Intimate and luxurious Jade Villa in Greece

Tucked away just above a small, enchanting bay on the southern coast of Paros, Greece, Jade Villa is a property of extraordinary elegance that appears as an astonishing structure surrounded by a vivacious garden of Mediterranean vegetation such as olive trees, pink oleanders and herbs which accompany guests on their brief descent to the nearby Farangas Beach just below the villa.

Upon entering the property one is greeted by an airy and spacious atmosphere, a characteristic common to all rooms and enhanced by a minimal decor through the wooden flooring and high ceilings and the pristine white featured in the property’s furnishing – all contributing to the sense of spaciousness without compromises towards the utmost comfort of Jade’s guests.

The property is divided among three distinct units with bedrooms on opposing ends of the living room and kitchen; the entrance halls opens onto a covered pergola with marble floors that leads directly to a small office and the two en-suite master bedrooms, which share access to the attractive pool located to the back of this unit, granting intimacy and privacy. The guesthouse is located on the opposite side of the premises and includes two en-suite guest bedrooms both spilling onto the outdoor living area; a further guest bedrooms is located on an upper level with external access and allowing for fantastic views over the Aegean Sea.

If you are interested in staying at this fabulous villa, the cost is $4,000 per night, from here.

Stunning villa nestled on the hillside of Corfu Island

This glorious, light, spacious and relaxed villa is perched on the hillside above Avlaki Beach, on the Greek island of Corfu looking out across the island of Kaparelli and the sparkling sea to the mountains beyond. The beautiful family house owned by a young couple with a daughter was designed by architect Norman Foster. Light and airy, you enter through the huge living area with double height pitched ceiling running the length of the house. Large glass doors allow you to wander in and out to the covered colonnaded terrace and enjoy the spectacular view from the outside sitting area.

The kitchen at one end has state of the art equipment and opens onto the BBQ terrace overlooking the pool terrace. At the opposite end of the house on this level is the large master bedroom suite with French doors opening onto a private terrace. The stand-alone office is also at this end. From this level, the glassed staircase leads down to the garden level where there are a further four bedrooms, a gym and a family room. All these rooms, apart from the gym, open onto a huge sunny terrace overlooking the gardens below.

The infinity pool has been built to follow the contours of the hillside and is positioned so that the view whilst swimming is breathtaking. Surrounded by further terraces with plenty of sun loungers, hammocks and dining area, this is really one of the main focal points of the house. The interior design is uncluttered and modern, cool white with contemporary furniture and fabrics sourced from around the world adding touches of color and rich texture. There are many interesting pieces including the Amazonian tree-trunk coffee-table, a Russian icon and a Touareg wood carving.

Kipseli House can be rented at a rate of $17,482 per week, from here.

Fabulous Mexican-style villa on Mustique Island

Located on one of the highest points of Mustique, on the Southern side of the island, this stunning five acre family villa, designed by renowned architect Manolo Mestre, is truly its own piece of paradise. The property takes full advantage of the breathtaking 280 degree ocean views across the Grenadine islands where the Atlantic and Caribbean Seas meet. Impressive water features, dramatic Mexican influenced architecture, sophisticated modern interiors, entertaining areas on a grand scale and ample privacy for all to enjoy.

This lavishly appointed seven-bedroom home comprises a main family residence and three private guest villas, all connected by an expansive palapa with two infinity pools hugging a beautifully landscaped ridge. At the top of the ridge is the family home, consisting of four bedrooms each with its own spa-inspired bathroom, spacious veranda and 280 degree vista. The combination of indoor and outdoor living spaces flow easily from one to the next; the formal living and dining room appearing to float amongst the gum trees.

Further down the ridge there are three guest cottages, each with generous bedroom, spacious living area, finely appointed bathroom as well as an outdoor garden. Between the cottages there is a lap-pool and a radiant sun terrace. This area also has its own kitchenette to service every need. Down from the cottages is a floodlit Astroturf tennis court. The fully equipped gym is below the main reception overlooking the infinity pool and the lagoon beyond. At the heart of the property is the Palapa, ideal for relaxing or entertaining, this property has it all.

This fabulous villa is a little pricey, but would make an unforgettable holiday, $40,000 per week for a maximum of 14 guests, from here.

Romantic escape set in the rugged Corsican Mountains

An unusual and truly out of the ordinary experience Domaine de Murtoli is a private hotel comprised of 14 villas set amongst 2,ooo hectares of Corsican mountains and idyllic beaches of the Mediterranean Sea in France. This private paradise is a hidden gem, with an amazing mixture of contrasts, the wild Corsican landscape with the most stunning fauna and flora, complimented by sophisticated and chic facilities, top class cuisine and fabulous service and catering to individual needs.

