Spain’s legendary Balearic island known for perfecting the sybaritic life tends to go into hibernation during the colder winter months. But with one of Ibiza’s most decadent hotels back open for the season, this popular, vibrant destination is officially the place to be for the spring and summer, especially for anyone looking to feel as great as everything looks here.  

Fronting Xarraca Bay on the Northern tip of Ibiza, Six Senses Ibiza wasn’t fooling when it opened back up for the season on April 1. And guests can count on even more transformative experiences in the mix this year. 

Just unveiled, RoseBar is the resort’s newest “age-defying” wellness program and incorporates diagnostic tests led by medical experts with spiritual learnings as well as personalized nutrition and “longevity lifestyle,” plans (which we hope doesn’t mean drinking only green tea into perpetuity). 

The resort has also announced an array of upcoming retreats with top wellness practitioners, including the WiseMotion Retreat with Dr. Hanna Poikonen, Oona Retreat: The Power to Heal, The Class Retreatment with Taryn Toomy, Mastermind Your Life In Three Easy Steps with Marisa Peer, Sanctum Awaken and Self-Heal Retreat with Luuk Melisse, and Young Forever Retreat with Dr. Mark Hyman. Decisions, decisions.

New culinary concepts have been unveiled at the property, too, including the Italian-inspired offerings at The Orchard, a Spanish cuisine focus at La Plaza, and sushi and Japanese delicacies at The Beach Caves, which happens to be one of the most seductive spots on all the island for a decadent meal. 
If you dine at just one restaurant here, however, make it the property’s new North by Eyal Shani, helmed by a celebrated chef considered to be the founding father of modern Israeli cuisine, one who brings his hyper-seasonal vegetarian small plates and fresh island seafood to the table.

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How do you make arguably the best property in one of the world’s most popular tropical destinations better than it already is? In the case of Ibiza Grand Hotel, sometimes you don’t have to do too much, and the accolades will still roll in. As the iconic 5-star spot prepares to reopen its doors for the new season on April 3, longtime visitors will quickly discover that the flagship restaurant, La Gaia by Óscar Molina, was recently awarded a Michelin star, a first for the entire island.

But that’s hardly the only buzz coming from the hotel. La Gaia will once again be joined this summer by the Zuma Ibiza pop-up from star German Chef Rainer Becker, and the rooftop location will offer some of the best views from the property. It’s a must-visit opportunity for any aspiring influencers.

Guests will likely find it difficult or downright impossible to make a poor choice among the 189 stylish suites, but the hottest accommodations at the hotel will be the recently unveiled Pool Suites, of which there are seven, with all of them boasting a sun terrace and private pool for awesome views of the city. For something a little more magnificent, a pair of Superior Pool Suites provide guests with an even bigger terrace, infinity pool, and Ibiza’s Old Town serving as an idyllic backdrop.

In addition to an unparalleled art collection of more than 400 works and the 14,000-sq. ft. Open Spa that will keep guests thoroughly melted from relaxation the entirety of their stay, Ibiza Gran Hotel is also unveiling the island’s newest nightclub setting, Club Chinois, the sister venue of London’s Park Chinois.

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From the Caribbean and Mexico to Spain, South Africa and even Utah, there’s a host of luxurious hotels with private pools perfect for the most relaxing, most romantic getaways. Isolate yourselves at Amangiri in the seemingly remote landscape of Utah; there are sunsets and gorgeous horizons all around. Prefer something more tropical? Visit St. Lucia and Jade Mountain for vistas overlooking the island.

If you’re looking for hotel rooms with a private pool, read on for our list of the best 14 locations.

Jade Mountain – Soufriere, St. Lucia

The 24 suites, aptly called sanctuaries at Jade Mountain, are stacked atop each other on a hillside, all with heart-stopping views. As you open the door, get ready to be wowed: Organic architecture blends curved stone walls with exotic hardwood floors, and the open plan means you’re never without a view, from the king-sized bed draped with mosquito netting to the sans-walls bathroom with its sexy whirlpool tub.

But the stars are the pools. Sized from 400 to 900 square feet, each is lined with iridescent glass tiles in shades like sapphire, jade, magenta and bronze. The effect is so mesmerizing you won’t mind that there’s no TV (or air conditioning, as the lofty locale provides cooling breezes). Just pour yourselves some bubbly, and slip into your infinity-edge paradise.

