The world’s sexiest villas

Make like 007 and escape to one of the jewels of the Caribbean. Set on a cliff overlooking the sea and facing a secluded cove, this house is everything you want from your dream island home. First built in the 1940s, it was later remodelled in the 1960s by the inspirational theatre designer Oliver Messel and was most recently renovated in 2014. The spectacular beachfront estate is simply magical with its deep balconies and verandas, coral stone terraces, pastel green shutters iconic from Messel and its grand private stairway leading directly to the cove’s sugary white sands. We also love that an 18ft speedboat is at the ready for our waterskiing whims! 10 bedrooms, sleeps 20; for more info, www.oliverstravels.com / +44 (0) 800 133 7999

This beautiful cottage couldn’t be better positioned right in the heart of a working tea plantation in the hills of Galle, overlooking the jungle to one side and the sea from the other. The house is spacious and quite literally the definition of ‘airy’ as the main living room is open to the skies with a tall tree erecting from a central orchid garden and growing through the roof’s quirky partial opening. In a nod to Galle’s rich colonial past, the romantic cottage has a terracotta tiled roof and baby-blue shutters. Our favourite touch is the beautiful veranda with a lily pond and stylish in-built sofas - the perfect spot from where to look over the tropical hills and enjoy a sundowner. 6 bedrooms, sleeps 12; for more info, www.sjvillas.co.uk / +44 (0)20 7351 6384

This beautiful cottage couldn’t be better positioned right in the heart of a working tea plantation in the hills of Galle, overlooking the jungle to one side and the sea from the other. The house is spacious and quite literally the definition of ‘airy’ as the main living room is open to the skies with a tall tree erecting from a central orchid garden and growing through the roof’s quirky partial opening. In a nod to Galle’s rich colonial past, the romantic cottage has a terracotta tiled roof and baby-blue shutters. Our favourite touch is the beautiful veranda with a lily pond and stylish in-built sofas - the perfect spot from where to look over the tropical hills and enjoy a sundowner. 6 bedrooms, sleeps 12; for more info, www.sjvillas.co.uk / +44 (0)20 7351 6384

One of the most exclusive sole-use safari villas, Melton Manor is perfect for intrepid explorers looking for something really special to come back to after a long day of wildlife spotting. The contemporary luxury farmhouse has an air of old-world glamour with its colonial interiors and elegant verandas with fabulous bush and river views. Aside from having a private butler, wildlife tracking team, park ranger and 4X4 safari jeep for daily game drives, dining is also a big event. The in-house chef whips up the most delicious farmhouse dishes, served under the stars surrounded by romantic candlelight. 4 bedrooms, sleeps 8; for more info, www.capeportfolios.com / +44 (0) 808 234 2554

One of the most exclusive sole-use safari villas, Melton Manor is perfect for intrepid explorers looking for something really special to come back to after a long day of wildlife spotting. The contemporary luxury farmhouse has an air of old-world glamour with its colonial interiors and elegant verandas with fabulous bush and river views. Aside from having a private butler, wildlife tracking team, park ranger and 4X4 safari jeep for daily game drives, dining is also a big event. The in-house chef whips up the most delicious farmhouse dishes, served under the stars surrounded by romantic candlelight. 4 bedrooms, sleeps 8; for more info, www.capeportfolios.com / +44 (0) 808 234 2554

A staycation has never looked so glam until now. Hamptons chic meets Cornish cool at Little Polgarron, a newly opened five bedroom beach house on Booby’s Bay, north Cornwall. We love the Jill Stein interiors which have a light, airy coastal vibe and that all bedrooms have floor-to-ceiling sea views as well as freestanding baths. On a cloudy day, take refuge in the villa’s own cinema room for some old time classic screenings. 5 bedrooms, sleeps 10; for more info, www.simonescapes.com / +44 (0)1244 784152

A staycation has never looked so glam until now. Hamptons chic meets Cornish cool at Little Polgarron, a newly opened five bedroom beach house on Booby’s Bay, north Cornwall. We love the Jill Stein interiors which have a light, airy coastal vibe and that all bedrooms have floor-to-ceiling sea views as well as freestanding baths. On a cloudy day, take refuge in the villa’s own cinema room for some old time classic screenings. 5 bedrooms, sleeps 10; for more info, www.simonescapes.com / +44 (0)1244 784152

Stark, bold and minimalist in design, Beachwood is the ultimate beachfront retreat with its stylish open-plan spaces and direct access to one of Costa Rica’s most exclusive beaches. We love the enormous floor-to-ceiling louvre doors which unveil spectacular sea views. Santa Teresa is renowned as a surfer’s paradise, but we’ll gladly keep it simple and have an in-villa massage and yoga session on offer, or better yet, just roll directly from the bed and onto the sleek day loungers by the infinity pool to enjoy the ocean breeze...The evening then promises lobster, freshly prepared by the private chef. Heaven! 4 bedrooms, sleeps 8; for more info, www.i-escape.com / +44 (0) 117 946 7072

