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Top 5 Best Luxury Hotels & Resorts for 2023

The Best 5 Luxury Hotels & Resorts for 2023

MARIA DIEGO

We hand-picked our 5 top hotels and resorts for 2023. Whether you are looking for a romantic getaway or a family vacation. For each of our top choices, we’ve provided similar alternatives. As a Virtuoso travel agency, Diego Travel adds value and additional amenities to your stay every time. Contact us here to get started planning your 2023 vacation!

  • Nihi Sumba

    Nihi Sumba

    Indonesia

  • One&Only Gorilla’s Nest Suite

    One&Only Gorilla’s Nest

    Rwanda

  • The Brando, Bora Bora

    French Polynesia

  • Aman Kyoto and Amanemu

    Japan

  • Corinthia London

    Corinthia London

    United Kingdom

Nihi Sumba Villas

1. Nihi Sumba, Indonesia

Very few luxury all inclusive resorts in the world have left such an impression on us as Nihi Sumba in Indonesia.

If you’re searching for off-the-beaten-path all inclusive luxury vacations in 2023, Nihi Sumba checks all the boxes – an exclusive, remote location, sustainable ethos, true luxury and incredible facilities and hospitality.

Located in the wilderness on the small Indonesian island of Sumba, this isn’t the easiest luxury resort to reach, but that’s part of its appeal and only adds to the exclusive atmosphere of the property.

Nihi Sumba is all about creating an experience for its guests, from picking you up at the airport in an open air jeep with fresh coconuts, to your own private butler or “captain” who personally takes care of you and your villa during your stay.

There are 23 villas at Nihi and all of them are unique, varying from 1 to 4 bedrooms depending on your needs and the size of your travel group.

Despite being on a small, remote island, there is so much to do! Surfing lessons, sunset horseback rides, releasing turtles, chocolate making and a spa safari which was a level of luxury and relaxation that I’d never experienced in my life.

The barefoot luxury of Nihi Sumba perfectly combines high-level luxury with comfortable relaxation. There is no rush, no thoughts of the outside world beyond the island, just pure bliss.

Nihi Sumba is the perfect luxury resort for honeymoons, romantic escapes into nature and eco-conscious travelers.

Get additional amenities and added value when booking your stay with Diego Travel.

Nihi Sumba

 When You Book with Diego Travel, You’ll Receive:
  • Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
  • Daily Full Breakfast for up to two guests per bedroom
  • $100 USD equivalent Resort or Hotel credit to be utilized during stay
  • Early Check-In / Late Check-Out, subject to availability
  • Complimentary Wi-Fi
  • Complimentary 60 minute massage

Book Now

Similar Properties:

One&Only Gorilla’s Nest Suite

2. One & Only Gorilla’s Nest, Rwanda

An African safari is a bucket list travel experience for many people, but when it comes to luxury safari lodges and resorts in Africa, One & Only Gorilla’s Nest in Rwanda is above and beyond the rest. In fact, it’s my favorite resort of all time – and that’s a big statement for Diego Travel!

We flew in by helicopter and were greeted by African dancers who made us feel so welcome and like a true celebrity, which considering Bill Gates was one of the first guests on the property, that should tell you the level of luxury offered at One&Only Gorilla’s Nest.

Go Gorilla trekking, have the chance to see the Big 5 on safari, embrace adventure in Volcanoes National Park, visit a Rwandan village, relax in the incredible spa and wellness facilities at the property – whatever you choose, a memorable trip is guaranteed.

For those who have had gorilla trekking high on their bucket list, I can tell you that this is a once in a lifetime experience that did not disappoint. I went on the trek two days in a row and each day is different, the guides and porters are wonderful and it’s an experience I will never forget.

