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“Please,” said the general manager. “We ask all guests staying in the penthouse to sign the guest book.”
“Of course,” I said, accepting his Montblanc pen with feigned nonchalance – as if I did this every day.
The year is 2002. My wife and I and two young daughters are in Italy, checking into one of Rome’s most famous hotels. We’re here because my wife did some work for the hotel, and as a thank you, the GM invited our family to spend two nights in the penthouse suite.
He points to the place in the guest book where I should sign. I notice two prior guest names on the page.
The first name is Mikhail Gorbachev. The second name is Bruce Springsteen. I glance over at my wife, whose eyes are even wider than mine. And then, thinking of The Boss, I sign:
“The Partridge Family.”
The Best Room in the House
What I remember about the penthouse is that, besides two bedrooms, there was a private library, a sitting room, and a jacuzzi so big, my kids adopted it as a swimming pool. And that was the second bathroom (the master bathroom was larger).
This type of luxury normally comes with a hefty price tag.
The Mark Hotel Penthouse in New York is $75,000 per night. The Presidential Suite at the Harbour House in Hong Kong costs $64,000/night. In London, the tab for the Sterling Suite at the Langham is $50,000/night.
Why does a penthouse command such high prices? What does it offer that a standard hotel room doesn’t?
Multiple rooms and more overall square footage, certainly. Plus designer furniture, décor, and amenities. And perhaps most importantly, privacy and exclusivity. You’re segregated from the main hotel guests; there’s a private entrance and sometimes a private elevator. As for exclusivity, there’s usually only one penthouse or presidential suite in a hotel, and if you have it, you’re the Grand Panjandrum.
That penthouse experience got me thinking – what if you could enjoy that same level of luxury, space, and exclusivity without the eye-popping price tag? That’s when I discovered the villa life.
The Villa Life: Unrivaled Space & Privacy
Imagine having an entire property all to yourself, with indoor and outdoor spaces that dwarf even the most lavish hotel suites. Villas offer a level of privacy and seclusion that’s simply unattainable in a crowded resort.
You might start your day with a dip in your private infinity pool, sunbathe on your own stretch of beach, or sipping cocktail-hour spritzes on the patio – all without seeing another soul.
Inside, expansive living areas provide plenty of room to relax and unwind without ever feeling confined.
The Villa Life: Personalized Luxury for the Whole Family
A villa stay is your chance to live like royalty. Many properties are in stunning locations and come with amenities that rival 5-star resorts. Think private gyms, saunas, tennis courts, fully equipped kitchens, home cinemas, and more. You could spend a whole week indulging in the luxuries of your villa without ever stepping foot off the property.
Imagine Nani enjoying a peaceful morning yoga session on the lush lawn while the kids are gleefully splashing in the infinity pool. Mom and Dad are savoring a quiet breakfast on the terrace, sipping coffee and taking in the stunning view. And the teenagers? They’re still blissfully snoozing.
With a villa stay, luxury isn’t just about high-end amenities – it’s about the freedom for every family member to indulge in experiences tailored specifically to them. Want to arrange a family cooking class with a local chef? Your villa manager can set it up. Soon, you’ll all be laughing and learning together in your gourmet kitchen.
Craving some adult-only time? The concierge can arrange for a trusted babysitter to entertain the little ones while you enjoy a romantic sunset dinner on the beach. And for the hard-to-please teens? How about a snorkeling excursion or a private movie night under the stars?
Every aspect of your stay revolves around your family’s unique desires, from in-villa spa treatments to a game room stocked with everyone’s favorite diversions. It’s like having a fairy godmother ready to make all your vacation dreams come true.
And the best part? Your family can enjoy all these luxuries without ever having to navigate crowded resort lobbies or rise before dawn to secure prime poolside seats. In your villa, every family member is a VIP, and every moment is yours to savor together.
So go ahead, challenge Uncle Phil to a poolside ping pong tournament. Have a family dance party in the living room. Gather around the firepit for late-night s’mores and stargazing. This is the villa life – where luxury isn’t just a word; it’s a deeply personal experience crafted for every generation of your family to enjoy.
The Villa Life: Live Like a Local
Many villas are nestled in charming neighborhoods, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in the local culture without sacrificing privacy and exclusivity.
Wander down to the quaint farmers market, mingle with locals, and pick up fresh ingredients for a gourmet meal in your villa’s kitchen. Stroll to the nearby café, sip a cappuccino, and watch the world go by.
With a villa stay, you’re not just another tourist in a sea of hotel guests. You’re a temporary resident, living like a local. And by staying in a villa, you can experience the best of the local culture while also saving money. For example, shop at the local market for fresh ingredients to cook in your gourmet kitchen rather than dining out for every meal.
Many villas also come with insider knowledge from the property manager or concierge. They can direct you to hidden gem restaurants, arrange for authentic experiences that most tourists miss, and help you uncover the true flavor of your destination. It’s like having a well-connected friend showing you all the best-kept secrets.
