How to Beat the Crowds this Season: Top Private Homes, Villas and Suites

With approximately 140,000 flights between North America and Western Europe, last summer shattered records, and this year it looks like demand for Europe’s most sought-after destinations continues to soar. But savvy travelers, especially families, know where to look—and how to book, keeping an eye on private homes and villas, as well as top suites. Not only do these offer more space but services like personal butlers and dedicated concierge teams can also create tailor-made itineraries with insider experiences.

Here are six standout properties (including Royal Mansour Collection‘s Tamuda Bay – pictured above) that promise unforgettable summer adventures this summer, whether you’re keen on surfing Ireland’s wild Atlantic waves, setting sail for Europe’s largest sand dune, attending an exclusive Belle Époque-themed gala in Paris and much more.

Paris with kids? Bien sûr, when your home base is La Réserve Paris Apartments, a collection of ten elegantly appointed residences in the refined yet lively 16th arrondissement near the Trocadéro. These one- to four-bedroom apartments (spanning 1,500 to 3,000 square feet) blend the comforts of home with the high-touch service of a five-star hotel. Expect large kitchens stocked with gourmet essentials, wine cellars, and expansive balconies perfect for al fresco soirées with a private chef. (Some suites even have gyms and dead-on Eiffel Tower views).

Discretion is paramount: a private street entrance ensures seamless arrivals, while guests reserving the 4,000-square-foot penthouse receive exclusive elevator access. Apartment stays come with full access to La Réserve Paris’ acclaimed amenities, including the two Michelin–starred Le Gabriel and a sumptuous Belle Époque-inspired spa, home to a 52-foot indoor pool and a hammam (a rarity in Paris). A 24/7 butler team anticipates every need, from personalized in-suite dining to securing last-minute museum tickets. Families are especially happy here, thanks to kid-friendly services that make city exploration effortless (it helps that such favorites as the Paris Aquarium, the avant-garde Palais de Tokyo, the beloved 75-year-old Roy Chocolatier, and the gourmet mecca La Grande Epicerie de Paris, are all within strolling distance).

Did You Know: This year, La Réserve Paris marks its tenth anniversary with a series of Belle Époque-inspired celebrations—think specialty dining experiences and exclusive pop-up collaborations—paying tribute to the hotel’s storied 19th-century address.

Guests of La Réserve Ramatuelle Villas enjoy the best of both worlds: easy access to the glitz of St. Tropez, just six miles away, but also a sanctuary-like setting overlooking the Mediterranean, with 13 private villas interspersed amid private gardens with sea views. Designed by French interior maestro Jacques Garcia, the airy, light-filled villas (picture: terracotta tiles, crisp linen, and floor-to-ceiling windows) span three to six bedrooms, offering panoramic Mediterranean views, private heated swimming pools, and gardens planted with umbrella-like stone pines and olive trees. Each room has its own ensuite bathroom, ensuring privacy and comfort for all.

For families and active travelers, the concierge can transform your villa into an activities’ hub: table tennis tournaments, trampolining, soccer goal nets, and pool games are easily arranged. Prefer the sea? Head to La Réserve’s private stretch of Pampelonne Beach, where 75 sunbeds are exclusively reserved for guests. Or opt for a more heart-pumping adventure—electric bike rides through Provence’s rolling vineyards, horseback riding excursions, stand-up paddleboarding along the coast, or a private yacht trip to spot wild dolphins.

Guests seeking peak performance can enroll in the property’s tailored 4- to 6-day sports training program, designed to push limits while soaking in the Mediterranean scenery. As the sun sets, return to La Voile, the property’s two Michelin-starred restaurant, where chef Éric Canino reinterprets classic Provençal flavors with a light, health-conscious touch.

Did You Know: The South of France has blossomed into one of Europe’s most exciting cultural hubs for visitors of all ages. Guests can take a private speedboat to the celebrated Fondation Carmignac on Porquerolles, where children’s art workshops offer hands-on creativity in an inspiring setting. Alternatively, set sail for the Lérins Islands, home to France’s first underwater sculpture museum, before enjoying a leisurely beachfront lunch on Sainte-Marguerite Island.