There are just 21 rooms at the property which enhances the exclusivity of this luxury Africa resort. But when I say rooms, there’s nothing small or entry level at the resort. Each room has a sitting area, open fireplace, private deck and outdoor shower. Our stay at the 2-bedroom Forest View Lodge was beyond any luxury resort I’d experienced before. And there is an understated luxury in every detail, from the bespoke bed sheets and underfloor heating to the specially made gluten-free snacks for me and the fine china in the room’s snack bar.

This luxury resort in Rwanda is perfect for adventure seekers, nature lovers, bucket list experiences and those looking for privacy and exclusivity while experiencing the best of Africa.

Contact Us

Gorilla Baby

 When You Book with Diego Travel, You’ll Receive:
  • Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
  • Daily Breakfast for up to two guests per bedroom
  • $100 USD equivalent Food & Beverage or Spa credit to be utilized during stay
  • Early Check-In / Late Check-Out, subject to availability
  • Complimentary Wi-Fi
  • Complimentary 60 minute massage
Similar Properties:

The Brando, Bora Bora

3. The Brando, Bora Bora, French Polynesia

Bora Bora in French Polynesia is a bucket list destination for many people who dream of turquoise blue waters, breathtaking white sand beaches and luxury atolls in a tropical paradise.

The Brando resort is located on the private island of Tetiaroa, an atoll of small islands around a vibrant blue lagoon, situated 30 miles from Tahiti.

If you’re dreaming of a honeymoon in Bora Bora, the Brando is the perfect choice for French Polynesia honeymoon resorts or luxury anniversary trips to Bora Bora.

The resort’s focus is carefree luxury and that’s exactly what you feel as you arrive at the resort by private plane. Stay in one of the exclusive 35 luxury villas on the island, dive or snorkel among manta rays, turtles and tropical fish, try your hand at canoeing, stand up paddleboarding or deep sea fishing. Explore the island by bike, and enjoy the fresh Polynesian food and shows each night such as live music, Tahitian dance or nature lectures.

It’s possible to book a private dinner on the beach, perfect for a romantic getaway to celebrate an anniversary trip or honeymoon in Bora Bora.

Primland Resort in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Virginia

 When You Book with Diego Travel, You’ll Receive:
  • Upgrade not applicable for this property
  • Daily Breakfast for up to two guests per bedroom
  • $100 USD equivalent credit, once per stay and per bedroom of the reserved villa
  • Early Check-In / Late Check-Out, subject to availability
  • Complimentary Wi-Fi
  • Complimentary 60 minute massage

Contact Us

Similar Properties:

Aman Kyoto

4. Aman Kyoto and Amanemu, Japan

After recently reopening its borders, Japan is one of the top destinations for 2023.

With such a rich culture and history, plus so much to see and do in Japan, deciding where to stay in Japan can feel like an overwhelming decision.

The Aman Kyoto resort in Japan is a perfect option for a luxury hotel in Japan, giving you a rich cultural experience. Located inside a secret garden in the foothills of Hidari Daimonji mountain, close to the iconic and historic city of Kyoto. Japanese hospitality and tranquil seclusion are the focus of this luxury resort.

With a traditional Japanese onsen spa at the resort and rooms that combine contemporary decor with the traditional Japanese Ryokan style, everything is designed with tranquillity and peace in mind as you look out the windows and see yourself surrounded by forest.

17 UNESCO World Heritage Sites can be visited around the resort, explore the Edo period secret garden, meditate with Buddhist monks, enjoy a traditional Japanese tea experience, take a private helicopter ride to the temples of Kyoto or visit the Kamishichiken village of the Kyoto Geisha’s with an exclusive invite for resort guests only. If you’re planning a Kyoto travel itinerary, The Aman Kyoto can offer exclusive experiences and things to do in Kyoto.

Japan is the perfect 2023 destination for those wanting to experience rich culture, history and incredible hospitality. The Aman Kyoto combines all of this with serenity and exclusivity at its luxury Kyoto property.