Royal Davui Island Resort – Beqa Lagoon, Fiji

Each romantic “vale” is nestled into hillside foliage with plunge pools facing out toward the lagoon for ultimate privacy at Royal Davui Island Resort. Trading up from the island or deluxe categories to premium earns you the largest and most private oasis with its own refreshing rock waterfall.

Inside, a 20-foot netted canopy hangs from the ceiling to cocoon the king bed, which floats mid-room on a sea of polished Fijian-wood flooring adjacent to a large bathroom with a whirlpool tub and outdoor shower. A separate living room has sliding glass walls and a sunning patio with twin chaise lounges.

Grand Velas Riviera Maya – Playa del Carmen, Mexico

This 539-room all-inclusive is definitely abuzz, but the quiet Grand Class section perfectly combines luxe amenities with honeymoon privacy. All 90 suites in this section have ocean views, spa tubs and oceanfront balconies with private plunge pools. There’s even room for a massage table, should you prefer your spa treatment in suite. Top-floor rooms boast vaulted ceilings and the best views.

Hermitage Bay – Antigua

Yes, Hermitage Bay has cottages set right on the beach. But if it’s privacy and plunge pools you seek, request one of 17 hillside-cottage suites. You have to trek up a steep stone path to get there, but your effort is rewarded with the treehouse-like enclave, boasting sexy extras like a king bed, outdoor shower, wraparound sun deck and infinity-edge plunge pool with views that stretch all the way to neighboring Nevis and Montserrat.

The Resort at Pedregal – Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

Each of the 66 rooms and suites features a private terrace with a plunge pool, but, for the most indulgent ambience, book one of the eight Capella rooms at the Resort at Pedregal. These oversized havens have carved, wood-beam ceilings, a separate sitting area and a driftwood-back king bed positioned opposite a fireplace. The terrace door opens to an infinity-edge plunge pool with stellar sea views. More watery revelry is on tap inside in the rainforest shower for two.

Cavo Tagoo – Mykonos, Greece

Cavo Tagoo stays true to the stark-white Cycladic architecture Mykonos is known for, but the whitewashed interiors are refreshingly modern. Classic rooms on the lower level have private terraces and refreshing plunge pools while the upper-level deluxe rooms come with infinity-edge pools overlooking the Aegean Sea. A free shuttle runs between the hotel and Old Town five minutes away.

Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora – Bora Bora, French Polynesia

All of the resort’s plush, overwater bungalows offer dive- or step-in access to the lagoon, but couples who book an overwater bungalow with a plunge pool can also take a freshwater dip on the lanai right outside their room. It’s perfect for a relaxing rinse after a snorkel session or a sunset soak complete with champagne.

Inside, contemporary Polynesian décor is equally seductive, especially the oversized tub with lagoon views. The glass panel in the living room floor lets you spy on multicolored reef fish below.

Banyan Tree Mayakoba – Riviera Maya, Mexico

For a romantic respite, book a bilevel spa-pool villa at Banyan Tree Mayakoba. Here, your rectangular H2O oasis is the perfect relaxation spot after a massage in your private treatment area. The décor is Asian spare meets Mexican spice. Think minimalist architecture that blends into the landscape and a neutral color palette accented by touches of orange and red.

Your outdoor terrace has twin chaise lounges and a dining area. Round-the-clock room service ups your incentive to stay put, too.

Ladera – Soufriere, St. Lucia

St. Lucia oozes romance, and the 32 treehouse-style rooms at Ladera match that vibe perfectly. Situated on a ridge 1,100 feet above sea level, the three-walled suites boast panoramic views of the Caribbean, the Pitons (two mountainous volcanic plugs) and the town of Soufriere. Each terrace has a private plunge pool surrounded by lush landscaping. Many also have waterfalls and teak swing sets hanging from the ceiling.

Spice Island Beach Resort – St. George’s, Grenada

This all-inclusive, 32-room boutique resort on Grenada’s southwest coast is on prime real estate, steps away from expansive Grand Anse Beach. The resort’s 1,200-square-foot Anthurium pool suites are located on the lower level, and each has a private courtyard terrace where gardens and chaise lounges surround a supersized 12-by-16-foot plunge pool.

Uma Ubud – Bali, Indonesia

There are just three Uma pool suites at COCO Uma Ubud. They’re constructed in an open, airy Balinese style with separate lounging, dining and sleeping areas. Each bedroom features a four-poster king bed and gleaming terrazzo floor that leads to a light-filled bathroom with a sunken tub for two. Outside, a pair of chaises flanks a sapphire-blue infinity plunge pool embraced by the solitude of the Balinese jungle.

