10 Best Hotels for Truly Relaxing Vacations Around the World
COMO Shambhala Estate |
Ubud, Indonesia
COMO Shambhala Estate is where relaxing vacations turn beautifully restorative. Tucked within Bali’s emerald riverine forest, this 22-acre sanctuary just unveiled a new era for its 20th anniversary, complete with reimagined villas featuring private pools and the serene Ojas Wellness Center. Here, holistic therapies, hydrotherapy immersions and cutting-edge treatments meet leafy pathways and sacred springs. Mornings might bring riverside meditation or Pilates under the trees; afternoons unfold into nourishing cuisine, bespoke rituals or the quiet luxury of your refreshed villa. With wellness experts guiding every step and nature shaping every moment, this retreat doesn’t just soothe, it renews you from the inside out.
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Tortuga Bay Puntacana |
Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
Relaxing vacations reach a whole new level of chic ease at Tortuga Bay Puntacana. Guests staying here are greeted as VIPs at Punta Cana International Airport and guided swiftly through immigration and customs, setting the tone for a seamlessly serene stay. Designed by Oscar de la Renta, the 13 luxurious villas offer sun-soaked privacy, personalized service and even your own golf cart to explore at leisure. Drift between pristine beaches, sparkling natural springs and the lush ecological park or simply surrender to slow living as the palm trees sway. From horseback rides and scuba adventures to a round of golf, the pace is entirely yours—tranquility just comes naturally.
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Waldorf Astoria Costa Rica |
Punta Cacique, Costa Rica
Above the shimmering white sands of Guanacaste’s Playa Penca, Waldorf Astoria Costa Rica turns tranquility into a full-on luxury experience. Floor-to-ceiling windows and airy terraces pull the coastline straight into your room, making instant unwind mode feel unavoidable. Whether you’re drifting between oversized rainfall showers, lush forest views or the resort’s multi-level cascading pools, everything is designed to slow your feet right down. If the spa catches your eye, its ritual-inspired treatments may keep you blissfully occupied for hours. And with seven dining venues and a curated coffee program celebrating Costa Rica’s finest beans, this hillside retreat proves calm can come with plenty of character.
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Villa Eden – The Private Retreat |
Merano, Italy
Villa Eden – The Private Retreat is the kind of place where a relaxing vacation becomes a true reset for body and mind, cradled by the serene beauty of the Italian Alps. Just 25 sunlit suites blend modern comfort with alpine charm, while the panorama pool invites languid dips framed by views of the South Tyrolean peaks. The Longevity Spa, bespoke wellness plans and gourmet cuisine make it effortless to surrender to calm, as Mediterranean gardens intertwine with crisp mountain air. Here, the pace is dictated by your own breathing (not a clock), and every moment, from spa treatments to vineyard visits, is designed to leave you utterly enchanted. What more could you want from an adults-only escape?
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Naladhu Private Island Maldives |
Veligandu Huraa, Maldives
Within the turquoise hush of the South Malé Atoll, Naladhu Private Island Maldives turns island living into something dreamily intimate. With just 20 private houses, each with its own pool and breezy, colonial-meets-contemporary charm, you slip into a rhythm made for truly relaxing vacations. Ocean views, secret gardens and a dedicated butler make every moment feel tailored to your mood, whether that’s sunrise yoga or a steam-room session in your villa. Meals become adventures too, thanks to a delightful no-menu concept that lets you order exactly what you’re craving, whenever you crave it. Add in soft white sands, overwater serenity and total seclusion, and the island becomes its own gentle kind of magic.
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Praia do Canal |
Aljezur, Portugal
Hidden along Portugal’s wild Vicentine Coast, Praia do Canal feels like nature’s way of nudging you to slow down already. The rugged cliffs, deserted beaches and endless Atlantic views do most of the heavy lifting, while the hotel’s minimalist design gently reminds you to take it easy. Breezy rooms with wooden furnishings and a cream-toned palette add to the zen vibe, complemented by a dreamy infinity pool perched above the nature reserve and the Esteva Spa, which practically melts tension on sight. It’s equal parts wilderness escape and designer daydream—exactly the kind of hideaway that turns a relaxing vacation into a complete reset.
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Intercontinental Chantilly Château Mont Royal |
La Chapelle-en-Serval, France
Step into a storybook at InterContinental Chantilly Château Mont Royal, where 100 years of French charm meet 21st-century luxury. This Louis XVI gem lets you recline amidst marble bathrooms, balconies overlooking Chantilly Forest and décor sprinkled with lace, horses and hints of aristocratic whimsy, making it the perfect setting for a relaxing vacation. Wander the restored halls, savor locally inspired French cuisine in the former library or float in the indoor pool with forest views. Afternoon spa treatments and the serene woodland backdrop turn every moment into royal indulgence. Between history, haute cuisine and quiet forest strolls, this chateau proves that even in a castle, you can let go and unwind completely.
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Palais Ronsard |
Marrakech, Morocco
Tucked into Marrakech’s historic palm grove, Palais Ronsard makes every stay feel like a royal retreat. This restored 1930s mansion, with just 27 guest rooms, blends opulent design with serene touches—golden lanterns, lush potted plants and local artifacts that celebrate the city’s rich culture. Drift between the pergola-shaded pool, the 200-square-meter hammam spa or the sun-soaked gardens surrounded by fragrant roses and bougainvillea, where time slows and worries melt. Culinary delights, from Michelin-inspired Mediterranean feasts to garden-fresh seasonal dishes, add a playful flavor to each day. Whether exploring the verdant grounds or savoring a decadent dinner, every moment fosters an unhurried sense of calm that lasts long after check-out.
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Miraval Berkshires |
Lenox, United States
At Miraval Berkshires, a Gilded Age mansion sets the stage for something rare: the joy of actually being present. Cozy cottages, rolling lawns and forest paths provide the perfect retreat from everyday life. Thanks to the resort’s digital device-free policy, you can experience every moment—yoga by the pond, equine therapy, creative workshops—without a single buzzing notification. Nourishing meals, woodland-inspired spa rituals and wide-open quiet turn each day into a mindful mini-story. Here, history mingles with pine-scented air, unplugging feels less like a rule and more like a gift and it’s easy to see why even Oprah loves this serene escape.
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Rosewood Kauri Cliffs |
Matauri Bay, New Zealand
Perched atop Northland’s dramatic cliffs, Rosewood Kauri Cliffs is a masterclass in calm. With just 23 suites, each boasting open fireplaces and private porches, the lodge invites you to take in every sweeping view of the Pacific, verdant islands and rolling farmland. Spend mornings strolling ancient Kauri forests or along the private Pink Beach, afternoons indulging in spa treatments by a babbling stream and evenings watching sunsets melt into the horizon. For those who wish, curated adventures—sailing, scuba or championship golf—await, but here, the real luxury lies in choosing your own agenda, letting nature, space and serenity define the ultimate relaxing vacations.
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