This month we expanded our portfolio, earned fresh press, and curated the experiences travelers asked for most—across the Mediterranean, Caribbean, and North America. Below, a fast roundup you can trust.
Every month, our team quietly tracks where the world’s most discerning travelers are actually booking—not just searching. December is when two timelines meet: last-minute festive escapes and early planners securing Summer 2026 villas in Europe and beyond.
This page is your monthly, no-nonsense briefing on top luxury villa rentals: new homes we’ve onboarded, destinations trending with our U.S. and European clients, and the experiences they’re asking us to curate right now.
Whether you’re planning Christmas and New Year, an elegant winter-sun break, or a multi-gen villa for Summer 2026, you can treat this as your insider dashboard to Haute Retreats.
Portfolio growth: New fully staffed villas added in Spain, Greece, France, Turks & Caicos, St Barts, and Punta Mita
Guest satisfaction (last 90 days): average rating 5/5 from verified guests
Most requested regions: St Barts, Turks & Caicos, Punta Mita, Tuscany, Aspen, Cape Town
Booking focus this month:
Final festive gaps: Dec 20 – Jan 5
Presidents’ Week (Feb 14–22, 2026)
Easter (April 2026)
Early Summer 2026 in Europe (Tuscany, Mykonos, Marbella, Ibiza)
Our guests typically compare options across hotels, resorts, and villas. They choose Haute Retreats when they want villa privacy with the consistency, standards, and service culture of a five-star hotel.
Curated portfolio only: Every villa is vetted for design, location, staffing, and owner responsiveness
Dedicated concierge: From the first shortlist to in-villa experiences, one point of contact from our team follows your stay
Staffed villas, clearly defined: Our quotes specify what’s included—chef, butler, housekeeper, driver—and what can be added
Transparent contracts & payments: Digital agreements, clear cancellation terms, and secure payment options (card or bank)
Think of it as staying in a private home that runs with the precision of a luxury hotel.
Sabrina nominated among the hot best luxury agents 2026 with Clientele Luxury
https://issuu.com/clienteleluxury/docs/winter_2025_clientele_luxury_magazine/49
These are the homes our advisors are sending out on the most shortlists this month:
Mallorca & Ibiza: Glass-lined fincas and restored compounds with heated pools, gyms, and staff quarters, ideal for Easter and May half-term
Costa del Sol & Marbella: Beachline estates and hillside villas with paddle courts, cinema rooms, and kids’ suites for long family stays
Perfect for: guests who want milder winter sun and an early base for exploring Europe in Spring 2026.
Visit our Villas in Spain
St Barts: Hillside pavilions with panoramic sunset decks in Gouverneur, Lurin, and Flamands; many with butler + chef included
Turks & Caicos: Oceanfront estates with private docks, heated pools, and direct access to Grace Bay or Long Bay
Punta Mita & Riviera Nayarit: Gated golf-and-beach communities with club access, golf carts, and seamless nanny/chef add-ons
Perfect for: families and friends looking for fully staffed villas where breakfast, long lunches, and sunset cocktails happen at home, not in a lobby.
California (Malibu, Los Angeles, Wine Country): Architect-driven homes with cinema rooms, wellness spaces, and chef-friendly kitchens
Aspen & the Alps (Verbier, Courchevel, St Moritz): Chalets with ski-in/ski-out access, spa floors, and in-chalet dining teams
Dubai & The Emirates: Skyline penthouses and palm-front villas paired with curated desert and city experiences
Perfect for: guests who want privacy, security, and discreet service, whether for a family ski trip or a board-level retreat.
Popular Destinations
“Three generations, one villa, zero stress” has become the pattern, not the exception.
Across recent December stays, guests consistently highlight:
Pre-arrival planning: grocery pre-stock, crib setups, kids’ pools, and safety arrangements
Chef-driven days: flexible menus that respect allergies, children’s preferences, and late-night arrivals
Experience curation: private boat days, wine tastings, wellness sessions, and child-friendly guides
We start with your dates, group profile, and budget band, then build a shortlist and experience plan that feels effortless when you arrive.
December moves fast. Here’s where we still see windows worth knowing about:
Christmas & New Year 2025/2026
Final 7–10-night pockets in St Barts, Turks & Caicos, Punta Mita, Barbados
Most villas now require butlers and/or chef teams for festive weeks
Ski Prime (Jan–Feb 2026)
Aspen & Verbier: best value on Sun–Thurs stays and slightly off-peak weeks
Top chalets with spa floors and bunk rooms are compressing first
Presidents’ Week 2026 (Feb 14–22)
Strong demand in Punta Mita, Los Cabos, Barbados, Turks & Caicos
7-night minimums common for beachfront and 6+ bedroom villas
Easter 2026 (late March–April)
Tuscany & Andalusia trending for family gatherings with chef-led Easter lunches and vineyard days
If your dates are fixed, we recommend placing a soft hold while we finalize your shortlist and staffing.
Calm turquoise waters, sugar-white sandbars, and reef-clear snorkel spots. A typical loop might include Grace Bay, Iguana Cay, and the sandbars off Water Cay or Half Moon Cay.
Includes: captain and crew, snorkel gear, towels, soft drinks/ice; catering and bar upgrades on request.
Typical duration: 4–8 hours · Ideal start: 9:00–10:00 am
Popular add-ons: drone photographer, seabobs, private beach picnic, sunset cruise finish.
St Barts in December is all about the balance between visibility and privacy.
