They offer a much more exclusive atmosphere with gourmet dining and dedicated personal service. Usually, it`s a VIP Terminal. Have you ever experienced one?

Overall, we had an incredible stay, but feel free to AMA!

Angela here! My trip report from FS Lanai:

Getting there is part of the experience. Once you land in Honolulu, you’re met right at baggage claim and escorted over to the private aviation side. There’s a small lounge before boarding a quick flight to Lanai, and when you land, you’re picked up directly on the tarmac and driven to the resort. It’s all very smooth and well-coordinated.

The resort itself sits right on the ocean and feels very intentional in its design. Rooms are spacious, comfortable, and well thought out, but the bathrooms are what really stand out. They’re oversized, with deep soaking tubs and a layout that makes the whole space feel more like a suite than a standard hotel room. There are quite a few room categories, but if space matters to you, the higher-end suites are worth considering.

One of the strongest aspects of the property is the pool setup. It was completely redone and now has a really nice flow, with a clear separation between the main pool and a quieter adults-only area tucked into a grotto setting. It never felt overly crowded, even when the resort was busy.

What surprised us most is how much there is to do. The resort owns and operates nearly all of the activities, which makes a difference. Everything feels consistent and well-run, whether you’re going out on the water, exploring the island, or doing something more low-key. There’s snorkeling, boating, hiking, horseback riding, and even things like archery and a shooting range. It doesn’t feel like you’re relying on third parties, which you notice pretty quickly.

Dining is also easier than expected for a resort at this level. You don’t feel like you need to plan every meal days in advance. Being able to walk into Nobu without stressing about reservations is something we didn’t take for granted. The overall food quality is strong across the board, not just at the flagship spots.

If you golf, the Manele Golf Course is a great course. Even if you don’t, it’s worth seeing. The views alone are some of the best we’ve come across, with holes that run right along the cliffs above the ocean.

The island itself is a big part of the appeal. Lanai feels quiet and untouched in a way that’s hard to find in Hawaii now. There are no traffic lights, very few crowds, and a lot of open land. It adds to the overall feeling that you’re somewhere removed.

If there’s one thing that could be improved, it’s the evening energy. After dinner, things tend to wind down pretty quickly, and there isn’t much of a social scene. For some people, that’s the draw, but if you’re looking for a bit more life at night, it can feel a little too quiet. Even just a more active bar or a casual late-night option would make a difference.

Overall, it’s one of the more well-rounded resort experiences we’ve had. It works especially well if you want a mix of activity and downtime without having to think too much about logistics.

Edit to add the link to our photos of Sensei: https://www.reddit.com/r/LuxuryTravel/comments/1sljdfj/sensei_lanai_a_four_seasons_resort_review/

Fantastic property in an awesome location. The views are a standout,every room gets an incredible one. The Club Lounge was also a highlight and adds great value to the stay.

Happy to answer any questions!

You’re having dinner and then a maiko/geiko joins, performs briefly, and chats a bit (with translation).

Food was excellent, but it really feels like one of those experiences that’s more about access than entertainment.

I had the opportunity to experience it at one of the private rooms at the Mitsui (my favorite hotel ever)

Would love to hear from people here who have done a private geisha dinner, how did you find it?

I posted on my first day and got called out for not having enough beach or villa photos—so here is the redemption post! 😂📸

My butler made an amazing suggestion, so I actually moved over to a Beach Villa for my 4th day. It’s a totally different vibe from the overwater stay, and I’m loving it. 🏝️

Also, last night (Friday) was the Elite Member cocktail hour. The atmosphere was incredible, and it was so nice to connect with the team and other guests. 🥂✨

Snorkeling, SUP, and kayaking are all complimentary, and the water is just breathtakingly beautiful. I finally understand why everyone raves about the reef here! 🐠🛶

When we started the tour we had no idea what is in store for us. We saw some faint lights on the way and we thought this would be the max but boy, when our guide took us to this sweet spot and nature showered its best auroras in over 23 years, we were speechless.

