10 Luxury Resorts Worth Splurging on in 2027 for Five-Star Travel

Some trips are about getting away. Others are about remembering exactly where you were when the light hit the water, the staff knew your coffee order, and dinner felt like it could not happen anywhere else.

That is the promise of the best luxury resorts. They do more than offer a beautiful room. They create a full sense of place, with privacy, thoughtful service, standout food, and experiences that feel personal rather than packaged.

For 2027, this list focuses on resorts that justify a splurge because they offer something hard to copy: a rare setting, strong service culture, design with character, or access to nature that feels genuinely special. The order is not a strict ranking. Think of it as a shortlist for different kinds of luxury vacations, from barefoot island escapes to desert silence and safari grandeur.

1. Soneva Jani in the Maldives is made for barefoot fantasy

Soneva Jani is the kind of resort people picture when they imagine the Maldives at its most polished. Think overwater villas, private pools, long wooden jetties, open-air living areas, and lagoon views that shift from glassy blue to glowing silver throughout the day.

The appeal here is not only the setting. Soneva built its reputation around relaxed luxury, sustainability, and playful details. Some villas have waterslides into the lagoon. Open-air cinema nights, stargazing, and exceptional dining make the resort feel imaginative without becoming flashy.

Why splurge in 2027

Choose Soneva Jani if the goal is privacy, space, and a setting that feels almost unreal. It works especially well for honeymoons, milestone anniversaries, and once-in-a-decade family trips.

Practical tip: Book a villa based on how much privacy you want, not just the view. Some overwater layouts feel more secluded than others.

2. Amangiri in Utah turns silence into luxury

Amangiri, set in the desert of southern Utah, offers a completely different version of indulgence. There are no turquoise lagoons or palm trees. The drama comes from sandstone cliffs, open sky, and a level of stillness that feels rare.

The resort is known for minimalist design that blends into the landscape. Suites frame the desert rather than compete with it. Days can include guided hikes, spa treatments, hot-air ballooning nearby, or simply watching the color of the rocks change at sunset.

Why splurge in 2027

Amangiri is ideal for travelers who want privacy, design, and nature without a beach-resort template. It also makes sense for anyone who wants a luxury trip within the US that still feels far removed from ordinary life.

Practical tip: Plan around the season. Desert heat and winter chill can shape the pace of the trip, so choose dates that match your comfort level.

3. The Brando in French Polynesia makes remote feel effortless

The Brando sits on Tetiaroa, a private island in French Polynesia. That alone gives it a powerful sense of escape. The resort delivers white sand, calm lagoons, and polished villas while maintaining a strong focus on conservation and local ecology.

Its greatest strength is how complete the experience feels. Villas have private pools and direct beach access. The island setting gives guests room to breathe. Dining, wellness, and marine experiences are woven into the stay without making the resort feel crowded or over-scheduled.

Why splurge in 2027

The Brando suits travelers who want a remote island experience with serious comfort. It is a strong choice for people who love the idea of the Maldives but want a French Polynesian setting with a more private-island feel.

Practical tip: Build in enough time. Long-haul travel deserves more than a quick stay, especially when the destination is this remote.

4. Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora delivers a polished classic

Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora remains one of the most recognizable names in South Pacific luxury. It has the scenery people travel across the world to see: Mount Otemanu, blue lagoon water, overwater bungalows, and soft beaches.

What makes it splurge-worthy is consistency. Four Seasons properties tend to excel at service, and Bora Bora adds one of the world’s most photogenic settings. The resort works for couples, families, and multi-generational trips because it balances romance with ease.

Why splurge in 2027

Pick this resort if you want a dreamlike setting but prefer the comfort of a major luxury brand. It is especially appealing for travelers who want high service standards, strong dining, and activities that are easy to arrange.

Practical tip: If Mount Otemanu views matter, confirm the villa category carefully before booking.

5. One&Only Mandarina in Mexico feels wild and refined

One&Only Mandarina sits along Mexico’s Riviera Nayarit, where jungle, cliffs, and Pacific coastline meet. Instead of the typical beachfront resort layout, the property leans into treehouse-style villas, dramatic views, and a strong sense of being tucked into nature.

This is a great choice for travelers who want warmth, food, spa time, and scenery without flying halfway around the world. It feels luxurious but not stiff. The best moments might include waking to birdsong, riding through the property, lounging by the water, or lingering over a long coastal dinner.

Why splurge in 2027

For US travelers, the resort offers a high-impact escape with relatively manageable travel logistics. It also works well for couples who want privacy and families who want a resort with more adventure than a standard beach property.

Practical tip: Ask about villa location. Some are closer to the beach, while others emphasize jungle views and privacy.

6. Six Senses Zighy Bay in Oman is for travelers who want a story

Six Senses Zighy Bay sits between rugged mountains and the Gulf of Oman. Its setting feels cinematic, with stone-colored cliffs, a sweep of beach, and villas inspired by traditional Omani villages.

