Haute Retreats Releases 2026 Ultra-Luxury Villa Trends Report: Billionaires Travel Slower, Stay Longer and Go Private

Haute Retreats has unveiled its 2026 Ultra-Luxury Villa Trends Report, offering a fascinating look into how the world’s wealthiest travelers are reshaping luxury vacations

1. Workations Replace Boardrooms
- Ultra-wealthy families are turning villas into private offices and deal-making hubs.
- Villas in Los Cabos, Turks & Caicos, Miami, and Lake Como are being outfitted with media rooms, private offices, and hotel-level catering.

2. Celebration Compounds & Multi-Generational Gatherings
- Demand is rising for multi-villa estates hosting 20–40 guests.
- Destinations like Tuscany, Punta Cana, and Costa Rica are popular for milestone birthdays, reunions, and festive escapes.

3. Quiet-Luxury Destinations
- Privacy and authenticity are the new status symbols.
- Billionaires prefer discreet coastlines like Costa Rica, Turks & Caicos, Tuscany, and Lake Como, where villas blend nature, design, and exclusivity.

4. Chef-Led Villa Living
- Private chefs are now central to the villa experience.
- Guests request curated itineraries: truffle hunts in Tuscany, beachfront BBQs in Turks & Caicos, plant-forward menus in Costa Rica.

5. Early Booking & The Billionaire Villa Index
- UHNW families are reserving villas 6–8 months in advance for peak seasons.

Top 10 destinations for 2026 include:
- Tuscany, Italy
- Turks & Caicos
- Lake Como, Italy
- Amalfi Coast, Italy
- Dominican Republic (Punta Cana, Casa de Campo, ÀNI Dominican Republic)
- Los Cabos, Mexico
- St. Barts
- Mykonos, Greece
- Costa Rica
- Miami & South Florida

Why It Matters
- Shift in Luxury Travel: From hotel suites to fully staffed private estates.
- Lifestyle Integration: Villas serve as homes, offices, restaurants, and wellness centers.
- Exclusivity: Privacy, authenticity, and bespoke service are now the ultimate luxuries.

This report highlights how billionaires are slowing down, staying longer, and choosing private villas over hotels, signaling a broader trend in ultra-luxury travel.