Originally a vacation home for the Sersale family, Le Sirenuse inspired Marina Sersale’s 2004 Eau d’Italie body care and fragrance line (Credit: Claus Brechenmacher & Reiner Baumann Photography)
Originally a vacation home for the Sersale family, Le Sirenuse inspired Marina Sersale’s 2004 Eau d’Italie body care and fragrance line.Photo: Claus Brechenmacher & Reiner Baumann Photography

#1 Le Sirenuse

Via Cristoforo Colombo 30, 84017 Positano, Italy

A visit to Le Sirenuse is not complete without taking in the scenery. Since 1951, this elegant 58-key hotel has offered breathtaking views of the Mediterranean Sea and the pastel-hued houses that cascade down Positano’s cliffsides.

Originally a holiday retreat named Villa Giulietta for the Sersale siblings, Anna, Aldo, Franco, and Paolo (later Mayor of Positano), the villa evolved into the iconic luxury hotel, Le Sirenuse, in 1951, creating an internationally renowned symbol of Amalfi Coast style, hospitality, and art.

The name pays homage to Positano’s three islands, now called Li Galli, and to the mythical sirens said to inhabit them, luring sailors to their demise. These islets are visible from the resort’s beach-facing terrace.

Le Sirenuse’s service is highly rated. Google reviews range from “10 stars” to “amazing attention to detail”. Also praised are the wine tastings and pre-breakfast pilates. Not your thing? Let the gentle sunlight streaming through the all-white interiors and furnishings lull you to sleep or relax.

Me-time tip

“Positano is a great base for exploring the Amalfi Coast. Use ferries when possible for scenic and efficient transport to other villages such as Amalfi, Capri, and Salerno. The concierge can help arrange private drivers or boat tours.”

Antonio Sersale, co-owner, Le Sirenuse

More info at https://sirenuse.it/en/

#2 Trisara Phuket

60/1 Moo 6, Srisoonthorn Road, Cherngtalay, Thalang, Phuket 83110 Thailand

Trisara (“garden in the third heaven” in Sanskrit) is a luxury resort on Phuket’s north-west coast with a private oceanfront beach reserved for guests at 39 suites and villas. While you’re here, you can enjoy gorgeous views of the Andaman Sea as you stroll and wander about.

If you’re visiting between December and April, the property offers complimentary water sports, including snorkelling, sailing, and windsurfing. Fancy a fishing trip all by yourself? The hotel has a sports cruiser available for private charter.

Meanwhile, 20 minutes away by car is Pru Jampa Farm. It provides Trisara’s two Michelin-starred restaurants, Pru and Jampa, with seasonal, organically grown vegetables, herbs and fruits, and free-range chicken eggs. You can even pick your own eggs, bring them back for breakfast the next day, and enjoy a farm-to-fork dining experience at Jampa.

The Wellbeing Series, which includes beach clean-ups, marine debris art, and craft activities, offers solo travellers an opportunity to connect with a like-minded community and engage in giving back. Not into small talk? Take a meditation class.

Me-time tip

“Experience Phuket’s natural beauty beneath the blue. Ask about our private snorkelling excursion to Koh Wae, where you can enjoy tranquil moments filled with crystal-clear waters, colourful coral, and abundant marine life.”

Panjama Leamsuwan,
Vice President of Sales & Marketing, Montara Hospitality Group

More info at https://trisara.com/

#3 Amansara Siem Reap

Krong Siem Reap 93101, Cambodia

A former residence of the late King Norodom Sihanouk, Amansara Siem Reap is a five-star property situated just moments from Angkor Archaeological Park, the Unesco World Heritage Site famous for its history and spirituality.

First opened in 1963 as Villa Princière for royalty and their guests, Aman restored it in 2002 and renamed it Amansara Siem Reap. The resort offers 24 Contemporary, Courtyard, and Pool Suites—the last with its own plunge pool—ranging from 807 sq ft to 1,517 sq ft each.

