Saint-Tropez, Mykonos, Marbella or the Amalfi Coast?

Saint-Tropez

Iconic, glamorous and effortlessly social. Saint-Tropez combines beautiful beaches, legendary beach clubs, restaurants, shopping and nightlife with surprisingly peaceful residential areas just outside the centre. Stay close to town if you want to be part of the atmosphere, or choose a more secluded villa surrounded by gardens and nature when privacy is the priority.

Saint-Tropez still sets the tone for a certain kind of Mediterranean summer: Pampelonne beaches, long lunches, shopping in the village and evenings that can run as late as you want. The mistake is assuming the whole peninsula feels like the port in August. A few minutes inland, or towards Ramatuelle and the vineyards, the same destination becomes green, private and almost hushed.

Friends and couples who want beach clubs and a dressed-up social life should stay close enough to wander or take a short drive home. Families often prefer a villa with a pool, garden and a little distance from the nightlife, then dip into town when they choose. Staffed villas make both versions easy — breakfast at home, a driver for the beach, dinner either in the garden or by the port.

Tell us whether glamour or privacy is the non-negotiable. That choice, more than bedroom count, decides whether Saint-Tropez feels like the holiday you imagined.

• Best for: friends, couples and families looking for a sophisticated mix of beach life, dining, shopping and entertainment.

Mykonos

Energetic, beautiful and made for summer living. Mykonos is perfect for guests who want days by the sea followed by beach clubs, sunset drinks, restaurants and late nights. But the island can also be surprisingly private — choosing the right area makes all the difference between being close to the action and having a quiet villa overlooking the Aegean.

Mykonos is famous for energy, and it earns that reputation: beach clubs, sunset bars, a whitewashed town and a nightlife that can fill the week. Groups of friends who want that rhythm should stay on the south and west coasts, close to the beaches and a reasonable run back to town.

The other Mykonos is quieter than people expect. North-facing and more secluded villas offer pools, views and a sense of being alone above the water. Couples often prefer this version, coming into town for a few evenings rather than living next to the scene. Wind, access roads and the exact bay matter here — two villas ten minutes apart can feel like different islands.

If your group wants both a social week and a beautiful house, we usually look for a villa that is close enough for nights out, but set back enough that mornings stay calm. Share how many late nights you actually want; it is the most useful briefing we can have.

• Best for: groups of friends, couples and travellers looking for a vibrant social scene combined with beautiful private villas.

Marbella

Relaxed luxury with something for everyone. Marbella offers an easy balance between beaches, restaurants, golf, shopping, beach clubs and family life. It works particularly well for groups with different expectations: some can spend the day by the pool or on the beach, while others enjoy sports, shopping or the social scene.

Marbella is the destination we suggest when a group cannot agree on a single mood. Golden Mile and Sierra Blanca villas offer service, space and a short drive to the beach; Nueva Andalucía suits golf and a more residential rhythm; the western side towards Estepona can feel quieter and more contemporary. Nobody has to spend the week doing the same thing.

Families like the practical side: larger plots, pools, staff who know the area, and restaurants that work as well for a long lunch as for a dressed-up evening. Larger groups can split between beach clubs, shopping in Puerto Banús and days at the villa without a complicated logistics plan. It is less theatrical than Saint-Tropez or Mykonos, and that is often the point.

If you want nightlife every night, say so — we keep you closer to the coast and the marina. If you want a garden, a pool and the option of town, we look a little higher or further west. Marbella rewards a precise brief.

• Best for: families, larger groups and guests looking for variety, comfort and an easy-going summer lifestyle.

The Amalfi Coast

Romantic, dramatic and unmistakably Italian. The Amalfi Coast is less about traditional beach-club life and more about breathtaking views, charming towns, beautiful restaurants and discovering the coastline by boat. Choosing the exact location is particularly important here, as accessibility, distance from the sea and proximity to towns can completely change the experience.

This coastline is about scenery and pace. Mornings often start on a terrace, days unfold by boat between coves and villages, and evenings are dinners with a view rather than a beach-club playlist. Positano, Ravello, Praiano and quieter stretches each offer a different relationship to the water, the road and the crowds.

Access is the practical truth behind the photographs. Some villas are a walk down steps to the sea; others need a car or a driver for every plan. Couples usually accept a little complexity for the view. Families with young children, or guests who dislike stairs, should tell us immediately — we will trade a little drama for a better day-to-day.

If your summer is gastronomy, swimming off a boat and a romantic setting, the Amalfi Coast is difficult to match. If you want a big sandy beach, nightlife on the doorstep and a villa you never have to leave, Marbella or a quieter Saint-Tropez house will likely fit better.

• Best for: couples, families and travellers looking for scenery, gastronomy, boat days and a slower Mediterranean rhythm.

So, which one is right for you?

Choose Saint-Tropez for glamour, beach clubs and sophisticated summer life. Choose Mykonos for energy, sunsets and nightlife. Choose Marbella for versatility, families and an effortless mix of relaxation and entertainment. Choose the Amalfi Coast for scenery, romance, gastronomy and days spent exploring the Mediterranean.

And remember, these are only four examples. Our summer collection extends across many other destinations, each offering its own atmosphere and way of experiencing the season. The right destination is not simply where you spend your summer — it is what determines how your summer will feel.