The velvet rope has gone up around some of the world’s most beautiful places.
The world of travel has always had its exclusive corners, but a perfect storm of inflation, overtourism, and social media hype has pushed a growing number of once-accessible destinations firmly into the “one percent” category. These are the places where the cost of a simple hotel room, a meal, or a day’s activity has become so astronomical that they are now the exclusive playgrounds of the ultra-wealthy.
For the average middle-class traveler in 2025, these dream destinations are now financially out of reach.
1. St. Barts is the Caribbean’s most exclusive island.
The French Caribbean island of Saint-Barthélemy, or St. Barts, has long been a haven for billionaires and celebrities, and it has only become more exclusive. The island has no large-scale, all-inclusive resorts; instead, it is a landscape of ultra-luxury boutique hotels and private villas that can cost thousands of dollars per night, as mentioned by Yahoo! News. The island’s high-end restaurants and designer boutiques cater to a clientele for whom money is no object.
There is no “budget” way to do St. Barts. The island has deliberately cultivated an atmosphere of extreme exclusivity, making it a place where only the super-rich can afford to vacation.
2. Bora Bora’s overwater bungalows come with a hefty price tag.
The image of a private, thatched-roof bungalow perched over a crystal-clear turquoise lagoon is the ultimate travel fantasy, and Bora Bora is its capital. This dream, however, comes with a staggering price tag. A stay in one of the iconic overwater bungalows at a luxury resort here can easily cost between $2,000 and $5,000 per night, a figure that is completely unattainable for the average traveler.
The entire tourism infrastructure of the island is built around this high-end model. The remoteness of French Polynesia means that the cost of flights and even basic goods is also very high, solidifying Bora Bora’s status as a honeymoon destination for the very wealthy, according to The Times of India.
3. Aspen, Colorado is a winter playground for the elite.
While there are many expensive ski towns in the U.S., Aspen sits in a category all its own. The cost of a single-day lift ticket can now be over $250, and a week of skiing for a family can cost thousands before you’ve even factored in lodging. The town’s hotels, restaurants, and high-end designer shops are all priced for a jet-setting clientele who fly in on private planes, as shared at Far & Wide.
Even the more “affordable” lodging options in nearby towns are expensive and require a difficult commute. The days of Aspen being an accessible ski town are long gone; it is now the exclusive winter enclave of the global elite.
4. The Amalfi Coast in Italy is a summer splurge.
The stunning, cliffside villages of Italy’s Amalfi Coast, like Positano and Ravello, are victims of their own immense popularity. The demand for a summer vacation here is so intense that the prices for hotels and villas have been pushed to astronomical levels. A simple hotel room with a sea view can cost over $1,000 a night, and a private villa can be tens of thousands for a week.
Even the cost of a simple meal, a taxi ride, or a beach chair rental is incredibly inflated. The extreme demand and limited supply have transformed this beautiful stretch of coastline into a destination that only the very wealthy can comfortably afford during the peak season.
5. Bhutan’s high-value, low-impact tourism model.
The Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan has a unique and admirable approach to tourism, designed to preserve its culture and environment. The government achieves this by charging a mandatory “Sustainable Development Fee” for most foreign tourists, which as of 2025 is $100 per person, per day. This fee is on top of all your other travel costs, like hotels, food, and guides.
While this policy has been successful in preventing the kind of overtourism seen in neighboring Nepal, it has also made Bhutan one of the most expensive travel destinations in the world. It is a place that is, by design, accessible only to those who can afford the high daily tariff.
6. Jackson Hole, Wyoming has become a billionaire’s wilderness.
Jackson Hole has always been a beautiful destination, but in recent years it has transformed into a year-round haven for billionaires and a hub for the “stealth wealth” crowd. This influx of extreme wealth has had a dramatic effect on the local economy, driving up the price of everything from a modest hotel room to a burger at a local restaurant.
