The Luxury Traveller’s Passport: Six Stays For Six Ways Of Seeing The World

Luxury travel is increasingly defined not by where travellers go, but by what draws them there. Some journeys begin with the promise of open water and untamed landscapes; others are shaped by art, history, wildlife or time spent together as a family. From AMAALA on the Red Sea to the Mediterranean, Mauritius, South Africa and Hong Kong, these six destinations offer a passport to experiences tailored to every kind of traveller.

FOR THE SEA AND WELLNESS LOVER: AMAALA, SAUDI ARABIA

Set along Saudi Arabia’s north-western coast, AMAALA brings together the Red Sea, desert and mountains across a destination shaped by wellness, recovery and exploration. Its three sheltered bays open onto waters inhabited by dolphins, reef sharks, green turtles and abundant marine life, while the surrounding wadis and mountain trails extend the sense of adventure inland. At the centre of its marine offering is Corallium, an immersive marine life institute combining aquarium exhibits, research facilities and educational experiences designed to inspire a deeper understanding of the Red Sea.

Adventure unfolds above and below the water through experiences led by Galaxea, WAMA and Akun. Galaxea offers tailored snorkelling and diving programmes from its base within Corallium, taking guests into the open waters off the AMAALA coast. WAMA introduces everything from kayaking and kitesurfing to eFoiling across the destination’s bays and coves, while Akun leads travellers inland for hiking and cycling through secluded wadis, alongside geology, heritage, stargazing and astronomy experiences.

In addition to exploration, visitors to AMAALA can immerse themselves in the destination’s extensive wellness offering, with its first two resorts, Four Seasons AMAALA and Six Senses AMAALA, now open and welcoming guests. Four Seasons AMAALA takes a purpose-driven approach to wellbeing, creating personalised experiences spanning mindfulness, fitness and restoration within an expansive spa and wellness centre. Six Senses AMAALA complements this with its nature-led philosophy of holistic regeneration, offering tailored wellness programmes alongside a Longevity Centre, Biohacking Recovery Lounge, Watsu pool and sound dome. Together, the two resorts offer a restorative counterpoint to days spent exploring the Red Sea and surrounding landscapes, allowing travellers to move seamlessly between adventure and wellbeing.

For reservations and more information, please visit https://www.visitredsea.com/en/destinations/amaala 

FOR THE CULTURE COLLECTOR: VILLA IGIEA, PALERMO

Villa Igiea, a Rocco Forte hotel offers a stay within the cultural history of Palermo itself. Originally transformed by the influential Florio family at the turn of the 20th century, the Art Nouveau palazzo became a gathering place for royalty, artists, magnates and film stars during the final days of the Belle Époque. Its most remarkable room, Sala Basile, remains adorned with murals by Sicilian painter Ettore De Maria Bergler, while the hotel’s tiered gardens and seafront terraces overlook the Gulf of Palermo from the foot of Monte Pellegrino.

The hotel’s restoration draws from the Florio family’s world and Sicily’s rich decorative traditions, pairing Carrara marble and antiques with locally produced tiles, ceramics and hand-painted wallpapers. Beyond its doors, guests can explore Palermo through private cultural itineraries encompassing the city’s cathedral, Teatro Massimo, the Norman Palace and Palatine Chapel. Back at the hotel, Florio Restaurant and Igiea Terrazza Bar continue the story through Sicilian ingredients, local recipes and cocktails inspired by the illustrious figures who once passed through its salons.

For more information, please visit https://www.roccofortehotels.com/hotels-and-resorts/villa-igiea/ 

FOR THE FAMILY TRAVELLER: ONE&ONLY LE SAINT GÉRAN, MAURITIUS

Set on a secluded peninsula between the Indian Ocean and a tranquil lagoon, One&Only Le Saint Géran offers families the space to travel together without following the same itinerary, making it ideal for multi-generational escapes. Its 142 rooms and suites include interconnecting configurations, while the two-bedroom Villa One provides a private infinity pool, gardens and a dedicated team comprising a 24-hour butler, chef and valet. Days can move easily between the beach, swimming pools, tennis courts and the resort’s restaurants, with experiences suited to every generation.

