Ultimate Guide
Booking Luxury Villa Rentals
Drawing on insights from our in-house specialists and data analysis, it’s designed...
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My Private Villas collection of the World’s Top Villas establishes the benchmark by revealing what truly sets apart the world’s finest properties. This is not merely our own assessment but the collective verdict of discerning guests and the professionals who craft these exceptional experiences.
Our journey took us behind the scenes of the most celebrated villas worldwide, where we engaged in thoughtful dialogue with the visionaries behind their success. We’ve travelled the globe, from walking through vine-covered courtyards in Tuscany to verifying sunset views from Crete’s cliffside retreats.
We spoke with villa managers who orchestrate flawless service, uncovered the secrets of architectural plans that balance beauty with functionality, and met hospitality teams who anticipate every need before it arises.
Now, it’s time for us to share these insights with you.
Every Journey Begins with a Conversation
Schedule a call to explore the villa that’s right for you.
The Great House, Barbados
This rare 12-bedroom beachfront villa on Barbados’ Platinum Coast sits on 100 metres of Turtle Beach, where guests can witness hawksbill turtle hatchings with the Turtle Conservation Society. The property uniquely spans both sides of a public road, connected by butler-escorted golf cart rides.
Its 2018 renovation preserved mature mahoganies and coral stone while adding modern luxuries such as a 33-foot Regal motorboat and a floodlit tennis court.
As General Manager Russell Croney explains in our detailed profile, what makes The Great House exceptional is its team of 26 dedicated staff who have welcomed back guests who first visited as children.
Every Journey Begins with a Conversation
Schedule a call to explore the villa that’s right for you.
Villa Sola Cabiati, Lake Como
Villa Sola Cabiati on Lake Como is an 18th-century neoclassical masterpiece, offering a unique immersion into living history. Originally the summer residence of the Dukes of Serbelloni, the villa preserves museum-worthy treasures, including frescoes by Tiepolo’s school and Napoleon Bonaparte’s marital bed.
Managed by Grand Hotel Tremezzo, the six-bedroom estate blends aristocratic grandeur with modern hospitality. Guests enjoy private boat tours on Lake Como, cooking classes with the villa’s chef, and access to the hotel’s amenities, all served by staff trained to fulfil even the most extravagant requests.
The property’s dual personality reveals itself through formal arabesque gardens facing the lake and a surprisingly relaxed Tuscan-style rear garden with olive groves. The villa’s legacy spans from European royalty to modern celebrities, all drawn to its perfect balance of historic opulence and Italian “dolce vita” charm.
Isla Sa Ferradura, Ibiza
With consecutive wins in 2021 and 2023 for Europe’s Best Private Villa, this extraordinary private island has become a symbol of Mediterranean luxury. Nestled off the coast and spanning 3.5 hectares, it offers something truly rare among private islands: a discreet beach passage that allows seamless access to the mainland.
Behind the scenes, a 24-person team led by Managing Director Ulf Karow ensures every detail runs with Swiss clockwork precision. Among the island’s most captivating experiences is an early morning hot air balloon flight, giving guests a spectacular bird’s-eye view of the island and the surrounding sea.
The property’s transformation from a 1970s structure to a contemporary whitewashed villa preserved its privileged position within a protected nature reserve while adding showstopping features such as a 23-metre infinity pool and an oriental-inspired spa. Few places embody Ibiza’s dual spirit of luxury and bohemian charm quite like Isla Sa Ferradura.
Villa Bora Bora One, Bora Bora
At Bora Bora One, luxury is redefined within a 7.5-acre tropical paradise on Motu Piti Aau.
Guests are warmly welcomed with traditional Polynesian music and dance, setting an authentic and memorable tone from the moment they arrive. The exclusive retreat perfectly balances excitement and tranquillity, featuring a rare private beach beside a vividly turquoise lagoon and a lush pandanus forest that leads directly to the reef.
Villa Bora Bora One
5 Bedrooms – 10 Guests
From EUR 126,000 per week to price on request
View detailsThe estate offers exceptional amenities, including a US Open standard tennis court and an infinity pool that flows seamlessly into the lagoon. Guests often cancel outside restaurant reservations after tasting the private chef’s exquisite Tahitian poisson cru, sometimes prepared alongside children during impromptu cooking classes.
From August to November, the magic continues beneath the surface with extraordinary opportunities to swim alongside migrating humpback whales just beyond the reef.
Casa Koko, Punta Mita
Perched in Punta Mita’s exclusive enclave, this nine-bedroom villa blends Mexican craftsmanship with modern luxury. Designed by architects Juan and Karen Collignon, the property features natural materials and bioclimatic elements that harmonise with its oceanfront setting.
The villa’s privileged location offers front-row views of humpback whale migrations (December to March) and proximity to the famous “Tail of the Whale” golf hole.
Owned by a local Mexican family, Casa Koko stands apart with authentic cultural touches. Guests enjoy interactive cooking classes with Chef Jesus Hernandez, who transforms traditional flavours into modern dishes.
The property’s 20-person staff provides personalised service, from arranging yacht trips to the Marietas Islands to hosting “S’mores under the Stars” evenings by the firepit.
Villa Avellana, Costa Rica
Imagine waking to the sound of waves, drawing back your blackout blinds to discover monkeys playing in your private treetop corridor.
