Like most people, I get very excited about the thought of staying at a luxury hotel, particularly in a destination that I see on Instagram feeds countless times a day. Being in luxury travel means I have now been fortunate enough to create my own enviable Instagram portfolio of photos, taken during our 5-star stays at bucket list hotels. While each experience still makes me want to pinch myself, there are memories from a handful of hotels in particular that I personally come back to for a daily dose of inspiration.
Santa Marina Mykonos is a ultra-luxury hotel on the exclusive peninsula in Ornos Bay, Mykonos. Image © Skye Gilkeson
Five Bucket List Hotels We Love
Santa Marina Mykonos, Greece
The Greek islands have everything a traveller could ask for; beautiful beaches, romance, a party atmosphere. Combine that with a stay at Santa Marina Mykonos and you will literally be elevating that amazing Greek islands experience to a level most would never think possible. It’s no wonder the exclusive ultra-luxury offering has been a long-time favourite of the rich and very famous for decades.
The unforgettable blues that envelope you at the Centara Grand Island Resort & Spa Maldives. Image © Skye Gilkeson
Centara Grand Island Resort, Maldives
We all love that relaxed feeling of wandering around in the summer months in our thongs (flip flops), kicking up sand. Well, when you check-in at the Centara Grand Island Resort in the Maldives you are encouraged to take off your shoes altogether. Leave them in your overwater bungalow; barefoot luxury is the name of the holiday game here. It’s not just the luxe touches we loved at the Centara Grand, when we look back on our time there we miss our Centara family too and can’t wait to go back.
Centara Grand Island Resort | BOOK
Hotel Rosa Alpina, Italy offers old world charm with unrivalled service in the Dolomite Mountains. Image © Skye Gilkeson
Hotel Rosa Alpina, Italy
There are hotels you come across around the world that embody old world luxury; from the furniture and finishes to the front of house and family in management. From the moment we arrived in San Cassiano in the Dolomite Mountains we were in awe of the natural beauty surrounding us.
That feeling of breathlessness continued when we checked into Hotel Rosa Alpina. Every detail of the design shows why this hotel is one of Italy’s best and we dream of returning to stay during the ski season.
The Four Seasons Hotel Singapore delivers on 5-star luxury from the moment you walk in the front door. Image © Skye Gilkeson
Four Seasons Hotel Singapore
Four Seasons hotels are always dreamlike when you walk into the foyers. A stunning show of beautiful details on an opulent scale. We certainly weren’t disappointed when we arrived at The Four Seasons Singapore. Old world traditional Eastern elegance, friendly smiles and their signature scent clearly said “Welcome to the Four Seasons”, and after our amazing stay, we didn’t want to leave.
Aleenta Phuket Resort and Spa offers something unique to the island with a perfect fusion of luxury and wellness. Image © Skye Gilkeson
Aleenta Phuket Resort and Spa, Thailand
You could follow the traditional tourist path when you touch down in Phuket; see some shows, drink cheap beer and stay in a budget hotel, or you book a getaway at the Aleenta Phuket Resort and Spa. This hotel, tucked away from the busy tourist buzz of the island, truly fuses 5-star luxury with wellness. Forget bland and boring juice diets or cleanses, the head chef at Aleenta has crafted one of the most delicious healthy menus I’ve had, complementing the level of personalised service perfectly.
Aleenta Phuket Resort and Spa | BOOK
Andrew Mates relaxing after daily yoga at Aleenta Phuket Resort and Spa. Image © Skye Gilkeson
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Andrew Mates is Skye’s husband and favourite travel partner.
When he’s not travelling the globe with The Fit Traveller, he spends his time on the road as a corporate traveller for a large multinational.
Andrew is equally at home at a 5-star hotel, a yoga mat or trying a new craft beer and chatting to locals at a country pub.
