As the desire for superior luxury, exclusivity and privacy within the most pristine and secluded spaces continues to increase, so has the demand for private villas. From a private island in the Seychelles to the slopes of Lions Head in South Africa and the heart of the French Alps, the following properties offer travelers the ultimate experience when it comes to private villa expectations and luxury.
Fregate Island
Accessible via boat or helicopter, Fregate Island is one of the most revered hideaways in the Seychelles, offering total privacy and seclusion with 17 beautifully crafted villas throughout pristine nature. Complete island buyouts are available, and guests can enjoy 720 acres of island all to themselves. Fregate’s live-in staff are the only others on the island to ensure all of guests’ needs are met during their exclusive stay on Fregate.
All villas provide plenty of space and airing, with dedicated bedrooms and living areas, large, open bathrooms, indoor and outdoor showers and of course, private pools. Those who wish to have their own peninsula can experience Banyan Hill Estate, which consists of a large open core and living area, infinity swimming pool, study, TV lounge, sitting area, and three detached bedrooms with antiques from all over the Indian Ocean. A personal assistant is assigned to each villa, including a 24/7 private butler service to ensure guests enjoy their time on the island.
Ellerman House Villas
On the slopes of Lions Head with panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean, the Ellerman House Villas epitomize the glamorous beach lifestyle Cape Town is famous for. Exclusive and privately staffed, each villa offers all the benefits of hotel living with the advantage of complete privacy and flexibility, perfect for multigenerational families or groups of friends. Built on multiple levels, each villa offers spacious entertainment and relaxation areas, numerous en-suite bedrooms and a private infinity pool with the best views Cape Town has to offer.
Nelson Mandela Villa at Shambala Private Game Reserve
Just a two and half hour drive or 45 minute helicopter ride up north of Johannesburg is the exclusive Nelson Mandela Villa at Shambala Private Game Reserve. Situated on nearly 25 acres in the Limpopo Province, the Nelson Mandela Villa at Shambala Private Game Reserve is set under the watchful guardianship of the picturesque, malaria-free Waterberg mountains, and the magnificent African bushveld is home to a variety of remarkable flora and fauna, including The Big Five. The Nelson Mandela Villa offers spacious and elegant accommodation, including one presidential suite and five luxury bedrooms, each with en-suite bathrooms. Set in secluded, natural surroundings, the Nelson Mandela Villa offers a wide range of amenities and services including bush picnics, game drives, star gazing, and sundown cruises, just to name a few. After a day of exploring the private reserve, guests can enjoy the villa’s luxuriously elegant formal lounge equipped with a fireplace, as well as an informal television lounge, and an elegant and spacious dining area with seating for up to 14 people. The villa also offers an outdoor deck and lounge, 2 private studies, a business center and an indoor/outdoor heated swimming pool situated on a viewing deck that overlooks a private watering hole.
Safari House
Within the Natural Selection portfolio is Safari House, a traditional Namibian farmhouse located in the heart of the Etosha Heights Private Reserve. Offering genuine hospitality, this exclusive use property is the perfect base for a family or group of friends to explore the 148,200 acres of pure wilderness. With unpretentious and traditional Namibian hospitality, Safari House sleeps up to six guests in three bedrooms and welcomes children of all ages. There is a pool for cooling off after dusty game drives and a water hole in front of the house making the veranda the perfect place to spend a leisurely afternoon, watching what comes down to drink. Meals are homemade and hearty, and a highlight is a traditional Namibian braai (BBQ), cooked in front of the guests and enjoyed sitting out under the stars. The biggest luxury Safari House offers is the freedom that comes with a private guide and vehicle. Game drives are entirely tailored to guests’ needs and flexibility is never a problem, whether guests would like to look for big game or the smallest of birds on game drives.
The Chalets at Hotel Le Coucou
Hôtel Le Coucou is a Maisons Pariente property located in Méribel in the heart of the French Alps. Perched on the heights of Belvédère, right next to the slopes and rubbing shoulders with the snowcapped summits, the hotel overlooks the the entire valley providing stunning views. The elegant five-star hotel offers two separate private chalets along with the spacious suites and rooms of the hotel. The two, four-bedroom ski-in ski-out luxury chalets are available for families and groups as a perfect home away from home, while also providing the same services and amenities Le Coucou has on offer. The chalets provide the ideal cozy and comfortable retreat for a mountain holiday and each are fully equipped with a fitted kitchen so that guests can try their hand at traditional mountain dishes, a large cathedral living room with a vaulted ceiling and immense bay window for enjoying the boundless views over the Méribel valley from the cocooning sofa, and an open dining area. Each chalet also features a private ski room, indoor pool and private spa to welcome skiers each evening to ensure they are fully rested for another memorable day on piste.
