Traveling in luxury for a living – what could be better than that? We at Elite Traveler never take our privileged position for granted. When your audience can travel anywhere in the world at any moment, you have to think carefully about your recommendations. And while we’re always happy to list off our top five Maldivian resorts, the Maldives is, believe it or not, not necessarily where we can switch off from the day-to-day. We asked the team for a quick rundown of their 2025 travel plans, and they include everything from West London to West Africa.
Ellys Woodhouse, Digital Writer
In April, I’ll be heading off to Malaysia, where roti canai, laksa and Hainanese chicken rice await – and I’m ready to taste it all! Between bites, I’ll be trekking through lush jungles and tea plantations, lounging on tropical islands, and exploring the buzz of Kuala Lumpur. Of course, a small part of me can’t help but dream of making this journey in style aboard the Belmond Eastern & Oriental Express. Maybe one day I’ll swap taxi cars for the luxury train ride. Until then, street food and city streets will do just fine.
Toby Louch, Lifestyle Feature Writer
For the past few years, I have wanted to visit America’s Deep South. Having been fortunate enough to visit much of California and the Northeastern United States, I remain fascinated by the corners of America that see less tourist traffic. There are several ways this could work. However, I think the most fittingly American way would be an old-fashioned road trip, starting in Charlotte, North Carolina, heading west across Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and ending in Texas. I would also like to spend time on a ranch, although I can’t ride a horse. I like the idea of spending time in a destination with a purpose outside the world of tourism, as opposed to a standard hotel. Failing that, I hear the fish and chips are good in Whitby.
Kim Ayling, Deputy Editor
Despite being just a hop, skip and a jump away from London (or approximately an hour-long flight from Heathrow, to be more precise) I’ve never visited Ireland and in 2025 I’d like to rectify that. The first port of call would be Dublin for some sightseeing, Guinness drinking and restaurant visiting – Allta is top of my list.
After a few days in the city, I’d like to head to the greener, cleaner sights of Ireland’s countryside. Behind the wheels of a hire car, my dream route would take me south to Waterford before driving along the south coast to Cork and driving up to Galway via Limerick and the Cliffs of Moher. Thankfully, word on the street is that Ireland has some pretty showstopping hotels that I’d very gladly rest my head in after a long day of driving.
Grace Taylor, Social Media Editor
While I’ve technically visited Thailand before, I’m not sure 18-year-old me, on a month-long backpacking trip, fully absorbed the true beauty of the chaotic capital, dense jungles and glittering coast. This time around the dream is to trade hostels for seafront villas, party boats for private yacht trips and buckets in nightclubs for a Sabai Sabai cocktail at sunset.
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For Bangkok, I can’t think of a better place to experience the vibrant gastronomic scene than the 700-ft Ritz-Carlton, Bangkok, set to open in early 2025. As I head to Phuket, I’d be more than happy to settle into one of Amanpuri’s traditional Thai villas and explore the Andaman Sea from their expansive private beach. And, should I happen to be feeling exhausted from the stress of hopping from one luxury hotel to the next, a quick stop at the nearby Six Senses Yao Noi for one of their world-class spa treatments seems like the ideal remedy.
Samantha Coles, Print Editor
In February, I’m heading on Abercrombie & Kent’s Africa: Across the Continent by Private Jet. Joining the fun in Benin, West Africa, I’ll be exploring historic sites like the Sacred Forest and Ganvie (aka the Venice of Africa), before flying on to Morocco’s Sahara Desert where I’ll be staying in a private tented camp, taking camel rides across the Erg Znaigui sand dune and likely getting lost in the vibrant labyrinth of the famous souks.
Ella Danson, Creative Director
While there is nothing like the Med in the summer, I’m exchanging my Orans for hiking boots and heading to Alaska. I’ve waited years to explore some of the world’s most breathtaking, untouched landscapes. Long days under the midnight sun offer the perfect backdrop for sailing through glacier-carved fjords, witnessing towering ice walls calve dramatically into the sea; while watching humpback whales breach nearby and brown bears roam the wild coastlines. If I have the time, I’ll fly down to British Columbia to revisit one of my all-time favourite hotels Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge.
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Alex Martin, Editor-in-Chief
Out of all the exciting hotel openings across the world, the one I’m most looking forward to is a stone’s throw from our London office – The Chancery Rosewood. Formerly home to the US Embassy, the significant redevelopment (and chaotic traffic it has caused) has been a nice reminder that London remains the global capital of luxury hotels. More exciting than the thought of free-flowing cars around Mayfair is the fact that it will house a Carbone (of New York fame and, no, you won’t be able to get a table here either) and a relaunched version of Richard Caring’s infamous Le Caprice. On track to be open in Q3, this will be the place to be for the back half of 2025.
