No matter what you’re celebrating we have the perfect villa to surpass all expectations.
Perhaps you’re celebrating a milestone or hosting an entire family get-together. You may be looking for a destination wedding or a riotous birthday bash. No matter what you’re celebrating we have the perfect villa to surpass all expectations. From the kind of Grecian estate you’d find on a movie-set to a grandiose Tuscan villa and former aristocratic retreat, we’ve found five of the best large group villas for a legendary party be it relaxed or raucous.
The destination wedding
With chic white washed facades and sweeping Aegean views, Zarassi Estate instagrammable factor flies off the charts. This movie-style set villa has all the ingredients for a destination wedding; private chapel, pool side bar and oodles of space (7,000 square-metres of it) to party and pamper. Relax by the infinity pool as aquamarine as the sea or take some downtime in the home cinema.
With private chefs and masseurs on hand, you don’t need to leave, but there’s a helipad to escort guests from A to B and the concierge can arrange outings to Mykonos Town. You’re also a five-minute stroll to the picturesque Kalafati beach.
The family get-together
Borgo Bernardini (sleeps 24), Lucca
There are reminders of aristocracy at this former 17th century hunting lodge; trellised frescoes, ornamental ponds, exquisite landscape gardens.It was once the summer residence of Count Cosimo Bernardini who on weekends retreated to the hills where he could hunt wild boar. Today it offers the perfect family retreat. Children can roar around the rolling parkland, play billiards or splash around in the large private pool. Meanwhile parents can enjoy peace in the lemon-scented courtyard and take tea by antique fountains. Come mealtimes, there’s plenty of places for a banquet– request a chef and you won’t have to lift a finger.
The staycation
Temple Guiting Manor (sleeps 10), Temple Guiting
We know all too well how difficult it is to get a group together, let alone to travel abroad. Set in the Cotswolds, this honey-coloured Tudor manor has a Midsummer Murders appeal to it with oak beams, secret staircases and beautiful walled gardens. Think quintessential English meets upscale amenities such as private cinema, tennis courts and a hot tub set in a former dovecote. Festivities can be hosted in the dining room, clad in heritage furniture. From canapés to full blown dinners, catering is available on request. And if you’re planning a bigger party, why not consider taking over the whole estate which sleeps 34.
The once-in-a-lifetime celebration
Mas Mateu (sleeps 18), Girona