Private villas

Global off-market options

We specialise in top-of-the-market, secluded buyouts, drawing on a global network of the best properties available – including options not usually open to the public, thanks to our direct our relationships with owners.

Whether long-term escapes or epic family holidays and friends’ getaways, we take a holistic approach to sourcing your accommodation. Taking into account everything from your design sensibilities and geographic preferences to immersive experiences and staffing requirements from our world-class options, we always offer something special.

In the past, we’ve privatised Mediterranean amphitheatres for stage-fighting gladiator training, set up Champagne oyster bars for private beach parties in Mexico and even built a music studio in a Cape Town villa.

Throughout, we build a full experience around you.

Famed for years spent researching and building an exclusive network of connections in a territory, the Cookson team have access to places, people, secluded routes and untouched places that others simply do not.

May, 2019

Waiter walking at private villa in Greece

Taste matching

We take the time to get to know our clients and their vision for their trip. Alongside the simple things like destination and number of guests, we’ll ensure your tastes are satisfied on everything from architecture to purpose, whether you want to throw a party or unwind.

Property as a canvas

From uplifting a grand, historic villa to its former glory to setting up stages for performances from local artists, we approach each property from the ground up, ensuring it exceeds our clients’ expectations.

Global off-market network

We have access to what are usually private homes, open only to an inner circle. Not only does this mean our clients have more choice and exclusivity, but – so often – these properties are passion projects that would never be built by hoteliers. That means truly extravagant features, from cantilevered yoga shalas to incredible, curated artwork.

Heli in front of a volcano in Costa Rica

Platform for adventure

Take helis out for a volcano-top wine tasting, indulge with beach-party setups complete with bespoke theming or let a top historian bring a museum to life after hours. Remember, we organise the world’s most creative travel experiences.

Top experts

Whether it’s actors creating immersive treasure hunts or sailing with Olympians and painting with a local master – our global network of contacts means we can bring in the very best experts, wherever your tastes lie. This can also be a Cookson Adventures host to co-ordinate your trip seamlessly.

Families

Most of our trips are family based. While you may simply want a top nanny and specialist chef, we can design whole multi-generational itineraries and experiences. Think immersive sessions with actors leading your group on a murder mystery through your villa grounds or marine biologists to bring you all behind the scenes of a reef conservation project.

Cultural culinary journey – from setting up a treehouse in the garden to taking over a local amphitheatre, an immersive storyteller and a local Michelin-star-winning chef will guide you on a degustation history of your host country’s dining in special locations. Children can get involved, whether that’s fun classes cooking Roman honey cakes, making edible foams with molecular food scientists, or taking over filmic sets of street food stalls.

Private performances – think dancers from the Royal Ballet choreographed to stories of your family history, private festivals headlined by global DJs or musicals themed around your villa, be it Cirque du Soleil or a West End show. Kids might get involved with dance classes or rap lyric sessions from their favourite stars.

Immersive experiences – using actors, set builders and writers to craft personalised narratives, take part in Roman dramas or pirate treasure hunts and family game shows or Greek tragedies. We’ve organised family expeditions in Egyptian tombs after hours and murder mysteries in Scottish castles.

Artist in residence – based on your tastes, a painter, illustrator or sculptor can document your family or group in real time. Children can get involved with a family heritage collage or their own expert-taught art.

Masterclass series – wherever your group’s interests lie, we can set up bespoke experiences with the world’s top authorities. That could be learning to surf with an Olympian, patisserie lessons with a Parisian chef or chess with a grandmaster.

Epic parties – we know how to have serious fun. Our event planners can create floating dancefloors, desert-island parties and stages for the world’s top performers. Think paragliding onto private beach clubs.

Wellness – getting to know your requirements, we’ll bring in everything from nutritionists and longevity tech to spa residences with award-winning practitioners and performance leads that have headed up F1 teams.