With space and privacy the buzzwords of today, here are some beautiful hotels and houses, newly available for exclusive use. Travel with family and friends to a private location and enjoy all of the facilities and service of some of the world’s finest hotels, all to yourself.
Shakti 360 Leti, India - The first and only of its kind in the Himalayas. 7 nights for 8 guests costs US$76,216 ($9,527 per person for 7 nights) on an all-inclusive basis.
Shakti 360° Leti is a breathtaking place, high up in the Indian Himalayas, where travelers can take time to reflect, recalibrate and allow the space, peace and astonishing landscape work their magic. With just four guest pavilions and a main lounge and dining area, all built combining age-old local building techniques with contemporary design, this is a stunning mountain sanctuary for eight, at 8,000 feet.
Indoors, guests will relish the authentic design, beautiful beds adorned with pashmina blankets and fluffy duvets as well as delicious dining and fine wine. Outdoors there are mountain walks (with private guides), delicious picnics, breathtaking views, time to relax in the planters' chairs and contemplate the horizon – and, if guests wish, yoga and meditation. With perennially snow-capped peaks and some of the most inspiring mountain scenery in the world, going off-grid with Shakti Himalaya is a true once-in-a-lifetime experience. Residents can also join Chef Yeshi in the kitchen to learn the art of momo making, or let him share his culinary secrets. The finest local produce and the freshest ingredients are picked directly from Leti's own herb and vegetable gardens.
Shakti 360 Leti (available from October – April each year) can be taken exclusively (based on 8 people) for 7 nights from US$76,216 ($9,527 per person for 7 nights). This cost includes private accommodation in four private guest pavilions on a fully inclusive basis all activities, accompanying English speaking guide, private chef, support guide and porters, car at disposal and taxes, as well as return transfers between Kathgodam station / Pantnagar airport, village houses and Leti. www.shaktihimalaya.com
A Blue Apple Beach Party, Colombia – exclusive use for up to 20 guests from £225 per person, per night, on B&B basis
Blue Apple Beach, on the beautiful island of Tierra Bomba, Cartagena, is now available as an incredible private house party venue for up 20 guests. Inspired by a combination of local Colombian vibrancy and the old-world chic of clubs such as Anjuna (Eze, France), Club 55 (St Tropez) and Beso Beach (Ibiza), life at Blue Apple is about escaping to enjoy lazy days and nights in a Caribbean island paradise. Guests stay in the beach house or in private cabanas spread out across the club, and will enjoy the laid-back, island vibe, with a full complement of 50 staff to take care of every need. On the island, guests can enjoy scuba diving, horse riding, yoga, outdoor cinema nights, delicious dining, resident DJ sets, beach volleyball and, of course, plenty of time to relax on a sunbed and sip a well-deserved cocktail.
An exclusive buy-out of Blue Apple Beach costs £4,500 per night on a bed and breakfast basis, for up to 20 guests, and including up to £2,250 towards food and drinks. www.blueapplebeach.com
Six Senses Zil Pasyon, the Ultimate Playground in Paradise - exclusive use for up to 20 guests from £14,777 per person for 7 nights on an all inclusive basis
Felicité Island, Seychelles, home to Six Senses Zil Pasyon, is the perfect spot to reconnect with friends and family, far from the stresses of modern life. This unspoilt island is offering a private destination to be pampered, yet isolated. 20 guests can take up residence in the spectacular villas, set amongst dramatic granite boulders and untouched nature, and make the most of this personal playground.
Turquoise Holidays (www.turquoiseholidays.co.uk / 01494 678 400) offers a week’s exclusive buyout of Six Senses Zil Pasyon from EUR330,000 for up to 20 guests. This rate is subject to government tax and service, but includes bespoke full board dining, total privacy, full access to the island and resort facilities, and a host of experiences available once per week – blue water fishing, sunset cruise, guided snorkelling, sustainable marine educational evenings, an Eat with Six Senses Chef’s table and a sunset tasting of Billecarte Salmon Champagne and Provence Rosé with the team.
Thorpe Manor, Thorpe Mandeville – sleeps 34 - One month for July / August available from £80,000
When it comes to numbers, Thorpe Manor packs a serious punch… 200 acres of land… 14 en-suite bedrooms… a cinema room… a Swedish hot tub… and a croquet lawn – all yours at this Grade II* listed Georgian Manor. The house was built in the mid 1600s and was originally owned by a cousin of Oliver Cromwell. Its grandeur is retained today following a careful, authentic restoration that maintained many original features…think grand staircases, beautifully tiled floors, oak-panelled reception rooms and roll-tops baths. Host a croquet tournament on the lawn, star-gaze from the hot tub or sip night-caps by the fire in the Study Bar…quite simply, do as much or as little as you please.
Those renting with Luxury Cotswold Rentals can relax in the knowledge that every booking comes with their Cotswold Concierge; a 7/7 service to answer every need in the run-up to and during a stay. Guests can delve into their Little Black Book to be introduced to a chef, find a masseuse or a florist, plan a party or trip from start to finish ensuring a stay or event is seamless.
