What does it take to be named “Best Luxury Villa Rental and Accommodation Service in the World”? A rare look inside Haute Retreats — from its boutique Italian beginnings to global award-winning status.

When the 2025 Luxury Lifestyle Awards named Haute Retreats the Best Luxury Villa Rental and Accommodation Service in the World, it wasn’t a surprise to those who know the upper echelons of global travel, for the second year in a row. The accolade confirmed what high-net-worth travelers and industry insiders have recognized for years: this boutique Italian brand has quietly built a reputation as the gold standard for curated villa escapes.

At a time when privacy, personalization and exclusivity define modern luxury, Haute Retreats has carved out a niche by offering more than just opulent homes — it delivers experiences that feel tailor-made for each guest.

From Boutique Startup to Global Standard

Founded by Italian entrepreneur Sabrina Piccinin, Haute Retreats began as a passion project — a response to the lack of truly personalized luxury villa services. What started as a boutique operation has since grown into a globally recognized brand, boasting a portfolio of more than 1,200 handpicked villas in over 60 destinations, from Mykonos to the Maldives.

And yet, the company has remained defiantly unscalable in one key respect: everything is curated. Every home is inspected. Every host vetted. Every stay is overseen by a dedicated concierge. There are no automated bookings, no impersonal interfaces. Guests planning a vacation on HauteRetreats.com are greeted not by a search engine, but by a human — one who wants to know whether you’re traveling with children, planning a celebration, or simply in need of a weeklong escape.

“Our goal is to make guests feel like the villa was designed just for them,” says Piccinin. “We handle everything — from private chefs and yacht charters to babysitting and massage therapists — so they don’t have to think about anything but enjoying the experience.”

A Reflection of Changing Luxury

Haute Retreats’ rise coincides with a larger trend in the luxury market. In the wake of the pandemic, demand for private, self-contained accommodations exploded, as travelers sought safer, more controlled environments. But the appetite for private villas has outlasted the crisis.

According to industry data, demand for luxury villa rentals rose by over 40% globally in 2024 alone. Experts attribute this to a broader shift in consumer values — away from ostentation and toward meaningful, immersive experiences. Wealthy travelers, especially younger ones, now seek spaces that combine seclusion with service, and aesthetics with authenticity.

For these travelers, a hotel — no matter how grand — often feels restrictive. A private villa with a local chef, curated activities, and unobtrusive but around-the-clock support feels liberating. It’s in this environment that Haute Retreats has flourished, offering a hybrid of luxury hospitality and custom travel design.

What Sets Haute Retreats Apart

The award from Luxury Lifestyle Awards cited Haute Retreats’ “impeccable reputation, exemplary performance, and commitment to global excellence.” That translates, in practical terms, to a few defining pillars:

• Curation over scale: Properties are selected based on design, location, and uniqueness — not mass availability.

• Personalized service: Every stay includes a dedicated concierge to arrange everything from jet transfers to in-villa spa treatments.

• Trust and consistency: A uniform standard of excellence across continents, ensuring that a villa in Bali delivers the same caliber of experience as one in Lake Como.

• Discretion and loyalty: Haute Retreats serves a clientele that includes celebrities, executives, and royalty — all drawn by its low-key, high-touch approach.

The company’s success also underscores the value of hospitality rooted in relationships. “We’re not just matching a guest to a villa,” says Piccinin. “We’re designing an entire experience, shaped by their tastes, their rhythms, their needs.”

Media Contact
Company Name: Haute Retreats
Contact Person: Angelica Crudo
Email: Send Email
Country: United States
Website: https://hauteretreats.com/