What makes a hotel truly luxurious?

It depends on what your definition of luxury is. For some, luxury is a minibar, telephone, and hairdryer in the room. For others, it’s about an amazing location and great service. Boutique hotels, which are privately owned, tend to give the best personal service, while larger luxury hotels allow you to be more anonymous. Five-star hotels often have a bar, restaurant, and spa, but don’t always provide the best overall experience.

How do boutique hotels differ from traditional luxury hotels?

Boutique hotels are often privately owned, with each room individually designed. Staff are usually passionate about what they do, and the atmosphere is more personal and relaxed. Boutique hotels focus on design, service, and experience rather than star ratings.

What wellness amenities do top luxury hotels offer now (e.g. sleep tech, spa treatments, circadian lighting)?

Top luxury hotels now offer high-tech wellness features such as automatic dimmable lights, in-room voice assistants, circadian lighting, sleep masks, oils, sprays, and mood lighting to support better rest and relaxation.

Which hotels offer AI-personalised wellness experiences or smart rooms?

Sensei Lanai, a Four Seasons Resort in Hawaii, offers Thermal Body Mapping and advanced sensors that personalise treatments. The Ritz-Carlton Orlando and W Scottsdale use AI-powered robotic massages and fitness assessments. Clinique La Prairie in Switzerland integrates AI with genomic data to create tailored longevity programmes. Mandarin Oriental’s AI-driven concierge adjusts experiences based on your preferences. Hilton’s Connected Room technology and Zoku Amsterdam’s AI-powered app learn your routines, while Wynn Las Vegas features voice-activated smart suites. Six Senses and SHA Wellness Clinic use biofeedback and real-time mood tracking for fully personalised stays.

Are pets welcome at most luxury hotels, and what special services do they offer for them?

Each hotel has its own pet policy, but many luxury hotels welcome pets. Expect dog-friendly rooms, beds, and treats, though some may charge an additional nightly fee.

What VIP or concierge experiences can you expect at a luxury hotel?

Concierges can arrange theatre bookings, restaurant reservations, private drivers, cooking courses, truffle hunting in Tuscany, hot air ballooning, and bespoke culture trips — it all depends on what you’d like to experience.

How can I find the best boutique hotels near me or in a specific city?

Explore boutique hotel recommendations on www.lulusluxurylifestyle.uk. Lulu Townsend has over 25 years of experience in the hotel industry, including marketing and consulting for luxury and boutique hotels worldwide.

Which hotels in Rome are best for a romantic weekend, spa retreat, or wellness break?

JK Place Roma, Rocco Forte’s Hotel de la Ville, and Crossing Condotti are three romantic boutique hotels in Rome that suit weekends focused on style, spa time, and wellness.

When is the best time to book a luxury hotel for the best price or availability?

Book in off-peak seasons or when flight prices are lower for the best rates and availability.

Do boutique hotels offer flexible booking or cancellation options?

Many boutique hotels offer flexible booking and cancellation policies, especially when you book directly with the hotel.

What should I look for when choosing a 5-star versus a boutique hotel?

A 5-star hotel typically includes a bar, restaurant, and spa, ideal for a full-service luxury holiday. A boutique hotel offers a more personal, romantic stay and often lets you live like a local.

Which luxury hotels are leading in sustainability or eco-friendly practices?

Leaders include The Brando in French Polynesia, Soneva Resorts, Heckfield Place in Hampshire, 1 Hotels, and Fogo Island Inn in Newfoundland, all combining conservation, regenerative farming, and eco-conscious design.

What are the best eco-luxury hotels for wellness travellers?

Excellent eco-luxury wellness stays include Euphoria Retreat in Greece, Preidlhof in South Tyrol, Kamalaya in Koh Samui, and Ulpotha in Sri Lanka.

How are luxury hotels adapting to conscious travel trends in 2025?

Hotels are moving from being green to regenerative, investing in renewable energy and refill culture, reducing waste, and supporting local communities. Kitchens focus on local sourcing and low waste, while wellness programmes blend science with traditional wisdom. Luxury is now about how a place makes you feel and the positive mark it leaves behind.

Where should I stay in 2025 for the best wellness escapes?

Ulpotha in Sri Lanka is a standout for yoga, Ayurveda, organic vegetarian food, and digital detox in an off-grid setting.

What are the top luxury destinations for solo travellers?

Italy, Bali, Greece, and Sri Lanka are popular with solo luxury travellers for their combination of safety, culture, wellness, and boutique-style hospitality.

What are the best local luxury stays in the UK right now?

Chewton Glen, Heckfield Place, Lime Wood Hotel, Double Red Duke, and Thyme offer standout design, service, and character.

