Thinking about how to travel safely post-lockdown? You can now book an entire hotel for yourself if you need extra privacy. Take a look at the best luxury boutique hotels to buy out this winter and take over with friends and family for the holidays.
Castello di Ugento, Puglia
If you've ever dreamed of living in a castle, this boutique hotel in Italy can make that wish come true. Dating back to the 17th century, the romantic Castello di Ugento has just eight luxurious suites which can be booked exclusively by one party for complete privacy while still enjoying the hotel experience. As well as enjoying the beautiful surroundings, guests can expect private cookery classes, picnics in the aromatic gardens, personalised meals at the hotel's restaurant, private wine tastings or chauffeured trips down to the Adriatic Coast organised just for you by the concierge.
Buyout rate: Prices to book out Castello di Ugento start from €8,500 per night.
book nowIslas Secas, Gulf of Chiriquí
Islas Secas is a privately owned archipelago, consisting of 14 petite islands in the Gulf of Chiriquí. The luxurious eco resort is powered completely by natural energy and has left 75% of the archipelago undeveloped and open to the wild flora and fauna of Panama. Up to 24 guests can takeover the entire resort to themselves, waking up in bamboo-finished villas that overlook the aquamarine waters of the Pacific. The resort is perfectly located for activities such as surfing, whale watching and diving, and guests will have a number of private beaches to enjoy all to themselves during their stay. A short landing strip will allow guests to arrive by helicopter or private jet to reduce contact with the outside world while travelling.
Buyout rate: A takeover of Islas Secas start from USD $18,000 per night.
book nowLinks House, Scottish Highlands
For those in the UK planning a staycation this Christmas, Links House Hotel in the Scottish Highlands is offering guests the chance to book out all 15 rooms at this rural retreat. Hidden amidst the Scottish countryside and overlooking Dornoch beach, accommodation is spread out across three quaint cottages within the estate. Expect evenings tucked up by the fireside under tweed blankets, and days spent exploring the nearby whisky distillery or golf courses.
Buyout rate: Prices for booking out individual cottages start from 2,850 per night.
book nowMatetsi Victoria Falls, Zambezi National Park
Is a safari adventure on your to-do list once lockdown lifts? Matetsi Victoria Falls is offering its nature lodge, which consists of two camps made up of nine suites each, as well as a four-bedroom villa, to one party for exclusive day or week-long buyouts. Set on a private 15km stretch of the Zambezi river, just 45 minutes from the epic Victoria Falls, Matetsi offers unparalleled access to the natural world that surrounds it. Guests will be looked after by a personal chef and butler during their stay, and assigned guides and trackers will take you on wilderness explorations to spot local elephants, hippos, lions and leopards.
Buyout rate: An exclusive-use buyout of Matetsi Victoria Falls starts from US$22,000 per night or US$140,000 per week.
book nowTaylor River Lodge, Colorado
If you're already based in the US, a private takeover of Taylor River Lodge offers the ultimate staycation. Up to 24 guests can have the place all to themselves, ideal for a group of friends or family that desires access to Colorado's beautiful nature in complete privacy. Nestled between the pine trees and granite cliffs of Taylor Canyon, the quintessentially rustic lodge overlooks a stretch of river and provides the perfect base for fishing, hiking, horseback riding, rock-climbing or white-water rafting. Back at the lodge, guests will have exclusive access to the spa which encompasses a saltwater pool, steam room, sauna and hot tub.
Buyout rate: A full buyout of Taylor River Lodge starts from £16,700 per night.
book nowVilla Marie, St Tropez
If you fancy a private retreat on the French Riviera, boutique hotel Villa Marie has 45 rooms that can be booked out in their entirety. The hotel is hidden away from the bustling centre of Saint-Tropez, nestled between a fragrant pine forest and complemented by stunning views over the Bay of Pampelonne. Guests that still want to embrace the Saint-Tropez lifestyle can simply hop on one of the hotel's bicycles and cycle down to the beaches to get their fix. There's also gorgeous gardens, a spa and a restaurant serving delicious Mediterranean cuisine to enjoy during your stay. For extra piece of mind, all staff have also been trained in new health and safety practices and hand sanitiser has now been distributed across the hotel.
