There are those who have stayed in the finest island resorts the world has to offer, and those who have yet to discover what that truly means. For the latter, the hotels of Hilton's premium portfolio – Conrad Hotels & Resorts, Waldorf Astoria and LXR Hotels & Resorts – represent the clearest possible answer to the question of what an island escape, at its most elevated, can be. Across Bali, Koh Samui and the Maldives, five exceptional properties set the standard by which all others are measured: in design, in service, in the quality of experience they deliver, and in their rare ability to make the natural world feel like an extension of the stay itself.

Conrad Koh Samui

Perched on the island’s secluded southwestern cliffs, Conrad Koh Samui is a show-stopping resort with many tricks up its sleeve – not least of which is its ability to make guests feel as if they’ve landed on a private island all their own. The 82 stunning pool villas occupy prime real estate on a vertiginous hillside overlooking the sea, each angled for utmost privacy from every vantage point, as well as incredible 180-degree views over the Gulf of Thailand. The sunsets here are the stuff of travelogue legend.

While the views alone make the case for a getaway at this cinematic stay, there’s genuine heart and soul, too: Conrad Koh Samui prides itself on a serious commitment to sustainability, community and authenticity throughout the resort. The on-site Iris Farm, for example, provides 70% of the ingredients used in the restaurants and bars, from the farm-to-table fare at AOW Thai to the acclaimed fine dining at Jahn (served with a side of sweeping ocean views). Guests can experience local culture and craftsmanship through an array of activities, like Thai cooking classes, long-tail boat excursions, tea and coffee workshops and aromatherapy courses, or simply settle in for a spa ritual inspired by traditional Thai wellness practices and elevated by sumptuous facilities, including a sauna and a steam room with a Himalayan salt wall.

Our Tip: Situated at the resort’s highest point and equipped with a jacuzzi, dining deck, lawn terrace and 20m infinity pool, the 766sq m one-bedroom presidential villa, dubbed The Pearl, is the undisputed jewel in the crown.

Conrad Koh Samui

Umana Bali

When it opened in 2023 along the limestone ridges of Ungasan, Umana Bali was the first to bring the distinctive LXR Hotels & Resorts ethos to Southeast Asia. The boutique resort, like its other LXR counterparts, revolves around thoughtful design, world-class hospitality and a genuine connection to place; here, the experience is rooted in the Balinese Tri Hita Karana philosophy that emphasises harmony with nature, people and spirituality.

Unsurprisingly, wellness plays a central role, starting in the Lohma Spa with its refreshingly holistic approach. More than just luxurious treatments (though those are available, too), the menu proposes tonics for both body and mind. Think: sound healing, holotropic breathwork, cold-water immersion and soul-blessing ceremonies. 

Revitalised and reconstituted, guests can continue their R&R session in the privacy of their villa, each with its own pool and outdoor hot tub, or in the serenity of the main infinity pool overlooking the Indian Ocean. Those who prefer to put their feet in the sand might settle into a lounger at Uma Beach House, a stylish oceanfront retreat blending Balinese charm with Miami cool and Japanese-Peruvian cuisine. The only resort-owned beach club in the district, Uma Beach House is a rare luxury, connecting Umana Bali’s panoramic hilltop venues with the idyllic shores of Melasti Beach. 

Our Tip: Don’t underestimate MER Lounge. Not just any hotel lobby, it’s a communal gathering space and an oenophile’s delight, complete with a tasting room lined with 200 expertly curated vintages.

Umana Bali

Conrad Bali

In beautiful – and conveniently located – Nusa Dua, Conrad Bali has everything an island holidaymaker could desire. Lush tropical gardens set a splendid scene, while meandering pools and 350 metres of sandy beach beckon for long, languid hours by the water. A diverse dining repertoire stretches from contemporary Japanese to oceanfront seafood fare and Indonesian specialities accompanied by fire dance performances. Little guests get the VIP treatment in their own adventure club with playrooms, activities and sand-bottom lagoon pools, as well as complimentary kid-friendly meals when dining with their parents. At the same time, couples looking to reconnect can savour quiet, intimate moments with private dining experiences and wellness escapes designed for enjoyment à deux.

