What’s your biggest headache when it comes to travelling? Is it the luggage allowance, the commute to the airport, or perhaps the journey to your final destination on the other side? Well, if it’s all three, we know one surefire way to solve all of the above: private jet. For those with deep enough pockets, there’s quite simply no chicer way to travel – especially when it gets you directly to your destination without the hassle of transfers or changes. Whether you’re planning a once-in-a-lifetime safari, a winter ski trip or just need to escape to a far-flung paradise, here are the world’s best private jet destinations – and the hotels to book while you’re there.
Merano, Italy
Best airport: Bolzano
Nestled in the South Tyrol region of northern Italy, the historic spa town of Merano blends alpine tradition with a cosmopolitan Italian lifestyle. Located in a valley sandwiched between glaciers and vineyards, it has evolved into a year-round destination synonymous with wellness and the relaxed Tirolean way of life. Whether it’s a mountain hike up to the Mutspitze summit, a dip in the thermal baths, or a wander along the Passer River with gelato in hand, Merano is a must-visit destination this year.
But how to get there? SkyAlps offers effortless, elevated travel that promises more than just a flight. Founded in 2021, SkyAlps is South Tyrol’s boutique regional airline and connects the UK, along with more than 20 European cities, to the heart of the Dolomites, while shortening transfer times and offering a more relaxed and comfortable ride. And while the airline does operate up to four commerical flights per week from London Gatwick to Bolzano, it also has a private jet arm that promises all the confidence of a major airline with all the luxury of a PJ. The SkyAlps fleet comprises turboprops over the jet planes for slower fuel consumption, fewer emissions and reduced noise levels for a more sustainable, but no less efficient, flight.
Where to stay: Castel Fragsburg
Among the leafy peaks of Italy’s South Tyrol stands Castel Fragsburg, an exceptional 17th-century, Relais & Chateaux hotel perched majestically above the historic town of Merano. From its elevated terraces, enjoy spectacular views over the Adige Valley or bask in the heart of its five-hectare fairytale garden and reconnect with nature. Inside its 20 suites, elegant interiors combine alpine comfort and Mediterranean sensuality and this spirit is echoed in the Alchemistic Healing Spa, which offers rejuvenating treatments and a heated outdoor pool. Elsewhere, Michelin-starred chef Egon Heiss runs the Fragsburg Soul Garden in an ecologically sustainable manner by collaborating with Merano’s Youth Service to cultivate fruits, vegetables, and herbs locally, and then uses them in his award-winning cooking. This is nose-to-tail at its finest.
From £400 per night.
St Barts, Caribbean
Best airport: Gustaf III Airport
Widely known as one of the most glamorous destinations in the world, it’s only right that those with enough cash to splash should arrive here via equally stylish means. Gustaf III Airport, also known as St Jean Airport, is the main gateway for private jets on the French-speaking Caribbean island of St Barts, providing easy access to the island’s capital of Gustavia and beyond. As one of the most unique airfields in the region, and boasting one of the shortest runways in the world, trust us when we say that even landing here is an exhilarating experience. Once you’re outside the airport doors, discover St Barts’ signature white sand beaches, designer boutiques, and historic attractions such as the Wall House, which harks back to the island’s Swedish colonial era.
Where to stay: Cheval Blanc St-Barths
The only hotel in the Caribbean granted Palace distinction – an award by the French government recognising uber-luxurious hotels – Cheval Blanc St-Barth is the place to go for the royal treatment. Situated just a stone’s throw from one of the island’s finest beaches, Baie des Flamands, the five-star hotel is home to 61 suites, bungalows and villas offering panoramic ocean views.
Fine dining fare awaits at La Case, a popular island hotspot serving locally-inspired French cuisine by Michelin-starred chef Jean Imbert, while over at the beach restaurant La Cabane, dine on Caribbean classics such as traditional fish fritters, poke bowls and crab sando sandwiches with mango and pomegranate ketchup. Guerlain treatments – the first in the Caribbean – can be enjoyed at the Cheval Blanc Spa and, to mark the hotel’s 10th anniversary, book the exclusive Antilles Serenity treatment: an exfoliating, vanilla-scented scrub followed by a full-body massage.
From £1,300 per night.
Botswana, Africa
Best airport: Omdop airstrip
Primarily used for private charters and transfers for those heading to safari camps, Omdop (also known as Duba Plains) is a small airport located in Botswana’s Duba Plains Camp area. It is not used for commercial flights and is therefore fully at the beck and call of smaller aircrafts. The airfield is located within a private area of the northern part of the Okavango Delta, a World Heritage Site, and is a stone’s throw away from a number of national parks and safari resorts.
