Stay One Degree – Where to visit, eat, play and stay for the holidays
We are pleased to share the latest updates from Stay One Degree – the first social network for luxury holiday home rentals.
With the June holidays around the corner, we wanted to introduce a couple of beautiful beach and Riviera destinations recommended by Stay One Degree, ranging from relaxing retreats for friends and family to unwind under the sun, get active in the water or indulge in food and culture. Please see below some highlights of each destination, along with F&B, activity recommendations and homes offered on the Stay One Degree platform.
Koh Samui
A gorgeous island off the coast of Thailand – the beaches in Koh Samui range from secluded havens to full-on party hotspots where you can swim, enjoy a variety of watersports, relax with a massage simply lay back and have a snooze in the sun.
Eat & Play
· Head to clifftop restaurant, The Cliff, with breath-taking views and delicious food
· The Fisherman’s Village takes up the middle section of Bophut Beach – home to a combination of flash, modern resorts interspersed with traditional Chinese shop-houses. Popular with couples and young families, the beach is one of the finest on the island.
· Hire a moped – one of the best and most exhilarating ways to explore the island
Stay
This stunning villa sits on a former coconut plantation on Lipa Noi (“Little Palm”) beach on the peaceful south-west coast of Koh Samui. Lipa Noi is regarded as the most unspoilt, and best swimming beach on the island and has wonderful views and stunning sunsets.
The villa sleeps up to 17 (max 12 adults plus 5 additional children in roll out beds within adult bedrooms) and has seven full-time staff including a villa manager and a private chef.
Some highlights include a 20m infinity pool with swim up bar, outdoor movie screen, beachfront tree-house, gym and dedicated Spa room.
Galle, Sri Lanka
Founded by Portuguese colonists in the 16th century, Sri Lanka is fast-becoming the go-to getaway on every traveller’s list. The island is endowed with surfing beaches, beautiful national parks full of colourful flora and fauna, Hindu temples and tea plantations, making it one of the most talked about travel destinations with a regular spot on every “must-visit” travel list.
Eat & Play
· Sri Lanka is all about gem shops. Head to Laksana, Mangalla, M.M Ibrahim (ideal for getting a copy of your favourite designer piece copied) and Millennium Gems to pick genuine gemstones
· Dicks Bar on Upper Dickson Road that has made the Conde Nast Traveller top bars in the world list in the past is a great spot for cocktails
· The Fort Printers – fresh-from-the-ocean seafood fine dining
· Beachside eateries along Unawatuna Beach
This gorgeous villa faces west across an entire beach; you can even stroll through your own private entrance directly onto the golden sands and then dive into the water or try your hand at surfing.
The master king size ensuite bedroom has direct access to the pool and the deck area, with two more luxurious king size bedrooms on the same floor, known as the garden rooms. If you climb the stairs, you’ll reach four more decadent en-suite bedrooms all of which boast sensational sea views and are also fitted with king size beds.
French Rivera, France
For a further escape, the South of France is the embodiment of French glamour and sophistication and The French Riviera, playground of the rich and famous, is about as glamorous as holidays get
Eat & Play
· Walk through cool forests of truffle oaks and swim in waterfalls
· Jump on a ferry to Ile Saint-Honorat for a lunch of fresh, grilled lobster
· Head to Théoule-sur-Mer for a swim at one of the tiny inlets along the coastline
· Café de la Fontaine in La Turbie, with its simple Provencal food
· Terrace restaurant Mirazur perched high above the sea in hilltop village
· Relax in the sun with cocktails on the beach of Eze
Set over 5 floors, this modern house checks every box, panorama views of the Mediterranean Sea, located on a private dead-end road, and a short walk to the beach of Eze. It includes a spacious living area with expansive glass windows and sliding doors, a cinema room, open plan kitchen, fitness area and spa, with multiple terraces and outdoor lounges
The villa can accommodate up to 10 adult guests in its 5 ensuite bedrooms, and an additional sofa bed can be added to accommodate 2 children. The stay includes daily housekeeping and a concierge service, which can help arrange a variety of services and activities.
