Beach Enclave
Last year, we highlighted the newest trend in travel: the rise of the hotel-operated villa, that best-of-both-worlds compromise that offers the privacy and luxury of a standalone home with the convenience of five star services. It’s a trend that’s only accelerated in the last twelve months, as we’ve seen a slew of new entries in the category. We scoured the world for the best in class for 2025, which occupy that same Goldilocks spot between rental home and penthouse suite—here’s the four most impressive new entries from the Côte d’Azur to the Caribbean.
Villa La Guettière, Cap d’ Antibes, France
Image Credit: Courtesy of Oetker Collection The Amenity
Think of this as your own mini Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc: It’s the newest villa the storied property operates, so you can use all of its services.
The Best Room
There’s no dud among the nine bedrooms, but only one—called Hortensia, the northernmost room on the second floor—has its own elevator.
The Lowdown
The private estate overlooking the Mediterranean was renovated by local architect Luc Svetchine, whose father, André, first restored the buildings 50 years ago. Svetchine’s reboot includes all the essentials of today’s top-tier vacation homes, including a heated infinity pool, a private cinema, a sauna, and a hammam. He has also added some playful touches: The vast living room features a grand piano, and an adjacent bar spills out into a shaded private pergola.
From $72,900
Franschhoek House at La Residence, Cape Winelands, South Africa
Image Credit: Courtesy of The Royal Portfolio The Amenity
The kitchen doubles as a stage for the villa’s private chef. It’s also where the sommelier leads wine tastings featuring the region’s top producers.
The Best Room
Suite One is an homage to owner Liz Biden’s favorite color. Pieces from her collection, including artist Karin Miller’s Angie in Yellow, adorn the mustard walls.
The Lowdown
This six-suite exclusive-use villa is a new addition to the 30-acre La Residence estate in the Cape Winelands. The sumptuous interiors reflect Biden’s signature maximalist style. Rooms feature a mishmash of Indian textiles, 17th-century French tapestries, vintage furnishings, and contemporary African art from talents such as Amanda Shingirai Mushate and Franklyn Dzingai. At the heart of the villa is the Long Room, a hangout space with a bar, lounge, and billiard table.
From $6,000 for up to eight people
Monasterio de San Pelayo, Castilla y León, Spain
Image Credit: Courtesy of Monasterio de San Pelayo The Amenity
The head oenologist of Vega Sicilia, Spain’s most prestigious winery, leads wine tastings here. Don’t drink? You can go truffle hunting in the nearby forests.
The Best Room
No. 3, a hillside-facing suite featuring collector-grade antique carpets and a gallery wall of botanical prints.
The Lowdown
The 10th-century monastery has been reborn as a 15-bedroom retreat on a private 5,000-acre estate near the Castilian village of Baltanás. The masterminds: Spanish food magnate Juan Manuel González Serna and his wife, Lucía Urbán López, who enlisted a team of archeologists and acclaimed architect Rafael Manzano Martos—best known for his restorations of the Alhambra and Seville’s Royal Alcázar—to lead the transformation.
From $6,350
The Reserve at Grace Bay by Beach Enclave, Leeward Estate, Providenciales, Turks and Caicos
Image Credit: Courtesy of Beach Enclave The Amenity
It’s a standoff between the 52-foot-long infinity pool and 52-foot-long rooftop terrace—though the latter wins for its wet bar and stellar views.
The Best Room
The primary bedroom on the second floor has not one but two outdoor showers, as well as a soaking tub and easy access to that rooftop lounge.
The Lowdown
Owner Vasco Borges has almost single-handedly upgraded the standard of luxe accommodation on this island cluster. There’s a trio of villas on this estate, each with its own butler and chef, but the standout is the seven-bedroom Villa 2, with more than 15,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor space. Sporty types will love the 4,500-square-foot golf complex, as well as its tennis, padel, pickleball, and beach-volleyball courts.
From $16,800