The villas are dotted around the estate, some perched high on the hills with stunning views of the sea and three with unique access to the most private white sandy beaches set with small wooden decks with lounging and massage areas with a private bar. All the houses have access to the beautiful main beach of pristine white sand furnished with sun beds and parasols and a wonderful beach bar and restaurant.

The houses are converted bergeries and are rustic in architecture and simply furnished with low roofs and thick cool walls. All have wonderful, big summer kitchens, extremely well equipped, with lovely, shady outdoor dining and sitting areas. Apart from the three houses on the Creek, the others are all dispersed across the countryside and are totally private. Murtoli is not just a summer paradise but renowned for its hunting in autumn and winter. A huge variety of game can be found on the sea shire, higher up in the mountains or along the river bank.

Rates to stay in one of these fabulous villas range from, $1,755 per week in low season (house sleeping 2) to $8,272 in high season. $10,152 per week in low season (house sleeping 12) to $30,831 in high season, from here.

Beautiful Provencal villa with panoramic views

Bastide Vallat is a recently renovated beautifully landscaped property with its own kitchen garden and a field of lavenders in the middle of Luberon in Provence, France. The grounds feature panoramic views of cherry trees, vines and the sweeping countryside. On the entrance to the main house via the large courtyard there is a living room with several settees, bar, fireplace, a dining room, fully equipped kitchen with vaulted ceilings and a wine cellar with inventory listing at the guest’s disposal. Upstairs is the TV room with large screen, a hall room with a desk. On the ground floor is a bedroom. Nearby is the relaxing area with large shower, steam bath and Jacuzzi.

The second floor features four bedrooms. The master suite has an en-suite bathroom with tub/shower, water closet, two basins and a dressing room, a second bedroom with a living area, complete bathroom and dressing room. The third bedroom has a complete bathroom a corner living room and balcony. The fourth bedroom has a living room, bathroom with water closet and a large terrace. There are two additional bedrooms on the third floor with their own living room and complete bathroom. On the south side there is a private freshwater swimming pool, a covered pool house with sofas for lounging, BBQ, cloakroom, and bathroom with a shower.

Bastide Vallat is a vacation rental with rates from $1,696 – $4,433 per night from here.

Lavish Villa Teman on St Barth’s

Poised on one of the island’s highest peaks, Villa Teman, discovered on Sotheby’s Realty, is a striking and sensual 3 bedroom property affording the ultimate in privacy and luxury, combined with sweeping views of gorgeous St. Jean Bay in St. Barth’s in the Caribbean. A lavish master suite features its own pool and a bathtub carved into a cliff; two guest suites are secluded in lush gardens with alfresco showers, all built with the finest materials imaginable, Italian travertine, African wenge and Balinese pool stone to name a few. Expansive outdoor living spaces include an over-sized infinity edge pool and multiple terraces for relaxing and entertaining. Teman was created by the world-renowned Wolfgang Ludes with attention to every detail and all the techno amenities. Teman boasts the island’s only outdoor fireplace. The elevation of the master suite leverages views of the entire 1/2 acre, its tropical gardens and the sea. This is St Barth’s finest property.

Tropical wellness retreat overlooking the Bali jungle

Set in the stunning beauty of Bali, COMO Shambhala Estate at Begawan Giri is a destination with your peace and well being in mind. You believe in holistic health and the healing properties of meditation. You are inspired by the Indonesian landscape and its natural forests. Then, you belong at COMO Shambhala Estate at Begawan Giri. Take advantage of this place of beauty to detoxify, meditate, and recharge. The incredible residences and villas display Asian-meets-European decor. Alang-alang roofs shelter hand-carved furniture and Chinese antiques; baths are carved from Sumban stone. Each has a private butler and infinity pool.

Spend your mornings walking along the peaceful riverbank, practicing pilates, or participating in a restorative yoga class. A variety of daytime wellness treatments and cooking demonstrations will keep you occupied between nights relaxing in your private and spacious accommodation. Each suite is different from the next, with subtle shifts in mood, view, and spirit.

Bali is an extraordinarily peaceful destination and you’ll find COMO Shambhala Estate to be the pinnacle of the island’s character. This is truly a fitting place to realize your potential while reflecting on your dreams. All guests are assigned a personal assistant to help ensure a seamless stay.

Rates from this incredible retreat starts at $350 nightly from here.

