smorgasbord of activities: e-foiling, diving, deep-sea fishing, and extreme picnicking,” says Henry Cookson. A world-record holder and lifetime adventurer, he admits that even he was dazzled by the assortment in the hotel’s kit room, including the Laird Hamilton paddleboards. Make sure to book a marine safari by catamaran, Cookson adds, as Beny Wilson, the conservation manager, is a world-class guide. The best overnighting option is the newly opened owner’s villa, designed for resort owner Louis Bacon, which opened earlier this year. It sits on a more private corner of the island and has spectacular sunset views, though the other dozen thatched-roof chalets are impressive, too. One other must-try: a cocktail by Carla, the bartender, whose signature drink is a smoky, herby specialty.

From $2,500 per night, with a three-night minimum

Tierra Patagonia | Patagonia, Chile

The modern 40-room horseshoe-shaped property sits right on the edge of Torres del Paine National Park in Patagonia, and it makes the most of its unique perch: floor-to-ceiling windows in every room overlooking the Paine Massif provide an all-natural alternative to screens (there are no TVs or Wi-Fi in rooms). Activities here are understandably outdoorsy: hikes, horse-riding, birdwatching, and boating aplenty. No wonder that for Jackson, it’s a regular booking. “The indoor pool here looks out over the Torres, and from the opposite side of the lake you could barely tell the property is even there—it blends in so well with the landscape,“ he says of the decade-old spot. The plot is so large it’s easy to transfer by helicopter, which Jackson recommends. (The drive from Punta Arenas is a bone-aching four hours.) And bring a satellite phone, as all connectivity to the outside world here can be patchy.

Doubles from $1,950, with a three-night minimum

White Desert Echo Camp | Antarctica

White Desert’s pioneering South Pole properties are a truly unique offering: dashing adventurer turned hotelier Patrick Woodhead has earned widespread plaudits for his impressive attempts to provide overnighting on the uninhabited tundra there. Clifford’s particularly fond of its third complex, Echo Camp , calling it “a space age, ultra-luxe, chic boutique eco-pod collective. Who says you have to rough it at the end of the world?” It only launched last season, but the fiberglass pop-up structures offer floor-to-ceiling views of the all-white world beyond; the camp’s amenities, including shower pods, lounge, and dining room, are in a separate communal area. Every guest commutes here via private jet from Cape Town; toast the experience upon landing with a martini, chilled to perfection with 10,000-year-old ice.

From $65,000 per person for a five-day stay including transport and all activities

The Greatest Luxury Hotels in Oceania

New Zealand’s Southern Alps are as hot with high-end travelers as they are cold. That’s thanks to the growing demand for eco-friendly excursions, which also benefits the greenest of Polynesian escapes.

Capella Lord Howe Island | Australia

A volcanic, reef-circled spec in the Tasman Sea between Australia and New Zealand, Lord Howe Island is famous for its hair-raising 2,900-foot-long runway (just a fraction longer than St. Barts’s 2,100-foot shorty). Australians have long coveted this under-the-radar holiday hideaway, and its top stay is Capella Lodge , part of the five-star Luxury Lodges of Australia group (not to be confused with the Capella Hotel brand). “There is no mobile phone reception, bicycles are the preferred mode of transport, and visitor numbers are strictly limited,” says Rigg. “There is so much to love about this place, including the thoughtful, friendly, first-name service with welcoming hosts, Libby and Mark, that allows you to truly unwind in sophisticated yet relaxed surrounds.”

Villas from about $1,290 per night

Minaret Station | South Island, New Zealand

A unique lodge situated deep within the Southern Alps with just four guest chalets and accessible only via helicopter, Minaret Station mixes luxury service and accommodations with rugged adventure. Each day you’ll take in this iconic slice of the great outdoors while mountain biking, backcountry fishing, setting out on guided hunts, eating up chef-prepared picnics on a mountaintop, or even heli-skiing. Speaking of helicopters, they’re an important part of the experience here: Namely flying through Milford Sound, a spectacular, world-renowned fjordland. “It’s a gateway to a collection of exclusive adventure experiences enjoyed in total privacy within some of the most remote locations in New Zealand (if not the planet),” says Rigg.

