Beyond hotels: Why villas are defining the future of luxury travel
By Kristen Oliveri
Privacy, personalization, and togetherness are redefining what luxury travel looks like. Today’s affluent travelers are trading hotel lobbies for private villas, spaces where they can live, not just stay.
From multi-generational family reunions to intimate getaways with friends, villas offer the ultimate mix of exclusivity and connection. With demand rising year over year and new properties debuting around the globe, these retreats are topping every serious traveler’s bucket list.
Here are a few standout villas to inspire your next escape. Don’t see your favorite on the list? Send me an email at kristen@wealth-reimagined.com.
Casa Bellamar — East Cape, Los Cabos, Mexico
Set on the East Cape of Los Cabos, this solar-powered oceanfront villa was designed for gathering. With eight bedrooms that sleep up to 20 guests, it’s a natural fit for multi-generational escapes or milestone celebrations. Think long afternoons by the beachfront pool, a private tennis match just steps away, and al fresco dinners curated by your own chef and butler. For destination weddings, the villa can host up to 100 guests, with thoughtful touches like a beauty salon tucked into the master suite. Direct beach access and endless ocean views make it a place where memories feel effortless.
Cheetah Plains — Sabi Sand Nature Reserve, South Africa
Deep in South Africa’s Sabi Sand Nature Reserve, Cheetah Plains has redefined the luxury safari. Three private villas, each with four bush suites, operate entirely off-grid, yet deliver every indulgence imaginable. Each villa comes with its own host, culinary team, spa therapist, and expert safari guides who take guests out in solar-powered Land Cruisers for game drives unlike any other.
Families are welcomed with tailored activities for children, while adults can enjoy guided bush walks, wellness rituals, and expansive pools that open to the wild. It’s the rare combination of sustainability, exclusivity, and hospitality, crafted into an unforgettable safari experience.
Hale ‘O Ka La — Big Island, Hawaii
Perched within the Mauna Kea Resort, Hale ‘O Ka La has been reimagined following a $9 million renovation. The five-bedroom estate blends modern luxury with the island’s natural beauty—surrounded by tropical gardens and anchored by a saltwater pool complete with waterslide, swim-up bar, and grotto. Guests enjoy the privacy of a residence with the services of a resort: private chefs, housekeeping, and optional access to Mauna Kea’s golf, spa, and dining. It’s Hawaii at its most elevated—a place where days flow from poolside fun to starlit dinners with the sound of the ocean as the back drop.
Laughing Waters — Sandy Lane, Barbados
On four lush acres just steps from Barbados’ iconic Sandy Lane Beach, Laughing Waters sets the standard for Caribbean opulence. The 12-bedroom estate accommodates up to 24 guests, with interiors by London designer Emma Pearson and architectural flourishes inspired by Oliver Messel. Guests are pampered with concierge, butler, private chef, and full housekeeping, along with exclusive access to a members-only beach club and the island’s AAA Five Diamond resort amenities—golf, spa, and fine dining included. Designed for ultimate privacy and security, it’s as suited to family retreats as it is to high-profile gatherings. At 32,000 square feet, every detail whispers luxury.