The world of One&Only Resorts: Which hotel is right for you?

From private islands in the Maldives to gorilla trekking in Rwanda and the wild mountains of Montana, One&Only has built a collection of hotels that refuses to be put into a single category.

Some hotel groups have a signature look. You can usually identify one of their properties from the lobby alone: the same pale marble, the same tasteful furniture, the same enormous arrangement of flowers.

One&Only has taken a different approach. Its hotels are scattered across some of the world’s most remarkable landscapes, and no two are remotely alike. One moment you’re barefoot on a Maldivian island, the next you’re tracking mountain gorillas through a Rwandan rainforest or watching the snow fall over a lodge in Montana.

There are certain things you can count on, of course. Beautiful design, excellent food, an impressive attention to detail, and the sort of service that makes complicated holidays feel wonderfully straightforward. But the real pleasure of One&Only is discovering just how differently each resort interprets luxury.

Some are made for families who want to spend a week doing everything together. Others are deliciously private, with villas that make leaving feel entirely unnecessary. A few are destinations in their own right, while others open the door to adventures you might never have considered.

So, which One&Only resort should you choose? Allow us to introduce you.

One&Only Reethi Rah, Maldives

The Maldives has become something of an arms race in luxury hospitality. Bigger villas, longer waterslides, underwater restaurants, personal submarines. There’s seemingly no limit to what can be built above a turquoise lagoon.

One&Only Reethi Rah has never needed to shout quite so loudly.

Opened in 2005, it remains one of the archipelago’s most distinguished resorts, occupying an unusually large island in North Malé Atoll. The scale is immediately apparent. Beaches seem to stretch on forever, villas are generously spaced, and the island’s lush gardens create an atmosphere that feels closer to a private tropical estate than a conventional resort.

The accommodation is wonderfully indulgent, with enormous beachfront villas, overwater retreats and private pools. There’s excellent Japanese dining, a celebrated spa and a dedicated programme for children and teenagers, making it just as appealing to families as it is to honeymooners.

If you’re looking for a Maldives holiday that feels established, elegant and confident in itself, Reethi Rah is difficult to fault.

One&Only Le Saint Géran, Mauritius

There are certain hotels that become part of a family’s history. The place where the children learned to waterski, where grandparents celebrated a milestone birthday, where everyone somehow ended up returning three summers later.

One&Only Le Saint Géran is very much that sort of hotel.

Occupying a palm-fringed peninsula on Mauritius’ eastern coast, it’s been welcoming guests since the 1970s, long before the island became a fixture on the luxury holiday circuit. Today, it remains one of the country’s most celebrated addresses, with a beautiful lagoon, immaculate gardens and the sort of established atmosphere that newer resorts spend years trying to cultivate.

Days are easily filled with sailing, tennis, watersports and exploring the island, although the children’s club has a habit of becoming the main attraction for younger guests. Parents, meanwhile, can disappear to the spa or settle into one of the resort’s excellent restaurants.

For multigenerational holidays, the larger suites and private residences make gathering everyone together wonderfully straightforward. It’s polished without feeling precious, which is exactly what a great family hotel should be.

One&Only Mandarina, Mexico

Imagine a hotel designed by someone who couldn’t decide whether they wanted to live in a treehouse, a contemporary art gallery or a beautiful Mexican hacienda. The result might look something like One&Only Mandarina.

Hidden within a stretch of coastal rainforest on Mexico’s Riviera Nayarit, the resort is an extraordinary feat of architecture. Villas are tucked into the jungle canopy or perched above the Pacific, with private infinity pools, enormous terraces and interiors that draw on traditional Mexican craftsmanship.

The surrounding landscape is gloriously untamed. Ancient trees, dramatic cliffs, secluded beaches and a soundtrack of birdsong make the whole place feel wonderfully removed from everyday life.

And while it’s certainly romantic, Mandarina has plenty of appeal for families. The KidsOnly programme is wonderfully imaginative, with nature-inspired adventures, outdoor activities and spaces designed to encourage curiosity. There’s also horseback riding, polo and plenty of opportunities to explore the surrounding countryside.

A resort for people who like their luxury with a little mud on its boots.

One&Only Kéa Island, Greece

Santorini has its sunsets. Mykonos has its beach clubs. Kéa, thankfully, has managed to avoid making quite such a fuss about itself.

This rugged little island, just a short journey from Athens, is all stone-built villages, ancient walking trails, secluded coves and hillsides fragrant with wild herbs. It’s the sort of Greece that feels wonderfully familiar, even if you’ve never been before.

For the last two years, One&Only Kéa Island has occupied a dramatic stretch of coastline, with private-pool villas arranged across the hillside like a contemporary interpretation of a traditional Cycladic village. Natural stone, warm timber and earthy interiors sit comfortably against the surrounding landscape, while the Aegean provides an ever-changing backdrop.