Doubles from about $2,000, plus about $1,650 per person for helicopter transfer from Queenstown

Pelorus Private Island | Australia

Rising from the clear coral seas near the Great Barrier Reef off the coast of Townsville, the newly opened Pelorus Private Island is accessible only by helicopter charter or private yacht. It gets better from there. It’s home to a single residence made up of five luxurious suites. While the white-washed exterior sports a modern coastal aesthetic (by Melbourne-based firm Dubois), inside the suites are filled with handmade designer furniture and textiles, French linen, duck down pillows, and LaGaia amenities. If bragging rights are of top concern—of course they are—check this out: It’s the only luxury private island home in the region. Your stay includes meals created by your private chef, Veuve Clicquot Champagne (as well as everything else), and a slew of activities, including snorkeling, Jet Ski tours, fishing, and, of course, reef excursions. “You enjoy a brand-new, purpose-built private villa and exclusive-use of a whole island,” says Rigg. “This is the ultimate way to enjoy privacy, privilege, and personalization on Australia’s Great Barrier Reef.”

From about $13,357 per night, with a three-night minimum

The Brando | Tetiꞌaroa, French Polynesia

In the era of reef smashing, litter, and Tiki Bars—long before “sustainability” became a marketing buzz word—the one-and-only original Hollywood activist Marlon Brando made it his mission to preserve the atoll of Tetiꞌaroa with a 99-year lease. Brando is no longer with us, but his mission lives on today in the form of a LEED-platinum-certified, all-inclusive, 36-villa resort , opened in 2014. Each of those villas—beyond sustainable construction—is built for quiet, so that when the windows are closed, you’re in your own private sanctuary. In fact, thanks to the space and privacy, it’s easy to feel like you’ve rented out a private island. “This is where the epitome of indulgence and sustainability come together seamlessly,” says Rigg. “You can enjoy the ultimate extravagances here with a conscience as clear as the waters that surround you.”

Villas from $4,694 per night

The Greatest Luxury Hotels in Asia

Naturally, on a continent the size of Asia, the flavors of its ultra-exclusive stays are as varied as its cuisines. From the palaces of Rajasthan to the modern miracles of central Tokyo, there’s a little something for everyone here.

Banwa Private Island | Palawan, Philippines

While you may be able to rent one of the six beachfront villas à la carte, Banwa is also a true private island rental capable of housing up to 48 friends of one billionaire. Situated in the Philippines’s eastern Palawan province, the island is surrounded by the turquoise waters of the Sulu Sea—ideal for diving or a casual snorkel. The villas, which are smart, modern, white structures with pools, sleep two to eight. Dinning here is alfresco, and the chef’s menus of world cuisine and Filipino classics change daily. “This is one of the world’s most exclusive private islands,” says Cookson. “It’s set in a marine-protected sanctuary and we love it for its incredible diving—it’s possible to scuba alongside whale sharks as well as encounter the rare Hawksbill turtle and black tip reef shark.”

Villas from $2,650 per night, with a three-night minimum. Full island rental rate upon request . 

Four Seasons Tented Camp Golden Triangle | Chiang Ra, Thailand

Southeast Asia’s Golden Triangle—where Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar meet at the confluence of the Ruak and the Mekong Rivers—may have yesteryear connotations of opium production, but that’s a shame: It should be synonymous with natural beauty. The best way to take it in, according to the experts at Fischer Travel , is from the Four Seasons Tented Camp Golden Triangle . “ It offers a unique, immersive experience, blending nature and luxury,” said Max Rosenthal of Fischer Travel. The resort’s 15 fully air-conditioned tents and Explorer’s Lodge are designed to create the atmosphere of a 19th-century tropical expedition. 