Club One serves as the resort’s energetic family hub, housing KidsOnly for children aged three to seven and One Tribe for travellers aged eight to 17. Younger guests can try Mauritian Sega dancing, cookery classes, treasure hunts and beach Olympics, while tweens and teenagers have their own programme of fitness sessions, outdoor cinema nights and social activities. The calm lagoon also provides a secure setting for water-skiing, snorkelling, surfing and kayaking, with specially adapted equipment available for younger adventurers.

For reservations and more information, please visit https://www.oneandonlyresorts.com/le-saint-geran 

FOR THE WILDLIFE ENTHUSIAST: SHAMWARI PRIVATE GAME RESERVE, SOUTH AFRICA

Across 25,000 hectares of malaria-free wilderness in South Africa’s Eastern Cape, Shamwari Private Game Reserve offers a safari shaped by the movement of the land rather than a fixed schedule. Five of South Africa’s nine biomes converge within the reserve, creating a remarkably varied habitat for the Big Five, cheetah, spotted hyena and more than 370 bird species. Six lodges and one explorer camp are positioned throughout the landscape, from elevated settings overlooking open plains to secluded pockets of riverine bush. Twice-daily game drives are complemented by guided bush walks, birdwatching excursions and, subject to availability, visits to the Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre and Born Free Big Cat Sanctuaries, offering a closer look at the conservation work protecting the reserve’s wildlife.

The newly launched seven-night City & Safari experience brings together two contrasting sides of South Africa, pairing four nights at One&Only Cape Town, including one complimentary night, along with three nights amid Shamwari’s wilderness. Travellers can move from Cape Town’s culture, coastline and celebrated dining scene to the open landscapes of the Eastern Cape, where days unfold around early-morning game drives, evenings beneath expansive skies and close encounters with the wild. Exclusive reduced fares with Shamwari Air make the journey between city and safari effortless.

For reservations and more information, please visit https://www.shamwari.com/ / https://www.oneandonlyresorts.com/cape-town/offers/city-and-safari 

FOR THE URBAN CONNOISSEUR: THE PENINSULA HONG KONG

Known as the “Grande Dame of the Far East”, The Peninsula Hong Kong has stood at the intersection of the city’s past and present since 1928. Its location overlooking Victoria Harbour places guests moments from Kowloon’s museums, arts venues, shopping districts and the Star Ferry, while its own story traces nearly a century of Hong Kong life. Inside, celebrated rituals and institutions range from afternoon tea beneath the soaring columns of The Lobby to Cantonese dining at Michelin-starred Spring Moon and French cuisine at Gaddi’s.

The city can be approached from a more cinematic perspective through the hotel’s signature transport experiences. A fleet of bespoke Rolls-Royce motor cars offers an elegant way to travel through Hong Kong at street level, while twin rooftop helipads provide access to private flightseeing tours over the harbour, islands and skyline. Departures take place through The China Clipper, an aviation-inspired private lounge that recalls Hong Kong’s golden age of flying boats and transforms the journey into part of the destination.

For reservations and more information, please visit https://www.peninsula.com/en/hong-kong/5-star-luxury-hotel-kowloon 

FOR THE RIVIERA ROMANTIC: HÔTEL HERMITAGE MONTE-CARLO

Overlooking the Mediterranean and Monaco’s historic Rock, Hôtel Hermitage Monte-Carlo offers a quieter expression of Riviera glamour moments from Place du Casino, the Opéra Garnier and the boutiques of One Monte-Carlo. Belle Époque architecture forms the backdrop, from the frescoed Salle Belle Époque to the glass-domed Jardin d’Hiver, created by disciples of Gustave Eiffel. Its Diamond Suites extend this character through generous terraces, contemporary art and far-reaching views across Monaco and the sea.

The hotel’s appeal is equally rooted in gastronomy and culture. At Pavyllon Monte-Carlo, Yannick Alléno presents modern Mediterranean cuisine from an open kitchen and signature counter, while two-Michelin-starred L’Abysse Monte-Carlo unites French culinary technique with the precision of Japanese sushi craftsmanship. Direct access to Thermes Marins Monte-Carlo introduces a restorative counterpoint, while the hotel’s close relationship with Monaco’s theatres, museums, orchestras and cultural institutions places travellers within the Principality’s artistic life.

For reservations and more information, please visit https://www.montecarlosbm.com/en/hotel-monaco/hotel-hermitage-monte-carlo