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The Haute Retreats Blog & Journal

The Journal

Considered guidance for the discerning traveler — where the world’s most private people go, when to go, and how to arrive in style.

Fresh from the Journal

Latest Articles

The newest notes from our specialists, by date of publication
A long pool between the white wings of a staffed villa, with loungers on the deck Thanksgiving 2026

Thanksgiving and Early December 2026: The Staffed Caribbean Villas Still Open (as of October 30)

Staffed villas still open in Punta Cana, Providenciales and Anguilla for Thanksgiving week and early December, with the minimum stay beside each. October 30, 2026

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The pool and loungers of a villa on Soliman Bay, Tulum, with palms at the water Mexico Travel Guide

Cenote Mornings, Dinner at Home: A Tulum Itinerary for 7 Days in a Staffed Villa

Seven days around a staffed villa on Soliman Bay in early December: who cooks, who shops and what is ready before you land, day by day. October 29, 2026

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An infinity pool and terrace above the sea at a villa in St Barts Caribbean Guide

Which Side of St Barts Suits Your Villa Week?

The harbor of Gustavia, the St-Jean hillside or the quiet north-east: on a small island, the side you sleep on decides the week. October 28, 2026

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An infinity pool facing the turquoise water of Turks and Caicos Turks & Caicos

Providenciales’ Quiet South Shore: Chalk Sound, Turtle Tail and Sapodilla Bay Compared

The lagoon of Chalk Sound, Turtle Tail and Sapodilla Bay make up the quiet south shore of Providenciales: the three compared. October 27, 2026

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A pool among the palms and lawns of a villa in Punta Cana Thanksgiving 2026

Thanksgiving and the Caribbean in December 2026: Staffed Villas Still Open (as of October 23)

Staffed villas still open in Punta Cana, Casa de Campo and Anguilla for Thanksgiving and December, with their minimum stays. October 23, 2026

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A villa pool above the gardens and the bay at the West End of Anguilla Caribbean Guide

What “Fully Staffed” Means in Anguilla in December: A Week at a West End Estate

Anguilla in December from a West End estate with a staff of eighteen: the arrival through St Maarten, the chefs and the beach dinner, day by day. October 22, 2026

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Turks & Caicos

#2 in the Billionaire Villa Index — Browse all TCI villas ›
An infinity pool facing the turquoise water of Turks and Caicos Turks & Caicos

Providenciales’ Quiet South Shore: Chalk Sound, Turtle Tail and Sapodilla Bay Compared

The lagoon of Chalk Sound, Turtle Tail and Sapodilla Bay make up the quiet south shore of Providenciales: the three compared.

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The kitchen at Villa Salacia, with a long marble island, white bar stools and glass doors open to the palms Turks & Caicos

Turks and Caicos Villas with a Private Chef: 19 Houses Where the Chef Comes with the Stay

Where the chef comes with the house, how chef service works at the other villas, and a day with the chef on Grace Bay.

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Villa Bajacu from the air, on its headland above a turquoise cove and its own beach at Turtle Tail Thanksgiving 2026

Thanksgiving in Turks and Caicos 2026: The Villas Still Open for November 21 to 28

The villas still open for Thanksgiving week, the five-night minimum, the November weather and the staff in each house.

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Italy: Tuscany, Lake Como & the Amalfi Coast

Tuscany first, then the lakes and the coast — Browse all Italy villas ›
Tables set on the lawn around a white gazebo at Villa Maria, near Lucca Italy Travel Guide

Historic Estate, Borgo or Coastal Tenuta: Choosing Your Tuscan Estate for Summer 2027

A Tuscan estate for summer 2027 comes in three shapes: a staffed historic villa, a borgo of several houses, or a coastal tenuta in the Maremma.

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Best villas in Tuscany for every kind of luxury stay Luxury Lifestyle

The Best Villas in Tuscany for Every Kind of Luxury Stay

From grand historic residences to contemporary Maremma estates — how to choose the right Tuscan villa for your group, season and style.

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Villa Pesa at sunset among the Chianti hills Italy Travel Guide

Tuscany Villa Rental with Chef: Eleven Villas Where the Chef Is Part of the Rent

Eleven Tuscany villas where a private chef is part of the rent, from Lucca and Chianti to Siena and the Maremma.

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Dominican Republic

Punta Cana, Cap Cana, Casa de Campo and the north coast — Browse all Dominican Republic villas ›
The infinity pool of Casa Minitas running toward the beach of Minitas Bay, Casa de Campo Easter 2027

Casa de Campo vs Cap Cana vs Punta Cana: Choosing Your Dominican Republic Address for Easter 2027

Casa de Campo, Cap Cana or Punta Cana for a multigenerational Easter 2027, and why Casa de Campo suits groups of sixteen and more.

