2025 Travel: Luxury resorts prioritize privacy and are worth the cost

This year, Travelers of Means is checking into remote new lodges and upscale all-inclusive resorts that command, relatively speaking, decent prices.

“The high-end market, like global warming, is responding to three epidemics: high prices, high prices, overcrowding, overcrowding, and overheating,” says the New York-based owner of a custom travel agency. says Jack Ezon.

Still, big spenders can spend more than $1,000 a night in high season at new resorts that prioritize privacy, such as our Habitas Alula, Gundari Resort, in Saudi Arabia's sandstone canyons and Gandari Resort. Not daunted by the price. Folegandro Island in the Cycladic Chain.

Cool climate openings also provide isolation for those who want to avoid rising temperatures. Flockhill Lodge in New Zealand's Southern Alps is set on a 36,000-acre sheep farm (rates start at around $2,200). In the Scottish Highlands, Kilcoan Estate opens on a 13,500-acre estate that requires a ferry to reach (fees start at about £1,000, or about $1,220).

In terms of pricing, several newcomers are adopting models associated with beach vacations, which are usually all-inclusive. Jamaican Mangrove doesn't require flogging all your wallets for all the rum punch and sushi rolls that make the Mangrove feel in your room. Guests at Isla Mujeres By Secrets in Mexico reach an all-inclusive private catamaran shuttle (from approximately $1,700 per night). In the spring, W Hotels will open its first all-inclusive in the Dominican Republic, W Punta Cana (opening rates from $799 per night).

Bundle rates provide a way to predict costs among an increasingly sensitive set of luxury travelers. Many saw the price increase as a perfect fit as travel returns post-pandemic and the industry struggles with disruption, staff shortages and supply chain issues. Now they want to justify the cost. According to Embark Beyond, when Safari Lodges in Botswana started charging $8,000 a night last year, agency bookings in the African country fell by 35%.

The revenge travel mindset is exhausting, along with the willingness to pay the costs.

“Luxury travelers still prioritize travel, but forgiveness regarding lack of service and escalating prices in certain destinations has reached this tipping point,” said a consortium of high-end travel agencies. said Misty Belles, Vice President of Global Communications at Virtuoso. “It’s more normalization and going back to value for money.”