Luxury Resorts Reviews: Tested Picks for 2026

Luxury resorts sell a version of a holiday where everything is close at hand and nothing needs arranging. This section sorts the ones that justify the rate from the ones that merely charge it, looking at service, food, space and what the headline price actually includes.

What this category covers

We cover beachfront hideaways, mountain and lake lodges, and city properties that borrow the resort model. Expect big-ticket stays with several restaurants, a spa and rooms large enough to live in for a week, judged on the ratio of guests to staff rather than the number of stars.

How we pick luxury resorts

We read recent reviews, list what the rate bundles and what it does not, and check the fine print on transfers, gratuities and resort fees. Resorts that add charges on top of a luxury rate, or whose sea view faces a car park, are marked down or dropped.

Where to start

Start with the best luxury resorts for 2026, then read the comparison of a luxury resort and a five-star hotel if you are deciding which style suits your trip. The aim is a holiday that removes friction, not just one with a grand lobby.