Indulge in next level luxury with One&Only
Travel is all about getting under the skin of a place – tasting the food, experiencing the culture, glimpsing the wildlife and taking in the landscapes.
But sometimes you deserve a little luxury to retreat to at the end of the day – a tranquil spot where you can escape the everyday, whiling away the hours lounging on a secluded beach, indulging at the spa or enjoying a new culinary experience.
One&Only Resorts put that philosophy at the heart, combining optional cultural experiences and adventures that get you out into the place with a chance to relax and treat yourself.
If you want to take the hassle out of planning a stay at one or more of its properties, Travelbag can do the work for you; the travel specialist has been tailor-making trips for over 45 years in destinations across the world, putting together carefully curated and personalised holidays.
From South Africa to Dubai, Mauritius and the Maldives, we’ve rounded up some of the most inspiring destinations that Travelbag and One&Only can take you to.
Bab Al Shams Luxury Desert Safari Resort in Dubai
Bab Al Shams Luxury Desert Safari Resort in Dubai
South Africa
Sandwiched between the dramatic slopes of Table Mountain and the opal lures of the Atlantic, Cape Town’s scenery is reason enough in itself to visit. Add in a multitude of cultural influences, exceptional cuisine and its proximity to the Winelands, and it’s not hard to see what draws culture-curious travellers here.
Any visit should start with a trip to the city’s famous peak; you can hike to the top if you’re feeling adventurous or hop on a cable car with sweeping views along the way. Back on ground level, the V&A Waterfront is well worth a wander with shops, restaurants and attractions lining the harbour; from here ferries can shuttle you over to Robben Island, the former prison and now UNESCO World Heritage Site, where Nelson Mandela and others were held.
Close to the Waterfront, the Bo-Kaap neighbourhood deserves a spot on the list with its candy-bright architecture, cobbled streets and Cape Malay history, while the city’s plethora of flour-white beaches are worthy of some time, too – don’t miss Boulders Beach, located just outside the city and famous for its penguins.
One&Only Cape Town
For a luxury stay right in the heart of the V&A Waterfront, it’s hard to top One&Only Cape Town. The city’s attractions are on the doorstep, but there’s an emphasis on tranquillity, with the water-framed Spa Island offering a menu of exclusive ESPA treatments, and five standout bars and restaurants – including Mediterranean restaurant Isola, South African-inspired Ochre, and the country’s only Nobu.
Experiences are at the heart of the resort; head sommelier Luvo Ntezo – named South Africa’s Best Young Sommelier – and his team offer food and wine pairings in the intimate Wine Loft (home to 5,000 bottles), alongside tours of nearby wine estates, where you can get involved in grape-picking and enjoy a picnic surrounded by vineyards.
For adventure, book a yoga session atop Table Mountain, head out on a memorable whale-watching trip, or explore the waterways by stand-up paddleboard, before retreating to the largest rooms and suites in all of Cape Town; expect views over Table Mountain and the harbour to wake up to every morning.
The Maldives
Snow-white beaches, cerulean sea, swaying palms and cinematic sunsets – touching down in the Maldives is like landing in the middle of a film-set, with pristine reefs offering exceptional diving and snorkelling, and sugary shores to while away the hours on.
One&Only Reethi Rah
If you’re wanting to combine adventures with laid-back days, look to One&Only Reethi Rah, surrounded by a blanket of blue in the North Male Atoll. Translating to ‘beautiful island’, this sweep of tropical greenery is framed by 12 beaches and home to 122 beach and overwater villas, with a host of activities to get involved with – from getting PADI certified at the dive centre to snorkelling with manta rays and whale sharks.
Guests can book an excursion with resident marine biologist Ivanna Tobar to learn more about the surrounding eco-system and the resort’s reef restoration project; or charter their own private catamaran yacht to see dolphins and other marine life darting between the waves. If you fancy getting more adventurous, head out on a fishing trip on a traditional dhoni boat – chefs can prepare your catch back at the resort.
For more of a thrill, stop by the resort’s water sports centre and head out on a kayak, stand-up paddleboard or wakeboard, or head to Club One to learn tennis and padel from pro coaches. If you fancy getting back to nature, amble through the island’s 44-hectare tropical rainforest on foot or by bike.
If you’re looking to indulge, sidle up to the spa for a Maldivian-inspired treatment or in-water massage against an ocean backdrop, or lie back by one of the resort’s three pools.
You’ll find plenty of cultural and creative pursuits here, too, with art and pottery classes led by resident artists (available at the resort’s art studio or in the privacy of your own villa).
