large family celebrations

Room for Everyone: Large Family Villas for Rental

Written by Julie Gauthier, Founder & Director, Art de Vivre

We are often approached by clients to find a villa for a large family get together. With grandchildren, son-in-laws and distant cousins, all needing enough space and activities, what seemed like a good idea initially can become a stressful task for the host. Sound familiar?

Pleasing everyone and finding the perfect balance of location and property is where our expertise is invaluable. Luckily many of our private properties are made for large gatherings with vast areas of space in the gardens and living areas, separate sleeping areas, as well as many different areas for dining around the property.

While some guests will prefer a quiet relaxing time around the villa, the little guests may like to be on the beach and the active ones, be they teenagers or aunts and uncles, may want water sports, cultural trips, golf, hiking, snow sports or cycling nearby. We take pride in getting to know the complete makeup of each of our guest parties, using our experience and imagination to ensure each guest's priorities and interests are fulfilled during their stay.

Our portfolio and contacts have large villas and chalets around the world located in Mediterranean, Majorca, Ibiza, Italy, Cote d'Azur, Dubrovnik, Bali, Thailand, Caribbean, South Africa, Indian Ocean, Central America, South America and the Alps.

Whether you are searching for a villa or chalet for a family celebration, wedding anniversary, milestone birthday, family get together, special occasion or group of friends staying together, send us a request with your family's unique requirements and we will be happy to aid you in finding the perfect property for rental.

Rejoice with your family in the beautiful land of life.
— Albert Einstein

Classical French Design in Cote d'Azur: Country Villa for Rental

Villa Côte d'Azur 226, Terre Blanche
Located in Large Country Estate
Close to Terre Blanche Golf Resort
Stunning Landscaped Gardens

This classical country villa nestled in the Terre Blanche estate lets you live in grand French style through its manicured gardens and beautifully spacious and airy rooms. The furnishings and artwork throughout the property are a subtle blend of the contemporary and the antique.

Despite its new construction, the fully serviced villa has been able to reuse the stone from a pre-existing ruin of an early 18th century sheep barn in the outside living areas and wine cellar to a stunning effect. In the past, the estate was owned by Louis Sauveur, Marquis de Villeneuve and French ambassador to the Ottoman Empire and is now home to Terre Blanche Golf Resort & Spa.

The villa has a dramatic two-story entrance in which the decor fuses contemporary and antique design and furnishings in muted tones. A well conceived pool house with barbecue kitchen and expansive outdoor living and dining areas surround the spacious swimming pool.

Highlights of the interior design are the owner’s wine cellar, private cinema and the spacious, superbly equipped kitchen. The property houses the owner's art collection, including works by Bernard Saint, Arina Gordienko, Lisa Lindqvist, Alexis Gorodine, Didier Caudron, Bella Pieroni and Jef Aerosol.

 

Key facts

  • French Country Villa in Cote d'Azur for rental

  • Sleeps 12 adults and 4 children

  • 6 Bedrooms ensuite

  • Beaches of Cannes & St Tropez, 30 mins

  • 1000m² of living space including cinema room

  • Spacious outdoor living & dining areas surrounding magnificent swimming pool

  • Pool House

  • Dedicated Concierge

  • Live in chef, two live in hostesses & daily housekeeping included

  • Set in 1.4 hectares of beautiful gardens

  • Large Provence Villa for rental

  • Perfect for Privacy & Security

  • Within the estate of The Terre Blanche Golf Resort with spa, kids club and golf

Elegance in the Cote d'Azur: Designer Oceanfront Villa

Villa Côte d'Azur 232,
Rayol-canadel-sur-mer

Stunning views across golden islands
Restored elegance & beautiful garden
Classical French interior desig

With its maritime pines backdrop, perfectly manicured garden and prime location overlooking the Mediterranean, the villa is a great location for a family holiday or special celebration. Just 25km from St Tropez, this restored villa has pride of place in an exceptional setting across from the Golden Islands, Levant, Porquerolles and Port Cros.