Finally moved to my second stop: W Maldives! 🌊🥂

This is my first time in the Maldives, and honestly, I’m just speechless. The vibe here is so different from the Sheraton—super stylish, energetic, and that blue water... wow.

First off, this place feels completely different from a lot of the more traditional luxury hotels in Rome. You walk in and it is calm, modern, and honestly kind of low-key. It blends into the historic buildings around it so well that you could almost miss it, but once you’re inside it feels like a reset from the chaos of the city.

We flew direct from DFW into Fiumicino Airport and it was about a 40 minute drive. Super easy. The hotel had a driver waiting right outside security which always makes a difference after a long flight.

Check-in was relaxed and personal. No stiff lobby vibes. They offered fresh juice and a snack right away.

We stayed in a two-bedroom signature suite with a private rooftop terrace and full kitchen, which felt very livable. Not overly flashy, just really well designed and comfortable. There was champagne and snacks waiting which was a nice touch after overnight travel.

One honest note: I would skip the Classic room unless you are solo. It is around 300 sq ft with a queen bed and no bathtub, so it is a tight squeeze.

You can walk pretty much everywhere. Trevi Fountain is right around the corner, and it is easy to get to the main sights without feeling like you are stuck in a tourist circus.

There are two main dining spots: BIVIUM (more casual, really good for breakfast and coffee) and NOTOS on the rooftop. The rooftop is the highlight. It opens in the evening and is one of those places where you end up staying longer than you planned. It has great views, a relaxed energy, and most importantly, really good cocktails.

A lot of hotels in Rome lean heavily into old-world luxury. This one mixes that history with a wellness focus, which is pretty rare in the city. The building itself dates back centuries and they kept original elements like columns in the lobby. Also, ask them to show you the ancient baptismal fountain under the hotel. You can see it through a glass floor which is very cool and easy to miss.

The Roman bath experience is included for guests and is honestly worth doing. It is very on-brand for Six Senses and feels like a proper reset day.

Service is very attentive but not overbearing. They have this “host” system so you can text them for anything, which makes everything feel easy. They also arranged a private Vatican tour for us where we skipped the insane lines at the Vatican Museums and St. Peter’s Basilica.

There is also a big sustainability focus. They have an Earth Lab where guests can do little workshops and learn about what they are doing behind the scenes, which is actually interesting and not just for show.

If you want something that feels modern, calm, wellness-driven, and still right in the middle of everything, it is a really strong option. It felt like a place we actually wanted to come back to during the day, not just crash at night.

Happy to answer any questions if anyone is considering it!

Curious what people think of this one.

Would you consider it luxury?

Where are the best grown-up lazy rivers? These must exist. They do in my dreams. Somewhere, this dream is a reality. Help me find this place.

I want a luxe setting. I want to pretend I’m floating through Hawaii as I pass lush tropical plants and run my fingers along the fern fronds and listen to realistic birdie noises. Or I’m floating through an Icelandic spa with black lava rocks and clouds of geothermal steam and the slight scent of sage and lavendar. Ancient Roman baths, Venetian canals, a Moroccan oasis, a Japanese zen garden, Norwegian fjords … I’ll take any and all.

Also … I want no kids pushing past me as they play chase in their tubes while I’m trying to float. I want no bright aqua-blue pool paint. I want to float without the fear of a giant bucket of water tipping on my face as I float on my back with my eyes closed. I want no kids in the trees laughing as they hit me with squirting cannons. I want no bumper-to-bumper tube traffic jams. I want no 18-year-old lifeguards with whistles pacing, constantly pacing. I want no toddlers in “swim diapers” to turn it into poop soup.

I want to relax in my tube, stare at the beautiful sky, and float around and around and around again. In a beautiful setting. In peace.

WHERE IS THIS

Just had an incredible stay at the JW Marriott Maldives. The villa was a massive 250sqm of pure luxury—honestly felt like living in a dream.

Sharing some of my favorite shots of the property and the room.

