Which One&Only Hotel is the Best for Me?

With a portfolio spanning private islands, jungle hideaways, chic city retreats and beach sanctuaries, choosing your next One&Only escape is a bit like choosing a favourite dish at a restaurant with a Michelin-starred tasting menu… incredibly difficult, and completely dependent on your mood. If you’re wondering which One&Only hotel is the best, the answer lies in what you want from your holiday. 

Are you chasing adventure in the rainforest, dreaming of a villa surrounded by endless blue, or searching for a glamorous city stay with a little theatre? Here’s our guide to deciding which One&Only hotel is the best for you.

One&Only Aesthesis

Best for City & Coast

Just 30 minutes from Athens' ancient centre, One&Only Aesthesis brings the glamour of the 1960s Riviera into the modern age. Rooms, bungalows and private pool residences are tucked amongst fragrant pine trees and landscaped gardens, many opening directly onto the beachfront and an instantly recognisable backdrop.

Dining naturally celebrates the Mediterranean location, with Trigli inviting guests to savour sharing-style Greek meze by the sea, and Ora by Ettore Botrini putting an Italian twist on national favourites. The rest of the day can be filled depending on your preferences; one morning you could be climbing the Acropolis or hiking Mount Ymittos, by afternoon you're paddleboarding in the Aegean before returning for a treatment in the resort's Guerlain Spa. For travellers debating which One&Only hotel is the best for combining culture with coastal relaxation, Aesthesis makes a very compelling case.

One&Only Kea Island

Best for Peace & Privacy

Reached by boat from mainland Greece, One&Only Kea Island feels undiscovered in the best way. Every guest has the luxury of staying in a spacious private-pool villa, carefully designed to maximise expansive views across the Aegean while also blending beautifully - and very considerately - into the island's still-rugged landscape.

Restaurants like Atria champion local Cycladic produce, fresh seafood and contemporary Greek cuisine, while one of the resort's most talked-about experiences is its hidden speakeasy bar - Incognito - tucked discreetly within the property. Another highlight is the experiences available and the people they introduce you to: Petroula the archaeologist, Sotiria the curator, Yiannis the dive master, Alexia the jewellery designer and the resident beekeeper – between sailing trips, diving, hiking and lounging by your infinity pool, you’ll find a quieter and more intimate side of Greece revealed.

One&Only Portonovi

Best for Wellness Escapes

On the edge of Boka Bay and overlooking Montenegro's beautiful Bay of Kotor, One&Only Portonovi combines old-school Adriatic glamour with one of Europe's most sophisticated wellness offerings. 

Elegant guestrooms, expansive suites and private villas provide a lavish base, many with sweeping views of the water, but the headline attraction here is undoubtedly the Chenot Espace, where science-led wellness programmes focus on everything from detoxification to stress management and longevity. Beyond the spa, guests can enjoy the location by exploring medieval coastal towns or mountainous villages, cruising on the Riana Yacht, or simply spending time enjoying Mediterranean cuisine in the resort's four stylish restaurants and lounges.

One&Only Mandarina

Best for Nature Lovers

Sat between rainforest-covered cliffs and the Pacific Ocean on Mexico's Riviera Nayarit, One&Only Mandarina feels (and looks) less like a hotel and more like a luxury expedition into the wild. Accommodation ranges from dramatic Treehouses suspended in the jungle canopy to expansive Cliff Villas and Ocean Treehouses, many with private infinity pools that seem to disappear into the surrounding forest.

Dining celebrates the destination, from Mexican classics at Carao to freshly caught seafood overlooking the ocean at Jetty Beach Club and Mediterranean flavours crafted with ingredients grown nearby at Alma. And days are always designed around the landscape, too: horse riding through the jungle, surfing hidden beaches, hiking with naturalists and sinking into indigenous wellness rituals. If reconnecting with nature without compromising on world-class luxury is your priority, many travellers decide the answer to ‘which One&Only hotel is the best’ begins and ends with Mandarina.

One&Only Palmilla

Best for Golf & Beach

One&Only Palmilla is a true Los Cabos legend – it’s been setting the standard for Mexican luxury since it was built by the President’s son in 1956. Beginning as an exclusive 15-room hideaway that hosted famous guests like John Wayne, Bing Crosby and Lucille Ball, the hotel has now grown to include whitewashed casitas and spacious suites that spill towards the Sea of Cortez, plus larger villas with private pools and dedicated butler service.

Palmilla's culinary credentials are equally as legendary as its early days. Breeze is an open-air brasserie that serves Mexican and American favourites, while Hoshi combines Japanese cooking techniques with the flavours of Peru. 

Away from the table, the hotel borders one of Los Cabos’ few swimmable beaches, and it is beautiful. There’s also a 27-hole Jack Nicklaus championship golf course, with all-levels lessons, the Palmilla Social Club, plus two tennis and two pickleball courts, luxury yacht charters, some of Mexico's finest whale watching during the winter months and the chance to scuba dive with flying mobula rays from May to August.