Conrad Bali

Wellbeing is, in fact, a priority at Conrad Bali, and the signature Conrad Spa leaves wellness enthusiasts wanting for nothing. Rejuvenating wraps, facials and massages promise total relaxation, but for those seeking an even deeper calm, there’s also chakra balancing, sunrise yoga, sound healing, Tai Chi and Qi Gong. Hydrothermal facilities (a steam room, sauna, whirlpool and plunge pool), a 25m spa pool, nine treatment rooms and two spa villas complete the picture. 

Our Tip: A SWAY sleep journey begins with a meditation session, followed by light pressure-point massaging as you rock gently in an aerial hammock with a weighted blanket, a heated eye pillow and soothing aromatherapy scents. Exclusive to Conrad Bali, this experience alone is worth the trip. 

Conrad Bali
Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi

Just 45 minutes from Malé, the journey to Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi is blessedly short compared to other Maldivian resorts, but it starts in the most elegant fashion, aboard the resort’s luxury yacht – an extravagance that sets the tone for the entire stay. This is, after all, a resort where each guest is appointed their own Personal Concierge, whose job it is to ensure every aspect of their experience is impeccable, and their every wish is fulfilled. 

 
At Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi, wish fulfilment is the order of the day. Looking to escape to a spacious slice of paradise? All 122 reef, beach and overwater villas constitute their own secluded enclave, each boasting a private pool and uninterrupted Indian Ocean vistas. Seeking serenity? The award-winning Waldorf Astoria spa sanctuary features overwater treatment villas and a state-of-the-art Aqua Wellness Centre, as well as the Maldives’ first bespoke Wellness Concierge. Craving something exceptional? The resort is home to 11 superlative dining venues, including gourmet gastronomy in treetop nests at Terra, contemporary Chinese cuisine and tea pairings over the water at Li Long, Japanese izakaya specialities with lagoon views at Zuma, and creative twists on Australian barbecue at The Ledge by Dave Pynt of Michelin-starred Burnt Ends fame.

Then there’s the destination dining, from movie nights by the sea to twilight dinners in an offshore pavilion and sandbank picnics – nothing but white powder underfoot and a blue expanse as far as the eye can see.

Our Tip: Comprising 32,000 square metres and encompassing several residences, private dining venues, personalised wellness experiences and a dedicated staff, Ithaafushi Private Island is a coveted retreat within a retreat, ideal for destination celebrations or discreet private getaways.

Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi

Conrad Maldives Rangali Island

Truly a bucket list destination, Conrad Maldives Rangali Island offers the kind of experience most travellers can only dream of. The resort, spanning two islands connected by a bridge, showcases its natural treasures like no other, while simultaneously embodying the energy of adventure and the indulgence of a stay in one of the world’s most exclusive locations.

Conrad Maldives inhabits the South Ari Atoll, setting it amid the magical scenery of a key marine protection area. Guests can explore this oasis on lagoon tours or guided nature walks, viewing local wildlife and learning about the resort’s sustainability efforts; they can even lend a hand through initiatives such as coral planting led by the resident marine biologist. The wellness programme at the Spa Retreat – tucked away 100 metres off the tip of Rangali-Finolhu Island – is also designed to immerse guests in this pristine natural world through holistic rituals using local botanicals and healing techniques. 

South Ari Atoll is one of the few places in the world where whale sharks, manta rays and nurse sharks can be seen year-round, a fact which guests can take advantage of in a unique and extraordinary way at Conrad Maldives: by dining at Ithaa, the world’s first undersea restaurant. Submerged five metres beneath the surface, Ithaa's curved acrylic tunnel offers 270-degree views of the surrounding coral garden, with manta rays and reef sharks passing overhead as guests dine on a menu of modern European flavours. Above the surf, 11 other standout culinary venues include Mandhoo, serving contemporary Maldivian cuisine in a pavilion over the lagoon, and the Wine Cellar, the first underground wine cellar in the Maldives.

Our Tip: Follow up a dinner beneath the waves with a night in Muraka – the world's first underwater residence. A master bedroom suspended six metres below the Indian Ocean offers breathtaking panoramas of the reef and its inhabitants. Upstairs, a private pool deck, guest suite and dedicated butler service complete a proposition that is, by any measure, without parallel.

Conrad Maldives Rangali Island

Conrad Koh Samui, Umana Bali, Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi and Conrad Maldives Rangali Island are part of Fine Hotels + Resorts. Conrad Bali is part of The Hotel Collection. For more information or to make a booking, please contact your Centurion Travel Service.