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Globes don’t have corners, but if they did then Clare de la Poer Beresford, founder of Escape to Hidden Chic, would have them covered
The last eighteen months has been tough on everyone. Most of us are accustomed to an international trip every now and then but the pandemic has locked us down salivating frustratedly over brochures and web pages dreaming of what and where we could be when we’re released into the world again.
This itch has been niggling away at us here at Halcyon Lifestyle and, with a view to securing a recharge of the batteries in coming months, we too are looking at possible destinations.
Escape to Hidden Chic is a perfect vehicle to tempt us to get back onto a plane and hunt for new experiences. Since its founding in 2009, the company has collected and curated a selection of private houses and villas around the world that are available for rent.
There is no singular architectural style, no stereotypical setting, no sense of the everyday; the one thing about the properties that stands out is the eclectic quality of all of them. Whether it’s a chateau in Provence, an ocean home in Malibu, California or a beach mansion in the Caribbean, there a property for every taste.
Beresford is a veteran of the luxury industry. Having started as a fashion model and actress she amassed a wealth of experience while working in advertising and the art world. Furthermore, having founded a company supplying locations for film and TV, she came to have an in-depth knowledge of the ‘beautiful’ parts of the world.
Over the years she has been to a cornucopia of destinations and, on the back of this travel, was asked to offer insights to her friends and colleagues about the best places to stay. Escape to Hidden Chic was the organic outgrowth of this.
On a grey Monday morning in September we indulged ourselves by browsing the company's website and, having sated our curiosity, picked out some particularly special options to bring you.
The below properties from Antigua, France, Italy, Ibiza and Greece are just the tip of an extensive iceberg however so we urge you to go and dig for yourselves. From California to Cambodia, from Palm Springs to Paris, you're sure to find a destination that'll transport you into paroxysms of delight.
Whether it’s a chateau in Provence, an ocean home in Malibu, California or a beach mansion in the Caribbean, there's a property for every taste
Yachtsman's Bluff, Antigua
The island from where Admiral Horatio Nelson unpopularly commanded the British Navy's Caribbean Fleet, Antigua was first brought to European attention in 1493 when Christopher Columbus sighted her on his second voyage.
It’s said that Antigua has a beach for every day of the year. Located in the Lesser Antilles the island benefits from both the warm winds of the Gulfstream and the Caribbean microclimate making it a destination of choice for those in the know.
Low average annual rainfall and comfortable temperatures year-round make it a natural haven for the likes of Giorgio Armani, Richard Branson, Eric Clapton and Oprah Winfrey, all of whom have homes here.
Yachtsman’s Bluff, one of a number of Antigua offerings from Escape to Hidden Chic, is a charming seafront property built in 2018 designed for indoor / outdoor living.
Overlooking English Harbour, the aforementioned Nelson’s base, this seven-bedroom house is elegant with a seaside vibe and comfortable furnishings.
All the bedrooms have their own bathrooms and balconies while the well-equipped kitchen comes with a vast breakfast bar and is open to a dining area capable of seating 16. Both these rooms open to the pool terrace where there is a stunning 18-metre infinity pool and large decked area with sun beds and sweeping sea views.
The beach is but a short walk away, through tropical gardens. Just below the house the sea laps gently over a pristine coral reef where there are fabulous snorkelling opportunities to be found.
If you want to eat out then it’s only an eight-minute drive to the nearby restaurants but there is a cook available on request. There’s also a housekeeper who comes weekdays to keep everything spotless.
For more information and images go to Yachtsman's Bluff
The beach is but a short walk away, through tropical gardens
Vaison, France
Deep in south-eastern France, in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region, lies the town of Vaison-la-Romaine. Rich in Roman ruins and medieval architecture and with a stunning cathedral, Vaison is unusual in the way two millennia of antique, medieval and modern history lives together so harmoniously.
Surrounded by vineyards producing the fabled Côte du Rhône wine lies a country house that is a charming renovation of a farmhouse and its outbuildings. The main house at Vaison has three bedrooms while the guest suite has two further bedrooms with each chamber having its own bathroom. All holiday eventualities are covered with a TV room, an office, a large eat-in kitchen and a grand living / dining room.
