Why Your Next Hotel Stay Might Be a Villa Rental

During the COVID-19 pandemic, private villa rentals surged in popularity, offering safe havens for those eager to travel while maintaining social distance. As travel rebounds dramatically, the villa trend remains strong, with more hotels introducing villa rental options. Data from luxury travel advisor network Virtuoso shows that villa bookings in 2023 have already increased by 30 percent compared to last year. Guests enjoy private spaces along with hotel amenities like fitness centers, activities, diverse dining options, and often, personalized services including a private concierge.

Hotel brands like Oetker Collection have experienced a significant rise in interest for their villa rental options. Oetker introduced Eden Rock Villa Rental (ERVR) in St. Bart’s in 2012. What began as a modest collection of properties for larger groups has expanded to a portfolio of 200 villas with up to 11 bedrooms. "We developed ERVR to provide private villa options when hotel suites were fully booked," says Anne Dentel, head of ERVR. "The demand has far surpassed our expectations in recent years." For example, since launching Villa Nina and Villa Rockstar at Eden Rock — St Barths in 2020, these accommodations have achieved an impressive average occupancy of over 80 percent.

Explore some of the latest hotel villa options worldwide, ranging from a seaside retreat in Bali to a luxurious tented camp nestled in the Costa Rican jungle.

Nayara Tented Camp Private Residences

Perched at the edge of a restored rainforest in northern Costa Rica, with breathtaking vistas of the Arenal Volcano, Nayara Tented Camp has emerged as one of the most desirable accommodations in the country. The 37 luxury tents provide an elevated glamping experience, featuring spacious soaking tubs and private pools sourced from natural hot springs. In August 2022, the hotel introduced two new villas, Casa Paloma and Casa Dana, linked by a shared terrace with a plunge pool and situated at the highest elevation on the property. Each villa boasts four tented bedrooms adorned with four-poster beds and lush leaf-patterned wallpaper, along with a fully equipped kitchen and dining area.

The expansive terraces, facing the volcano, are enveloped by lush jungle and include plunge pools filled with mineral-rich water. Guests are treated to private concierge service and enjoy all the amenities of the hotel, including dining at any of the three on-site restaurants, where they can savor traditional Costa Rican dishes like rice and black beans, fried sweet plantains, and fresh cheese. Daily yoga sessions and access to the property's reforested rainforest, home to sloths and over 900 species of birds, including toucans, are also available.

Uluwatu Estate, Mandarin Oriental Exclusive Homes

In 2022, Mandarin Oriental Exclusive Homes unveiled its inaugural villa in Asia, expanding its portfolio to 18 stand-alone villa accommodations across Europe, the U.K., and Bali, in collaboration with StayOne, a luxury home rental service. Uluwatu Estate, located on Bali's southern Bukit Peninsula, boasts cliffside views over Nyang Nyang beach. This wooden Balinese-style residence features eight minimalist bedrooms adorned with dark wood four-poster beds and wooden shutters, alongside an infinity pool, covered patios, and beautifully landscaped gardens. Although this property is not directly affiliated with a hotel, it provides all the benefits associated with a Mandarin Oriental stay, including 24/7 staff offering daily housekeeping, driving services, and butler and concierge support. Guests can also enjoy the services of a chef who can prepare traditional dishes like nasi goreng (fried rice) and a bartender ready to mix anything from classic martinis to an Arak Attack (Balinese rice wine with orange juice and grenadine syrup).

Eden Rock—St Barths

Eden Rock—St Barths features a collection of villas from the renowned Oetker Collection's Eden Rock — St. Barths, which has attracted discerning travelers to the shimmering St. Jean Bay in St. Bart’s for over 50 years with its ocean-facing guest rooms and laid-back ambiance. The hotel offers the oceanfront three-bedroom Villa Nina and the six-bedroom Villa Rockstar, both refurbished in 2020, showcasing spacious, airy living areas ideal for entertaining. The contemporary bedrooms are accented with vibrant red and white decor, making them perfect for guests desiring a residential stay, complete with a private pool and dedicated staff, while also having access to the hotel’s restaurants and spa, exclusive to property guests.

If the villas are fully booked—which is quite possible due to their high demand—the island boasts another 190 off-site villas showcasing a variety of styles and designs, ranging from sleek white mansions near Gustavia to charming wooden slatted houses perched on hilltops. All these accommodations provide the same hotel benefits, including 24-hour concierges, private chefs, butlers, and access to the hotel’s amenities.

Katikies

Nestled on the lively island of Mykonos, Katikies is situated in a tranquil section of Agios Ioannis Bay, featuring a sand-and-pebble beach with stunning azure waters. The property now boasts 12 villas, each with its own private pool and Mediterranean Sea views, located a short 20-minute drive from Elia Beach. The villas embody the island's aesthetic, complete with stone and white walls, wooden terrace overhangs, bright white interiors, and turquoise pools overlooking the sea. Guests can arrange grocery deliveries and private chefs through the resort’s Katikies Club Service. Additionally, they enjoy hotel amenities like 24-hour room service and daily breakfast. Access to the Katikies Mykonos hotel is also available, including priority reservations at the trendy seafood-forward Botrini’s Mykonos, helmed by Michelin-starred chef Ettore Botrini. Complimentary shuttles operate every 90 minutes to transport guests.

The Esencia Mansion

Located on a pristine stretch of tropical white-sand beach just outside Playa del Carmen, the Hotel Esencia is owned by media tycoon Kevin Wendle. This resort has garnered a following among art and design enthusiasts, thanks to its suites adorned with midcentury-modern furnishings and pieces from illustrious designers like Le Corbusier and iconic artists like Picasso. A short stroll from the hotel leads to the luxurious new four-bedroom villa, nestled in the jungle and boasting rooftop views of the sandy Xpu-Ha beach. This lavish addition features a private screening room, a fitness studio with virtual personal training options, a hidden speakeasy, and three pools, including one showcasing tiles crafted by Marcel Dzama in collaboration with Guadalajara’s Ceramica Suro.

Four Seasons Private Residences Mauritius at Anahita

Since its inception in 2019, the Private Residences collection by Four Seasons has expanded into a global portfolio of 750 luxury vacation homes, spanning destinations from Miami’s Surf Club to the Indian Ocean islands of Seychelles and Mauritius. At the Four Seasons Resort Mauritius at Anahita, guests can choose from private retreats featuring two to five bedrooms, ample indoor-outdoor living areas, shaded patios, contemporary glass-fronted rooms, and infinity pools. Visitors enjoy access to a range of hotel amenities, including a lap pool with resident fitness trainers, a tennis court, and complimentary water activities such as kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding. Golf enthusiasts can also take advantage of complimentary green fees at the Ernie Els-designed championship golf course and the Bernhard Langer Signature course located on the nearby Ile aux Cerfs.

Grenadine Hills at Bequia Beach Hotel

Situated on the less-explored Caribbean island of Bequia, the second-largest island in the Grenadines, Grenadine Hills debuted in 2022 as a collection of villa rental properties affiliated with Bequia Beach Hotel, a family-operated establishment boasting 60 sandy-toned rooms and suites, some featuring private pools. There are currently two ocean-view villas, with another on the way. Villa One includes six light and airy en suite bedrooms, an outdoor dining gazebo, and a private Jacuzzi. Perched atop a hill, the five-bedroom Coral Hill features a master suite that occupies an entire floor. Both villas come with dedicated butlers and private chefs. Although flights to Bequia are limited (approximately five per week, depending on the season), the hotel facilitates access through its own flight service, Bequia Air, which transports guests from Barbados in just 35 minutes and St. Lucia in 15 minutes.