Where to stay: Sitatunga Private Island Camp
Just a 10-minute helicopter ride from Omdop airstrip is the magical private island of Sitatunga. The brainchild of renowned eco-tourism company Great Plains, this water-based safari camp in the upper reaches of Botswana’s Okavango Delta opened in 2023 to critical acclaim. The camp is built on a raised, wraparound railway sleeper deck and can accommodate just eight adults in an array of suites, complete with an indoor lounge, a private deck and pool with expansive views over the lagoon. Constructed almost entirely from recycled materials, the camp has been designed to offer discerning explorers a ‘slow safari’ experience that is as sustainable as it is luxurious – so expect plenty of exclusive game drives and Big Five spotting, too.
From £1,458 per night.
Megève, France
Best airport: Megève Altiport
Megève Altiport is one of the oldest mountain aerodromes in Europe, dating back to 1978 and originally created by Baron Edmond de Rothschild, who wanted to provide rapid access to his family’s ski slopes. Until 2016, however, the mountain-top airport was primarily used for pilot training and tourism activities until a ban was lifted to allow private jet access – initially restricted due to short runways. It is now regarded as the chicest gateway to the highest point in the Alps, Mont Blanc, but is only open when there is no snow on the runway. Summer sojourn to the mountains, anyone?
Where to stay: Four Seasons Hotel Megève
Nestled in the heart of the Alps, Four Seasons Hotel Megève exudes timeless charm, harking back to the Roaring Twenties heyday of this chic resort that was put on the map by Baroness Noémie de Rothschild of the eponymous European banking dynasty. Having launched in 2017 – and open for both the summer and winter seasons – this alpine haven offers a modern reinterpretation of chalet style, featuring 55 rooms and suites, an expansive indoor-outdoor spa, and direct access to the ski slopes in winter and the Mont d’Arbois Golf Course in summer. Dine at Brasserie Benjamin, offering an alpine-inspired menu complemented by a selection of regional wines, or Japanese food at Kaito and light bites at Edmond’s, served on the sun-lit terrace on warmer days.
Those looking to relax and rejuvenate while staying in the mountains needn’t look further than the Four Seasons Megève Spa. Hosting a series of exclusive pop-ups throughout the summer, expect treatments, workshops and discussions by some of the most in-demand names in holistic health and beauty. You won’t want to miss the Clinique La Prairie residence throughout July and August, where the Swiss brand will offer bespoke nutri-longevity assessments.
From £530 per night.
New York, USA
Best airport: Teterboro Airport
Located just 12 miles from Midtown Manhattan, Teterboro Airport is one of the most popular private jet destinations in the world, catering for both well-heeled business and leisure travellers alike thanks to its proximity to the Big Apple. One of the oldest operating airports in the area but also one of the busiest business aviation terminals in the world, touch down here to be a hop, skimp and a jump away from the likes of Broadway, Brooklyn, Times Square and Central Park.
Where to stay: Warren Street Hotel
One of the newest kids on the Big Apple’s hotel block is Firmdale Hotels’ third New York property, Warren Street Hotel, which opened in 2024 and has already been awarded one Michelin key. Situated in downtown TriBeCa, it was the brainchild of the brand behind London’s Ham Yard Hotel and Charlotte Street Hotel, with interiors, courtesy of founder Kit Kemp, following a similar style: think bright and bold palettes complemented by contrasting wallpapers and specially commissioned art to create a fun, modern and welcoming space. Opt for the three-bedroom Songbird suite – featuring floor-to-ceiling windows, two living rooms, powder rooms and wet bars – if you’re planning a longer stint in the city, and don’t miss a martini or two on the secluded roof terrace.
From £675 per night.
St Moritz, Switzerland
Best airport: Samedan Engadin Airport
Flying via private jet into Samedan Engadin Airport is the chicest way to arrive at Europe’s highest runway, positioned at an elevation of more than 1,700 metres. Located at the heart of Engadin valley in the village of Samedan, it is the closest airport to the stylish alpine resort town of St Moritz. All private jet charters are received by limousines on the runway, where guests will be swiftly taken to the hustle and bustle of Europe’s glitziest ski resort, home to five-star hotels, designer boutiques, Michelin-starred restaurants and 190 acres of white-powder pistes.
Where to stay: Badrutt’s Palace Hotel
Badrutt’s Palace Hotel has long been hailed as a playground of the international elite, synonymous with impeccable service, exclusivity, and indulgence. Despite being steeped in old world charm, this alpine icon recently unveiled its Serlas Wing: the first renovations at the property in more than a century. Designed by renowned architect Antonio Citterio, the exclusive setting will smoothly blend traditional Swiss touches with a celebrated, signature Italian flair, complete with 25 sophisticated suites, decor by Loro Piana, and a private underground connection to the legendary Chesa Veglia.
Elsewhere, guests can enjoy ice-fishing and skijoring on the (frozen) water, or take to the skies in a hover-helicopter and paragliding lessons, before feasting at one of 10 dining options, including fondue at the 17th-century farmhouse Chesa Veglia, fine dining at Matsuhisa, or sipping on cocktails in the magnificent lounge.
From £1,020 per night.
