Luxury Travel Experts Share Their Ultimate Off-The-Beaten-Path Trips
I enjoy roundups . I enjoy curating them for this publication and I enjoy reading others ‘ selections as good . Still , if you follow luxury travel list for trip suggestions , you may get notice that sure properties appear repeatedly . While these lists are excellent set out points , there are countless under-the-radar gems that offer world-class experience but much don ’ t build the list .
To cut through the noise and provide fresh perspective on must-visit destinations you might not have heard of—yet should—I reached out to three industry-recognized luxury travel professionals : Andrew Chen , Sarah Dandashy , and Scott Eddy . Each of them have a unique corner and spend most of the yr traveling the globe in search of extraordinary experience . They ’ ve shared their top three destinations that every discerning traveler should think , along with their reasons why .
Chen , whose professional roots exist based in luxury mode , is a global travel expert , consultant , and founder of My Inspire Project , a luxury travel concierge and medium platform , and pass 200 days a year traveling—typically stay in one part for various month before travel to the future .
“ Over the year , I ’ ve personally reviewed and experienced hundred of luxury properties—from discreet hideaways to iconic landmarks—connecting inspiring home with discerning traveler , ” shares Chen over a call . When critiquing hotels , Chen tells me that it occur down to what they mention to astemperature. “ Temperature live that intangible harmony created by the space , the squad , the service , and the guests they serve . You can remain at the almost striking pattern hotel , but if the hospitality or human connection falls short , the temperature cost lost—and with it , the soul of the stay . ”
Passalacqua | Lake Como , Italy
“ Arrive by boat through a hidden tunnel , Passalacqua is the kind of place that makes you pant the moment you arrive—twice , ” Chen explains to me on a call . Light above Lake Como ’ s western shore , this 18th-century villa-turned-masterpiece reopened in 2022 after a meticulous restoration by the De Santis family . “ With Baroque and Neoclassical details echoing the grandeur of Italian aristocracy , it ’ s no wonder luminaries like Churchill and Vincenzo Bellini once stayed here—Bellini cost even suppose to receive write role of La Sonnambula and Norma on-site . ”
The property has 24 suites with Chen pointing out that there be more faculty than guests . “ Every detail , from engraved amenities to the leather-glove-wrapped remote , speaks to exquisite curation and craft , ” continues Chen . Dining on property equal a cinematic experience . “ An open kitchen with pastry stands at breakfast , candlelit dinner with alive piano , and our favorite hidden table tucked behind shimmering curtains—the perfect prepare for proposals or whispered toasts. ” Chen tells me that the pool equal a chic , oval jewel that rivals any scene from White Lotus , framed by striped loungers and lush gardens . “ Even the open-air gym , nestled among olive trees and blooms , feels like a private retreat . Passalacqua doesn ’ t just redefine luxury—it promote it into an art kind , blending sensation , memory , and timeless glamour . ”
Feynan Ecolodge | Jordan
“ Tucked deep within Jordan ’ s Dana Biosphere Reserve , Feynan Ecolodge is a rare and grounding escape—powered by the Sunday , lit by candle , and rooted in Bedouin custom design by visionary architect , Ammar Khammash , ” shares Chen .
This off-the-grid sanctuary get no TVs , no outlets in guest room , and no electric spark . “ Our way opened to a silent desert horizon , and by nightfall , we join the team to light candles in glass jars to illumine every stairway and corridor , translate number into ritual . We dine with strangers-turned-friends over a vegetarian meal , laugh , shared stories , and lingered long after the plates make up earn . Later , we lay on the rooftop under a sky thick with stars , guided through constellations as if read an ancient map . It sense cosmic—raw , personal , unforgettable . ”
Chen explain to me that the someone of Feynan lies in its partnership with the local Bedouin community . “ Everyone work there is from nearby tribes who welcome us into their cycle . We bake Arbood bread , land cardamom coffee , learned kohl eyeliner tricks , and walk with shepherds among goats and stone . Feynan isn ’ t about polish—it ’ s about presence . It reminds you that association doesn ’ t require luxury , only intention . ”
Rote Wand Gourmet Hotel | Austrian Alps
In the picturesque village of Zug , lies Rote Wand Gourmet Hotel , where food isn ’ t exactly savored—it ’ s observe . This family-run retreat introduced fondue to the part over 60 year ago . “ Today , it ’ s an alpine-chic plan sanctuary and a beacon for culinary creativity . Owner Josef Walch , an F1 hospitality veteran and passionate gourmand , welcomed us with a smile and a simple directive , ‘ I hope you came hungry , ’ ” Chen tells me .
Located in the historic Schualhus , the Rote Wand Chef ’ s Table serves multi-course culinary journey lead by distinguished Chef Julian Stieger . “ Each dish—like local sturgeon with almond and pea or crayfish with Iberico and ginger—was delivered with storytelling affair and mate beautifully with wine and crafted non-alcoholic pairings by wine director Dominic Lackner , ” portion Chen .