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Aerial view of Las Olas and the beach in Punta Cana Caribbean Guide

Provisioning an Island: How the Concierge Stocks the House Before a Punta Cana Family Vacation Lands

The list, the imports, the cellar, the tree and the staff briefing: how the concierge stocks the house before a Punta Cana family vacation lands in December.

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A long pool among the palms at a villa in Punta Cana Dominican Republic

The Best Time to Visit Punta Cana, Month by Month

Month by month: the beach weather, the busiest weeks and how to plan a villa stay around them.

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Mexico

Punta Mita, the Riviera Maya and Los Cabos — Browse all Mexico villas ›
The pool and loungers of a villa on Soliman Bay, Tulum, with palms at the water Mexico Travel Guide

Cenote Mornings, Dinner at Home: A Tulum Itinerary for 7 Days in a Staffed Villa

Seven days around a staffed villa on Soliman Bay in early December: who cooks, who shops and what is ready before you land, day by day.

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The thatched palapa and pool of Koko Retreat among the palms in Punta Mita Mexico Travel Guide

Mexico in November: Which Coast, Which Week, and Nine Staffed Villas

Punta Mita, the Riviera Maya or Los Cabos: the weather and the airports on each coast, the month week by week, and Thanksgiving on November 26.

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CasaZul from the air, between the palms and the beach of the Hotel Zone in Cancun Mexico Travel Guide

The Top Luxury Villas for Large Groups in Riviera Maya

Nine Riviera Maya villas for 20 to 36 guests, from four beachfront haciendas on Fatima Bay to Tulum, Playacar and Cancun.

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Ski Chalets in the Alps

All our chalets in the Swiss Alps ›
A chalet living room under a timber roof, with the fire lit and the mountains through the windows Ski Chalets

What a Luxury Ski Chalet Actually Does for You Between First Lift and Fondue

A luxury chalet in Courchevel runs on a team, not a view: our concierge walks through the day, from heated boots to the chef’s fondue.

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A chalet terrace in the snow at dusk, with lanterns and a fire bowl among the firs Ski Chalets

Geneva to Courchevel in February: Which Transfer, and Which Chalet Address It Should End At

Two and a half hours by road or under one by air: how we match the transfer from Geneva to the chalet address in Courchevel 1850.

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Luxury chalet rental Courchevel 1850 in the French Alps Winter 2026/27

Luxury Chalet Rental in Courchevel: 1850 vs Méribel, Val d’Isère, Verbier and Zermatt

27 chalets in Courchevel, 16 of them fully staffed, set beside Méribel, Val d’Isère, Verbier and Zermatt, with where Christmas and February stand.

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Thanksgiving, Christmas & New Year

The season’s most sought-after weeks
A long pool between the white wings of a staffed villa, with loungers on the deck Thanksgiving 2026

Thanksgiving and Early December 2026: The Staffed Caribbean Villas Still Open (as of October 30)

Staffed villas still open in Punta Cana, Providenciales and Anguilla for Thanksgiving week and early December, with the minimum stay beside each.

Read ›
The lawns and palms of Villa Salacia above the sea on Grace Bay Festive 2026

Caribbean Christmas Vacations 2026: Six Islands, Six Villas

Six islands from Turks and Caicos to Barbados, one villa on each, and how each island spends Christmas week.

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The dining terrace of Fairwinds, Barbados, at dusk New Year Inspiration

Best Places to Go for New Year’s 2026-27: Villas Still Open

From St Barts and Turks and Caicos to Courchevel: where to spend New Year’s 2026-27 in a private villa, and where villas are still open for the week.

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Presidents’ Day, Spring Break & Easter 2027

The school holidays to book now
The sun setting over the sea beyond the palms, from a villa terrace in Anguilla Presidents’ Day 2027

Best Caribbean Island to Visit in February 2027: St Barts, Turks and Caicos and the Presidents’ Day Houses Still Open

St Barts, Turks and Caicos or Anguilla in February: the right island depends on who is traveling, and these are the villas still open.

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An infinity pool looking over the bay at sunset, St Barts Spring Break 2027

Spring Break Villa Rentals 2027: Book by January

Easter 2027 falls on March 28, inside peak spring break: seven staffed villas across the Caribbean, Mexico and Europe, and why to book by January.

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The infinity pool of Casa Minitas running toward the beach of Minitas Bay, Casa de Campo Easter 2027

Casa de Campo vs Cap Cana vs Punta Cana: Choosing Your Dominican Republic Address for Easter 2027

Casa de Campo, Cap Cana or Punta Cana for a multigenerational Easter 2027, and why Casa de Campo suits groups of sixteen and more.

