via TripAdvisor.com
The only way to get to Capri is by sea, and while ferries are available from Naples and Sorrento, they’re packed to the gills and book up early in the summer. But at the hidden oasis of Capri Palace Jumeirah, the concierge provides options to book a private helicopter transfer from the Italian airports, a private driver to take guests to a hydrofoil ferry service or a private speedboat transfer. Talk about arriving in style!
And fancy is an understatement here. The property offers 68 rooms and suites, and they all look like a scene out of The White Lotus, decked out in a distinctly European style, light colors, marble floors and picturesque balconies. And trust us when we say that their views of the Mediterranean Sea are hard to come by for non-guests.
This resort also has two Michelin-starred restaurants. First up: L’Olivo, led by chef Andrea Migliaccio, which boasts Mediterranean dishes with fresh local ingredients; the Chef’s Tasting menu of seven courses is a must-try. And the second is II Riccio, located on a terrace overlooking the sea and specializing in seafood and Italian dishes you’ll be dreaming about long after you’re back at home.
Rates start at: $2,600 per night (and FYI, this is the best time to travel to Italy)
via TripAdvisor.com
You know you’ll get a serious dose of luxury when you step onto any Four Seasons property, but the Four Seasons Resort Hualalai is particularly exceptional. The rooms and villas are as fancy as you’d expect and have incredible ocean views, but the resort also has a Hawaiian Culture Center that offers guests an opportunity to immerse themselves in the rich traditions and heritage of Hawaii. On site, you’ll find cultural masters who cover heritage, music and dancing, and guests can get one-on-one sessions in various traditional activities, such as hula dancing, ukulele playing and lei-making, as well as Hawaiian-language lessons.
And the customer service at this Hawaiian resort is incomparable. Each room has an online chat system so you can talk to the front desk right away. I asked for a screwdriver for my GoPro, and someone was at my door within minutes. For those traveling in large groups, the four-bedroom villa has a five-night minimum and comes with a personal manager to plan the entire trip—from activities to in-villa dining to spa treatments and more.
Rates start at: $1,500 per night, and the four-bedroom villa starts at $30,977 (which includes a $500 credit for food and beverages)
via TripAdvisor.com
Traveling to France? You can’t go wrong with any room at the Hotel Barrière Fouquet’s Paris, which is conveniently located on the Champs-Élysées and has an oh-so-French feel. But the Harcourt Suite, in particular, provides an unrivaled vantage point to see the breathtaking view of the Arc de Triomphe through its iconic, oval-shaped window. This over-the-top suite, which is nearly 2,000 square feet, is adorned in elegant gray and gold hues, and it seamlessly blends the allure of a Parisian apartment with the feel of the famous 1930s French photography studio, the Studio Harcourt. The suite features a dining room, sitting room, makeup salon, fitness room, bedroom, office nook and terrace—and the lounge literally transforms into a photography studio. Guests who stay in the space will receive a private session and take some unforgettable portraits.
Other guest rooms and suites capture elegance as well, with high ceilings, dressing rooms that have plenty of space to get ready for a night out and marble bathrooms designed by renowned French architect and interior designer Jacques Garcia.
Rates start at: $1,300 per night for guest rooms and $20,000 for the Harcourt Suite package