The owner and his wife have lovingly restored the elegant villa with style and refinement.  The interior is classically French with soft neutral fabrics and antique-style furnishings.

Most of the rooms face the bay and most have their own sea-facing outdoor terrace or balcony. The four bedrooms in the main house (with an additional 4 bedrooms in the guest wing) are furnished with an eclectic mix of period and modern classics. They are decorated with a light and airy touch and each room is unique in style and ambiance, featuring eye catching furnishings and striking art.

A great selection of dining areas are available from the formal dining room, to the alfresco dining by the pool house or more informal spaces on the terraces or courtyard. There is a relaxed family kitchen with a beautiful island piece, top quality equipment with subzero fridge, four oven aga and large Gaggenau oven.

The pool house is a highlight with its natural Burgundy stone floors and its open exposure. Its fully equipped kitchen is perfect for entertaining alfresco-style. An island bar separates the kitchen from the living area with its large open log fireplace, oversized cushions and a music system. This opens out with a large dining table & chairs for 20 people.

The grounds are across an acre of walled garden of rose bushes, plants and shrubs. Local plants include extensive areas of Lavender, an agapanthi walk and beds of iceberg roses with Arboussier and Mimosa trees. An ideal villa for you to spend quality time with family and friends for birthday celebrations, special dinners, wedding anniversaries and family reunions.

 

Key Facts

  • Elegant French Villa for rental

  • Sleeps 20 guests

  • 8 Bedrooms

  • Main House + Guest Wing

  • An Acre of Private Manicured Gardens

  • Cote d'Azur Villa with exceptional sea views

  • South of France Villa for rental

  • Beautiful Ocean Vista Villa with Private Chef

  • Beach Nearby

Glamour in the Alps: Zermatt Designer Chalet

Glamour in the Alps: Zermatt Designer Chalet

Tunnelled into the rock and lit with torches, live out your own Bond film as you enter this one of a kind luxury chalet. 

Wildlife Fantasy: South Africa Nature Villa in Private Reserve

South Africa Villa 309,
Private Reserve, Architects Silvio Rech and Lesley Carstens
Research-grade Observatory Tower
12,000 acre private estate

Leobo is an award winning bush villa located on a completely private 20,000 acre estate in the Waterberg Mountains. One of the most stunning safari homes in Africa, not only from an architectural or style perspective as it is a truly private home great for families and small groups.

This Africa luxury villa for rental is a fantasy holiday home for nature and wildlife lovers as it is truly a nature villa surrounded by its own private reserve.

Designed by award winning architects Silvio Rech and Lesley Carstens (notable creations include North Island), the property is a state-of-the-art masterpiece with breath-taking views across the private reserve.

It can’t be compared to any other bush camp, as all the furniture pieces are bespoke and handmade specifically for the house, such as the 3D crochet cactus cushions and the wildebeest hide ceiling in a recessed lounge.

Art de Vivre loves the sheer size of the rooms and the incredible feeling of space. There is also ample space to eat both inside and out as well as a spectacular sunken fire pit. Best of all is the automated professional standard observatory.

 

Key facts

  • South Africa luxury villa for rental

  • Sleeps 6 adults plus children

  • Malaria free zone

  • Rented on an exclusive basis

  • Abundance of activities for you to enjoy

New Seychelles Designer Villa: Praslin Private Beach Villa

Seychelles Villa 407 | Praslin
Main Villa & 2 Guest Villas
Discreet | Private Pools
Private Beach

Beachfront luxury private villas for rental in the Seychelles are extremely rare so when the owner of Villa Praslinproudly informed us of its completion, we were very excited to offer such a unique property to our clients.

