Archive for June, 2018

EUROPE IN AUGUST – A ROUNDUP OF THE BEST BEACH DESTINATIONS

Wednesday, June 27th, 2018

Vast and varied, alluring and inspiring – Europe has it all. From vineyards in Bordeaux to historic sites in Germany, from the blissful chill of Ibiza to sailing in the French Riviera. With more than 50 countries to choose from, it may be hard to know where to start your European get-away with a luxury villa rental. Despite it being peak season, August is a great time to visit with many destinations welcoming families, and soaring summer temperatures, perfect for a trip to the beach!

To help select the perfect get-away, we’ve selected four of our favorite European destinations for beach lovers this summer…

Women Overlooking Mykonos

Mykonos

This Greek island might be best known for its luxury villa rentals, however it’s also home to some hidden gems of beaches. Lined with pine trees, covered in golden sand and with plenty of sun beds to hire, Paraga Beach is one of the most popular. It’s also one of the more livelier beaches – expect to hear distant mutterings of Greek music blasting from the local beach bars and cafes! Note – the nearby glamorous ‘Scorpio’ restaurant is the place to see and be seen. For a quieter affair ‘Myrsini’ beach in the north of the island is small and unspoiled, providing the perfect backdrop for soaking up the sun.

Beach Path

Ibiza

The magical island of ‘Evissia’ provides rave and refuge in equal measures. Here, beaches are transformed in to day clubs, with the Blue Marlin and Ushuaia attracting a rambunctious glamorous crowd enjoying the Balearic beats! It’s best enjoyed with your very own Ibiza villa rental to return to, for the ultimate in five-star dwelling. Of course, not all beaches are about the party and the idyllic island of Formentera (accessible by ferry) is a desirable haven with its crystal-clear waters, sand dunes and pine trees.

Beach Promenade French Riviera

French Riviera

Attracting the rich and famous, the French Riviera brings a certain ‘oh la la’ to sunbathing! In Cannes you can expect five-star service at the private Carlton Beach with sky high prices for the privilege while Plage du Midi, just a little further down, offers a more casual family vibe. For an A-list experience though, Paloma Beach in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat offers exclusivity and privacy, alongside its Chanel-clad clientele!

Puerto Banus Marbella

Marbella

Like your sunbathing with a side of summer tunes and sangria? Then head to Bounty beach and Nikki beach, attracting a young hip crowd. But why stop there when there’s 27kms of coastline to choose from. One of the many outstanding blue-flag beaches to enjoy is Cabo Pinto, or if it’s exclusivity you’re after then Playa Nagueles is a beauty spot worth visiting, best coupled with an exclusive Marbella luxury villa to complete your trip!

So, there you have it, three of the most seductive, exclusive and charming beaches for when you want to escape the city.

Global Luxury Villas provides luxury vacation homes within reach of some of the best beaches around the globe.

THE INTERVIEW SERIES – DAVID SIAUVAUD – OPERATIONS DIRECTOR, VILLAZZO

Thursday, June 21st, 2018
David Siauvaud

In our ongoing series of interviews, we exclusively speak to David Siauvaud, Operations Director at Villazzo. With more than seven years experience in the hospitality trade, David worked for a number of leading hotel brands before joining Villazzo four years ago.

Here we exclusively catch up with David about this role at Villazzo and the importance of customer service.

Q: You’ve studied in Ireland, worked as a head waiter in hotels in France, been a product manager in Mexico, and now head up operations for Villazzo in Miami. Tell us how you made the leap – both in terms of the role and location!?

I’ve always loved to travel and my studies have taken me far. I’ve found that working in several countries has excelled my career. It has given me a wealth of experience and the opportunity to discover other cultures and their approach to hospitality for a well-rounded view.

Q: Tell us a little about your day-to-day role.

As with all things Villazzo, good customer service runs through the company. As such, my role centers around bringing all the departments together to make sure they run smoothly, and customers remain at the heart of what we do. Maintaining a consistently high service worldwide is integral to this role. Overseeing the company financials is part of the day-to-day running of the business, to ensure budgets are managed too.

Q: From your time in hospitality, you witnessed first-hand the importance of good customer service. How do you deliver this to an online audience?

In the digital time we find ourselves in, immediacy is everything. Being able to respond quickly and helpfully is very important to our customers, and being reachable is key to the industry.

