Feature: Villas in Paradise

James Badham, with Eric Hiss

January 1, 2004

The emperor Hadrian built a villa at Tivoli for the express purpose of escaping the stress of Rome. The complex of gardens, courtyards and fountains epitomized what a villa is meant to be: a place of luxurious respite. And that is just what these 10 rental villas—among the finest in the world—offer. They provide guests with a level of service tailored to precise desires and unique environments in which to forget the realities of day-to-day life. Spend a week—or a month—at any of these villas, and you might just feel like an emperor yourself.

Baroness Thyssen-Bornemisza built Chalet Eugenia in Klosters as her family’s winter residence (right): The wood-paneled dining room (below). (Click image to enlarge)

Chalet Eugenia, Klosters, Switzerland
Klosters has long been a favorite ski destination for the British royal family, and it is close to Davos, renowned for its skiing and for the World Economic Forum’s annual meeting. Chalet Eugenia, offering a well-measured blend of rustic Alpine atmosphere and sophisticated luxury, can accommodate up to 15 guests in its eight bedrooms. Save the master bedroom suite for yourself, if only for the bathroom’s sunken tub and fireplace. Most bedrooms have balconies and southerly views of Gotschna mountain, and children can practice skiing on a beginner’s piste while parents watch from the comfort of the living room. The chalet’s six-member staff includes a chef who specializes in regional cuisine and makes extensive use of the wood-fired oven. Although it is located near the center of Klosters, the chalet is privately situated on several acres. A chauffeured SUV remains on call throughout your stay. The cost for up to 12 guests starts at just under £14,000 (approximately $24,000) per week.

Descent International
+44.20.7384.3854
www.descent.co.uk


Château des Palmiers, French St. Martin, West Indies
Nearly every seagoing European nation has at some point controlled the island’s 33 square miles, a heritage reflected in the island’s unusual political and cultural divisions—part French, part Dutch. Ultraluxe meets la mer on St. Martin at this rambling property, which stretches from the sparkling shores of white-sand Plum Bay to the road, and then continues across the street. Both the five-bedroom oceanside villa and its four-bedroom garden neighbor are surrounded by manicured grounds and have opulent, formal French Regency–style interiors. The beach villa’s huge heated pool (rimmed with chaise longues and enlivened by a state-of-the-art outdoor sound system and shaded outdoor bar) is a focal point, but the gleaming fitness center, tennis court, billiard room—and that perfect beach—invite activity as a prelude to chef-prepared meals indoors or out. $90,000 per night. (Click image to enlarge)

Island Hideaways
800.832.2302
www.islandhideaways.com

Villas Caribe
800.645.7498
www.villascaribe.com

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