If you’ve been hankering after sun, sea and sand of late, chances are you’ve already begun a more-than-casual search for flights and hotels. You’ll probably also have realised, however, that planning a prime-time summer escape can be intense. So why not let someone else do the hard work? Enter luxury tour operator Best At Travel. Boasting more than 35 years of first-hand expertise, the travel specialist is reinventing luxury holidays.

When it comes to getaways in far-flung destinations, on-the-ground knowledge is essential. Best At Travel’s legacy in the luxury travel industry, and close personal relationships with the finest hotels across the globe, means it can craft perfect trips for even the most specific of tastes. As well as offering imaginative itineraries in some of the most remarkable destinations in the world, Best At Travel also goes the extra mile, with dedicated travel experts on call to solve any problem, any day of the week. It’s 4.9-star Trustpilot-rated service speaks for itself.

From family holidays in the Maldives to romantic escapes to Dubai, Best At Travel is on hand to help plan your dream trip. As well as ensuring your ATOL-protected holiday benefits from the best deals available, it also unlocks perks such as free room upgrades, exclusive offers and kids-stay-free promotions. As well as hotel perks, you can also upgrade to a premium, business or first class cabin for a luxurious trip from start to finish.

Need some inspiration for that summer escape? We’ve curated an edit of the best destinations and most opulent hotels to get you started.

Atlantis The Royal Dubai

One of Dubai’s newest iconic landmarks, Atlantis The Royal has been redefining luxury since it opened in early 2023. The 43-storeys high luxury hotel combines a chic city aesthetic with the natural beauty of the surrounding shimmering cyan waters of the Arabian Sea. Crafted by the world’s leading designers, architects and artists, the resort celebrates Dubai’s contemporary heritage, where daring architecture lends itself to an upscale stay with dazzling surprises around every corner.

While the 90-metre high sky pool is a crowning jewel, the hotel takes guests on a complete sensorial journey with its extraordinary rooms, 17 world-class restaurants (including eight helmed by celebrity chefs), a 5,045 square metre wellness centre and a surreal lobby featuring three large aquariums, and views over the region’s first fire and water fountain. Whether you choose to plunge into one of the many pools, soak in the sun on the private beach, unlock your spiritual alchemy in a divine spa, get swept away on a culinary escapade or dawn your finest resort wear to feel the magnetic pull of the pulsating night life, you’ll be spoilt for choice.

The deal: Enjoy bed and breakfast in a Sky Pool Villa with sea views, including flights, when you book five nights or more. Unlock daily complimentary access to Aquaventure Waterpark and The Lost Chambers Aquarium as well as Royal Club benefits including access to the Royal Club Lounge with premium beverages. Plus, save up to £499 per person.

From £5,399 per person for five nights

Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa and Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru

Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa

Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru

A short break in the Maldives is undeniably relaxing, but given that the flight takes more than 10 hours, it makes sense to extend your stay for as long as possible. Enter, Best At Travel’s twin-centre holidays, which combine two breath-taking resorts in one incredible trip. Split your time between Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa and Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru to make the most of each destination’s unique features.

Kuda Huraa offers a rustic yet chic Maldivian escape with beachfront hideaways featuring private plunge pool gardens and beach access. Book diving trips and surf lessons to enjoy the pristine waters before relaxing at The Island Spa. The secluded island resort of Landaa Giraavaru, meanwhile, is situated in the stunning Baa Atoll, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, and boasts beach villas and ocean-front bungalows. Sample fresh flavours courtesy of the resort’s exclusive partnership with two Michelin-star chef Gaetano Trovato.

The deal: Book ten nights with complimentary half board, including flights and luxury speedboat and seaplane transfers. Enjoy private pool access at Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa’s Garden Pavilion with a pool room and Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru’s Premier Oceanfront Bungalow with pool.

From £5,780 per person for ten nights

The Oberoi Beach Resort, Mauritius

Spread across 20 acres of beautiful gardens, the Oberoi Beach Resort is situated on Mauritius’ north western Turtle Bay. Fringed with beautiful beaches and the bustling markets of nearby Port Louis, the resort’s architecture blends seamlessly with the stunning surrounds. A combination of villas and pavilions feature traditional thatched roofs, volcanic rock designs and private garden views, while a few even come with their own private swimming pools.

