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#1  Oceana
at Sugar Hill, Villa in Barbados
After passing through the gates of the Sugar Hill community, you caught your
first glimpse of your four-bedroom estate villa—with its prime location,
tucked away on Ocean Ridge with azure Caribbean views—and your entire
outlook improved. Now this is a tropical getaway, from your picturesque villa's
refined style (oh, that partially open-air dining room, with its own atrium
garden!) to its grand private pool, framed by swaying frangipani, ginger
lilies, and coconut palms. All this, and you get to return from paradise with
no tan lines! In a word: Ahhh . . .
#2  Guana
Island, Villa Resort in the British Virgin Islands
You rented one of this private island resort's spectacular and spacious
stand-alone villas, and you have romance in mind. Along with quiet walks on
empty beaches, intoxicating couple's massages, and soulful sunset cruises,
you're taking full advantage of your private outdoor shower, hot tub, and
infinity pool (where all you're wearing is a little sunscreen and a big smile).
When the mood strikes you to get dressed up and be sociable, you direct your
golf cart to the main house to share an unforgettable dinner followed by an
evening cocktail with the other guests, which number no more than 30 or so.
#3  Casa
de Campo, Villa Resort in the Dominican Republic
You keep coming back to the word "luxuriate." It fits this place. You are truly
soaking up the experience, delighting in it, savoring every moment. You came
for the golf, spa, and private beach, and you'll leave appreciating all those
things along with one you didn't anticipate: the utter "at-homeness" you feel
in your private villa with its extremely private pool—which is why your
swimsuit isn't in the pool with you, and why you don't feel the least bit shy
about it.
#4  La
Scuola, Villa in Italy
Featured in several books on Tuscany, this show-stopping contemporary home was
once a school in the medieval town of San Casciano di Bagni . . . and it's
certainly teaching you a few things about savoring the good life. Although it's
just a short stroll from the town's piazza, this stunning villa has a secluded
feel you find absolutely seductive, with sensational valley views, delightfully
scented gardens, and right-out-of-a-magazine decor (which is fitting, since
this villa has also been featured in several international magazines). It's
hard to choose, but your favorite experience might be sipping a fantastic local
wine poolside, bathed in that famous Tuscan sunlight, which you're soaking up
on every inch of your relaxed, and clothing-free, body.
#5  Windjammer
Landing, Villa Resort on St. Lucia
This resort can keep you busy 24/7, from its sensuous spa to its 46-foot
sailing yacht--with captain--available for charter. But you want to really get
away, so you've escaped to one of the resort's cliffside Estate Villas. Each is
privately owned, individually decorated, and full of anything-but-cookie-cutter
personality—you love everything about your villa, from its phenomenal
views to its expansive terraces. After your private chef has whipped up and
served your tantalizing island breakfast, you have the villa to yourself. Hmmm,
maybe you'll work off those calories with some swimsuit-free laps in the pool,
or perhaps you can think of something even more aerobic to do back in your
air-conditioned bedroom.
#6  Hale
Makai, Villa in Hawaii
There is, quite literally, no reason to leave your elegant 6,000-square-foot
retreat. And you haven't. Not once! Since the moment you arrived, you've found
yourself delightfully distracted by a score of life's greatest luxuries, like
idyllic privacy, dreamy ocean views, and high-end amenities that range from a
spa tub with waterfall to a tennis court. You packed a swimsuit, but you
haven't worn it yet—preferring to splash around in the buff in your
heated swimming pool, followed by an invigorating outdoor shower.
#7  Hotel
Punta Islita, Villa Resort in Costa Rica
You're floating in your casita's private pool, drinking in the most delicious
views of the Pacific (and, okay, you're drinking in a delicious cocktail, too).
It's one of those moments you already know you'll never forget. You came here
for adventure, and that's exactly what you've found—the eco-safari, the
treetop canopy excursion, the surfing—but what you didn't expect was to
feel so free . . . which has encouraged you to embrace the idea of a vacation
and shed your inhibitions, and your clothing.
Bonus:  Belle de Nuit, Villa on St. Martin
This architectural gem of a private villa has 5 beautifully furnished bedrooms, 5.5 bathrooms, a spacious living room with media area, and panoramic windows offering magnificent ocean and sunset views. The oversized infinity-edge pool is the perfect place to shed it all and capture the trade winds that cool this lovely hilltop home. After all, it's the French way!
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