Film stars and royalty, families and friends – Saint-Tropez is an all-inviting destination that must be visited once, and is sure to lure you back time and again. Put on the map thanks to Brigitte Bardot in ‘And God Created Woman’, visitors trickle in from mid-May onwards. This signals the start of summer for the French coastal town, when temperatures reach 22°, rising throughout July and August. If you’re thinking of planning a chic get-away with sun, sea, shopping and seafood high on your list, then book early to secure a luxury villa to rent in Saint-Tropez. |
Chic SleepsEffortlessly fashionable, the French Riviera has long attracted the jet-set community who enjoy the exclusivity of a Saint-Tropez luxury villa. And it’s easy to see why. With plenty of hilltops bathed in trees and greenery, it’s the perfect setting for luxury and privacy. Saint-Tropez villas offer great variety too. Whether you’re looking for the perfect beachfront villa to soak up the sun, a stylish hilltop retreat for sweeping views, or a charming home-from-home for all the family – there’s something for everyone. |
May and JuneWhen Saint Tropez welcomes tourists in May, many come for its glorious but not too-hot temperature. This is also a great time to visit before the bustling crowds embark. Ideal for a day trip, you may time your visit with the International Cannes Film Festival (18-19 May). Neighboring Cannes is only an hour and half by car, with great bars and VIP parties to enjoy. You’ll be glad of your luxury vacation rental in Saint-Tropez to retreat back to! There’s plenty of cultural attractions too, from the Exhibition at the Annonciade museum (free entry), to the Spring Music Festival (April – August) in the renaissance cinema. Pampelonne beach provides the perfect spot for sunbathing and swimming. Be sure to swing by Club 55 or Nikki Beach and do as the locals with an ‘Aperol Spritz’! |
You won’t want to miss the ceremony of some grand regatta events, the first of which is Les Voiles Latines Regatta (24-27 May), followed by the prestigious Giraglia Rolex Club (8-16 June). This is a haven for yacht men and women, especially in the Ponche quarter and Old Port.
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Luxury LivingThe French are known for their great food and drink, and this is particularly celebrated in the Côte d’Azur, eating like a king wherever you dine! |
Michelin star L’Olivier offers stunning food in its charming garden. Likewise, La Vague D’or has made quite a name for itself serving up culinary seafood masterpieces. Luxury doesn’t have to be five-star though, as Le Kikouiou demonstrates with al fresco dining and hearty pizzas. Alternatively, the Place des Lices is a fantastic market where you can scoop up local produce to enjoy back at your luxury rental villa. On the note of shopping, the triangle between the Place de Lices, Rue Allard and Rue Gambetta is the place to go for designer shops. Here you can find everything from Louis Vuitton to Chanel. You are in Saint-Tropez after all! |
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Looking for a luxury vacation home in St Tropez? Look no further, Villazzo curates the finest villas around the globe, coupled with outstanding service for the ultimate luxurious get-away. |
Archive for May, 2018
THE INTERVIEW SERIES – HANNA TALAIE – GENERAL MANAGER, VILLAZZO
Thursday, May 24th, 2018
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Q: Villazzo is known for its commitment to customer service, how do you achieve this?As cliché as it sounds, I love coming to work. I’m very lucky to be surrounded by a great team who enjoy what they do. Our clients are at the heart of our business, and we prioritize their every need and requirement to ensure we take great care of them. Our approach is to offer guests the attention and experience as you would give your family – simply the best of the best! |
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Q: What’s the most challenging part of your job?It’s fair to say that we self-impose very high standards. Our biggest challenge is to exceed our own set goals and to make every stay better than the previous for guests. We stay up to date when it comes to technology and trends, especially since the hospitality market is ever-changing and highly competitive. |
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Q: You’ve worked for the company for eight years, what makes Villazzo stand out from its competitors?We are very price competitive, have a full local operations team with dedicated concierge services and have exclusive contracts in some cities. But most of all, we go above and beyond customer expectations to provide a hotel-like experience, with personalized services for guests. This ranges from little touches like premium towels and bespoke toiletry selection, to a white glove Butler service. We make the impossible request, possible – a challenge we love to take on! Villazzo only employs people with a ‘Yes’ attitude, who will care for guests and go beyond their expectations. |
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Q: What qualities do you look out for when appointing properties for Villazzo?Location, location, location! That aside, to fit in with our luxury vacation rental portfolio, properties must be very well maintained and the interior needs to be clean, new and wow. We only consider properties that have a property manager to ensure we have an immediate contact. |
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“The feedback we have from clients is overwhelming and I strongly believe they feel the extra TLC they receive from us.” |
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Q: Do you have any insider tips for online rental bookings?The longer you stay in a property, the better value it becomes, as the nightly rate goes down. Of course, our business is seasonal and much like hotels, there are on and off-peak times to travel. Outside of the holidays and school breaks, you can usually bag a better bargain! I have also seen lots of online fraudsters, so always advise using a reputable online rental company such as Villazzo, where you can speak to an actual person too. |
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Q: Are there any travel trends you’re noticing at the moment?Yes, people are moving away from the traditional ‘plan a holiday’ method, and being more spontaneous and last minute. We’re also noticing that short stays are growing in popularity, allowing visitors to move around more, and weekend getaways are very ‘on trend’ too. |
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Q: Finally, why do you recommend someone reading this should book their luxury travel villa with Villazzo?Villazzo has a very detail-oriented team that thrives on pleasing customers. We enjoy welcoming clients from all over the world, for every type of occasion. We have a very knowledgeable, motivated team who will create a memorable and bespoke stay for your trip. The feedback we have from clients is overwhelming and I strongly believe they feel the extra TLC they receive from us. |
IBIZA – EVERYONE’S FAVORITE SUMMER HIT!
