Luxury travel is evolving beyond the confines of fancy hotels and resorts. Companies specializing in luxurious vacation rentals are claiming a stake in the marketplace — many of them offering high-end concierge services that give world-class resorts a run for their money.
Ever dream of living in a castle or vacationing on your own private island? Here are seven vacation rental companies ready to make your dreams come true.
Moving Mountains
Excelsior Lodge in Beaver Creek, Colorado, one of many Moving Mountains vacation rentals — Photo courtesy of Moving Mountains
Moving Mountains focuses on luxury vacation rentals in the majestic mountains of Colorado — specifically Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, and Steamboat Springs. These vacation rentals come with attentive concierge services that can help you plan day trips, stock your pantry with groceries, or set you up with a private chef — a la internationally reputable J&J Personal Chefs, which has a long roster of famous clients.
From plush robes to Egyptian cotton towels, the curated homes feature the amenities you’d expect at a five-star resort. Feeling extra indulgent? Try Moving Mountains’ ultra-luxury portfolio: the Apex Collection.
Villas of Distinction
A Villas of Distinction vacation rental in Jamaica — Photo courtesy of Villas of Distinction
Villas of Distinction has been forging a path in the luxury vacation rentals scene since 1988. Today, Villas of Distinction offers more than 2,500 luxury villas and estates in 50-plus destinations around the world. Homes can range in size from a cozy one-bedroom penthouse to a palatial estate with 43 bedrooms. From home theaters to fitness centers, the amenities of these dream villas are elite and endless. Each vacation rental comes with a personal concierge.
You can browse collections tailored to your interests — for instance, by sports (golf, ski, tennis), lifestyle (LGBTQ+, pet friendly, environmentally friendly), or even by celebrities who have previously stayed there.
HomeExchange Collection
Trading places with HomeExchange Collection — Photo courtesy of onurdongel / E+ Via Getty Images
The HomeExchange Collection empowers owners of luxury homes to engage in a home swap to experience a different kind of luxury for a weekend or as long as a month. Vetted and approved HomeExchange Collection members get access to more than 4,000 luxury homes in more than 70 countries. Homeowners provide recommendations on their favorite things to do and see in the area, which adds a layer of connection to place and living as the locals do.
If two homeowners aren't able to swap places at the same time, they can earn special points to use to visit other HomeExchange properties at a later date.
Onefinestay
A Onefinestay vacation rental in Lake Como, Italy — Photo courtesy of Onefinestay
Onefinestay offers access to more than 4,500 high-end luxury vacation rentals around the world, complete with 24/7 guest support. Need a babysitter? Onefinestay has your back. From in-home spa treatments to private butler and chauffeur services, Onefinestay offers wraparound services to ensure all details are taken care of as you enjoy your home away from home.
Who was voted the best?: Best Art Festival (10Best Readers' Choice Awards 2024)
With an inventory that includes villas, chalets, and luxury homes, this vacation rentals company also curates experiences for their guests. From scuba diving lessons to helicopter tours, the sky's the limit.
Cuvée
A St. Barts property in Cuvée's inventory of vacation rentals — Photo courtesy of Cuvée
Since 2005, Cuvée has been connecting travelers with rare luxury properties in more than 100 sought-after locations, from South Africa to Tuscany to most recently Mallorca. You can even rent a private island. With a full-service concierge, Cuvée shifts the focus of travel from planning to experiencing, taking care of the logistics so you can relax. Let them handle the dinner reservations or even help you plan a party.
Who was voted the best?: Best Cultural Festival (10Best Readers' Choice Awards 2024)
Other vacation rental websites of note
DreamExoticRentals is a woman- and minority-owned company offering vacation rentals around the world. Book a castle for a special event or rent a private island in the Bahamas. As a bonus, DreamExoticRentals weaves a charitable thread through its business model, donating a percentage of proceeds from every booking to a select roster of nonprofit organizations.
Whimstay does things a little differently. This is where to go to score last-minute deals on vacation rental properties in the United States, Mexico, Canada, and the Caribbean. Designed to fill last-minute vacancies, the deepest discounts can be found on bookings made within 30 days of your trip. Though the inventory is not exclusively set on luxury properties, you can find great deals on luxury vacation rentals in prime locations.