Completed in 2014 the villa was conceived by the Indian Ocean Architecture practice Artema, known for their tropical elegance with a ‘French twist’. The designers have made the most of this beautiful beachfront plot and its lush tropical gardens, ensuring the property is immersed in nature. Space and light are important to its design as well as the use of natural materials throughout.

Nestled on the Anse Gouvernement beach in Praslin, Seychelles, this 5 bedroom villa (sleeping 10 adults and 2 children) is on an exclusive estate of 5300 m² opening up onto a private beach and the sea. The property consists of a main residence with 3 suites and infinity pool and 2 independent guest villas with their own private pool each.

Seychelles enjoys world renown for its flora and fauna, its turquoise sea and heavenly beaches. Among the hundreds of islands that form the archipelago “Praslin” is the most famous.

Villa Praslin is ideal for a group of friends, a family get together or a VIP stay. The villa is very private, in a unique location on a pristine and immaculate private beach. Fully staffed with a private chef, butler and all meals included, come and unwind and enjoy the bounty of authentic Seychelles in your own private home.


Top 10 Winter Sun Designer Villas

As we settle into our new worldwide villa seasonal collection, we feature a selection of the Top 10 Winter Sun Designer Villas for rental. Located across the globe in Africa, Thailand, Mustique, Seychelles, Mexico, St Barts, Brazil, Turks & Caicos, Bali and Anguilla.

These winter sun luxury designer villas for rental are a taster of our collection. For further details, send us an email on [email protected]

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South Africa Reserve Lodge 309

Sleeps 6 + 3 | 4 Bedrooms | Private Pool
12,000 acre Private Estate | Observatory
Architects Silvio Rech & Lesley Carstens
Guest lodges available for extra guests


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Phuket Residence 801

Sleeps 20 | 3 Villas & a Penthouse
Private Pools | Dedicated kids' hotel | Spa
On-site gourmet restaurant | Private Gym
Private Cinema | Designers' collaboration


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Seychelles Villa 407 | Praslin

Sleeps 10 + 2 | 5 Suites | Private Beach
Back to Nature | Main Villa & 2 Guest Villas
Discreet | Private Pools | Tropical Gardens
Handcrafted artwork | Private Wine Cellar


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Mexico Villa 702 | Punta Mita

Sleeps 18 + ch | 9 Suites | Private Pool
Oceanfront location | Crowns dramatic cliff
Architects: Manolo Mestre, Juan Collignon & Karen Collignon | Mexican arts and crafts


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Brazil Villa 601 | Búzios

Sleeps 10 | 5 Bedrooms | Private Pool
Contemporary design | Stunning Sea Views
Gourmet Kitchen | Floor-to-ceiling windows
Natural Light | Waterfalls & Fountains


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Turks&Caicos 523| Providenciales

Sleeps 12 | 6 Bedrooms | Private Pool
Private Beach Access | 10-acre gardens
European, Asian & African Antiques
Mexican architect, Marco Aldaco


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Bali Villa 803 | Cemagi

Sleeps 10 | 5 Bedrooms | Private Pool
Contemporary Balinese Design | Ocean view
Architect Ernesto Bedmar | Lush Gardens Black sand beach | Authentic Cuisine


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Mustique Villa 525 | South Hilltop

Sleeps 10 | 6 Bedrooms | Private Pool
Panoramic Caribbean views | Contemporary
Italian architect Paolo Piva | Media Room
Additional Guest Cottage available


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St Barts Villa 511

Sleeps 10 + 4 | 6 Bedrooms | Beachfront
White-sand beach | Crystal-clear waters
Stunning ocean views | Private "mirror" pool
Architect Firm Olivier Dain Perspectives

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Anguilla 601 | Black Garden Bay

Sleeps 10 | 4 Suites + 1 Bedr | Private Pool
Panoramic ocean views | Asian elements
Natural Beauty | Architect Frank Hamilton
Interiors by Cecconi Simone | Beachfront


For further details on our collection of chalets and villas around the world, send us an email on [email protected]


Featured Villa: Steel & Glass Cape Town 305, Camps Bay

Featured in our Spring Summer 2014 Villa Rental Collection

A beautiful minimalist home for rental, winner of House & Leisure “ SA House of the Year” – September 2009, commanding a 270º view of Lions Head, Camps Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. Designed by SAOTA - Stefan Antoni Olmesdahl Truen Architects, this sublime steel and glass haven offers living spaces that are highly transparent to take full advantage of these views. Interiors are by Antoni Associates.

