The luxury travel trends to know for 2025

f 2024 was about the Olympics in Paris, the Euros in Germany, and Taylor Swift single-handedly boosting entire economies with her worldwide Eras tour, 2025 has a more altruistic approach to travel – namely, a united effort to stop the destructive effects of mass tourism. This may sound counter-productive for the travel industry, but no one’s packing away the passports just yet. Instead, there’s an encouraging optimism in seeking out second cities, alternative destinations to the crowded usual suspects and quieter, overlooked corners of the globe.

Thailand is having a moment, thanks in no small part to series three of The White Lotus being set there, but other destinations are garnering buzz too (and not just the places where Oasis are treating their fans to giant doses of nostalgia between July and November).

We'll all be avoiding peak season, since April and October are officially the new August – as evidenced by the Greek island resorts that are keeping their doors open well into the autumn to meet the demand. And Bella Hadid, Billy Bob Thornton (in Landman) and Beyoncé aren’t the only ones embracing cowboy culture – this year, we all want a slice of the wild, wild west (and our own stetson to doff).

Here are some of the trends that will shape how we travel in 2025…

1. "Coolcationing"

For decades, Brits in particular have had one main concern when it came to selecting a summer-holiday destination, which was: where is it going to be hot enough for me to lie on a sunlounger? But with several European places seeing blisteringly hot temperatures in recent summers, more and more people are opting to holiday in colder climates instead. The travel company Virtuoso reports that 64 per cent of its clients are altering their travel plans due to climate change, with Antarctica and Norway surging in popularity.

Nick Van Gruisen of The Ultimate Travel Company concurs, identifying "coolcationing" as a new trend that places a spotlight on cooler locations, favoured for their "lack of crowds, lower temperatures and unique natural beauty" – his top picks for a summer coolcation include Swedish Lapland, Alaska and the Faroe Islands. The Leading Hotels of the World reports similar findings, suggesting that travellers will eschew traditional sun and sand destinations for a cooler summer holiday without the heat or crowds – for example, a trip to Gleneagles in Scotland, Grand Hotel Stockholm, or Hotel Continental in Oslo.

2. Avoiding crowds

Unless you’re an Italian or a Greek with a family summer home in Porto Ercole or Mykonos, August is no longer prime time for heading to the beach. Instead, last year saw lots of hotels in previously strictly seasonal destinations such as the Greek islands staying busy well into October. Grandest dame of Lake Como Villa d’Este is helping to facilitate this change in travel habits and now stays open for Christmas and New Year. And Saint-Tropez is no longer just for the summer months, either – Arev is one of the few hotels in the village that’s open year-round, making a convincing case for winters spent on the French Riviera.

Virtuoso reveals that 69 per cent of its advisors have found that their clients are selecting 'shoulder season' (the period between peak and off-peak seasons) or off-peak travel, and are favouring destinations that have more moderate weather. The adventurous tour operator Wild Frontiers predicts that offbeat destinations – from Armenia and Bolivia to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kyrgyzstan and Algeria – will see a rise in popularity as people go to increasing lengths to avoid mass tourism. Wayfairer Travel reports that "eco-conscious trips that positively impact the planet will continue to be a priority for travellers in 2025", citing rewilding projects in Costa Rica or cycling through Japan’s countryside as perfect wholesome adventures.

3. Spotlight on Thailand

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you can’t have failed to notice that series three of The White Lotus has been filmed in Thailand. Fans of the show don’t have long to wait (it premieres in February), but even better will be some instant winter sun in Phuket or Koh Samui, two of the filming locations – the boutique hotel experts and travel club Mr & Mrs Smith approves of Cape Fahn in Koh Samui, Trisara in Phuket and Soneva Kiri in Koh Kood as some of its dream Thai escapes.

4. Multi-generational mega-trips

We’ve all dreamt of it and some families are doing it – taking a sabbatical en masse to see the world together, home-schooling as they go. A report by Virtuoso and Globetrender outlined the rise of ‘XZ Beta Travel’ as a key trend shaping luxury travel in 2025, with as many as seven generations travelling together.

Booking.com was another travel company to highlight multi-generational mega-trips, with a survey finding that 42 per cent of British travellers would rather spend their money on a trip of a lifetime this year than leave it as inheritance for their children. The luxury tour operator Cazenove + Loyd also identified the popularity of celebration trips; whether for a milestone birthday or anniversary, a honeymoon or a wedding, it has seen an increase in demand for exclusive-use villas, mansions, castles, yachts and even private islands.

5. Solo travel

Solo travel has also been rising in popularity for a while now, with more people than ever willing to take a punt and go it alone. Instead of worrying about the awkwardness of dining by yourself or focusing on safety concerns, stick to popular destinations for single travellers, and you’ll most likely find the experience exhilarating.

