Tired of the same old luxury escapes? These are the places the insiders don’t post about

‍Twelve unforgettable destinations for travelers who crave exclusivity, elegance and something a little more personal

For the well-traveled, five-star hotels and first-class flights are just the beginning. You’ve been to Paris, sipped your way through Napa, and maybe even closed out the Maldives from your overwater villa. Now, you're looking for something rarer.

You want elegance—but also surprise. Luxury, without the crowds. Service that knows what you want before you do. And most of all, you want the kind of travel that makes you feel like you're in on a secret.

These are the destinations for that kind of traveler. Curated for discerning taste, these escapes deliver privacy, prestige and once-in-a-lifetime energy.

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1. Six Senses Zighy Bay, Oman

A dramatic arrival and total seclusion on the edge of the Arabian Sea

Fly into Dubai, then drive through the Hajar Mountains until you descend into Zighy Bay—a hidden stretch of sand where the mountains meet the sea. Or better yet, paraglide in with your guide and land straight at reception.

Each stone villa at Six Senses Zighy Bay has its own infinity pool and shaded courtyard. The dining is world-class, from mountaintop dinners under the stars to barefoot beach feasts. Wellness is central here, but nothing is forced. The privacy is unmatched, and the views are unforgettable.

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2. The Datai Langkawi, Malaysia

A rainforest sanctuary where luxury blends into the wild

Tucked inside 10-million-year-old jungle and fronted by a private crescent beach, The Datai is not just a resort—it’s an ecosystem. Monkeys swing through the trees as you sip champagne on your terrace.

Private villas come with plunge pools and butler service. Choose between rainforest, beachfront, or canopy settings. And don’t miss the award-winning spa set along a forest stream. Nature has never looked this refined.

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3. Amanjiwo, Borobudur, Indonesia

Where ancient wonder meets Aman elegance

Overlooking the 9th-century Borobudur temple, Amanjiwo feels like it was designed by a time traveler with exquisite taste. The suites are domed, the views are volcanic, and everything from the architecture to the cuisine is rooted in local Javanese culture.

Private sunrise tours of the temple can be arranged, followed by breakfast overlooking rice paddies and mist-covered valleys. Aman service ensures you never lift a finger, but you’ll leave feeling deeply moved.

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4. Six Senses Laamu, Maldives

The only resort on a remote atoll, where sustainability meets sophistication

This barefoot-luxury resort is built entirely over water or in the lush jungle of Laamu Atoll. Villas feature glass-bottom bathtubs, rooftop decks and direct access to the reef.

Arrive by seaplane and spend your days snorkeling with manta rays, tasting plant-based menus from the on-site organic garden, and retreating to the spa where treatments are tailored using integrated wellness screening. This is a Maldives experience made for true connoisseurs.

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5. Shinta Mani Wild, Cambodia

The kind of place where your arrival involves a zipline over a waterfall

This luxury tented camp is set in a private conservation area between national parks. Designed by Bill Bensley, it’s bold, playful, and impossibly exclusive. Each tent has a river-view outdoor bathtub, vintage furnishings and full butler service.

There are no menus—meals are made based on what’s fresh and foraged. And activities range from anti-poaching patrols with rangers to Khmer cooking classes in the jungle. It’s luxury with purpose, and unlike anything else in Southeast Asia.

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6. Cap Karoso, Sumba Island, Indonesia

Remote, design-forward and culturally connected

Cap Karoso is located on Sumba’s less-traveled western coast, where traditional villages and wild horses are still part of daily life. The property itself is a work of art: sustainable architecture, a regenerative farm, an artist residency and a beach club that feels pulled from Saint-Tropez—if Saint-Tropez were still a secret.

Come for the space, stay for the sense of discovery. You can surf, explore megalithic burial sites or simply lounge in one of the most thoughtfully designed villas in the region. Everything here has soul.

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7. Bawah Reserve, Indonesia

An exclusive private island chain with only 36 suites

Accessible only by seaplane from Singapore, Bawah is for travelers who want to truly disappear into paradise. Six islands. Thirteen beaches. One hundred percent protected marine reserve.

Snorkel straight off your villa, dine barefoot on the sand, or book a holistic spa journey in an overwater pavilion. There are no motorised boats, no day-trippers, and no compromise on style.

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8. The Ritz-Carlton Reserve, Higashiyama, Japan

Where Kyoto refinement meets rarefied air

This discreet mountain resort in the Japanese Alps is a masterclass in quiet luxury. Floor-to-ceiling glass frames seasonal landscapes. Tatami mats and wooden baths root you in place. Every interaction feels choreographed in the best possible way.

Come in autumn for the gold and crimson leaves, or winter for fireside kaiseki after a snowy onsen soak. It’s Kyoto energy, elevated.

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9. Jackalope Hotel, Mornington Peninsula, Australia

Art meets wine country in one of Australia’s most daring stays

This bold black structure rises from the vines like a modern sculpture. Inside, it’s all moody lighting, bespoke art, and a cellar stocked with local cult wines.

Just over an hour from Melbourne, Jackalope delivers a jolt of creativity and polish. Dine at two-hatted Doot Doot Doot, book a sensory spa treatment, and sleep under designer light installations.

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10. Wild Coast Tented Lodge, Yala, Sri Lanka

Where leopard safaris and ocean sunsets share the same address

Located on a remote beach at the edge of Yala National Park, this Relais & Châteaux lodge blends safari adventure with barefoot elegance. The cocoon-shaped tents are luxurious and solar-powered. The food leans bold and local.

Days start with game drives and end with cocktails by lantern light. Elephants walk the dunes, waves crash nearby, and your tent is never far from it all.

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11. Sequoia Lodge, Adelaide Hills, Australia

For travellers who want a private hillside sanctuary with a cellar key

With only 14 suites and a panoramic view over Piccadilly Valley, Sequoia is intimate luxury at its finest. Think artesian spring-fed hot tubs, firepits, storytelling dinners and behind-the-cellar-door wine experiences.

It’s adults-only, low-key, and deeply rooted in South Australian terroir. Perfect for anyone who wants exclusivity without ego.

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12. Amanoi, Vinh Hy Bay, Vietnam

Zen and sea meet at one of Vietnam’s most elegant resorts

Set above a protected marine reserve, Amanoi is a lesson in balance. Ocean and mountain. Wellness and wine. Vietnamese heritage and modern design.

Each villa feels like its own retreat, with plunge pools, panoramic views, and spa journeys that begin with a personal wellness consultation. If you’re looking for serenity with serious style, this is it.

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JourneyMaker can help you plan it all

These are not places you stumble across on travel sites. These are places you hear about from someone who’s been—or someone who just knows.

We match your preferences to the kind of luxury that feels just right for you. Want help crafting your next unforgettable escape? We’ve got you.

Because sometimes the most luxurious thing isn’t just where you go—it’s knowing you got it exactly right.

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