Not so long ago, a luxury holiday was often about guests going outside their comfort zone and a vacation experience that went above and beyond their everyday lives. Think over-the-top gestures, a refined formality, and in many cases, overindulgence in avant-garde style.
Fast forward to now and luxury has been redefined to create a modern appeal to today’s savvy travelers. Upscale vacation villas are proving to be hospitality game changers for both holidaymakers and owners, making a big difference to the travel industry and to the attraction of luxury-villa hotspots such as beautiful Bali and the tropical islands of Thailand.
Luxury vacation villas express a sense of freedom and fantasy and are the ultimate in experiential travel
Staying in your own private vacation villa, with access to all of the facilities all of the time means you can follow your own holiday lifestyle; doing what you want, when you want. Total privacy only adds to this feeling of freedom, whether it is taking a dip in the pool at midnight or channeling your inner nudist. Villa owners enjoy freedom too, about when and to whom to rent out their property to. This direct control, while utilizing a rental agent’s services, means that they can enjoy personal villa-time or carry out maintenance work.
The best villas exude drama, fantasy, and aspiration with every element of the design, facilities, and architecture creating a dream stay. From chic contemporary masterpieces with exquisite cliffside settings to wonderful traditionally styled homes with coastal views, not to mention relaxed retreat oases, there is a luxury villa that appeals to everyone. From the décor to the furnishings, luxury villas spark the imagination.
Luxury for millennials, as well as Gen X, Gen Y and older, well-traveled individuals, is all about experiences; creating one-of-a-kind memories rather than simply affording an extravagant aesthetic or affectation. Of course, the top stays are still luxuriously furnished, and amazingly well-appointed, however, they also become part of the experience. Infinity pools, private cinemas, al fresco lounges and dining, as well as fabulous activities, combine into an unforgettable trip. See our interview article with Phuket’s Mr. Hospitality, Bill Barnett talking about Thailand’s luxury travel market.
Luxury vacation villas promise personalized, personable experiences and are full of personality
The days of cookie-cutter experiences being acceptable to luxury travelers is fast disappearing. The beauty of an experiential stay in a luxury villa is that your vacation is personalized. During your trip, having your own butler and guest experience services customizes your vacation so that you are able to make the most out of your time. Sourcing restaurants, entertainment, activities, and attractions, as well as being on hand to make sure you can focus solely on relaxing at your villa really makes a big difference. Meanwhile, dedicated staff, including a private chef creating a personalized menu, promise the ultimate in luxurious vacations.
The five-star hospitality industry has had to become far more nuanced in its service-quality too, as travelers expect more personable interactions. This style is influenced by the level of natural, intuitive responsiveness that is possible with a villa vacation rental. You are not treated as part of a larger group and instead receive personal attention in a polite and friendly way, while your likes and dislikes are acknowledged too.
Every villa that fits the luxury market has one thing in common and that is a big personality. This concept of telling a narrative has filtered down into many aspects of the hospitality industry, with restaurants and even bars weaving in elements of theatre and storytelling into their menus and ambiance. Some villas are created to be bold, daring, and artistically creative, others are whimsical and romantic or uber-cool and hip. From a hideaway idyll to a coastal fantasy, each has its own character.
Luxury vacation villas are curated, homey and offer unique features that resonate with guests looking for familiarity and difference
What absolutely stands out when you book a getaway with your own holiday home is that everything from the style to small touches is carefully crafted. Time and attention goes into every aspect of the villa experience, embracing hand-selected elements that make you feel relaxed and at ease in every space. Within hospitality, there is a bigger drive than ever before to create this curated feel so that guests feel special and appreciate the thought, love and creativity that has been poured into a property.
For groups of friends and families, hotel stays can prove problematic, from getting rooms near to each other to creating a good dynamic and the logistics of finding space to enjoy meals together. The holiday home idea is nothing new, but the relationship between group holidays and luxury villas is blossoming as holidaymakers recognize the value of having their own place with spectacular facilities that inspire shared moments and allow for privacy too. Having the pool to yourself and sitting down to in-villa dining experiences instead of going out to a restaurant or hotel eatery is appealing too.
What many vacationers want is to feel happy enough to relax within an environment that is homey and offers a relaxed comfort that feels familiar. However, while some rentals may strive to be a familiar home-away-from-home, the luxury villa market celebrates those unique features that make the world’s most stunning stays different. An open-plan living, dining and lounge area with walls of glass looking out over an infinity pool to the blue sea beyond can be breathtakingly different. Outdoor sunken lounges; a whirlpool with views out across an ocean of paradise islands; an intimate candlelit dinner and al fresco dining experience prepared by your own private chef; vive la différence.
Related article: 10 of Our Most Beloved Villas and What Guests Have to Say About Them
A game-changer
A vacation has become so much more than a simple holiday and is now an experience that encompasses mindful relaxation, creative inspiration and life-changing pursuits. Luxury villas tick all the boxes of this new travel mindset perfectly, adding another layer of possibility within the hospitality industry that resonates way beyond the confines of traditional upscale tourism.
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For further reading, we’ve listed down some more reasons why you should consider booking a luxury villa for your next holiday.
Featured image: Villa Paradiso in Phuket
Travel and lifestyle writer in Asia