In an upmarket suburb of Cape Town with its absolute exclusivity and privacy, this elegantly casual & ultra-contemporary villa is a sublime steel & glass haven for you to entertain your guests in. It ambiguously blurs the boundaries between indoors and outdoors and shifts, changes and challenges expectations at every turn, with effortless fluidity. It’s understated but so powerful.

Light

It harnesses and captures every nuance of the changing light through its generous frameless sky-lights and ample glass sliding doors, which can totally disappear, eliminating any demarcation between the living spaces and the lush greenery of the garden, and seamlessly fusing the two rim-flow swimming pools and their generous bleached Balou terraces.

Structure

Heavy, fixed building features seem to defy the laws of gravity and appear literally to float, like the cantilevered roof with its internal hidden steel support structure on the top level and the thick walnut staircase that links the perfectly independent upstairs with the self-sufficient downstairs. Overall, the effect is one of fluid spacial symbiosis, much like the ebb and flow of the ocean that can be glimpsed from almost every vantage point.

Uncluttered

In keeping with Stefan Antoni Olmesdahl Truen Architects’ (SAOTA) belief that the most successful living spaces are uncluttered, refined and have a great directness which compliments the casual lifestyle of their clients, there is absolutely nothing to disappoint.

Finishing Touches

The interiors' palette and décor match the structure with a cloud-like weightlessness and natural harmony. Muted, misty greys, white Carrara marble, limed oak, expansive white porcelain tiles and Zen pebble accents. Artworks like the mystically atmospheric Patricia Driscoll photographic prints and a long water channel animated by Koi. With superb flow and aesthetic restraint, it’s a perfect entertainment, party space, too.

Technology

The house has a box of technological tricks: motorized, automated hairdryers, heat-reflecting blinds, hi-tech remote control home automation pads and XBox with an extensive selection of DVDs, Wi-Fi, plasma screens, Satellite, integrated air-conditioning, underfloor heating, CCTV security system… as well as a six-car garage.

Additional Facts

- The Penthouse (on top floor) has 3 en-suite bedrooms

- The Main House (on ground floor) has 2 en-suite bedrooms

- The separate Guest Apartment (also on ground floor) has an en-suite bathroom, kitchen, lounge/ bedroom and balcony.

- The Basement Studio Apartment is situated at the back of the property and has its own entrance.

- Both lounge areas open to the outdoor terrace with stunning sea views and Spectacular rim-flow heated swimming pools.

- Shaded 8 seater sandstone table adjacent to the gas BBQ overlooking pool on

Highlights

Steel & Glass Haven

Floor to Ceiling Glass

Architecture by Stefan Antoni Olmesdahl Truen

Deemed Cape Town’s most acclaimed designer villas

Studio Guest & Basement Separate Apartments

Breathtaking Ocean Views

Two Rim-flow Private Pools

Blurs Boundaries between Indoors & Outdoors

270º View of Lions Head, Camps Bay & Atlantic

Winner of House & Leisure
“SA House of the Year”
September 2009

Perfect for...

Large family celebrations

Corporate Retreats

Design Lovers

Key facts

Sleeps 14

7 Bedrooms

7 Bathrooms

Children Welcome

Serviced from Mon - Sat

Chef & Butler on request

If you are interested in renting this villa or would like further information on the rest of our Spring Summer 2014 Designer Villa Collection, then do get in contact.

Email us on
[email protected]