The i-escape blog / Nadine Mellor

By Nadine Mellor, Kids Collection Editor

Finding somewhere to stay for special occasions, such as long-awaited family reunions, landmark birthdays or getaways with groups of friends, isn’t always that easy. There are lots of requirements to fulfil and people to please, and sometimes booking one big villa together just doesn’t work for your party. So how about booking neighbouring villas together? That way you can still hang out as a group but you each get your own space to retreat to. We know of some terrific places – both close to home and far away, many with a shared pool or beach nearby – that tick all the right boxes


Europe

France – Le Mas des Oules

the i-escape blog / Villas together for group getaways / Le Mas des Oules

A relaxed rural retreat with eight great value houses and apartments (for 2-11), each with private terraces and open-plan living-dining areas. You also get a communal pool, a boules pitch and gorgeous flowering gardens.

  • Best For: 2 or 3 families together.
  • Accommodation: most houses have two bedrooms (one double, one twin); two have three bedrooms (one double and two twins) for larger families. There’s also a five-bedroom house with private pool.
  • Price: from £84/night for a two-bedroom house, £101/night for a three-bedroom house

 

Greece – Liodentra

the i-escape blog / Villas together for group getaways / Liodentra

Two villas with a shared pool plus a separate annexe for 2, sharing a pretty walled garden and a small kids playground, 50m from the beach, and 10 minutes from Kardamyli village’s shops and restaurants.

  • Best For: 3-generational holidays.
  • Accommodation: Parents and kids can stay in the two main villas (each has one double bedroom, one twin and a sofabed); grandparents can stay in the annexe (one ensuite bedroom)
  • Price: from £769/night for the whole estate: sleeps up to 10 adults and 4 kids.

 

Italy – The Umbrian Hideaway

the i-escape blog / Villas together for group getaways / The Umbrian Hideaway

A pair of delightful rustic family-friendly villas immersed deep in bucolic rolling countryside, each with a swimming pool and terraces, sharing a vast garden.

  • Best For: 2 extended families.
  • Accommodation: The smaller villa sleeps up to 8 in three bedrooms, the larger can host 10 in five bedrooms.
  • Price: from £278/night for the three-bedroom villa, from £357/night for the five-bedroom villa.

 

Portugal – Areias do Seixo Villas

the i-escape blog / Villas together for group getaways / Areias do Seixo Villas

This eco-retreat of spectacular 3-4-bedroom design villas is just 45 minutes north of Lisbon on a wonderfully wild stretch of coast. All villas have full kitchens, barbecue decks and private pools. The sumptuous next-door hotel offers spa services and an adult-only restaurant, bikes to borrow and yoga classes. The beach is long and unspoilt – book a surfing or paddle-boarding session, go fishing, or explore the sand dunes.

  • Best For: Beach bunnies of all ages and group sizes.
  • Accommodation: There are 18 villas – ask for neighbouring ones – all with 3-4 bedrooms and ocean views.
  • Price: from £343/night for a three-bedroom villa.

 

Scotland – Dell of Abernethy

the i-escape blog / Villas together for group getaways / Dell of Abernethy

A vintage-chic lodge with four cottages, offering ‘self-catering with benefits’ (the menu of food options includes hampers and meal kits), and a giant tipi for celebrations and gatherings. It’s set in 3 acres of gardens and woodland, with hammocks, zip-line, back-to-nature kids club, and forest trails.

  • Best For: Back-to-nature families holidaying together.
  • Accommodation: The smallest cottage sleeps 2, the largest has four bedrooms, with three others sleeping 4-6 in two bedrooms.
  • Price: from £150/night for a two-bedroom cottage, £310/night for the four-bedroom cottage.

Worldwide

Indonesia – The Lombok Beach Houses

the i-escape blog / Villas together for group getaways / The Lombok Beach Houses

Two villas together comprising indoor-outdoor open-plan jungle houses perched above an idyllic bay on the south coast of Lombok. Each house has an infinity pool and raised deck, shady dining and chilling spaces, surfboards to borrow, semi-outdoor bathrooms, a well-equipped kitchen and marvellous long views.

