When it comes to hotels, The PR Net members in the travel space know the best of the best. From hidden gems to iconic stays, this series highlights the properties they can’t stop recommending – and what makes these hotels worth a visit. This week, we spoke with Pippa Brindley, managing director of TCC LDN; Greta Vanhersecke, founder of GV Public Relations; Olivia Christensen, assistant vice president, corporate communications  – The Americas at Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts; and the team from The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort to discover their top hotel picks. 

Hotel: Sri Panwa, Phuket, Thailand

Recommended by: Pippa Brindley, Managing Director, TCC LDN

What’s the name and location of the property?

Sri Panwa, a luxury resort located on a private 40-acre peninsula at Cape Panwa in Phuket, Thailand.

What types of travelers does the property cater to?

Sri Panwa caters to discerning travellers seeking privacy, world-class wellness, and tropical luxury. It’s a favourite for couples, families, and design lovers looking for a serene island retreat with five-star hospitality.

What makes it special?

The resort combines architectural sophistication with an unparalleled sense of seclusion. Each villa offers sweeping ocean views and private infinity pools, complemented by Sri panwa’s award-winning Cool Spa and its iconic rooftop bar, Baba Nest - often cited among the world’s best for sunset views. The property’s blend of Thai hospitality, contemporary design, and immersive wellness experiences sets it apart as one of Southeast Asia’s leading luxury escapes.

Don’t miss: 

Watch the sunset over the Andaman Sea with cocktails at Baba Nest; enjoy a bespoke spa ritual at Cool Spa; and dine at Baba Iki or Baba Soul Food for creative Thai and Japanese cuisine. Private sunrise yoga and island-hopping excursions aboard the resort’s private yacht are also must-do experiences.

Hotel: Grand Wailea, A Waldorf Astoria Resort, Maui

Recommended by: Greta Vanhersecke, Founder, GV Public Relations 

What’s the name and location of the property? 

Grand Wailea, A Waldorf Astoria Resort in Maui.

What types of travelers does the property cater to?

Grand Wailea caters to families, couples, wellness travelers, weddings, group travelers, luxury travelers. 

What makes the property special? 

Grand Wailea, A Waldorf Astoria Resort has an amazing oceanfront location, ten diverse dining options, five bars, an incredible spa, fun activities and the service is spectacular. The cultural experiences they offer are excellent, including hula lessons, ukelele lessons, a Grand Lu’au, reserve hikes, and cultural tours. Once you arrive at the resort, it’s difficult to leave.   

Don’t miss: 

I highly recommend the Wailea Canyon Activity Pool. It has nine pools and features waterfalls, rapids, a lazy river, and a rope swing. The resort is also right along the beach, so I recommend taking advantage of the water activities they offer such as stand-up paddle boarding, outrigger canoe tours, and kayaking. The Kilolani Spa is one of the best spas I have ever been to. It is 50,000 square feet and features the most incredible treatments, which are inspired by the Hawaiian lunar traditions. In terms of dining, they now have Nobu Grand Wailea, and Nobu has always been my favorite sushi restaurant. 

Hotel: Shangri-La Le Touessrok, Mauritius

Recommended by: Olivia Christensen, Assistant Vice President, Corporate Communications – The Americas, Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts

What’s the name and location of the property? 

Shangri-La Le Touessrok, Mauritius. Mauritius, located in the Indian Ocean off the southeastern coast of East Africa, is still somewhat of a hidden gem.

What types of travelers does the property cater to? 

Shangri-La Le Touessrok, Mauritius caters to all types of travelers – couples & honeymooners and wedding parties, (multi-gen) families (with kids), golfers and active travelers, wellness seekers, foodie lovers, and everyone in between. 

What makes the property special? 

There are places that feel like a deep breath and Shangri-La Le Touessrok, Mauritius is one of them. Located on Mauritius’s coveted east coast, Shangri-La Le Touessrok has long defined effortless island chic and has set the standard for luxury in Mauritius for 45 years. The five-star resort pairs powder-soft beaches and a private-island playground at Ilot Mangénie with the warmth of true Mauritian hospitality. Days drift between barefoot luxury and culture-rich experiences–family adventures, adults-only calm, and dining that feels like being welcomed into a local home. Reintroduced in October 2024 with a refined, stunning island-inspired design, the resort honors its heritage while elevating every touchpoint. 

Shangri-La Le Touessrok, Mauritius has a true Mauritian heart and soul from the architecture and interior design, to its food, and its hospitality with 90% of the hotel team being from Mauritius. 

