Looking for a family-friendly stay or a group party pad? We have handpicked a collection of retreats with to-die-for design and private-home perfection.
Villa Sungai – Bali
Sleeps 10, Bedrooms 5
Far from Bali’s bustling crowds sits Villa Sungai and its romantic little sister, Sungai Gold, two incredibly private and romantic residences that fuse a traditional village experience with five-star luxury to create a bespoke idyll. Combining the pampering service of a hotel with the privacy and freedom of your own home, luxurious Villa Sungai is the stylish way to do Bali. Set in a tranquil country village in the island’s south-west, there is the three-suite main Villa Sungai or its smaller sister the two-bedroom, couple-friendly Sungai Gold, either take just one or both if you are a larger group. Each villa has its own infinity pool, spacious communal areas, airy and elegant interiors with luxurious four-poster beds, and round-the-clock staff. The details are what count though, and Sungai does this in style with free bicycles, GHD hair straighteners, a sunglass-cleaning service, and a chauffeured car on call at all times. Rest, relaxation and a zen outlook are what is on the programme at Villa Sungai as they offer an extensive spa and yoga programme, with a dedicated two-room spa space for massages, body scrubs, and a range of beauty treatments. Further afield, staff can organise village tours, visits to markets, shopping for sarongs and fabrics in local town Kediri or a trip to an elephant park.
Hawksbill – Turks and Caicos
Sleeps 16, Bedrooms 8
Hawksbill is located in the coveted Grace Bay area of Turks and Caicos and is spread across a number of separate buildings and designed as a multigenerational retreat. The grounds feature a swimming pool, hot tub, a fire pit and an extensive stone terrace. There’s also a gym, basketball and a tennis court near the entrance to the property. The main house, which showcases a contemporary Caribbean design and high vaulted ceiling, accommodates an open plan living and dining area and the master suite, with plenty of natural light flooding in through the windows. On the opposite side of the pool is a stand alone suite for ultimate privacy, and behind the main house is an elevated two bedroom guest house with its own kitchen.
The Backstage Loft – Zermatt
Sleeps 10, Bedrooms 5
Gorgeous modern interiors are matched only by stunning mountain views at The Backstage Loft. Fusing the wooden beams of a 700-year-old chalet with the glass walls of a modern mountain lodge, this chalet is a masterful pairing of old and new filled with beautifully designed custom furnishings. There is heated ski and gear storage, an exercise room and private hammam, and even an indoor-outdoor hot tub with views of the Swiss Alps. For evening there is an ingenious dining table that can be lowered for a meal, then raised to make floor space for after-dinner drinks and dancing.
Peaceful Waters -Lake Tahoe
Sleeps 14, Bedrooms 6
Lake Tahoe is a natural wonderland between California and Nevada, and Peaceful Waters is situated right on the lake’s beachfront. Rich textures of wood populate every corner of the home, contributing to the quintessential log cabin feeling. With almost unlimited activity options for any season, you can enjoy water sports and winter sports, bike trails and nightlife. Slip into the outdoor hot tub for a relaxing soak after an energetic day on the mountain, followed by a barbeque around the fire pit. The private boat ramp gives you the option to bring along your boat and explore the lake at your own pace.
Napili Cove – Maui
Sleeps 16, Bedrooms 9
Luxury villa Casa Duquesa is set in 150 acres of elegantly manicured grounds, guaranteeing the utmost privacy. The fully staffed 17th-century Spanish villa in the countryside also has its own private chapel. Aside from sprawling grounds, there’s a lavish pool area set away from the main villa, with an outdoor kitchen, bathroom, lounging terrace and dining area. The villa has been restored to its former opulence, and is equipped with all the modern accoutrements you could possibly need, including space to land a helicopter. Casa Duquesa has generously sized rooms with an array of communal spaces to choose from for socialising and sundowners, meaning you can have some private time away from the group as well.
Per Aquum Desert Palm – Dubai
Sleeps 6, Bedrooms 3
Celebrating everything horse-related, this is a hotel, riding school and polo venue rolled into one. Located on a 160-acre estate, a 30-minute drive from Dubai, it offers guests an opportunity to escape the metropolis without having to venture into the desert. The style of the main retreat is Spanish hacienda meets country club, with a giant statue of a horse’s head in the outer courtyard and an infinity pool. The villa itself is surrounded by a walled garden and is centred around an open-air courtyard with a swimming pool, while the rooftop terrace overlooks the main polo field. There is also a barbecue with a private chef available on request, and in the bathrooms, you’ll find Ren and Eminence Organic toiletries, together with a menu of bath salts.
Tagomago Private Island – Tagomago Island, Ibiza
Sleeps 10, Bedrooms 5
Enjoy both the nightlife and scenery of Ibiza at Tagomago Private Island. Just a short boat ride from the famed beaches and clubs, the island is a private paradise with beautiful rolling hills and panoramic sea views. Fold-back glass doors hung with gauzy white drapes give the open-plan living areas a breezy, relaxed feel, not to mention beautiful sea views. The contemporary five-bedroom villa is ideal for basking in the sun on the terrace and paddling in the saltwater pool during the day, to al fresco barbecues and star gazing in the evening.