One&Only One Za'abeel

Best for Foodies & City Breaks

Dubai is a city built on spectacle, and One&Only One Za’abeel embraces that energy with a futuristic edge – in fact, few hotels made an entrance quite like this one did. Occupying one of Dubai’s most striking new landmarks, its accommodation ranges from sophisticated skyline-view rooms to vast Signature Suites benefitting from incredible city panoramas.

The hotel is also home to The Link, the world's longest occupied sky bridge, which defines its architecture and hosts an extraordinary collection of destination restaurants that unite internationally acclaimed chefs beneath one spectacular roof. You’ve got Nobu One Za’abeel by Nobu Matsuhisa, the Michelin-starred La Dame de Pic by Anne-Sophie Pic, and Maison Devoille by pastry chef Christophe Devoille. Add in the lush garden pool and a sky-high infinity pool overlooking the city, an indulgent Longevity Hub by Clinique La Prairie, and easy access to Downtown Dubai, and it's easy to see why food lovers and design enthusiasts often answer ‘which One&Only hotel is the best’ with One&Only One Za'abeel.

One&Only Royal Mirage

Best for Classic Dubai Luxury

For anyone seeking that timeless Arabian elegance that Dubai does so well, One&Only Royal Mirage remains one of the city’s truest and most favourite icons. The resort splits itself into three distinct environments - the Arabian Court, the Palace and The Residence - creating the feeling of staying in a grand palace rather than a conventional hotel.

Regardless of which specific hotel you choose, all of the resort’s traditional rooms and suites overlook immaculate gardens or the Arabian Gulf, with more than a kilometre of private beach and an impressive collection of shared restaurants that serve everything from Moroccan to Middle Eastern and international cuisine. When filling your time here, the options are near endless. Being in the heart of the city, you can opt for more ‘typical’ Dubai experiences - mall shopping, beach clubs and boat trips - spend days in the resort learning about its bee hives and setting off on nature walks, or explore the more traditional side of the Emirate by heading to the desert for hot air balloon trips, falcon shows, and camel rides.

One&Only The Palm

Best for Romantic Escapes

Across the water from Dubai Marina, One&Only The Palm offers a quieter and more intimate side of the city. With just 90 Andalusian-inspired rooms, suites and beachfront villas, it feels worlds away from the skyline, but close enough to still dip into the action. Dining is one of the resort's greatest pleasures. Michelin-starred STAY by Yannick Alléno showcases French cuisine, ZEST serves excellent Neapolitan-style pizzas, while 101 Dining Lounge & Marina has become one of Dubai's most coveted waterfront restaurants.

Elsewhere, the Guerlain Spa - the first and only one in the UAE - is reason enough to visit, but if you need more to fill your days, there’s the option to lounge in a cabana on the private beach, swim in the palm-fringed pool, or set sail on a champagne cruise. More adventurous travellers can head out on deep-sea fishing or diving excursions, ride horseback through the desert dunes, or explore Old Dubai.

And, though One&Only The Palm is often considered one of Dubai's most romantic hotels (thanks to its peaceful atmosphere and adults-only pool and beach club), it's equally welcoming of families, with the expertly-run KidsOnly kids club.

One&Only Le Saint Géran

Best for Families

Occupying its own private peninsula on Mauritius' east coast, One&Only Le Saint Géran has been the island's most iconic luxury address for almost 50 years. Framed by the calm waters of a sheltered lagoon on one side and the Indian Ocean on the other, the setting is a spectacular launchpad for sailing across the lagoon, paddleboarding through crystal-clear waters, or playing on the championship golf courses nearby.

Accommodation ranges from Lagoon Rooms and Ocean Rooms with private terraces or balconies to expansive suites and the exclusive Villa One, complete with its own private pool and direct beach access. Dining, as you’d expect from the island, is eclectic, ranging from freshly grilled seafood served steps from the sand to elegant Japanese cuisine at Tapasake.

Families are particularly well catered for here, with one of the best KidsOnly programmes in the Indian Ocean, dedicated clubs for teenagers and tailored experiences that allow every generation to make the most of the island together.

One&Only Reethi Rah

Best for the Ultimate Maldives Escape

One&Only Reethi Rah is the Maldivian idyll. Set across one of the region's largest private islands, the resort enjoys over six kilometres of coastline and twelve powder-soft beaches, giving guests an incredible sense of space rarely found elsewhere in the archipelago.

Accommodation includes Beach Villas, iconic Water Villas suspended above the lagoon and spectacular multi-bedroom residences, many with private pools, direct ocean access and the dedicated service of a personal host. Interiors are spacious, modern and flooded with natural light, creating the perfect balance of understated luxury and complete island seclusion.

The dining scene - for a remote island - is incredibly impressive, with eight restaurants and bars that cover a range of global cuisines, from Japanese at Tapasake to Middle Eastern flavours at Fanditha. The remainder of your days can be spent snorkelling coral reefs, diving with manta rays and turtles, playing tennis or padel on one of the resort's floodlit courts, enjoying bespoke wellness treatments, or setting off on dolphin cruises as the sun begins to set. For anyone asking which One&Only hotel is the best for a celebration, Reethi Rah is one of the collection's defining resorts.