Belmond La Residencia – Majorca, Spain

The isle of Majorca is classic Mediterranean: olive groves, quaint towns and seaside cliffs. Within the sleepy artists village of Deià is Belmond La Residencia, a pair of stunning stone houses that have been converted into a 67-room Orient Express retreat. Here, guests lounge around the grounds, hike to the nearby swimming cove or hole up in a Tramuntana suite with a tiled garden terrace and private pool.

Amangiri – Lake Powell, Utah

The stunning Utah landscape is best experienced at Amangiri, a 34-room oasis surrounded by stark plateaus near the Arizona border and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. Six of the hotel’s suites have spacious plunge pools and private, candlelit sky terraces accessed by staircase and furnished with a daybed. It’s perfect for evening stargazing.

Earth Lodge – Mpumalanga, South Africa

Spend your mornings spotting lions, giraffes and elephants from a Land Rover while on safari around Kruger National Park. Then, return to Earth Lodge for afternoons staring out over the bush from the pool on your private terrace. The lodge’s 13 suites were made from stone and built low to the ground. While they appear minimal on the outside, inside, they’re an interior designer’s dream.

Each suite is filled with rich metallic art and funky, locally sourced furnishings, such as handmade twig chandeliers.

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In a trend we’re seeing more and more at resorts in some of the most beautiful destinations in the world, add The Standard Ibiza to the growing list of properties debuting private villa offerings to luxury-seeking travelers.

Dubbed a “private playground for guests” on an island which has a reputation for playing, Casa Privada has 14 individual accommodations and suites, each with private baths, that sprawl across four floors fringed with terraces with outdoor tubs. 

The property, which is located just a block from The Standard, also seduces guests in search of a hotel-within-a-hotel with private swimming pools, a yoga studio, and a fifth-floor rooftop complete with a dedicated bar and swimming pool overlooking a nearby castle. 

Casa Privada can be experienced as a full buyout from $6,000 per night or as a partial takeover, offering access to the three-bedroom suite and all the house amenities starting from $2,500 per night.

Whichever option guests choose, they should expect to feel like they’re staying at a private home right in the town, with luxury hotel perks that include daily breakfast, a dedicated concierge, and housekeeping, as well as a “food and beverage moment” (that might include an Aperol spritz or gin trolley, or perhaps fresh fruit smoothies served poolside). 

Guests at Casa Privada can also access all the amenities at The Standard Ibiza, including UP, the hotel’s own rooftop bar and pool, one of the Balearic Islands’ prime spots for daytime fun, which we’re guessing loosely translates to “Sunday fun day all day every day” in these parts. 

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Ibiza has a reputation for partying. But what most people don’t know about the spectacularly beautiful Balearic Island that belongs to Spain is that it has a more mellow and cultural side, too. And for a luxury hotel that really taps into those vibes, putting the focus on wellness and restoration while also delivering sophisticated nightlife and cultural programming, visitors should head to the quieter, beautiful northern tip of the island and the recently opened Six Senses Ibiza. 

The stunning property, which rolled out the red carpet in summer 2021, fronts the crystal waters of Cala Xarraca Bay, with wellness and cultural offerings inspired by the local culture that are designed to celebrate Ibiza’s unique and eccentric relationship with music, art, sustainable fashion and more.

And this summer’s newest opening at the oceanfront resort, The Beach Caves at Six Senses Ibiza, offers even more escapism in a place that’s already pretty dedicated to maximalist escapism to begin with. 

The whole enclave feels sort of like an exclusive hotel within in an exclusive hotel. And among the new many offerings at The Beach Caves are a day-into-night zero-waste restaurant showcasing the island’s fresh produce, a speakeasy-style cocktail bar, an onsite recording studio (with an in-house engineer at the ready) for the musically inclined to get creative when inspiration strikes and six one-bedroom Beach Cave Suites from which you can step right from your oversized bed outside for direct Mediterranean Sea access. 

Ongoing Balearic-focused cultural programming at The Beach Caves pairs with local artisan, artists and entrepreneurs to be “unapologetically Ibiza” and is designed to appeal to locals living on the island as well as visitors. 

You can count on some innovative art installations and live performances here in addition to an artist in residence program, ongoing wellness workshops and more. In other words, a very Ibiza and very Six Senses stay awaits.

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If you’ve been paying attention to major resort openings the past few years, you might have noticed that Club Med is having a serious moment all around the world (if your response is still “Club Who?” may we suggest you consult this primer).

