5 Adult-Only Holidays in Breathtaking Locales

By Barbara L. Nelson

Even before the pandemic, adult-only vacations were on the rise, according to several tourism reports. And now, with the world reopening to travellers, adults are seeking holidays with more peace and quiet without kids in tow.

According to Embark Beyond founder Jack Ezon, 61% of the summer trips that the bespoke travel agency booked in 2020 were for adults only, compared to 48% in 2019. And this vacation trend has evolved beyond couples’ vacations. Now, friends or colleagues who want to travel together after many months of virtual meeting only contact or individuals seeking solo holidays are jumping on board, according to a Wall Street Journal article.

Bidroom has several adult-only properties, and to help you plan your own adult-only holiday, we’ve selected five locales where we have adult-only hotels where both undisturbed tranquillity and grown-up fun can be found.

Palma, Mallorca

Known for its sun and beach tourism, Palma, Mallorca also has an attractive historic quarter and is the capital city of the island of Majorca. Palma is located in the bay of the same name and enjoys an excellent climate year-round. 

What to see & do: Visit several famous cathedrals on the island, the Almudaina Palace, the Lonja fish market and Plaza Mayor. Historic monuments can be found at fishing ports, in pine forests and among palm trees throughout the island. You will find secluded coves, beaches and cliffs on the coast, and inland small villages and towns surrounded by mountain ranges up to 1,500 metres high. The variety of the landscape and culture invites visitors to explore every corner of Mallorca as well as its unique gastronomy of the island.

Where to stay: The adults-only Alua Soul Palma in Can Pastilla is located on Cala Estancia beach in the bay of Palma de Mallorca, with wonderful views of the bay of Palma and the Mediterranean Sea. The hotel’s restaurant is open for breakfast and dinner and serves the Mediterranean and international cuisine buffet. The hotel is located less than 2 km from Palma de Mallorca airport and about 8 km from the city centre of Palma.

Marrakech, Morocco

Marrakech is the promise of unequalled sensations between tradition and modernity. Walking in the Jemaa El-Fna square amongst the souks with their shimmering coloured wares and oriental smells wafting through the air, offers travellers a complete change of scenery.

What to see and do: At the heart of this ancient city you can enjoy the architectural richness of the Medina, a UNESCO World Heritage Centre and an old Islamic capital originating from the 11th century. Visit one of Marrakech’s many small oriental palaces plentiful throughout the city. Relax and recharge at the Menara, a sprawling garden with an emblematic basin. Modern Marrakech is located in the districts of Gueliz and Hivernage that offer the most modern infrastructures, luxury boutiques and international ready-to-wear stores, and airy avenues, which all contribute to Marrakech’s unique offering.

Being a growing economic bustling city, Marrakech has special festive and cultural places, such as the Palais des Congres and the splendid Royal Theater. Enjoy Marrakech at night by discovering the many themed venues, trendy clubs and traditional evenings reflecting the city’s lively part.

Where to stay: Jaal Riad Resort – This adults-only 5-star hotel has a spa located in the centre of Marrakech and offers a gym with a hot tub, pool and a garden with a sun terrace. On-premise is an Arabic-style restaurant serving traditional Moroccan cuisine and a full-service bar. Every morning, guests can enjoy breakfast at the property.

Varna – Golden Sands, Bulgaria

Varna is a port city, and seaside resort on Bulgaria’s Black Sea, with Golden Sands, St. Konstantin and Albena coastal resorts. Its claim to fame is its 6,000-year-old Thracian jewellery called the Gold of Varna, discovered in a cemetery and displayed at the Archaeological Museum, along with Greek, Roman and Ottoman antiquities. The Golden Sands and St. Constantine and Helena Resorts regions are well-known for their pure and tiny sand and the hot mineral springs perfect for a relaxing spa-type getaway.

What to see and do: Varna is a cosmopolitan city where you will find artistic and cultural exhibitions throughout the city all year round with many art galleries and museums. Varna boasts countless cultural events involving folklore, music, ballet, opera and theatre, as well as open-air exhibitions, and many art galleries.

In Varna, there are many traditional Bulgarian restaurants and wineries where you can taste the famous dishes with different types of wine. Bulgarian cuisine is exceptionally diverse, including various salads, breadstuffs, stews, and other local dishes. Many dishes are prepared according to traditional recipes handed down from generation to generation over the centuries. The city offers impressive nightlife, with many bars and restaurants in the summer months located directly on the beach, near the Sea Garden. Varna is known for its creative and innovative fashion, where you can find plenty of modern shopping centres, traditional open-air markets and small shops.

Where to stay:

Located on Golden Sands, this adult-only all-inclusive waterfront hotel, Grifid Metropol, offers two free sun loungers and one parasol per room on a private beach in front of the hotel. Refreshments and cocktails are served at the pool bar, next to the outdoor pool. Fusion and Italian restaurants and theme evenings (Bulgarian, Rodizio, Mongo) are also available to guests. A complimentary “Dine Around” dining option is offered from a la carte restaurants, including various cuisines—Asian and Tex-Mex restaurants in Bolero and Sky Restaurant and Classic Restaurant in Vistamar. Reservation is required for all restaurants in the “Dine Around” program. Breakfast is served, and guests can choose from the a la carte menu. During July and August, barbecue nights and beach parties are organised. Massage services, sauna, beauty salon and relaxation area are available for a surcharge. The elegant piano bar entertains and offers lives music in the evenings.