Thursday, May 17th, 2018
In time honored tradition, the end of May is an important time for Ibiza… it’s when the opening parties begin and the island opens for business! Once a haven for hedonists and 24hr party people, the magical island has seen a transformation over the past few years, catering to a more discerning crowd. Visitors are no longer resigned to package holiday hotels, with a demand for luxurious Ibiza villa rentals hidden like gems throughout the island. With so much to offer, the fashionable ‘White Isle’ attracts an eclectic European crowd of beautiful people, dance music aficionados and hip holidaymakers. |
When to visitHeating up from May onwards, Ibiza’s weather peaks in July and August, before starting to cool down in September. For many, the start of the season is signaled by the opening party weekend, around the last week in May. The BBC Radio 1 weekender (first weekend of August) has also become a popular and busy time for the island, with superstar DJs and big-name bands playing to a young ‘up for it’ crowd. |
Where to stayTo complete the Ibiza experience, seek out a stylish abode offering peace and respite from the crowds. Vacation homes in Ibiza get booked up quickly, so it’s wise to plan ahead. For decadence, style and unadulterated chill out, Villazzo have some of the most luxurious villas on the island. Favorites include properties with private pools hidden in acres of mountains and ultra-modern villas for those that appreciate finer taste in luxurious settings. |
Opening WeekendDay clubs, beach clubs, hidden secret night clubs, huge expansive clubbers clubs and all that’s in between. Ibiza’s music scene is unsurprisingly one of the best in the world! As such, the International Music Summit (May 23-25) takes place here annually, to discuss the future of EDM (electronic dance music), which coincides with the start of the season. For style and substance, Ushuaia is a mega open-air venue, bringing the beautiful people to party by day. It kicks off from 19 May, but the one to look out for is ‘David Guetta’s Big Opening Party’ on June 4 (tickets from €50). The self-titled ‘heartbeat of the island’, Pacha invites a fashionable VIP crowd to its 3000-capacity venue – still the only place where clubbers wear high heels! Open for locals from the start of May, the big opening nights to look out for include a set by Fatboy Slim on 18 May, and the opening of ‘Pure Pacha’ on 26 May. For sultry deep house and all-round Euro vibe, Playa d’en Bossa’s ‘Hi Ibiza’ opens its doors from 26 May, with ‘Glitterbox’ opening on 1 June, with Roger Sanchez, Basement Jaxx and Dimtri from Paris on the decks. |
Live it upAside from the party scene, there are many smaller venues across the island to enjoy. Hidden in the hills, KM5 is a great place to drink and dine, while Bambuddha Grove offers an exceptional experience of dining under the stars. Don’t be surprised if you bump in to a celebrity or two at Blue Marlin, El Chiringuito or Cipriani as well. People watching is one of the favorite sports in Ibiza Town, perfectly within reach of the super yachts frequented by the rich and famous. For a complete listings guide, be sure to check out Ibiza Spotlight. |
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Looking for a luxury villa for rent in Ibiza? Look no further, Villazzo curates the finest villas around the globe, coupled with outstanding service for the ultimate luxurious get-away. |
FOUR SPOTS FOR REST, RELAXTION AND TOTAL LUXURY
Wednesday, May 9th, 2018|
It’s that time of year again when thoughts turn to a vacation for some much-needed time out. More than just topping up your tan, rest and relaxation is imperative for productivity and rejuvenation. As such, wellbeing travel has come to the fore in recent years, with stunning spas, tranquil luxury villa rentals and revitalising settings to help aid the ‘R&R’ process. However, the ultimate break requires the ultimate retreat, and to help inspire, we’ve compiled our top four luxury destinations for those seeking chic chill. |
Tuscany, ItalyPicture postcard views of rolling hills, vast vineyards and sun-kissed skies make Tuscany one of the most idyllic settings for a relaxing break. For those that enjoy unwinding through art, there’s plenty of landscape to paint, while those who enjoy cultural walks or love Italian cuisine are spoilt for choice. If seclusion is what you’re after, then its remoteness makes it highly desirable. Luxury villa rentals in Tuscany are often nestled in rugged mountains and charming countryside retreats. |