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St Martin, St Barts & Anguilla

Three islands a short boat ride apart — Browse all St Martin villas ›
An infinity pool and terrace above the sea at a villa in St Barts Caribbean Guide

Which Side of St Barts Suits Your Villa Week?

The harbor of Gustavia, the St-Jean hillside or the quiet north-east: on a small island, the side you sleep on decides the week.

Read ›
A villa pool above the gardens and the bay at the West End of Anguilla Caribbean Guide

What “Fully Staffed” Means in Anguilla in December: A Week at a West End Estate

Anguilla in December from a West End estate with a staff of eighteen: the arrival through St Maarten, the chefs and the beach dinner, day by day.

Read ›
A white roof terrace with loungers above the sea at a villa in St Martin Caribbean Guide

Our Luxury Guide to St Martin and Sint Maarten

The French side and the Dutch side of one island, and how to spend a week there from a private villa.

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Spain: Ibiza, Mallorca & Marbella

The Balearics and the Costa del Sol — Browse all Spain villas ›
Ibiza vs Mallorca vs Marbella, a stone Mallorca villa near the Tramuntana Travel Planning

Ibiza vs Mallorca vs Marbella: Choosing Your Spanish Summer Base

Energy versus ease versus mainland glamour — how to choose your Spanish summer base across the two Balearic islands and the Costa del Sol.

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Where to stay in Ibiza, a cliffside villa on the island's quiet side Travel Planning

Where to Stay in Ibiza: The Quiet Side, by Neighborhood

Es Cubells, Cap Martinet, San José, Santa Eulalia and the discreet north — the island by neighborhood, with a bias toward its quieter, more private side.

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Ibiza villa rentals, a cliffside private estate above the sea Travel Planning

Ibiza: Es Cubells vs Vista Alegre vs Cala Jondal — Choosing Your Address

Cliffside silence, gated community or the walk to Blue Marlin — the three addresses that cover most requests, with the island’s licensing and noise rules explained before they matter.

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Greece

Mykonos, Santorini and the quiet Ionian — Browse all Greece villas ›
Where to stay in Mykonos, luxury private villa with pool overlooking the Aegean Travel Planning

Where to Stay in Mykonos: A Neighborhood Guide for Private Villas

Psarou, Agios Lazaros, Ornos, Agios Ioannis, the quiet east and Chora — matching your villa’s address to the Mykonos you actually want.

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Mykonos villas with private pool, an infinity terrace facing the Aegean Travel Planning

Mykonos Villas with Private Pool: Aleomandra vs Agios Lazaros vs Kalafatis

The meltemi decides more than the view — which bay keeps the pool terrace usable at four o’clock, and what “private pool” should mean contractually.

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The infinity pool of Villa Zeus at sunset, Mykonos Travel Planning

Mykonos vs Santorini vs Paros: Which Greek Island Fits Your Group

Energy versus romance versus space — comparing the three islands for groups, couples and everyone in between.

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Short Flights & Arrival Guides

How close the sun really is
Outdoor sofas and loungers by the sea among palms Arrival Guide

Short Flights from NYC to the Beach: Sun and Sand, Fast

Bermuda, Nantucket, Miami, the Bahamas and more: the beaches a short flight from New York.

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A shaded veranda with tables facing the sea Arrival Guide

Short Flights from Miami: Nine Easy Island Escapes

The Bahamas, Turks and Caicos, St Barts and more: nine islands a short flight from Miami.

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Palms leaning over a quiet beach at dawn Caribbean Guide

Caribbean Islands Close to Florida: The Most Luxurious Retreats Just a Short Flight Away

The islands a short flight from Florida, with private villas, chefs and a concierge.

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Safety, Weather & Geography

The questions guests ask before they book
The long pool and loungers of Casablanca at Sandy Lane, Barbados Caribbean Guide

Where Is Barbados? 100 Miles East of the Caribbean Chain

Where the island sits, how far it is from the US, and which coast to stay on.

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The entrance and palms of Villa Miramar, Punta Cana Travel Planning

When Is Hurricane Season in Punta Cana, and How to Plan Around It

The months of highest risk, the safest windows to travel, and how villa guests plan.

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The pool terrace and palms of Villa Milestone, Turks and Caicos Travel Planning

What Caribbean Islands Have Travel Warnings? Updated Safety Tips

The current advisories island by island, and the villa choices that change the picture.

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Where to Go, Month by Month

From the winter sun to the summer months

Reading is one thing. Arriving is another.

Tell a specialist what you have in mind — a celebration, a season, a corner of the world — and we’ll curate a private selection of villas around it.

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The Haute Retreats Journal

Quiet notes on new villas, private openings and the destinations worth your time. No noise — just the best of what we find.

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