Finding the perfect place to stay can take a lot of time and effort when it comes to planning a family vacation. You want to make sure that wherever you go will be able to cater to everyone’s needs. And when your party consists of potentially dozens of people, this can be a real challenge.
Not to worry. Here at Exceptional Villas, we pride ourselves on delivering only the highest quality villas and services, and are happy to help in every way possible. With over thirty years of experience, and a choice of 3000 villas in 40 locations around the world, we know what luxury means to you.
In order to give you a better idea of what makes a truly exceptional villa, we’ve compiled a list of 7 considerations to look for, along with links to some of our favorite destinations:
- A great location
- First-class amenities
- Excellent service
- Space to roam and be yourself
- Fabulous design choices, inside and out
- Accessibility of transport
- Top-notch security
1. A great location
Understandably, one of the key features of an exceptional villa is an equally exceptional location. Think lush, tropical forests; glittering beaches with white sand and sparkling seas; snow-capped mountains rolling in the distance.
You want your villa to be in the perfect spot: nestled within your own private paradise, but not too far away from the action and excitement of the local towns. Striking that balance is what makes for a truly memorable getaway location.
We offer an enormous range of villas from all across the world, so you’re certainly not limited for choice. Whether you prefer lounging around the Caribbean with the ocean at your doorstep, or tucked away in the Italian countryside, surrounded by miles of vineyards and sunsets, we have something for everyone to enjoy.
2. First-class amenities for all
A grand family holiday is the time to go all-out. Don’t hold back on anything that could make your trip just that little bit more fun.
But it’s also important that the space is accessible for you and your family. You should have the freedom to explore every inch of your luxury villa, no matter your degree of mobility. Having an elevator inside your villa is extremely practical, and certainly something to consider.
Sometimes you just don’t want to climb your way back up the stairs at the end of the day. Or someone in your family may have mobility issues which need to be accommodated. Alternate forms of travel inside your residence will help alleviate any pain-points.
Let’s take a look at some of the amenities you may want to find inside an exceptional villa.
Pools
Private pools are practically synonymous with vacations. In our opinion, the more pools, the better. At your villa, you may not want to share the poolside with everyone all the time. In that case, it’s important that you have the availability of several pools—both indoor and outdoor—so you can swim whatever the weather.
Even on an island retreat with the ocean right in front of you, it can be nice to not worry about the waves, or getting salty brine in your hair. A private pool or three is the perfect compromise.
Similarly, you may want to enjoy the fun of the water without the effort of swimming. An added degree of opulence for any villa comes in the form of a jacuzzi – or several.
Spa facilities
Many of our locations come equipped with spa facilities, and expertly trained masseuses. Whether you’ve had a long day exploring, or you’re looking for a little more indulgence, having a spa right there in your villa is an excellent choice.
Sauna and steam-rooms
Perhaps you’re not interested in going all-out with a spa, but still want other, similar amenities. Access to a sauna or steam-room is a perfect way to unwind at the end of the day, particularly in some of our cooler destinations, like Switzerland.
Chalet Zermatt Peak, an extravagant location in the middle of the Alps, combines modern comforts and internal decor, with a rustic, wood-and-glass exterior. Displayed against the dramatic backdrop of towering, snowy peaks, you can certainly see the appeal of easing down into the warmth of a sauna at the end of a ski-day.
Private gym
If exercising is a part of your daily routine, you probably won’t want to disrupt it whilst you’re on vacation for an extended period of time. The availability of a workout area with a fully-stocked variety of gym equipment is ideal for anyone looking to continue getting their gains whilst on holiday.
Cinema room
If you love the experience of going to a movie theater, but don’t have the option to whilst you’re on vacation, then a cinema room is an excellent compromise. Get everyone together and enjoy an evening of blockbuster action, heart-warming romance, or jaw-dropping suspense.
Here are just a couple of examples, Wake Up Villa in St Barts or Villa Eternity in Marbella, Spain, of some of our locations which offer a home cinema experience.
