1. Going loco in COCO
There is one simple promise made at Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu Resort, and that is that happiness is found in every moment. Even if you do believe us, we suggest you test it out for yourself. A stay here is a quintessential island adventure, where your tropical retreat comes packaged with palm trees, a designated UNESCO biosphere reserve location, the 24/7 soporific lapping of the azure Indian Ocean and lashings of pared-back luxury. Its Coco Moments Await offer lets you experience all this and more, with return seaplane transfers, daily meals and drinks at Cowrie restaurant, a private dinner on the beach, a magical sunset island cruise, a cinema under the starts experience and a Robinson Crusoe-style picnic lunch at Embudhoo, Coco Palm’s private deserted island. Time to make even more memories.
2. Slip into the Seychelles
Renowned for its back-to-nature beauty, the Seychelles is the getaway that keeps on giving. Five-star properties aside, the landscape, topography, water falls and giant tortoises are a sight to behold. That said, we all need somewhere beautiful to bed down, and Constance Lemuria, in Praslin, has a modern approach to design and luxury that contrast perfectly with its picturesque cocoon of peace and privacy. The hotel is sits on one of the largest islands in the Seychelles, and lays claim to the only 18-hole championship golf course, and has one of the most pristine beaches in the world. Take advantage of the hotel’s summer offer that gives guests an exclusive 30 per cent discount on accommodation with a bed and breakfast booking. With a minimum stay of three nights, it means you’ll have ample time to check out the golf course, diving, water sports, spa and five restaurants.
3. In an english country garden
Ever witnessed England at the height of a heady summer? When the sun dances across cloudless skies, fields are filled with flowers and balmy evenings roll on until nightfall at 10pm? It’s a truly beautiful place to be and none more so than the UNESCO World Heritage site of Lake District. Make a beeline for Linthwaite House as your base, the perfect starting off point to witness The Lake District National Park’s dramatic and unspoilt scenery and views over the park’s largest lake, Windermere. Set in 14 acres of verdant gardens and tree-thickened forests, the quaint five-star boutique hotel has plenty of quiet corners for those wanting to seek relaxation and refuge away from holiday crowds, as well as telescopes for star-gazing and afternoon teas served in The Conservatory.
Linthwaite House’s ‘Summer Celebration’ package features a two-night stay in a double room, a bottle of bubbles and dinner in Henrock Michelin-starred chef Simon Rogan’s latest restaurant.
4. Adventures in Andalucia
Experience Andalucia the Anantara way with a three-night stay at Anantara Villa Padierna Palace. A not-so-little tranquil oasis on the southern coast of Spain’s celebrated Andalucia region, Anantara Villa Padierna Palace Benahavis Marbella Resort is the ideal springboard from which to dive into Spanish history and culture. The region’s breathtaking topography surrounds the villa, and presents guests with views of both the Mediterranean Sea and Sierra de la Nieves mountains. Here, you can retreat to your own elegant sanctuary with its three golf courses, a tranquil lake, Roman amphitheatre and more than 1,200 original works of art. There’s also a spa with over 2,000sqm of Roman baths, hammam and pool set in landscaped gardens, equating to one of the largest spas in Europe. Take advantage of this Spanish escape with the hotel’s ‘The Ultimate Stay in Spain’ offer, that gives guests a three-night B&B stay in a Junior Suite, airport returns, a bespoke 60-minute Anantara Signature Massage, dinner at 99 Sushi, access to Flamingos Golf Course, a private flamenco lesson and visit to a flamenco club and a traditional tapas dinner in the heart of Marbella Casco Viejo (Marbella’s old town). Olé!
5. Take it from the Taj
In the wake of Covid-19, Taj Hotels has taken charge with a future-proofing vision to put guests’ minds at ease by redefining its services and hospitality. For example, Taj Exotica Resort & Spa in the Maldives is fully-equipped with well-trained staff, best practices and high-grade protective equipment and disinfectants to ensure everyone’s health and safety. Throw in the hotel’s world-renowned ‘spirit of Tajness’ and you can rest assured that the team will put safety, hygiene and physical distancing first whilst upholding its unparalleled levels of hospitality, letting you relax and unwind without a worry on your mind in the land of sun, sand and sea.
Take advantage of this paradisaical island retreat with Taj Exotica’s ‘International Getaways 4 Nights Offer’, which invites you to slink into a four-night stay with speedboat transfer, butler service, welcome bubbles, à la carte breakfasts and dinners at 24 Degrees, as well as complimentary snorkelling, and access to the gym and non-motorised watersports. Or, you can opt for the Suite Saver offer, that will hand you a glass of bubbles when you step foot on the island, complimentary gym, snorkelling and non-motorised watersports, daily à la carte breakfasts and dinners at 24 Degrees and, the best bit, a 45-minute treatment for two at Jiva Spa. But let’s face it... Whichever offer you choose, you’re guaranteed a stay in paradise, because Taj Exotica is as close as it gets.
The surrounding lagoon is one of the largest in the Maldives, its 64 sea-view villas and suites are all lavish whilst maintaining a beautiful balance with nature and the resort’s award-winning presidential suite is, so the hotel says, the most beautiful place on earth. So, sink your toes into the sand, dive under the waves, sunbathe by day, sip sundowners as night calls, then relinquish yourself to the sound of the waves under a star-kissed sky. Sounds like heaven, right?
6. Two escapes in a Maldivian paradise
Lily Beach Resort & Spa Maldives
A 25-minute seaplane flight from Malé will land you in the South Ari Atoll and in the heart of paradise, at Lily Beach Resort & Spa Maldives’ private island escape. Here you’ll find the perfect balance of kids activities at Turtle Kids Club, combined with a quiet zone and adult-only pool allowing for pure escapism for all. The overwater glass-floored Tamara Spa will send you on a mind, body and soul defining journey to holistic wellbeing, while the adventurous can discover the natural world with diving, snorkelling, a ride on the resort’s Penguin Semi-Submarine ride to view the underwater world from the comfort of a boat, or a day of exploring to Sun Lily for a private picnic or dinner on the lush uninhabited island.
Lily Beach Resort & Spa’s ‘Buy Now Stay Later’ offer allows you to book your trip from now until Sept 15 for a stay between Oct 1 and April 30, 2021, and you’ll receive an all-inclusive rate discount on all villa and suite categories, or you can book 10 nights for the price of nine, or 14 nights for the price of 12. The perfect reason to splash out.
Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa Maldives
With bespoke hospitality high on the agenda, true escapism awaits at Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa where your wish is your 24-hour butler’s command. Located on the island of Dhonakulhi in the Haa Alifu Atoll, a scenic 55-minute seaplane flight from Malé, this exclusive all-villa and suite hideaway is the epitome of privacy and serenity. Set against a bucolic backdrop of palm trees and lush vegetation, Hideaway is the only island in the Maldives with a fully-equipped harbour and floating Aqua Park, and it also boasts an award-winning restaurant, Samsara Asian Fusion, The Hideaway Spa, Meridis Dive & Relax diving school, and an exclusive partnership with Taittinger® to offer the very finest champagnes.
Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa Maldives’ ‘Buy Now Stay Later’ offer gives guests incredible discounts on bed and breakfast rates with free upgrade to half-board, as well as the opportunity to book seven nights for the price of six, 10 for the price of eight, or 14 for the price of 11. Make sure you book before Sept 15 and you can travel anytime between Oct 1 and April 30, 2021. The future’s looking bright and beautiful.