Big Villa Energy

Suspended between sea and sky, Secret Bay’s new Clifftop Multi-Villa Estates are what villa dreams are made of. Situated on the crest of the promontory’s 200-foot cliff with expansive views of the Caribbean Sea, each Clifftop Estate features two villas, thoughtfully sited so that each has the utmost privacy. The property’s signature six-star service is felt the moment you walk into each villa, and the amenities are dazzling—private in-nature plunge pool, backyard gardens, vast terraces and state-of-the-art chef’s kitchens. Beyond these villas, your very own concierge will create a personalized itinerary for you and your group. Trek to one of the world’s only boiling lakes, dance the night away with a private one-man jazz concert in the comfort of your own abode or indulge in a chocolate facial at the spa. Another two Clifftop Villa Estates and an array of new amenities are slated for completion by the end of 2023.

Surrounded by a vibrant coral reef, lapped by warm turquoise waters and hidden in the heart of a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, Milaidhoo Island Maldives makes choosing the perfect villa a breeze. Whether it’s a thatched-roof Water Villa or a two-bedroom overwater Ocean Residence, each retreat opens up 180 degrees to allow the natural beauty of the Maldives inside. Striking Maldivian elements, art pieces and contemporary custom-made furnishings are thoughtfully placed throughout the hideaway, whereas outside, all villas offer a large private freshwater pool on the sun deck, a hanging Maldivian swing (‘undhoali’) and a seaside day bed. Paradise found.

Framed by the glistening Caribbean Sea to the north and the lush hillsides to the south, the Rose Hall Villas at Jamaica’s Half Moon exude that home-away-from-home feeling. Perfecting the three P’s—privacy, pampering and personalized service—each villa features a private swimming pool, oceanfront garden and dedicated staff of personal cooks, housekeepers and butlers. While it may be difficult to leave the comforts of your villa, the property offers an unmatched array of amenities for the whole family, including award-winning restaurants, 68,000 square-foot Fern Tree Spa, 18-hole championship golf course, equestrian center and children’s village.

From the Cliff Edge to the Hillside, the villas at Alila Villas Uluwatu are the definition of seamless indoor-outdoor living. Designed in harmony with its lush surroundings and overlooking the Indian Ocean, the villas at this refuge put environmental sustainability at the forefront with the use of recycled and local materials, including unique lava rock roofs and bamboo ceilings. Villa guests also have their own cabana and private 21-meter infinity pool to endlessly enjoy. Walkways and bridges connect the pavilions, pools and spacious living areas.It’s truly an exceptional choice for sanctuary in Bali.

“The villa is gorgeous,” says Travel Monster’s Mark Schoenmakers of Soneva Kiri’s extraordinary island hideaway. The gorgeousness in question is the villa’s ability to blend seamlessly into Thailand’s natural beauty. Whether next to the beach, hidden in the jungle hillsides or commanding spectacular views from the clifftops, guests can choose from the refuge’s sprawling five-bedroom Beach Pool Reserve or find themselves living it up in a Beach Pool Suite. Each villa has a private pool, vast indoor and outdoor living space and verdant gardens. Take advantage of your villa’s bicycles and electric buggy to explore the hotel’s winding forest paths or have your Barefoot Guardian, offering personalized service around the clock, organize a dive for you.

First came Maui, then came Sicily. Now, it’s Thailand’s turn to be the location star of The White Lotus. The popular television program is rumored to be filming season three at Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui with its seven villas perched on the lush hillside. These sea-facing villas come with a private infinity pool and chic interiors that feature signature island-inspired accessories and local accents, providing the perfect blend of spaciousness, comfort and authenticity. Natasha Rothwell’s beloved character Belinda is set to return, and we sure hope we’ll be seeing her check into one of these stunning accommodations.

Could anything be more dreamy than your own villa overlooking the translucent blue of the Aegean? At Mystique, dreams become a reality with stone-crafted, cave-style suites and villas offering gloriously open horizons in a legendary location. Designed following traditional Cycladic architecture, where gentle curves and sculpted arches blend with a muted color palette and light-enhancing spaces, this exclusive hideaway harnesses elegant simplicity. All suites are endowed with secluded terraces and most are crowned with private jacuzzis or pools clung to the cliff.

The utmost in aristocratic luxury on Lake Como? Grand Hotel Tremezzo’s Villa Sola Cabiati. An artistic masterpiece that harks back to the hedonism of the Belle Époque, this historic residence featuring six bedrooms boasts stuccoes and frescoes by renowned artists of days past and priceless collections of tapestries, paintings, majolica and Chinese vases. With a beautiful outdoor pool, grand salon, music room, library and billiards room, the hotel transports guests back to a time when extravagance knew no bounds. The spirit of indulgence extends to the flowering Italian garden with direct views over the Lake.

Discover the lyrical beauty of the Baja from Rancho Pescadero’s Oceanfront Villas. Set directly on the Pacific Ocean with the Sierra de la Laguna Mountains nearby, the 12 airy villas offer direct beach access, plus a plunge pool, private outdoor shower and fire pit. Just outside your door is an array of soul-stirring amenities. There are three restaurants and bars, a 25,000-square-foot spa with gym and lap pool and pilates and yoga studios. It’s also adults-only, providing a serene atmosphere in which guests can leave the worries of the world behind.

Don’t worry about having to choose the perfect room at Six Senses Zil Pasyon; here, each and every accommodation is a stunning villa. The sole resort on the private island of Félicité, this seclusive haven with its coral-fringed beaches and massive granite rocks includes a private infinity pool in each villa to take in the sounds of the ocean and sights of tropical vegetation. For those who want to experience the best-kept secret of the property, check into one of the multi-bedroom Residences with ultra-sleek finishes and vistas across the Indian Ocean. Follow in the footsteps of our friend Sarah Royall of Salty Luxe and dive into the translucent rooftop pool that sits on the rooftop. There’s also a gourmet kitchen, wine cellar, private bar and private art collection to top off your ultra-villa experience.

Cover photo courtesy of Sarah Royall