Tick off your fitness goals at one of the oceanside pools or the fitness centre, where you can join yoga and Tai Chi classes. Indulge in some R&R at the Oberoi Spa followed by delicious fare at one of the hotel’s many restaurants – The Gunpowder Room serves fine Creole cuisine, while The Restaurant offers Indian and international dishes, and On The Rocks serves dinner on the beach with the waves lapping at your toes. Take a break from the indulgent food by booking a scuba diving class, water sports session or painting lesson.

The deal: Save up to 15 per cent on bed and breakfast in a Luxury Villa with Private Pool when booking for seven nights or more, with included flights and private car transfers.

From £3,465 per person for seven nights

OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI, Maldives

The Maldives – with its clear blue waters and soft sand beaches – is the epitome of a luxurious island paradise. The beloved destination also boasts some of the best five-star hotels in the world where no request is too taxing. For a memorable holiday, choose OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI. Located a 35-minute luxury catamaran ride from the airport, the resort offers incredible over-water and beachfront villas, each with private pools.

With its own house reef teeming with marine life, keen divers and amateur snorkelers alike will find plenty to do. Quality family time is also a given – kids can enjoy one of the largest kids’ clubs in the South Malé Atoll, along with semi-submarine tours of the reef and complimentary non-motorised water sports. For a truly luxurious experience, opt for the one-of-a-kind Reserve Plan which ups the ante with champagne breakfasts, a fully-stocked in-villa mini bar and 24-hour butler service.

The deal: Save up to 15 per cent when booking seven nights or more in an Earth Pool Villa Sunrise. The Reserve Plan gives you everything from complimentary daily afternoon tea to unlimited champagne and a fully-stocked mini bar. Plus, enjoy two 60-minute spa treatments per couple as well as included flights and luxury catamaran transfers.

From £4,840 per person for seven nights

Sandy Lane, Barbados

With toasty climes and clear skies year-round, Barbados is always a good idea. To make the most of the tropical paradise, make a beeline for the Caribbean’s most iconic resort, Sandy Lane. Set in an ancient mahogany grove ringed with a white sand beach, the resort offers the best in Caribbean luxury. It is home to some of the best golf courses in the world, including 45 championship holes across The Green Monkey and The Country Club courses, each designed by renowned architect Tom Fazio. Recharge after a day on the greens at one of the resort’s four restaurants, where global menus crafted with internationally and locally-sourced ingredients guarantee an incredible feast.

The resort also offers an array of fitness facilities, including eight floodlit tennis courts, two padel courts, a vast pool, and water sports. Relaxation comes easy at The Spa at Sandy Lane, with its 14 lavish treatment suites, panoramic sauna and cold plunge pool.

The deal: Unlock a complimentary couples’ massage or a round of golf in addition to a room upgrade to a Luxury Ocean Room on bed and breakfast, as well as a complimentary night’s stay. Plus, included flights, airports transfers and fast track arrival service.

From £3,725 per person for seven nights

The St. Regis Langkawi, Malaysia

Situated in an exclusive cove overlooking the Andaman Sea, the St. Regis Langkawi is a blissful beachfront paradise. Spacious rooms and four private over-water villas are designed with bold accents and local artwork, each offering sweeping sea vistas from private terraces. The hotel boasts a collection of four bars and restaurants promising memorable culinary experiences, the star of the show being over-water restaurant Kayuputi, which offers fine pan-Asian cuisine served with a side of sunset views. There’s also a roster of activities on offer, including a state-of-the-art gym. Plus, St. Regis’ legendary butler service and child-friendly Family Traditions programme, complete with children’s menus and exclusive experiences, mean you might never wish to leave. 

The deal: Save up to 10 per cent and get two nights free when booking bed and breakfast in a Rainforest View Room for ten nights or more, with included flights and private transfers.

From £1,999 per person for ten nights

Call 020 3930 4608 to speak to your personal luxury holiday expert or for more inspiration visit bestattravel.co.uk

T&C’s apply. Offers are subject to availability. All holiday package prices include return flights from London. Blackout dates apply. Regional and weekend flight supplements apply, price correct at the time of publication based on the lowest flight booking class seats. See individual offers for full details. Please see their Privacy Policy for more information. Best At Travel PLC is registered at 89 New Bond Street, London W1S 1DA. ATOL no. 3337