Guest post by Dakota Murphey
Planning your holidays is more than about deciding where to go in the world, it’s also about the holiday home you choose to stay in. With so many incredible destinations to choose from, once you’ve selected an ideal location, picking your perfect holiday villa involves narrowing down the exact luxury features you are looking for, in addition to pinpointing the necessary amenities, attractions, and scenery you want to have around you.
Whether having its own pool, a cool home cinema, or a private hot tub with beach views is the number one priority when it comes to selecting the right villa the details of your search can depend on several factors. These will include your group size, whether you’re travelling with young children, and what you hope to see and do while you’re away. The more discerning traveller might look for somewhere that’s a bit quirky seeking unique character rather than the usual run-of-the-mill options, and a place that combines comfort, style, and sustainability.
This article explores what your ideal villa might look like …
Luxury and Location
Eden House, Yorkshire, England
Going on holiday is typically about relaxing and taking a break from your daily routines. A holiday is about treating yourself with a taste of the good life so you might be tempted by a beautiful villa with breathtaking sea views or one with a private pool and hot tub. Once you know where you’re travelling to, you might want to filter a villa search to ensure a property is the right size and style and is in the best countryside or beachside location. For example, if you want to stay somewhere rural and luxurious in the UK, look for a grand country estate or for a large group, a glamorous manor house.
Similarly, for a high-end holiday in France, you won’t be disappointed with a chateau in the countryside, or if you’re exploring central Paris, perhaps a bijou apartment and townhouse might be more suitable. Local amenities and being within easy reach of major attractions and landmarks are also important whether you’re in Spain, visiting different areas of France, or closer to home in London.
Eco-Friendly Options
Villa Eco Tamariu, Costa Brava, Spain
Sustainability has become a key consideration for today’s luxury travellers and many villas run on carbon-neutral principles. They are furnished with locally sourced and sustainable materials alongside up-to-date and smart-home energy-efficient technologies that monitor and manage the consumption of water, air-con, and heating. According to Virtuoso, 78% of luxury travellers are interested in eco-conscious travel, with demand for sustainable villas predicted to continue growing. Across various destinations at home and abroad, the trend for eco-friendly options reflects a greater awareness of how travel negatively impacts the environment.
Therefore, you might want to research more sustainable travel solutions that will help you lower your carbon footprint wherever you’re planning to visit. Ask for greener travel advice and opt for a villa that has smart meters or one that comes with energy-efficient extras, such as solar panels, salt-water or chemical-free pools, and vertical gardens (or living walls). These features all help to reduce your environmental impact without compromising on luxury, warmth, or comfort.
Sophisticated Tech for Entertaining
La Residence, Cote d’Azur, France
If you’re organising an Instagrammable trip with friends to celebrate a special occasion, a wedding, or to party hard, you might be looking at party-house options in sophisticated, fun, and lively places such as London, Madrid, or Barcelona. Larger groups benefit greatly from rooftop space, allowing them panoramic views of the area, as well as fantastic zones for social events, dinner parties, and other indoor entertainment.
Likewise, you might want a smart pad with a dedicated home cinema room and advanced music equipment so you can dance the night away. If a villa is equipped with the best technology, you’ll likely be able to control the devices and gadgets, and automated luxury extras with simple voice commands to boost the party vibe.
For those who favour state-of-the-art tech and sophisticated gadgets, villas that come with advanced smart systems offer unprecedented levels of comfort and ease. With great Wi-Fi, internet access, or laptop-friendly workspaces, they are great choices if you’re combining your travels in Europe with business. You’ll also appreciate the high-speed connectivity and enjoy both cutting-edge convenience and seamless comfort.
Romantic Settings
A visit to Venice may encourage you to book a place offering views overlooking or close to a canal. While having direct canal access with a private boat mooring might be out of reach, there are traditional places to stay that retain their old-world charm with all the mod cons you want from a holiday abroad. If you’re in a historic European city, you may be eager to explore all the local sights and have a villa with unique character and appeal.
Likewise, if you’re heading to Paris anytime soon, you may be looking for places to stay that epitomise the French ideal of fashionable and chic, offering guests the perfect blend of historic charm and contemporary design. For couples on a romantic trip, you may want access to a private terrace garden for extra intimacy, while a courtyard garden in a traditional French style is great to retreat to after a busy day exploring. If you’re a foodie, you might pick a villa with a custom wine cellar or gourmet kitchen. In which case, you can learn how to cook on your trip and perfect traditional French dishes from across the country.
Coastal and Countryside Bliss
The warmer climes of Barcelona and parts of the South of France have amazing villa collections that represent the epitome of Mediterranean living with infinity pools and stunning ocean backdrops. Direct beach access might also be an option for the ultimate private luxury by the sea. If you love being near a beach on your trip, no doubt you’ll want to find a luxury villa that has the wow factor and its own sea views, plus a heated pool if you’re staying in the UK and want to swim in the colder months of the year.
The heart of the countryside provides the option of a rustic villa complete with an authentic kitchen to dine in style. If you’re visiting Italy, France and the UK, you might prefer to balance historic charm with contemporary comfort. Stunning kitchens with designer patios can merge with outdoor dining spaces that are carefully designed to facilitate al fresco entertaining with designated BBQ areas or pizza ovens. In this way, you can embrace a region’s celebrated cuisine and local culture. If your villa comes with an expansive terrace, you’ll be able to enjoy outdoor dining with lovely sunrise and sunset views.
If you’re looking for the perfect holiday villa, give our friendly sales agents a shout. They are more than happy to help make your remote-working dreams a reality. Once you’ve found your dream holiday villa, contact our concierge team to add some extras to your stay.
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