4 Private Hotels/Villas for your Next Vacation
- A. Lane
- 6 days ago
- 7 min read
If you're anything like me when it comes to traveling, then having your own EVERYTHING is definitely a MUST! Things like private pools, cabanas, beaches and other amenities can truly take any vacation to the next level. For me- while I may enjoy the company of others, I also prefer my alone time, especially when I'm on vacation.
For the past several years I've opted into the idea of private luxury travel. Meaning I book my trips based on how much privacy I can have. Private Villa? Yes, please! Private pool where I don't have to worry about being cannon-balled on by kids... sign me up! Private kitchen, balcony and roof top? TAKE MY MONEY!!
There's nothing like being able to unwind and relax in the comfort of your own suite or Villa. That's why I made this blog post for anyone looking to do JUST that! I've taken the guess work out of endlessly searching the internet for your next private vacation.
Here are 4 of my private hotel/villa recommendations for your next vacation!
4- Hotel Bardo in Tulum, Mexico
This private hotel blew my mind when I visited. From the entrance, to the property grounds, to my very own private Villa, it was love at first sight! Not only was I greeted by name at the reception desk when I checked in, I was given a 1 on 1 grand tour of the property, including recommendations on where to eat, shop and rent a bike to ride around the city.
Located in Tulum, Mexico, Hotel Bardo is roughly 2 1/2 hours from Cancun. Known for their ancient Mayan ruins and beautiful beaches, Tulum is definitely a hot spot for tourism. Relatively inexpensive (compared to Cancun) you can find yourself on crystal clear, white sandy beaches without all the traffic and commercialism.
At this hotel, I had my own private plunge pool, Villa, front, back and side yard all conveniently closed off from the rest of the resort. My yard included a table and chairs, a hammock and more than enough room to stretch out and be comfortable away from others. It was quiet, peaceful and secluded. Just what the doctor ordered!
The hotel offered a peaceful sanctuary free of any distractions. There was no TV in the room, allowing for the ultimate relaxation. They did have Wifi so you can stay connected to all your favorite streaming and content services. A/C worked exceptionally well and the private outdoor shower was amazing! There was also a "common" area that included a main pool, on site restaurants, and a fitness/recreation area.
All in all, I give Hotel Bardo a 5 out of 5. Although they didn't have a private beach located nearby, the property more than made up for it with all it had to offer. The service was exceptional and anytime I needed anything, my concierge was right there!
You also have the option of flying directly into Tulum's new airport (TQO) to cut down on travel time and expenses. Don't sleep on this private Villa vacation! Book yours today!
3- Dunya Camp in Summerville, GA.
Camping just got a whole lot more luxurious at Dunya Camp! If you enjoy the idea of camping, but don't like pitching tents and sleeping on air mattresses or in sleeping bags, this just might be for you!
This is glamping done the right way. Here you'll have your very own private cabin with unobstructed scenic views of the North Georgia mountains. With beautiful sunrises and breathtaking sunsets, this private oasis might just steal your heart. Your fully equipped cabin comes with self check in, convenient parking right in front of your cabin, a 2 story deck complete with amenities like hot tubs, hammocks, gas grills, lounge chairs, outdoor showers, fire pits and barrel saunas for extra relaxation.
Oh and all of that doesn't even include what you get INSIDE of your cabin!
Inside comes equipped with a full private bathroom, a deep soaking bathtub and separate shower, a wood burning fire place, kitchen with all the kitchen ware, (pots, pans, cutlery, mini fridge, microwave, dishwasher, etc.) Heat and A/C, a plush King sized bed, all while being enclosed and protected from the outdoor elements. Your cabin also allows an indoor/outdoor option with fully functional walls that can be opened or closed to help you feel comfortable in any season.
My stay at Dunya Camp was definitely a great choice. I only saw 1 other occupied cabin while there, but it was still a private and enjoyable experience. The cabins are adequately spaced out to give you enough room to have privacy, but not enough that you feel secluded or alone in the woods.