Extravagant beachfront villa on Cape Yamu

This absolutely stunning villa is located within Phuket’s exclusive Cape Yamu private estate on the east coast. The sprawling villa was designed by noted Hong Kong based architecture firm KplusK Architects, in collaboration with Deborah Oppenheimer Interior Design, following parameters established by the estate master planner Jean-Michel Gathy. The unique villa offers 21,581 square feet (2,005 square meters) of internal living space and a total of 48,437 square feet (4,500 square meters) of built-up area, including outdoor terracing.

Situated on a land plot of over 15,000 square meters, the contemporary property is approached by a private sweeping driveway, flanked by extensive and unusual landscaping and water features. Entering the main building, the first of many artworks is showcased in the entrance hall of the villa, with many commissioned specifically for this amazing property. The feeling of space and tranquility of the main living area is immediately apparent – a wonderful place to entertain or simply relax. The stunning interiors are complemented perfectly by the views across Phang Nga Bay. Monochromed simplicity abounds, highlighting the striking architectural features. But the villa is not only a dazzling showpiece home. The attention to detail in the functionality of the property is evident in the hotel grade kitchen and staff quarters.

On the first floor, the master bedroom suite features the Cape Yamu signature pavilion ceiling and perhaps one of the most spectacular picture windows in the world, at over eight meters high. The suite also features a spacious dressing area, circular bath and rain shower room. The villa offers an additional six bedrooms, all complete with dressing areas, en-suite bathrooms and ocean views. The second pavilion space mirrors the master suite and houses the spa, gym and the steam room/sauna.

Moving outside from the main villa building, drawn by the infinity pool and the ocean beyond, is the ‘office’ pavilion, featuring his and hers thought space, and the separate day room. Tucked behind these is the media room, a sumptuous velvet night enclave with dropdown cinema screen. The beautifully landscaped gardens combine rolling lawns with artfully placed sculptures and indigenous trees alongside imported cacti. Truly an oceanfront home, the villa’s gardens merge seamlessly with the 111 meters of beachfront and the ocean and islands beyond.

This simply stunning beachfront villa is listed for sale at 18,566,033 from here.

Luxurious floating Aqua Villa on Pampas Marina

Aqua Villa is an incredible floating residence we discovered over on Esny, offering luxurious design and materials throughout on the waters of Pampas Marina in Sweden. Currently, there are four models all with open floor plans. The top floor consists of a room adjacent to a lovely terrace. The residential area is between 1,291-1,560 square feet (120-145 square meters). The ideas underlying the Aqua Villa has been developed by Richard Beck. Located on the marina’s edge, the villa offers stunning views over Lake Mälaren and the island of Kungsholmen. The villa offers a veranda to take a dip in the lake and a hot tub to enjoy a relaxing evening after a long day at work.

The villa is both practical and architecturally appealing with large windows looking out towards the water and allowing light to constantly be present. The villa is on three floors, each offering large sun decks. On the ground floor there is a kitchen and lavish living room with open-plan concept, bathroom and output to one of the sun decks. On the lower floor there is a large living room as well as two well-planned bedrooms and en-suite bathroom and laundry room. The villa is very elaborate and still in mint condition. The walls are consistently painted and the flooring features massive oak wood and wooden details in oak throughout. Modern amenities such as laundry room, central vacuum cleaners, ethernet, Broadband, phone and underfloor heating in all rooms.

Charming historical retreat in Tuscany

Thousand-year-old walls hold secrets of wellness, indulgence, and peace at Castel Monastero, a standout destination in Tuscany, Italy. Castel Monastero is, as you might imagine, a restored monastery. Monks set on healthy living, cooking from the soul, and distilling wine that fired many a jovial evening.

75 rooms and suites plus one villa await your high expectations with confidence. Rustic original features like arched stone doorways add charm; while WiFi and flat screen TV ensure modern desires are always met.

Led by Gordon Ramsay, Contrada Restaurant benefits from the chef’s “local, simple, fresh” direction. And down in the cellar, La Cantina offers authentic regional cuisine anchored by gorgeous wines, oils, and cheeses – all from the surrounding area. It’s been the home to slumbering Chianti for years. Why not wake a bottle or two up?

Relax in the pool, or get active with tennis, local tours, or even mushroom foraging. Whatever you busy yourself with, the healing spa here will most definitely have the means to get you back to your best – and further past that. Spend hours in the three outdoor pools or, next to them, the full-scale indoor thalassotherapy facility.

Nightly rates start from $390/night and can be booked from here.