12 of the best luxury villas around the world

Sleeps: 30 guests between two villas
Location: Dikwella, Sri Lanka
Getting there: 3 hours from Colombo International Airport

ÀNI offers two luxury villas positioned beside palm-fringed golden sandy beaches of Sri Lanka. 

Named Villa Divia and Villa Monera, both properties sit next to each other and sleep up to 30 guests with 15 suites between them – 13 of which boast glorious ocean views. All bedrooms have an ensuite and some include a private plunge pool too for an added splash of luxury. 

The villas are fully catered and come with a private chef who will whip up anything you fancy. Onsite, you’ll find several infinity pools, a private tennis court, games rooms, gym, bar lounges and a spa. What’s more, the beach is accessible via a short flight of steps from the grounds. 

ÀNI offers the perfect celebratory retreat among friends. Families will love it too thanks to its wealth of children’s games, babysitting services and dedicated play area. 

Sleeps: 20 guests
Location: Orlando, USA
Getting there: 30 minutes from Orlando International Airport

Located just under a 10-minute drive from Walt Disney World theme parks, this accommodation is situated in the prestigious Reunion Resort. known for the best luxury villas in Orlando and will keep you and your family close to all the best action. 

An ideal place to stay for the whole family, it sleeps up to 20 guests with eight bedrooms across two floors. Children will love the cartoon and fashion themed bedrooms and a secret room with a slide! 

Entertainment doesn’t just stop there. The villa has a home theatre, fitness centre and an entertainment loft area with a pool and hockey table. 

When you’re not having family fun at the nearby theme parks, soak up the Floridian sunshine in your private swimming pool or fire up the barbecue for a grilled feast. 

Sleeps: 10 guests 
Location: Mallorca, Spain
Getting there: 50 minutes from Palma de Mallorca Airport 

Whether you’re planning a multi-generational getaway with kids and grandparents in tow or dreaming of a romantic break for two, Mallorca is the place you want to be. Ca’n Mondrago is the icing on the cake of this beautiful Balearic Island. 

Overlooking a quiet inlet on the south-eastern shore, this sun-drenched villa sits among lush green gardens cooled by the dappled shade of trees. 

It has five bedrooms and sleeps up to 10 people. The well-equipped kitchen opens onto the terrace, creating an inviting space for al fresco dining and family get togethers. The indoor open-plan living area and dining room also features doors to a covered seating area with sea views. 

Spend the day relaxing in the garden by the keyhole infinity pool, follow the steps down to a private beach or stroll into Porto Petro where you’ll find plenty of waterfront restaurants. 

Sleeps: 5, 6, and 7 guests 
Location: Dubai 
Getting there: 25 minutes from Dubai International Airport

Nestled within the the Madinat Jumeirah complex, the Jumeirah Malakiya Villas stand as a testament to luxury and refinement.

With just 38 exclusive villas, these exquisitely designed and lavishly appointed accommodations offer an unrivaled sense of privacy and comfort, set against the backdrop of the Arabian Gulf's azure waters and pristine beachfront.

The villas boast spacious living areas, private pools, and dedicated 24/7 butler service, ensuring that every need is met with impeccable care.

Traditional Middle Eastern aesthetics blend seamlessly with modern indulgence, creating an ambiance of elegance. Whether relishing the on-site fine dining options, indulging in rejuvenating spa treatments, or simply basking in the sun on the private beach, Jumeirah Malakiya Villas offer an unparalleled experience of lavish seclusion in one of Dubai's most sought-after locations.

Sleeps: 12 guests
Location: St James, Barbados 
Getting there: 40 minutes from Grantley Adams International Airport 

Tucked within a gated community of Westland Heights, Cool Wind is a luxurious five-bedroom villa that sleeps up to 12 guests. Each guest room has its own ensuite for maximum comfort and privacy. 

Inside the villa, the décor is bright and airy with pops of tropical colour in the artworks and soft furnishings. There’s a spacious open plan living and dining area that’s perfect for hosting and socialising. A fully air-conditioned gym allows you to keep up your fitness routine while a modern kitchen makes cooking your favourite meals effortless. 

Outside, you have access to private, well-manicured gardens and swimming pool surrounded by luxury daybeds and sun loungers plus a poolside bar for your cocktail of choice. 

Guests also have complimentary private beach access at Fairmont Royal Pavilion, which is fully serviced by staff, including a private chef. 

Sleeps: 2-27 guests
Location: Saxmundham, Suffolk 
Getting there: 2.5 hours from London

You don’t need to leave the UK to enjoy a five-star luxury villa experience. Tucked away on an 8,000-acre estate, Wilderness Reserve offers a collection of beautiful retreats among woodlands and rolling green pastures in Suffolk. 

Wilderness Reserve is a long-term conservation restoration project which combines English nature with historic properties. 

Stay in a Grade II listed manor house with 13 bedrooms and its own private park. Enjoy family time in the 15th century pink-washed farmhouse or hide away from the world in Moat Cottage, a Tudor house surrounded by a medieval moat. 