This is everyday magic at Villa Avellana. The villa’s privileged position within the Área de Conservación Guanacaste (a UNESCO site larger than New York City) means nature constantly surprises: humpback whales breach offshore, while the property’s organic gardens attract over 300 bird species.
The real showstopper? Their breakfast service in the poolside cabana, where tropical fruits and fresh-baked sourdough arrive on woven trays bobbing in the water.
By afternoon, the villa’s marine team might whisk you away in their 42-foot Boston Whaler to surf Witch’s Rock’s legendary breaks or snorkel with sea turtles in hidden coves.
As night falls, the beach transforms into an enchanted dining room. Experience tiki torches flickering as a private chef grills La Josefina Ranch’s prized Wagyu over an open fire, while a local guitarist plays softly against the sound of crashing waves.
It is no wonder guests often rebook before even checking out, especially those who have discovered the secret speakeasy hidden beneath the villa.
Spirit of Son Fuster, Mallorca
At the foot of Mallorca’s mystical Alaró mountains, where local legends whisper of hidden treasures in the Cave of Wonders, this 13th-century estate redefines rustic luxury across its 40 hectares of protected land.
Owner Mats Wahlström, a globetrotter with a tattoo that inspired the property’s logo, has infused the ancient stone walls with an eclectic spirit blending Spanish, North African and Wild West influences. The estate surprises at every turn, from the helipad ready for spontaneous Ibiza lunches to the “Shark Tank” nightclub hidden beneath vaulted arches.
Spirit of Son Fuster
10 Bedrooms – 20 Guests
From EUR 66,640 per week to price on request
View detailsWhat truly sets Son Fuster apart are the obsessive details: custom “Spirit of the Nomad” Egyptian cotton linens (born from Wahlström’s frustration with hotel bedding), wild herbs from the estate’s garden used in spa treatments, and a Geneva sound system that follows guests from pool to private cinema.
The kitchen delivers theatre too – chefs prepare lubina a la sal tableside, filleting sea bass baked in salt crusts. The unique blend of history and modern luxury creates such a powerful experience that guests are often moved to tears when it is time to leave. One family was so enchanted they refused to leave their “private hotel.”
Dimora Ghirlandaio, Florence
Step into a living canvas where Renaissance grandeur meets modern luxury at this 600-year-old Tuscan estate. Once a retreat for the Ghirlandaio family of artists (including Domenico Ghirlandaio, Michelangelo’s teacher), the property now offers an extraordinary blend of history and indulgence.
The Cecchi family’s meticulous five-year restoration preserved original details like the 15th-century dovecote tower suite while adding contemporary comforts, including a private in-house artist who gives painting lessons amidst the olive groves.
Dimora Ghirlandaio
20 Bedrooms – 37 Guests
From EUR 77,000 per week to price on request
View detailsGuests savour authentic Tuscan moments, from learning to hand-roll pici pasta served with rich wild boar ragù to sipping DOCG wines at sunset while gazing over Florence’s iconic dome. For the adventurous, helicopter tours offer breathtaking views of the Chianti vineyards.
The estate’s five distinctive villas — ranging from the stone-clad Fattoria to the secluded Studio with its secret garden — share a 150m² infinity pool and a wellness centre. General Manager Juan Miquel highly recommends trying the handcrafted pici pasta with savoury wild boar ragù, followed by a divine homemade tiramisu to complete the experience.
Keythorpe Hall, Leicestershire
Where else can you dine on coronation-worthy flowers and heritage vegetables grown steps from your table? This meticulously restored 1783 Leicestershire estate blends Georgian grandeur with Michelin-starred sustainability.
Owners Barbara van Teeffelen and Giles Godfrey spent five years personally replumbing its bones before assembling an extraordinary team: a Nordic chef (ex-Lyles) who pickles garden bounty for winter menus, an award-winning sommelier crafting non-alcoholic switchels, and an ethnobotanist leading philosophical foraging tours through the pesticide-free walled garden.
The magic lies in unexpected details; children collecting blue-shelled eggs from chickens, floral installations from estate-grown blooms, and the wood-fired cedar hot tub overlooking rolling hills.
As one guest remarked, it is “a restaurant with a house attached”, especially when tasting heirloom tomatoes picked an hour before serving or rare cuts from neighbouring organic dairy cows. With Silverstone’s F1 circuit just a helicopter hop away and Burghley Horse Trials offering behind-the-scenes access, Keythorpe proves country living need not sacrifice sophistication.
Gold Standard of Villa Experiences
Forget what you think you know about luxury holidays. This collection goes beyond the lavish trimmings to reveal the true hallmark of an exceptional villa experience: the sheer artistry behind the scenes. It’s not simply about grand settings, but the unrivalled dedication of the teams who anticipate your every whim and craft truly bespoke moments.
What genuinely distinguishes these residences is the subtle, meticulous attention to detail that elevates a stay into something profound. These aren’t just opulent boltholes; they’re havens where personalised care and unique, unscripted adventures are the real measure of excellence. They represent the very pinnacle of curated living, designed to leave you with enduring, deeply personal memories, rather than just a fleeting break.
Ready to dive deeper?
Let’s talk! Schedule a personalised video call with our team to discuss your questions.
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