Take a short stroll into Vaison itself and visit the numerous high-quality cheesemongers, butchers, patisseries and fishmongers. You must experience the weekly market that has been running since Roman times. This covers the whole town and sells all manner of items beyond foodstuffs including plants, fabrics and furniture. Back at the house there is a separate gym to burn off the pounds put on from indulging in all that cheese you’ve bought from the market.
Outside views over the spectacular Mont Ventoux take the breath away while the terrace has a barbecue and several sitting areas in the garden. There is a swimming pool and a pétanque court set into landscaped gardens. With no direct neighbours, privacy and solitude can be guaranteed. Maybe this is why the likes of Keira Knightley have homes in the area?
For more information and images go to Vaison
There is a separate gym to burn off the pounds put on from indulging in all that cheese
Villa Chrystal, Syros, Greece
Syros is one of the lesser-known gorgeous destinations in the world. Of course, those who know, know and, now, you, dear reader, are among them. Set in the sparkling cobalt of the Aegean Sea this tranquil Greek island is only 32 sq mi in area with just 21,500 inhabitants. Despite its small size it was a crossroads in the Aegean in the 19th century.
The history of settlement on Syros goes back 5,000 years to the early Bronze Age and, through time, has been inhabited by the mighty trading nation of the Phoenicians and Pythagoras’ teacher, Pherecydes, among others. It is even mentioned in Homer’s epic poem The Odyssey.
Built for complete privacy and indulgence, Villa Chrystal is a modernist, white-walled local-architect-designed structure set into landscape that grows organically around it. The property is flooded with light through airy outdoor patios and lounge spaces that have uninterrupted views over the Aegean Sea.
Designed to be ultra-comfortable the house can sleep up to 14 across eight bedrooms, all of which have stunning ocean or pool views with private verandas. Just to make your night’s sleep that little bit deeper and more reinvigorating, all the rooms have plasma TVs, DVD players, bedding by Coco-Mat and air conditioning.
Through the rest of the property there is a stylish fusion of architectural designs combining authentic Greek with modern opulence. Hand-picked furniture abounds and original artworks create a calm setting on wooded and stone-dressed walls and ceilings. The ground level is dominated by a sizeable open space dining and living area with spectacular views and a fully equipped kitchen with state-of-the-art technology and appliances.
When you have created your culinary masterpiece (local specialities are kaparosalata – a salad with capers, tomatokeftedes – fried tomato balls and kalamari gemistó – stuffed grilled squid) there are more than ten outdoor spots for stylish dining and tranquil lounging – there is a magical corner for everyone here.
If you have a more adventurous streak about you then follow the private path down to the waterfront where, set in rocky majesty, there is a pier from which you can dive into crystal clear blue water and indulge in pure happiness.
Just to add icing to an already generous cake, there is a complimentary pick-up and drop-off service at the island’s airport, helipad or seaport. A maid service is provided three times a week along with a variety of à la carte services on request from the property’s concierge service.
For more information and images go to Villa Chrystal
There is a stylish fusion of architectural designs combining authentic Greek with modern opulence
Torrent Modern, Es Torrent, Ibiza
Ibiza is many things to many people. To some it’s the home of the mega-club with DJs playing all-night sets and partying until dawn. Others, meanwhile, come for the beautiful beaches (and beach bars), the food scene and the wonderful go-slow pace of life in the hamlets. Despite the reputation of Ibiza there is an astonishingly peaceful side to the island if you know where to look.
A rocky island about 10 times the size of Manhattan, Ibiza is part of the western Balearic archipelago with large parts of the island now registered as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. These sites include the Renaissance walls of the old town city of Ibiza City, one of the few Renaissance walls anywhere in the world that were not demolished in the name of development. There is also the first Phoenician settlement at Sa Caleta as that ancient maritime trading nation expanded westwards.
