Looking for a quiet or secluded place where you can rest and relax? Luxe Lodgings contributor Angela Fairhurst found six resort and hotel properties with private retreats around the world where you can get some much needed rest and relaxation.
Vermejo Park Ranch, New Mexico
Once the private residence of media mogul Ted Turner, Casa Grande at Vermejo Park Ranch is located in northern New Mexico. Originally constructed at the turn of the century, this 25,000-square-foot home was built by a Frank Lloyd Wright mentor, Joseph Lyman Silsbee. In 2012, the home underwent a four-year meticulous renovation, opening in June 2016 as a newly created Ted Turner Expeditions ecotourism property. The stone-clad seven-bedroom Spanish-inspired historic estate with its Victorian style ambiance is available for individual bookings or exclusive use, and joins existing accommodations at the 585,000-acre Vermejo Park Ranch. Casa Grande features a proper music room and library, billiard room, and a greenhouse. This horse ranch is definitely a place to commune with authentic nature and wildlife.
One & Only Reethi Rah, Maldives
One & Only Reethi Rah is an all-villa resort in the Maldives located on one of the largest islands in North Malé among a string of coral atolls, lagoons, and white sands. A particular stand out accommodation, the Grand Sunset Residence, is an ultra-luxurious secluded two-bedroom villa. This property has hosted countless celebrities, including the recent guest Gordon Ramsay. The master has a king size bed, and the second bedroom comes with two queens. Both bathrooms have large soaking tubs and rain head showers. With a gated private road, two luxury four-seater vehicles, personal bicycles, a wine cellar, a personal chef on call 24 hours a day, your own pool, and direct access to the lagoon, there is little missing at this ultimate retreat.
Champions Retreat Golf Club, Evans, Georgia
Champions Retreat Golf Club is a well-respected golf club just outside of Augusta, Georgia with first-class cottages and a new special event space called the Barn on the grounds. It is the only golf course featuring three nine-hole courses individually designed by Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus, and the late Arnold Palmer. Southern hospitality is plentiful, where friendship, family, and good food matter and make for a shared yet exclusive experience. The Cottages can be owned or rented with membership and are located throughout the stately pines surrounding the clubhouse. During Masters Week, these cottages and the courses are available to the public. The rustic accommodations hold four to eight couples each and include gourmet kitchens, fireplaces, fire pits, and porches.
Le Sereno Villas, St. Barth
Le Sereno is an intimate St. Barth beachfront hotel with 36 suites and three stand out villas. The four-bedroom villas offer the privacy and expansiveness of a home combined with the personal service of a high-end resort. Each of the Villas offer more than 7,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor space. Key features are huge terraces, landscaped gardens, and massive pools overlooking the views of the turquoise lagoon of the coveted Grand Cul-de-Sac. Le Sereno Villas come with special amenities, including a beach tote designed exclusively by British accessories designer Anya Hindmarch and Le Sereno branded Havaiana sandals. The Villas are a favorite of high-profile guests and celebrities such as Jessica Simpson.
NIZUC Resort & Spa, Cancun, Mexico
Minutes away from the Cancun airport, yet isolated behind its own gated community is the NIZUC Resort & Spa. The resort is situated on a 29-acre property with its most prestigious accommodation, the Presidential Suite Villa, placed in a private setting. The two-bedroom Mayan style villa has 3,270 square feet of interior space and 2,280 square feet of outdoor areas with a rooftop sundeck. The outdoor space is set in a lush tropical garden with an infinity pool featuring an expansive lounge patio and ample space for entertaining. The Master bedroom has a king bed and the second bedroom has two queen beds. The bathroom has a freestanding deep soaking tub, separate rainfall showers, high end amenities, and an outdoor shower.
Jumeriah Vittaveli, Maldives
Also in the Maldives is Jumeirah Vittaveli, on a private island in South Malé, accessible only by a 20-minute catamaran ride. Opening in March (this month) is the exclusive Royal Residence villa. The 38,000 square-foot hideaway has five bedrooms and six bathrooms. Walled off from the rest of the resort and completely self-sufficient, the Royal Residence was designed for ultimate privacy. With nine individual structures, there is an outdoor sunken lounge surrounded by a fragrant lily pond; a full-sized swimming pool looking out to a private beach; a ten-seat dining room; an adjacent living room connected to the pool deck; and an open-air Teppanyaki-style kitchen. Inside the fully stocked kitchen, staffed by a private chef and team, is a wine cellar with $100,000 worth of wine and champagne. There are separate quarters to house up to four additional personnel. Upon arrival, you receive priority customs service and a personal welcome at the airport with a traditional Maldivian Bodu Beru reception of drummers and dancers who greet you at the jetty.
