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From nature-immersed retreats to family-friendly beachfront escapes, 2026 travel trends highlight luxury resorts that blend wellness, sustainability, and meaningful experiences.
Today’s travellers are seeking destinations that allow space for restoration, meaningful connection, and a gentler pace without compromising on comfort or experience (In frame: Anantara Mina Al Arab Ras Al Khaimah Resort )
As travellers step into 2026 with a renewed focus on balance, intention, and wellbeing, year-end getaways and New Year escapes are evolving beyond indulgence alone. Today’s travellers are seeking destinations that allow space for restoration, meaningful connection, and a gentler pace without compromising on comfort or experience. From nature-immersed retreats and beachfront sanctuaries to thoughtfully designed resorts catering to families and multi-generational groups, these stays reflect a growing shift towards mindful luxury.
Sustainability, wellness, and immersive surroundings now sit at the heart of travel decisions, shaping holidays that feel both grounding and celebratory as one chapter ends and another begins.
Phulay Bay, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve — Krabi
Phulay Bay is the epitome of ultra-luxury, deeply intertwined with its surroundings and purpose. Nestled along the Andaman Sea, it offers a peaceful, nature-filled escape that aligns seamlessly with the growing trend of New Year travel resets where wellness, reflection, and rejuvenation take centre stage.
The resort’s wellness programmes draw heavily from Thai traditions and the lush tropical environment, featuring spa treatments that use local herbs and holistic practices aimed at harmonising body and mind.
Sustainable luxury lies at the core of the experience. Since 2017, the resort has been plastic-free, replacing disposables with bamboo straws, glass bottles, and reusable cloth alternatives. Drinking water is sourced from natural springs in the Naga Mountains, significantly reducing dependence on imported bottled water. A strong farm-to-table philosophy is evident through the Chef’s Garden, rooftop beehives supplying fresh honey, and responsibly sourced seafood from local fishing communities.
Water conservation systems use natural spring water for landscape irrigation, minimising the use of potable water, while composting, beeswax food wraps, and other waste-reduction practices further reduce environmental impact.
Mövenpick Resort Al Marjan Island — Ras Al Khaimah
Embracing the essence of Swiss hospitality, Mövenpick Resort Al Marjan Island showcases the brand’s reputation for warm service, excellent cuisine, and relaxed luxury. Located on Ras Al Khaimah’s man-made island, this beachfront resort is designed for the modern, family-oriented traveller, offering spacious accommodations, diverse dining options, and dedicated leisure zones for both adults and children.
In tune with current travel trends, the resort balances indulgence with responsibility through Accor’s sustainability initiatives, which focus on waste reduction, responsible sourcing, and improved energy efficiency. Wellness is integrated organically through spa treatments, beach activities, and open-air relaxation rather than structured medical programmes, ideal for families seeking balance without rigid schedules. Its scale and layout make it especially suited for multi-generational holidays, where shared experiences coexist comfortably with personal space.
Rixos Bab Al Bahr — Ras Al Khaimah
Rixos Bab Al Bahr is a vibrant, all-inclusive luxury resort set on Al Marjan Island, known for its expansive beachfront, lively entertainment, and diverse dining options. Designed to appeal to families and groups, the resort offers an energetic social atmosphere alongside comprehensive wellness facilities, kids’ clubs, sports activities, and live performances.
In line with the growing demand for responsible luxury, the resort has taken notable steps towards sustainability and is the first on Al Marjan Island to receive the internationally recognised Blue Flag Certification, reflecting high standards in water quality, environmental education, safety, and beach management. Structured environmental management systems support energy and water efficiency, waste reduction, and local sourcing in accordance with Responsible RAK standards. This blend of excitement, wellness, and eco-conscious practices makes it particularly appealing for festive and New Year getaways as well as multi-generational travel.
Anantara Mina Al Arab Ras Al Khaimah Resort — Ras Al Khaimah
Anantara Mina Al Arab Ras Al Khaimah Resort is a refined retreat immersed in nature, set on a private peninsula framed by golden sands and mangroves. The resort offers sophisticated beachfront living paired with world-class dining, wellness experiences, and curated recreational activities.
With sustainability at its core, the property has achieved LEED Gold certification, reflecting its commitment to environmentally responsible design and operations. Eco-friendly building materials, energy-efficient systems, water conservation strategies, and comprehensive waste management initiatives are seamlessly integrated into daily operations delivering luxury that feels thoughtful, contemporary, and deeply connected to its natural surroundings.
Hilton Salwa Beach Resort & Villas — Qatar
Hilton Salwa Beach Resort & Villas is designed as a complete destination, stretching across a vast beachfront and offering hotel rooms, private villas, and one of the region’s largest waterparks. Its scale makes it ideal for families, larger groups, and travellers seeking privacy alongside resort-style amenities.
The resort reflects the growing popularity of all-in-one travel destinations, where dining, entertainment, wellness, and recreation coexist effortlessly. Guests can enjoy spa treatments, outdoor adventures, and beachfront leisure, while sustainability is guided by Hilton’s global ESG framework, focusing on energy efficiency, water conservation, and responsible sourcing. With multiple accommodation formats, the resort is especially well-suited to multi-generational travel, allowing families to come together while maintaining individual comfort and space.
December 25, 2025, 09:40 IST
