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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 lunch table set on the sand under white shade sails, Anguilla Caribbean Guide

Meads Bay Villas vs Shoal Bay vs the West End — Choosing Your Anguilla Address

Meads Bay puts you near the restaurants, Shoal Bay on the calmer water, the West End inside an estate: the three Anguilla addresses compared. October 20, 2026

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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. October 16, 2026

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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. October 15, 2026

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Two loungers on white sand facing the shallow turquoise water, Turks and Caicos Turks & Caicos

Turks and Caicos in February: Grace Bay, Leeward or Long Bay, Decided by the Wind and the Week

February is the island at its best: how we choose between Grace Bay, Leeward and Long Bay by the group and the holiday week. October 14, 2026

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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. October 13, 2026

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Villa Balboa, a white villa of terraces and pools on a green hillside Mexico Travel Guide

Mexico in November: The Staffed Villas Still Open in Punta Mita and on the Riviera Maya, as of October 9

The staffed houses in Punta Mita and on Soliman and Tankah Bay that still had November dates on October 9, Thanksgiving week included. October 9, 2026

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Turks & Caicos

#2 in the Billionaire Villa Index — Browse all TCI villas ›
Two loungers on white sand facing the shallow turquoise water, Turks and Caicos Turks & Caicos

Turks and Caicos in February: Grace Bay, Leeward or Long Bay, Decided by the Wind and the Week

February is the island at its best: how we choose between Grace Bay, Leeward and Long Bay by the group and the holiday week.

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Where to stay in Turks and Caicos - Grace Bay Long Bay Ambergris Cay Travel Planning

12 Essential Tips for Where to Stay in Turks and Caicos

Grace Bay, Long Bay, Chalk Sound, Ambergris Cay, Turtle Tail and Parrot Cay compared — with villa picks and expert advice for every type of guest.

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Beach house Turks and Caicos, a fully staffed Ambergris Cay villa at Christmas Caribbean Guide

Christmas in a Beach House Turks and Caicos: Inside a Fully Staffed Ambergris Cay Villa

The tree up before the family lands, the vigil menu sent in September, provisioning flown in six weeks out — the timeline from signature to December 26 on a private island.

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Italy: Tuscany, Lake Como & the Amalfi Coast

Tuscany first, then the lakes and the coast — Browse all Italy villas ›
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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Tuscany versus Amalfi Coast versus Lake Como villa guide Travel Planning

Tuscany vs Amalfi Coast vs Lake Como: Choosing Your Italian Summer Villa

Landscape, privacy, group size and access compared — a candid guide to choosing between Italy’s three great villa destinations this summer.

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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 covered dining terrace of The One, Punta Mita, facing the sea Mexico Travel Guide

The Punta Mita Beach Club You Will Actually Use Depends on Where the Villa Sits

Kupuri, Pacífico, La Punta and El Encanto compared villa by villa: the club you use depends on where the house sits.

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Villa Balboa, a white villa of terraces and pools on a green hillside Mexico Travel Guide

Mexico in November: The Staffed Villas Still Open in Punta Mita and on the Riviera Maya, as of October 9

The staffed houses in Punta Mita and on Soliman and Tankah Bay that still had November dates on October 9, Thanksgiving week included.

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The pool and white house of Villa Soliman among the palms, Soliman Bay Mexico Travel Guide

Tulum With Kids: We Choose the Bay by Their Ages, Not the Beach by Its Name

Tulum with children works from a staffed villa on Soliman Bay or Tankah Bay, not the beach road: how we choose the bay by their ages.

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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.

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

Best Places to Go for New Year’s 2026–27: Villas and Chalets

St Barts, Turks and Caicos, Costa Rica, Los Cabos, Punta Cana, Tulum and Courchevel, with staffed villas to book.

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ÀNI Anguilla on its cliff above a turquoise bay Festive 2026

The Best Caribbean Island for Christmas: Turks and Caicos, St Barts, Anguilla or the Dominican Republic

How the staff, the holiday minimum stays and the flights differ for Christmas 2026 on four islands.

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The living room of Villa Vista Celeste looking out to the Pacific, Pedregal Thanksgiving 2026

Cabo in November, Worked Backwards From Thanksgiving Thursday

Thanksgiving falls on November 26: five staffed Los Cabos villas, their holiday minimums, the chef’s turkey, the boat and the transfer from the airport.

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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 ›
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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A long infinity pool and covered terrace at a villa in St Martin Caribbean Guide

St Barts vs St Martin: Which Caribbean Island Is Right for You?

Privacy, evenings out or the table: how the two neighboring islands compare for a villa stay.

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A lunch table set on the sand under white shade sails, Anguilla Caribbean Guide

Meads Bay Villas vs Shoal Bay vs the West End — Choosing Your Anguilla Address

Meads Bay puts you near the restaurants, Shoal Bay on the calmer water, the West End inside an estate: the three Anguilla addresses compared.

Read ›

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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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.

Recent Awards

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As Featured In

  • Vogue Italia Lago di Como · August 2026
  • Insider
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Research Report Billionaire Villa Index 2026 — Tuscany #1 · Turks & Caicos #2 · Lake Como #3 · The world’s most in-demand ultra-luxury villa destinations Read the Report →