The Best Hotels for Far-flung Celebrations

Image courtesy of Kisawa Sanctuary, Benguerra Island, Mozambique

There's a difference between celebrating somewhere nice and celebrating somewhere that becomes part of the story. The kind of place where the setting does half the work—where you're not manufacturing atmosphere because you're already on a private island in Mozambique, or watching the sun set over Patagonian glaciers, or waking up to views of Morocco's palm groves.

These seven properties are genuinely far-flung—the kind of places that feel removed from everything else, where the journey becomes part of the experience itself. When you're marking something significant, choosing somewhere equally memorable makes sense. Whether you're planning a destination wedding, a milestone anniversary, a family reunion, or gathering people to celebrate something worth remembering—these are the places worth the journey.

Kisawa Sanctuary, Benguerra Island, Mozambique

There aren't many places where you can genuinely disappear, but Kisawa is one of them. It's on Benguerra Island, off the Mozambique coast in the Bazaruto Archipelago, and the whole setup—300 hectares of forest, dunes, and beach—feels like someone designed it specifically so you'd never see another soul unless you chose to. Eight residences are scattered across the property, each with private beach access and an infinity pool, spaced far enough apart that you get real solitude but close enough that groups can gather without it feeling like a trek. The design is striking—locally crafted with 3D-printed elements that somehow look organic rather than futuristic—and the whole thing sits so naturally in the landscape you'd think it's always been there.

For celebrations—milestone anniversaries, multi-generational reunions, vow renewals, milestone birthdays—the property offers three restaurants, an award-winning spa, ocean safaris, and snorkeling, with activities that let everyone choose their own pace. Getting to Benguerra takes time, but that's precisely why it feels so removed—fewer people make the journey, which means the island stays pristine and uncrowded. And when the setting is a private island in Mozambique, the atmosphere is already there.

The Brando, Tetiaroa, French Polynesia

Marlon Brando fell for this atoll while filming in Tahiti in the 1960s and spent decades turning it into the place he envisioned—where you could disconnect completely without sacrificing comfort, and where Polynesian culture wasn't just set dressing. It's still family-owned, which shows in the details: 35 villas spread across white sand and coconut palms, each with a plunge pool and outdoor bath, designed to run entirely on renewable energy without you noticing the mechanics of it. You fly in from Tahiti on the resort's own plane, which takes about 20 minutes, so it feels remote without being a logistical headache for guests traveling in for a celebration.

The balance here is compelling—Polynesian guides who share real cultural knowledge, a spa tucked into the trees with spaces designed for couples and groups, dining that ranges from teppanyaki to French fine dining to beachside casual. The three-bedroom residence handles immediate family well, and there's the possibility of taking over the entire island for larger gatherings. The natural setting—coral reefs, seabirds, sea turtles—provides a backdrop that doesn't need enhancement. Celebrations here feel like actual experiences rather than just really nice vacations.

Xigera Safari Lodge, Okavango Delta, Botswana

Xigera sits in the Moremi Game Reserve, deep in the Okavango Delta, and it's one of those rare properties where the design is as compelling as the wildlife. The Tollman family (Red Carnation Hotel Collection) built this as a love letter to Botswana, and it shows—12 suites elevated above the floodplains, each one featuring work from Africa's most celebrated contemporary artists and designers. It's essentially a living gallery that happens to overlook some of the continent's best game viewing. The whole place is solar-powered and plastic-free, which matters when you're in a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the architecture sits so naturally in the landscape you'd think it grew there.

You're watching leopards and lions from your suite while having access to an award-winning spa (just named Africa's Best Safari Spa), a wine cellar with vintages from the family's South African vineyard, and a chef sourcing from local farmers and wild-harvested ingredients. There's a two-bedroom family suite for multi-generational groups, and the Baobab Treehouse—a sculptural steel structure nearly 10 meters high where you can spend the night under the stars—turns any celebration into something genuinely once-in-a-lifetime. Taking over all 12 suites gives you the entire lodge and the freedom to shape the experience however you want. You're not choosing between adventure and comfort here—you get both, and the setting does the rest.

NIHI Sumba, Indonesia

Sumba Island is twice the size of Bali with a fraction of the tourists, which tells you most of what you need to know. NIHI sits along Nihiwatu Beach—consistently ranked among the world's best—with 28 villas spread across two and a half kilometers of coastline. Each one has ocean views, a private plunge pool, and something unexpected tucked away: a hidden outdoor bathtub, a private balé for watching the sunset, details that make every villa feel distinct. The Burch family owns the property and has built it around a philosophy that's equal parts adventure and purpose—there's serious conservation work happening here, supported by the Burch Family Foundation, and it's woven into the experience rather than tacked on as an afterthought.

