LUXE Files: 7 Unique Buyouts and Private Resorts the Ultra-Luxe are Booking Now
- Anna Gilchrist
- Jun 9
- 7 min read
As the line between public and private life continues to thin, we are seeing a shift in how the industry’s elite navigate travel. In an era dominated by hyper-connectivity, smartphone cameras and instant social media exposure, anonymity has become a luxury few can access. Even the world’s most exclusive hotels are no longer immune to crowded lobbies, geotags or constant digital gaze. For high-profile individuals, the standard hotel experience now means unwanted public visibility. Consequently, affluent travelers are increasingly bypassing traditional luxury resorts in favor of a total buyout method. This move toward absolute seclusion–whether by securing an entire private peninsula, a solar-powered safari compound, or a personal floating villa–ensures that gracious hospitality, security and bespoke excursions are reserved entirely for one group at a time.
While the concept of a buyout is not new, the scale and service of these exclusive-use destinations represents an unprecedented addition to the luxury travel sector. By offering the comfort of a private home with the staff and amenities of a five-star resort, these properties are becoming the primary choice for travelers seeking a secure space to build memories with family and friends. Below are eight unique buyouts and private resorts leading this shift.
The Private Resort Pioneers:
Founded in 2010, ÀNI Private Resorts is the world’s first private resort collection–a model that defined what this category of travel could look like. Each property is designed for the sole use of one group at a time, accommodating between 20 to 30 guests with a full dedicated staff. It has become a favorite among high-profile travelers who need privacy as much as they need space, with room for an entire entourage and the service level of a five-star hotel to match. ÀNI’s destinations include Thailand’s Koh Yao Noi Island, Sri Lanka’s south coast, and a private peninsula on the Dominican Republic’s north coast, with each resort claiming a spectacular natural setting close to its local ÀNI Art Academy.
ÀNI Private Resorts | Dominican Republic
Claiming its own private peninsula on the island’s lush north coast of Río San Juan, ÀNI Dominican Republic welcomes just one group at a time. Designed for parties of up to 28, the property offers 270-degree Atlantic views. Every stay is entirely bespoke, with a dedicated team of 30 staff members curating everything from personalized dining and spa treatments to authentic cultural excursions.
ÀNI Private Resorts | Sri Lanka
Embraced by verdant jungle on the island’s fabled south coast, ÀNI Sri Lanka exclusively welcomes family and friends alone to this private beachfront estate. Accommodating up to 30 guests, the property features two massive Tropical Modernism-inspired Living Salas overlooking two vast infinity pools. As with all ÀNI properties, a full dedicated staff handles every detail, ensuring only one group has the run of the estate with the level of service usually reserved for a five-star hotel.
ÀNI Private Resort | Thailand
Located in lush gardens with views of Phang Nga Bay, ÀNI Thailand sits on the east coast of Koh Yao Noi Island. Accommodating up to 20 guests, the resort features a vast main swimming pool and an abundance of open-air living areas. From personalized meals and spa treatments to customized excursions, everything is included, allowing guests to prioritize uninterrupted relaxation and connection with their inner circle.
Across all destinations, ÀNI operates on a fully all-inclusive model, with bespoke dining, daily wellness offerings, and custom adventures built into every stay. Resort profits also support the ÀNI Art Academy, a non-profit that provides fine art education to local communities near each property.
Laughing Waters | Barbados, Carribean
Laughing Waters, an elegant 12-bedroom residence set on a four-acre estate just steps from the prestigious Sandy Lane Beach, has redefined lavish, luxury living in Barbados since its rental debut in 2023. Renowned as the island’s largest and most expensive private villa, Laughing Waters is tailored to discerning guests seeking a unique property with unmatched privacy, security and world-class amenities. Just a short walk or golf cart ride from the estate, guests of Laughing Waters enjoy exclusive entry to a members-only beach club and a AAA Five Diamond resort featuring three championship golf courses, high-end dining and spa experiences. The 32,000 sq. ft. residence accommodates up to 24 guests and offers an unparalleled range of services, including concierge, butler, kitchen, housekeeping services, and private security. With design features by renowned local architect Larry Warren and interiors by London-based designer Emma Pearson, Laughing Waters draws inspiration from the iconic Oliver Messel, offering a truly opulent experience for those seeking the pinnacle of Caribbean luxury.
Cheetah Plains | Sabi Sands, South Africa
Opened in 2018 in the heart of the Sabi Sand Nature Reserve–one of the most elite safari destinations renowned for its high density of the “Big Five” and legendary close-up leopard sightings–Cheetah Plains has set the standard in an ultra-luxury South Africa safari experience. It stands apart as one of the few bush offerings designed for a completely private experience. While the typical safari means sharing vehicles, common spaces and dining tables with other camp guests, Cheetah Plains eliminates that entirely. The property operates just three private villas, each functioning as a standalone home with its own formal lounge, living and dining areas, and an expansive swimming pool. Each villa is accompanied by a complete hospitality team, including an expert field guide and tracker, spa therapist, culinary team, and private safari vehicle, all dedicated to one group for the duration of the stay.
