Hotels • December 2017
Party pads: Europe’s must-stay villas
Whether you’re looking to welcome in the New Year in style or planning a 2018 multi-generational family get-together, The Club presents Europe’s most spectacular villas, from the sunny shores of Crete to the country charm of the Cotswolds
The English rose
Flocked to by the privacy-seeking rich and famous, the luxury country houses of Lakes by Yoo may be designed by fashion royalty (Kate Moss, Elle MacPherson and Jade Jagger all made their interior design debuts here), but it’s far from a celeb-only scene. Especially great for families or a design-savvy group looking to adopt their very own luxury pad – you can spend a week biking around the lush 650-acre estate or indulge in some yoga at the site’s Orchard Spa.
The villa tip: Each rental comes with a unique roster of ‘bells and whistles’, including barbecues, kayaks, children’s play rooms and even pianos, so check the website to find your perfect match.
The ski sensation
Meribel’s Chalet Amanjena is the pinnacle of alpine charm, with beautiful timber interiors, roaring open fires and sumptuous soft furnishings. It sits only 400 metres from the thriving village centre, so you can gaze down on the snow-capped chalets from the comfort of your outdoor hot tub, before heading inside to make the most of the sauna and cosiness of six en-suite bedrooms.
The villa tip: The chalet is available on a self-catered or catered basis, with hosts on hand to cook every meal.
The Tuscan treat
The land of hilltop villas and neighbouring vineyards, Tuscany’s cypress-dotted landscape makes for a truly traditional villa escape. Over on the Tuscan/Umbrian border, Villa Christina is a family-friendly wonderland, complete with football goals, home cinema, play area, trampoline, pool and even a treehouse. And for the adults, there’s that all-important, fully stocked wine cellar.
The villa tip: Don’t miss out on a trip into nearby Citta della Pieve for some Italian goodies from the food market, held every Saturday.
The Grecian getaway
Crete may be an island steeped in mythology, but its luxury villa scene is most definitely real. For the pick of the bunch, try Villa Aria on the northern coast, backed by distant mountains and less than four kilometres from the nearest beach. The villa’s interiors blend rustic stone walls and colourful Greek detailing with contemporary furniture and modern gadgets, while shaping itself around a gorgeous outdoor pool.
The villa tip: It’s a 20-minute drive to the beautiful city of Rethimno and an evening meal to remember at Pigadi Restaurant, boasting a delightful Cretan menu and a prime-time spot next to the city’s famed Venetian fortress.
The chic chateau
A 14th-century hunting lodge turned villa extraordinaire, Chateau Lignol lies in the heart of the Brittany countryside. Once occupied by the princes of the region and affectionately known by its owner as “an absolute Rapunzel haunt”, this fairytale experience includes an outdoor pool, heated from June to September, delightfully antique decor, as well as the chateau’s private chef, available for one-off meals or your whole stay.
The villa tip: Sad to leave the puppy behind? This chateau is a rare, pet-friendly find, meaning no family member misses out.
The coastal gem
While neighbouring Malaga gets all the attention, the rest of the sleepy south coast hides mountainous national parks, secret beaches and, best of all, stunning Villa La Canela. Here, you can enjoy pristine interiors, a large outdoor pool and close proximity to the hustle and bustle of Nerja, as well as cooking up a storm in the separate outdoor kitchen facility, perfect for all that pool-side dining.
The villa tip: The villa is accessible only by a narrow road with sharp bends and steep inclines, so put your most confident driver behind the wheel.
This article has been tagged Destination, Hotels