Tailor-make your trip: the VIP’s guide to private travel

Destination

By Harriet Cooper

October 1, 2022

From exclusive jets to upscale villas, supercars to superyachts, here’s how to travel in style

It’s often said that the fondest memories are formed around the dining table. Never does this ring truer than during the festive period, when families and friends come together for a period of unbridled indulgence and plentiful merry making. But if you fancy a break from hosting at home this holiday, we’ve hand-picked our favourite culinary experiences designed to help you eat, drink and maximise your time with loved ones – from dumpling-making classes to lessons on the ultimate food and wine pairings.

For city chic and countryside charm

Often the very best escapes are right on your doorstep, from a chic city stay to the back-to-nature vibes of the countryside. Why not combine the two? Begin your staycation adventure at Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, London, with its unparalleled location, contemporary-luxe décor and impeccable service. Victor is offering members a stay in a Suite with a complimentary breakfast for two at the Chef’s Table at Dinner by Heston Blumenthal. Also included is a private tour of Hampton Court Palace with after-hour access, a guide and a chauffeur.

Next stop: the countryside, but not before you pay a visit to Auto Vivendi HQ, the world’s largest supercar club. You’ll earn points when you join the club or book one of its exclusive experiences, so head for the hills in a Rolls-Royce Wraith or a Ferrari F8 Spider. For bucolic bliss, it has to be Wilderness Reserve, an 8,000-acre private estate in Suffolk. Book in for a bespoke retreat in one of the charismatic country homes, from the iconic pink Farmhouse to Hex Cottage, a tiny, thatched hideaway. With activities including restorative massages, clay pigeon shooting and fireside feasts, you’ll be spoilt for choice.

For glamorous villas and first-class golfing

For those looking to satisfy their European wanderlust, there are few more iconic destinations than the South of France. Whether you’re visiting in the sun-drenched summer or off season, charter a Victor jet to charmant Provence, the Côte d’Azur or the French Riviera for rolling olive groves, romantic hilltop villages and tantalising restaurants.

Once you’ve landed, let a private car whisk you to La Maison vue de Saint Jean in Èze, one of the properties available from Mandarin Oriental Exclusive Homes – our curated collection of luxurious private villas and mansions. With views across the glittering Mediterranean, this six-bedroom property takes luxury to a new level – there’s a dedicated concierge service, full-time villa manager, private chef service and daily housekeeping. But the South of France isn’t all lying by infinity pools and sipping ice-cold rosé – how about a round of golf? With Golf Traveller, you can tee off on championship course Le Château, the handsome greens, elegant water features and hilltop vistas of which make it one of the country’s best.

For winter sun and nautical adventure

When it’s cold and dreary outside, winter sun is the ultimate tonic. Think palm-fringed beaches, cocktails and, best of all, hot days and balmy nights. Few places epitomise this more than the islands of the Caribbean, with its crystalline waters and beaches the colour of clotted cream. Stop over in Miami to explore this glamorous metropolis, staying at the Mandarin Oriental, Miami. Set between South Beach and Downtown Miami, it’s the perfect base from which to admire the city’s standout art deco architecture and the superior shopping of Miami Design District.

City fix sorted, head on to Mandarin Oriental, Canouan in the Caribbean archipelago of St Vincent and the Grenadines, a remote hideaway made up of 1,700 tropical acres and a vast reef that teems with rainbow-coloured fish. For a push-the-boat-out experience, charter one of the most exclusive motor and sailing yachts and catamarans in the world, with crew on hand to take care of your every need. Keep eyes peeled for rays and tortoises (indeed, Canouan means ‘island of tortoises’) and luxuriate in peerless comfort on your sun-soaked private deck.

About the Author

Harriet Cooper

Harriet writes on travel and lifestyle trends for British Airways’ High Life, English Heritage, Royal Opera House and The Telegraph.