For celebrations—big anniversaries, milestone birthdays, family reunions, weddings—the all-inclusive approach covers three meals a day and everything in between, so you're not calculating costs or deciding where to eat. There are multiple restaurants, including a fine-dining omakase experience and a beach club, plus the option to have a private table set up somewhere remote if that's more your speed. The wellness piece is compelling too—swimming with horses in the ocean, spa safaris, yoga in the jungle—and the cultural immersion is genuine, with visits to ancient villages and ikat weaving sessions led by locals. There's enough variety here that multi-generational groups can each find what they're looking for. It's remote enough to feel like a true escape but accessible enough (short flight from Bali) that guests won't balk at the journey. And when the setting includes some of the best surf breaks in the world and beaches that look like they belong in a different era, the sense of occasion is already there.

Dar Ahlam, Ouarzazate, Morocco

There are no keys at Dar Ahlam. No reception desk, no restaurant where you sit down at a set time. This 14-suite kasbah in the Skoura palm grove operates more like a private home where everything is orchestrated around you—meals appear in different locations throughout the property, experiences are designed specifically for your group, and the entire rhythm of your stay shifts based on what you want to do. It's an unusual approach, but it's also what makes the place feel so personal, especially for celebrations where you want something that feels truly bespoke rather than formulaic.

The food here is worth mentioning—there's no menu, just dishes inspired by what's growing in the palm grove and the property's own Food Lab, a 2,000-square-meter plot where they're experimenting with drought-resistant farming techniques alongside local farmers. Most of what you eat is plant-based and hyper-local, which sounds virtuous but actually just tastes exceptional. For milestone celebrations—anniversaries, birthdays, family gatherings—the lack of structure is an asset. You're not locked into dining times or pre-set activities; instead, the team stages experiences based on what you're after. Want a meal under a fruit tree in the Food Lab? Done. A private dinner in a different corner of the kasbah each night? They'll arrange it. The property also offers desert experiences beyond the walls—camps in the dunes, excursions along what they call the Memory Road—so you're not confined to one location if you want to explore further. It's intimate, poetic without being precious, and designed for people who'd rather have a thoughtfully curated experience than a predictable one.

Awasi Patagonia, Chile

At the edge of Patagonia, Awasi gives you a front-row seat. The property occupies a private wildlife reserve with views of the Torres del Paine mountain range and Lake Sarmiento, protected by native forest that shields the 14 villas from Patagonia's notorious winds. Each villa is a standalone structure with floor-to-ceiling windows, a wood-burning fireplace, and an outdoor hot tub facing the mountains. What sets Awasi apart is how they handle exploration: every villa comes with a private guide and a dedicated 4x4, so you're not following a group itinerary or waiting for anyone else. You decide when you want to go out, where you want to go, and how long you want to stay.

For celebrations—anniversaries, milestone birthdays, family reunions, corporate retreats, friend expeditions—the all-inclusive approach and private guide model mean everyone can move at their own pace without compromising the group. The Master Villa has two suites for multi-generational travelers or close friends, and the property's low-carbon operations mean you're experiencing Patagonia without leaving a heavy footprint. Chef Marco Salinas builds daily menus around what's available locally—southern king crab, lamb from nearby farms, fish from the Pacific fjords, calafate berries—and adapts everything to dietary preferences. After a day hiking to glaciers, horseback riding across the steppe, or tracking pumas (if you're lucky), you come back to a fire, a long meal, and the kind of quiet that only exists this far south. The location keeps you away from the crowds that flood Torres del Paine in high season, so you get the drama without the logistical headaches. And if you're traveling through Chile for a celebration, Awasi's Atacama property pairs naturally with Patagonia—two completely different landscapes, same tailor-made approach.

Rosewood Cape Kidnappers, Hawke's Bay, New Zealand

There's something about the scale of Cape Kidnappers that catches you off guard. It's a 6,000-acre working farm that happens to have a luxury lodge on it, so you're waking up to views of sheep being herded across hills that end in sheer cliffs dropping into the Pacific. The golf course—designed by Tom Doak and consistently ranked among the best in the world—has fairways literally perched on cliff edges 140 meters above the ocean, which is either thrilling or terrifying depending on your handicap. Twenty-two suites and villas are spread across the property, each with a fireplace and the kind of views that make you want to just sit and stare for a while.

For celebrations—weddings, anniversaries, family reunions—the combination of dramatic setting and genuine accessibility is hard to beat. You're not asking guests to embark on a multi-leg journey; Hawke's Bay is easy to reach and the wine country rivals Bordeaux. The dining room pulls from the property's own gardens and local Hawke's Bay producers, so the food feels connected to the place rather than imported. The Cape Sanctuary project is remarkable—New Zealand's largest private wildlife restoration effort, with a predator-proof fence protecting native birds including kiwi—and guests can join night tours or feeding sessions. There's a spa, an infinity pool overlooking the bay, and enough space that larger groups never feel cramped. It's polished without being precious, and the countryside setting does most of the work for you.

Planning a celebration at any of these properties involves more than just booking a room—it's about understanding how each one operates, what makes sense for your group, and how to make the logistics feel seamless rather than overwhelming. I work directly with these properties to shape the experience around what you're celebrating, whether that's access to exclusive spaces, tailored itineraries, or making sure the journey itself is handled smoothly.

If one of these places feels right for what you're planning, let's talk.