Q: What does Villazzo offer that a five-star hotel doesn’t?

When customers book a luxury vacation home with us, they can enjoy all the trappings of a five-star hotel, with the added benefit of complete privacy and a totally tailored experience. Everything is arranged as the guest desires, and that makes us special.

Q: You’re extremely well-travelled with a love of luxury – how does this help you in your role?

It’s a great advantage to understand guests, both on a cultural level and in their language. It allows us to connect more easily with customers and help anticipate their needs.

Q: What is the most challenging part of your job?

Ah yes, last minute requests are always fun! But it gets the adrenalin rushing and our team are brilliant at rising to the challenge – never failing to please. As mentioned before, I’m always ‘on’ and available, which means the business must always come first, but that’s not a problem as I’m passionate about what I do!

Villazzo Team

Q: What makes Villazzo stand-out from its competitors?

We have a really dedicated and passionate team that live and breathe hospitality. We share a common love for welcoming guests to our own houses, so it’s a pleasure to welcome guests to the beautiful luxury vacation homes we offer. It’s an extension of what we do!

Q: If you had to pick a destination for unrivalled luxury, where would you choose?

Dubai does luxury like nowhere else! They have an innate understanding of how to treat customers, offering everything they could desire, and then some! Personal helipads, private chefs, gold-drenched four poster beds – no request is too ambitious.

Q: Do you have any insider tips for online rental bookings? (e.g. specific requests, days that are cheaper than others?)

Surprisingly, the longer you stay the more affordable the trip. And don’t be afraid to make requests prior to your stay. After all, we’re here to deliver a five-star experience and want you to have the best vacation.

ESCAPE THE CITY AND HIT THE BEACH THIS SUMMER!

Thursday, June 14th, 2018
Beach

Summer is officially here in all its glory and it’s time to book that much deserved get-away! For those of us that work in the city, an escape to the beach with a luxury villa rental may be just the tonic you need from overload burnout. Research has found that taking a vacation is good for your performance at work. That’s not all, there’s many health benefits associated with going to the beach, from the minerals in sea water to the calmness of the environment.

As if you needed an excuse to hit the beach, we’ve made it even easier, picking out our favorite global gateways for the ultimate relaxation. Just add a luxury villa rental in to the mix and you’ve got the perfect recipe for a five-star break!

Shell in a Caribbean Sea

St Barths – for Nothing but Beaches!

Surrounded by the Caribbean Sea, St Barths takes pride of price with 14 picture postcard perfect beaches to discover. Amongst its most famous is Shell Beach in Gustavia – a great location for cliff jumping, snorkeling and cave diving. For a polar opposite experience, Flamands is not just the largest beach on the island, but one of the most pristine with stretches of glorious white sand. This is the go-to beach for sunbathing and romantic walks. It’s also within easy reach of Villa Liliana in nearby Anse des Cayes, providing all the trappings of a St Barths luxury vacation home with your own private pool to plunge in to.

Grace Bay

Turks & Caicos – for Beach Life at its Best

Swap the hustle and bustle of city living for the ultimate chill in the Turks & Caicos. Home to 40 coral islands, leading luxury villas, shops, restaurants and beaches for days, this is luxury living at its best! Grace Bay is probably the most known beach, boasting 12 miles of unadulterated bliss. While Long Beach Bay has all the right ingredients for the perfect beach – privacy, turquoise waters and impossibly white sand. For a great escape with complete tranquility offering some of the most decadent yet exclusive luxury villa rentals on the island, look no further.

Palm trees on the beach

Palm Beach – for Beach Within City Limits

Known for its glitzy upscale settings, providing the bliss of beach within city limits, South Florida seduces with its luxurious surroundings. Palm Beach is popular with holidaymakers seeking the refuge of the beach, but with boutique shops, restaurants and all the benefits of city life within reach. Like something out of Baywatch, Oceanfront Park Beach is one of the closest beach settings, complete with its own lifeguards, as well as beach chair rental. With so much space to enjoy, this is a great destination if you’re looking for a large luxury vacation house too.

So, there you have it, three of the most seductive, exclusive and charming beaches for when you want to escape the city.

For luxury villa rentals within reach of the best beaches in the world, book your get-away now with Global Luxury Villas.