One month (July or August) at Thorpe Manor is available with Luxury Cotswold Rentals from £80,000 for up to 34 guests. luxurycotswoldrentals.co.uk; +44(0)207 993 6545
High-end glamping and UK adventure – Pelorus x Camp Kerala
Experiential travel specialists, Pelorus, and ‘glamping’ pioneers, Camp Kerala, have joined forces to offer travellers exclusive new experiences in remote parts of the United Kingdom. This new partnership combines the very best of adventure travel with hedonistic hospitality, as these two British brands bring together family and friends in the greatest of comfort and privacy, to enjoy adventure in remote UK corners.
Pelorus and Camp Kerala will build every journey from scratch so that the camp will become a ‘home away from home’. A bespoke series of activities and experiences will be organized by Pelorus – be it fishing, off the beaten track walks with spectacular views, picnicking at a remote loch, foraging or wild swimming, suited to the group’s interests. Guests will return from these adventures to the signature Camp Kerala experience – imagine beautifully designed maharaja tents with the softest of beds on a stable hard wood floor, in-tent service, delicious dining and the legendary CK bar, so that the fun can continue long into the night.
A four-night / five-day experience with Pelorus and Camp Kerala starts from £24,000 per person, based on ten guests traveling in five tents (minimum of five tents required). This price includes Camp Kerala tented accommodation, all dining and drinks, a spa tent and treatments, five days of experiences which will be created on a bespoke basis and can include a helicopter experience, a RIB or yacht for a day, an adrenaline driving day, surprise dining, foraging experts, expert guiding on specific subjects, sea kayaking and fishing amongst other experiences. www.pelorusx.com / +44 (0)203 848 542
Vik Retreats
Marked by outstanding art and design, exceptional culinary offerings, and a breath of activities, Estancia Vik, Playa Vik and Bahia Vik are ideal destinations for long-term stays and private buyouts. Whether you are visiting for a month-long vacation or settling in to work or school remotely under the South American sun, the properties offer the ideal setting for any occasion. The bohemian-chic – and covid free – fishing village of José Ignacio has everything you could want from a home away from home; beautiful beaches, awe-inspiring natural surroundings, luxurious accommodations, and a vibrant local culture. Active travelers will enjoy horseback riding, polo lessons on Estancia Vik’s polo field, kayaking and canoeing along the José Ignacio lagoon, paintballing, and golf. For the those seeking a more laid-back experience, there is birding or wildlife tours with a local naturalist, cooking classes, olive oil and wine tastings, and an unparalleled wellness experience at The Shack Yoga and Wellness at Bahia Vik. Guests can simply relax by the pool or have sunset cocktails and ceviche at La Susana, the beachfront restaurant. For those looking to set up remote learning, children can experience Spanish classes or tours through galleries and historical sites in Montevideo or the picturesque town of Garzon.
Caldera House
Caldera House, the 8-suite luxury hotel and alpine club is ideally located in the breathtakingly beautiful and remote location of Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Caldera House is a naturally sprawling private destination, offering spacious residential style suites, unparalleled natural settings, and outdoor adventures. The expansive suites boast large open-format kitchens which can be fully pre-stocked before arrival, elegant dining rooms, a home theater, soaking tubs, patios with fire pits and more. An inspiring place to connect with nature, Caldera House encourages guests to fully immerse themselves in Jackson Hole, a perfect destination to spark creativity and adventure for those working or schooling remotely. With Caldera House’s dedicated concierge, every stay can be completely personalized and privatized, from daily ski instructors, to private trips through Yellowstone National Park, to private in-suite chefs, and more.
Zadún, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve
Zadún, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, the latest resort in the prestigious Ritz-Carlton Reserve portfolio, is the ideal getaway for global travelers interested in long-term bookings. The new resort is an oasis set along the dramatic coastline of San José del Cabo, Mexico, in the coastal haven of Puerto Los Cabos. Zadún unfolds over a vast and beautiful 20-acre landscape, offering panoramic views of the Sea of Cortez. The naturally contained property delivers a true getaway, where guests can savor what they have been craving – authentic cultural immersion, exotic sights and moments of escape to reinvigorate their mind, body and soul. It is naturally spacious with 115 expansive guest rooms and suites, many of which have an individual pool and terrace, within 42-two story villas placed gently along the slopes of the land. For those seeking a private residence with access to the unparalleled service of a luxury resort, Zadún is home to the Grand Reserve Villa, which boasts nearly 6,000 square feet of living space, two large bedrooms, five lounges, a pool, jacuzzi, private kitchen, gym, living room and more. All guests enjoy the genuine care of a Tosoani, or private attendant. Meaning “dream watcher,” Tosoanis help guests enjoy a highly customizable stay, arranging everything from private breakfast on the guestroom terrace, to one-on-one agave tastings, to a bonfire under the night sky. No request is too big or too small. Thoughtful programming and amenities are a quintessential element of the Zadún experience. Whether that means taking in the rays from the property’s beach, revitalizing in the 30,000-square foot Spa Alkemia, or indulging in the bold cuisine from one of the four distinct dining venues with flavors ranging from Mexican-street-food-inspired dishes to ceviche, to fire-cooked bites, there are endless opportunities to quench every desire. Nestled in a stretch of paradise, Zadún is truly prime for long-term getaways, delivering on the promise of exploration – of culture, of self and of the natural beauty of Los Cabos.