Buyout rate: POA
book nowStorfjord Hotel, Storfjord
Want to explore the Norwegian Fjords in complete privacy? Luxury boutique Storfjord Hotel, located on Norway's western coast, has 29 cosy rooms which can be bought out entirely for an exclusive retreat. Take over this traditional log cabin and enjoy the use of its homely library and restaurant, or take advantage of the private pier and spend your days on the water kayaking or sailing. Make sure to soak up the breathtaking views in one of the outdoor jacuzzis too.
Buyout rate: prices for an exclusive takeover start from NOK 200,000 (£16,609) per night.
book nowNihi Sumba, Sumba
For a chance to truly relax and recharge, Indonesia's luxury resort Nihi Sumba is now available for a month-long buyout of all 29 villas. Up to 80 guests will have exclusive access to the resort's 576 acres of unspoilt nature, spending their days hiking to dramatic waterfalls, swimming with Sumbanese horses or surfing the waves that crash against the white sands of Nihiwatu beach. The team can also arrange wellness activities during your stay, including sunrise yoga or outdoor spa treatments to allow for an immersive wellness experience amongst the rice fields and coconut palms.
Buyout rate: A month long buyout of Nihi Sumba starts from $1,000,000, with 5% of the rate donated to The Sumba Foundation charity.
book nowDeplar Farm, Troll Peninsula
Iceland’s stunning natural beauty offers the perfect environment to get away from it all. This renovated farmhouse is truly in the middle of nowhere – undisturbed by civilisation and overlooked by rugged mountains, clear skies coloured by the northern lights and powder-topped ski slopes. Just 13 rustic bedrooms, warmed by fireplaces and decked out in sheep skins, can be taken over by one group hoping to experience the Icelandic countryside all by themselves. During your stay, tuck in to meals of locally sourced mountain lamb or arctic char, enjoy an atmospheric dip in the geothermal outdoor pool or embark on a multitude of personalised day trips, from heli-skiing and dog-sledding, to riding snowmobiles or heading down to the coast for a spot of whale watching.
Buyout rate: Up to 26 guests can book out Deplar Farm exclusively from at £28,000 per night.
book nowMonastero Santa Rosa, Amalfi Coast
Carved into cliffs jutting out above the Amalfi Coast, Monastero Santa Rosa is a romantic boutique hotel with just 20 luxurious rooms available to buy out exclusively. Once a former monastery, the hotel was first constructed in the 17th century and retains much of its historic charm with vaulted ceilings and rustic stone walls. Soak up the views from the stunning infinity pool, indulge in gourmet Italian cuisine up on the sun-kissed terrace or enjoy personalised spa treatments during your stay.
Buyout rate: Book the entire hotel to yourself and your guests from €25,000 per night.
book nowBahama House, Harbour Island
The petite islet of Harbour Island has so far recorded zero cases of COVID-19, and is located in a quiet spot far from the hustle and bustle of the main islands of the Bahamas. As such, its an ideal place to get away safely this winter and, for extra privacy, the quaint yet luxurious Bahama House is offering up its 11 rooms for exclusive use during your stay. Guests staying at the pastel-pink beachside boutique will have private access to the pool, restaurant and tiki bar, and the team on site will be able to arrange personalised trips to the pink sand bays or days out on the water fishing for your dinner and exploring further afield on board the hotel's Scorpion RIB Boat.
Buyout rate: Up to 22 guests can enjoy Bahama House all to themselves from £7,716.
book nowZornitza Family Estate, Blagoevgrad Province
Set amongst the rolling hills and sprawling vineyards of southwestern Bulgaria, Zornitza Family Estate is an unassuming luxurious resort for an exclusive European getaway. The Relais & Châteaux property encompasses six elegant villas and nine boutique hotel suites which can booked out in their entirety, giving one party exclusive access to 300 hectares of vineyards, truffle orchards and honey farms. Spend your days dining on the estate’s homegrown produce in the farm-to-table restaurant, or relaxing in the rustic-style spa that looks out over the mountains of Melnik.
Buyout rate: POA
book now