5 Sublime Barefoot-Luxury Hotels To Put On Your Bucket List

A hilltop boutique hotel in the tranquil fishing village of Yelapa (accessible by boat), Verana is found in the remote Banderas Bay on Mexico’s paradisal Riviera Nayarit. The scenery is phenomenal, where dense jungle meets palm-fringed ocean, punctuated with cascading waterfalls, hidden coves, and a plethora of unoccupied beaches. It is the jungle, after all, so guests might not want to take the barefoot vibes too literally outside of their casa (there are 10 houses in total, colorful and rustic-chic in style, many of which are open to the elements, nestled into the lush foliage with the sea sparkling beyond), but the attitude here is entirely pared-back, easy living. There is a restaurant (where guests can learn the secrets of local cuisine alongside the chefs), a serene swimming pool, a jungle spa, and even a small library. Beyond the hotel’s boundaries, hiking, whale-watching, snorkeling, and sunrise fishing – to catch dinner for the night, should you wish – make for extraordinary day trips.

The smallest, most offbeat and laid-back Balearic island, Formentera is known for its wild, unspoiled landscape, crystalline waters and free-spirited energy. Sprawled across the dunes of the five-mile Migjorn beach, Dunas de Formentera is an elegant and easy-going sanctuary that spills straight out onto the powdery sands. With panoramic Mediterranean vistas – best appreciated from the perch of the infinity pool – guests are encouraged to embrace the simplicity, slow tempo, and harmony with nature that the setting affords. A barefoot stroll along the breezy, meandering shoreline is a truly refreshing and restorative way to start the day. Seeking to honor the untouched ethos of the island, Dunas calls itself the “first regenerative eco-luxury resort in Formentera,” with a roster of sustainability actions that are part of the framework set out by the GSTC (Global Sustainable Tourism Council) and aim to go beyond reducing impact to leave a positive footprint instead.

All three of Soneva’s Maldivian properties have a proud culture of barefoot luxury (as does its Thai outpost, Soneva Kiri). It is taken quite literally with the mantra of ‘no news, no shoes,’ and guests are invited to slip their footwear into a cotton bag upon arrival if they would like to, marking their entrance to downtime paradise. The most recent addition to the portfolio is Soneva Secret, located in Haa Dhaalu, the Maldives’ remotest atoll. Adding to the sense of seclusion and total privacy, there are just 14 villas, including the lagoon Crusoe Villas, accessible only by boat, and the Castaway, which is the very first floating villa in the Maldives. Every villa also comes with a dedicated team of three, aptly titled the Barefoot Guardian and Barefoot Assistant, as well as a private chef, who together create bespoke itineraries and once-in-a-lifetime experiences for their barefoot guests.

Desert island living doesn’t get much more luxurious than this: an exclusive, powder-white isle in the Zanzibar archipelago. From the moment guests arrive by boat, barefoot freedom takes over. The design is perfectly attuned to indoor-outdoor living – from the open-sided bar and restaurant with sweeping views of the beach, ocean and pine forest, to the thatched guest bandas, each with its own alfresco living room and beachside lounge. &Beyond has long been recognized as a trailblazer in responsible tourism and experiential travel, with every element of Mnemba Lodge thoughtfully crafted to ensure a minimal environmental footprint. Days revolve around the Indian Ocean: snorkeling or diving vibrant coral reefs, kayaking, paddleboarding, dolphin spotting or setting sail on a traditional dhow. There is plenty to divert the senses on land, too, including spa treatments, yoga, nature walks, sushi-making and more. The ultimate blend of laid-back luxury, Mnemba’s magic lingers long after your shoes go back on.

Spanning six tropical islands in the Anambas Archipelago, the remote Bawah Reserve can only be reached via seaplane, taking 75 minutes from Singapore. Sinking into the relaxed pace of far-flung island life feels effortless here. Sleeping in beautifully crafted standalone tented suites, overwater bungalows, and pool villas, guests are surrounded by lush jungle and turquoise lagoon views from the floor-to-ceiling windows and expansive terraces. There are no fewer than 13 beaches, a yoga pavilion, and an open-air cinema. Among the many opportunities on offer, visitors can partake in snorkeling, stargazing, paddleboarding, and castaway picnics. For the ultimate castaway experience, Elang is a private island boasting six cliffside lodges, exclusively available for whole-island bookings. Best of all, sitting in a 1,000-hectare marine conservation area, Bawah Reserve has impressive sustainability credentials, including minimal-impact infrastructure and floating solar panels.

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