Rate: $250-$750/night
On the Indonesian island of Bali, the
Villa Azaya is the place to be. The contemporary, five-bedroom rental villa spans 2,100 square meters and is just 50 meters from the vast Petitenget Beach on Bali’s southwest coast. In addition to the two-story main house, the property includes an independent two-bedroom guest house, a stand-alone gym, “bale” gazebo equipped with sofas and dining table, a stunning 20-meter infinity pool, and terraces galore. The entire property is engulfed in palm trees and frangipani flowers, and iPods are installed in every living area as well as WiFi for those who can’t completely get away. The hideaway is just a hop, skip, and a jump away from Bali’s shopping areas, a host of world-class dining options, and one of Bali’s most sacred Hindu temples, the Pura Petitenget.
Rate: $12,000/week
Here’s your chance to live like Scarface’s
boss. Situated in the historical San Diego district of Cartagena, this recently restored
hidden gem has six double-bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms and air-conditioning. Many of the bedrooms are blessed with romantic canopy beds, and the walls of the home are decorated with paintings of well-known Colombian artists. Guests can relax in the sheltered courtyard or giant two-person living-room hammock, and cool off in the cavernous indoor/outdoor pool. Two live-in staff are there to offer service, while the chef can cook savory Colombian meals and blend piña coladas or mojitos. And the house is within walking distance of the spirited nightlife of Cartagena. But best of all, there are not one, but two Jacuzzis—an annexed one in an ancient reservoir and another gracing the expansive top-floor terrace.
Scarface, indeed.
Rate: $4,625-$11,575/week
This fully staffed
Croatian villa, situated on an island in the heart of the Adriatic Sea, is a must-visit. Converted from an old schoolhouse, the property has three bedrooms and provides incredible 360-degree views of the seascape. And come with an empty stomach: A cook is at the ready to prepare all meals.
Rate: $3,163-$9,565/week
This
French villa, with stone walls and classic blue Provençal shutters, is a charmer. Full of antique furniture, original paintings, and various art objects, the home looks and feels as if it were from another time. Guests can grab a lounge chair by the pool or take a cooking lesson with a private chef. And with the village of Caseneuve and the Luberon Mountains as a backdrop, there’s a whole lot to like.
Rate: $8,000-12,500/night
For the serious baller,
“Nandana,” which means “paradise” in Sanskrit, is the perfect spot. Shaded by more than 300 imported palm trees and situated on a secluded, private beach, this luxurious island compound is divided into six buildings: the main one-bedroom house and five one-bedroom suites, affording guests plenty of privacy. The main house boasts 40-foot ceilings and is adorned with hand-carved reliefs, while each guest house comes equipped with flat-screen TVs with satellite hookup, iPod docks, minibar, and indoor/outdoor shower. There’s a 120-foot-long infinity pool on the property with a waterfall edge that drops down to the private beach below, and an outdoor Jacuzzi overlooking the water. In addition, a 50-foot deep sea fishing yacht, jet skis, ATVs, snorkeling gear, and a huge gym are all at guests’ disposal. And the place is reachable by land, sea, or air—there’s a deep water canal behind the property to dock a yacht, as well as a private air strip to land a plane.
Rate: $2,631-$3,680/night
Whether vacationing with friends, relaxing with family, or planning a big fat Greek wedding, this
unique hillside house in the Fanari area of gorgeous Mykonos is truly a sight to behold. Eight bedrooms and seven bathrooms are spread across a main house and two accompanying guest houses, all of which overlook the Aegean archipelago and come with several terraces and pergolas that offer unmatched views of both the ocean and romantic sunsets. The cliff’s edge infinity swimming pool offers further breathtaking views, while the open, rustic kitchen gives guests a taste of authentic Greece. According to the listing: “The villa’s style combines a typical Cycladic architecture with some country house Provencal style, giving it a unique charm and remarkable appeal.” Opa!
Rate: $6,500-14,000/week
Need a ton of space for a family reunion, wedding, or vacation? Well, this magnificent
mountain estate will more than suffice. Located on the Sunday River Golf Course, with nine bedrooms and eight spa bathrooms—outfitted with Jacuzzi tubs—this luxurious retreat also has a 20-seat movie theater, heated pool, two steam rooms, three (!) hot tubs, and three (!) kitchens, including one outdoors. There’s also a massive playground for the kiddies, billiards and foosball tables for the teens, and a surround sound music system throughout the house for the whole gang. If guests tire of hitting the links or taking in the beautiful mountain vistas from the giant deck that spans the width of the house, the property offers ski in/out capability, or a beach close by. And don’t even worry about transportation—there’s free trolley pickup at the front door.
Rate: Available on request
Villa del Amor is a 4,500-square-foot spread with four bedrooms, two of which are master suites. The home’s outdoor patios feature a built-in barbecue, hot tub, and pool bar. When guests are in the need for action, there are two championship golf courses, with holes along the ocean. Boat cruises, scuba diving, and whale-watching tours are among the other activities available near this secluded getaway.