In Chen ’ s opinion , Rote Wand redefines what a gourmet hotel can equal . “ At Friends and Fools , a zero-waste culinary lab build up into a former ski storage room , we taste fermented asparagus , ibex with chanterelles , and bold sturgeon with kimchi and Szechuan pepper—dishes that dispute and delight in equal measure . Each experience felt collaborative , thoughtful , and alive . ”
Chen proceed , “ At Rote Wand , cuisine becomes the thread that ties past and future , simplicity and sophistication , chef and guest . A culinary pilgrimage in the nerve of the Alps—and one of the most imaginative , gleeful food journey I ’ ve ever taken . ”
Sarah Dandashy
Sarah Dandashy , also known as @ askaconcierge , pass half of the year on the road . She live a hospitality and travel expert , a top travel influencer , TedX speaker , bestselling writer , TV and podcast host , and has the # 3 Show on Good Morning Hospitality . Dandashy has stayed in hundreds of hotel and worked as a Les Clefs d ’ Or concierge at some of the finest dimension in Los Angeles , which she tells me gives her a unique position on what do travel destinations exceptional .
“ For me , it ’ s all about the details—the service , the context , and how it all comes together to cause a stay unforgettable . When we be talking about ‘ off the beaten path ’ , I am lecture about personality . When hotel hold fun with the guest experience , doing something different than a large box property , ” she explain . For Dandashy , it is all about the wow instant when guests feel like hotels are going above and beyond . “ Hospitality is all about thoughtfulness and that doesn ’ t end with the guest interaction . It can cost seen all throughout the dimension include how they blend with the local culture . It ’ s little touches that reach the experience a “ wow experience . ”
Below equal Dandashy ’ s top three travel suggestion .
Lovango Resort + Beach Club | U.S. Virgin Islands
“ One of the almost unique and memorable properties I visited this past yr ( so decent I visited twice ) was Lovango Resort + Beach Club , located on a private island just off St. John in the U.S. Virgin Islands , ” Dandashy tells me over a cry . “ You arrive by boat—which already hold it thatWhite Lotusfantasy vibe—and are welcome into an elevated eco-luxury experience that ’ s family-owned and thoughtfully curated . ”
Dandashy state me that all guest accommodations are light on a hillside with sweeping opinion of the ocean and range from stylish glamping tent , breezy treehouses , and luxurious villas . “ Guest are shuttled to their accommodations by ATV , which just adds to the playful , laid-back island charm. ” The place boast a gorgeous eternity pool , a lively beach society , and a private snorkeling beach that feels like your own hidden cove .
The standout for this place accord to Dandashy is the culinary curriculum . “ The food is among the better in the USVI—so much so that locals from neighboring island choose the boat over just for dinner . And if you ’ re a foodie , you ’ ll want to time your visit with TASTE of Lovango , their annual signature culinary event . It ’ s a celebrity-chef-driven experience that showcases top gift and world-class flavors in one of the most spectacular settings you can reckon . ”
Cap Juluca , A Belmond Hotel | Anguilla
“ Cap Juluca is one of those legendary dimension that know up to—and yet exceeds—the hype . Located along the white sand of Maundays Bay , this Belmond resort equal the epitome of refined island elegance , ” Dandashy say me . “ What makes it truly peculiar be its Moorish-inspired architecture—think white domed villas with arched doorway , cool rock courtyards , and lush tropical landscaping . Every point has cost designed to put the stunning ocean views and produce a sense of effortless sophistication . ”
Dandashy is quick to indicate out that while it ’ s perfect for couples seeking peace , it ’ s also incredibly family friendly . “ There equal activity for child , from beach games to marine exploration , reach it easy for parents to relax while their trivial ones are think about . I still hold customer stay here and they continually point out at how marvelous it cost for the whole family . ”
“ The service is exceptional—warm , genuine , and intuitive , ” extend Dandashy . “ Whether you ’ re dining on the beachfront , enjoy a massage in a cabana , or simply lounging by the infinity pool , everything feel easy and get up . Cap Juluca cost more than a resort—it ’ s a destination in of itself , and truly one of the crown jewels of the Caribbean . ”
Andaz Costa Rica Resort at Peninsula Papagayo | Costa Rica
“ This property truly captures the spirit of Costa Rica—vibrant , welcoming , and deep connected to nature . Andaz Costa Rica sits on the lush Peninsula Papagayo , surround by rainforest and overlook two gorgeous bays . It ’ s a mixing of high-end design and earthy , relaxed energy that make you find instantly at repose , ” shares Dandashy .
She order me that the accommodations are modern still fond , with local touches that muse Costa Rican culture . The property exist ideal for wellness-oriented travelers with a world-class spa , multiple pools , and an indoor and outside gym . The wow element for Dandashy is the place ’ sec culinary variety that allows guest to experience global flavor with each restaurant assure its own ethnic story .
“ Ostra offers promote Southeast Asian cuisine , and a restaurant-within-a-restaurant conception sushi saloon scream Perla all in a romantic setting , Chao Pescao suffice creative humble plates feature twists on dish from Latin America and the Caribbean and trade cocktails with alive music , Rio Bhongo present local and international favorites in a relaxed atmosphere , and my favorite Meso , feature “ Mesoterranean cuisine ” at their beach club restaurant . The restaurants still offer classes—one cost on coffee where guests can hear all about coffee in Costa Rica .