Canada welcomed its first Club Med, the Club Med Quebec Charlevoix, in 2021. A new Club Med all-inclusive ski resort (the only one, so far, in the U.S.) is opening in Snowbasin, Utah, in 2024 (we can’t wait for that—even group ski lessons get wrapped into the all-inclusive experience here). 

And the brand recently made a triumphant return to Spain this May with the opening of the Club Med Magna Marbella, along Andalusia’s storied Mediterranean coast. It’s been more than 20 years since Club Med opened its first Spanish resort, but this is also the place where it all began for this storied brand. So, this opening is drawing a lot of attention as people wait to see how the concept will take off along the country’s legendary Costa del Sol. 

And so far, it’s all systems go for fun in the sun as travel to Spain (and Europe in general) has boomed back this summer.

The four Trident (read: four-star), family-friendly property is terraced into the hills overlooking the Mediterranean Sea and is an ideal jumping-off point for touring famed Andalusian cities like Malaga, Ronda, Granada, Cordoba, and Marbella, with views of the Sierra Blanca range all around. You’ll have to tear yourself away from the resort first, however, which is never easy with all the amenities Club Med wraps into its all-inclusive rates. 

Traveling as a family? Club Med Magna Marbella offers parents major respite with included kids clubs for ages four through 17. And the brand owns this niche so well, just don’t be surprised if your kids want to stay playing with their new friends all day.

Unlimited water and land sports—including golf, tennis, and even flying trapeze lessons, aerial fitness lessons in a hammock, float fit HIIT classes and more—are also wrapped into the rates at the Spain resort. And when it comes to eating, the culinary offerings are another area where Club Med goes above and beyond any ordinary fare you’d expect from an all-inclusive property. Think regular appearances of items like foie gras and lobster at the buffet and croissants and pain au chocolate as authentic as anything from a French baker.

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Step back in time and enter Mon Cor, a four-story townhome located off the northwest coast of Mallorca in the town of Sóller. Known as a paradise for hikers, cyclists, and foodies, Sóller is the ideal spot to plant some roots on this island rich in culture, citrus trees, and history.

Mon Cor dates back to 1903, as the 4,000-sq. ft. property was an architectural marvel then, and still is today. The townhome features four bedrooms, five bathrooms, a picturesque courtyard, private garage, saltwater pool, and much more. All of this can be found within five minutes of Sóller’s port, and less than a half hour from the island’s capital city of Palma, the so-called “pearl of the Mediterranean” which attracts millions of international visitors each year.

Mallorca-based design group Berrow Projects gave the home a reimagined, contemporary update to fit a year-round lifestyle, while preserving the heritage of this Spanish island. Modern updates include a temperature-controlled wine cellar, charging station for electric vehicles, Miele appliances, and central air for when the Spanish summer gets too hot. 

But the firm made sure to keep this historic home’s charm intact, by restoring its staircases, floors, doors, and windows.

Speaking of windows, the views here are unmatched. Bring a bottle of wine from the cellar to the rooftop terrace where guests can sit and stare out into the UNESCO world heritage mountain range. Or find a place in the shade (or sun) in the intimate courtyard where citrus trees bloom and palm trees sway. 

The private outdoor oasis boasts more than 1,500 sq. ft., with plenty of space for sunbathers to spread out while swimmers get in some laps. It’s the perfect spot to enjoy tapas from the open-concept kitchen. 

After spending a day in this Mediterranean marvel, a siesta will surely be on the to-do list. Although, it may be hard to sleep given the constant temptation to behold every detail of this $3.6 million Mediterranean masterpiece.

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When in Spain, we’re big fans of tapas-hopping, or jumping between laid-back tapas bars everywhere from the backstreets of San Sebastian to sun-splashed Malaga and padding our bellies between glasses of Rioja and Albariño. But when it comes to a big-time gourmet meal, it’s always worth making a big splash at one of the country’s hundreds of restaurants that have been awarded a Michelin star. 

Finally, there’s one in Ibiza to set sights on, too, at the five-star Ibiza Gran Hotel, where Chef Oscar Molina’s La Gaia just snagged its first Michelin star (the first on all of Ibiza) in December 2021. 

Chef Molina’s menu offers the finest of fusion experiences, combining Ibizan flavors with a dining approach influenced by Japan—with a common thread of local and sustainable ingredients throughout. Trust us, if salt-baked local lamb and cured toro tuna are on the menu, you don’t want to miss them. 

