Recognised by Guests, the Press & the Trade
Honoured the world over
As Seen In
Featured in Vogue Italia
In its guide to the most romantic places on Lake Como, Vogue Italia singles out Villa Balbiano in Ossuccio — the sixteenth-century residence chosen by Ridley Scott for House of Gucci, with interiors by Jacques Garcia, original frescoes, a Steinway grand and an indoor pool — and notes that the villa is today part of the Haute Retreats portfolio.
The feature also observes what our guests already know: the finest villas with grand-hotel service are found by word of mouth, not by search. That is the introduction Haute Retreats exists to make.
“Una delle dimore più prestigiose da affittare sul lago.”Vogue Italia · Sara Magro, on Villa BalbianoRead the Vogue Italia feature
Who We Are
We don't just find villas. We find the right one — for the right moment, for the right person.
Haute Retreats was founded in 2016 to bring meaning back into luxury travel, curating 2,400+ fully staffed estates across 83+ destinations. We believe luxury isn't about excess — it's about intention. When you reach us, you're not reaching a sales team or a booking engine. You're reaching people who care; people who have spent their lives creating beauty, ease and joy — quietly, attentively, sincerely.
Photo: Dimos AtasA Letter From the Founder
Why hospitality still begins with heart
When I started Haute Retreats, I wasn't thinking about numbers or algorithms. I was thinking about people — the way a guest's eyes light up when they walk into a villa that feels made just for them; the quiet comfort of knowing someone thought ahead to stock their favourite wine.
Before Haute Retreats, I spent years in hospitality — back when reservations were handwritten and guests were greeted by name, not by booking number. No computers. Only intuition, presence and heart. To this day, that is still the soul of everything we do.
When someone contacts us, they're not reaching a sales team. They're reaching people who care — people who've been on both sides of the check-in desk, and who've devoted their lives to creating beauty, ease and joy.
We don't just plan getaways. We create memories, with heart.
Our Philosophy
Three things we believe
Curated & personal
We curate unforgettable stays with unparalleled comfort and personalised service — for families and friends, in any destination in the world.
Exclusive & memorable
We redefine luxury travel through exclusive retreats that blend exquisite accommodation with exceptional service, creating moments that last.
The finest, bespoke
We meticulously select the world's finest villas and deliver bespoke service — a seamless, enriching stay with the people who matter most.
The Haute Retreats Way
Why we don't do instant booking
True luxury isn't defined by speed — it's defined by feeling seen. When you choose a villa, you're not booking a property; you're beginning a journey that deserves care, attention and humanity.
Intuition over algorithms
Reservations made with personal care — from a first hello to the moment you walk through the door. Every guest is unique; every stay should feel made for them.
Discovery over expedience
Our advisors guide you to homes that match not just your need but your feeling — something quiet, something electric, something you didn't know you needed.
Service over speed
Fresh flowers on arrival, a favourite wine, a sunrise ceremony — these don't happen with one-click checkouts. They happen because someone listened, and planned.
Emotional luxury
If luxury means living a moment that matters, you won't find it in haste — you'll find it in thoughtful touches, curated moments, and a pace that lets you savour what's important.
So we do what we always have. We do it with heart.
In Our Guests' Words
What the stay felt like
Verified reviews from Trustpilot, where Haute Retreats is rated Excellent, 4.8 out of 5.
Unparalleled service
“I was denied boarding at LAX and needed a few days to sort out passports and flights. I called Sabrina and explained the situation. Remarkably, her and her team did everything possible and checked with the villa manager and activity hosts. To my surprise, they shifted the dates and included the former activities without any additional cost.”
Celebration in Italy
“There were 14 of us staying in the villa and everyone felt welcomed and relaxed. When I described some particular needs of one of my guests the team went over and beyond to arrange a solution. I felt fully supported, whether it was the intricate car service logistics, offsite plans or villa needs. The team was always available.”
Family vacation
“Coordinating a group of 20 people is no small task, yet they handled it with ease and grace. The service throughout our stay was impeccable — the staff was kind, respectful, and attentive, anticipating our needs so well that we never had to worry about a thing. It was a flawless and memorable experience.”
Global Recognition
Sabrina, honoured by the World Luxury Chamber of Commerce
Haute Retreats has been named an Honorary Member of the World Luxury Chamber of Commerce (WLCC) — a distinction reserved for organisations recognised for exceptional leadership and impact across the global luxury industry. Sabrina Piccinin joins a small circle of honorees spanning luxury real estate, fragrance and private wealth advisory, representing the highest level of recognition within the WLCC community.
The Chamber's feature on Haute Retreats highlights the growing traveller demand for private, personalised villa stays — the kind reflected each year in our own Billionaire Villa Index, and the selective, relationship-led way the company builds its portfolio, working directly with property owners and hospitality professionals in each destination.
Sabrina was also recently interviewed by Luxury People Magazine on what two decades across hotel management, villa operations and private aviation taught her about genuine hospitality. Asked how Haute Retreats keeps its human touch while growing internationally, her answer was simple:
"Luxury, at its highest level, is invisible."
The People Behind the Experience
A team that cares
Luxury, to us, is people — not price tags. Trust, warmth, and the moments that make you pause.
Sabrina Piccinin
Founder & CEO
Twenty-five years in luxury hospitality, from the cockpit to five-star hotels to founding Haute Retreats. The heart and standard behind every stay.
Angelica Crudo
Marketing Director
A believer that luxury is people, not price tags. Angelica builds lasting partnerships and tells the stories behind our villas and the owners who create them.
Monica Mian
Director of Guest Experience · Italy
A trusted local point of reference in Tuscany and beyond — turning a holiday into something deeper through discreet, highly personalised concierge care.
Rajat Prakash
Technology & Digital
Twenty years of expertise keeping Haute Retreats seamless behind the scenes — performance, security and the digital craft that lets the experience feel effortless.
Trust & Affiliations
Standing behind every stay
Our accreditations and partnerships exist for one reason — so every detail of your journey, not just the villa, is handled to the same standard.
ASTA Member
Haute Retreats is an accredited member of the American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA), the industry's leading trade association — upholding professional and ethical standards in travel planning and consumer protection.
Private Aviation & Yacht Charter
Private jet and yacht charter are arranged through our best-in-class partners as part of our bespoke concierge services — one team, one conversation, from wheels-up to pillow. The Haute Retreats standard of care extends to the journey itself, not just the stay.
World Luxury Chamber of Commerce
Haute Retreats is a proud member of the World Luxury Chamber of Commerce, a global network connecting leading luxury brands, with Founder Sabrina Piccinin named a WLCC Honorary Member.
Read the WLCC FeatureWhere We Take You
83 destinations, one standard
A few of the places our guests return to, year after year.
Begin the Conversation
Let's curate your stay
From Lake Como to the Caribbean, we curate only the exceptional — matched with a dedicated concierge to arrange every detail. Tell us how you travel, and we'll find the home, and the moment, that's right for you.