  • Best For: Groups of 8-14 friends who want surf- and chill-time together.
  • Accommodation: One house sleeps 4-6 in two bedrooms, the other 6-8 in three.
  • Price: from £540/night for both houses together.

 

South Africa – Boschendal Farm Cottages

the i-escape blog / Villas together for group getaways / Boschendal Farm Cottages

A large historic wine estate with well-appointed contemporary cottages and villas in three locations, each discrete cluster sharing a swimming pool.  One also has a dedicated dining room and screening room for groups. Self-catering is strictly optional here: there’s an excellent farm-to-table restaurant and deli cafe on-site, breakfast is included, and renowned picnic hampers on offer. There’s a super farm shop for supplies, too.

  • Best For: Foodie friends and families.
  • Accommodation: most cottages have 1-4-bedrooms – we think the Orchard Cottages feel the most secluded and private for a group – plus there’s a couple of 5-6 bedroom houses.
  • Price: from £236/night for a two-bedroom cottage, £244/night for a three-bedroom cottage.

 

Thailand – Koh Jum Beach Villas

the i-escape blog / Villas together for group getaways / Koh Jum Beach Villas

A charming resort of 19 breezy colourful villas in varying sizes and layouts, arranged for maximum privacy in lush jungle, many with private pools, on a below-the-radar island in the Andaman Sea. There’s a beachfront restaurant, main pool and cocktail bar, plus a 700m golden beach. Hire kayaks, SUPs or a speedboat, borrow bikes, or book an in-villa cooking course or massage.

  • Best For: Friends or families wanting a part-catered holiday together (with meals and activities on offer).
  • Accommodation: most villas have 1-3 bedrooms. Book 2 or 3 villas next to each other.
  • Price: from £224/night for a two-bed villa, £364/night for a three-bed villa, £448/night for a four-bed villa (prices include breakfast).

 

Morocco – Rebali Riads

the i-escape blog / Villas together for group getaways / Rebali Riads

This group of villas with a shared pool is set in attractive gardens (complete with tortoises, hammam, ping pong and tennis court) in a small fishing and surfing village 25 minutes from Essaouira. Go for day trips to discover its bustling port and vibrant medina, and return to your handsome riad for delicious home-cooked Moroccan tagines and incredible sunsets and stars, best seen from your roof.

  • Best For: Several families on a winter-sun break together.
  • Accommodation: Three villas sleep 4, three sleep 6, and there are a few larger ones too.  Most have private pools and walled gardens; the smaller three share a long swimming pool.
  • Price: from £226/night for a two-bedroom riad, £483/night for a four-bedroom riad.

 

Guatemala – Villas Balam Ya

the i-escape blog / Villas together for group getaways / Villas Balam Ya

Choose from one of six rustic-chic private villas (for 2-4) ensconced in jungle, all with vistas of world-famous Lake Atitlan and its volcanoes through picture windows and from private decks. They share a dock from which you can go kayaking on the lake, and lakeshore gazebos for making the most of those incomparable views.

  • Best For: Adventurous couples travelling together (they’re not child-friendly).
  • Accommodation: Three villas sleep 2, perfect for couples wanting a bit more space; or book a larger villa to share between 2-3 couples.
  • Price: from £117/night for a one-bedroom villa, £258/night for a two-bedroom villa

Why book villas together?

  • It’s a civilised way of getting a gathering together while having your own space: be as sociable as you like, then retreat when you need to
  • You’re not tied to having all meals together at once; get up and have breakfast at your own pace, in your own place
  • Some of the larger villa clusters offer activities (like water sports) and on-site meals – ideal if travelling with kids, or wanting a part-catered holiday
  • Each family or party can book and pay directly, so that you don’t have to handle all the money
  • Different parties can book slightly different dates – handy if coming from various airports with different flight schedules
  • If one family or party cancels, it doesn’t jeopardise the whole holiday (which it might with one larger villa for everyone)
  • Having your own enclave is more relaxing and bonding for the whole party

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