From $2,500

La Résidence Phou Vao | Luang Prabang, Laos

Luang Prabang is Southeast Asia’s “secret treasure,” says Jonathan Alder of Jonathan’s Travels . “By far its best hotel is the Belmond .” Set on a hilltop looking toward the historic city where crowds gather to watch the monks parade each morning, the resort contains just 32 junior suites and two suites within colonial-style buildings blended with traditional Lao touches. A stunning view from the swimming pool may be the property’s real showstopper. “With service that excels with ease, it’s located in the perfect spot over the Mekong to explore this most amazing city,” Alder adds

Junior suites from $350

Pemako Punakha | Punakha, Bhutan

Bhutan has recently welcomed a handful of excellent new five-star lodges, including Six Senses and &Beyond. But Pemako Punakha is the only Bhutanese-owned and operated. Located on 75 acres in the  Punakha Valley, east of the capital city of Thimphu, this 21-tent resort is the brand’s second opening (its first is in Thimphu). Designed by Bill Bensley, each tent features a private heated pool, a deck, Serge Ferrari fabrics, copper futures and oodles of traditional Bhutanese design. “We have always liked working with independent hotels in Bhutan, and it is great to have this new kid on the block in Punakha,” says Wilmot-Sitwell. “Whilst the likes of Aman and Como have put the country on the map in terms of service standards and design, the likes of Gangtey Lodge and now Pemako Punakha give that extra level of personalization and originality.” What sets Pemako Punakha, he says, is the way that the villas, dotted across the valley, settle unobtrusively into “the fragile and beautiful landscape.” Its restaurant Soma serves global cuisine with an emphasis on regional specialties, while its Lotus Realm spa incorporates the traditional Bhutanese medicine known as Sowa-Rigpa. “Having worked in Bhutan for over 25 years, this is a perfect combination of light-touch, low-impact authenticity,” Wilmot-Sitwell adds.  

Low-season rates from $1,440 for a Luxury Tented Pool Villa, all inclusive; high-season rates from $1,740.

Six Senses Vana | Dehradun, India

Originally opened a decade ago in Dehradun, in the foothills of the Himalayas in India’s far northeast, Vana was reborn last year. Now a Six Senses, the wellness resort is still doing what it does best: healing with Ayurveda, yoga, Tibetan Medicine, and natural therapies. Set on 21 acres with 66 rooms, 16 suites, and four “casas,” it draws seekers looking to heighten, well . . . their sixth sense. Programs run from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily and include various traditions of yoga, meditation, Raag therapy, fitness sessions chanting, and music offerings—to name just a few. The resort also offers five-to-21-night retreats with personalized goal management. “Whatever your goals are, you will leave lighter, brighter and with a sense of serenity—even if just from the separation from your phone,” says Tanya Dalton of Greaves UK . “They tailor your journey no matter how soft or severe your approach. The Ayurvedic therapies, beautiful rooms, pools, and delicious, yet somehow healthy, cuisine, are all exceptional. Making ancient Indian treatments and therapies accessible to all is not an easy feat.”

Soneva Secret | Haa Dhaalu Atoll, the Maldives

Sonu Shivdasani has helped make wellness a central tenet of hospitality, via both Six Senses, the chain he cofounded and sold, and Soneva, the tiny cluster of hotels he continues to operate. (He earned a legendary accolade in this year’s Best of the Best thanks to that vision.) This 14-villa site , on the remote Haa Dhaalu Atoll, is the ultimate expression of his ethos, combining unstinting luxury with an emphasis on sustainability and connection with the natural world; each of those rooms, for example, has a retractable roof so you can look up at the stars each night. There’s a dedicated chef for each accommodation, as well as endless activities on offer, from sunset dolphin cruises to a picnic on a deserted island to even a castaway dining tower and observatory in the lagoon, reachable by zipline, a nod to the playfulness that’s a Soneva signature—each villa has its own water slide, too. Wix loves that it surpasses even its ultra-luxe sister properties in the Maldives and Thailand and that the focus on never signing a check. “We can book an all-inclusive Soneva Unlimited rate, so everything is paid for upfront,” she says.