The Villa Life: Bringing Families Together
The beauty of a villa is how it can cater to every generation, making it ideal for family reunions or multi-generational trips. Grandparents can enjoy a quiet afternoon in the garden while the kids splash in the pool. Teens can have their own space in the games room while the adults play bocci on the lawn.
Dine around the same table. Or have a barbecue. Or share popcorn around the fire pit under the stars.
There’s something for everyone with so much space and so many amenities. Villas allow families to spend quality time together while still giving each person the freedom to vacation at their own pace. It’s the perfect balance of togetherness and independence.
The Villa Life: Surprisingly Affordable
Here’s the best part: The villa life is more accessible than you might think. Villas often come out ahead when you compare the per-person cost of a villa rental to booking multiple hotel rooms.
Planning a Disney family trip? A nice hotel room costs $500 to $800/night. That’s $3,000 to $4,800 per night for six rooms. For $1,612/night, you can have The Blue Burdock all to yourself. It has 9 bedrooms and 9,106 sq/ft of living space, including a private pool and spa, patio, gourmet kitchen, outdoor kitchen, full bar, lounge, balcony with golf course views, gym, home theater, and Toy Story-themed room and superhero arcade for kids.
Dreaming of a fall family reunion in Tuscany? Let’s say your group needs 10 hotel rooms at $500/night or $5,000/night for accommodations. Your family can live in luxury at the Tuscan Duchess for $2,306/night – less than half the cost of hotel rooms. This 16th-century palatial home in the Tuscan hills offers 11 bedrooms, an infinity pool, jacuzzi, kids pool, private tennis court, garden, alfresco dining area, and more.
SECRET TIP:
How to Save Even More on Luxury Family Villas
I’ve shown how villa stays can offer significant savings vs. hotel stays. Here’s a secret tip for saving even more money on luxury villas:
Go during shoulder season. Here’s an example:
Last September, my family took a multi-generational trip to Greece, including a week on the island of Paros. Late September is considered the shoulder season, even though the weather is delightful (sunny in the mid 80’s). We could still enjoy the ocean, hike, sunbathe, eat outdoors, etc.
It was a gorgeous villa in a great location on the quiet, less windy side of the island. The villa included an infinity pool, gym, outdoor theater, gourmet kitchen, fire pit, two-person staff, and private chef. By renting in September, the villa cost was 1/3 the price of peak summer season. We allocated some of the savings to fun activities like renting a boat that made the trip truly memorable.
And with a villa, all your amenities are included. You don’t have to shell out extra for resort fees or pay a premium for privacy. Everything you need for an unforgettable getaway is right there at your fingertips.
How to Book Your Flawless Villa Vacation
While the villa life is undeniably alluring, it’s important to do your homework to ensure your experience lives up to the dream. You don’t want to arrive at your villa to find the property looks starkly different from the photos online.
Using an experienced villa specialist is key. Villa specialists like Travel Villa Guide exist to prevent these surprises. You want someone who knows the area, knows the villa, and has local onsite experts who can verify the property and ensure everything meets your expectations – not only when you arrive but every day of your stay.
Having a local contact is essential.
With these simple steps, you can ensure your villa vacation is the luxurious, stress-free escape you envision.
Discover a New Way to Vacation
Imagine waking up in a spacious, sun-drenched room, the sound of nature just outside your window. As you step onto your private terrace, you’re greeted by a stunning view – perhaps a lush garden, a shimmering pool, or even the ocean. The day ahead is filled with possibilities, and they’re all yours to choose.
In the villa, your family has room to spread out, to find their own rhythm. The kids can play freely without worrying about disturbing other guests. Your parents can relax in peace, enjoying the comfort and privacy of their own space. And you? You can finally unwind, knowing that everyone is taken care of and everything you need is right at your fingertips.
A villa vacation is a chance to break away from the standard travel script. It’s a chance to redefine what a vacation can be and create a holiday that truly fits your family – whether that means lazy days spent lounging by your private pool, exciting adventures exploring the local culture, or laughter-filled evenings gathered around the outdoor dining table, sharing stories and making memories.
The villa life offers a level of freedom and flexibility that’s hard to find in other types of accommodations. Want to take a midnight dip? Go for it. Feel like eating pancakes at noontime? No problem. In a villa, you set the schedule. You decide what luxury means to you.
And remember: When you compare the cost of a villa rental to booking multiple hotel rooms, villas often come out ahead. It’s luxury within reach.
Of course, a villa vacation isn’t just about the accommodations themselves. It’s about the memories you make, the bonds you strengthen, the new experiences you share. It’s a chance to reconnect with the people you love most, away from the distractions and stresses of everyday life.
So, if you’re ready for a getaway that breaks the mold and exceeds your wildest expectations, it’s time to discover the villa life. Trust me, once you’ve experienced the unparalleled space, privacy, and luxury of a villa vacation, you’ll never look at travel the same way again.
Your family deserves an extraordinary escape – and it’s waiting for you just beyond the doors of your own private villa.
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