Finer Things: How Onefinestay Took Over The World

Words by
Nigel Tisdall

7th September 2022

Discover a worldwide wealth of idyllic villas with onefinestay’s exceptional selection of perfect properties

 

Presented by onefinestay 

How do you find the perfect villa? Founded in London 12 years ago, luxury home specialist onefinestay helps travellers find properties to rent in fabulous destinations, from Hawaii to Los Angeles to the Caribbean. We’ve selected nine of its most enticing villas that will definitely hit the spot this winter, all desirable, luxurious homes from home.

Bliss in Barbados Seaclusion
Barbados is a deservedly popular island so it’s a boon that all onefinestay properties come with complimentary concierge services. First request? A fast-track passage through the invariably busy Grantley Adams International Airport, followed by some early reservations at favourite island restaurants such as Champers, Sea Shed and Paul Owens At The Beach House. Be sure to also arrange some sightseeing tours, or a rental car if you prefer to explore on your own. The island’s choicest villas have always been on the Platinum Coast to the west. To be right beside that gorgeously turquoise sea but also near to the capital, Bridgetown, hang your sunhat in Seaclusion. Set in an acre of beachfront tropical gardens, this is one of the grandest of the hundred-plus properties onefinestay offers on Barbados. Its six bedrooms feature four-poster beds and slipper baths, and there’s a detached cottage that can accommodate a nanny or members of your party who fancy some privacy. The fully staffed villa boasts a gym, a home cinema and a grand piano. It is popular with guests who like to entertain, thanks to its magisterial cocktail bar and multiple dining spaces, which include a large pool with sunken seats and table, and a gazebo that catches the sunset.
Seaclusion, sleeps 12, from £8,008 per night including butler, chef, housekeeper and security guard. onefinestay.com
Footprints Barbados
Further north beside Alleynes Bay, five-bedroom Footprints Barbados has a quieter elegance. Balconies and floor-to-ceiling windows make the most of its winning beachfront location. The two-storey, all-white villa also features two pools and a variety of spaces for sunbathing and dining al fresco. A key attraction is the services of a Michelin-grade chef, plus you are only steps away from Lone Star, a beach restaurant that’s famous for its shepherd’s pie and also serves perfectly cooked local fish.
Footprints Barbados, sleeps 10, from £2,604 per night including butler, chef and housekeeper, onefinestay.com. For more information see visitbarbados.org

 

Relax In Turks And Caicos: Salacia
Bewitching beaches, coral reefs and a wide choice of ocean-based activities are all good reasons to choose this low-lying archipelago for a sunshine holiday. Active travellers will relish the opportunities to go sailing, snorkeling, diving, kitesurfing, fishing, and riding, as well as whalewatching during February and March, so be sure to make some plans with the help of your concierge. Onefinestay offers a comprehensive choice of 142 properties on Turks and Caicos, all located on the island of Providenciales. To stay right beside the sweeping sands of Grace Bay Beach, head for six-bedroom Salacia, framed in 15 acres of palm-dotted grounds. This villa is ideal for a special celebration or multi-generational get-together, given its huge central pool, lawns, terraces and al fresco dining options. In-house entertainment includes a gym, a billiard table and a home cinema.
Salacia, sleeps 12 from £8,040 a night including butler and chef; onefinestay.com.
Villa Shambhala
On the south coast at Long Bay, sixbedroom Villa Shambhala has a more away-from-it-all location and is a good pick if you like to feel close to nature. A private path leads to a three-mile-long beach where you can savour the warm breezes and star-sprinkled night sky. The property has a classic Caribbean look, with wood shingle roofing and white interiors with dark wooden furniture, including four-poster beds. Add a 40ft infinity pool with hot tub, a state-of-the-art kitchen and a large entertainment room, and it’s definitely time to get the party started.
Villa Shambhala, sleeps 16, from £3,003 a night, onefinestay.com.. For more information see visittci.com
 
Unwind on St Barth: Villa Wake Up
If you like to be close to the sea, check into Villa Wake Up, which overlooks Anse des Flamands. This is the longest beach on the island and also home to the prestigious Cheval Blanc St-Barth Isle de France resort — a trip to its tip-top spa should definitely be on your to-do list. Rising to three storeys, this adults-only villa includes a master suite with a private terrace looking out to the beach and the islands beyond. Relaxing here is easy thanks to the large infinity pool, whirlpool tub, ample wooden decking and hanging chairs. When it’s time for a break from the sunshine there’s also a luxuriously furnished home cinema, study, gym and spa treatment room.
Villa Wake Up, sleeps 12, from £15,198 per night including butler, chef and housekeeper. onefinestay.com.
Villa Antares
For a more secluded stay, four-bedroom Antares lies within a private gated community in the breezy hills of Mont Jean. Peace and serenity are a given at this single-storey adults-only villa with its palm-fringed infinity pool looking out towards the deep blue ocean. Wood shingle roofing, wrap-around terraces and a muted palette of white and grey create an air of calm, while bedrooms strike a colourful note with their leafy prints and fabrics. Should you fancy cooking up your own French feast there’s also a spacious kitchen and an open-plan dining room.
Villa Antares, sleeps eight, from £4,857 per night including daily housekeeping, onefinestay.com. For more information see saintbarth-tourisme.com
Chill Out in Aspen: Nighthawk
Set amid the snowy peaks of Colorado’s Rocky Mountains, Aspen promises top-class skiing matched with exceptional places to stay and play. It was once the world’s top producer of silver and still has a wealthy shine reflected in its popularity with celebrities and connoisseurs of fine living. For panoramic views in a tranquil location check in to six-bedroom Nighthawk, which rests on the flanks of Red Mountain on the north side of town. After a thrilling day of winter sports it’s a joy to return to this natural-hued retreat with its solid wooden beams, antler chandeliers and a terrace hot tub that catches the sunset. It’s not hard to relax here. There is ample space for everyone, including eight bathrooms, bunk beds for children, and a three-vehicle garage.
Nighthawk, sleeps 10, from £4,160 per night; onefinestay.com. For more information see aspenchamber.org
Chill Out in Aspen: Cloud Manor
Choose this grand three-storey mansion if you want the security of a gated sanctuary while staying near the centre of Aspen. Located on the south side of town, the six-bedroom property is close to ski lifts and only a few blocks from dining hotspots such as the lively and convivial White House Tavern and the French Alpine Bistro, a must for fans of fondue and raclette, as well as authentic crêpes. With large picture windows, blazing fires, a wine cellar, a wood-floored kitchen and a fitness centre, Cloud Manor offers everything you need for an effortless winter holiday with friends and family — including, if you’re feeling lucky, a poker table. View the starry winter skies from the master bedroom’s private balcony.
Cloud Manor, sleeps 12, from £8,320 per night; onefinestay.com. For more information see aspenchamber.org
Timbers Townhouse
Right by the Assay Hill lift in Snowmass, this five-bedroom chalet-style residence is a smart pick if ski-in/ski-out is a priority. Stone fireplaces and chunky wooden beds create a rustic mood, plus there’s a marbled kitchen and a balcony with a hot tub. The house is part of the exclusive six-property Timbers Club, so guests can enjoy member benefits that include complimentary breakfast, après-ski drinks and use of a gym and pool. A 15-minute drive gets you to the centre of Aspen and your onefinestay concierge can arrange bespoke experiences from private yoga classes to a slap-up gourmet lunch in a mountain cabin.
Timbers Townhouse, sleeps 12, from £3,888 per night, onefinestay.com. For more information see aspenchamber.org