Many hotels are scrapping their single supplements – and even cruise lines have caught up, with many voyages now catering to solo passengers, offering them deals, dedicated hosts and specially curated excursions. Virtuoso points out that a solo cruise "promotes personal growth and self-reliance", allowing "individuals to navigate new adventures at their own pace, while also enjoying camaraderie with other passengers if desired".

6. Wellness retreats

JOMO is the new FOMO. In case that needs glossing, the fear of missing out is out, replaced with the joy of missing out – the emphasis being on gleefully letting things pass you by, while you focus only on the things you really want to do. Unplugging from day-to-day life, slowing down and taking a longer trip if you can, scheduling plenty of ‘me’ time, and the eternal quest for wellness – embracing these travel habits is the perfect antidote to today’s increasingly fast-paced, always-on world.

In 2025, wellness isn’t just about lying flat on a massage bed, with many spas now combining this with a much more active element – whether it’s helping guests to master the trending sports of padel and pickleball, scale a mountain or embark on a cobweb-banishing coastal walk. Pride of Britain Hotels has also identified this desire to escape and rejuvenate, with 78 per cent of its clients citing "rest and relaxation" as their primary reason for taking a luxury break in the UK.

Catering to the endless demand for wellness travel, the health-focused hotel brand Siro follows up its Dubai debut with Siro Boka Place in Montenegro this year, with feel-good activities on offer ranging from therapies in its recovery lab, hikes around the Bay of Kotor and workouts in its high-spec fitness centre.

7. Tailormade travel

Possibly fuelled in part by the deluge of content glorifying the lifestyles of the super-rich – from Succession to Glass Onion – we all want in on the action, and thankfully you don’t need a billionaire budget (but it will help). Virtuoso has noticed that its clients are replacing more common bucket-list destinations with places sourced from documentaries, books, films and, of course, TikTok. They’re looking for bespoke journeys crafted with the expertise of travel advisors that go beyond the obvious, champion new locations and help to create unique, unforgettable experiences.

8. Yee-haw, cowboycore

It’s niche, but if it’s good enough for Beyoncé, who famously embraced her Texan roots with last year’s Cowboy Carter album, it’s good enough for us – especially those of us who have been watching the all-star cast appearing in Paramount Plus’ series Landman lately or have been gripped by Yellowstone for five seasons now. The One&Only hotel brand got the memo and will be opening its latest resort, Moonlight Basin, in Montana this year, its first foray into the USA, promising fly-fishing, stargazing and skiing.

'Out of this world' new way to travel luxuriously.

United Airlines rolled out a premium mode of service with Polaris business class at an unveiling event in Tokyo recently. The airline describes Polaris travel as the most significant upgrade to its range of products and services in more than a decade.

Targeting intercontinental travelers, the Polaris experience features an enhanced flight cabin environment with a redesigned, lie-flat seating berth that allows passengers uninterrupted comfort, with a "Do Not Disturb" status. The ground components to this premium travel are the exclusive Polaris lounges, most of which are scheduled to open at major connecting hubs later this year and in early 2018.

'Phenomenal' response

According to Sam Shinohara, United's managing director of operations Asia/Pacific, the response to Polaris class business travel has been a smashing success.

"The feedback we've been getting from customers who have experienced the Polaris product is out of this world, phenomenal.

"Polaris is really all about sleep, and we've made the investment in the long-haul flights like gel pillows and duvet blankets" Shinohara added.

While the lone Polaris lounge is at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport, the Polaris cabin experience was replicated at the United Polaris Showcase 2017 at the upscale Hikarie Shibuya complex in Tokyo on June 15.

Marcel Fuchs, United's vice president for Atlantic and Pacific, in attendance at the Tokyo event, sees the introduction of Polaris as a fresh start for the airline.

"As a company, this is a new era for us — the rollout of Polaris ... in Tokyo we are celebrating the brand-new Boeing 777-300 ER, which operates between Narita and San Francisco for the first time," Fuchs said. He added that the experience starts at the Polaris lounges, which are slated to open in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Houston, New York/Newark, Washington Dulles, Tokyo Narita, Hong Kong and London Heathrow Airport.

Tokyo reveal

Four of the Polaris business class berths, along with the accompanying designer amenities, were staged in a ballroom at the Hikarie Shibuya. Linen and bedding for Polaris business class was developed by Saks Fifth Avenue, the luxury retailer based in Manhattan. United enlisted Saks to provide an enhanced sleeping experience for intercontinental travelers. The custom bedding provided by Saks will include duvets, lightweight day blankets, a small pillow and a large pillow for each customer. Mattress cushions are available upon request.