Don’t miss: 

• Amongst an array of newly renovated and Mauritian-inspired accommodations including signature, multi-bedroom and connecting suites, the three-bedroom Beach Villa is definitely one to book. The villa offers private infinity pools, oceanfront terraces, and dedicated butler and chef service.
• Take a 10-minute boat ride to the resort’s exclusive private island, Ilot Mangénie. This unique destination offers a day of perfect tranquillity–from bespoke dining experiences under the stars, to beach cabanas with butler service, nature trails and more. This is the only resort in Mauritius with its own private island. 
• Golf at two distinct 18-hole championship courses, Ile aux Cerfs Golf Club and Anahita Golf Club, designed for players of all levels. The resort's dedicated concierge team ensures seamless transfers, with complimentary boat shuttles to the unique island setting of Ile aux Cerfs and convenient car transfers arranged to the mainland's Anahita Golf Club. And guests staying a minimum of five nights can enjoy green fees at no extra cost and 1 round of golf, per-day, per-person at 2 of the most spectacular golf courses in the world.
• Indulge in fresh dining experiences. The resort enjoys five renovated restaurants all designed to reflect the beauty of Mauritius, including two new ones: TSK and Coco’s, offering guests the chance to savor local Mauritian fare, alongside enhanced Kushi, Safran, and Sega.
• Honey harvesting. The hotel recently installed 13 new bee hives at their resort, complementing the existing three already on property. The resort now houses a total of 16 beehives with the capacity to host over 700,000 bees. This milestone makes Shangri-La Le Touessrok the first hotel in Mauritius to become home to more than half a million bees, establishing the largest bee population within the country’s hospitality sector. Press release with more information here. 
• Bring the young explorers to the Kids Club–with dedicated kids experiences, designed to propel a child’s learning and development. Something also fun for the kids is meeting the hotel’s oldest residents - the three tortoises, with the eldest almost 120 years!
• Treat yourself to a holistic wellness journey at Chi, The Spa, set in a beautiful and secluded area of the island, surrounded by luscious verdant tropical vegetation. 
• Check out other on-site activities: four floodlit tennis courts, bocce ball, mini football, beach soccer, beach volleyball, archery initiation, beginner's yoga, stretching, boxing training, boot camp, aqua-gym lessons, nature trails and cycling. The hotel also recently opened the first Sun Club by Veuve Clicquot in Africa, set within the iconic Coco’s Beach House.
• Choose a multi-destination journey. Something else we’d like to note is that travelers can reach the exotic beach destination via nonstop flights from Paris (CGD), London (LGW) and even Dubai (DXB) – an idea here could be for multi-destination trips, i.e. the best of urban life to the best of island life. Bonus! Shangri-La has hotels in Paris, London and Dubai for U.S. travelers looking to extend with a stopover stay. 

Hotel: The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort

Recommended by: Team St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort

What’s the name and location of the property? 

The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort on Vommuli Island, Dhaalu Atoll, Republic of Maldives

What types of travelers does the property cater to? 

The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort appeals to a wide range of luxury travelers, from families and couples to wellness seekers, culinary enthusiasts, and groups celebrating special milestones. Guests can relax at the overwater Iridium Spa, home to The Blue Hole hydrotherapy pool, one of the largest of its kind in the Maldives, or enjoy spacious private-pool villas perfect for both romantic escapes and family stays. The resort’s new Tastemaker Series brings world-renowned chefs, top mixologists, and exclusive wine dinners to the island, while bespoke event planning elevates weddings, anniversaries, and group celebrations. Whether seeking restorative wellness, exceptional dining, unforgettable celebrations, or effortless luxury, the resort offers a truly extraordinary island experience for every type of traveler.

What makes the property special? 

The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort stands apart as an architectural and service masterpiece on its private 9-hectare natural island in Dhaalu Atoll. What makes this property truly special is the seamless integration of innovative design with personalized luxury service, from the manta ray-inspired overwater villas that organically connect with the marine environment to the signature 24/7 St. Regis Butler Service that anticipates every guest need with Guild-trained precision. The resort's four distinct zones (Lagoon, Beach, Jungle, and Coastal) create immersive experiences where each villa's interior reflects its natural surroundings, culminating in the John Jacob Astor Estate, the Maldives' largest three-bedroom overwater villa spanning over 18,000 square feet. 

Beyond accommodation, the property offers unparalleled wellness through the award-winning Iridium Spa, featuring six overwater treatment rooms including dedicated Ayurvedic suites and The Blue Hole, the Indian Ocean's most expansive hydrotherapy pool for transformative saltwater therapy. The culinary journey spans seven distinct venues from underground wine cellars to overwater sunset dining, while the exclusive seaplane arrival to this pristine atoll creates an immediate sense of escape. 

This convergence of architectural innovation, personalized butler service, world-class wellness, and culinary diversity on a private island sanctuary defines the St. Regis Maldives as more than a resort, it's a curated luxury ecosystem where every element works in harmony to create an unmatched Maldivian experience.

Don’t miss:

The Award-Winning Iridium Spa presents six overwater treatment rooms, including two that are dedicated to healing Ayurvedic treatments, and The Blue Hole. The Blue Hole is the Indian Ocean’s most expansive hydrotherapy pool, where saltwater immersion meets gentle therapeutic currents in a setting designed for profound renewal. This isn't just a pool, it's a transformative aquatic sanctuary that harnesses the healing power of water for deep relaxation and restoration. The Iridium Spa isn’t just a spa visit, it’s a wellness journey that redefines luxury treatment in one of the world’s most spectacular natural settings.