The best resorts in the world: 2025 Readers' Choice Awards
Resort time is different from hotel time, isn’t it? The latter can pass in a flurry, but days in a resort gently bob like an inflatable alligator around a lazy river as the pool waits for its Slim Aarons moment – whether that pool is the one overlooking the river bed at Sabi Sands’s AndBeyond Tengile River Lodge or the beachside one fringed by palm trees at The Brando in French Polynesia. And while a hotel can create its own world almost anywhere, for a resort, location is everything: a criterion that almost everyone in our awards scored well on. To highlight just a few: Jade Mountain’s setting opposite the volcanic spires of St Lucia’s mighty Pitons; Explora Valle Sagrado’s spot amid the Inca highlands of Peru; the Bengal tiger-prowled forests of The Oberoi Vanyavilas Wildlife Resort; and, closer to home, the green, green County Limerick pastures surrounding Adare Manor.
These are the best resorts in the world, according to the 2025 Readers' Choice Awards. The scores below are percentages representing overall average levels of satisfaction.
The Americas
USA and Canada
10. Twin Farms, Barnard, Vermont, USA. Score 95.60
9. Fairmont Banff Springs, Alberta, Canada. Score 96.46
8. Casa Palmero at Pebble Beach, California, USA. Score 97.31
7. Amangani, Jackson, Wyoming, USA. Score 97.63
6. Lodge & Spa at Brush Creek Ranch, Saratoga, Wyoming, USA. Score 97.82
5. Solage, Auberge Collection, Calistoga, California, USA. Score 98.22
4. JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa, Palm Desert, California, USA. Score 98.83
3. Wickaninnish Inn, Tofino, British Columbia, Canada. Score 99.08
2. Lone Mountain Ranch, Big Sky, Montana, USA. Score 99.09
1. Four Seasons Resort and Residences Jackson Hole, Wyoming, USA. Score 99.50
Courtesy of the hotelMexico
5. One&Only Palmilla, San José del Cabo, Baja California Sur. Score 95.83
4. Maroma, a Belmond Hotel, Riviera Maya, Quintana Roo. Score 96.62
3. Chablé Maroma, Punta Maroma, Quintana Roo. Score 97.50
2. Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita, Nayarit. Score 98.33
1. Rosewood Mayakoba, Playa Del Carmen, Quintana Roo. Score 99.17
@thedronebookThe Indian Ocean
20. Cheval Blanc Seychelles. Score 95.60
19. Royal Palm Beachcomber Luxury, Mauritius. Score 95.63
18. Dhigali Maldives. Score 95.71
17. Gili Lankanfushi, Maldives. Score 96.05
16. The Nautilus Maldives. Score 96.20
15. Cheval Blanc Randheli, Maldives. Score 96.30
14. One&Only Le Saint Géran, Mauritius. Score 96.36
13. Finolhu Baa Atoll, Maldives. Score 96.61
12. One&Only Reethi Rah, Maldives. Score 96.67
11. The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands. Score 96.75
10. Soneva Secret, Maldives. Score 97.01
9. Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas. Score 97.10
8. Denis Private Island, Seychelles. Score 97.26
7. The St Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort. Score 97.31
6. Le Méridien Maldives Resort & Spa. Score 97.58
5. Soneva Jani, Maldives. Score 98.33
4. Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru. Score 98.68
3. The Oberoi Beach Resort, Mauritius. Score 99.12
2. Miavana by Time + Tide, Madagascar. Score 99.17
- Soneva Fushi, Maldives. Score 99.61
The Middle East
10. Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar Resort, Nizwa, Oman. Score 94.62
9. Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara, Abu Dhabi, UAE. Score 95.46
8. Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah, Muscat, Oman. Score 96.00
7. Jumeirah Mina Al Salam, Dubai, UAE. Score 96.36
6. Alila Jabal Akhdar, Nizwa, Oman. Score 96.42
5. Al Zorah Beach Resort, UAE. Score 96.91
4. Six Senses Zighy Bay, Oman. Score 97.02
3. One&Only The Palm, Dubai, UAE. Score 97.29
2. Jumeirah Al Qasr, Dubai, UAE. Score 98.44
