The incredibly beautiful InterContinental Bora Bora is notable for its overwater bungalows on the Pacific and a world-class spa.
Hamilton Island in the Whitsunday Archipelago in Australia is perhaps best known for its yachting regattas, but it also happens to sit near incredible diving on the Great Barrier Reef. The Qualia Resort also offers private chefs, private bars, and private beach drop-offs.
The One & Only Palmilla serves “welcome tequila” when you walk through the door. If you book a villa, free “sunset hour” margaritas with Mexican canapes and an iPhone to call your personal butler are included.
Reachable by seaplane, the Conrad Maldives is the perfect hotel for ocean wildlife fanatics. It has an underwater restaurant and excursions in private submarines, as well as glass-bottom boats and snorkeling.
The Seychelles are located in the Indian Ocean, around 1,000 miles due east of Tanzania, and they’re absolutely beautiful. The Maia Resort not only sits on the water on the island of Au Cap, but it also has butler service and the island’s only gourmet eatery.
Perched on a mountain a thousand feet above the beach, the Ladera Resort might be the most scenic place on our list. The villas have their own private plunge pools, and were purposely built without a fourth wall so you can enjoy the sunsets.
The Centara Resort in the Maldives is literally on the water. It’s built on top of an atoll, with suites and villas out over the shallows. For divers they have a house reef and a sunken ship.
The Ayana Resort in Bali is a relatively short distance from the airport but sits on a secluded cliff overlooking the sea. It’s got one of the world’s most famous beach bars, the Rock Bar, along with 15 other restaurants and bars just in case.
This luxury resort in Cabo San Lucas is known for its golf courses, best-in-the-region spa, and whale watching tours.
The Southern Ocean Lodge is on top of a cliff overlooking the Southern Ocean on Kangaroo Island in Australia. One of the rooms on the cliff is a giant pavilion with an outdoor terrace, panoramic windows, and heated floors.
Jade Mountain’s incredible architecture is matched only by its staggering scenery. The hotel’s rooms don’t have fourth walls, so they look straight out into nature, and they make liberal use of infinity pools. There are also no telephones, radios, or televisions in the building, though you can get internet if you want.
The St. Regis at Punta Mita is on the Pacific Coast of Mexico beside gorgeous white sand beaches. They have three pools (including an adults-only infinity pool), two renowned golf courses, and butler service.
The Grand Velas Riviera Maya is one of the highest-ranked family resorts in the Mexican Caribbean. They offer jungle tours and excursions where you can swim with dolphins.
The Pemba Beach Hotel in northern Mozambique has an amazing beachside bar, gourmet restaurants, and great diving and fishing.
Aside from owning pretty much all of Fesdu Island, where the overwater villas and all the hotel amenities are built, the W Retreat in the Maldives has a totally separate, even more secluded island called Gaathafushi.
Acuatico Beach Resort, near the town of Laiya in the Philippines, has a spa, a floating bar, an infinity pool that looks right out over the ocean, and, of course, an insane beach.
Set in the jungles of the Phranang Peninsula in Thailand, Rayavadee Krabi’s beach leads into Krabi Marine Park. It’s got 100 pavilions nestled in the coconut groves, a spa, and a chill-out spot alongside famous Railay Beach. (via, via)
Situated just above the beach, the Four Seasons in Seychelles features treetop villas, infinity pools, deep sea fishing, snorkeling, and diving.