Multigenerational families will love the Clockhouse, an elegant Grade II listed former stable block. 

Activities here include wellness treatments and opportunities to connect with nature by cycling, paddleboarding and whittling workshops.

Sleeps: 10 guests 
Location: Hvar, Croatia
Getting there: 35 minutes from Hvar Airport 

A modern luxury villa doesn’t get much better than this. As if chiselled from the clifftops of the Croatian island of Hvar, the five-bedroom villa is a real showstopper for friends and family to work and play in. 

The centrepiece is the large terrace with a shaded al fresco dining area and heated infinity pool. A row of sun loungers offers a welcoming refuge to kick back and enjoy the magnificent sea views. 

Inside, the property spans two floors. The ground floor features a stylish modern kitchen which leads out into a dining area and living room with cool marble flooring. 

All five bedrooms have a shower or bathroom ensuite. The one you’ll want to bag is the master bedroom on the first floor with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the sea. 

Sleeps: 10 guests
Location: Levi, Finnish Lapland 
Getting there: 25 minutes from Kittilä International Airport

Live your Nordic dream in Arctic Signature’s brand-new luxury five-star luxury lodge in Levi, Lapland. 

Ensconced well in the Arctic Circle, Villa Viima has the charm of a woodcutter’s cabin with its roughly hewn log exterior and Scandi wooden interiors. Large floor-to-ceiling windows let plenty of light and woodland views in. 

The lodge has three floors. The main entrance leads you straight to the first floor with its cloakroom and three double bedrooms all with ensuites. Two rooms have skylights so you can peak at the Northern Lights! 

A small flight of stairs takes you up to a kitchen, lounge area with a cosy fireplace and a terrace with a jacuzzi and barbecue. 

On the second floor you’ll find two more double bedrooms with skylights. In the basement, a lounge and bar can be turned into a home cinema and a sauna with a large window which lets you watch the stars. 

Sleeps: 10 guests
Location: GoldenEye Resort Oracabessa Bay, Jamaica
Getting there: 10 minutes from Ian Fleming International Airport

Fans of 007 can be embraced by the fictional character with a stay in the same home as the creator of this literary hero. 

James Bond author Ian Fleming fell in love with Jamaica’s raw beauty, bought a 15-acre estate in Oracabessa Bay and called it GoldenEye. There, he built a villa - the exact one you can now stay in too. 

Fleming Villa boasts complete and utter privacy. Enjoy the seclusion of your own private beach, pool, gardens and dedicated staff with the spa, restaurants and bars of GoldenEye Resort just a short stroll away. 

The villa features two satellite cottages, so the entire property sleeps up to 10 guests. The main house has a spacious living and dining area, fully equipped kitchen and large media room with a state-of-the-art sound system. 

From water sports to children’s activities, there’s enough to keep every Bond aficionado occupied. 

Sleeps: 2-16 guests
Location: Koh Samui, Thailand 
Getting there: 10 minutes from Samui Airport 

Samujana Villas offers an outstanding collection of luxury villas among the lush vegetation and golden beaches of Koh Samui, Thailand’s third-largest island. 

Choose between intimate one or two-bedroom villas or invite all your friends and family round to stay in a whopping eight-bedroom mansion. Each option guarantees pure excellence complete with infinity pools and large terraces from which to lap up the sunlight. 

Discover beautiful bedrooms opening out onto private plunge pools, Jacuzzis and elegant rooftops designed for yoga sessions or relaxing. 

Inside, each villa features spacious living and dining areas, modern sound systems and well-equipped kitchens. These properties boast the perfect setup for holidays and special celebratory occasions. 

Sleeps: 10 guests (Villa One), 6 guests (Villa Two)
Location: Cape Town, South Africa 
Getting there: 30 minutes from Cape Town International Airport

Step into glamour and exclusivity in Cape Town’s most sought-after location. Ellerman House has two oceanfront luxury villas which combine sophisticated city and beach styles. 

Ideal for multi-generational families or groups of friends, the two villas allow you to spread out across several floors. Spacious entertainment and relaxing areas create an effortless social environment. 

Villa One sleeps up to 10 guests and is best for families. Villa Two sleeps up to six guests offering a tranquil and intimate retreat. 

Both are serviced by discreet staff including a private chef and concierge team who can help you arrange thrilling activities off-site. 

Sleeps: 6-12 guests
Location: Marbella, Málaga, Spain 
Getting there: 40 minutes from Málaga-Costa del Sol Airport

Marbella Club is an Andalusian beachfront resort with a collection of rooms, suites, villas, bungalows and grand villas. For ultimate luxury, the six grand villas are the ones to stay in. Nestled among lush private gardens, each one has a private pool and villa host for all your needs. 

The villas sleep between six and 12 people, depending on which one you choose. The interiors are stylish with maximum comfort to make you feel right at home. 

Enjoy woodburning fireplaces, terraces with barbecue facilities and modern kitchens designed to help you cook up a storm. 

Some grand villas such as Rincon del Mar have the own immersive wellbeing facilities and direct access to a holistic studio.