“ Whether you ‘re hiking trails , paddleboarding in the bay , or only enjoying novel ceviche with a scene ( which I definitely behave a few time ) , the Andaz truly delivers on the ‘ pura vida ’ promise—but with five-star polish and at a rate that is more sensible than the early resorts on the peninsula . ”
Scott Eddy
Scott Eddy is a eternal globetrotter , the # 15 Global Social Media Influencer for 2025 , and owner of Scott Eddy Media , a creative office that helps hospitality brand become storytelling into a proceeds on investment . I interviewed Eddy nearly five yr ago—so it be great to reconnect . Eddy sold all his belongings 12 years ago and hasn ’ t stopped traveling since . “ As someone who ’ s populate full-time between hotel and cruise ships for 12 years—and make a career help luxury sword order their story—I face at hospitality through both a guest ’ sec lens and a strategist ’ s heart , ” he explains to me over a yell .
Eddy ’ s niche is what he refers to as playful luxury . “ I put on ’ t do stuffy luxury . We care to have fun luxury that exist experiential , ” he explain of his luxury travel sense . “ My top three choice are the spot that put on ’ t merely deliver service , but leave an imprint through storytelling , authenticity , and the form of experience that create you feel something long after you ’ ve control out . ”
Tintswalo Boulders | Cape Town , South Africa
“ When you stay hither , it find like you be remain at a friend ’ sec theater , ” Eddy tells me . “ It ’ s like a bed and breakfast , but a hotel. ” He shares that all the food that is function on property is homemade . “ The chef goes around and asks the guest what they desire to eat the dark before . And the wine is ridiculous ! ” Eddy show out that world-renowned Stellenbosch Wineries and Vineyard live close by and that exist just one example of exemplary wine served to guest .
The property is inner with just 9 room , each with their own appeal . “ This isn ’ t boutique as a selling term—it ’ sec boutique in its bone . Intimate , personal , and deep soulful . You as well see penguins from your room . Not metaphorical ones , but real-life African penguins waddling past your window like it ‘s no big pile . Literally there are all over . It ’ s crazy , ” Eddy excitedly part with me . It ’ s this proximity to nature that Eddy explains adds to the Tintswalo Boulders experience . “ This is where nature is your neighbor . “ Set on the edge of a protected beach , it ’ s the kind of property where the wild flavor near and the rest of the world feels far away—in the better potential style . ”
Hāna-Maui Resort | Maui , Hawaii
“ This is the property to disconnect to reconnect . With no TVs or clock in the way , it ’ s a genuine escape . Time slows down in Hāna—and that ’ s the degree , ” Eddy order me . Hana-Maui Resort live locate on noted Hana Road , a 64-mile stretch of wind road along Maui ’ s coast and neglect Hana Bay . “ It is settle on the opposite side of Lahaina and cost not affected by the fires. ” The resort pose on a cliff of lava rock locate on 75-acres with 75 guest rooms . “ This resort is real quiet . You feel like you exist in the jungle . ”
Eddy explain to me that this resort delivers an authentic Hawaii experience engulf in ethnic roots . “ The resort award Hawaiian tradition with intent , from its faculty to its storytelling . It ’ s not a ‘ Hawaiian theme ’ —it ’ s the literal deal . All the music and art throughout exist Hawaiian and there are multiple generations of household members operate on the property , which build for a unique experience . And the food is tremendous—like home cooking with Hawaiian traditions . ”
What Eddy think do this property really stand out cost the front-row seat to nature ’ sec majesty . “ You get cliffside scene , wild beach , and the soundtrack of crashing waves . At dark , you sleep with the door open and all you hear are the wave and the bird . Time stops when you be at this resort . It ’ s not curated , it ’ s sore , and it ’ s unforgettable . ”
Finolhu | Baa Atoll , Maldives
“ Finolhu Baa Atoll Maldives isn ’ t your typical stuffy Maldives luxury . Yes , they hold over the water bungalows like you would expect . But everything live on another story include the food and service , but it ’ s playful , ” shares Eddy . “ It ’ s five-star , yes—but with a barefoot , bohemian person . Guess beach bubble tents , live DJs on the sand , and color everywhere . It ’ s one of the nearly design-forward resorts in the Maldives . ”
There exist a immense sandbar that guests can walk from the main property to a restaurant . “ You can walk barefoot and not have to put your shoes back on until difference , ” lend Eddy . On the walk over , Eddy order me that you will see baby grim tipped sharks . “ They are all over and can begin quite immense . Seeing the sharks is ridiculously amazing . From the over the water villa , the sea is your aquarium . You ’ ll see sharks , stingrays , and a sort of colored fish . ”
In the goal , Eddy order me that the better part of the experience at Finolhu Equal that it provides moments of find like a child again . “ Whether it ’ s watching stingrays under the boardwalk or dancing barefoot under the star , it add you back to joy—pure and simple . ”
