The rise of the villa stay

There are some trips where a hotel isn’t the best option. There may not be enough rooms available for a group of your size. Or there’s a particular view you’ve been dreaming for years of seeing. But that doesn’t have to mean you give up the five-star service of a luxury hotel. Enter the villa stay. 

This type of accommodation is a growing travel trend that not only offers more privacy and independence, but an entirely new way to experience a destination—in your very own home away from home.  

Of course, the home in question often comes equipped with private beach access, daily housekeeping and a personal chef, among other things. It’s the apex of personalization, accommodating the unique needs of groups of different sizes, ages, stages and activity levels, all under one roof. Banana pancakes for breakfast? Your own private infinity pool overlooking the sea? A bedroom for everyone to retreat to, and common space you share only with those you love? It’s all par for the course on a villa-based Bespoke trip, where everything can be customized to suit your taste. Whether it’s a family reunion or gathering with friends, it’s no wonder more people are opting for the privacy and intimacy of a place that feels like home.  

Villa life on every continent 

From Italy’s Amalfi Coast to the beachfront of Okinawa in Japan, the options for your own private villa, cabin, kasbah or chalet are abundant, each one offering a unique experience. And all come with the added benefit of unpacking only once.  

In Europe, experience la dolce vita perched high above Positano, discovering local hiking trails and delicious limoncello, while absorbing the slow southern rhythms and elegance of one of Italy’s most sophisticated areas. Fill your days with slow mornings at the market, and a steady diet of baguettes, fresh figs and rosé at a traditional farmhouse in Provence. Or head to the Austrian Alps and hide away in a private chalet where the hardest decision to make each day is choosing whether to venture onto the mountain trails or stay close to home with a private yoga class. 

For those seeking adventure further afield, there are endless places to land. Reserve a private kasbah in the Atlas Mountains just outside of Marrakech, complete with orange groves, a secluded swimming pool and spectacular sunsets. Settle into a homestead in Kenya, sharing the grounds with passing giraffes, and set out on a trail run past the local Maasai. Travel back in time in a centuries-old Machiya, one of the traditional wooden homes that are emblematic of Kyoto's streets, as a home base for exploring Japan by bike. 

Wherever you’re headed to next, if adding an extra level of personalization could turn your holiday into a dream trip, consider adding a villa stay to your Bespoke adventure.