Who says you have to celebrate your birthday in a single day? Whether you want to spend it with a loved one, friends or with family, we’ve compiled what we think are the top 10 places to spend your birthday which include secluded beach getaways, spa breaks, cruise experiences, spectacular self-drives and more!
1. Atlantis The Palm, Dubai 5*
This world-famous hotel sets the bar for extravagance, so where else should you celebrate your birthday but in the capital of grandeur that is Dubai! Perched at the tip of the renowned Palm Jumeirah beach, guests can slide into a pool of surrounding sharks in the Aquaventure Waterpark, learn to dive in the Atlantis Dive Centre, dance the night away in the resort’s nightclub, dine in one of twenty restaurants to include the popular Ossiano underwater restaurant or venture into the city to enjoy a myriad of shopping opportunities. Perfect for families, groups and couples alike – Atlantis The Palm offers something for everyone.
Best for: Something for everyone
2. Maradiva Villas Resort & Spa, Mauritius 5*
Fine golden sands, crystal clear waters and a cooking school run by Masterchef 2012 winner Shelina Permalloo, Maradiva Villas Resort & Spa is a fine choice for spending your birthday learning to prepare seafood in a true Mauritian style. Surrounded by 27 acres of lush gardens and sleepy palm trees, enjoy a luxury Indian Spa, a variety of watersports to include waterskiing, windsurfing and scuba diving, and when you fancy an evening away from the world, why not indulge in some in-villa dining as you gaze at a beautiful sunset.
Best for: Cooking sessions
3. Mara Bushtops, Kenya 5*
An out-of-this-world experience, the Mara Bushtops is set high above the treetops and offers a unique sense of tranquility and adventure as you catch frequent glimpses of local wildlife passing you by. With only 12 spacious tents offering a deck with sunken bath, a wildlife-watching telescope as well as indoor and outdoor showers, this intimate complex is the perfect way to enjoy your special day with your loved one.
Best for: Safari experiences
4. Route 66 Self-Drive, U.S.A 3 or 4*
Why stick to one location? Turn your special day into a memorable two weeks en route to the golden sands of Los Angeles from the city of Chicago. Stopping at 12 destinations over 14 days such as St. Louis, Oklahoma City, Amarillo, Albuquerque and Las Vegas; this independent journey is ideal for those wanting to celebrate in style, and with hotels included within the itinerary – everything you could possibly need is provided, so all you need to think about is your choice of car!
Best for: Self-drive
5. Maafushivaru, Maldives 4.5*
The epitome of bare-foot luxury, Maafushivaru is simply an island paradise. Spend your days on the talcum powder sands, diving amongst the numerous colourful reefs or dipping your toes in the glistening turquoise waters, before experiencing a private island picnic, candlelit dinner or a romantic overnight stay on the deserted island of Lonubo.
Best for: Secluded island escapes
6. Mango Bay, Barbados 4*
This vibrant beachfront hotel is the ideal location for celebrating your birthday with friends and offers a fantastic all-inclusive selection to include buffet or table d’hôte meals, an extensive range of drinks, a weekly cocktail party, live evening entertainment and an abundance of watersports. For golf fans, an 18-hole course is located nearby and for those seeking relaxation and rejuvenation, the impressive Elements Spa enjoys a multitude of treatments. And, as the resort lies on the West Coast of Barbados, you get to experience a stunning sunset every single evening as you sip cocktails by one of the two freshwater swimming pools!
Best for: All inclusive holidays
7. Road to Mandalay, Burma 5*
Enjoy your birthday on board the Orient Express Road to Mandalay cruise and discover the delights of Burma between the cities of Mandalay and Bagan. Begin your journey with two nights in the famous Governor’s Residence hotel, before setting sail to discover an abundance of temples and pagodas along the Irrawaddy River in sheer comfort and luxury.