From $3,200

Taj Lake Palace | Udaipur, India

Constant motion isn’t always a good thing. This majestic floating antique in the center of Lake Pichola in Udaipur (as seen in Bond flick Octopussy ) was constructed in the 1740s as a summer palace for Mewar royalty, and it still boasts the same white marble and magnificent gardens that it always did. While it has seen changes—including the creation of 65 rooms and 18 grand suites—its last update was way back in 2000. According to Dalton, there’s nothing to fix. “I find it hard to resist the charms of an antique palace hotel floating on a mirrored lake, surrounded by the romantic white city of Udaipur,” she says.

Doubles from about $900

The Greatest Luxury Hotels in the Middle East

Saudi Arabia has more five-star hotels in the pipeline than probably anywhere else on planet Earth. But it’s not on this list (yet). Instead, perfect hotels in milder locales made the grade.

Alila Jabal Akhdar | Jabal Al Akhdar, Oman

The mountain getaway in the Middle East’s most welcoming nation, Alila Jabal Akhdar , is famous for its vistas and minimalist architecture. The property offers incredible views from every room. But while its location high in the Al Hajar Mountains, a two-and-a-half hour drive from Muscat, might sound intimidating for those who like their feet on horizontal ground, this 84-suite, two-villa resort also offers literally grounded wellness programs. “It has fantastically challenging hikes, and a via Ferrata [climbing section] just in front of your room,” Wix says.

Doubles from $800 per night 

Bulgari Hotel | Dubai, U.A.E.

Widely recognized as Dubai’s swishest stay since opening in December 2017 on the manmade, seahorse-shaped Jumeirah Bay Island, Bulgari’s property managed to up the ante in this already ridiculously ritzy emirate. Designed by Antonio Citterio Patricia Viel as an “urban oasis” resort, the hotel has 20 Bulgari villas and 101 rooms and suites, as well as the brand’s first Marina and Yacht Club, capable of housing 50 boats. Everything here is on a grand scale, including the spa, which weighs in at over 18,000 square feet. “It has the best rooms, linen, spa design, and facilities,” says Deborah Calmeyer of ROAR Africa. It also has the best Italian food in Dubai, with Michelin-starred chef Niko Romito under the toque. 

Doubles from about $530 per night 

The Greatest Luxury Hotels in Africa

There’s no where else like it, so go ahead and turn on the Toto. Southern Africa stole the show this time around, but we dare anyone to snoot at the Kenyan setting for Out of Africa .

Angama Mara | Oloololo Escarpment, Kenya

Angama ’s perch on a clifftop almost 1,000 feet up overlooking the Mara makes it one the best safari lodges in the world; make sure to spend time idling in the fire-pit-like sofa at this prime spot for unforgettable sunsets. “The views are untouchable,” Alder says. There are 15 standalone tented suites, each with wide, floor-to-ceiling windows to maximize those views. The decor is a departure from what has become the safari default, all leather and colonial khaki. Instead, think of the scarlet-accented interiors here as African Art Deco, bursting with joie de vivre. But don’t worry, you can still indulge some throwbackish fantasies here—many scenes from Out of Africa were filmed right here, and the hotel will set up lunch, on request, at the exact spot where the movie’s poster image was shot.

