Some of our favourite ingredients for the perfect house party: A rooftop terrace for a drinks party, alfresco dining next to a private pool, a team of staff including an opera-singing chef and a chauffeur who also happens to mix the perfect cocktail, a private beach and a music room with a grand piano for an impromptu jamming session. We select just a few villas in Europe and the Caribbean that are perfect for a very special house party.
BALEARIC ISLANDS
VILLA POLIGONO, MALLORCA
7 Bedrooms, Sleeps 12
Awakening only to the bells jingling on the necks of local goats, this feels miles from civilisation with a mountain backdrop feel offering a bona fide villa retreat, with beaches, restaurants and bars close by. The villa team provide excellent, Mediterranean food and the extensive grounds with yoga area and private tennis court mean you are free to make as much noise as you wish, without fear of interrupting anyone.
VILLA XI, IBIZA
10 Bedrooms, Sleeps 20
Beach club vibe is in evidence at Villa Xi, located just 20 minutes’ walk from Ibiza’s coolest beach club, the Blue Marlin on Cala Jondal. There’s a sandy chill-out bar area nestled under fragrant pine trees – one of various social hubs in the villa’s 10-acre grounds. Completed in 2017, the villa is a veritable testimony to modern design, with stylish interiors shaped around entertaining. It’s part private villa, part very exclusive resort in style, with a shaded Jacuzzi area, volleyball court, large outdoor cinema, hammocks and voluptuous daybeds around a generously proportioned 25-metre pool.
BINICALAF, MENORCA
8 Bedrooms, Sleeps 16
Binicalaf is a 200 year honey-stoned traditional finca located 10 minutes from the scenic port of Mahon on Menorca. The estate comprises 300 acres of private grounds, including steps to a private beach, gated swimming pool and, in addition to the main house, several cottages. The staff includes daily housekeepers, estate manager and full-time chef. A private boat and skipper can be chartered exclusively for exploring the coastline.
FRANCE
CHATEAU MARGUI, COTE D'AZUR
18 Bedrooms, Sleeps 38
This grand estate is the latest from Skywalker Retreats, the personal property portfolio of American film producer, George Lucas. Within easy reach of the boulevards of Aix-en-Provence and the beach clubs of St Tropez, the estate's 115 hectares are dedicated to an award-winning vineyard, oak woodland and swathes of olive groves. The Chateau itself is a masterpiece, with accommodation divided between the Bastide, Moulin and Bergerie. A delightful shaded terrace sits above the surrounding gardens and vineyards – the perfect place for entertaining long into the night. There's also a wine cellar, games room with pool table, gym, sauna, tennis court, glorious pool and yoga studio. Pride of place, naturally, belongs to an 18-seat movie theatre.
DOMAINE DES COTEAUX, PROVENCE
7 Bedrooms, Sleeps 17
Your own personal vineyard complete with tasting facilities, private chef and attentive team on hand to help take care of your every need. With panoramic views of rolling hills, the Domaine des Coteaux is a luxury staffed villa that sits high above the surrounding vines, olive groves, apricot orchards, lavender and sunflower fields in complete privacy.
DOMAINE DE LA HILLE, SOUTH WEST FRANCE
8 Bedrooms, Sleeps 18
With origins dating back to the 11th century, Domaine de la Hille sits in 10 acres of private parkland near to the medieval citadel of Carcassonne in the Languedoc-Roussillon region of southwest France. Outside, the swimming pool is Bisazza-tiled in turquoise, green and gold, and there’s a soft-impact tennis court, shaded by trees in the late afternoon. The spacious terrace can comfortably accommodate up to 20 for alfresco dining. The villa is very family-friendly, with lots of facilities such as road and mountain bikes, volleyball, archery, boules, badminton and yoga equipment as well as a children’s ‘dorm’ with toys and games.
ITALY
VILLA ARDORE, TUSCANY
8 Bedrooms, Sleeps 16
On the exterior, Villa Ardore is a classic Tuscan farmhouse nestled amidst the region’s undulating countryside and historic, medieval villages. Step inside, however, and find a lavishly furnished villa perfect for hosting an intimate house party. A fully equipped bar manned by the villa owner and mixologist is the ideal place to grab a classic or newly created cocktail. For wine lovers, the wine cellar features over 500 wines, including some must-try local gems.
IL PRATO DI VIGNAMAGGIO, CHIANTI
11 Bedrooms, Sleeps 22
A cluster of houses in a private valley offering a choice location for a house party with friends or family. The bedrooms are spacious, and the main villa can host up to 22 people at the indoor or outdoor tables. The estate’s newly opened restaurant is ideal for an afternoon wine tasting before heading back to the villa for the evening’s party. With a large swimming pool, expansive gardens, and shaded barbecue area, there is an enticing choice of venues for catching up with family and friends over a refreshing drink.
VILLA GIADA, LAKE COMO
8 Bedrooms, Sleeps 16
Few house parties will be able to boast a better location than Villa Giada, set on glimmering Lake Como. There are many spaces to absorb the views around the villa. Sip drinks by the sparkling pool, on the perfectly manicured lawns, or around the table on one of the summer terraces. Or, to get closer to the water, wander down to the jetty and enjoy cocktails as the sun sets across the lake.
CARIBBEAN
PALM POINT, ANTIGUA
7 Bedrooms, Sleeps 14
One of the premier villas on Antigua, guests can relax and enjoy cocktails on the outdoor dining terraces that lead onto the pretty private beach. Complete with your own chef to prepare delicious Caribbean cuisine and delightful housekeeping staff to help with preparations, Palm Point makes an ideal house party villa in the Caribbean.
PALM BEACH, MUSTIQUE
8 Bedrooms, Sleeps 16
Tommy Hilfiger’s beach front estate takes quintessential Caribbean architecture and turns up the volume. Offering guests a beachside swimming pool, tennis courts, a recording studio, piano, home cinema and a staff of 10, this is not for faint hearted party animals! The villa itself offers a sophisticated and dramatic backdrop to any celebration and swallows up the 16 guests it can sleep…if you need room for more, Palm Beach Cottage is available for rental separately and sleeps another six.