Ditch the summer crowds of Italy and Spain and discover the pristine, lesser-known shores of the Moroccan Riviera instead. Set on 25 lush acres with 2,300 feet of powder-soft sand, the newly opened Royal Mansour Tamuda Bay—the latest jewel in the Royal Mansour Collection—delivers an intimate, ultra-luxurious seaside retreat steeped in Moroccan splendor.

Merging old-world craftsmanship with Mediterranean flair, each of the 55 suites and villas is adorned with zellige tiles, marble mosaics and delicate shell-lined walls, and the views of the Mediterranean Sea and the Rif Mountains are simply unbeatable. For a top splurge, the 18,000-square-foot Royal Villa is a destination unto itself, with three bedrooms, a private pool and garden, direct beach access, an in-villa cinema and game room, a fully equipped kitchen, and a spa with a hammam and steam room.

All of Royal Mansour Tamuda Bay’s villas also come with dedicated butler and concierge services, who can assist with setting up tours to local attractions such as the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Tétouan, where guests will wander the meet with local artisans and artists, or a 4×4 Land Rover excursion through the Jebel Zem-Zem mountains.

The property is as much a celebration of seaside refinement as the white-glove service that guests of the Royal Mansour collection have come to expect. A highlight is the nearly 47,000-square-foot medi-spa (Morocco’s first), where treatments balance traditional rituals and the latest technology, as well as distinctive restaurants helmed by Michelin-starred chefs including Éric Frechon, Quique Dacosta, and Massimiliano and Raffaele Alajmo — with cuisine spanning the flavors of the Mediterranean, Asia, and South America.

Did You Know: At the dedicated kids’ club, young guests are kept engaged with treasure hunts, crêpe-making workshops, mosaic crafts, calligraphy lessons, supervised pedalo rides in the sea, and games in the private gardens. Meanwhile, parents can join in on a family-friendly wellness day at the spa, where kid-friendly treatments like “Bubble of Youth” and “Magic Fingers” introduce little ones to the art of relaxation.

As one of France’s most exclusive wine regions, Bordeaux reveals its magic only to those in-the-know. For travelers eager to transform into locals, there’s no better place to stay than hotelier Michel Reybier’s private family home, La Chartreuse de Cos d’Estournel (available exclusively for buyouts). Set amid a 200-acre vineyard, this Jacques Garcia-designed retreat sleeps 16 guests across six bedrooms and two suites, with elegant interiors featuring European antiques and Asian tapestries. The house also boasts a library, dining room, and a fully stocked wine cellar.

While parents enjoy private vineyard tours and exclusive tastings led by the estate’s top oenologists, younger guests can revel in the lush grounds, picking strawberries from the organic vegetable garden, exploring the vineyards, or splashing in one of two heated swimming pools.

The experience extends far beyond the château walls, with tailored family excursions ranging from oyster farm visits to fishing trips along the Gironde estuary. For a dose of adventure, families can embark on a private boat trip to the Arcachon Dunes—Europe’s largest sand dune, stretching nearly three kilometers and towering over 100 meters high—where windswept views and sandboarding sessions make for an unforgettable day.

Did You Know: Bordeaux may be known for its vineyards, but the city itself has never been more welcoming to families. Parents and children alike can explore the renovated Natural History Museum, home to over a million specimens, or step into the new Museum of Illusion, where trompe l’oeil, holograms, and optical illusions offer endless interactive fun. Another must: the Miroir d’eau, designed by landscape artist Michel Corajoud. One of the largest reflection pools in the world, it shows a double image of the surrounding 18th-century Place de la Bourse.

Mark Your Calendars: The annual Bordeaux Fête le Vin (June 19-22, 2025) has evolved into a celebration for all ages. This year’s edition welcomes the arrival of four legendary tall ships, paying homage to Bordeaux’s historic connection between winemaking and maritime trade. Among them: a 51-meter replica of a 17th-century Spanish galleon and a recently restored 100-year-old Spanish Pailebot Schooner, both open for tours and cruises.

