Boutique Beach Resorts for Your 2021 Holiday

Beach resorts can be small and boutique, fabulous small-scale places with great service and lots of space. Travel the world and explore these unique places to stay.

Almanara Luxury Beach Resort

Kenya

The calm blue waters of the Indian Ocean and sands so white they could be snow. The verdant forests of Shimba Hills National Reserve next to colourful coral reefs that teem with life.Located on Diani Beach, south of Mombasa, Kenyan luxury awaits you at Almanara – an exclusive resort of just seven fully-inclusive villas.Wake to the aroma of freshly-ground coffee. Dine on sumptuous seafood fresh from the water, prepared by your personal chef. Take to the warm waters on a windsurfing rig. Scuba dive among sea turtles. Relax on this pristine stretch of coast and explore marine or savannah wildlife whenever you want.

Azura Benguerra Island

Mozambique

The protected waters of central Mozambique’s Bazaruto archipelago. Individual seafront villas constructed using traditional techniques and materials. The only structures for miles around, minutes from some of the region’s best dive sites.Thatched roofs that disappear into the surrounding coastal vegetation. Contemporary interiors that blend surprisingly well with the verdant surrounds.Enjoy the tranquil surrounds of your private garden and pool. Book a treatment at the African Spa. With its own five-star PADI dive centre, Azura Benguerra is the perfect option for those seeking tranquillity above and below the waves.

Azura Quilalea Private Island

Mozambique

This dazzling island is a 50 kilometre helicopter trip from mainland Mozambique, under the protection of Quirimbas National Park. Touch down to nine individual seafront villas rich in natural materials and bathed in light. There’s dappled native forest, plus short sandy footpaths that connect the villas with four beaches.Not many stays can boast a house reef off the main beach – a haven for endangered sea turtles as well as humans. Take advantage of the on-site diving centre and water sports facilities to see it at its best.Alternatively, simply adopt this private island’s relaxed ambience, knowing you’re largely out of reach of the world beyond.

Cayo Espanto

Belize

Open water surrounds the most exclusive accommodation in Belize. Cayo Espanto is a private island three miles off the coast of San Pedro—splendid isolation and the perfect home base for any manner of sea-going adventure. Arrive by helicopter or boat and settle into your own ocean-front villa. Feel the breeze at the end of your private dock or swim in the inviting water.Master chefs draw ingredients from fruit trees and the surrounding sea, crafting meals specially designed according to your tastes and preferences. At the end of each day, it’s the rippling water, the waving palm fronds, and the quiet that make this place so special.

La Sultana Oualidia

Morocco

Enter a world of comfort and care with a serene stay at La Sultana Oualidia. Turquoise pools, lagoons and ocean waves stretch before you. Enjoy breakfast by the sea, as the watery views shimmer around.Warm colours and gentle architecture merge together, bringing to life a calming interior exclusively yours to explore. Wander through these charming facilities, treat yourself to some self-care at the spa. Columns of carved stone surround you, as you recline and unwind in uncompromised privacy.A gastronomic experience of impeccable service waits for you at the La Table de la Sultana. Sample unrivalled flavours as you tuck into an array of organic cuisine, served by a team of staff determined to make your stay exceptionally special.

Nay Palad Hideaway

Philippines

You may have seen drone shots of a secluded island, with a turquoise lagoon and wizard hat-like thatched huts surrounded by luscious palm trees. Well, that’s exactly where Nay Palad is hiding!It’s a hidden paradise on the southeastern tip of Siargao. You have to see it to believe it’s real. Barefoot luxury and state of mind are at the core of the Hideaway’s ethos. Leaving reality behind, you can engage in a myriad of activities including free massages on the private pristine beach.Sail out to a secluded wooden platform for sunset yoga sessions, with no disturbance other than barreling waves lapping up against the structure’s legs.

Stay at Amanwana, Moyo Island

Indonesia

Imagine turquoise turned into liquid crystal. Now picture yourself diving into it. This is you at Moyo Island. Around the beaches and coral reefs, you will swim with myriads of marine creatures. The resort diving centre caters to divers of all levels, and if you are a beginner, you can get your certification here. Beauty and adventure wait inland too. Jungle paths, a cave, a waterfall and pools. And the macaques playing on the trees. Afterwards, you will rest in a tent-like room with soothing Indonesian décor, open to the beach and the sea breeze.

Stay at Porto Zante, Zakynthos

Greece

Leave your worries behind as you settle down at Porto Zante. This is a five-star hotel nestled at the edge of the island of magical Zakynthos. Stroll along the private beach in solitude. Swim in a turquoise sea that seems to blend seamlessly into the sky. You can try the watersports, or enjoy a brief jaunt to the nearby Venetian villages to mingle with the locals.  It might be hard to leave your spacious villa, which opens into a heated pool. Here you will be tempted to create your own sunset ritual, with a view of the Ionian Sea that is quintessentially Greek.

Stay at The Nautilus

Maldives

Escape to the privacy of your beach house and look across the Indian Ocean. Enjoy long moments of restful idleness basking on the sand, or by your private pool. Marvel at the marine life as you snorkel around the house reef. This is classic Maldives, a place to unwind and indulge with few other people around.Another highlight here is the bespoke gastronomic experiences. You can eat anything, at any time. Literally. Breakfast aboard a luxury yacht. Dine listening to live acoustic music, savouring dishes designed and cooked only for you — at your house. Enjoy a sunset barbecue on a distant sandbank.There are only 26 accommodations at The Nautilus and it’s one of the more exclusive options in the archipelago.

Stay at Tulia Zanzibar

Tanzania

Paradise on the Indian Ocean, where the palms sway gently and there’s warmth in both the climate and smiles. Tulia Zanzibar is a small-scale, utterly romantic beach resort, with a private beach on the untouched eastern side of the island.This is very much the quintessential Zanzibar beach retreat, with spacious villas ideal for honeymoons and a languid atmosphere to help you fully recharge. Then it’s in the details where Tulia truly stands out.A free massage when you arrive. Exceptional gastronomy. Staff who share stories and a connection to the local community. There are kayaks, paddle boards and e-scooters for exploring the surroundings, plus tour guides to take you further away. Or just lay back and indulge.

Turtle Inn

Belize

Play the part of a castaway without sacrificing one iota of comfort. Turtle Inn is a blissful hideaway of thatched-roofed cottages and soothing sea breezes owned by legendary filmmakers Francis and Eleanor Coppola.The inn features incredibly fresh seafood, decadent wines, a range of spa treatments, and a selection of cottages and bungalows.This charming hideaway’s crown jewel is Coral Caye, your very own private island. Coral Caye sits on its own, out in the sea between the mainland and the Belize Barrier Reef. Complete with caretakers to prepare delicious food, Coral Caye is a one-of-a-kind setting for your tropical fantasy.

White Pearl Resort, Ponta Do Ouro

Mozambique

Crisp modernist white lines contrasting against the azure blue of the Indian Ocean. A secluded beach location on an untouched area of coast, between the South African border and Maputo Special Reserve.Arrive in style from the air with a helicopter transfer. Receive a warm welcome from your private butler. Discover the cooling touch of your private plunge pool. Treat yourself to a relaxing spa treatment to the sound of the waves. Enjoy seafood fresh from the ocean.Whether it is horse riding in the shallows, or relaxing on the beach cabanas, the White Pearl Resort offers a luxurious gateway into Mozambique’s tropical promise.