There’s a beautiful spa, excellent Greek dining and plenty of opportunities to explore the island by boat. Families can take advantage of larger villas and the children’s club, while couples will appreciate the privacy and wonderfully peaceful atmosphere.

If your idea of a Greek holiday involves more swimming in hidden coves than queuing for sunset photographs, Kéa deserves a place on your list.

One&Only Portonovi, Montenegro

Montenegro is one of those countries that seems almost unfairly well endowed with scenery. Mountains rise straight from the sea, medieval towns cling to the coastline, and the water is an extraordinary shade of blue.

One&Only Portonovi has claimed a lovely corner of it.

Set on the shores of Boka Bay, the resort has the atmosphere of an elegant Mediterranean estate, with beautiful gardens, pale stone terraces and a marina filled with immaculate yachts. The architecture draws on the region’s Venetian heritage, while the interiors are polished, contemporary and wonderfully comfortable.

There’s also a serious wellness offering courtesy of Chenot Espace, where guests can embark on carefully structured health and recovery programmes. Those less inclined towards detoxing can spend their days exploring the bay by private boat, visiting historic Kotor or enjoying the resort’s excellent restaurants.

It’s an appealing choice for couples, families and anyone who likes their Mediterranean holidays with a little architectural grandeur.

One&Only Gorilla’s Nest, Rwanda

There are luxury hotels with spectacular views. And then there are luxury hotels where the view might include a mountain gorilla.

One&Only Gorilla’s Nest sits among eucalyptus trees in the foothills of Rwanda’s Virunga volcanoes, just a short distance from Volcanoes National Park. The setting is wonderfully atmospheric: mist drifting through the forest, birds calling from the treetops and mountains disappearing into the clouds.

The lodge itself is a beautifully considered retreat, with warm timber interiors, fireplaces, generous terraces and a spa that feels especially welcome after a day on the trails.

But the real reason to come is the wildlife. Trekking through the rainforest to spend an hour observing a family of endangered mountain gorillas is one of the most moving experiences in travel. It’s difficult to describe the feeling of sitting quietly in the forest while a silverback watches over his family just a few metres away.

For a longer journey, combine your stay with One&Only Nyungwe House, set beside one of Africa’s oldest rainforests. Here, chimpanzee trekking, canopy walks and tea plantations offer a completely different perspective on Rwanda. This is One&Only at its most adventurous, and perhaps its most unforgettable.

One&Only Aesthesis, Athens

Athens is having a moment, although anyone familiar with its coastline will know the city has always had a glamorous side.

During the 1950s and 1960s, the Athenian Riviera was a playground for film stars, shipping magnates and fashionable Athenians escaping the heat of the city. One&Only Aesthesis has taken that golden era as its starting point, creating a resort that feels like a beautifully reimagined slice of mid-century Mediterranean life.

Set among pine trees on the waterfront at Glyfada, the resort is a collection of elegant bungalows, suites and villas, with private pools, landscaped gardens and the sea just beyond.

It’s also a wonderfully clever way to experience Athens. Spend the morning exploring the Acropolis, wander through the city’s galleries and neighbourhoods, then retreat to the coast for an afternoon beside the pool. Families can enjoy the beach and resort facilities, while couples will appreciate the excellent restaurants and sophisticated atmosphere.

One&Only One Za’abeel, Dubai

Dubai is not known for being understated. Its buildings compete for attention, its restaurants attract international chefs, and even its shopping centres have a flair for the theatrical. One&Only One Za’abeel fits right in.

The hotel occupies part of an extraordinary architectural landmark, with two towers connected by The Link, a cantilevered structure suspended high above the city. It’s a feat of engineering that looks almost implausible, and the views from inside are equally impressive.

This is One&Only in its most urban incarnation. Think sleek interiors, destination restaurants, spectacular city views and an infinity pool that seems to hover above the skyline. The dining scene is a particular highlight, making it a wonderful choice for travellers who plan their holidays around where they’re going to eat.

For a few nights in Dubai, whether as a standalone city break or a stopover en route to the Indian Ocean, it’s a very stylish address indeed.

One&Only Royal Mirage, Dubai

Before Dubai became a forest of glass skyscrapers, One&Only Royal Mirage was already offering a more romantic interpretation of the city.

The resort is a sprawling Arabian-inspired estate, complete with intricate archways, shaded courtyards, fountains, palm-lined gardens and a long stretch of private beach. It’s the sort of place where wandering back to your room can feel like a small architectural adventure.