Daytime: VIP lunch reservations at the island’s key beach clubs, with your table, timing, and minimums pre-negotiated
On the water: private day charter to Colombier and Île Fourchue for swims, snorkel stops, and golden-hour cruising
Evenings: in-villa chef dinners using the island’s best produce, so you enjoy the scene without committing to every restaurant night
Lead time: Festive weeks require advance booking for yachts, tables, and chef teams.
For our chalet guests, the most popular pattern is simple and indulgent:
Morning: first tracks with a private instructor or guide, lift tickets pre-arranged
Afternoon: in-chalet light lunch, followed by spa time (steam, hot tub, massage team brought to you)
Evening: chef-prepared dinner tailored to your group’s pacing—children’s meals earlier, wine-paired courses for the adults
Ideal for families who want serious skiing but don’t want to “work” logistics on vacation.
Our Dubai villa guests often split the day:
Early afternoon: city exploration or leisurely lunch with skyline views
Late afternoon–evening: private desert safari with wildlife drive, falconry, and a quiet, beautifully staged dinner in the dunes
Optional add-on: next-day rooftop or penthouse tasting menu with sunset views over the city
We arrange private drivers, timed tickets, and vetted guides so the experience feels seamless.
Breakfast with Santa – City of Malibu
Pancake breakfast, hot chocolate, crafts & photos with “Surfin’ Santa” at City Hall.
Santa Lucia Dinner – Malibu Farm, Malibu Pier
Swedish-style Santa Lucia celebration with set dinner seatings right over the ocean
“Let It Snow” Evenings – Malibu Pier
Eco-friendly “snow,” glögg and hot chocolate on the pier all December at Malibu Farm.
Christmas Eve Breakfast with Santa – Malibu Farm
Festive family breakfast on the pier with a special visit from Santa.
Holidays at Malibu Country Mart
Photos with Santa & Mrs Claus, live reindeer, carolers and complimentary hot cocoa in an open-air luxury shopping setting.
Phuket King’s Cup Regatta – Kata Beach (Nov 29–Dec 6, 2025)
Asia’s premier sailing regatta with world-class racing and elegant shore-side events.
Phuket Carnival at Patong
Early-December street festival on Patong Beach with parades, live music, shows and beachside food stalls.
Sunday Walking Street Market “Lard Yai” – Phuket Old Town
Every Sunday evening on Thalang Road: local food, crafts, and live performances in a historic Sino-Portuguese setting.
New Year’s Eve on Patong Beach
Island-wide countdown with fireworks, rooftop parties and street celebrations focused around Patong.
NYE Beach Club Parties (Kamala, Karon, Bangtao)
High-end countdowns like “Eternity” at Café del Mar Phuket, “The Last Sunset 2025” at Tann Terrace, and upscale NYE at Catch Beach Club with DJs, gala dinners and beachfront fireworks.
Dubai Shopping Festival 2025–26
City-wide shopping, concerts, drone shows and fireworks across major districts. Dec 5, 2025 – Jan 11, 2026.
Winter City at Expo City Dubai
Family-friendly festive zone with attractions, markets and seasonal shows at Expo City.
Madinat Jumeirah Christmas Market & Winter District
Iconic Arabian-style Christmas market plus the Winter District at Jumeirah Emirates Towers.
Burj Khalifa New Year’s Eve Fireworks by Emaar
The signature NYE countdown with lasers and fireworks around Downtown Dubai/Burj Park.
Headline December Concerts & Shows
International artists, carols and galas across Dubai Opera, Coca-Cola Arena and other top venues.
Early signals are strong: Tuscany is pacing ahead for June–September family gatherings with requests for fully staffed farmhouses (heated pools, chef gardens, play lawns) and 7–14-night stays around late June and mid-August. Mykonos is seeing high interest for view-forward compounds near Agia Sofia, Aleomandra, and Psarou, with clients prioritizing sound-managed parties, gym/cinema rooms, and minimums of 5–7 nights (often 7+ in late July). Marbella requests skew to Golden Mile/Sierra Blanca estates with paddle courts, kids’ suites, and beach-club proximity; Ibiza demand concentrates on San José/San Miguel design villas with privacy, chef kitchens, and boat days to Formentera—most asking for two staff and chauffeur add-ons. Prime weeks across all four spots (late June–mid-August) are already compressing; best value sits in early June and last week of August. If you have fixed dates, place a soft hold now—we’re securing 3–5 shortlists per inquiry and locking staffing early to avoid Festive-level scarcity on chefs and drivers.
Get in touch with us to plan your next holiday. We answer promptly to all messages.
What makes Haute Retreats different from a listing site?
We are not an open marketplace. Our portfolio is curated, staff are vetted, and every booking includes a dedicated concierge who helps with villa selection, contracts, staff, and experiences.
Do you offer fully staffed villas with a private chef?
Yes. Many of our top luxury villa rentals include chef and butler as standard, and others can be fully staffed on request. We clarify inclusions at quote time so there are no surprises.
When should I book Christmas, New Year, or school holidays?
For prime beachfront villas or homes with 6+ bedrooms, we recommend 9–12 months in advance. That said, we often secure exceptional options for flexible guests even closer in.
How do contracts and payments work?
You’ll receive a digital rental agreement with property-specific terms. Payments are processed via secure card or bank transfer, with clear deadlines for deposit and balance and transparent cancellation conditions.
Can you help me choose between destinations?
Yes. Many of our conversations start with guests choosing between, for example, Punta Mita vs Los Cabos or St Barts vs Turks & Caicos. Share your dates, group profile, and preferences, and we’ll outline the pros and cons of each.