The Private Escapes Worth Travelling For 2026
Five escapes offering a more private way to experience some of the world’s most beautiful destinations — the freedom of a private villa with everything a resort has to offer.
With travellers increasingly looking for more privacy, space and flexibility, we’ve rounded up five escapes offering a more private way to experience some of the world’s most beautiful destinations. From the Mediterranean shores of Royal Mansour Tamuda Bay and the secluded villas of The Halcyon Private Isles Maldives and RAH GILI MALDIVES, to a hillside hideaway at Cheval Blanc Seychelles and an entire private island at Cheval Blanc Randheli — each offers its own take on getting away from it all. Whether travelling as a couple, with family or a group of friends, these stays offer plenty of inspiration.
A Private Seaside Escape at Royal Mansour Tamuda Bay
Set along Morocco’s Mediterranean coast, Royal Mansour Tamuda Bay is made for travellers looking for a little more space and privacy by the sea. Surrounded by landscaped gardens and a 700-metre stretch of beach, its suites and villas feel more like private residences, with plenty of room to settle in and enjoy a slower pace of travel.
The resort’s Deluxe and Premier Suites open onto terraces with views across the gardens or Alboran Sea, while the larger two-bedroom Privilege Suites are ideal for families and groups, with select suites offering their own pools and direct access to the beach.
For those looking for complete privacy, the Prestige Villas come with three bedrooms, private pools, gardens and direct beach access. The Princière Villa offers even more space with a rooftop pool, cinema and areas designed for spending time together, while the Royal Villa is the resort’s most private retreat, complete with indoor and outdoor pools, its own spa, cinema and library. Dedicated butler service across the villas brings the ease of a hotel stay to the comfort of having a place entirely to yourself.
Where: Tamuda Bay, Morocco
Escape to Seclusion at The Halcyon Private Isles Maldives
Set across two private islands in the untouched Gaafu Alifu Atoll, The Halcyon Private Isles Maldives is designed for travellers looking to disappear into their own corner of the Maldives. With just 38 villas spread between the beach and lagoon, every stay comes with its own private pool and dedicated Halcyon Butler, creating an easy sense of privacy from the moment guests arrive.
The Island Beach Villas sit directly along the white-sand shoreline, with private pools, gardens and the beach just steps away, while the Overwater Villas stretch above the lagoon, opening onto wide terraces with infinity pools and direct access to the water for a morning swim or snorkel. Both are available in one and two-bedroom layouts, giving couples, families and groups the freedom to choose a space that feels entirely their own.
For larger groups, the Halcyon Grand Estate feels like a private island home within the resort — a three-bedroom residence with generous indoor-outdoor living, a rooftop terrace, full-width infinity pool, 10-seat dining area and butler’s kitchen, while a playroom can become an additional bedroom for a residing nanny. Halcyon Butler, Kids Butler and Marine Butler services make it possible to enjoy the privacy of a villa while everything else is taken care of behind the scenes.
Where: Gaafu Alifu Atoll, Maldives
Discover Undisturbed Luxury at RAH GILI Maldives
Tucked away in the South Malé Atoll, just a short speedboat journey from Velana International Airport, RAH GILI MALDIVES offers a more intimate Maldivian escape. Designed to challenge traditional notions of luxury hospitality, the retreat places a focus on presence, privacy and meaningful experiences, creating space for guests to slow down and reconnect with their surroundings.
At the heart of the experience are RAH GILI’s beautifully designed villas, located on the island’s pristine sands and calm waters. The Beach Pool Villas and Sunset Beach Pool Villas are surrounded by lush tropical greenery and open onto powder-soft shores, offering expansive indoor-outdoor living, private pools and direct beach access. Created with families and groups of friends in mind, these spacious retreats invite guests to spend long, unhurried days together.
For those seeking a cinematic sense of privacy, the Water Pool Villas and Sunset Water Pool Villas offer an immersive overwater escape. Perched above the lagoon, each retreat is designed to bring guests closer to the ocean, with expansive decks, private pools and uninterrupted views across the turquoise horizon. Playful details, including slides leading directly into the crystal-clear waters, add a sense of spontaneity while maintaining the serenity of a private island retreat.
Where: South Malé Atoll, Maldives
Complete Privacy at Cheval Blanc Seychelles Ocean Hill Villa
Set within 22 hectares of lush jungle on the shores of Mahé, Cheval Blanc Seychelles offers a secluded island escape overlooking the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean. Perched high on the Maison’s hillside, the Ocean Hill Villa is an out-of-sight refuge created for guests seeking complete privacy, uninterrupted views and the freedom to retreat from the outside world.
Spanning an expansive 235 sqm and designed for two guests, the one-bedroom villa brings together generous indoor and outdoor living spaces, with a serene bedroom opening directly onto the terrace. A spacious living room, dining area and beautifully appointed bathroom provide every comfort, while the villa’s elevated position creates an intimate setting surrounded by the island’s tropical landscape.
Outside, an expansive terrace reveals panoramic views across the Indian Ocean, accompanied by a private 13-metre swimming pool, outdoor shower, relaxation area and shaded dining pavilion. With a dedicated Ambassadeur on hand to personalise every aspect of the stay, guests can spend their days dining, swimming and unwinding entirely within the privacy of the villa, without ever needing to leave their hillside hideaway.
Where: Mahé, Seychelles
A Private Island Escape at Cheval Blanc Randheli
Set on its own one-hectare island and accessible exclusively via a dedicated jetty, Cheval Blanc Randheli’s four-bedroom villa spans more than 2,200 sqm and offers the ultimate expression of refined, modern island living.
Designed as a harmonious blend of contemporary elegance and Maldivian charm, the villa features exceptional indoor and outdoor spaces, complemented by a dedicated team of Ambassadeurs and a host of bespoke services and amenities. Accommodating up to eight guests, it boasts a 25-metre swimming pool, grand piano, private bar, plush loungers and sofas, as well as exquisite crafts, bespoke furnishings and carefully curated artwork. Beyond the interiors, expansive terraces open onto lush tropical gardens and private beaches, with an al fresco dining pergola and meditation pavilions creating tranquil spaces to unwind. A private spa treatment room, fitness centre and screening room further elevate the experience.
Surrounded by the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean and pristine white-sand beaches, the Cheval Blanc Randheli Private Island is an idyllic retreat for those seeking to disconnect from the world and immerse themselves in unparalleled privacy, space and personalised luxury.
Where: Randheli, Maldives
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