Top-rated luxury resorts……..So here’s how it started—
I was procrastinating. Not in a cute “I’ll do it later” way. In a full-blown “how many snacks can I eat while pretending to research vacations I can’t afford” kind of way.
I was deep in the rabbit hole of top-rated luxury resorts, scrolling past the usual suspects—Four Seasons, Ritz-Carlton, Aman, blah blah—when I found a name I’d never even heard before. And that sent me spiraling. Like… how many crazy-beautiful, totally under-the-radar spots are out there that people aren’t talking about because they’re too busy posting the same infinity pool in the Maldives?
(Seriously, that same pool’s been on my feed since 2018.)
Anyway, I started making a list. And wow. There are gems out there. I’m talking the kind of places that make you whisper, “Do people even know this exists?”
So here it is—my totally unofficial, slightly chaotic list of top-rated luxury resorts you’ve probably never heard of but will absolutely want to Google after this.
🏞️ 1. The Lodge at Blue Sky – Utah
I swear this place looks like it was built by someone who said, “What if serenity and architecture had a baby?” It’s tucked away near Park City, surrounded by mountains, wildflowers, and enough fresh air to make you question every life choice that led you to city smog.
They’ve got this thing called “Earth Suites,” which are literally built into the hillside—like luxury hobbit holes with better lighting.
You can go horseback riding, take yoga classes at sunrise, or (my personal favorite) just sit by the firepit and pretend you’re in a Patagonia commercial.
I saw a video of someone doing whiskey tasting under the stars there and honestly? I got emotional.
🌊 2. Post Ranch Inn – Big Sur, California
This one technically has a little fame, but still not enough. Everyone talks about Malibu or Napa, but Big Sur? It’s otherworldly.
Post Ranch Inn sits on a cliff that literally hangs over the Pacific Ocean. You wake up, open your curtains, and it’s like the earth is melting into the sea.
And get this—they don’t allow TVs. Or kids. (Sorry, families, this one’s for the adults who want absolute silence and overpriced wine.)
I watched a YouTube walkthrough once, and it was so calming I accidentally fell asleep. Like, deep nap. The kind where you wake up and forget what day it is.
Also, the rooms are named things like “Tree House” and “Ocean House.” I’d live there forever if they’d let me pay in installments and vibes.
🌺 3. Twin Farms – Vermont
When someone says “Vermont,” my brain immediately goes to maple syrup and flannel. But this place? It’s like if Ralph Lauren’s Pinterest board became a reality.
Twin Farms is one of those all-inclusive luxury resorts where everything’s custom—your meals, your activities, even your bubble bath. They ask you what kind of pillows you like before you even arrive.
I read a review from a couple who said they didn’t see another guest for two days, and that’s not because it was empty—it’s just that private.
It’s cozy, romantic, and so perfect in autumn that it should be illegal. Think wood-burning fireplaces, handmade furniture, and dinners that look too pretty to eat but you still do because, well, you paid for it.
🌴 4. Little Palm Island Resort & Spa – Florida Keys
Now this one’s tricky. Technically, it’s famous among the rich people, but most normal folks (like us) have no clue it exists.
It’s literally an island. Like, you can only get there by seaplane or boat. (I barely trust Uber drivers, but sure, let’s throw a plane into the mix.)
Every villa has thatched roofs, outdoor showers, and no phones. You’re just out there with your thoughts, the ocean, and probably a very fancy cocktail.
Fun fact: it was destroyed by a hurricane a few years ago—and then rebuilt even fancier. Which honestly sounds like a flex.
🐎 5. The Resort at Paws Up – Montana
Okay, this one sounds like a pet daycare, but it’s actually a high-end resort with private glamping tents that cost more than my rent.
They call it “glamping” but it’s basically a five-star hotel room in a tent—with air conditioning, clawfoot tubs, and actual chandeliers. (Because why not?)
You can go cattle herding, river rafting, or just sit on your private porch and watch the mountains do their thing.
There’s even something called “Cowgirl Spring Break,” which I didn’t know I needed until I read about it. Picture yoga in cowboy boots and wine tastings in barns. Perfection.
🌅 6. Amangiri – Canyon Point, Utah
Alright, technically this one’s kind of known—celebrities love it—but it’s still quiet enough that your average traveler has never heard of it.
Amangiri looks like it was carved by aliens. Like, if Mars had a luxury hotel, this would be it. Everything’s neutral-toned, minimalist, and designed to blend into the desert like a mirage.
Rooms come with plunge pools overlooking canyons, and you can do sunrise hikes that make you feel like a spiritual being (or at least like you’re starring in a perfume ad).
I showed my friend a photo of it once and she said, “That’s not real.”
Oh, it’s real. Painfully real. And painfully expensive.
🌿 7. Blackberry Mountain – Tennessee
You’ve heard of Blackberry Farm, right? (If you haven’t, it’s like Southern fancy heaven.) Well, this is their sister property—and honestly, it might be even better.
It’s tucked away in the Great Smoky Mountains, and it’s one of those places that somehow makes being healthy look fun.
We’re talking farm-to-table everything, guided nature hikes, meditation domes (yes, domes), and sound bath sessions.
I saw a photo of someone doing yoga with fog rolling in behind them and I was like, “Yep, that’s it. That’s peace.”
It’s the kind of place where you show up stressed and leave convinced you could write a poetry book about dew drops.
🌺 8. Sensei Lanai, A Four Seasons Resort – Hawaii
Okay, now this one is wild. Imagine a luxury wellness resort in Hawaii—but with an entire philosophy built by a billionaire and a team of scientists.
Sensei Lanai is not your average beach resort. It’s all about optimizing your body and mind (which sounds exhausting, but in a good way). They literally analyze your sleep, nutrition, and fitness and build a custom wellness plan.
I can’t even commit to a Netflix show, so that kind of structure both terrifies and impresses me.
It’s quiet, techy, and tucked away on the island of Lanai—so small and peaceful it feels like another planet.
🪶 9. Dunton Hot Springs – Colorado
You ever look at a photo and go, “Is that… real life?” That’s this place.
It’s an abandoned ghost town that got turned into a luxury resort. (Which feels like the plot of a very fancy horror movie, but it works.)
The cabins are all restored from the 1800s, the hot springs run through the middle of the resort, and you can literally soak in mineral water under the stars.
It’s moody, weird, and romantic in that “I might write a novel here” kind of way.
Also, Brad Pitt stayed there once, which feels like a random but crucial detail.
✨ My Totally Unofficial Verdict about top-rated luxury resorts
There’s something extra special about finding top-rated luxury resorts that don’t show up on your feed every ten seconds. The ones that feel secret, sacred, and slightly out of reach.
You ever get that feeling when you discover a hidden gem—like you want to tell everyone but also no one at the same time? Yeah. That’s these places.
I’ll probably never afford to stay at half of them (unless my blog suddenly goes viral, manifesting that), but it’s still kind of thrilling to know they exist.
Because sometimes, just knowing there’s a corner of the world where someone’s sipping champagne in a tent under Montana stars or floating in a canyon pool in Utah—it makes the grind a little easier to swallow.
And maybe one day, I’ll get there. Until then… I’ve got my blanket, a cup of instant coffee, and a YouTube travel vlog on full screen.
Close enough.
Outbound Link Suggestions:
- Funny travel stories blog: The Everywhereist
- Luxury travel inspo: Condé Nast Traveler – Secret Resorts