The property utilizes its own fleet of solar-charged Land Cruiser Electric Safari vehicles while also impressively operating its three villas entirely off-grid and carbon-negative by producing all of its own energy. The property also doubles as a living art gallery, partnering with the Goodman Gallery to introduce a curated art space and bespoke display of contemporary artworks integrated throughout its villas. This bush-based collection is the first of its kind in South Africa, inviting guests to purchase any contemporary African artworks they see on property. In May 2026, Goodman Gallery refreshed the entire collection, and resident guests are invited to enjoy a private art tour of the curated works within their own villa, followed by a guided walking tour of the broader collection. For a more brilliant keepsake, the gift shop offers a diamond-buying experience, serving as a bespoke memento for travelers to cherish. It’s the ultimate, ultra-luxury retreat for those that want a five-star experience in the remote, raw beauty of South Africa.
Delfin Amazon Cruises | Iquitos, Peru
The newly reimagined Delfin I of Delfin Amazon Cruises in the Peruvian Amazon features four oversized suites with private panoramic terraces, two of which include private whirlpools for an indulgent retreat. Floor-to-ceiling windows immerse guests in the rainforest, creating a seamless connection with nature. The Delfin I is distinguished by its level of customization; unlike traditional boats where travelers are locked to a rigid, shared schedule, guests receive their own dedicated guide ready to tailor and customize every step of the journey through the Amazon. With an attentive hospitality team of 14 members, the vessel serves as a buoyant base for an array of immersive activities. Guests enjoy twice-daily excursions on the river to spot incredible wildlife like birds, monkeys and rare pink river dolphins alongside guided land treks deep into the jungle to learn up-close about native inhabitants like sloths and reptiles. The journey also includes an authentic community visit to purchase local crafts and connect with a local shaman to learn about traditional medicinal practices and regional diets, closing with a special blessing.
Enhanced features include remodeled bathrooms, three-times-daily personalized cabin service, and an upgraded exterior with an air-conditioned observation deck and observatory balconies. On the top deck, guests can unwind in a newly designed lounge area, savor handcrafted cocktails at the bar, and stargaze under some of the world’s clearest night skies. Refined finishes include locally sourced hardwoods, artisanal textiles, and bespoke furniture pieces created in collaboration with Amazonian artists. These enhancements reflect Delfin’s unwavering commitment to offering elevated, intimate experiences in harmony with the natural environment. The vessel’s new solar panels generate clean energy, furthering Delfin’s dedication to sustainability and responsible tourism in the Amazon. This private floating villa offers genuine immersion into one of the world’s most extraordinary ecosystems, without sacrificing any comfort for affluent travelers.
The Pinnacle | Kigali, Rwanda
Since its opening in January 2026, The Pinnacle Kigali has quickly established itself as one of East Africa’s most distinctive luxury destinations, earning a spot on TIME’s World’s Greatest Places 2026, Travel + Leisure’s It List 2026, and becoming the only property in Rwanda within the Small Luxury Hotels of the World collection. Perched on Rebera Hill with panoramic views over the capital, the nine-bedroom retreat accommodates a maximum of 18 guests and builds exceptional inclusions into every stay. Guests enjoy seamless VIP airport meet-and-greet with expedited fast-track clearance, private round-trip local transfers in the property’s luxury electric fleet, and 24-hour personal butler service.
Across its impressive collection of amenities for a property of its size, the hotel offers a heated saltwater infinity pool, private cinema lounge, four-lane bowling alley, and courts for tennis, padel, and basketball. Guests can unwind with the fully equipped gym, steam room, sauna and jacuzzi, with personal training available. Plus, a complimentary 60-minute massage is available for all suite guests. Dining is central to the experience, with four restaurants serving Afro-Asian fusion, pan-European and Mediterranean-inspired menus alongside teppanyaki cuisine, all complimented by a refined selection of international wines. The Ishami Rooftop restaurant and bar is celebrated for its sweeping views of the city’s skyline, paired perfectly with an exquisite gastronomic experience. The Pinnacle Kigali blends modern sophistication with Rwandan warmth, serving as the perfect city hotel pairing for those in Rwanda to experience mountain gorilla trekking or immerse themselves in Kigali’s cultural vibrancy.
Casa Bellamar | Cabo, Mexico
Casa Bellamar offers luxury right on the sun-kissed beaches of Cabo’s East Cape in Mexico. Featured in Robb Report’s Ultimate Gift Book for the 2026 Golden Globes, this solar-powered estate–comprising a main house and four separate guest casitas, housing 20 guests comfortably–has cemented itself as one of the industry’s most desirable destinations. With over 400 feet of impressive ocean frontage and direct access to miles of secluded pristine coastline, the villa’s seclusion is its greatest allure. A dedicated concierge is poised to bring the fun right to you, transforming the estate with local performers, beachfront fireworks, top-tier fitness trainers or a rotating series of guest chefs. On property, guests can escape into an array of amenities, complete with a tennis court, private fitness center, mosaic-tile heated pool, thatched-roof palapas, and a beachfront swim-up bar. Luxury personalized service is the highlight of the experience, featuring a complimentary private chef and butler for effortless al fresco dining, while the concierge coordinates elite off-site excursions like world-class golf, diving into remote Cabo Pulmo, or chartering a private catamaran for the day. Casa Bellamar guarantees seamless service and personalized attention at every turn.