Safest Luxury Travel Destinations to Visit, Where to Stay

What are the Safest Travel Destinations to Visit Right Now, in terms of COVID-19? It's a question many of our clients are asking, as the Delta variant causes surges across the U.S., Europe, and much of the world. Here are our top picks as of time of writing, along with the luxury hotel or resort we recommend in each.

1. Anguilla

Anguilla, a small island nation of just over 15,000, gets our vote for the safest luxury travel destination currently open to U.S. visitors. It hasn't had a single death from COVID-19, and as of time of writing, there are just 22 active COVID-19 cases that are in quarantine, none of them hospitalized. Note that Anguilla requires visitors to be fully vaccinated (21 days prior to arrival), as well as negative results from a COVID-19 test taken 3-5 days prior to arrival, and all visitors must apply for entry permission. The multiple hurdles may seem a bit of a hassle, but it's a small price to pay for such a safe destination.

Where to Stay in Anguilla

The two luxury resorts we most recommend in Anguilla are the Four Seasons Anguilla, which we reserve for clients with Four Seasons Preferred Partner benefits, and the Belmond Cap Juluca, which we reserve with either Virtuoso or Bellini Club benefits.

2. Turks & Caicos

Turks & Caicos also has done well during the pandemic, which in recent weeks has kept average daily new cases to 9 or fewer. There's a higher risk in Providenciales, so we don't recommend stays in that area. Note that as of September 2021, Turks & Caicos Will Require All Visitors to Be Fully Vaccinated.

Where to Stay in Turks & Caicos

Our top two luxury recommendations are COMO Parrot Cay and Amanyara, both of which offer Virtuoso benefits to our clients.

3. St. Vincent & the Grenadines

Where to Stay

The Mandarin Oriental Canouan is the most luxurious option and is also considered a bubble resort. Just keep in mind that even fully vaccinated travelers from the U.S. must arrive with both a negative COVID-19 RT-PCR test result from a test conducted within the 72 hours prior to arrival and must remain in their accommodation until the first negative rapid antigen test result (from the antigen test on arrival) is received. Between receipt of that result and the RT-PCR test result, typically 1-2 hours, guests have access to a dedicated restaurant, dedicated beach area, and limited access to tennis and golf. After negative RT-PCR results are received and until departure, guests enjoy all resort amenities.

Mandarin Oriental Canouan, St Vincent and the Grenadines

4. Austria

COVID-19 Positivity Rate: 0.2%

Where to Stay in Austria

In Vienna, we recommend the Park Hyatt Vienna, which we reserve with Hyatt Prive benefits, or for a more boutique experience, the wonderful Palais Coburg Residenz, with Virtuoso benefits. In the Salzburg area we recommend the Schloss Fuschl, a Luxury Collection Resort, with Virtuoso or Marriott STARS benefits.

Here's our Park Hyatt Vienna video review:

5. Czech Republic

COVID-19 Positivity Rate: 0.2%

Where to Stay in the Czech Republic

In Prague we recommend the Four Seasons Prague, which we reserve with Preferred Partner benefits:

6. Bermuda

COVID-19 Positivity Rate: 0.6%

Where to Stay

Although the St. Regis Bermuda recently opened, feedback has been very mixed, and it appears to be understaffed. Until some kinks are worked out, we recommend the Rosewood Bermuda or, for those on a smaller budget, the Hamilton Princess Bermuda.

7. Denmark

COVID-19 Positivity Rate: 1.8%

Where to Stay in Denmark

We highly recommend The Nimb Hotel, a wonderful boutique property that is located right in Tivoli Gardens. Just be aware that as Tivoli is so popular and there are sometimes concerts on the weekends, it can be a tad noisy certain concert and weekend nights.

8. NYC

COVID-19 Positivity Rate: The positivity rate varies by neighborhood, but ranges from 1.5% for the Upper West Side to 1.9% for the Upper East Side to 2.1% for East Midtown and 2.2% for downtown Brooklyn and Long Island City in Queens. We recommend avoiding higher positivity areas such as Staten Island and the Rockaway peninsula.

Where to Stay in NYC

In NYC we recommend the Four Seasons New York Downtown for the Financial District or the Peninsula New York, Andaz Fifth Avenue or Park Hyatt New York if staying midtown.

9. Massachusetts

COVID-19 Positivity Rate: 2.8% (3.4% in Boston)

Where to Stay in Massachusetts

Although a popular visitor destination, right now we recommend avoiding Martha's Vineyard, which has a >5% positivity rate. In Boston we recommend the Four Seasons Boston or the Mandarin Oriental Boston.

10. Vermont

COVID-19 Positivity Rate: 2.9%

Where to Stay in Vermont

Our top luxury recommendation in Vermont is Twin Farms, which is adults only and perfect for epicures and oenophiles who also enjoy the great outdoors and beautiful scenery. We reserve Twin Farms for clients with Virtuoso benefits.