Celebrations are supposed to be very special occasions, whether you’re going all out for your 30th birthday or having the multi-generational family holiday of a lifetime. A lavish villa is the perfect setting for a celebration of epic proportions, as it offers a huge slice of privacy while also offering ample space for everyone to enjoy themselves in comfort. From a villa on the coast in the Caribbean to relaxing amid the Winelands of South Africa, these are five of our favourite villas fit for the big occasion…
Villa Rahasia, Nihi Sumba
On the remote island of Sumba in Indonesia, Nihi Sumba has long been wooing celebrity A-listers and seclusion-seeking travellers with its footprint-free sands and pristine tropical serenity. It didn’t seem possibly you could make any improvements here, so close to perfection it was – but then the Villa Rahasia came along. Taking privacy to a completely different level, its location as the lone villa in the middle of rice fields and overlooking the glittering Indian Ocean means a stay here is like having an entire resort to yourself. There are plenty of bales (pavilions) where you can enjoy private dining experiences and spa treatments, making this idyllic hideaway perfect for a blow-out honeymoon. Rahasia means ‘secret’ in Indonesian, so try and keep this one to yourself!
Pelican House, Blue Waters
A collection of two three-bedroom semi-detached villas, no corners were cut when they built Pelican House at Blue Waters in Antigua & Barbuda. From the moment you lay eyes on its luxurious decor, clean lines and classy interior, you’ll notice Pelican House exudes an air of regality. Each of the six bedrooms has its own en-suite and the villa itself overlooks a huge infinity pool to bring everyone together. You’ll have your own personal concierge team to help you with every aspect of your holiday, leaving you to kick back and enjoy the gorgeous Caribbean Sea views – some of the best on the island. Well, would you expect anything less?
Fynbos Family House, Babylonstoren
Imagine being somewhere so peaceful that all there is to disturb your transfixed gaze at the magnificent Simonsberg and Franschhoek mountains is the gentle trickle of a stream. Well that’s the vision you’ll get at Babylonstoren’s Fynbos Family House, a gorgeous whitewashed five-bedroom retreat in the heart of South Africa’s Winelands. And that trickling stream? It feeds into your own private pool, the centrepiece of a charming communal courtyard surrounded by elegant rooms boasting their own fireplaces and standalone baths. You’ll feel utterly at peace from the moment you walk in.
The Chief’s House, The Sanctuary at Ol Lentille
With a name like The Chief’s House, it’s got to be good, right? And it is. A huge three-bedroom villa at The Sanctuary at Ol Lentille overlooking the craggy hills of northern Kenya, there is everything here to make you truly feel like a member of royalty. The master bedroom comes with an open-air bath so you can have a soak under the stars, while traditional African art, fabrics and artefacts dotted throughout the villa give you a wonderful sense of place. Its position on a forested outcrop give you an ideal position to watch for some of the wildlife roaming the wild plains of Laikipia – like Grevy’s zebras, elephants, leopards and kudu – while your own private Maasai guide and safari vehicle will ensure you can have a close-up with these beautiful creatures in peace.
Two-bedroom Pool Villa, Six Senses Zighy Bay
With dark wood bean ceilings and rough plastered walls, the two-bedroom pool villa at Six Senses Zighy Bay is like getting an insight into the life of the Omani gentry. Made out of traditional stone and Omani materials and set over two floors, this villa is completely private with a huge private infinity pool, outdoor seating area and terrace with comfortable burnt orange sun loungers. Everything about this retreat is doused in a splash of Arabian magic, where you can imagine wealthy Omanis spent their summer holidays or annual getaways.
