Our Favorite Resorts for 2021

If you’re solidifying your 2021 travel plans, you’re not alone. As more countries reopen to American visitors, there will be greater opportunity to use those compounded vacation days to get away from it all. We’re covering six decidedly different locations from Mexico to the Maldives, so settle in and discover some spectacular hotels and resorts to add to your must-experience list.

 

Halekulani

Located on the beachfront of Waikiki with stunning, unobstructed views of Diamond Head and the Pacific Ocean, Hakekulani is a tranquil oasis on the bustling island of Oahu. From sunrise stretching classes on the beach to the indulgent traditional Polynesian and Hawaiian spa treatments, this resort is made for relaxing. Whether you want classic afternoon tea, the resort’s award-winning Sunday brunch, or their signature coconut cake, you can dine in-room or at Hakekulani’s multiple, ocean view restaurants. Lewers Lounge provides the ideal atmosphere for early-evening or after-dinner cocktails with its refined atmosphere and nightly live jazz. In addition to the heated pool, modern fitness center, and other amenities, guests can experience premiere complimentary excursions, such as a private Art & Architecture Tour, Doris Duke’s Shangri La estate, Iolani Palace, Hawaii Symphony Orchestra, and the Honolulu Museum of Art.

 

Sofitel Moorea la Ora Beach Resort

Located on the small, French Polynesian island of Moorea on the crystalline beach of Temai with iconic views of Tahiti in the distance, Sofitel Moorea la Ora Beach Resort offers an incredibly tranquil vacation experience in a secluded setting. Whether they’re beachfront or overwater, the decadent bungalows were designed with bright colors and luxurious textures and influenced by French painter Paul Gauguin with a contemporary twist. Each of the two acclaimed restaurants offer an intimate and romantic atmosphere paired with breathtaking panoramic views and a weekly Polynesian dance show with a fire dance performer. After a morning of swimming and snorkeling, guests can treat themselves to Polynesian-inspired signature treatments using local, natural ingredients and lush, tropical scents gathered from the surrounding gardens.

 

UNICO 20 87

Putting the “all” in all-inclusive, guests at UNICO 20°87° Hotel Riviera Maya not only receive complimentary food and drinks, but also custom bath amenities, watersports, beachside snacks, and even spa treatments, golf, and select tours (with a 25% service fee). Set on the stunning white beaches of Riviera Maya, this adults-only resort also features three unique pools, a holistic spa and wellness center, an expertly curated selection of cocktails at one of the five bars, and authentic cuisine at one of the five fine-dining restaurants. Guest suites incorporate natural, locally-sourced materials mixed with modern luxury and can feature swim-up pools or outdoor hydro spa tubs overlooking the ocean. Personalized touches abound, whether it’s the new Sool Chocolate Shop, where you can indulge in Mexican-inspired treats, or the creation of your own bespoke bath products within the Beauty Bar.

 

Hotel Monte Cristo

The only hotel amid our range of resorts, the four-star Hotel Monte Cristo in Paris is well worth being represented on our 2021 list. A playful, yet sophisticated nod to the French author Alexandre Dumas, the hotel is an “updated representation of what the great man’s home might have been like had he been working today” through a luxurious lens. Fitting right in with the decadence of Paris, the hotel features hand-painted fabrics, hand-selected antiques, and rich paintings by the artist Christoff Debusschere. Each room or suite is sumptuously appointed and filled with unique treasures evoking past voyages to exotic lands. The Asian-inspired, plant-filled indoor pool and sauna are a welcome indulgence after a day of city sightseeing and Le 1802 Bar pays homage to Dumas’ Caribbean roots with a selection of more than 500 rums curated by a local expert.

 

Hyatt Zilara Cap Cana

Located right on the white sand beaches of Punta Canta, the luxurious Hyatt Zilara Cap Cana is an adults-only, all-inclusive for those who are looking for some adventure with their relaxation and romance. Guests can zip-line over the tropical landscape, visit the Canapolis Water Park, or let loose at a pulsating beach party. Included amenities range from water workout classes and beachside yoga to  24-hour in-suite dining. Though you’ll definitely want to leave your room to experience one of Hyatt Zilara’s 12 dining options featuring a wide variety of internationally-inspired cuisine. Balance your adventures with some relaxing time at the sprawling infinity pools and rejuvenate at the cenote-inspired, underground spa featuring a larimar stone infused sky-lit lagoon and the Dominican Republic’s first Himalayan Salt Lounge.

 

Anantara Dhigu Resort

Pure paradise in the Maldives awaits at the luxurious, five-star Anantara Dhigu Resort. From decadent, over-water suites with private plunge pools right on the water’s edge to deluxe villas with a private, beachfront pool, you can choose to stay on the water or right beside it. Considered one of the best resorts in the Maldives for families, it features multiple family suites as well. Anantara Dhigo is a haven for surfers, but there are plenty of other water activities to experience. Some of the options include freediving in the Indian Ocean, snorkeling among nurse sharks, parrot fish, and eagle rays, glass-bottom boat excursions, and boating off to rejuvenate on a private island for a day. Back at the resort, you can privately dine under stars directly on the beach, take a Thai and Maldivian-inspired cooking class (and eat the results), or discover some of the distinctive cuisines and breathtaking views in one of several restaurants.

If you’re ready to make your vacation dreams come true in 2021, talk to your GOGO-backed travel advisor about these incredible resorts and more. And for up-to-date information on these or any other destinations, visit our parent company Flight Centre Travel Group’s COVID-19 Travel Map.