3. Excellent service
With such a large party to provide for, you’ll probably be in need of some additional help to make sure that everything goes off without a hitch. Fortunately, we can provide first-class concierge service, available for the entirety of your stay. Let us take care of the bookings, transport, events, and catering, so you can spend the entire time doing whatever you want to do, without concern, and without hassle.
Our complimentary concierge services extend to both before and during your visit, so every aspect of your journey is accounted for.
Here’s an idea of what else you can expect to have on offer whilst staying with us.
- Private chefs. Our plans are flexible, designed entirely to fit around your preferences. Whether you are interested in having a private chef for the entirety of your stay, or if you’d prefer to cook for yourself with the exception of one special day, our team will make it happen.
- Butler service. Over 110 of our villas come available with the option of a private butler service. They will keep your villa in perfect condition and ensure that all of your needs are met.
- Maid service. Likewise, maid service means that you never have to worry about going home to an unmade bed, or running out of towels.
- Gardeners & groundskeepers. If you’re looking to stay for a longer period of time, you may feel as though the garden might be getting out of hand. Not to worry; many of our locations’ properties are maintained by a dedicated gardener or groundskeeper, ensuring everything stays in perfect condition.
- Babysitting service. Whilst these services don’t come as standard with your package, we do provide the option to hire a babysitter if you’re looking for some time alone in the local towns – perhaps for a romantic date-night, or an adults-only evening, drinking cocktails on the beach. It’s that little added peace of mind that lets you know everything’s taken care of.
4. Space to roam and be yourself
When you arrive somewhere with a family, it can all be a bit of a rush. Whether you’ve flown, driven, or taken the train, it’s nice to have a moment away by yourself. A villa with lots of indoor and outdoor space will prevent any unnecessary tension that comes with a large group being crammed together all the time.
Outdoor space
Nature is a wonderful thing. And there is a plethora of scientific research that links peoples’ exposure to nature with having better mental and physical health. A vacation should serve to enhance these peaceful, beneficial feelings. So staying in a villa with bountiful access to outdoor space and flora is, in our opinion, essential.
Not only that, but many of our villas are located in some of the most pleasant climates to be found on Earth. Who wouldn’t want to take advantage of whatever external facilities your villa offers when you have dazzling, sunny days and warm, easy nights?
Picture a wide, spacious terrace, lined with comfortable chairs, and loungers by the pool. Off to one side there is a grand table, perfect for al fresco dining. A barbeque, perhaps, if you’re looking for a more laid-back evening, before dancing the night away.
It’s a space to be you – to kick back and let all of your stresses slide away.
Availability of external lighting can make a world of difference. You don’t want to be dictated by the sun. Mood lighting and clever lamp placements can transform an outside area into a whole new environment. Whether you’re favoring discotheque party lights, or the illusion of candlelight, it’s worth checking that the space will fit the vibe of your evening.
Indoor space
The space inside the villa shouldn’t be compromised, either. Families can take up a lot of room, no matter the size, so it’s important that the villa you decide to stay in can accommodate everyone, with room to spare.
Luxury comes in the form of multiples. Multiple kitchens, living rooms, and dining rooms – the list goes on. Having designated areas for a variety of activities means that no family members will clash heads when there is a conflict of interests. For example, multiple living rooms means that you can have certain people watching loud TV, whilst another area can be for sitting quietly and reading.
If you’re traveling with children, a dedicated play-room means they can roam around and have fun with limited supervision. Take Eternity Villa, for example. This enormous villa can house 33 people, and is filled to the brim with all of the latest gadgets and toys for everyone to enjoy. Here’s just a snippet of some of the features on display:
- Pool table
- 110-inch TV video wall
- Karaoke machine and stage
- Xbox One
- PlayStation 4
- Apple TV
- Air hockey table
- Gaming arcade
The ability to anticipate any potential needs and have facilities in place to accommodate them is what makes a destination truly exceptional.
Private space
At the end of the day, once the party is over, you need somewhere you can go back to and relax in peace. The quality of the bedroom can make or break a vacation; it’s where you’ll spend a large amount of your time, after all.
