Some hotels already promise magic before you even set foot in the lobby. Whether it is sweeping over jungle canopies in a twin-prop plane, paragliding onto a hidden beach or docking in style at a private Mediterranean club, the way you arrive says everything about what’s to come. These spectacular hotels have reimagined the journey itself as part of the adventure. From airborne entrances to cinematic sea landings, here are the most thrilling ways to check in.

Islas Secas, Panama – Private Twin Otter

If ever there were a modern-day Jurassic Park fantasy for grown-ups, this would be it. Aboard Islas Secas’ private Twin Otter aircraft, guests enjoy an ultra-smooth, low-altitude flight from Panama City that ends with a cinematic touchdown on the resort’s own jungle-fringed airstrip. Set within a pristine archipelago off Panama’s Pacific coast, this exclusive eco-retreat offers a rare blend of wild nature and barefoot luxury. The 15-seater Twin Otter is purpose-built for the remote landing and boasts air conditioning, plush leather seating and a sense of quiet, sky-bound serenity. Whether chartered privately or boarded on a scheduled transfer, the plane delivers guests into an untouched world of coral reefs, volcanic islands and tropical forest. From the moment wheels leave the tarmac in Panama City, it is clear that this is a journey to somewhere truly special.

Borgo Santandrea, Amalfi Coast – Boat Transfer to Marinella Beach Club

Avoid the notorious Amalfi switchbacks and arrive at Borgo Santandrea in the most elegant way imaginable, by boat. Guests are collected from nearby ports by one of the hotel’s bespoke Borgo Fleet boats, skimming across the Tyrrhenian Sea past limestone cliffs, cascading bougainvillaea and pastel-hued villages. You’ll dock directly at the glamorous Marinella Beach Club, where check-in is handled with a cool glass of something sparkling and a sea breeze in your hair. Designed in collaboration with Ethimo, the beach club is a vision of Italian coastal charm, from sleek loungers and monogrammed towels to views that stretch all the way to Capri. Perched high above, the hotel itself is an ode to mid-century refinement, where Michelin-starred dining and Amalfi majolica tiling meet serene sea-facing suites. A dreamy way to make your entrance, with the mainland left behind.

Six Senses Zighy Bay, Oman – Paraglide Into Paradise

Tucked between rugged mountains and the pale sands of Oman’s northern Musandam Peninsula, Six Senses Zighy Bay is no ordinary resort and certainly no ordinary arrival. Adventurous guests can swap standard transfers for an unforgettable tandem paraglide descent, soaring silently from the mountain-top launch point above the Hajar Mountains straight onto the beach below. As you float gently through the warm Gulf air, the turquoise waters and sand-fringed bay open up beneath you, offering a heart-lifting first glimpse of this off-grid haven. It is the kind of arrival that quickens the pulse and calms the spirit in equal measure. Zighy Bay’s remote setting is mirrored in its village-style design, with rustic stone villas, private pools and spa rituals rooted in Arabian tradition. A perfect blend of thrill and tranquillity.

Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru – Seaplane Spectacle

In the Maldives, seaplane transfers are something of a rite of passage, but Four Seasons Landaa Giraavaru elevates it to a true spectacle. Soar over an endless canvas of turquoise atolls aboard one of the resort’s bespoke DHC-6 Twin Otter seaplanes, affectionately known as the ‘Flying Triggerfish’ and ‘Flying Boxfish’ thanks to their vivid tropical designs. The journey itself is pure theatre, with panoramic views of coral reefs and luminous sandbanks below. Upon landing in the Baa Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, guests are met by a private launch and whisked across the lagoon to the jetty. The resort’s laid-back elegance and marine conservation ethos make it one of the most celebrated barefoot luxury escapes in the region. An arrival worthy of postcard perfection.

The Ritz-Carlton Langkawi, Malaysia – The Walkway of Wishes

At The Ritz-Carlton Langkawi, the arrival is quiet, poetic and infused with local legend. Upon entering the resort, guests are invited to take part in a traditional ceremony at the Walkway of Wishes. Here, you write a heartfelt intention on a smooth stone and release it into a sacred fountain, fed by water from the mythical Lake of the Pregnant Maiden. Said to hold the power to manifest dreams, the ritual connects visitors with the land’s ancient folklore while marking the beginning of a stay rooted in meaning. Beyond the spiritual welcome lies a rainforest-ensconced sanctuary, where overwater villas hover above emerald seas and spa rituals draw on Malay healing traditions. A beautiful reminder that sometimes, the most epic arrivals are the ones that touch the soul.

62°NORD, Norway – Helicopter, Fjords and Hidden Cabins

In Norway’s Sunnmøre region, arrival becomes an expedition. At 62°NORD, a family-owned collection of refined lodges and hotels, the journey is as beautifully considered as the destination. Guests may arrive by private boat through mirror-glass fjords, or via helicopter soaring past glacial peaks and cascading waterfalls. Whether checking into the historical Hotel Union Øye, recently restored to its 19th-century grandeur, or escaping to a one-bedroom lighthouse or remote island cabin, each guest is invited to connect deeply with nature. Every itinerary is bespoke, crafted with local guides who unveil secret hikes, wild sea safaris, and hidden dining spots known only to insiders. The air here feels cleaner, the pace slower, the silence richer. A place where you can truly arrive, and then let go.

Singita Sasakwa Lodge, Tanzania – Light Aircraft Over the Serengeti

In Tanzania’s sweeping Serengeti, where the skies stretch wide and golden grasslands seem to run on forever, the journey becomes part of the magic. Arriving at Singita Sasakwa Lodge by light aircraft offers an unforgettable prelude to the wilderness. As your small plane glides over the vast plains, elephants roam below and rivers carve ancient paths through the savannah. Touching down on the lodge’s private airstrip, guests are met and whisked up to the hilltop retreat where colonial grandeur meets raw, untamed beauty. Styled like an Edwardian manor, with antiques, chandeliers and wraparound verandas, Sasakwa blends old-world romance with modern eco-conscious luxury. The views are cinematic, the pace unhurried. Here, the experience begins not with check-in, but with the stillness of the land and the distant sound of lion calls at dusk. With guided safaris, healing spa rituals and a front-row seat to the Great Migration, this is an arrival that awakens all the senses. Remote, refined and deeply soulful.