The best luxury hotels off the beaten track

Carved dramatically into the mountainside, the Barr Al Jissah complex promises to lure superyachts to the undiscovered Omani coastline. Moor in the naturally sheltered bay, guarded by rocky outcrops, and tender in to the marina to discover this Middle Eastern wonder.

The opulent complex, consisting of private homes designed by Bannenberg & Rowell and three Shangri-La hotels, offers 22 dining options – head to the Bait al Bahr fish restaurant for locally caught yellowfin tuna with white anchovy cappelletti and black olives.

For the adventurous, the rolling burnished sand dunes and mountain canyons are just a helicopter ride away, while the Chi spa is the perfect place to recover from expeditions – try the signature Traveller’s Retreat journey, which combines an aromatic bath, bio-energising body wrap and vitality massage.

To complete the Sultan-worthy experience, book the Royal Suite at the Al Husn hotel. Inspired by the 17th century Omani castle at Jabreen, the intricately decorated space offers spectacular views across the Gulf of Oman. Explorer yacht Itasca and Motor Yacht A have already been spotted off these shores and it won’t be long before other superyachts follow in their wake.

Offering unrivalled seclusion and space, Reethi Rah is an Eden hidden in North Malé Atoll. For the ultimate retreat stay in the Maldivian island’s recently renovated Grand Sunset Residence, nestled among tropical palm trees at the end of a private road.

The extravagant villa comes with its own slice of white powder beach and a 50 square metre swimming pool. With a butler and a world-class chef, there is no need to ever leave this peaceful residence, but if adventure calls, Reethi Rah has its own fleet of yachts on which to explore the surrounding azure waters. Afterwards, dine under hundreds of orchids at the resort’s new 100 per cent organic restaurant, Botanica – opt for the garden-to-table experience and enjoy dishes such as topinambour velouté and quail breast served with savoy cabbage and quail-herbs consommé.

Marco Polo may have called dibs on this spot, on Sri Lanka’s southern shore, in the 13th century, but arriving at Cape Weligama by boat still feels like approaching an undiscovered country. The resort is perched on burned umber rocks that tumble down to scallops of powdery beach and internationally lusted-after surf breaks. From the pool at your sprawling private villa, the vista is edge-of-the-world spectacular; the misty breadth of the Indian Ocean speared with distant promontories and punctuated with windswept palm trees. It is an asset the owners have emphasised in Cape Weligama’s brand new spa, opening next month to celebrate the resort’s second anniversary. As well as an indulgent programme of treats (think scrubs made of nutmeg, sweet orange and sandalwood, and oils with Ceylon tea) plus four new treatment rooms, there will be an expansive ocean-facing yoga deck. The good news for explorer yachts? You can still call it part of your off-grid adventure.

A private island of Four Seasons Resort Maldives, Kuda Huraa in North Malé Atoll is set amid 12 acres of exotic, fragrant gardens and has the intimate feel of a traditional yet distinctly upscale Maldivian village. Snorkel above thriving artificial coral frame reefs, including one that, from the air, resembles a sea turtle, then see real turtle hatchlings in the conservation program. Test your balance during a SUP yoga session in the lagoon or escalate your adrenaline levels by shooting several feet above the same blue waters on jet blades. Finally, travel less than a minute via dhoni to the only spa in the Maldives on its own isle. The Four Seasons also has a second private island resort in Baa Atoll, Landaa Giraavaru.

Thrilled by wilderness? But you’d like to survey it from a private infinity pool? Fregate Island is flung far enough into the Indian Ocean to make superyacht owners feel like adventurers, but you don’t have to eschew the fluffy towels: just anchor out and tender in. The rainforest on this private islet boasts first-class wildlife, including 2,200 giant tortoises, while staff can serve your seafood and Champagne on one of seven stunning beaches — or at a revamped private villa. In that infinity pool.