There are also lots of hiking trails nearby. I recommend bringing your own food and drinks for the trip since the nearest grocery store is roughly 20-30 minutes away. The owners made sure to spare no expense when it came to providing that luxurious feel. I give Dunya Camp a 5 out of 5 for its one of a kind uniqueness.
2- Le Meridien Mai Khao Beach in Phuket, Thailand
How about a private pool right off of your private patio? Not only that, how about a private beach, outside of your private pool right off of your private patio? Yea... if you want private, this is it!
I traveled all the way to Thailand to find this level of privacy. As I walked into my hotel room, I noticed this icy blue water glistening off my patio. Although it was no surprise to me (since I booked the room) it was still a sight to see. This was a 5 star resort with everything you can dream of and then some!
I specifically chose this hotel for its private beach. It was one of the only hotels that was all inclusive AND offered a private pool, private beach and 5 star luxury. I would definitely stay here again. My room was clean, quiet and had everything I needed.
The resort itself had restaurants, a spa, tourist attractions and did I mention a private beach? Yep, right there on the property was a private beach exclusively for the guests of the hotel. It wasn't overran by tourists, and there was plenty of space to frolic and roam around. Oh, and for hospitality? They took excellent care of me!
I went for my birthday and they catered me a private dinner on the beach complete with a chef, my own private wait staff, a cake and champagne. They also placed a birthday card in my room which all the hotel staff signed. It was definitely a birthday to remember.
If you're planning on visiting Thailand, consider giving this resort a shot!
1- The Hive in Cancun, Mexico
Hands down, this was one of my most FAVORITE private getaways to date. Located in Cancun, Mexico- off the beaten path and away from the touristy hot spots, the Hive embodied everything you'd want in a private, luxurious vacation.
For starters, I had a 2 story Villa all to myself. Complete with a kitchenette, kitchen ware and an electric stove top, making it the perfect getaway for your long or short term stay. My private balcony had a winding staircase that led up to my private rooftop overlooking the city. Situated in a quiet neighborhood, my rooftop terrace included a plunge pool, rainfall shower, lounge chairs and tables.
Besides all of that, the hotel also had an on-site bar, restaurant, pool and spa. There was also a 7/11 right downstairs, so that made it convenient to get whatever small items I needed for my stay. Its location was about 20 minutes from the Cancun airport and the hotel staff made checking in a breeze. They carried my luggage up to my room and made sure I had everything I needed for my stay. I can definitely say that for a solo female traveler, I am well taken care of everywhere I go.
The food at the restaurant was delicious and the drinks were even better. I didn't do a lot of exploring at the hotel, simply because I was too busy enjoying the privacy of my Villa. However, I can say that the hotel was very clean and the staff were very professional. Any time I called for room service, they were at my door within a matter of minutes delivering my requests.
Disclaimer: this hotel was nowhere near a beach and is on a very busy street. That said, I heard no noise from the traffic since all the rooms face away from the street. I was also mainly on my rooftop terrace, so I heard nothing at all.
I was able to capture some great footage using my drone since the area wasn't encumbered with trees or tall buildings.
While Cancun can be a popular destination for tourism, I enjoy finding hidden gems away from all the hustle and bustle of the beach area. If you're looking to relax and have some seclusion, the Hive is where its at!
I have so many more options that are worth sharing, but these have been my absolute favorites! From their locations, to their level of hospitality, amenities and overall affordability- these private vacations deserved a blog post of their own.
Each of these vacations were between $1,500-$2,200 for a 4/5 night stay. **Not including transportation to and from the airport, food, souvenirs, tips or activities**
You can't put a price on privacy and relaxation. Peace of mind is priceless and I don't mind paying for it. Life is short, find something that makes you happy and do it often. Travel is my therapy and I encourage everyone to get out and see the world. You'd be surprised at what's out there waiting for you to discover it! So.... which of these locations would you choose to visit? Let me know!
As always, thanks for reading and happy travels!
xoxo- Ashawna Lane