Best for: Cruise experiences
8. Blue Palace, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Crete 5*
Time to break away from the stresses of everyday life and escape to the beauty of the Blue Palace for your birthday celebration. Gaze at the gulf of Mirabello beyond and below as the reflection of the medieval fortressed isle of Spinalonga sparkles in the distance before indulging in the Elounda Spa, offering Turkish baths, an indoor Jacuzzi, and two thalassotherapy pools that will soothe the soul. By day, choose to take a dip in one of the three main pools or head down to the private beach for an array of watersports, and by night, savour a selection of fine cuisine in a choice of five international restaurants.
Best for: Spa breaks
9. Hotel Arts, Barcelona 5*
Celebrate your birthday within an architectural delight in the heart of Barcelona. Gaze over the Mediterranean Sea before dining in one of two Michelin starred restaurants, then take time out to relax in the coveted Six Senses Spa offering spectacular sea views. Set in a prime location with world-class service, this hotel is perfect for a glamorous city break.
Best for: City breaks
10. Odyssee Park Hotel, Morocco 4*
Great holidays don’t have to have an expensive price tag, so why not spend your special day close to a fantastic beach, exhilarating entertainment and great shopping opportunities. Enjoy authentic Moroccan service in this contemporary hotel, offering an expansive swimming pool, cocktail bar, restaurant and tapas bar – a great spot for group celebrations.
Best for: Smart holidays
Tell us where you would like to spend your next birthday!
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About Maryanne Cook
Content Editor
From skating across Stockholm’s frozen lakes in the dead of winter, to savouring peculiar delicacies in the depths of Southeast Asia, Maryanne’s passion for travel and discovery is limitless. Boarding her first aircraft at the tender age of three months, travelling has always been in her blood and with Kuoni in her life: the possibilities are endless.
We put Maryanne through the big five…
1/ Where’s the best place you’ve ever stayed?
So far it has to be the Macakizi in Göltürkbükü, Turkey. A truly glamorous beach-house hotel, with white-washed apartments, quaint wooden balconies and picture-perfect views over the Aegean Sea. Even the bathroom products were impressive, offering sizeable samples of Acqua Di Parma! The plush sunbeds on the jetty were made up for us on arrival, where we basked in the glorious sunshine, before jumping into the cool lapping waters. We also indulged in a six-course dinner, consisting of the finest locally sourced cuisine, before sipping cocktails by the waterside bar and catching fascinating glimpses of passing eels, who were attracted to the lights beaming off the jetty.
2/ What’s your oddest travel moment?
With the Philippines being a highly superstitious country, there are plenty of ‘rules’ you need to abide by if you want to get on with the locals. Don’t count your money at night otherwise you’ll become bankrupt, rotate your dinner plate if somebody leaves the table to ensure they arrive at their destination safely and whatever you do, do not sing whilst you’re cooking, otherwise you’ll marry an elderly man! So, sticking by as many rules as I could remember, I made my way through the capital in a taxi only to be stuck in the ubiquitous Manila traffic. Whilst stationary, a street vendor approaches the car window and holds up a selection of fried fish, pork and chicken skins for me to purchase. As I shook my head to decline, my driver noticed the interaction, stopped the car and begins to yell at me whilst shooing the vendor from the car, warning me never to look a street vendor in the eye for fear of being cursed! Unfortunately, eye-contact had already been made and so for the rest of my three-hour journey away from the city, I sat with my eyes firmly to the floor.
3/ What are your suitcase essentials?
Havaianas, Benefit ‘You Rebel’ tinted moisturiser with SPF and my Nikon digital SLR camera. Comfort, skin protection and memories I can share with the world. What more could a girl need?
4/ Have you had a perfect travel moment?
Stepping onto the frozen ice on top of the Baltic Sea in the centre of Stockholm and skating across to the other side. It’s an incredibly liberating feeling, yet at the same time terrifying – not knowing how thick the ice is underneath you. To the locals, it’s a common winter pastime. For me, it was one of the best experiences of my life…. So far.
5/ Where’s next on your wishlist?
I’d love to see South America, particularly energetic Buenos Aires to take a Tango and history dance lesson. I’d also love to discover the elephant trails of Chiang Mai and become a trained Mahout, and I want to ski along the snow-capped Alpine peaks in Switzerland’s Graubünden. My list is constantly growing since working for Kuoni.