Farmhouse Inn in Sonoma County

 When You Book with Diego Travel, You’ll Receive:
  • Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
  • Daily Japanese or American Set Breakfast served at the Living Pavilin for two guests per bedroom
  • $100 USD equivalent Food & Beverage Credit per room, per stay
  • Early Check-In / Late Check-Out, subject to availability
  • Complimentary Wi-Fi
  • Complimentary 60 minute massage

    Book Now

    Similar Properties:

    Amangiri in Utah

    5. Corinthia London, UK

    Diego Travel was named a Travel & Leisure Rising Star in 2022 and as the UK has been named Travel & Leisure’s Destination of the Year for 2023, we have to mention the incredible luxury offering in the UK. 2023 is the perfect time to explore the UK and where better to start than the iconic capital city, London.

    Famous for having one of the best afternoon tea experiences in London, the Corinthia is also one of the best luxury hotels in London located in the heart of the city.

    With penthouses and suites designed with a luxurious elegance that makes you feel like you’re at home the moment you step in, you’re also rewarded with a private terrace offering stunning views across London, complimentary Brompton Bike rental and a spectacular dining experience.

    Enjoy the seasonally decorated Winter Garden restaurant,  indulge in the Corinthia Afternoon Tea experience, sip champagne in the dark and exclusive Velvet Champagne bar, or dine at the world-renowned Kerridge’s restaurant by Michelin-starred British chef, Tom Kerridge.

    The hotel itself is a former British Government building, mealace allows you to see and discover iconic landmarks like Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, the London Eye, the Embankment, Covent Garden and Trafalgar Square on your doorstep.

    For other luxury hotels in London, you could also consider The Goring, Claridge’s and the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park.

    Amangiri Utah

     When You Book with Diego Travel, You’ll Receive:
    • Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
    • Daily breakfast for up to two guests per bedroom
    • $100 USD equivalent Hotel credit to be utilized during stay, applicable in Northall Restaurant, Velvet Bar, Crystal Moon Lounge, Kerridge’s Bar and Grill, In Room Dining and ESPA Life at Corinthia
    • Early Check-In / Late Check-Out, subject to availability
    • Complimentary Wi-Fi

      Book Now

      Similar Properties:

      Diego Travel-BUILDING THE TRIP

      THE BEST 5 LUXURY HOTELS & RESORTS FOR 2023

      I hope you’ve enjoyed reading about our top hotels and resorts for 2023.  If you don’t see what you’re looking for, feel free to schedule a call with me, so that I can match you with an ideal destination that fits both your travel style and budget.  We’re also always looking for new places to recommend to our clients.

      Design My Trip!


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      Hotel Review: Nihi Sumba

      Hotel Review

      Nihi Sumba

      A Luxury Indonesian Retreat at The Edge of Wildness
      MARIA DIEGO

      Nihi Sumba was the highlight of our 3-week trip to Indonesia. After almost two weeks in Bali, we spent 7 nights in Nihi, a perfect way to end any vacation in Indonesia, and definitely the grand finale, so save it for last. Nihi Sumba is an off-the-beaten-path remote resort that provides unique experiences that you cannot find anywhere else. The breathtaking landscape at this resort is indescribable, with a sign that greets you as you enter the property that reads “Nihi Sumba: At the Edge of Wildness.”

      Perfect For: Families | Honeymooners | Romantic Getaways | Surfers and Adventure Seekers | A Quiet Escape | Those Who Want to Give Back to Communities

      Nihi Sumba Location

      The remote location of the Indonesian island of Sumba makes the destination hard to get to, but worth the trek.

      Getting to Nihi Sumba

      Getting There: A 1.5 hour flight from Denpasar (Bali) to Tambolaka, the main airport on Sumba, and then a 1.5 hour drive to the resort. We booked our flights directly with Nihi, which I highly recommend as these are small Indonesian airlines that we can’t book in the GDS, so they handle all the logistics. They provide VIP arrival service upon landing in Denpasar and even though we arrived to Bali long before our trip to Nihi, they still provided the VIP arrival service, which was amazing. After the 1.5 hour drive through the villages of Sumba, arriving here will feel like you’ve arrived to a slice of heaven on earth, making the trek to get here well worth it.