As well as round-trip limo transfers from Siem Reap Angkor International Airport with fast-track immigration on arrival, guests also enjoy daily excursions to the temples of Angkor with an English-speaking guide. Additionally, Siem Reap town transportation is complimentary.

You can choose to skip or partake in all activities, such as an Amabala motorboat journey along Tonlé Sap lake, a monk-led forest walking meditation, or dinner at the 10th-century Angkor temple of Prasat Kravan.

It is also worth checking out the Buddhist ritual of water blessing. The 15-minute ceremony involves chanting and pouring flower-infused water over you for spiritual purification.

Enjoy some inner peace while you can.

Me-time tip

“We have special access to Angkor Wat through the East Gate. We start this experience under the light of the moon at around 5am. This way, as the sun starts to rise over the temple, you have it almost all to yourself.”

MJ Birch, General Manager, Amansara

More info at https://www.aman.com/resorts/amansara

#4 Lanserhof Tegernsee

Gut Steinberg 1-4, 83666 Waakirchen, Germany

If your resolution is to live 2026 healthier, consider a reset at Lanserhof Tegernsee.Located in the lovely surrounds of the Bavarian Alps, this detox destination is favoured by the rich and famous for its wellness programmes.

The Lanserhof Classic, in particular, includes medical examinations, healing massages, and foot reflexology. You can also sign up for a Global Beauty Package, which includes skin-beautifying treats such as Contour Lift and Jetpeel facials.

As those who have checked in (and out) reiterate, the aim here is not to lose weight. Instead, it is to repent from bad habits and develop better ones, such as chewing and eating slowly.

All this is made easier in its stylish environment with geometric shapes and minimalist lines designed by German architect Christoph Ingenhoven (Marina One Singapore) in collaboration with landscape visionary Enzo Enea. A key concept of the hotel’s architecture is “less is more”, mirroring perfectly the health goals of its guests.

There are 70 guest rooms here, each with floor-to-ceiling windows that provide impressive views of the Tegernsee Valley.

Me-time tip

“Daily activities, including guided hikes, exercise classes, evening lectures, and concerts provide opportunities for a structured day. Having them scheduled not only provides structure to a solo trip, but also minimises any waste of time.”

Lavinia Koenig, Senior Communication Manager, Lanserhof

More info at https://lanserhof.com/en/lanserhof-tegernsee/

#5 Villa Le Corail, A Gran Meliá Hotel

Bai Tien, Duong De, Bac Nha Trang ward, Khanh Hoa province, Vietnam Nha Trang

Villa Le Corail houses Asia’s first outpost of the highly acclaimed Spanish restaurant Hispania, with views of Vietnam’s sublime coastline. Solo travellers will love the relaxed atmosphere and attentive service at Hispania, where fresh Vietnamese ingredients enhance Spanish dishes.

The 251-key hotel melds lavish European touches with Vietnamese tropical beauty, and its rooms feature fine European furniture and a panoramic ocean view from the large windows. It also boasts beautiful tropical views that set the scene for a nature-inspired vacation, while the clear blue waters and rhythmic waves of the Nha Trang coast invite you to enjoy a relaxing beach day or a peaceful sunrise stroll.

There are even unique experiences. The coral plantation, for instance, allows you to plant living coral fragments and catch glimpses of the underwater world. When night falls, take in an awe-inspiring view of the celestial world at the Nha Trang Observatory.

Me-time tip

“Set your alarm for 7am and head to the local fishermen’s port just as the boats return. You’ll see the catch of the day being unloaded, sorted, and bargained over. It’s noisy, colourful, and wonderfully authentic.”

Laurence Neumann, Cluster Director of Sales & Marketing,
Villa Le Corail, A Gran Meliá Hotel

More info at https://www.melia.com/en/hotels/vietnam/nha-trang/gran-melia-nha-trang

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