The Polaris showcase also featured a display of culinary items premium class travelers can expect from United. Polaris business class will feature regional menus designed by critically acclaimed chefs, and wine and cocktail pairings curated by United's master sommelier.

SFO-Narita

Yona resident Patty Castro was able to experience Polaris business class on the lengthy trip between San Francisco and Narita, a ten-hour flight.

"Each customer has their own compartment-like cubby, so the privacy aspect of Polaris is quite nice; I usually let one of the flight attendants know not to disturb me when I'm asleep, or they will ask me if I would like to be woken up for the next meal, and the meal service is awesome," Castro said. She added, "it's very comfortable for the long flights."

The Ultimate Checklist for Luxury Travel

Traveling is always an exciting adventure, but when it comes to luxury travel, it's an entirely different experience. Luxury travel is about indulgence, comfort, and making the most of your journey. It's about staying in the best hotels, dining at the finest restaurants, and experiencing the utmost comfort while traveling. However, to ensure that your luxury travel experience is as smooth and enjoyable as possible, it's essential to be well-prepared. 

This luxury travel checklist will guide you through all the necessary steps to ensure you've got everything covered—from planning and booking to packing and processing your photos using a color picture editor.

Let's get started!

Planning and Booking

Luxury accommodations, flights, and transportation options often get booked quickly, and prices can skyrocket as the date approaches. 

To ensure you get the best deals and the most comfortable opportunities, it is recommended to start planning and booking your trip as early as possible. Start by choosing the perfect destination, considering the time of year, weather, and available activities. Next, book your flights, accommodation, and transportation. 

The goal is to travel comfortably, so opt for business or first-class flights, book a room in a luxurious hotel or resort, and arrange for private transportation.

Packing

Packing carefully is another essential step in preparing for your luxury trip. You'll want to pack appropriate clothing and accessories since you'll be staying in luxurious accommodations and probably dining in upscale restaurants. Pack various outfits suitable for different occasions, from casual to formal. Remember your toiletries, electronics, and other necessary items. 

Also, consider packing extra things that can enhance your travel experience, such as a good book, noise-canceling headphones, or a comfortable pillow for the flight.

Technology

Technology is pivotal in elevating the experience of luxury travel. A plethora of gadgets and applications are available that can augment your comfort and pleasure throughout the journey, starting from the booking process to navigating your destination. For instance, utilizing a travel application can help in keeping all your essential travel documents and planned itineraries well-organized and easily accessible.

Furthermore, it is wise to invest in top-notch gadgets like a smartphone equipped with an excellent camera, a portable laptop, or a tablet to keep yourself engaged during the flight. These devices not only provide entertainment but also help in capturing and documenting your journey. The right technology can make a significant difference in your overall travel experience.

Health and Safety

Health and safety are of utmost importance during luxury travel. It is essential to take necessary health precautions, such as getting vaccinated, taking medication for travel-related illnesses, and practicing good hygiene. 

Additionally, it is highly recommended to purchase comprehensive travel insurance that covers medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other emergencies. Also, be aware of the safety measures and protocols of the destination you are traveling to, and always follow the local guidelines and recommendations.

Documents and Finances

The necessary documents and finances are crucial for a hassle-free luxury travel experience. Ensure you have a valid passport, obtain any necessary visas, and carry a copy of your travel insurance policy. 

Additionally, ensure you have enough finances for the trip, including cash, credit cards, and a backup payment method. It is also good to notify your bank of travel plans to avoid any issues with your cards abroad.

Enjoying the Trip

Making the most out of your trip is the ultimate goal of luxury travel. Plan activities you enjoy, such as sightseeing, dining at gourmet restaurants, shopping at upscale boutiques, and relaxing at the spa. 

However, also leaves some room for spontaneity and unexpected adventures. The journey is as important as the destination, so take the time to enjoy every moment.

Capturing the Moments

Preserving memories is a key part of any adventure. Cameras and smartphones are must-have tools for capturing high-quality photos and videos. To elevate your visual memories, consider using a picture editor to enhance your photos and apps that can stitch images together to create panoramas or collages. 

Sharing your experiences on social media or a travel blog is a great way to document and share your journey, ensuring your memories are beautifully captured and ready to be cherished.

Luxury travel is about comfort, indulgence, and making the most of your journey. This ultimate checklist for luxury travel will help you plan and prepare for your trip, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable experience. Remember to plan, book, pack carefully, take necessary health and safety precautions, have all necessary documents and finances, enjoy the trip, and capture the moments. 

Planning Your Luxury Journey and Luxury Travel Experiences

A luxury journey is more than just a vacation. It’s a chance to indulge your senses and create lasting memories. This guide will show you the important steps to make sure your trip is amazing.

1.Create a Realistic Budget