FIVE OF THE BEST LUXURY FAMILY VILLAS IN EUROPE

Thursday, June 7th, 2018

The long stretch of summer is the most popular time of the year to book a family break. With excitable kids to entertain, Europe ticks all the boxes for the perfect family get-away. For great beaches, delicious food, plenty of cultural sights and blissful weather, look no further.

A happy holiday starts with the perfect setting. Many families opt for a luxury villa for rent, since it provides privacy, peace and quiet and a home-from-home.

Here’s five of the best vacation homes on offer this Europe, available to book now!

Villa Cynthia

First Class Fun

High-rollers won’t feel out of place in Marbella. By day, take your pick of two enormous heated pools (one indoors, one outdoors), or take a stroll to the beach, there’s many to choose from. Conveniently located near the local golf club, and Casino Marbella, there’s plenty to occupy big kids, as well as younger ones! There’s no shortage of family-friendly restaurants either, serving up traditional Spanish food. Or stay in a first-class vacation home such as Villa Cynthia with its huge open-plan professional kitchen, and hire your own chef for a special night in. Situated in the tranquil settings of El Paraiso, the 10-bedroom 10-bathroom sanctuary is the perfect get-away for large families.

Villa Adele

Historic Haven

Ideal for families with older kids that want to explore its rich history, Sorrento in Italy perches high above the cliffs. Take the Amalfi Coast for breath-taking vistas and Michelin star restaurants, or head to Capri and Pompeii for archaeological sites – it’s certainly an enriching place to visit. Base yourself at Villa Adele, to be central to the action. With five bedrooms, its own wooden pizza oven and Jacuzzi pool, it’s no wonder they call it ‘La Dolce Vita’! For an added extra, you can hire your own boat to explore the coast in style.

Villa Perla

Country Chic

Whether you’re here for the surf, sunbathing on the beach, or enjoying walks by the harbour, Saint-Tropez in France is the ultimate all-round destination. Stay in style at Villa Perla – your very own luxury vacation villa. Great for the kids, the luscious grounds offer plenty of space to run around in, with an inviting pool to cool down afterwards! Boasting five bedrooms across two levels, an open plan kitchen and shaded terrace area, it feels like your very own private hotel!

Villa Zalika

Pamper in Porto Cervo

Bathe in luxury and enjoy the finer touches that this fashionable district in Sardinia has to offer. What better way to relax with your loved ones than taking time out in a truly decadent luxury villa rental, with seven bedrooms to enjoy. Its large heated pool is great for children, and its perfect size dining room and lounge offer plenty of room for get-togethers. Despite its remoteness, Villa Zalika is reassuringly close to the local beach, golf club and marina, for fun day’s out.

Villa Raven

Blissful Balearic Bolthole

When all you want is sun, sea and luxury, Ibiza is the island to turn to. In the peaceful area of Cala Cona, you’ll find Villa Raven, an expansive bungalow accommodating up to 12 guests for the perfect extended family stay. Great for young kids, it comes complete with cot beds, and well-tended pathways for strollers. There’s also plenty of shade, as well as a divine swimming pool. A great place to kick back and entertain, the property is complete with a fully equipped kitchen, cinema-quality entertainment in the lounge and an indoor gym. Should you ever want to leave, the local beach is but a stroll away!

For the ultimate family get-away this summer, Global Luxury Villas provides luxury villas throughout Europe.

Harper’s Bazar Arabia Bride – Beach Bunnies – June 2018

Friday, June 1st, 2018
Harper's Bazar Cover
VILLA VERONICA Cala Jondal, Ibiza

Overlooking the only bay in Ibiza designated a nature reserve, Villa Veronica is a honeymoon destination of Hollywood A-list proportions. Located just moments from the infamous Blue Marlin and some of the island’s finest restaurants, newlyweds booking this sprawling, five-bedroom luxury private property can enjoy their own underwater disco and bar with sub aquatic pool, as well as a rooftop hot-tub, spa and gym. Treated to a bespoke ‘5-Star VillaHotel Experience’ that includes a lifestyle organized by its own private hotel manager and his expert team of hand-picked staff trained to pamper, a personal in-villa butler/concierge, private chef, and on call limousine service are all included in your dream holiday on the magical White Island.
From Dhs 35,000 a night; Villazzo.com (more…)