Dreaming of deluxe accommodations for your next vacation?
You could spend $700 per night for a 5-star hotel in a city like Tuscany, Italy. Or, you could spend about the same to stay in a private fifth-century home - a castle, in fact, replete with Italian period furniture and surrounded by rose gardens.
It all depends on who you know.
Stay One Degree is the world's first social network for international luxury vacation rentals. Founded in 2016, the exclusive online marketplace works sort of like Airbnb meets LinkedIn - for those in the innermost circle, that is.
While anybody can join the site and browse the lavish homes, one can rent only from people with whom they share mutual friends. Before a user can message a Stay One homeowner (or yacht owner, villa owner, ski chalet owner, etc.), the two must establish their "one degree" of separation, accomplished by "connecting" on the site.
Founder and CEO Thomas Bennett says the platform grew from a personal need. As a frequent traveler, his home would sit empty for many weeks of the year, but he was wary of renting to strangers, he writes on the website. His goal for Stay One was to help homeowners like himself make the most of their properties, while also giving travelers an alternative to "staying in soulless hotels or renting holiday homes with IKEA furniture and plastic cups."
The multimillion-dollar abodes listed on the site define decadence, but their price tag is not the point, says Bennett.
"Luxury is an overused word," he says. "At Stay One Degree, we hand-pick all our homes and regularly turn away 'luxury' homes that, for me, are not awe-inspiring. Instead we focus on unique homes that will surprise you homes that have been a labour of love, and you can see this in the attention to detail in the home."
From Sri Lanka to British Columbia, here are six exquisite homes that can forever change the way you do deluxe accommodations, if you know the right people.
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This sprawling, historical villa located in the French Riviera rents for $2,302 to 6,136 a night on Stay One Degree, an exclusive site for vacation rentals. / Photo contributed by Stay One DegreeStoried Villa
French Riviera, Cassis area
$2,302 to $6,136 per night
9 bedrooms, 9 bathrooms
Accommodates up to 20 guests
Located on the Mediterranean coast, this impressive villa was once a hotel frequented by early 20th-century author Virginia Woolf. Today, the renovated quarters blend historical and contemporary design elements throughout the nine en suite bedrooms, fully equipped kitchen, home cinema, game room and four reception rooms, each of which boasts its own stunning view of the sea.
From the terrace, a private path leads to the beach below, a five-minute walk away, or to the village of Cassis, famous for its pastel colored cafes and restaurants.
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An award-winning, solar-powered eco home overlooks the white sands of Waimarama Beach in New Zealand. / Photo contributed by Stay One DegreeEnvironmental Oasis
Hawke's Bay, New Zealand
$196 to $314 per night
1 bedroom, 2 bathrooms
Accommodates up to 4 guests
This solar-powered eco home is as well-traveled as those who stay in it. The house was designed and built by University of Victoria architectural students before going on display in Wellington, New Zealand's capital. Then, it was shipped to Washington State to compete in an international competition where it won first place in engineering.
Now, the home permanently overlooks the white sands of Waimarama Beach. With an abundance of natural light illuminating the bright wooden interior, the beachfront home blends the best of indoor and outdoor living. A large deck complete with an outdoor kitchen provides the perfect spot to enjoy the seaside vista or a game of bean bag toss.
The open-plan design is best suited to young families. In addition to the private bedroom, it also includes a cleverly designed drop-down bunk bed.
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Members of Stay One Degree may rent this 16th century Scottish castle for $1,211 a night — as they as they are "connected" to the homeowner on the site. / Photo contributed by Stay One DegreeHighlands Castle
Folda, Scotland
$1,211 per night
7 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms
Accommodates up to 16 guests
Built in 1560 and now fully restored to its former glory, this Scottish Highlands castle brings together traditional charm with 21st-century comforts. Among its many lavish rooms, the "great hall" is its heart. Spanning the width of the entire castle, the hall showcases an expansive inglenook fireplace and a 16-seat dining table, in addition to Ralph Lauren sofas and chairs upholstered in goatskin leather.
Each of the seven bedrooms is traditionally furnished, though the master suite is truly fit for a king or queen. It features a king-size four-poster bed, British-wool upholstered walls, an open-plan bathroom with roll-top tub, and, of course, its own turret.
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Featuring four bedrooms and a number of rooftop terraces, this architect-designed home in Portugal exemplifies minimalism and style. / Photo contributed by Stay One DegreeModern Minimalist
Algarve, Portugal
$214 to $582 per night
4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
Accommodates up to 7 guests
Combining minimalism with style and locally crafted features, the main living spaces of this modern villa are focused around its outdoor pool and dining area. The upper-floor living room is accented with an ash colored sectional sofa, sleek architect-designed fireplace and large square feature window.
Each of the four double bedrooms further exemplifies clean design with their simple lines, white linens and whitewashed concrete walls. The tranquil and authentic atmosphere of the home is further enhanced by the surrounding countryside, which includes a green garden filled with seeds collected from private nurseries, and which may be enjoyed from any one of the home's multiple rooftop terraces.
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Located on the southern coast of Sri Lanka, this traditional colonial-style vacation home includes a personal chef, gardener and 24-hour security staff. / Photo contributed by Stay One DegreeTropical Plantation
Habaraduwa, Sri Lanka
$490 to $750 per night
5 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms
Accommodates up to 10 guests
Located on the southern coast of Sri Lanka, this traditional Colonial style villa exudes class with its beautiful proportions and wraparound verandas. The tropical setting is reflected throughout the home's earthy-toned interior with pops of color from thoughtfully placed fruit bowls and flower bouquets.
The ground floor comprises a vast living and dining space, which includes a TV room, library and fully equipped kitchen. Upstairs there are five en suite bedrooms, each with a charming view of the gardens.
Travelers lucky enough to call this villa "home" are treated to more than just elegant surroundings. The stay also includes a personal chef, gardener and 24-hour security staff.
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Guests of this mountaintop resort chalet located in Whistler, British Columbia may arrive by helicopter. The cost to rent ranges from $9,401-16,921 a night. / Photo contributed by Stay One DegreeAlpine Villa
Whistler, British Columbia
$9,401 to $16,921 per night
7 bedrooms, 6 bathrooms
Accommodates up to 14 guests
Located within a four-season resort famous for its mountain biking, skiing and snowboarding, this chalet is designed with luxury and adventure in mind - beginning with just getting there. The mountaintop home can be accessed either by helicopter or a winding private drive.
Inside, the home showcases a modern twist on rusticism with white interiors complemented with wood and stone accents. Its spaciousness is amplified by floor-to-ceiling windows, allowing for panoramic vistas and an abundance of natural light.
Among the home's posh amenities, there is a private gym and spa, including a sauna, hot tub and heated swimming pool. After a day on the slopes, one might also unwind in the game room, media room or lounging on one of the deep-seated sofas arranged around the fireplace.