Grifid Hotel Foresta offers all-inclusive services and is located in a quiet area of ​​Golden Sands with a restaurant, a lobby bar and an outdoor pool surrounded by a sun terrace with sun loungers. Guests of the Grifid Hotel Foresta can enjoy local specialities in the main restaurant; culinary-themed dinner buffets are available twice every seven days. With reservation and stays of 7 nights or more, guests can also benefit from the a la carte restaurants for one dinner per stay with Bulgarian, Italian and Asian cuisine at a Grifid Arabella Partner property. Guests can relax in the pool’s refreshing water or enjoy Grifid Beach, with free local drinks on the beach and free sun loungers and umbrellas. There is also a self-service pool bar, while table tennis and darts are offered on-site.

Corralejo, Fuerteventura Island – Canary Islands, Spain

Fuerteventura, the oldest of the Canary Islands, rose out of the Atlantic ocean about 22 million years ago. It is the ultimate peaceful beach vacation and is a Canary Island biosphere reserve. However, those who enjoy water sports will also appreciate the perfect conditions of this island because of its extraordinary climate, long days, sun every day of the year, perfect wind and wave conditions. It also has a full range of services and facilities.

What to see and do: If you get tired of enjoying relaxing days at the beach, Fuerteventura has many other enticing options, including surfing, windsurfing and kite surfing. You may also want to take some time to explore and hike the inland landscapes and rolling hills. Or visit the small inland villages where time moves at an island’s pace, and discover Fuerteventura’s history or take a trek into the picturesque coastal towns where you can enjoy delicious fresh fish and other delicacies of local cuisine.

Where to stay: Hotel Secrets Bahía Real Resort & Spa is an adults-only 5-star resort located on the beachfront in Corralejo, Fuerteventura. It has two outdoor pools surrounded by lush tropical gardens, six restaurants, a cocktail bar and a spa. The hotel’s restaurants serve a wide variety of international dishes, à la carte or buffet style, including the award-winning La Cúpula. Guests can dine on the restaurant terraces overlooking the sea, among the gardens or by the pool and a lobby bar. The 3,000-square-meter Bahia Vital Spa features a hot tub, sauna, and a wide range of treatments, including massages, wraps, and hydrotherapy. There is also a gym with state-of-the-art equipment. The complex offers stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean and the neighbouring islands of Lobos and Lanzarote. The Corralejo dunes are just a few meters from the complex, and the hotel’s beach includes sun loungers and parasols. The Coco Bahía Chill Out has Balinese beds and personalised services.

Red Sea Riviera, Egypt

You’ve seen the pyramids, now relax along the Red Sea Riviera and enjoy some of the best ocean-front activities in eastern Egypt. The Red Sea Riviera is a long coastal area with beautiful beaches that lead to the Red Sea and is located near the Eastern Desert and south of the Sinai. Here you’ll find dolphins, dugongs and an overwhelming landscape of exotic flora and fauna. You’ll enjoy the scenery of gorgeous mountains and crystal clear waters of the Red Sea.

What to do and see: With year-round sunshine, the Egyptian Red Sea is a perfect diving destination. In the pleasant climate, you can go fishing, snorkelling, hiking and visit the world’s largest aqua-culture museum. You can enjoy diving, fishing and sightseeing at Marsa Alam or connect with the friendly locals of Dahab, a charming fishing village. Marsa Alam and Safaga are also well-known therapeutic destinations. Safaga is one of the world’s best locations for curing psoriasis. Visit the several aquariums along the coast to see a multicoloured world built by an army of builders- the corals and other Red Sea marine life. In the Red Sea Riviera, your options are endless.

Where to stay:

Coraya Bay, Egypt

Located on the mesmerising shores of Coraya Bay is the five-star adults-only Steigenberger Coraya Beach Resort. The resort enjoys an original Nubian style and an 800-meter-long private sandy beach. To add an extra touch, the 364 rooms are integrated into groups of bungalows, with spectacular views of the sea, the pool and the garden, and its plethora of recreational facilities, including three swimming pools and a diving centre, to name a few. The resort has dinners for even the most discerning palates with its unique all-inclusive Pharaoh concept.

Sahl Hasheesh, Egypt

This luxury hotel, with extensive gardens, takes you from the pool to the beach and the sea. With Premier’s exclusive Ultra All-Inclusive standards, you can dine at one of five different restaurants, enjoy a relaxing drink at several bars, or swim and play in a selection of pools or on the private beach. Every night entertainment is offered, or spend some quality time in the hotel’s spa facilities. This is affordable luxury in a magnificent Red Sea setting. Children under 16 cannot stay at Premier Le Reve Hotel & Spa.

Hurghada, Egypt

Sunrise Holidays Resort, the first adults-only resort in Egypt, is situated on a private beach lagoon, enriching rejuvenating vacations with its idyllic sea view. Located near the centre of Hurghada, the resort offers the best of both worlds: enjoy a relaxing and revitalising environment and experience Hurghada’s exciting nightlife.

Sunrise Romance Resort Sahl Hasheesh features three restaurants, a luxury spa, a private beach, outdoor pools and a Jacuzzi. All rooms have spacious balconies and panoramic views of the fabulous Red Sea. Sunrise Romance Resort features Italian, Asian, Indian and Lebanese restaurants. Guests can relax on the poolside terrace or use the sun loungers on the private beach. There is a golf course 15 km from the Resort. It is located 20 km from Hurghada city centre and 24 km from Hurghada International Airport (taxi and limo service available).

Safaga, Egypt

Shams Prestige Abu Soma is located on the outskirts of Soma Bay, 48 km south of Hurghada. This exclusive bungalow complex with 67 elegant rooms will offer pure relaxation for those seeking to rest directly on a beautiful sandy beach and the gentle slope of the Red Sea with its crystal clear turquoise waters. Shams Prestige Abu Soma Resort also caters for couples looking for a romantic holiday. Special events can be booked for honeymooners, lovers, or anyone who loves nature. Book romantic dinners at the beach or a couples massage and other rejuvenating treatments. Some rooms have balconies, while others offer a private terrace and a hot tub.