      -9.7530,-240.8156

      Nihi Sumba

      Nihi Vibe

      Vibe: Nihi is all about the experiences they provide, from picking you up in an open air jeep with coconuts as your welcome drinks (and coconut holders in the jeep to boot) + handmade granola bar snacks wrapped in banana leaf pouches. They have a nightly themed dinner from the the white party to the Sumba Foundation dinner. Nihi is the ultimate in barefoot luxury. It’s not fancy, but service is another level. Each villa has a private butler or “captain” that tends to your every need. Our kids roamed free while we were there. It’s that kind of place. Our captain would magically appear when needed or follow the kids from behind when they wandered on their own, but never felt imposing.

      Accomodations: 23 villas make up the property and they’re all unique. The nicest entry level villas are Kanatar 1, perfect for honeymooners, and Lumba. Many of their villas can be 2, 3 or 4 BR villas as they’ll close off rooms. As each villa is privately owned, it’s best to consult with me in order to hand-select the right option for you. Mandaka is the owner’s 4 BR and is the nicest, and can also be made into a 2 BR.

      Nihi Sumba Villas

      We stayed in Raja Kanatar 2, and it was perfect for us as we had all 3 kids in the downstairs bedroom and had privacy with the upstairs bedroom. Bathrooms are outdoors but completely private, though some villas have indoor bathrooms, so if you prefer that, just let me know and I can match you to the proper villa.

      Raja Kanatar 2

      Food & Beverage: 

      There is a wide variety of food and beverage and they are very accommodating for every type of diet. I was shocked to have so many choices on a remote island, but after a week stay, I didn’t begin to feel bored by the menus. My favorite was the poke bowl for lunch each day, which was served with fresh-caught tuna and the most delicious ingredients – with the perfect amount of spice! Dinners each night changed, and if you ever have any request, they are sure to prepare it for you.

      • Nihi Restaurant

      • Nihi Restaurant

      Nihi Spa

      Wellness: Don’t miss the spa safari – best spa experience I’ve ever had. They take you to a separate location 10-15 minutes drive away, or you can hike in which takes about an hour (they charge $75 to hike in because you have to go with a guide). They have oceanfront villas set up and they serve breakfast or lunch, depending at what time your service is, and you can do either half or full day. The spa menu is on a chalkboard, which you select 4 services and then you’re literally transported to heaven.

      The experience is indescribable and other-worldly. As a fellow traveler told me, “It felt like I floated out of my body…” For days that you don’t want to take a full day to treat yourself to magic, you can also opt for a massage in a smaller spa area next to the main pool, or in your cabin. We did both! And in fact, pricing on massages was so fair that I treated myself to a daily massage while we were there. They were the best I have ever had in my life.

      • Nihi Spa Menu

      • Nihi Spa Menu

      Nihi Surfing

      Other experiences we loved were Lololupu Waterfall, chocolate making, sunset horseback rides, swimming with the horses, and releasing sea turtles, which we got to do 3 times in a week – and given that there’s never more than about 80 guests on property, it’s pretty spectacular.

      Things to Do in Nihi Sumba: Nihi Sumba is an iconic surfing destination. Directly in front of the resort sits a perfect reef break known as “God’s Left” offering up to 300 meter exhilirating rides through hollow sections and rippable walls. Beginers can take surfing lessons directly infront of Nihi Sumba when the swell is small or take a short drive to Nihi’s Coconut Cove, where guests can spend half a day with breakfast or lunch tended by Nihi’s staff. There are not many places where a empty world class surf spot sits infront of a luxury resort.