La Gaia is also now joined by a trio of new offerings that will inevitably make decisions tougher, but expectations should remain high for every meal. Zuma is the latest from Rainer Becker and features Japanese cuisine, while ASAL features the best of Ibiza’s native flavors and was created Chef Mario Sandoval, who knows a thing or two about Michelin stars. Finally, Club Chinois is guaranteed to be an influencer haven, as it was inspired by jazz clubs of 1930s Shanghai.

As fantastic as these restaurants are, the hotel in the heat of Ibiza’s Golden Mile is more than just a destination for world-class dining, with signature experiences for guests that include scuba diving with a National Geographic marine expert and visiting Ibiza’s first organic winery (following by a customized tasting menu at La Gaia with the hotel’s expert sommelier, of course). 

Whatever you do, don’t overlook Ibiza Gran Hotel’s 14,000-sq. ft. Open Spa, with its indulgent hydrotherapy circuit complete with heated pools, a Turkish bath, Finnish sauna, saline inhalation baths, and more.

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If there’s a perfect time to be spontaneous, it’s right now. Indulge your bon-vivant daydreams and just go — to the Mediterranean this fall. Visiting the Med in the shoulder season (September, October and early November) has plenty of advantages, from fewer crowds and cheaper hotel prices to comfortable temperatures for touring and great end-of-summer ingredients in local restaurants. Here’s why autumn is the perfect time to plan a trip to Italy, Spain, southern France or islands such as Sicily, Capri, Elba, Malta and Mallorca.

There are fewer cruise ships

Related: 8 Best Islands for Fall Foliage

You can sightsee without looking like you’ve run a marathon

Gardens and vineyards are still producing delicious ingredients

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Yes, you can have it all — wild, escapist, UNESCO-protected islands plus all the champagne you desire!

Most cruises that visit the Canary Islands dock at a couple of the larger islands. But Seabourn Cruise Line takes in five of the seven main Canaries, including pint-sized El Hierro, where goats outnumber tourists and forests are bliss for nature lovers. And it does so in style.

Bonus: You also get two days in Morocco on Seabourn’s port-intensive Canary Island cruises. Here’s why you should book this bucket-list cruise itinerary.

The Ship

Refurbished in 2017, the all-suite Seabourn Odyssey carries just 458 guests in all-ocean-view suites (90 percent with glass balconies). Stewardesses pamper you with turndown gifts (spices from the local souk, sleeping masks) and warm scented baths sprinkled with rose petals. The Grill, a new specialty restaurant from three-Michelin-star chef Thomas Keller, serves iconic American faves from the Mad Men era — order the garlicky Caesar salad prepared tableside and lobster Thermidor. On this itinerary, uniformed waiters can’t wade through the sea to serve you caviar on a tropical beach (Seabourn’s hallmark “Caviar in the Surf” experience). But never fear. You need only ask, and caviar will appear. And did we mention the unlimited champagne?

Why Go?

Of course, you can shake out your towel on dozens of beaches (many with black sand). But the real appeal to this Spanish archipelago off the west coast of Africa? The lunar landscapes and towering emerald peaks you’ll find inland.

Gran Canaria, the third largest island, is dubbed a “mini continent” for its potpourri of desert, tropical and mountain scenery. One moment, you’re driving twisty roads up craggy slopes to view the yawning volcanic hole of Bandama Caldera (almost 3 miles around). The next, you’re buying marzipan in the red-roofed village of Tejeda overlooking a valley of poppies and nasturtiums.

Then there’s El Hierro. The “end of the earth” before Christopher Columbus crossed the Atlantic in 1492, it’s stuck in a time warp (electricity only arrived on the island in 1975). Peer into centuries-old huts made from lava rock and dung at the Ecomuseo de Guinea to learn how the original Bimbach native settlers lived. And see hang-gliders float down from dizzying 4,000-foot heights over the lush Golfo Valley.

Must Do Shore-Excursion

Hike through the mists of a fairy-tale laurel forest in Garajonay National Park on La Gomera island. The forest is so ancient and rare (an example of what a Mediterranean forest looked like before the last Ice Age) that it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Gawk at canopies of tree heather dripping with lichen, 60-foot high laurels and giant gnarled roots with a mind of their own, as birdsong sweetens the air. You’ll burn plenty of calories on this moderately challenging, 6-mile hike. But your guide does take mercy and stops for a break — by a pretty white WWII chapel hidden in the trees.

When to Go

Seabourn Odyssey combines the Canary Islands with Madeira; Casablanca and Tangier (Morocco); and western Mediterranean ports (like Lisbon and Malaga) on various cruises in November 2018 and April 2019. Visit Seabourn.com for more info.

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