Torrent Modern, built in 1963, is a private, tranquil villa lying peacefully just five minutes from the best beaches on the island (Cala Bassa, Cala Comte and Cala Tarida). Constructed with five en suite bedrooms and a huge 23m swimming pool, this oasis of serenity has all you could want for recharging your batteries.
The house has been recently renovated and is exquisitely finished and furnished. It combines classic vintage furniture with a contemporary kitchen and bathroom fittings. The kitchen has three ovens (including an oversize professional Gaggenau oven) and dishwasher and two fridges and freezers. On the culinary front there’s also a large gas plancha and barbecue outside. Go shopping once and you can live like princes for weeks while enjoying the typically warm, sunny and dry average temperatures.
For more information and images go to Torrent Modern
This oasis of serenity has all you could want for recharging your batteries
Siena Villa, San Casciano dei Bagni, Tuscany, Italy
A member of the ‘prettiest Italian villages’ (borghi più belli d'Italia), San Casciano dei Bagni lies in the south of the central Italian region of Tuscany. Known for its landscapes, history, artistic legacy and its influence on high culture, Tuscany is regarded as the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance. The regional capital is Florence, home to the Uffizi and Palazzo Pitti.
Tuscany is also known for its wines, including Chianti, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, Morellino di Scansano and Brunello di Montalcino. The region has a strong linguistic and cultural identity and is sometimes considered to be a nation within a nation. The main tourist spots in Tuscany are Florence (of course), Pisa with its ‘leaning tower’, Castiglione della Pescaia and Siena.
It is this last location, situated in the most extraordinary, most beautiful stretch of Italy between Rome and Florence with breathtaking views to Mount Amiata and the hilly vistas beyond, where we find this latest offering from Escape to Hidden Chic. San Casciano dei Bagni is an unspoilt medieval village, in the beautiful and well-kept Siena.
Montepulciano is only a half an hour’s drive away if you want to visit the vineyards. Meanwhile, the old Roman spa from which the village derives its name offers eight natural hot water pools, beauty and spa treatments. This charming villa is walking distance from the village’s piazza yet is totally private and secluded.
Recommended is spending a relaxing day wandering around the 12th century Siena Cathedral (il Duomo) and taking frequent coffee breaks in the Piazza del Campo. The unhurried pace of Siena will be restorative to your soul before you head back into the lion's den of the modern world.
Back at your base is a seven-bedroomed villa designed with all modern conveniences. There is a houseman who looks after the house, garden and pool and an excellent cook who will prepare Tuscan cuisine for you and your guests. Escape to Hidden Chic can arrange for cars, chauffeurs, masseurs or trainers if you want them.
All the bedrooms are en suite with bedding provided. The open plan living room has comfortable sofas and long, wonderful tables where you can entertain up to 24 guests. Blessed with lots of lanterns to light up the house and gardens we can think of no more relaxing way to while away an evening than around the pool at this villa.
Words: TG
For more information and images go to Siena Villa
This charming villa is walking distance from the village’s piazza yet is totally private and secluded
The Honourable Clare de la Poer Beresford
A veteran traveller with a passport that probably has to be renewed annually for lack of available pages, Beresford is originally from Ireland but is now very much a global citizen.
Her work as a model and actress jetted her to all points but it was when she stepped away from that life and, in 1991, set up a USA-based production company specialising in still photography productions for fashion and luxury brands that her deeper knowledge of destinations around the world really started.
Escape to Hidden Chic was founded in 2009 after Beresford decided to capitalise on the many requests she got from friends and family about the best places to stay. She has visited each property personally to ensure they fit within the portfolio and to reassure her guests that they are suitably unique and stylish, yet comfortable and chic. So successful has she been at identifying a home from home for holidays that during the global lockdown many of her clients who were visiting these properties extended their stays to ride out the pandemic.
The pandemic has obviously had its impact on the travelling public but, providing travel corridors, vaccines and quarantine periods are clear and observed then visitor numbers will return to whatever the new normal will be. Have a browse around their website and start planning.
For more information go to Escape to Hidden Chic