What are trending boutique hotel locations and hidden gem stays this year?

Trending locations include Puglia, Menorca, the Cotswolds, the Scottish Highlands, Lisbon, Sri Lanka, Suffolk, Kyoto, Oaxaca, and Cornwall, each with small, design-led hotels and a strong sense of place.

The Top Destinations for Solo Travellers

Travelling alone isn’t about being brave anymore — it’s about being free. The best solo trips give you space to think, explore at your own pace, and meet people along the way who make the experience richer. Whether you want to recharge, reconnect, or rediscover your independence, these destinations offer style, safety, and a sense of belonging.

1. Italy

Italy has an easy rhythm for solo travellers. From Florence and Rome to Puglia and Lake Como, it’s a country that rewards spontaneity — café stops, late dinners, and slow mornings with espresso and a view. Boutique hotels are friendly, intimate, and full of character, making it easy to feel at home.

Where to stay: Palazzo Passerini in Cortona for history and charm; JK Place Roma for city chic.

2. Greece

Greece is all about warmth — both in its people and its sunshine. The islands are ideal for solo travel: you can dip between quiet beaches and lively tavernas without feeling out of place. Wellness and yoga hotels have grown beautifully here too, making it easy to combine rest with discovery.

Where to stay: Euphoria Retreat in the Peloponnese for deep wellness; Perivolas in Santorini for views you’ll never forget.

3. Sri Lanka

Perfect for solo travellers who crave authenticity. With Ayurvedic retreats, surf towns, temples, and tea estates, it’s a country that connects you instantly to nature. The people are warm, the food is colourful, and the boutique hotels are some of the most soulful in Asia.

Where to stay: Ulpotha for yoga and Ayurveda; Tri Lanka for lakeside calm and design.

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4. Portugal

Lisbon and Porto are two of the friendliest European cities for solo travel. Safe, beautiful, and full of small design hotels where you can chat to locals over breakfast. The Algarve is ideal if you want sea air and long walks, while Comporta has a slow, stylish rhythm that attracts creative types from all over.

Where to stay: The Lumiares in Lisbon; Sublime Comporta for barefoot sophistication. The brand new Tarabel in Lisbon has just nine suites and is the ideal place for a honeymoon with great service, lovely pool and super river views.

5. Japan

Japan’s efficiency and politeness make it a dream for solo travellers. You’ll never feel awkward dining alone, and everything just works. Kyoto offers peace and culture, while Tokyo is endlessly fascinating. Stay in a small ryokan or boutique hotel where calm and beauty come naturally.

Where to stay: The Shinmonzen in Kyoto; Trunk Hotel in Tokyo for urban design.

6. Costa Rica

For those who find their balance in nature. Costa Rica’s mix of rainforest, beaches, and eco-luxury lodges makes it ideal for solo travellers who want adventure with comfort. You’ll meet like-minded people at yoga classes, on guided hikes, or over sundowners at the beach.

Where to stay: Kura Boutique Hotel on the Pacific coast — adults-only and effortlessly stylish or Vayu Retreat Villas which is very cute and has just 4 rooms, restaurant, pool and one of the best therapists/healers I’ve come across.

7. Bali

Bali is the heartbeat of solo wellness travel. The island blends spirituality, community, and design — it’s where people come to pause, heal, and be inspired. Whether you join a retreat or stay in a private villa, it’s easy to meet kindred spirits and reset.

Where to stay: Como Shambhala Estate for wellness; The Slow in Canggu for art and surf energy.

8. The Cotswolds, England

Closer to home but full of charm. Perfect for a short solo escape — long walks, log fires, spa treatments, and great food. You’ll find a warm welcome everywhere.

Where to stay: Thyme or The Wild Rabbit for classic British comfort with style.

9. Mexico (Oaxaca & Tulum)

Mexico’s colour and creativity are irresistible. Oaxaca is soulful and artisanal, perfect for cultural explorers. Tulum, meanwhile, mixes bohemian design, wellness, and beach life. You’ll meet people easily while still finding time for yourself.

Where to stay: Casa Antonieta in Oaxaca; Habitas Tulum for conscious luxury by the sea.

10. Bali to Sri Lanka circuit

A growing trend in 2025 — travellers are combining two or three wellness destinations in one long solo sabbatical. Start in Bali for yoga, then continue to Sri Lanka or southern India for Ayurveda and quiet restoration. It’s travel with purpose — slow, intentional, and transformative.

In 2025, solo travel is less about being alone and more about being aligned — with yourself, your surroundings, and what you truly value, whether that’s luxury, experience or time.