Five holiday homes perfect for design lovers


We look at five beautifully designed holiday homes that are perfect for any design lover.


Holiday homes are often known for their practical style, minimalist look and simplistic design – but they don’t have to be. Design lovers around the world can find an exceptional holiday home to rent, and there are countless properties where the décor is just as beautiful as the location.

To save you from hours of searching, we've worked with travel experts at Oliver’s Travels to hand-pick a selection of the finest properties in Portugal, Spain, Greece, Italy and the UK. Whether you want to book a seaside escape in the Algarve, or call an Italian rustic property home for a week, these are some of the best holiday homes for design lovers no matter the season:

Villa Jupiter, Algarve

Situated in Portugal’s southernmost region, Algarve, Villa Jupiter is a luxurious villa that you would expect to be featured in an episode of Grand Designs. Inside the villa are an abundance of sophisticated features, including an open stairwell, floor-to-ceiling windows, beautifully matched marble flooring, and carefully considered spaces – even the sun loungers are well-appointed to watch the sunset.

The eight-bedroom villa has been decorated with standout furniture in a variety of rich materials, and has also been kitted out with a cinema room for movie enthusiasts, a steam room, and a rooftop Jacuzzi that looks over the spectacular views of the colourful coastline.

Callander House, Scotland

A welcoming holiday home that could easily be mistaken for a castle, Callander House dates back to 1835, but has been elegantly modernised. Inside, it boasts a unique and varied design style, state-of-the-art interiors and a range of modern amenities. Throughout the property, the palettes are fresh and rich with a variety of colours and finishes. Many of the one-of-a-kind pieces have been upholstered with artwork.

A twelve-bedroom house, Callandar House has several different rooms and design styles to explore; it also holds a fabulous location set amongst twelve acres of private land with uninterrupted views over the Scottish Highlands.

Casa Infinito, Tenerife

The attractive Casa Infinito, found on the Spanish island of Tenerife, sits on the hilltop of the popular town of Puerto de la Cruz, offering unrivalled views over the northern ocean. The house, which sleeps eleven, has a luxurious and largely modern design – but there is also a nod to the more traditional within its walls, including the medieval Spanish wine cellar, the artwork in the bedrooms, and certain pieces of furniture.

With marble floors and a wide, spiralling staircase, Casa Infinito is perfect for entertaining guests, and has been designed to take full advantage of the breath-taking views out to sea. The house also features its own swimming pool, several verandas, and a private gym.

Villa Kolymbari, Crete

An ultra-cool three-bedroom villa in Crete, the largest of the Greek islands, Villa Kolymbari has everything you need for relaxing holiday in the sunshine. A swimming pool, beautiful beaches nearby and a spacious, distinctively designed interior.

Its three spacious bedrooms, large kitchen and living area have all been designed with captivating colour combinations, reminiscent of Piet Mondrian’s work. Indeed, all the Villa’s interiors have an art-deco-meets-modern touch, combining block colours with sharp angles and rich furnishings, making it the perfect place for any design lover to spend their holiday.

Casa Donnafugata, Sicily

Casa Donnafugata can be found on the Italian island of Sicily, surrounded by the blue shores of the Mediterranean Sea. The five-bedroom Sicilian holiday home has room for 11 guests, all of whom have space to stretch out around the villa’s impressive pool. The property dates as far back as 1693, but has undergone a modern renovation by architect Arturo Montanelli.

As part of the renovation, Montanelli has resorted the house’s weathered stonework, supporting it with new elements in steel and wood. While the building has lost none of its rustic charm, new interior highlights include a floating metal staircase, which is tucked beneath sloping ceilings and the original wooden beams of the building. Downstairs, the open-plan living and dining space is framed by exposed stone and concrete, and includes a fireplace for the colder months.








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