Space, seclusion and indulgence: Arranging a luxury villa experience with One&Only and Carrier

The world’s best hotels always spark joy, but the world of travel has changed. Today, staying in a home-from-home has become easier than ever, with the likes of Airbnb changing forever how we holiday. Hiring a villa — or a house, or an apartment — usually offers space, comfort, seclusion and autonomy in a way that a hotel simply can’t match.

Yet with that change, new problems have emerged: misleading descriptions, dodgy hosts, unexpected charges and disappointing facilities are now so common that staying in a private home can feel like playing roulette — and that’s the last thing you need when trying to make the most of your precious free time.

Thankfully, there are people out there who can solve all those problems. The experts at Carrier offer a carefully-curated selection of villas and houses in some of the world’s most beautiful locations, all of which are guaranteed to hit the spot. And right at the top of their list are the villas at One&Only resorts, which bring the perfect blend: the independence, space, seclusion and privacy of staying in a home, with the comfort, indulgence, facilities and support you’d expect from a top-end resort. Like one of those mind-reading waiters who know when you want your wine topped up and when you’d rather be left chatting to your companions, One&Only’s hosts will be there when you need them, and out of your hair when you don’t.

That's all well and good once you arrive, but arrange your trip via Carrier and you'll enjoy the same peaceful, easy feeling from the moment you book. They'll look after all the flights and logistics, from handling the needs of different generations to dealing with the potential headache of arranging airport-pickups at staggered times — something that's a nightmare if you're in a larger, multi-generational group with people flying in from different locations. Think of Carrier's team as your concierge, helping you plan everything you could ever wish for ahead of the trip, and giving you a single and point of contact to arrange the details of your stay.

Carrier’s website has full details of all the options, but to give you a taste of the sorts of things that are on offer, here are some of the highlights from the collection:

One&Only Le Saint Géran, Mauritius

At a legendary beachfront resort on this fascinating gem of an island in the Indian Ocean, there are private homes with direct access to the beach and lush gardens – perfect for tropical escapes and family gatherings.

As with all One&Only villas, you’ll be in your own thoughtfully-designed sanctuary, blending in among its natural surroundings. The two-bedroom Villa One has over 6,500sq ft of space, its own terrace and private infinity pool, while the resort’s glorious beach and world-class facilities are all at your disposal as and when you want them to be.

One&Only The Palm, Dubai

This private oasis on the Palm Jumeirah blends exotic Moorish architecture with modern elegance. The result is a city break that lets you enjoy exquisite shopping at Dubai’s peerless malls and boutiques with a gorgeous villa where you can relax, focus on your wellness, or perhaps even call in Chef Yannick Alléno to prepare an in-villa barbecue.

One&Only Aesthesis, Athens

These private homes in one of the finest resorts on the Athenian Riviera blend contemporary design and facilities, with private pools and access straight on to the beach — yet the historical wonders of Athens are just half an hour away.

Like many of the One&Only villas, this is particularly good spot for a multi-generational group: you can now combine two outer-connecting villas to create a three-, four-bedroom or six-bedroom escape amid the fragrant gardens.

One&Only Mandarina, Mexico

If you’re after a villa that lets you explore nature as well as recharge and unwind, these gorgeous villas, nestled amid the treetops between jungle and ocean, bring panoramic views, private pools, immersive nature experiences and world-class dining — you’ll even have a personal chef and a wine cellar for your exclusive use. And as with all the villas, there are no schedules, no interruptions, and no stress — just joy, fun and spontaneous adventures that can be arranged by your personal host.

One&Only Moonlight Basin, Montana

They call Montana ‘Big Sky Country’, and the nickname is well chosen. These private homes are perfect for reconnection with nature amid the hills and mountains of one of the most breathtaking places in America. And your young guests will love it too: there are special adventure activities for kids that will get them out into the fresh air.

Booking your villa adventure

So what are you waiting for? This is just a selection of Carrier’s villas and private homes from the One&Only portfolio — and they really do have all things for all people. Head to the Carrier website or call the team on 0161 826 2717 to start planning your perfect trip.