      • Golf at San Ysidro Ranch

      • Golf at San Ysidro Ranch

      • Golf at San Ysidro Ranch

      • Golf at San Ysidro Ranch

      Sumba Foundation One of the highlights for me was the way Nihi resort supports the community and the owner, Christopher Burch, founded the Sumba Foundation which provides resources that go directly back to the community. They aren’t pushy about it and request your participation in a very tasteful way. They provide a twice weekly visit to the Sumba Foundation school and medical clinic where you participate with about 100-200 kids. For us, it was a life-changing experience and so well done, not just for us but for our kids as well. They also have the weekly Sumba Foundation dinner that shows a short video on where the Sumbanese were 20 years ago to how far they have come. In large part to the Sumba Foundation, the island is thriving and the community’s happiness is contagious.

      Sumba Foundation

      What  Sets  It  Apart: We never go back to the same place twice, but before we checked out, I was already working to book our return visit. The majority of people who go to Nihi Sumba become annual visitors. It’s hard not to want to return, the place is truly that special. I don’t get emotional about leaving many places, but Nihi was one place where I teared up when we had to leave.

      I would say the people are what truly distinguishes Nihi Sumba into its own category. Our captain, Sarney, felt like family by the end of our stay, and we connected through social media and still keep in touch. We have already requested her for our next visit, and our kids are safe wandering under her watchful eye. Everyone from the manager, to the bartender, and the guests who visit, had a similar energy of peace and gratitude for the slower pace and the majestic beauty of the island. It felt like being on sacred ground, and the commonality of sharing that experience with strangers creates a bond that is indescribable.

      Bouganvillea at Rancho San Ysidro
      Bouganvillea at Rancho San Ysidro

      How Much Does Nihi Sumba Cost? Rates vary greatly depending on the room category and whether you are visiting in dry or wet season, or during wave season. Entry level villas, which are still incredibly spacious, start at about $1,083 per couple per day, with full board – meaning meals are already included!

      Diego Travel Loves: When it comes to sustainability, which seems to be a big buzz word in travel now, many properties talk the talk but don’t walk the walk.. At Nihi Sumba, they truly deliver on the goal of practiced sustainability without sacrificing the luxury comforts you might be used to while traveling.

      I also love that each day included two organized activities for our kids that were included with the rates. Every day at around 10 AM and 3 PM, the kids had the chance to go for about 2 hours to paint, hike, make chocolate at the on-property chocolate factory, or do something with the horses. While they don’t typically love kids clubs, this felt different and was immersive in island culture and also allowed them to interact with other kids from around the world. 

      San Ysidro Ranch California
      San Ysidro Montecito California

      Extras You’ll Get with Diego Travel:

      • Priority upgrade at time of arrival
      • Daily full breakfast for two guests per bedroom 
      • $100 USD resort credit
      • One 60-minute massage for 1 person
      • Early check-in/late check-out subject to availability
      • Complimentary Wi-Fi

        Nihi Sumba Insider Tips:

        Nihi Sumba Insider Tips:  The most important thing to know about Nihi is that each villa is unique and varies on location, view, proximity to the main pool/restaurants, number of stairs required to reach it, etc.  Please reach out to us at Diego Travel to guide you to make the right choice on the villa that will be right for you and your party. We can also assist with combining Nihi with the rest of your Asian vacation, no matter where you plan on traveling to beforehand.

        Nihi Sumba

        Summary

        If you have any questions about visiting Nihi Sumba or Indonesia in general, I’d be happy to answer any questions or help book your stay so that you get all the added value mentioned above. Plus, we make an intimidating trip to Indonesia worry-free and take all the stress out of your planning by including assistance with international and domestic flights, pre- or post-travel, and answering any questions you might have about entry requirements or in-the-know details. Contact me at maria@diegotravel.com or complete our Trip Design form in order to get started planning.

        San Ysidro Ranch Dinning

        Let’s Get Planning!

        Nihi Sumba


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