Your bedroom should be a sanctuary. It should be the ideal place to retreat back to at the end of a long day, where you can stay without disturbance. To make everything as stress-free as possible, every bedroom should come with an ensuite. Communal bathrooms around the house are certainly useful, but that added element of personal space when you wake up and go to bed is bliss.
Moreover, if you and a loved one want a quiet moment alone, whilst still enjoying the gorgeous scenery that surrounds you, then a private balcony in your room is an additional must-have. Share a few glasses of wine and toast yourselves to a job well done as you overlook a dazzling blue sea without having to worry about interruption.
5. Fabulous design choices, inside and out
A lot of the time, how we perceive luxury comes down to how it appeals to our senses: how it looks, how it feels, how it tastes. From the moment you step through the doors of your villa, you should know that you’re stepping into grandeur.
After all, consider the name. “Villa” originally referred to the lavish, stylish country homes that upper-class Roman citizens would reside in. It brings with it an air of finery, of status. Picture spiraling columns, high ceilings, a tasteful collaboration between antique and modern. Cosier than a palace, but with just as much charm.
An often overlooked element is the furniture. You’re unlikely to find any ordinary IKEA chairs in a luxury villa. Rather, imagine the softest, most plush couch possible – one that wraps around the whole room with space for everybody. Along the walls hang tasteful, intriguing pieces of artwork designed to inspire conversation and add depth to the room. Perhaps, in one of your Alpine chalets, there is a roaring fireplace that lets you wander around in a t-shirt and shorts, even in the depths of winter.
A villa should be a visual spectacle: something that makes someone’s jaw drop when they see it. If you find yourself lacking that ‘wow’ factor, then it probably isn’t the place for you. That’s okay, though. There are hundreds more stunning buildings to choose from.
6. Accessibility of transport
Whether you’re traveling with us via commercial flight, private jet, yacht, or car, you need to know that your mode of transport can be accommodated effectively.
Take Villa Machiavelli, for example. This stunning pink-brick building in Chianti, Italy, is just one of several of our villas which comes equipped with a helipad, allowing you to make a dramatic entrance without having to worry about practicality.
Or, if you’re not looking to fly in with your own craft, then how about booking with our luxury private jet partners, Paramount Business Jets? They offer planes that can cater to anywhere between 6 to 50 passengers, so there’s enough room for everyone to come on board.
Additionally, we offer yacht charting services for those days you want to spend out on the water, rather than in a villa. And many of our more tropical destinations, like Windwhistle Villa in the Bahamas, come equipped with a private dock that can accommodate a boat up to 40 feet in length.
7. Top-notch security
There’s no such thing as overly cautious when it comes to protecting yourself and your family. A good security system gives you the knowledge that you’ll be completely safe during your stay.
Several of our villas can be found within protected, gated communities, such as Zacil Na in Puerto Aventuras, Mexico. If you have any security concerns about traveling, a resort community will help alleviate them. You can be certain that their 24/7 security, guards, and dedication to their visitors will keep you perfectly safe.
Conclusion
We want you to have everything you could need under one roof. No matter where you stay, you need a villa that is going to provide you with the perfect home-away-from-home experience. Ideally, it should also provide that little something extra that allows you to enjoy the country you’re staying in, and immerse yourself in the culture.
A vacation is the time to truly let your hair down and be free. You shouldn’t have to worry about trivial things. Now is the time for luxury, opulence, decadence. If you can think of it, we can make it happen.
What are you waiting for? With so many incredible locations and opportunities, now is the perfect time to book that dream vacation everyone in your family can enjoy. Get in touch to find out more about how we can make your wildest dreams come true.
About Niamh McCarthy
Niamh is our Caribbean Travel Specialist and has an in-depth knowledge of all of the islands in the Caribbean. Niamh's qualifications are in the area of Business Management and Marketing with a Bachelor degree in Business Management and a Masters degree in Public Relations. Niamh has worked for over 10 years in the travel industry and has also spent time working in the United States.