Stark, bold and minimalist in design, Beachwood is the ultimate beachfront retreat with its stylish open-plan spaces and direct access to one of Costa Rica’s most exclusive beaches. We love the enormous floor-to-ceiling louvre doors which unveil spectacular sea views. Santa Teresa is renowned as a surfer’s paradise, but we’ll gladly keep it simple and have an in-villa massage and yoga session on offer, or better yet, just roll directly from the bed and onto the sleek day loungers by the infinity pool to enjoy the ocean breeze...The evening then promises lobster, freshly prepared by the private chef. Heaven! 4 bedrooms, sleeps 8; for more info, www.i-escape.com / +44 (0) 117 946 7072

An award-winning mansion in the hills of Girona, Mas Mateu is fit for a king. The sprawling 18th century estate with views of the Pyrenees is home to a wonderfully grand stone-built house, steeped in history and with a rustic, yet freshly renovated look. Spoilt for choice, the estate also has two further residences on the grounds, its own spa, infinity pool, football field, gym, wine cellar, private cinema room and even one of Europe’s top equestrian centres… the list goes on. What’s more, with private chefs on hand to prepare nightly Spanish feasts alfresco, as well as a sommelier, butler and concierge, guests need not lift a finger. 15 bedrooms, sleeps 18 + 14 (in the main house and two further residences); for more info, www.akvillas.com / +44 (0) 1242 547705

This sleek pad with a serious brag factor offers respite on party isle. It’s spacious, minimalist yet with funky, colourful interiors, and best of all, it seamlessly brings the outside in, with an open-plan living layout and panoramic sliding glass doors overlooking the island’s unspoilt landscape and out to the sea. With the latest technology as well, it has a Sonos sound system installed throughout, ideal for bringing the party home. 6 bedrooms, sleeps 12; for more info, www.sjvillas.co.uk / +44 (0)20 7351 6384

This sleek pad with a serious brag factor offers respite on party isle. It’s spacious, minimalist yet with funky, colourful interiors, and best of all, it seamlessly brings the outside in, with an open-plan living layout and panoramic sliding glass doors overlooking the island’s unspoilt landscape and out to the sea. With the latest technology as well, it has a Sonos sound system installed throughout, ideal for bringing the party home. 6 bedrooms, sleeps 12; for more info, www.sjvillas.co.uk / +44 (0)20 7351 6384

This utterly romantic 15th century converted mill house is the former holiday retreat of famous film director Sir David Lean, who first spotted the beautiful house and said, “all I want to do is lie down in the grass under an olive tree and look up through its silver-green leaves and gaze at the blue sky”. Now available to rent, the beautifully restored stone house has dramatic interiors where elaborate murals, grand stone arches and plush fabrics meet Provençal simplicity. With a secluded pool and vast manicured gardens, this is a truly special hideaway. 5 bedrooms, sleeps 9; for more info, www.sjvillas.co.uk / +44 (0)20 7351 6384

This utterly romantic 15th century converted mill house is the former holiday retreat of famous film director Sir David Lean, who first spotted the beautiful house and said, “all I want to do is lie down in the grass under an olive tree and look up through its silver-green leaves and gaze at the blue sky”. Now available to rent, the beautifully restored stone house has dramatic interiors where elaborate murals, grand stone arches and plush fabrics meet Provençal simplicity. With a secluded pool and vast manicured gardens, this is a truly special hideaway. 5 bedrooms, sleeps 9; for more info, www.sjvillas.co.uk / +44 (0)20 7351 6384

Needless to say, the region of Puglia in Italy’s heel has won our hearts, and bellies, over the last few years, and here’s our top choice for your next pied-à-terre while you’re in this sun-bleached part of Italy. The ever so stylish Villa Trullo is one of the most impressive places to stay in the region, with its iconic cluster of fully restored ‘trulli’ (or conical dwellings), overlooking a stunning pool. It sits on a large estate dotted with olive groves, almond, lemon, pomegranate and fig trees. Time to get fruit picking! 4 bedrooms, sleeps 8; for more info, www.oliverstravels.com / +44 (0) 800 133 7999

Needless to say, the region of Puglia in Italy’s heel has won our hearts, and bellies, over the last few years, and here’s our top choice for your next pied-à-terre while you’re in this sun-bleached part of Italy. The ever so stylish Villa Trullo is one of the most impressive places to stay in the region, with its iconic cluster of fully restored ‘trulli’ (or conical dwellings), overlooking a stunning pool. It sits on a large estate dotted with olive groves, almond, lemon, pomegranate and fig trees. Time to get fruit picking! 4 bedrooms, sleeps 8; for more info, www.oliverstravels.com / +44 (0) 800 133 7999

Synonymous with understated luxury, Villa Dolce is a firm favourite with VIPs and royals who love the villa’s sophisticated Mykonian style, but most of all, for its discreet, natural setting away from any watchful eyes. With four separate guest houses for extra privacy, the 600sqm property sits on a huge gated estate surrounded by the island’s rocky hills and features a gorgeous infinity pool and open air jacuzzi carved out of the cliff’s edge. It overlooks the gold sand Agrari Beach - one of the more quiet and exclusive parts of Mykonos, known to just a lucky few… 4 bedrooms, sleeps 8; for more info, www.brightbluevillas.com / +30 6944 796 796