Winter is the time when we all wish we could be somewhere a little warmer, less windy and wet, and preferably a little more exotic than our current locations. With everyone thinking of getting away from the British winter and seeking some sunshine, we’ve picked a selection of six of the best luxury hotels to book for your summer holidays. From the cultural hot spot that is Venice to the paradisical islands of the Maldives and the sheer fun of Walt Disney World Resort, there’s something for everyone here.
Grand-Hotel du Cap-Ferrat, A Four Seasons Hotel, France
For some French joie de vivre on the Cote D’Azur, look no further than Grand-Hotel du Cap-Ferrat, A Four Seasons Hotel for your sumptuous summer break. This is one of the best Four Seasons hotels in the world and the luxury enclave, which sits behind gates on the tip of the Cap-Ferrat, is perfect for a mini break as the hotel is only 30 minutes by taxi from Nice airport, which is easily accessible from most major UK airports.
Highlights include a wonderful terrace where you can sit out each night under the stars and listen to live music. There’s a beach club reached by an airconditioned glass lift that transports you down the cliff. The beach club doesn’t actually have a beach – you can climb into the Mediterranean off some rocks that jut out into the sea and go for a swim, but there is no sand here at all – instead, there is a large infinity pool with loungers and cabanas flanking the pool and dotted up the mountainside up little pathways.
Rooms are beautifully refurbished, the clientele is wealthy and classy, and it’s definitely worth paying the high room rates to experience this other-worldly hotel.
Hotel Cipriani, A Belmond Hotel, Venice, Italy
Similarly luxurious, the Hotel Cipriani, A Belmond Hotel Venice is the kind of hotel that embraces you with Italian warmth. This hotel’s focal point is its huge pool, which sits in the centre of this resort hotel, and is the place to see and be seen. There are enough loungers set out on lawns around the pool so, even when the hotel is full, the pool staff will always find a space for you.
The mornings and evenings are our favourite times here. In the morning, the extensive and wonderful breakfast is enjoyed under parasols next to the water, where gondolas paddle past. In the evening, you have the choice of numerous restaurants in this hotel to dine at, including two that balance on decking over the Venetian lagoon. The food at all these dining venues is exquisite, although our favourite place to eat is the laid-back bar, where the pasta dishes are to die for.
Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort, Florida, USA
If you have a family with young children, it’s surely a crime not to take them to Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando. If you decide to venture across the Atlantic, this really is a place where dreams come true.
Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort has a complimentary shuttle to connect guests to the parks and is the most luxurious hotel near the parks. The pools are particularly noteworthy here, with a lazy river you can float down, huge wiggly slides to slide down, and plenty of other adult and kid-friendly pools to keep the whole family happy.
For the ultimate in luxury, be sure to book the Park Room at Four Seasons Orlando, which features a private balcony, full marble bathroom, luxury amenities, views of the nightly fireworks display, and more.
Marbella Club Hotel, Spain
If you like Spain, the Marbella Club Hotel is probably the best luxury hotel in this country and should not be missed. Located on the Costa Del Sol and conveniently only 30 minutes’ drive from the airport, this oasis of green sits on the beachfront on the Golden Mile in Marbella.
This resort is spread out much like a Spanish Village and stretches from the main road down through luscious gardens and past at least two large pools before reaching the beach. This hotel is deeply cared for, and the tropical grounds are immaculate. The hub of the hotel is down at the beach club, which not only has many loungers laid out on the sand, but also a magnificent pool with a bridge and waterfall alongside a beach club restaurant serving summer fish dishes and salads.
The rooms here are large and luxurious, and to save you walking, golf carts will drive you to your room. Ground floor rooms are particularly good for families as the children can run out of the sliding glass doors and jump into the pool without any interruption.
Mandarin Oriental Jumeira, Dubai, UAE
You’ll struggle to find a more beautifully designed hotel than the Mandarin Oriental Jumeira, Dubai. Situated right on Jumeirah, the five-star resort has wonderful pools surrounded by towering palms that you can cool down in.
The design of this hotel is jaw-dropping with contemporary furnishings, and on higher floors, you have views spanning the Dubai skyline, which the Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world, dominates.
The hotel’s beachfront location and al fresco facilities are designed to bring a new level of relaxed luxury to the city.
Soneva Fushi, Maldives
If you really want to impress your friends and get away from it all, Soneva Fushi is probably the most luxurious hotel in the Maldives. This barefoot paradise is a natural treasure nestled in the Baa Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and is one of the largest islands in the Maldives.
This boutique resort houses 53 private island villas nestled in a jungle setting, with all featuring vast living spaces, views towards the sunrise or sunset, and a location just steps from the beach. Most enjoy their own pools and the hotel also has eight Water Reserves featuring a terrace with a private pool and a water slide into the ocean.
Stay on the sunset side if you like to snorkel – this side has three house reef access points, and dolphins are more likely to be spotted in the channel. If you are an early riser, opt for the sunrise side to be able to embrace the sunshine in the morning.