One&Only Cape Town

Best for First-Time South Africa

With Table Mountain providing one of the world's most dramatic backdrops and the V&A Waterfront just a short stroll away, One&Only Cape Town places guests in the heart of South Africa's most exciting city. Whether you're beginning a wider safari itinerary or just soaking up everything the capital has to offer, it's an exceptional base.

Rooms and suites are among the largest in the city, overlooking either the busy marina or Table Mountain itself, while the secluded Island Suites offer extra privacy surrounded by serene waterways. Food lovers are especially looked after, with the internationally celebrated Nobu Cape Town serving its signature Japanese-Peruvian cuisine, and the intimate Wine Studio offering guided tastings of South Africa's finest vineyards.

The experiences beyond the hotel are just as enticing. Ride the cable car to the summit of Table Mountain, visit the colourful streets of Bo-Kaap, spend a day touring the Cape Winelands or set off on a scenic drive to Cape Point. Seasonal whale watching, helicopter flights and wildlife excursions can all be arranged, making One&Only Cape Town the perfect gateway to one of the world's most diverse destinations.

One&Only Gorilla's Nest

Best for Bucket-List Wildlife

Hidden amongst fragrant eucalyptus forests on the edge of Rwanda's Volcanoes National Park, One&Only Gorilla's Nest is one of the most extraordinary luxury wildlife experiences on Earth. It combines adventure with exceptional, five-star comfort, creating a retreat that feels deeply connected to its surroundings without losing its One&Only flourish.

Spacious treehouses and suites are suspended above gardens, with floor-to-ceiling windows, local art, roaring fireplaces and generous outdoor decks that - with the help of binoculars - immerse guests in all the sights and sounds of the surrounding landscape. Dining at The Nest and Chef’s Garden focuses on fresh, seasonal produce sourced from local farms and the resort's own gardens, with creative, daily-changing menus championing Rwanda's rich culinary heritage as well as international favourites.

Of course, the highlight is the opportunity to trek into the mist-covered mountains in search of endangered mountain gorillas - a truly humbling experience that stays with you long after you've returned home - but guests can also track playful golden monkeys, visit nearby conservation projects and local villages, or soothe tired muscles in the jungle spa after a day on the trails. For many travellers, Gorilla's Nest is the beginning of one of life's greatest adventures.

One&Only Nyungwe House

Best for Adventure & Nature

Surrounded by working tea plantations on the edge of Nyungwe National Park, One&Only Nyungwe House feels removed from the modern world. Mist drifts across emerald-green hills each morning, birdsong echoes through the forest, and every view seems worthy of a postcard.

Every element of the resort is infused with African soul, whether that’s the Treetop suites and villas that overlook the surrounding tea estates and merge warm, local design with natural woods and modern comforts, chimpanzee treks, guided tea tastings, Imigongo painting, or the garden-to-table cuisine. The Dining Room showcases the bounty of the Rwandan heartlands on a sunny outdoor terrace, the Tea Lounge pours local infusions surrounded by lush greenery, and the Tea Bar is the perfect spot for a sundowner cocktail on the open-air deck.

Sitting shoulder-to-shoulder with a National Park means adventure is woven into every stay, too. Observe fascinating primates in their natural habitat, walk the park's famous canopy walkway high above the forest floor, set off on guided nature tours, birdwatching excursions, tea plantation tours or wellness experiences inspired by the surrounding environment. If you're looking for a luxury holiday that's every bit as enriching as it is indulgent, Nyungwe House is unlike anywhere else in the One&Only collection.

EXPERT TIP: Combine both of One&Only's Rwanda properties for a spectacular, wildlife-focused luxury adventure. Our Tailor-Made Holiday - Experience Rwanda with One&Only Resorts - includes 2 nights at Gorilla's Nest, and 3 at Nyungwe House. 

Which One&Only Hotel is the Best? A Quick Guide

There are so many incredible options, so if you’re still trying to decide which One&Only hotel is the best for you, start with what you want your holiday to feel like:

• Nature and jungle adventures: One&Only Mandarina
• Golf, sunshine and beach days: One&Only Palmilla
• Culture with a coastal twist: One&Only Aesthesis
• Privacy and peaceful island living: One&Only Kea Island
• Wellness and restoration: One&Only Portonovi
• Dining and Dubai excitement: One&Only One Za’abeel
• Classic Arabian elegance: One&Only Royal Mirage
• Romance and intimacy: One&Only The Palm
• Family-friendly island luxury: One&Only Le Saint Géran
• The ultimate Maldives escape: One&Only Reethi Rah
• A first taste of South Africa: One&Only Cape Town
• Wildlife adventures: One&Only Gorilla’s Nest and Nyungwe House

Final Thoughts

So, which One&Only hotel is the best? The answer is personal. 

One&Only’s greatest talent is creating resorts that feel completely of their destination, while also delivering the perfect service and attention to detail expected from one of the world’s most prestigious luxury hotel collections. There is no single “best” One&Only resort, but there is a perfect match for every type of traveller. 

Ask yourself which One&Only hotel is the best today, and the answer may be completely different next year. But that's the beauty of this collection: it grows with you, and when your holiday preferences change, there'll always be another fantastic option waiting.

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