Tanzania | Thanda Island
Opened in April 2016, Thanda Island is a beach residence by Swedish entrepreneur and philanthropist couple Christin and Dan Olofsson, 30km from mainland Tanzania. It’s located within the Shungi Mbili Island Marine Reserve in southern Tanzania and, technically a private island, the property is designed as a sole-use resort and is the sister property to the private game reserve Thanda Safari in Zululand South Africa. The property features a five-bedroom villa with a glass rim-flow swimming pool and indoor aquarium. There’s a private coral reef with a 1km exclusive-use zone for guests to explore off the island; sail boats, paddle boards and kayaks are also available for guest use.
Mexico | Thompson Playa Del Carmen
The white sandy stretch of the Mexican-Caribbean coast remains on everyone’s hip list and things are getting hotter with the launch of Thompson Playa Del Carmen. A buzzy beachside retreat on Quinta Avenida, the hotel features 92 rooms and suites, while the separate Beach House — which opened earlier this year — features nine rooms and 18 suites. There’s a rooftop space for guests take in the dreamy sunsets; the casual Cinco restaurant serving Mexican breakfast and lunch by the pool and CATCH (the same CATCH of NYC) offers a super stylish setting for a culinary and nightlife combo for dinner followed by top international DJ sets. The hotel boasts colourful patterns and vivid textures with a 1950s-inspired design, including custom-built furniture handmade in Mexico.
Sri Lanka | Wild Coast Lodge
Perched on the edge of Yala National Park on a secluded beach on Sri Lanka’s south coast, this jungle getaway opened earlier this year by the group behind the Cape Weligama Resort and Ceylon Tea Trails company that also operates on the island. This is a sign of the level of details and luxury applied to Wild Coast Lodge. Featuring 28 private tented lodges, with protected leopards and an abundance of peacocks on your doorstep, the hotel lives up to its name. The beauty of Wild Coast Lodge really lies in its eco credentials, however, with a low-impact design, dedicated to its environment.
Hawaii | Four Seasons O’ahu Ko Olina
Acres of white sandy beach and turquoise water means that Hawaii’s O’ahu island ticks the boxes for a tropical getaway. Couple the island’s natural beauty with the level of luxury of Four Seasons and you’re on to something very special. Four Seasons opened its fourth Hawaiian hotel, Oahu at Ko Olina, here earlier this year, featuring 316 rooms, 55 suites and three specialty suites. There’s an incredible six-storey spa, which focuses on traditional Hawaiian healing therapies, and five restaurants — including Fish House, La Hiki, Noe, Waterman Bar & Grill and Hokulea — ranging from a line-to-table seafood restaurant through to an informal coffee house serving breakfast.