1. Raffles the Palm Dubai, UAE. Score 98.82
Australasia and the South Pacific
10. Bedarra Island Resort, Queensland, Australia. Score 82.00
9. Kittawa Lodge, King Island, Tasmania, Australia. Score 82.72
8. InterContinental Hayman Great Barrier Reef, Hayman Island, Queensland, Australia. Score 82.73
7. Tokoriki Island Resort, Fiji. Score 83.75
6. The Brando, Arue, French Polynesia. Score 85.83
5. Saffire Freycinet, Coles Bay, Tasmania, Australia. Score 86.67
4. Le Bora Bora by Pearl Resorts, French Polynesia. Score 92.75
3. Likuliku Lagoon Resort, Malolo Island, Fiji. Score 95.00
2. Huka Lodge, Taupō, North Island, New Zealand. Score 97.09
1. Southern Ocean Lodge, Kangaroo Island, South Australia. Score 99.17
Sakis PapadopoulosEurope
Greece
10. Elix, Mar-Bella Collection, Karavostasi. Score 97.04
9. Elounda Peninsula Luxury Resort, Crete. Score 97.14
8. Grecotel Creta Palace, Crete. Score 97.50
7. St Nicolas Bay Resort Hotel & Villas, Crete. Score 98.38
6. Grecotel Casa Marron, Peloponnese. Score 98.61
5. One&Only Aesthesis, Athens. Score 98.66
4. Ikos Odisia, Corfu. Score 98.73
3. Ikos Dassia, Corfu. Score 98.74
2. Sani Resort, Kassandreia. Score 99.00
1. Porto Zante Villas & Spa, Zakynthos. Score 99.71
Rest of Europe
25. Saccharum, Madeira, Portugal. Score 91.71
24. Bahía del Duque, Tenerife, Spain. Score 91.76
23. Maxx Royal Bodrum Resort, Turkey. Score 91.94
22. Hillside Beach Club, Fethiye, Turkey. Score 92.03
21. Castelfalfi, Tuscany, Italy. Score 92.57
20. Mar Hall, Renfrewshire, UK. Score 92.74
19. 7Pines Resort Sardinia – Destination by Hyatt, Italy. Score 93.33
18. Quinta do Lago, Algarve, Portugal. Score 94.17
17. Schloss Roxburghe – Destination by Hyatt, Scottish Borders, UK. Score 94.31
16. Sheen Falls Lodge, Co Kerry, Ireland. Score 94.38
15. Anantara Villa Padierna Palace Benahavís Marbella Resort, Spain. Score 94.83
14. Six Senses Kaplankaya, Turkey. Score 95.10
13. Anassa, Cyprus. Score 95.54
12. Six Senses Ibiza, Spain. Score 95.74
11. Adare Manor, Co Limerick, Ireland. Score 96.15
10. The Europe Hotel & Resort, Co Kerry, Ireland. Score 96.22
9. Parklane, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Limassol, Cyprus. Score 96.53
8. Vila Vita Parc, Algarve, Portugal. Score 96.79
7. Ashford Castle, Co Mayo, Ireland. Score 97.29
6. The Grove, Hertfordshire, UK. Score 97.34
5. Cameron House on Loch Lomond, West Dunbartonshire, UK. Score 97.57
4. Marbella Club, Spain. Score 98.70
3. Valle dell’Erica Resort Thalasso & Spa, Sardinia, Italy. Score 98.82
2. Ikos Porto Petro, Mallorca, Spain. Score 99.17
1. Gleneagles, Perthshire, UK. Score 99.81
Africa
South Africa
15. andBeyond Phinda Private Game Reserve, KwaZulu-Natal. Score 91.40
14. Monwana Game Lodge, Thornybush Game Reserve. Score 91.61
13. Samara Karoo Reserve, Graaff-Reinet. Score 92.92
12. Bushmans Kloof Wilderness Reserve & Wellness Retreat, Clanwilliam. Score 93.55
11. andBeyond Kirkman’s Kamp, Sabi Sands. Score 95.27
10. Thornybush Game Lodge, Thornybush Nature Reserve. Score 95.33
9. Grootbos Private Nature Reserve, Gansbaai. Score 95.83
8. Lion Sands Game Reserve, Sabi Sands. Score 96.56
7. Singita Boulders Lodge, Sabi Sands. Score 97.77
6. Londolozi Game Reserve, Sabi Sands. Score 98.21
5. AndBeyond Tengile River Lodge, Sabi Sands. Score 98.75
4. Makanyi Private Game Lodge, Timbavati Nature Reserve. Score 99.17
3. Sabi Sabi Private Game Reserve, Sabi Sands. Score 99.32
2. Morukuru Family De Hoop, De Hoop Nature Reserve. Score 99.42
1. AndBeyond Ngala Tented Camp, Ngala Private Game Reserve. Score 99.64
Mark WilliamsRest of Africa
25. Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti, Tanzania. Score 94.69
24. Elewana Elephant Pepper Camp, Masai Mara, Kenya. Score 95.07
23. Asilia Jabali Ridge, Ruaha National Park, Tanzania. Score 95.38
