Looking for the ultimate exclusive travel experience? There are many breathtaking, unique destinations to discover and explore worldwide.
Whether you’re seeking a relaxing getaway to the glamorous beaches of Saint-Tropez or an ultra-exclusive urban escape in the heart of Dubai, luxury destinations provide unparalleled experiences for those who appreciate the finer things in life.
To uncover the top luxury hotspots around the globe, the team at Prime Casino has analysed prime locations that offer top-tier five-star hotels, extravagant fine-dining experiences and plenty of luxury shopping opportunities.
Dubai Tops The List As The Most Exclusive Destination, Scoring 7.93 Out Of 10
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Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Exclusivity score: 7.93/10
Known for its luxury, innovation, and vibrant atmosphere, it's no surprise Dubai is the most exclusive destination in the world, scoring 7.93 out of 10. According to Tripadvisor, this diverse and multicultural city offers over 650 fine-dining experiences. Notable celebrity chef restaurants in Dubai include establishments by Massimo Bottura, Gordon Ramsay, and Nobu Matsuhisa.
A legend in the culinary world, Matsuhisa is known for creating a unique fusion of traditional Japanese flavours with Peruvian ingredients. The Nobu establishment is internationally recognised for its sleek, intimate and sophisticated atmosphere, while Bottura’s playful approach to Italian classics creates a more artistic and nostalgic feel, offering a one-of-a-kind, immersive dining experience.
With over 380 five-star hotels listed on Booking.com, Dubai is home to world-class, lavish stays like the Burj Al Arab, which offers seven-star service, ultra-luxury amenities, and personalised services, including helicopter transfers, private beaches, and exclusive dining options. Atlantis, The Palm is also a prime location with unique underwater suites that offer magnificent aquarium views. On average, it costs more than £450 per night to stay at one of the city’s spectacular five-star hotels.
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Saint-Tropez, France
Exclusivity score: 7.40/10
From lavish villas to scenic beauty, luxury boutiques, and chic cafés, Saint-Tropez ranks second, with an exclusivity score of 7.40 out of 10. Surrounded by luxury and glamour, this small coastal town on the French Riviera has caught the attention of many wealthy travellers.
Saint-Tropez has many iconic establishments like Hôtel Byblos, which offer exclusive beach clubs such as the Byblos Beach Ramatuelle. It also provides top-quality services from a world-class spa, The Spa Byblos by Sisley Cosmetics, which features five treatment cabins and an experience shower.
Originally a fishing village, Saint-Tropez’s picturesque views and golden beaches now come with a hefty price tag. The average nightly five-star hotel cost in this charming old town is approximately £456. Saint-Tropez continues to captivate visitors, with a 29% increase in Google searches over the past year.
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Kyoto, Japan
Exclusivity score: 7.09/10
Kyoto ranks third with a score of 7.09 out of 10, completing the top three. Despite being one of Japan’s most visited cities, Kyoto is unique and exclusive in its own right. Considered to be the cultural heart of Japan, the city is a treasure trove of the country’s heritage, showcasing centuries-old traditions like tea ceremonies, geisha culture, and Zen gardens.
The city offers distinctive high-end accommodations, including ryokans—traditional Japanese inns—such as Hoshinoya Kyoto. Of the over 100 five-star hotels, almost two-thirds (65%) are rated superb (9/10 and above) on Booking.com.
Renowned for its exceptional fine dining scene, Kyoto offers the perfect blend of traditional kaiseki cuisine and innovative culinary experiences. The city's nearly 600 fine-dining restaurants are listed on Tripadvisor, and its Michelin-starred establishments include Sokkon Fujimoto and Nakamitsu.
Doha Has The Highest Percentage Of Five-Star Hotels
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Doha, Qatar
Percentage of five-star hotels: 48.2%
With almost half (48.2%) of its hotels listed as five stars on Booking.com, Doha has a world-class collection of luxury hotels offering impeccable services. The Mandarin Oriental, located in the heart of Msheireb Downtown, has an array of elegant rooms and suites, a serene spa, rooftop pools, and remarkable dining options, including signature restaurants serving international cuisine.
Guests staying at Mandarin Oriental can enjoy nearby attractions, such as exploring the vibrant Souq Waqif or taking a leisurely walk along the Corniche.
Other notable five-star hotels in the country's capital, perfect for luxury-seeking tourists to explore, are Four Seasons and The St. Regis.
Lake Como’s Lavish Five-Star Hotels Average £1.2k Per Night
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Lake Como, Italy
Average nightly five-star hotel cost: £1,245
Surrounded by the Alps, Lake Como’s picturesque setting serves as the perfect backdrop for many wealthy travellers, including famous figures, celebrities and VIPs, including George Clooney, who has a home on the lake's shores.
Not only is it close to major fashion cities like Milan, but Lake Como is also a highly sought-after destination for those seeking luxury, tranquillity, and stunning lakefront views. However, according to Booking.com, this comes with an average premium price of more than £1,200 per night. As a top-tier location, Lake Como offers many bespoke experiences, from Michelin-starred restaurants and wine tastings to private boat tours appealing to more affluent travellers.