Awasi Iguazú
Start-up premium travel company, Niarra Travel, arranges sustainable travel itineraries and partners with properties that support environment protection, conservation, local culture and communities, like Awasi Iguazú. A short way down river from the mighty falls, Awasi Iguazú is hidden amid Argentina’s lush Atlantic rainforest and a medley of tropical birdsong. All of the 14 chic-rustic villas, thoughtfully positioned for privacy, boasts their own plunge pools, expansive living areas, and outdoor showers. The stand-alone intimate villas have been built on stilts to minimize environmental impact and the interiors feature traditional textiles and baskets woven by the indigenous Guaraní people, who still inhabit the region and are neighbors of the property. Each villa also has its very own private guide and 4WD, for guests explore the falls at their own pace visiting where they want, in their own time. As a destination partner of Niarra Travel, Awasi Iguazú is a leader in conservation and sustainability and aligned with Niarra’s commitment to positive impact ecotourism. Awasi’s carbon neutral properties are located in three of South America’s most unique environments and they are committed to protecting their natural and cultural heritage through the conservation of their ecosystems, the reintroduction of native species and the implementation of concrete social initiatives.
Pangkor Laut Resort - Overwater Villas & The Estates
Pangkor Laut Resort is located on its own 300-acre private island off the west coast of Malaysia, comprised of a 2-million-year-old rainforest and surrounded by white-sand beaches and turquoise waters, and is only accessible to guests of the resort. The property features overwater villas resting on stilts above the waters of the Strait of Malacca. The villas feature private outdoor verandas with sun loungers and oversized bathtubs that look out over the water. There are also adults-only overwater spa villas, which are located in a private, serene area, and guests of these villas have direct access to the Spa Village and its lap pool.
Additionally, the resort boasts The Estates, which are nestled on the northern part of the island within the jungle. The Estates are reminiscent of the romantic lifestyle of a British estate manager of old Malaya, where guests can enjoy the colossal, natural arboretum that surrounds them. The eight private estates feature their own living and dining pavilions, a personal butler and chauffeur-driven car, and a private plunge pool with breathtaking views of the serene landscape.
Tswalu Tarkuni Homestead
Located in the green Kalahari of South Africa, Tswalu Kalahari’s newly redesigned Tarkuni Homestead offers travelers seeking a private and socially distant experience a more comfortable and adventurous stay. Once used as the personal safari home of the Oppenheimer family, The homestead, which is located in a secluded valley below the ancient Korannaberg Mountains offers guests complete privacy and flexibility while on safari in South Africa. Tarkuni sleeps ten people in five bedrooms and comes with its own staff including a chef, housekeeper, safari guide and tracker, and exclusive use of a private vehicle.
In addition to Tarkuni’s luxurious accommodations, travelers will receive exclusive access to the largest privately owned game reserve in South Africa, along with freedom to plan every aspect their your stay. Days here are fluid and flexible, or as active or relaxed as guests want them to be.
Singita’s Private Villa Collection
Travelers looking to hit the refresh button and immerse themselves in the tranquility of the African bush should look no further than staying at one of the seven accommodations from Singita’s Private Villa Collection. Set in four African countries, the Singita Private Villa Collection is the epitome of Singita’s award-winning offering – and the seven exclusive-use lodges and camps in this recently rebranded premier selection of properties embody the ultimate wilderness adventure with loved ones.
From the vast plains of the Serengeti to South Africa’s iconic Kruger National Park and Sabi Sand, and from Zimbabwe’s rugged sandstone ridges to Rwanda’s Virunga mountains, every location in the collection has been chosen for its unrivalled scenery, unspoilt natural beauty and the sense of escape that leaves a lasting impression.
Singita Kataza House, Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda
Singita Lebombo Villa, Kruger National Park, South Africa
Singita Castleton, Sabi Sand, South Africa
Singita Ebony Villa, Sabi Sand, South Africa
Singita Malilangwe House, Malilangwe, Zimbabwe
Singita Explore, Serengeti, Tanzania
Singita Serengeti House, Serengeti, Tanzania