Ibiza, SpainWhere party and peace come together in natural harmony. The spectacular island of Ibiza is home to some of the most luxurious villa rentals offering elegance, beauty and the ultimate in chill. Without having to leave your property you can soak up the sun, lounge by a salt water pool and enjoy sundowners with the best view in the house. The island also has its fair share of secluded coves, fitness retreat and detox camps, as well as the blissful island of Formentera awaiting your discovery. |
Ontario, CanadaWhen it comes to getting away from it all, Ontario offers an exciting alternative from the daily grind. By night, luxurious lodges provide the perfect setting to unwind, while the great outdoors await discovery by day. Spanning 400 acres, High Park is a great starting point to explore with nature all around. Of course, most tourists come for the Great Lakes – some 250,000 in total, offering undeniable tranquility while getting back to nature at the same time. |
St Barth’s, CaribbeanWhen only five-star pampering will do, bathe in the complete luxury and transformative settings of St Barth’s. Alcove beaches with pristine white sand and calm aqua waters offer unrivalled views for beach lovers, or you may prefer to sip cocktails from the privacy of your own pool. St Barth’s, after all, is known for its high-end heavenliness, with luxury vacation homes, daytime yoga sessions and divine eateries awaiting your visit. |
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If you’re in search of sun, sea and luxury, then Global Luxury Villas to discover your dream vacation today! |
LUXURY ST TROPEZ, FOR THOSE THAT ‘CANNES’
Saturday, May 5th, 2018
Stars from the Silver Screen and the great and the good from the film industry descend to Cannes once again this May 8- 19, for the ‘Festival de Cannes’. As only an event of this stature can command, nothing less than the best luxury vacation rentals will suffice. After all, this is a city steeped in glamour and class. With its elite selection of luxury vacation rentals, Global Luxury Villas provides the perfect solution for holiday homes to rent for guests attending the Festival. With a wide selection to choose from, many of the luxury holiday homes include special touches – from a personal chef to a housekeeper. Every stay includes a personal concierge service, to help secure reservations to the most exclusive venues in the city, at the best value for your visit. |
What are the highlights this year?As one of the greatest and most widely publicized celebrations of film, and now in its 71st season, this year’s event promises to be another memorable year, with Cate Blanchett named President of the Jury.
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Free ScreeningsAs usual, open-air screenings at the Cinema de la Plage are open to all from 9pm during the Festival. Usefully, this is opposite the Hotel Majestic – one of the prime locations for a pre-and post-film Prosecco. It’s always a guaranteed venue to rub shoulders with industry insiders too. Alternatively, if you’re happy to mingle with bystanders, the Red Carpet and Blue Carpet zones in and around the coveted Debussy Theatre, are great vantage points to soak up the atmosphere. |
Invite Only ScreeningsThose on the inside, including; investors, journalists, directors, publicists, actors and producers, will need to apply for a badge beforehand for accreditation.
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Where to Schmooze!For a touch of elite luxury, the annual Chopard gathering is not to be missed on May 11, returning to the legendary Savarona yacht. If you are lucky enough to be on the guest list to the Swarovski lunch (May 19) you can look forward to rubbing shoulders with Penelope Cruz, heading up the intimate get-together.
For an altogether more public event, look out for the Hollywood Foreign Press Association for top gatherings with fundraising initiatives. |
Where to wine and dineOne of the ultimate Cannes venues is the Hotel du Cap Eden-Roc, a great location for lunch, dinner and post-theatre drinks.
For lunch, 45 La Croisette at Le Grand Hotel is the perfect spot for a two-course lunch, with a delightful selection of fresh seafood and an excellent wine menu.
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For the latest information on the Cannes Film Festival, visit: www.festival-cannes.com/en and for luxury and last minute villa rentals, Global Luxury Villas. |