The arrival can be part of the draw. Some guests choose a dramatic approach by road over the mountains, while others may opt for a more adventurous arrival style when available. Once there, the resort leans into wellness, food, and a strong sense of place.

Why splurge in 2027

This is a smart pick for travelers who want something beyond the usual island or European resort circuit. It has beach, desert, mountain, and culture in one trip, which makes it feel layered.

Practical tip: Pair the resort with time in Muscat or another regional stop if you want a richer Oman itinerary.

7. Rosewood Little Dix Bay in the British Virgin Islands brings Caribbean ease

Rosewood Little Dix Bay on Virgin Gorda has a rare kind of Caribbean elegance. It does not need to shout. The resort is known for its gentle crescent beach, green hills, understated design, and polished service.

This is not the place for travelers chasing nightlife. It is better for long swims, sailing, spa time, quiet dinners, and the pleasure of having a beautiful beach close at hand. The mood is relaxed, but the standards are high.

Why splurge in 2027

Choose Little Dix Bay for a Caribbean trip that feels calm and classic. It is a strong option for travelers who want beach beauty, privacy, and service without a scene.

Practical tip: Leave room in the itinerary for exploring Virgin Gorda, including The Baths, one of the island’s best-known natural sights.

8. Singita Sasakwa Lodge in Tanzania makes safari feel grand

Singita Sasakwa Lodge, in Tanzania’s Grumeti region near the Serengeti, offers a safari experience with a strong sense of occasion. The lodge sits on a hill with sweeping views, and the style draws from East African manor-house design.

The splurge here is about access, guides, service, and the emotional pull of the landscape. Safari travel can be expensive because it depends on remote logistics, expert teams, conservation work, and small guest numbers. At the best lodges, those pieces come together in a way that feels seamless.

Why splurge in 2027

This is a top choice for travelers who want wildlife, comfort, and a once-in-a-lifetime feel. It suits people who would rather spend on expert guiding and a remarkable location than on traditional resort amenities alone.

Practical tip: Safari timing matters. Talk to a specialist about wildlife patterns, weather, and how this lodge fits with other camps.

9. Amanpuri in Phuket remains a benchmark for discreet luxury

Amanpuri, Aman’s original resort, still carries serious weight in the world of five-star travel. Set on Phuket’s west coast, it helped define a more restrained style of resort luxury: calm architecture, attentive service, privacy, and a setting that feels composed.

The resort works well for travelers who want Thailand’s warmth, food, and hospitality in a polished environment. Villas and pavilions offer different levels of space and seclusion, making it possible to shape the trip around romance, family, or a quiet reset.

Why splurge in 2027

Amanpuri is for travelers who value service and atmosphere over novelty. It is not the newest name on the list, but that is part of its appeal. It knows exactly what it is.

Practical tip: Add a few nights elsewhere in Thailand if you want contrast, such as Bangkok for food and culture, or northern Thailand for temples and mountain scenery.

10. COMO Laucala Island in Fiji is private-island luxury at full scale

COMO Laucala Island is one of Fiji’s most distinctive private-island resorts. It offers beaches, tropical forest, villas with strong indoor-outdoor living, and a sense of space that feels generous even by luxury-island standards.

The resort is known for privacy and high-touch service. It is well suited to travelers who want the island to feel like the destination, rather than a base for constant day trips. For many guests, the pleasure is in settling into the rhythm of the place: reef, beach, spa, meals, and quiet time.

Why splurge in 2027

Choose COMO Laucala Island when privacy and space matter most. It is a strong fit for special celebrations, family gatherings, or travelers who want the rare feeling of being far from everything while still deeply cared for.

Practical tip: Review the included experiences and dining approach before booking so you understand the full value of the stay.

How to choose the right splurge resort

A high price alone does not make a resort worth it. The right property should match the purpose of the trip. A honeymoon, family celebration, solo reset, and wildlife journey all call for different choices.

Use these questions before booking:

• What setting will matter most every day?

Beach, desert, jungle, mountain, or safari should shape the shortlist first.

• How much privacy do you really want?

Some resorts feel social and lively. Others are designed for total retreat.

• Will the journey feel worth it?

Remote resorts often deliver magic, but they can require extra flights, transfers, and time.

• What is included?

Meals, activities, transfers, wellness experiences, and guiding can change the real value of a stay.

• Does the resort have a clear sense of place?

The best luxury trips do not feel interchangeable. They reflect the region through design, food, people, and landscape.

The top pick for 2027

If one resort has to stand above the rest for a true splurge, Soneva Jani is the top pick. It captures what many travelers want from a major luxury trip: privacy, beauty, space, imagination, and a setting that feels far from ordinary life.

That said, the best choice depends on the dream. Choose Amangiri for desert stillness, The Brando for remote island privacy, Singita Sasakwa for wildlife, and One&Only Mandarina for a closer-to-home escape with lush Pacific coast drama.

The real value of a splurge resort is not the thread count or the size of the villa. It is how fully the place stays with you after the trip ends. If a resort can make every day feel distinct, easy, and deeply tied to its setting, it may be worth planning the kind of journey you will talk about for years.