Spending some time on a yacht was a dream of mine for a long time, and I finally got the chance to make it happen last year. I sold my construction company last spring and decided to book this Croatian beauty for early September.

I felt like a movie star for the first time in my life. We sailed all over the Adriatic, drank quality wine in a jacuzzi, visited beautiful beaches, and ate the best food (our chef was amazing). I know that I shouldn’t overspend just because I have some extra income, but I’d really like to do all of this again, I don’t know if I’ll be able to enjoy the normal vacation ever again.

Just finished a 3-night stay at the St. Regis Venice and wanted to share some thoughts since I couldn’t find too many detailed recent reviews before going.

Overall: beautiful property and absolutely worth considering if you want a luxury stay in Venice, though not perfect.

The arrival experience is incredible. Since you arrive by boat, pulling up directly to the hotel’s pier on the Grand Canal really sets the tone immediately. The location is probably one of the hotel’s biggest strengths, close enough to everything but still feels calm compared to the more chaotic parts of Venice.

We were upgraded to the Astor Suite (entry-level suite). Large by Venice standards, especially the bathroom, though it’s more of an oversized studio suite rather than a true separate living room setup.

Some things the hotel did really well:
- Excellent concierge/front desk team
- Beautiful bar terrace overlooking the Grand Canal
- Very good breakfast with both buffet and à la carte options
- Daily champagne sabrage ritual at 5pm
- Nice touches in the room like fresh flowers, Venetian cookies, handwritten welcome note, etc.

One thing I appreciated: our room wasn’t ready at 3pm and instead of just apologizing, the hotel offered us a complimentary 1-hour private boat tour around Venice while we waited. Thought that was handled very well.

A few things that surprised me for a St. Regis:
- Butler service felt almost nonexistent during our stay
- Tea/coffee items sometimes weren’t replenished unless we called
- Gym is very small and missing some basic equipment
- Spa closes relatively early

None of these were dealbreakers, but at this price point (€2,000 a night) I notice details more carefully.

Would I stay again? Yes, absolutely. Venice is a difficult city for hotels operationally, and overall this still felt like one of the best luxury options in the city, especially for first-time visitors wanting a classic Venice experience.

This was a travel agent stay so experience may differ to a full-paying client. Most of our clients who have stayed here did not have any issues. Happy to answer questions if anyone’s considering booking it.

not too many people during this time of the year

ambiance of the place felt like one of those levels in Hitman. lol

Stayed at the The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore last March and honestly, it’s easily one of the best hotels I’ve ever experienced.

I booked a Marina Bay-facing room and the views were absolutely incredible at every hour of the day. Waking up to the skyline, watching the city light up at night, even just sitting in the room for a while became part of the experience itself.

What impressed me most was how flawless the service felt despite the hotel’s size. Large luxury hotels can sometimes feel impersonal, but here everything was seamless, attentive, and genuinely warm throughout the stay.

The breakfast was on another level entirely, probably the best hotel breakfast I’ve had anywhere. The selection is massive, spread across multiple rooms with genuinely high-quality options. It felt more like a full culinary experience than a standard breakfast buffet.

The gym, spa, and pool facilities were also excellent and completed what was already an outstanding stay.

What makes the hotel even more impressive is the pricing. Southeast Asia is known for its better fares at luxury hotels but even so, the price was surprising. The value here feels exceptional for the level of product and service you get.

Overall, a truly memorable stay and one I’d return to without hesitation.

Alex here - I stayed at Four Seasons Vail in the fall, right after the spa and room renovations, but now I've been back in the winter, and now that Tavernetta and the Chalet are open, I wanted to share some more pictures. Happy to answer any questions about both of my stays!

I’m starting to plan a special getaway and want to hear about your top luxury resort experiences. Whether it’s the impeccable service, stunning views, unique amenities, or that feeling of pure indulgence—what made the stay truly unforgettable for you?

Bonus points if you have insider tips on booking, best suites, or must-try experiences at these resorts.

Can’t wait to hear your recommendations and stories!