Choose from luxury hotels offering private flights to attract discerning guests

Global air travel is cautiously resuming with more daily flights, yet many potential passengers remain hesitant about flying commercially.

Some exclusive hotels have found a solution by bundling private flight services with their accommodations.

As many resorts strive to recover lost revenue from the pandemic’s early months, it’s no surprise that high-end properties are offering innovative incentives to lure wealthy travelers.

However, even private flights can't fully eliminate all travel risks.

Travelers arriving from regions with high Covid-19 rates, such as the United States, must consider more than just their own health and safety.

For those with the resources and determination to continue traveling, chartering a private jet is an appealing way to get to their destination.

“We’ve seen a 75% rise in inquiries worldwide compared to last year,” says Justin Bowman, CEO of Air Charter Service, regarding the surge in private plane bookings.

“As travel continues to evolve, consumers are increasingly prioritizing privacy, safety, cleanliness, and flexibility above all else.”

For those who seek luxury alongside these priorities, here are six properties offering a first-class experience with a touch of glamour.

Caldera House, Wyoming

This exclusive eight-suite hotel and alpine club in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, reopened on June 25, unveiling a new package that offers guests unparalleled access to the breathtaking, secluded landscape.

Caldera House has teamed up with Indagare to offer a four-night experience that highlights some of the American West's most awe-inspiring landscapes and wildlife, all while maintaining a socially distanced luxury experience.

The package begins with round-trip private charter flights to the hotel, situated in the charming Teton Village. Upon arrival, guests can select from either a two- or four-bedroom suite, with the option to have the kitchen fully stocked for their convenience.

Daily activities include a morning excursion in Grand Teton National Park to spot wildlife, a tour of Jackson Hole's geological wonders, and horseback riding at Diamond Cross Ranch, where guests can enjoy breathtaking views of the Teton Range.

The spacious suites offer a private retreat at the end of the day, complete with amenities like soaking tubs, patios with fire pits, dining areas, and even home theaters. In-suite spa services, such as a 90-minute deep tissue massage, can also be arranged.

Caldera House, 3275 Village Dr, Teton Village, WY 83025; (307) 200-4220

Four Seasons Resort Lanai, Hawaii

For travelers willing to comply with Hawaii's 14-day quarantine (which remains in effect until September 1), the luxurious Four Seasons Lanai could be one of the best options for a tropical getaway.

The resort, located on one of Hawaii's most pristine islands, is offering private air transfers from Honolulu to Lanai Air for bookings made by August 31 (with arrivals by January 4). Additionally, the hotel is collaborating with luxury agencies like Protravel International to arrange private jet services for guests flying into Honolulu, ensuring a smooth and secure journey.

Upon arrival, guests are met by a hotel representative, who will transport them to the resort in a Tesla or Mercedes.

Once at the resort, guests can unwind by lounging by the lagoon-style pools, strolling through vibrant botanical gardens, or enjoying a pineapple-scented Lanai Tai scrub at the luxurious Hawanawana spa.

For those seeking more adventure, the resort offers a Jack Nicklaus-designed golf course set amidst natural gorges, two tennis courts, and an archery and shooting range.

For ultimate privacy, guests may opt for the Alii Royal Suite, which spans nearly 4,000 square feet. Larger than most homes, it features a media room, a library, and three expansive balconies with stunning ocean views.

Four Seasons Resort Lanai, 1 Manele Bay Rd, Lanai City, HI 96763; (808) 565-2000

The Lake House on Canandaigua, New York

While the Catskills and Hudson Valley have gained popularity in recent years, a new luxury hotel in the Finger Lakes is set to make this picturesque region a must-visit destination for travelers.

Opening on August 14, the Lake House will feature 125 rooms and suites, a boardwalk for water activities, and the first international standalone spa by wellness expert Alexandra Soveral.

In harmony with its natural surroundings, the hotel embraces eco-friendly practices, utilizing geothermal energy and providing water bottle refill stations throughout the property. Rooms, adorned in airy whites and tans, feature custom-blended Soveral toiletries, handcrafted furniture by Fitzhugh Karol, and spa-inspired Waterworks rain showerheads.

