The Summer of Intention: Where Luxury Travel Gets Personal
Written from the heart by the Haute Retreats team
Planning your summer getaway isn’t as simple as booking a flight and hoping for the best. With travel trends shifting and travelers craving something a little more personal (and a lot less predictable), figuring out where to go—and how to do it right—can feel like a full-time job.
Once you’ve landed on the idea of a private villa (great choice, by the way), you’re still left with big-picture questions: Are you chasing sunshine and still mornings, or something that challenges and inspires you? Are you carving out space to reconnect with family, or finally taking that long-overdue solo escape that’s more about peace than plans?
The good news: You don’t have to overthink it. We’ve been keeping a close eye on how people are traveling in 2025—and more importantly, why. What’s emerging is a strong, clear desire for intentional travel: the kind of experiences that are beautifully curated, deeply personal, and a little less about “what’s trending” and more about what feels right.
Below, we’ve pulled together some of the biggest shifts in luxury travel right now, and how you can make them part of your next escape.
Once-in-a-lifetime meals—without the crowds
Gone are the days of chasing the next Michelin-starred hot spot or trying to time your reservation with the latest “it” chef’s pop-up. Today’s travelers are craving food that feels personal, not performative. Think long, late lunches in coastal towns where recipes are passed down, not printed out. Where the chef knows your name by the second course.
In spots like Alassio, Italy, on the Ligurian coast, the magic is in the details: a sun-warmed terrace, fresh pasta rolled out that morning, basil from a garden just steps away. Our guests have access to private chefs, curated food experiences, and farmer’s market tours that make every meal feel rooted in place in the best locations in Italy, France and beyond. It’s not a scene—it’s a ritual. And it’s unforgettable.
Summer Wellness, but with purpose
Let’s be honest: lounging poolside is great. But more and more, travelers are looking for a deeper kind of restoration. The buzzword? Skillcations—getaways where you rest and grow.
It could mean sunrise yoga beneath a canopy of trees in Costa Rica, learning to surf in Bali, or taking a writing workshop from the terrace of a jungle-facing villa. The idea isn’t to come home with a tan. It’s to come home with something new, something that sticks. Haute Retreats offers properties that double as personal sanctuaries, complete with on-site wellness staff, holistic amenities, and room to breathe (and stretch, and explore, and reflect).
It’s the kind of trip you come back from feeling lighter, clearer, and maybe even a little bit changed.
Big moments deserve big stays
If there’s one trend that’s picking up serious steam, it’s event-based travel. Travelers are booking getaways not just around a location, but around a moment: a concert, a sports final, an art show, a cultural festival. The event is the anchor—but the villa is the exhale.
Whether you’re heading to Manchester for live music, Venice for the Biennale, or Houston for a championship game, your stay should match the energy of the experience. Think private chefs to whip up a late dinner after the show, housekeepers who reset your space while you’re out, and pools that feel like therapy after the crowd fades.
These aren’t just places to crash. They’re where the memories keep going, long after the event ends.
Related St. Barts Calendar of Events
Stay local—but make it luxe
Sometimes, the best trip is the one that’s easy to take. In 2025, more travelers are choosing domestic escapes not out of compromise, but out of convenience reimagined. A quick flight (or even a road trip) is all it takes to feel like you’re a world away—if you know where to go.
Our villas in Palm Beach and Miami are designed for exactly that kind of easy indulgence. Private chefs, saltwater pools, daily housekeeping, and wellness treatments on call. Book it Friday, check in Saturday, and by lunchtime you’re floating in the sun, drink in hand, zero regrets. No customs. No jet lag. Just that feeling of “ahh, this is exactly what I needed.”
Book a villa in Miami click here
Sustainable, but still stunning
Sustainability isn’t an extra anymore—it’s expected. Travelers want to know how their trip impacts the planet. But they also don’t want to sacrifice comfort to do it right. Thankfully, now they don’t have to.
At Haute Retreats, we’re working with properties that blend eco-conscious design with serious wow-factor. That means solar-powered villas in the Mexican Riviera, zero-plastic homes in the Greek isles, and structures made from reclaimed local materials that feel both modern and warm. You’ll still get the marble tubs, the architectural beauty, the infinity pool—but now, they come with low-impact energy, locally sourced menus, and meaningful choices built in.
Because the most luxurious thing of all? Travel that feels good—in every sense.
So… what are you in the mood for?
You don’t need to have all the answers right now. Maybe you’re in the mood for sunshine and stillness. Maybe it’s adventure, creativity, or reconnecting with the people you love most. Maybe it’s just a little breathing room.
Whatever it is, we’re here for it.
The summer of 2025 isn’t about checking off boxes. It’s about slowing down, being present, and saying yes to places that meet you where you are. At Haute Retreats, we don’t just book villas—we help you create the kind of travel that makes you feel more like yourself.
Explore our curated homes and start planning your summer at hauteretreats.com.
Send us an email to [email protected] or call toll free from USA and Canada 1 888 279 6444
Because this year, it’s not about doing more. It’s about doing what matters. And doing it well.
