TOP 10 HOUSES FOR GROUP GETAWAYS
Fancy some group love this festive season? Rally the troops for a glam getaway in one of Mr & Mrs Smith’s hot houses for a crowd, from beachside villas in Bali to hip New York city crashpads.
1. Luna2 Private Hotel, Bali, Indonesia
Located within towel-flinging distance of Bali’s white-hot Seminyak Beach, exclusive-hire Luna2 Private Hotel is the ultimate party pad. A staff of 25, including chauffeurs and international chefs, is on hand to cater to your every whim, from cocktail parties to moonlight cinema sessions.
2. Harlem Residence, New York, United States
If you want to live like a local in New York, check into Harlem Residence, a boutique brownstone at 145th Street, north of Central Park. This airy apartment sleeps six and sports polished dark hardwoods, thoughtful decor and mod cons at every turn, making it the ideal base camp for exploring an edgy neighbourhood that has inspired filmmakers, artists and musicians.
3. YL Residence No.17, Koh Samui, Thailand
Miami meets Samui at YL Residence No.17, a 10-room beachside retreat in Koh Samui, where up to 20 of your entourage can bed down in style. With hip modern interiors, cool gadgets, a Clubhouse, DJs on request and a staff of 25, this swoon-worthy sanctuary lets you live out your wildest rock-star fantasies – and then some.
4. Cliff Barns, Norfolk, United Kingdom
Part psychedelic Wild West-style hacienda, part haute hunting lodge, Cliff Barns is located in Norfolk, two and a half hours drive from London. This funky barn conversion sleeps up to 20 in eight bedrooms and a four-bed bunkhouse, and sports quirky stags’ heads, chintzy wallpaper, acid-tartan sofas and log shelving. Trippy-chic.
5. Louvre Loft, Paris, France
The anonymous entrance gives nothing away, but this arty loft space in the 2nd arrondissement is hip to its very core. Three private bedrooms, open-plan living spaces and a killer kitchen make this a must for groups who want to gorge themselves on Parisian fare before flitting off to the galleries and boutiques. So sharp it hurts.
6. Absolute Newell Beach, Port Douglas, Australia
No one gives good beach house quite like Port Douglas. Located smack-bang between the Daintree Rainforest and a private stretch of coconut-strewn sand, Absolute Newell Beach is a super-charged self-catering stay. There’s room for 10, blockbuster views and sprawling lawns that lead down to the sea. Techy extras, sunloungers and an infinity pool up the luxe factor.
7. Eagles Nest, Bay of Islands, New Zealand
Like the sound of living it up on your own private peninsula? Take a peek at the five ultra-contemporary villas at Eagles Nest in New Zealand’s Bay of Islands. For a posse, panoramic Rahimoana Villa is the business: we’re talking four ensuite bedrooms, home cinema, bar, heated lap pool, Jacuzzi, sauna, gym, private beach and rides in a Porsche Cayenne Turbo.
8. Tivoli Villa, Sydney, Australia
Sydney doesn’t get more chichi than Rose Bay, right? If you’ve always dreamed of living harbourside, check into 1915 manor house Tivoli Villa. When you’re not swooning over the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge views, playing the piano or bouncing on the trampoline, ogle the OTT chandeliers, French love seats and bold mod Oz art.
9.Destination BCN, Barcelona, Spain
Play Javier and Penelope at sexy self-catering getaway Destination BCN, a cluster of one- and two-bedroom apartments at Ronda Universitat 11 that boast seductive Spanish flair. All abodes look as though they’ve been lifted straight from a design magazine, and offer extra sofa-beds in living rooms so your hombres can crash on the couch.
10. The Kilns, High Country Australia
Craving country air? Where better for a group getaway in rural Victoria than the High Country, a three-hour drive from Melbourne and home to a trail of prosecco vineyards? Pop the cork in style at The Kilns, two houses set in historic, corrugated-iron tobacco-drying kilns surrounded by pretty paddocks. Clean living has never been so appealing.
To book a stay at any of these Mr & Mrs Smith holiday houses or exclusive-hire hotels visit www.mrandmrssmith.com or call the expert Travel Team on 1300 896 627, 24-hours a day, five days a week.