Naturally, driving from New York City or nearby areas can be a long haul, and that's assuming you even have a car.

To make the journey quicker, the hotel offers assistance with booking private seaplanes from the East River in Manhattan directly to the hotel on Lake Canandaigua.

The Lake House on Canandaigua, 770 S Main St, Canandaigua, NY 14424; (585) 394-7800

The Ocean Club, A Four Seasons Resort, Bahamas

Luxury can mean many things, but one definition certainly involves letting someone else take care of everything. That’s the essence of the Bahamas' Jet to Villa package, where those fortunate enough to indulge in it need only to pack their bags.

The journey starts when a town car picks guests up from their home and drives them to a NetJets private plane. After landing at Nassau's airport, another waiting car takes them to the hotel, where their personal butler is ready to escort them to their beachfront villa.

For a true home-away-from-home experience, guests can book a three- or four-bedroom villa, featuring a private infinity-edge pool, outdoor lounges, and a full kitchen.

No need to worry about cooking, though: catering can be conveniently arranged from the on-site DUNE restaurant, created by the renowned chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten.

Visitors should be aware that, in order to enter the Bahamas, they must provide proof of a negative Covid-19 test taken within the last 10 days. As of July 13, the country entered Phase 3, which has led to the reopening of attractions, tours, and excursions to guests.

The Ocean Club, A Four Seasons Resort, One Ocean Drive, Paradise Island Nassau N.P., Bahamas; +1 242-363-2501

SHA Wellness Clinic, Spain

Recognized as one of the world’s most renowned wellness centers, this Spanish retreat is undeterred by the pandemic in its mission to teach guests its health and wellness practices.

For popular international destinations like London, Paris, Moscow, and New York, the hotel offers private jet arrangements (either shared or fully private). Once guests arrive, a waiting car will transport them to the clifftop location where the hotel overlooks the Mediterranean Sea.

Guests can choose wellness retreats lasting anywhere from four days to two weeks, with the main aim being to restore overall well-being and unwind in a serene setting.

A team of on-site experts collaborates with each guest to design a personalized wellness plan, from customized meal options to Traditional Chinese Medicine therapies.

The spa offerings at SHA Wellness Clinic are exceptional: Guests may indulge in underwater massages, cryotherapy sessions, enzyme facials, and a variety of hydrotherapy baths. You could easily spend two weeks exploring the full range of treatments.

Currently, travel to Spain from the USA is restricted, but travelers from Europe and other approved countries are still permitted entry.

SHA Wellness Clinic, Carrer del Verderol, 5, 03581 L’Albir, Alicante, Spain; +34 966 81 11 99

Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal, Mexico

Situated at the southern tip of Mexico’s Baja California peninsula, this hotel is already a remote hideaway, accessible only via the exclusive Dos Mares tunnel.

Their new package, in collaboration with Schubach Aviation, makes the journey even more seamless and secure. The Private Passport to Pedregal offers round-trip private transfers from anywhere in the US to Cabo San Lucas International Airport, with private terminal access and expedited customs clearance upon arrival.

This seven-night package includes a stay in a two-bedroom oceanfront suite, complete with a private plunge pool, personal concierge, and butler service. And for a touch of fun, enjoy daily deliveries of chips, guacamole, and Mexican beer right to your room.

The hotel can also help arrange off-site adventures nearby, such as a sunrise standup paddleboard session at the iconic Land’s End, 4x4 excursions into the Sierra de la Laguna mountains, and the chance to swim with 40-foot-long whale sharks.

Baja California Sur welcomed back travelers on June 15, though note that a temperature check and health screening questionnaire are mandatory upon airport arrival. With COVID-19 cases still rising, the country remains open to visitors, but it’s advisable to proceed with caution and follow all safety protocols if you plan to travel there.

Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal, Camino del Mar 1, Pedregal, 23455 Cabo San Lucas, B.C.S., Mexico; +52 624 163 4300