At Your Service: Waterfront Hotels With Luxury Beachside Butlers

At Antigua’s Jumby Bay, reachable only by boat, a team of beach attendants—ready to bring you fresh towels, frozen daiquiris, ice cream sandwiches, or just a good book—populates the half-mile stretch of turquoise-facing shoreline.

With elegant rustic interiors (designed by the same man responsible for the Obamas’ White House), Shutters on the Beach is as renowned for its service as its unique SoCal vibe. Before you even hit the sand, staffers will help you pre-order reading material; when you do venture out, a full beachside butler crew caters to your every whim.

Phuket’s southern tip wins points for being extra-secluded, and The Nai Harn hotel (about to re-open in January after an 18-month renovation) boasts an idyllic private beach insulated by a tropical rainforest. Beachside butler service means you can order a fresh coconut and never tear yourself away from the glittering, crescent-shaped bay.

At Mandarin Oriental Miami’s private beach club, a collection of ocean-facing chaise lounges sits waiting for guests’ arrival: once you plop down, there are butlers on-hand to bring you sushi from the Oasis Pool Café, or even assist with dinner reservations for later in the evening.

St. Regis butlers are known for their round-the-clock service, but St. Regis Monarch Beach keeps a dedicated staff of Surf Butlers on-site to offer guests body boarding and beginner surf lessons. They can also help set up umbrellas, bring cocktails and snacks, and book kayak rentals.

Loathe trekking from a hotel’s private beach all the way back to the spa? Consider staying at Eden Rock - St. Barths, where polo-shirted beach boys will give you an oceanside massage. In between neck and shoulder rubs, they can also be seen ferrying towels and water bottles, as well as tasty dishes from chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s kitchen.

In November, Mauritius’ famed Le Touessrok Resort will reopen under the Shangri-La flag. Among its attractions: Ilot Mangénie, a separate island for exclusive use by guests, with more than two miles of white sand beach and on-island butlers.

Facing the Arabian Gulf, on Dubai’s longest private beach of any single hotel, Four Seasons Dubai at Jumeirah Beach has a special amenity for guests who can’t afford to waste a single minute of sunbathing time. Each lounge chair is equipped with a handy service button—press it, and a staff member will appear at your side.

Sandals Royal Plantation offers a butler in every suite, but these aren’t your everyday servicemen—each one has diligently trained at the Guild of Professional English Butlers. There are several stationed at the resort’s two private cove beaches, and they're ready to supply you with pina coladas, or seafood platters stacked with clams, mussels, and smoked salmon.