Dromoland Castle, the 16th-century castle-turned luxury hotel, recently unveiled Dromoland Lodge at Dromoland Castle, a private residence with five bedrooms. Set on the 18-hole golf course of the expansive 500-acre estate, the gated Dromoland Lodge appeals to travelers seeking privacy and serenity, as well as glorious views of the castle’s bucolic grounds (suffice it to say, Dromoland comes with its own lough, a sizeable lake where guests can fish, paddle-board and kayak).

Dromoland Lodge features a game room, boot room, parlor with fully stocked bar, private putting green, outdoor terrace and dining area. A stay also comes with daily breakfast, two golf carts for exploring the grounds, a personal residential assistant, laundry service, and airport transfers to Shannon International Airport, just 15 minutes away. For dinner, a chef is available to come prepare lavish meals on site, or guests can opt for the “crock pot” menu where a warm dinner awaits at the end of an active day which might include exploring the Wild Atlantic Way, visiting the award-winning St. Tola Goat Cheese Farm, taking surf lessons at a local spot, or spending an afternoon Hawk Walk with the resident falconer.

Dromoland also caters lovingly to children, with such popular programs as “Princess for a Day” and in-room surprises. Meanwhile, parents can retreat to Castle Spa at Dromoland, a 320-square-foot beauty and wellness sanctuary that where treatments incorporate revitalizing, science- and nature-backed therapies from three award-winning female-owned brands, including celebrity-favorite skin care line Dr. Barbara Sturm (the hotel is the first in Ireland to offer these exclusive treatments).

Mark Your Calendars: Spring and summer bring a vibrant array of cultural celebrations to this corner of Ireland. Don’t miss the Fleadh Nua festival (May 24–June 2, 2025), a 10-day immersion in traditional Irish song, dance, and lively street performances. Or plan your stay around the Galway International Arts Festival (July 14–27), a world-class gathering of music, theater, and visual arts. Food lovers won’t want to miss the legendary Galway International Oyster Festival (September 26–28, 2025), where shucked oysters, flowing Champagne, and vibrant festivities mark the arrival of the new oyster season.

Occupying a prime location within La Réserve Geneva Hotel’s stunning ten acres of lakefront property, Villa au Lac is a contemporary, glass-walled retreat with views of the Alps and Mont Blanc. Spanning more than 4,100 square-feet across two floors, the southeast-facing villa was designed by cabinet-maker-turned-luxury-yacht-designer Rémi Tessier and includes three light-filled bedrooms.

The hotel (and destination itself) is also a slam-dunk for families. Children of all ages can participate in surfing, swimming, diving and squash lessons, in partnership with Country Club Geneva, while parents unwind at Spa Nescens, Geneva’s largest wellness sanctuary, offering cutting-edge treatments like Oxylight and pulsotherapy. During the summer, kids can also be enrolled in Collège du Léman Summer Camps, where activities range from French classes and science labs to pastry-making, horseback riding, and wakeboarding on Lake Geneva with a two-time World Wakesurf champion. For a joint adventure, there are the nearby Jura mountains, a hiker’s paradise, and cruising on Lake Geneva aboard the elegant Motoscafo boat, past the famous Jet d’Eau fountain and the town’s picturesque center.

Did You Know: Geneva is more family-friendly than ever, with exciting new attractions to explore. Don’t miss the Renzo Piano-designed CERN Science Gateway, just 20 minutes from the hotel, or step inside a 200-year-old chocolate factory for a sweet immersion in Swiss craftsmanship. Stroll through the Botanical Gardens and Conservatory, home to 500 plant species, or visit the Natural History Museum, where kids can marvel at moonstones, fossils, and a rare reconstitution of the extinct dodo bird. For a deeper dive into Swiss heritage, the Patek Philippe Museum offers a fascinating look at the art of watchmaking.