Families are especially well catered for, with extensive grounds, pools, children’s activities and plenty of space to spread out. The resort’s varied restaurants also make it easy to spend an entire week without feeling the need to venture far.

For those who prefer something more intimate, One&Only The Palm, across the water on Palm Jumeirah, offers a quieter alternative. Its elegant gardens, private beach and beautifully designed villas create an atmosphere closer to a secluded Mediterranean retreat than a conventional Dubai resort.

Two very different interpretations of the city, both with plenty to recommend them.

One&Only Palmilla, Los Cabos

Long before Los Cabos became a magnet for Hollywood celebrities and luxury hotel developers, One&Only Palmilla was already something of a legend.

Originally built as a private hideaway in the 1950s, the resort has welcomed an impressive collection of famous faces over the decades. Today, it retains that wonderfully relaxed, old-school glamour, with whitewashed buildings, terracotta roofs, beautiful gardens and sweeping views across the Sea of Cortez.

The beach is one of the area’s most appealing for swimming, a detail worth noting in a destination where strong currents can make many stretches of coastline unsuitable. There’s also excellent dining, a celebrated spa and a wonderfully attentive approach to service.

Families will appreciate the children’s activities and spacious accommodation, while couples can disappear into the resort’s more secluded corners.

One&Only Moonlight Basin, Montana

Whoever decided luxury holidays had to involve palm trees clearly hadn’t spent much time in Montana.

One&Only Moonlight Basin, which opened in November 2025, has introduced the brand to an entirely different landscape. Set in Big Sky, surrounded by mountains, forests and vast stretches of wilderness, it’s a world of pine-scented air, snow-covered peaks and skies that seem to go on forever.

In winter, the emphasis is on skiing, with access to Big Sky’s celebrated slopes. Come summer, the landscape transforms into a playground for hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding and exploring the great outdoors. Yellowstone National Park is also within reach, making this a particularly exciting destination for families with adventurous children.

The resort’s beautifully designed rooms, suites, cabins and private homes offer a wonderfully comfortable counterpoint to all that wilderness, with warm interiors, fireplaces and spectacular mountain views. For multigenerational holidays, the larger residences are especially appealing. Everyone gets their own space, but the mountains provide more than enough reasons to come together.

One of the most exciting additions to the One&Only collection, and a compelling reason to put Montana on your 2027 travel list.

What’s Next for One&Only?

The brand’s appetite for remarkable locations shows no signs of slowing.

Among the forthcoming openings is One&Only Hudson Valley, planned for 2029 in New York State, where forests, rolling countryside and a strong wellness focus promise a very different sort of American escape.

One&Only Fiji, also scheduled for 2029, will bring the collection to the spectacular Yasawa Islands, while One&Only Courchevel, currently planned for 2030, will introduce the brand to one of the French Alps’ most prestigious ski destinations.

A future resort has also been announced for Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, although an opening date has yet to be confirmed.

The Wider World of Kerzner

One&Only is part of Kerzner International, a hospitality group with a wonderfully varied collection of luxury brands.

The most famous is probably Atlantis, whose Dubai properties have become destinations in their own right. Atlantis, The Palm is a family favourite, with its enormous waterpark, aquarium experiences, celebrity-chef restaurants and seemingly endless activities. Across the way, Atlantis The Royal takes the glamour up several notches, with extraordinary architecture, sky-high pools and some of the city’s most talked-about restaurants.

Kerzner is also behind SIRO, a newer concept dedicated to fitness, recovery and wellbeing, and Rare Finds, a collection of distinctive hotels that includes Bab Al Shams, Dubai’s atmospheric desert resort.

Through our travel partners and preferred booking arrangements, the More Travel team can help clients access added-value benefits at participating properties across the wider collection. Depending on the hotel and booking, these may include room upgrades, complimentary breakfast, hotel credits and other privileges.

It’s another reason to speak to us before booking, particularly if you’re planning a special occasion or travelling with family.

So, Which One&Only Resort Is Right for You?

If there’s one thing this collection proves, it’s that luxury means different things to different people.

For some, it’s an enormous villa in the Maldives with nothing more pressing on the agenda than deciding where to have dinner. For others, it’s watching their children discover the African wilderness, skiing together in Montana or spending a week on a Greek island where the only real decision is which beach to visit next.

The pleasure is finding the place that feels right for you.

At More Travel, we know that the details matter. The difference between a beautiful beach and one that’s actually suitable for swimming. Which villas offer the best space for families. Whether a resort feels lively or wonderfully secluded. And which hotels are worth travelling halfway around the world for.

Whether you’re planning a honeymoon, a family holiday, a milestone celebration or something entirely different, we’d be delighted to help you find your perfect One&Only. Visit us at our Stamford boutique or get in touch with the team to start planning.