22. Wilderness Chitabe, Okavango Delta, Botswana. Score 95.68
21. Wilderness Bisate, Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda. Score 95.72
20. Solio Lodge, Laikipia, Kenya. Score 95.81
19. Cottar’s 1920s Camp, Masai Mara, Kenya. Score 95.89
18. Wilderness Mombo and Little Mombo, Moremi Game Reserve, Botswana. Score 95.91
17. andBeyond Benguerra Island, Mozambique. Score 96.00
16. The Oberoi Beach Resort, Sahl Hasheesh, Egypt. Score 96.09
15. AndBeyond Grumeti Serengeti River Lodge, Tanzania. Score 96.20
14. Time + Tide Chinzombo, South Luangwa National Park, Zambia. Score 96.24
13. Lux Marijani Zanzibar, Tanzania. Score 96.50
12. Angama Mara, Masai Mara, Kenya. Score 96.79
11. Sala’s Camp, Masai Mara, Kenya. Score 96.82
10. Asilia Dunia Camp, Serengeti National Park, Tanzania. Score 96.83
9. Lolebezi Safari Lodge, Lower Zambezi National Park, Zambia. Score 96.88
8. One&Only Gorilla’s Nest, Ruhengeri, Rwanda. Score 96.90
7. Asilia Naboisho Camp, Mara Naboisho Conservancy, Kenya. Score 96.93
6. Elewana Serengeti Pioneer Camp, Tanzania. Score 97.43
5. Eagle Island Lodge, a Belmond Safari, Botswana, Okavango Delta, Botswana. Score 97.65
4. Asilia Namiri Plains, Serengeti National Park, Tanzania. Score 97.69
3. Time + Tide Chongwe Camp, Lower Zambezi National Park, Zambia. Score 97.78
2. Xigera Safari Lodge, Okavango Delta, Botswana. Score 99.04
1. Matetsi Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. Score 99.75
Asia
Indonesia
10. Nirjhara, Bali. Score 93.33
9. Four Seasons Resort Bali at Jimbaran Bay. Score 95.60
8. Anantara Uluwatu Bali Resort. Score 97.44
7. Capella Ubud, Bali. Score 97.50
6. The Oberoi Beach Resort, Bali. Score 97.53
5. Bawah Reserve, Riau Islands. Score 98.33
4. Six Senses Uluwatu, Bali. Score 98.59
3. Alila Villas Uluwatu, Bali. Score 99.10
2. The St Regis Bali Resort. Score 99.38
1. Cap Karoso, Sumba. Score 99.97
AnantaraThailand
15. The Nai Harn, Phuket. Score 92.48
14. Trisara, Phuket. Score 92.50
13. Four Seasons Resort, Koh Samui. Score 92.79
12. Anantara Koh Yao Yai Resort & Villas. Score 93.83
11. Six Senses Yao Noi, Koh Yao Noi. Score 94.00
10. Kiri Private Reserve, Koh Kood. Score 94.72
9. Banyan Tree Phuket. Score 95.00
8. The Slate, Phuket. Score 95.83
7. JW Marriott Khao Lak Resort & Spa. Score 96.62
6. Pimalai Resort & Spa, Koh Lanta. Score 97.66
5. Four Seasons Tented Camp Golden Triangle, Chiang Rai. Score 98.28
4. Anantara Chiang Mai Resort. Score 98.75
3. JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa. Score 98.98
2. Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort, Chiang Rai. Score 99.17
1. Phulay Bay, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, Krabi. Score 99.50
Courtesy of the hotelIndia
10. CGH Earth Marari Beach, Kerala. Score 93.37
9. Wildflower Hall, an Oberoi Resort, Shimla. Score 94.33
8. Ahilya by the Sea, Nerul. Score 94.90
7. Alila Fort Bishangarh, Jaipur. Score 94.96
6. The Oberoi Sukhvilas Resort & Spa, Siswan Forest, New Chandigarh. Score 95.55
5. The Postcard in the Himalayan Willows, Leh. Score 95.80
4. Taj Exotica Resort & Spa, Goa. Score 96.60
3. The Oberoi Vanyavilas Wildlife Resort, Ranthambhore. Score 97.52
2. Sujàn Sher Bagh, Ranthambhore. Score 97.60
- The Leela Kovalam, A Raviz Hotel, Kerala. Score 99.29
Rest of Asia
10. Ceylon Tea Trails, Hatton, Sri Lanka. Score 93.77
9. One&Only Desaru Coast, Malaysia. Score 94.37
8. Japamala Resort, Tioman Island, Malaysia. Score 94.47
7. Anantara Quy Nhon Villas, Vietnam. Score 94.55
6. Shangri-La Rasa Sentosa, Singapore. Score 94.56
5. Amanpulo, Palawan, Philippines. Score 94.77
4. The Ritz-Carlton, Langkawi, Malaysia. Score 95.46
3. Ahu Bay, Ahungalla, Sri Lanka. Score 95.77
2. The Datai Langkawi, Malaysia. Score 96.58
1. Six Senses Ninh Van Bay, Ninh Hòa, Vietnam. Score 96.59
