The world's most lavish holiday homes you can rent

Christmas is a time for reflection and relaxing and reflecting on where in the world we could be relaxing.

So with that in mind, we have put together a list of the world’s most drool-inducing, eyebrow-raising, lip-pursing rental homes that could be yours over the holidays.

While one night may set you back something like $65,000, it might be a win-win if  you have an entire island to yourself, or at the very least round-the-clock staff who can offer you massages or decadent meals at 3am.

Villa Pablo in Grenada, Carribean

Villa Pablo has nine suites and amazing views of the Caribbean. Photo: Le Collectionist

So you want to go on that beach holiday? Forget Byron Bay, just rent a house on the small Carribean island of Grenada for you and your closest 18 friends.

While Grenada, “The Island of Spice”, has a population of about 110,000, Villa Pablo is located on a remote stretch of land on the island’s south.

Villa Pablo has nine suites and amazing views of the Caribbean. Photo: Le Collectionist

The bad news is you will have to fork out between €45,100 ($68,000) and €56,600 a night. The good news is a maid will be on hand and “French chefs” will whip you up all the “haute cuisine” you could want. 

Hopefully a basketball court, swimming pool and tennis court will keep your guests entertained for when you get tired of staring out onto the Caribbean Sea.

Chalet Pearl, French Alps

Chalet Pearl will cost you €600,000 a week during peak season. Photo: Chalet Pearl.

If island life isn’t really for you, luxury still awaits you at this chalet in the French Alps.

Chalet Pearl, which is just 50 metres from the ski runs in Courchevel, has recently undergone a €1 million renovation.

In peak season, you can expect to pay €600,000 for the week, according to A Luxury Travel Blog.

For that price, however, you can rest easy that a concierge, private chauffeur, chef, two waitresses and three housekeepers will be at your beck and call.

The house has seven bedrooms, each with en suites, a fitness room, indoor swimming pool and steam room.

If you’d like to bring your own staff across for your ski holiday, a studio that sleeps up to four people can also be rented out nearby.

Royal Malewane and Africa House, South Africa

You can hire out the entire lodge for $54,000 a night in peak season. Photo: Royal Malewane.

The two obvious – but polar opposite – luxury holiday options would be a ski trip in the Alps or a beach getaway on a tropical island.

But there’s a third option on a different continent altogether: a safari holiday.

If you are going all that way to Africa, why not spend a little extra stay to in luxury at a private game reserve.

For $54,000 a night in peak season, you can rent out the entire Royal Malewane lodge and accompanying self-contained Africa House for you and your 31 friends.

For that price, meals and beverages are included plus game drives twice a day.

Villa Roca, Ibiza

Villa Roca in Ibiza can be yours for the week for $79,600. Photo: Luxury Retreats.

If you prefer to party than relax when you are on holidays, the Spanish island of Ibiza has plenty of sleek, luxurious homes ready-made for pre-club entertaining.

Over New Year’s Eve, Villa Roca, which sits atop its own mountain, will set you back about $79,600 a week.

Personal staff, including chefs, personal butlers and a poolside bartender, will tend to your culinary needs – but be warned: the food costs extra. 

The villa comes with eight bathrooms, each with its own en suite overlooking Ibiza Old Town, several beaches and even Formentera Island in the distance.

Zephyr Palace, Costa Rica

The Zephyr Palace can be rented out in its entirety. Photo: Zephyr Palace

We’ve just about covered all bases, but this mansion in Central America certainly deserves a mention. 

Surrounded by a rainforest on the west coast of Costa Rica, Zephyr Palace can be rented out in its entirety.

Of course there’s an infinity pool with views of the Nicoya Gulf, access to the kitchen and seven “thematic suites” for your closest friends.

No price is mentioned on the website, but a “special rate applies”.