Holidays can be hit and miss sometimes, especially when it comes to rental accommodation. Hosting this year? That can also be fraught with stress and costly mistakes, as well as an invasion of privacy. An acquaintance of mine used to rent out her house for three months of the year, crowing that it covered her annual mortgage. But then a rather large group of unruly guests blocked the toilet, shattered a window and possibly interpreted her barred home office as a “challenge”: they picked the lock, went through confidential files, and hacked into her personal computer, which was also under lock and key. The experience left her so shaken, she immediately pulled her house from the website and vowed never to host again.
Perhaps she’ll change her mind now with Stay One Degree.
What’s your mood?
There’s bound to be something there you like (Credit/Stay One Degree)
Stay One Degree is a social network for amazingly luxurious vacation homes. Rent our your holiday home with confidence to like-minded travellers or stay in hand-picked rentals that are guaranteed to meet your high expectations and standards. Register with Stay One Degree for free and get immediate access to a network of homes, insider tips and homeowner recommendations for properties in over 40 countries around the world. You’ll also get a concierge service and preferential “mates’ rates” for being a part of the trusted network of Stay One Degree.
Here’s a highlight of the top homes for rent, whether you’re looking for inner city urban chic, a mountain resort or a zen-like retreat.
1. Tranquility: Chiang Rai, North Thailand
Peace and quiet, for as far as the eye can see (Credit/Stay One Degree)
Who says your healthy habits need to disappear while on holiday? Pair a team of butlers, housekeepers and chefs—the ultimate indulgence—with nearby activities like hiking or cycling for balanced bliss. This Stay One Degree all-inclusive 10-acre estate sleeps 12 in the main villa and three river houses. Keep fit with yoga classes onsite, an outdoor swimming pool, and indulgent spa treatments. And yes, golf is a sport! The Santiburi Golf Club and Waterford Valley Golf Club are both in nearby Chiang Rai.
Travel tip: The best time to visit Chiang Rai is November to February, when it’s cool and dry.
2. Surf’s up: Canggu, Bali
Canggu is a popular enclave for Balinese expats (Credit/Stay One Degree)
This traditional Balinese villa is the only one in Bali with unobstructed views of the surrounding rice paddies and natural landscape. Treat your loved ones: there are 10 spacious bedrooms, a library and media room, kids’ room, home cinema, bar and spot for the DJ to spin some tunes. You’ll be hangin’ 10 in no time at all, at only five kilometres from Canggu Beach, Pererenan Beach, Seseh Beach and Echo Beach.
Travel tip: Eat your vegan heart out at Nalu Bowls, a plant-based cafe and shop close to Echo Beach.
3. Mountain mama: Telluride, Colorado
The privacy of a house with the amenities of a 5-star hotel (Credit/Stay One Degree)
We know you have summer on the brain, but now’s the time to start looking forward to the slopes! Part of the Auberge Resorts Collection, this four-person property enjoys all the facilities one can expect from a five-star resort with the privacy of a house. Enjoy the pool, hot tub and fire pit before hitting the gym and Sky Terrace for drinks. Telluride is absolutely stunning in the summer, too, with loads of outdoor activities like hiking, cycling, golfing and fishing, and events galore: this outdoorsy mountain town is known as the “festival capital of the Rockies”.
Travel tip: Don’t miss any of those festivals with this handy Events Calendar in your pocket, aka your phone.
4. Country-city, Queenstown, New Zealand
Mountain and lake views (Credit/Stay One Degree)
Technically, this adventure-packed resort town, population 30,000, is not really a city, but it’s one of the most beautiful places on earth and a must-see, summer or winter. The Stay One Degree three-bedroom apartment is walking distance to town, but you’ll probably rather spend your time al fresco or snuggled up in front of the fire. Queenstown is an outdoor adventure playground for naturists and adrenaline junkies alike. If Telluride is the “festival capital of the Rockies”, then this South Island town is “Adventure Capital of the World”. Go bungy jumping, rafting, jet boating, sky diving or hiking. But I’ll be right where you left me, on the deck, with my chilled Yealands Estate Savignon Blanc.
Travel tip: Take a day trip to out of Queenstown to the Central Otago region for some world-class wines.
5. African paradise, Machangulo Peninsula
Go for a swim, or watch the stars … or watch the stars while swimming (Credit/Stay One Degree)
This all-inclusive seven-bedroom oceanfront property on the unspoilt Machangulo Peninsula in Mozambique can accommodate up to 18 guests. Go for a swim, work out, play tennis on the private courts, go reef snorkelling or downward dog it in the dedicated yoga room.
Take the stairs directly down to the beach for early morning runs or sunset strolls along the pristine sand. For pampering and total relaxation, the villa has its own private spa facilities. Southern Mozambique is not affected by tropical weather and cyclones, and enjoys an average water temperature of around 27 degrees Celsius … if you ever decide to leave the luscious pool to find out.
Travel tip: Savour the local Portuguese-inspired Mozambique cuisine, especially the spicy piri-piri (“pepper-pepper”) dishes.
My mood says … yes
Yes to an amazing vacation or to hosting your house within a great network of like-minded travellers. Sign up today for US $250 off your first booking, or inquire about listing your own home today.
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Written By: Adriane Rysz