When hunger strikes, head to one of four exceptional restaurants, including Japanese at Hoshi, Middle Eastern at Fanditha and ‘garden-to-table’ dishes served beneath the palms at Botanica. Private dining experiences are also available for an extra-special occasion; think dining in twinkling, fairy-lit treetops or on a private sandbank overlooking the ocean, as the sound of the waves lulls you into a daze.
Dubai
From glittering skyscrapers to colourful bazaars and billowing desert, Dubai is a city of many faces.
At its cultural heart is Dubai Creek – the historic part of the city, where labyrinthine souks overflow with fragrant, colourful spices and historic gold shops line the streets. Here you’ll find the Al Fahidi Historic District, home to traditional sandstone architecture and a handful of intriguing museums; and the Dubai Creek Harbour, where wooden abra boats ferry passengers across the waterways.
Elsewhere in the city, there’s plenty more to see; Dubai Marina makes for an idyllic stroll, with restaurants lining the promenade and yachts dappling the water. In the heart of downtown, the Burj Khalifa towers 828m tall, making it the world’s highest building; visit its observation deck for panoramic city views.
One&Only One Za-abeel
If you’re looking to explore the historic area, the recently opened, ultra-luxury One&Only One Za’abeel is ideally located around a 20-minute drive away and sits across an impressive duo of skyscrapers connected by ‘The Link’ bridge. The hotel is home to the UAE’s longest infinity pool, sprawling 120m, alongside nine bars and fine-dining restaurants spanning Indonesian, French, modern Japanese and beyond.
One&Only Royal Mirage
The city isn’t short on idyllic sandy stretches, either – not least Jumeirah Beach. Here you’ll find One&Only Royal Mirage, which sits among 65 acres of lush gardens and has its own private stretch of the beach. Spread across three sections (The Palace, Arabian Court and The Residence), it has four pools, a spa and 12 bars and restaurants. Activities range from sailing and water sports to camel rides and desert safaris.
Bab Al Shams
If you’re looking to properly immerse yourself in the desert, though, book a stay in the heart of it. Luxury desert resort Bab Al Shams (bookable through Travelbag) is an excellent choice, with Arabian-inspired rooms, suites and villas overlooking the dunes, and a whole array of experiences on hand; think 4x4 desert drives, hot air balloon rides, guided walks, falconry shows, horse rides and more, all taking place amidst a landscape of soft, undulating sand.
Mauritius
Blending myriad cultures and flavourful cuisine with wildlife-filled rainforests, tree-covered peaks and powder-white beaches, Mauritius is as diverse as it is enchanting.
You’ll find a slew of natural attractions here – among them the Île aux Aigrettes Nature Reserve, known for its giant Aldabra tortoises; and Black River Gorges National Park, where pink pigeons, macaque monkeys and other rare species roam between trees, volcanic peaks and waterfalls.
More extraordinary still is the Seven Coloured Earth, a multi-coloured, Mars-like ocean of basalt rock formed across the millennia; and the UNESCO-listed peak of Le Morne Brabant, which offers a challenging climb (alongside a moving history; it was once a refuge for runaway slaves). The island is a hotspot for snorkelling and diving, too – not least around Blue Bay Marine Park, where iridescent angelfish, parrotfish and sea turtles dart between a vibrant coral garden.
For a dose of local culture, head to capital Port Louis to see its historic, colonial-era architecture, hilltop citadel and French, Creole and Indian influences. While you’re here, try a dholl puri (stuffed flatbread) and stop by the Central Market, where colourful handicrafts, textiles and spices spill out onto narrow, packed-out lanes.
One&Only Le Saint Géran
For an idyllic base from which to explore the highlights, look to One&Only Le Saint Géran, whose elegant rooms, suites and villas sit on a secluded peninsula. This picturesque retreat is home to a private white-sand beach and exclusive lagoon, with an array of island tours on offer – from hiking trips at Black River Gorges to kayaking through the nearby mangroves. Other adventures range from whale-watching to water-skiing, diving to helicopter trips, plus a market-to-table tour that takes you to the nearby Flacq food market before a cooking class and wine-paired Mauritian feast.
If you’d rather kick back and relax, head to the spa for treatments using Mauritian ingredients (think fresh coconut, mint, honey, clove and aloe vera), or lounge against an ocean backdrop by one of two serene outdoor pools.
When evening falls, head to one of six elegant restaurants. Highlights include Japanese fusion cuisine served with a sea view at Tapasake, fine steak cuts at Prime and a Mauritian seafood barbecue on the beach – think waves lapping gently beneath the stars as you experience island life at its most quintessential. You can do as much or as little as you like here, and that’s all part of the charm.
Ready to experience the next level of luxury?
Plan your trip with Travelbag and One&Only Resorts today.