Rate: $40,656/week
Although part of
Sex and the City 2 was set in Abu Dhabi, it was actually filmed in
Morocco, so why pass up a chance to party like Samantha in this sprawling, eight-bedroom
luxury retreat? Surrounded by beautiful olive trees, the Marrakech mansion, which boasts traditional Moroccan minimalist design, is outfitted with a big pool, a bar, and a library—plus a massive terrace, private tennis court, and even a “guardian house” to boot. What’s more, guests’ every desire is catered to by a helpful staff. And if tennis doesn’t sound good,
Petanque is available in the lush garden.
Rate: $1,528-$3,054/night
Villa Fenice, situated near the town of Villasimius on the southeastern tip of Sardinia, offers a secluded oasis in Italy’s most popular summertime vacation spot. The turquoise Mediterranean Sea surrounds the villa’s property, which was renovated in 2008 and includes six suites. For the activity-inclined crowd, boats and aquatic equipment can be rented at a nearby marina.
Rate: $775-$975/night
Embrace the enviable
Sideways lifestyle in this
tranquil abode, deep in the heart of wine country. Minutes from the heart of Sonoma, this hillside two-bedroom, three-bathroom villa is surrounded by low stone walls and a large terrace, offering sweeping views of both Sonoma Valley and the San Francisco Bay. Enjoy a fine glass of Chardonnay on the rustic patio while admiring the assortment of agaves, weeping willows, oak trees, and flower plants that decorate the 1.3-acre estate. Or entertain a crowd—outdoor heating lamps, sound system, stone fireplace, and rock wall lighting fixtures are provided. The coolest thing about this lovely hideaway, however, is the
European-style funicular, or motorized platform, that takes visitors up to the guesthouse. And remember: Stay away from
Merlot.
Rate: £2,900-£8,400/week
This meticulously
designed villa, situated on a 5-acre estate in Goa, India, is unforgettable. Whether it’s the 20-member staff or the fine-art collection lining the walls, Aashyana is no doubt one of the country’s best getaways, with a 25-meter pool and a private beach. Oh, and private yoga lessons.
Rate: $550-$1,100/night
Guests can go on their very own
Operation: Koh Samui at this wonderful, four-bedroom
hillside villa with pristine views of the neighboring islands. Sitting directly in front of the ancient Big Buddha Temple, from which its name was derived, the 4,800-square-meter property is divided into five pavilions, each of which boasts a thatched roof, ocean views, satellite TV, and DVD/CD players. The spacious dining room opens out to a terrace, where couples can soak in the romantic sunset, and an exotic garden leads to a free-form swimming pool overlooking the ocean. The on-site staff will cater to guests’ every whim, and includes a twice-a-day maid service, a Thai chef, and spa services that come at additional cost.
Rate: $27,300/week
With a name that means “rising sun” in native
Carib, Bajacu is a breathtaking hilltop villa on the island of Provo in Turks and Caicos. Designed by world-renowned Mexican architect Marco Aldaco, the 13-acre estate offers a to-die-for 270-degree view of the sea, which is reachable by stone path, and is surrounded by tropical gardens of coconut, royal palm, and fruit trees. Each of the five bedrooms comes with a terrace, and if that’s not enough, the house boasts more than 3,500 square feet of open deck. Antiques and artwork from the Far East decorate the home, and the open-air living room, which lies under a
palapa, is linked to an additional indoor living room by a stunning pergola. Not one but two infinity pools bless the grounds, one of which is 170 feet long and disappears off the cliff into the Caribbean sunset. Guests’ every want and need is met by a large staff that includes a butler, cook, gardener, and maids. A snorkeling area and marina are right below the villa, and it’s just a short drive from marvelous
Grace Bay Beach, and the
Provo Golf Club. What’s more, four free spa treatments come with rental. Not too shabby.
Rate: $10,296-17,160/week
Want to get away from tourist-heavy Rome? Just travel an hour by train to this newly restored,
300-year-old farmhouse. Situated in a scenic valley midway between Rome and Florence, the two-story structure has six bedrooms, each containing a fireplace, and seven and a half bathrooms. The house comes with a large kitchen with two refrigerators, a dining room seating 20, powder room, laundry room, and office/library. Outdoors is a huge patio equipped with a fireplace, dining table, and wood-burning pizza oven, concealed courtyard, stocked wine cellar, ping-pong table, and infinity pool with hillside views. If guests get antsy, there’s a 500-square-foot gym to work off the muffin top, and the owner, who lives on an adjacent property, will cater to guests’ every need. What’s more, three cellphones are furnished for guests’ use, and the rental comes with a complimentary pizza night. Fun fact: “There is even an ice maker, which is unusual in Italy!” Bellissima, indeed.