The cost of real estate is now on par with major coastal cities, and the price of skiing, dining, and other activities reflects this new, ultra-wealthy demographic. It is a stunningly beautiful place, but it is no longer an affordable mountain getaway for the average American family.
7. The Seychelles is a private island paradise.
This beautiful archipelago in the Indian Ocean is famous for its pristine beaches, unique granite rock formations, and its focus on ultra-high-end, exclusive tourism. The Seychelles is home to a number of the world’s most famous and expensive private island resorts, where celebrities and royalty go to escape the public eye. A stay at one of these resorts can easily cost over $5,000 per night.
While there are a few more affordable guesthouses on the main islands, the country has largely built its tourism brand around this model of low-volume, high-cost luxury, making it one of the most expensive tropical destinations on the planet.
8. A luxury African safari in Botswana.
While there are more affordable safari options in other parts of Africa, Botswana has deliberately pursued a high-cost, low-impact model to protect its pristine wilderness areas like the Okavango Delta. The country is home to some of the most exclusive and luxurious safari lodges on the continent, located in private concessions that offer an unparalleled and crowd-free wildlife viewing experience.
This exclusivity comes at a price, with a single night at one of these high-end lodges often costing thousands of dollars per person. It is a truly incredible experience, but one that is financially out of reach for all but the most affluent wildlife lovers.
9. Antarctica is the world’s most expensive cruise.
A trip to the White Continent is the ultimate bucket-list adventure for many travelers, but it is also one of the most expensive journeys you can take. An expedition cruise to Antarctica, which is the only way for most people to visit, is a massive logistical undertaking. The ships are specially built to handle the icy waters, and they are staffed by expert guides and scientists.
The cost for a basic, 10-day cruise can start at around $10,000 per person and can go up dramatically from there. This high price tag makes it the most exclusive travel destination on Earth.
10. Monaco is a playground for the super-rich.
The tiny, glamorous principality of Monaco on the French Riviera is a sovereign state that is synonymous with wealth. The entire country is a landscape of luxury, from the superyachts packed into its famous harbor to the high-stakes tables at the Monte Carlo Casino and the Formula 1 Grand Prix that tears through its streets. There is nothing “budget” about Monaco.
The hotels are opulent, the restaurants are Michelin-starred, and the designer boutiques are among the most exclusive in the world. It is a destination that is designed by and for the ultra-wealthy, and it has the prices to prove it.
11. Big Sur, California has very limited and expensive lodging.
For those of us here in California, the stunning, rugged coastline of Big Sur is one of our state’s greatest treasures. It is also one of its most exclusive places to stay. Due to very strict development regulations designed to preserve its natural beauty, there are very few hotels in Big Sur. The ones that do exist are almost all high-end, luxury resorts like the Post Ranch Inn, where a room can cost over $2,000 a night.
The lack of any budget or mid-range lodging options means that an overnight stay in this beautiful part of the world is a luxury that few can afford, making it a day-trip destination for most Californians.
12. Gstaad, Switzerland is a famously exclusive ski resort.
While Aspen is the North American capital of luxury skiing, Gstaad is its European counterpart. This charming and incredibly chic village in the Swiss Alps has long been the winter destination of choice for old-money European families, royalty, and celebrities. The town is known for its “Gstaad Palace” hotel, its high-end designer boutiques, and its sophisticated, understated atmosphere.
A ski vacation here is a profoundly expensive undertaking, from the five-star hotels and gourmet mountain restaurants to the pricey lift tickets. It is a place that has cultivated an image of quiet, old-world luxury with a price tag to match.
13. Necker Island is a private paradise.
Owned by Sir Richard Branson, Necker Island in the British Virgin Islands is the ultimate private island escape. You can’t just book a room here; you have to rent the entire 74-acre island, which can accommodate a small group of guests. The cost for this exclusive use is well into the tens of thousands of dollars per night.
It represents the absolute pinnacle of luxury travel: complete privacy, a dedicated staff to cater to your every need, and an entire Caribbean paradise all to yourself. It is a destination that is quite literally only affordable for the richest people in the world.