From $1,490 per person per night

Loapi Tented Camp | Tswalu Kalahari Reserve, South Africa

Tswalu in the Kalahari Desert is the largest privately protected wildlife reserve in South Africa (with the lowest ratio of guests to the wilderness and owned by the billionaire Oppenheimer family). Its newest and most luxurious slice is Loapi . Meaning “the space below the clouds” in the Setswana language, Loapi is less of a camp and more of a homestead. It’s composed of six individual one- and two-bedroom tented safari homes—spaced so generously that each seems to disappear into the environment. Because these are individual homes rather than villas surrounding a central lodge, you won’t be asked to share anything. The accommodations come with dedicated staff, a private chef, private guides for your game drives, and plunge pools. “It’s designed for anyone desiring complete privacy while exploring the vast Tswalu Kalahari Reserve,” says Premier Tours’s Julian Harrison. It’s a camp that caters especially well to those with a little safari experience. You won’t see the big five here (there are no elephants in this desert), but what you will see are Africa’s most precious and elusive animals—not to mention friendly meerkats galore.

Rates from roughly $2,530 for two people in a one-bedroom tenant home to $9,100 for four adults in a two-bedroom.

Miavana by Time + Tide | Madagascar

The 14-villa property on its own private island off the northeast coast of Madagascar is a Brigadoon -like vision, shimmering into view on the helicopter transfer from nearby Diego Suarez as if out of nowhere. Villas are contemporary in style, with plunge pools, outdoors showers, and sleek, aqua-accented furniture that’s more Saint-Tropez than Out of Africa. Roam around the island on quad bikes, or take a boat trip to another in the archipelago for tern-spotting and alfresco picnic; the water sports center is fully equipped, and the wind pattern here makes it especially appealing for surfers of all kinds. Don’t be deterred by the logistics of getting here: The hotel now runs its own private-jet service from Johannesburg, an approximately four-hour jaunt on a Learjet 45. “A paradise on the edge of a world caught up in time from the original Portuguese explorers until now,” says Maury.

From $3,400 per person per night

North Island | Okavango Delta, Botswana 

We told you that the trend of buyout-primed micro camps was a major force in ultra-luxe safari and predicted that North Island would be a must-book new option as soon as it opened last summer. Clifford agrees. “It’s the perfect setting for full buyouts,” he says. “It’s an intimate, modern gem in a pristine location along the Okavango Delta’s neck, where guests have the luxury of fewer humans and far more options like traversing the waterways in the hotels own makoro or motorboats.” It’s the latest site from Natural Selection , which has particular expertise in Botswana, and is perched on a prime plot on the southwestern arm of the Great Rift Valley, with every major game species readily nearby, including leopards and cheetahs. There are more than 450 bird species, too, for any safari-seeking twitchers.

From $1,395 per person per night

Selinda, Botswana

“It’s an architectural trifecta of three cultures: European, Mokololo and Bayei,” says Sandy Cunningham of Selinda . A hotel in the second largest game concession in Botswana, this camp is a passion project for photographers and conservationists Beverly and Dereck Joubert. The pair owns a dozen or so camps around sub-Saharan Africa but this four-year-old property is a standout, located in the northern reaches of the country which pioneered a focus on high-end low-density tourism which is now being aped around the continent. Stay in the two-bedroom Selinda Suite for the best experience, says Cunningham: “It’s themed to resemble the thatched villages of Sangwali, who loaned the great explorer David Livingstone 200 men during his travels. It’s reachable via boat along the Selinda Spillway—the ultimate 007 arrival!”

Doubles from $11,088 in the midseason.

Singita Pamushana | Malilangwe Reserve, Zimbabwe

This hotel sits at the heart of 320,000-acre private Malilangwe Reserve in southeastern Zimbabwe, an already-dreamy locale bolstered by its specific perch. “Its setting is right on a hill, surrounded by boulders, a dam, yellow and gold masa trees and 1000-year-old baobabs,” says Calmeyer, who counts it among her favorites in the continent. The reserve teems with wildlife, including lions, leopards, elephants, hippos, and several rhinos—both white and black, thanks to determined anti-poaching efforts, and it’s a particular highlight to track them on foot with the hotel’s guides. There are just eight suites, each with its own private infinity pool, and one five-bedroom villa here, so there’s little risk of any wildlife spotting being ruined by a raft of Jeeps clustered together.

From $2,075 per person per night

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