SSantorini Has The Highest Percentage Of Restaurants Awarded “Traveller's Choice”
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Santorini, Greece
Percentage of restaurants with a "Traveller's Choice" award: 29.3%
Santorini is well-known for its cuisine, serving traditional Greek flavours with fresh, unique local ingredients. Just under a third (29.3%) of its restaurants have a Traveller's Choice award, which is determined by the quality and quantity of traveller reviews and ratings posted on Tripadvisor over 12 months.
One of the restaurants that received this award in 2024 due to its high volume of positive reviews and ratings is The Athenian House. It has been described as a hidden gem, offering exquisite Greek food and personalised service in a magical setting. A delighted customer described it as a ‘must-try restaurant’, while others referred to its cuisine as the ‘best food in Santorini’ and praised its ‘flavours beyond expectations.’
Saint-Tropez Grabs The Top Spot With The Highest Percentage Of Fine-Dining Restaurants
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Saint-Tropez, France
Percentage of fine dining restaurants: 26.3%
Renowned for its one-of-a-kind fine dining experiences, Saint-Tropez offers a blend of upscale restaurants and charming local eateries with stunning views of the Mediterranean Sea. This creates a scene that pairs mouth-watering food with breathtaking surroundings.
The town also has several top-tier Michelin-starred establishments, such as La Vague d’Or and Le Girelier. Both specialising in exceptional Mediterranean cuisine from locally sourced fresh ingredients, La Vague d’Or offers a more personalised and refined VIP dining experience, while Le Girelier is known for its sophisticated ambience and breathtaking views of the harbour.
More than a quarter (26.3%) of the town's restaurants listed on Tripadvisor are fine-dining establishments, the highest among all other destinations. Additionally, almost one in 10 (9%) restaurants have received a "Traveller's Choice" award, making it a top location for food lovers.
The Destinations With The Highest Number Of High-End Fashion Stores
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Seoul, South Korea
High-end fashion stores: 93
From luxury boutiques and designer brands to cutting-edge Korean fashion, Seoul tops the list with the most high-end fashion stores. Perfect for those looking for more extravagant shopping experiences during their travels, this city is a global fashion hub, attracting locals and international shoppers.
One of the most well-known luxury shopping areas in the city is Cheongdam-dong. Referred to as the ‘Beverly Hills of Seoul,’ this expensive neighbourhood has numerous top international fashion brands. There are over 31 Gucci stores in the city alone, with Prada (23 stores) and Louis Vuitton (20 stores) also among the favourites.
Seoul Sees Over 50% Increase In Annual Google Searches
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Seoul, South Korea
Annual year-on-year change in Google searches: 52.9%
Annual Google searches for Seoul have risen by over half (52.9%), making it the exclusive destination with the highest yearly increase. Rooted in its unique combination of cultural sophistication, modern luxury, and innovative experiences, Seoul’s exclusivity differs from traditional luxury destinations defined by high-end resorts and expensive amenities.
The city has gained increased attention over the years, likely due to all that it has to offer. With over 350 fine-dining restaurants and several Michelin-starred options, such as Haobin, Jungsik, and La Yeon, Seoul attracts many culinary enthusiasts with its superb blend of traditional Korean flavours and global influences. It also offers an impressive range of luxury hotels, including The Shilla Seoul and Park Hyatt Seoul, just a few of the five-star hotels on Booking.com that are rated superb (9/10 and above).
Methodology
We first created a seed list of exclusive holiday destinations using sources such as The Times and The Independent. We then looked at the following factors:
- Percentage of five-star hotels
- Percentage of five-star hotels rated Superb (9/10 and above)
- Average nightly five-star hotel cost
- Percentage of fine dining restaurants on Tripadvisor
- Percentage of restaurants with a "Traveller's Choice" award
- Annual Google searches (Year-on-year percentage change)
- Number of high-end fashion stores
We then used a weighted ranking system to determine the exclusivity score. We gave each location a normalised score out of 10 for each factor before calculating the overall average score out of 10. This was then ranked to find the top destinations.
To determine the percentage of five-star hotels across each destination, we used Booking.com for the overall number of hotels filtered by ‘a weekend in January’ in each location as of 23/12/2024. We also collected the number of five-star hotels and hotels rated superb (9/10) or above using the site’s filters. These two factors were then calculated as percentages.
The average nightly five-star hotel cost was also taken from Booking.com, from the answers to the following questions, ‘How much does it cost to stay in a five-star hotel in Dubai?’ and ‘How much is a five-star hotel in Dubai for this weekend’ located in the FAQs at the bottom of the site’s five-star hotel pages for each location. We manually calculated the figures for some places where this data was unavailable. These figures were based on Booking.com prices as of 23/12/2024.
Using Tripadvisor, we gathered data on the total number of restaurants listed on the site. We then filtered fine-dining restaurants on 23/12/2024 and restaurants with a "Traveller's Choice" award on 06/01/2025. This data was then calculated as percentages and ranked to find the top destinations.
We used the Google Keyword Planner to calculate the annual Google searches as a year-on-year percentage change for each location, comparing the total yearly figures from Dec 2022 - Nov 2023 to Dec 2023 - Nov 2024.
The number of high-end fashion stores was sourced from the store locator pages of the five fashion brands: Hermès, Prada, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, and Dolce & Gabbana. These figures were then combined and ranked in order as of 23/12/2024.
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