Luxury experiential travel: Redefining the way we vacation

Experience over excess—the new definition of luxury
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Drone shot of a rental on a vineyard in Sonoma, CA.
The patio area overlooking mountains in Sedona, AZ.

Luxury has a whole new meaning today than it once did. It’s not about high thread counts or a private butler waiting at your door. Today, profound experiences within nature, culture, cuisine, and the local community are what define luxury.

Think: guided yoga sessions surrounded by red rock scenery, private culinary demos by a local chef, or a private snorkeling tour to an untouched coral reef. This kind of travel isn’t about extravagance for its own sake—it’s about finding off-the-beaten-path ways to discover a destination.

What is experiential travel?

Experiential travel is about living fully in the moment and having the freedom to explore the destination through taste, adventure, creativity, and people.

When paired with private vacation rentals, the result is a getaway that feels both intimate and authentic.

Vacation homes provide the setting and privacy for these elevated types of experiences, offering the flexibility and bespoke comforts that a hotel often can’t—from spacious kitchens and outdoor lounges to local architectural charm and natural surroundings.

Top destinations for luxury experiential travel

Where you go sets the tone for your experience. From remote coastal escapes to vibrant desert hideaways, these destinations are tailor-made for travelers who want to explore the extraordinary.

A pool and overlooking the ocean at a rental in Hawaii.
A bedroom at a vacation rental in Hawaii.
A living area at a vacation rental in Hawaii.

Big Island, Hawaii

Where raw beauty meets island soul

Featured vacation home: Bay View Farms Estate House

On Hawaii’s Big Island, luxury unfolds in harmony with nature. Rent a dramatic oceanfront villa in Kona, where you’ll find respite after spending the day with these immersive experiences throughout the island:

  • Visit sacred lava fields with a private guide.
  • Unwind with oceanfront yoga sessions.
  • Snorkel with manta rays on an exclusive after-dark excursion.
  • Savor a personalized wine and food pairing dinner at a top resort, featuring local Hawaiian ingredients.
  • Enjoy a sunrise outrigger canoe experience, paddling with a local guide.
  • Experience a private stargazing tour atop Mauna Kea, complete with expert and state-of-the-art telescopes.
  • Indulge in a bespoke farm-to-table tour, visiting coffee, chocolate, and tropical fruit farms with tastings and chef-led demonstrations.
Escape to The Big Island
A creek running by a rental in Jackson, WY.
A cabin in Jackson, WY.
The living area of a cabin rental in Jackson, WY.

Jackson Hole, Wyoming

Where refined and rustic wilderness connect

Featured vacation home: Serenity in the Valley

Jackson Hole offers a rare blend of rugged mountain living and elevated experiences. Stay in a modern mountain lodge with panoramic views for equal parts adventure and serenity.

  • Embark on a private wildlife safari through Grand Teton National Park with an expert naturalist guide, spotting elk, bison, moose, and bears at dawn or dusk.
  • Enjoy a bespoke stargazing night at Snow King Mountain’s state-of-the-art observatory and planetarium, complete with private telescope access and expert-led sessions.
  • Experience a guided fly-fishing adventure on the Snake River, with a private chef-prepared riverside lunch.
  • Saddle up for a private horseback ride on a historic ranch, followed by a cowboy cookout and horsemanship demonstration.
  • Enjoy a curated art walk through Jackson’s renowned galleries, with exclusive access and insights from local artists.
  • Take a private snowmobile or snow coach excursion into Yellowstone’s winter wilderness, with hot beverages and viewing wildlife.
Escape to Jackson Hole
The pool at a vacation rental in Tulum.
The dining and living area at a Tulum vacation rental.
Beach chairs on a beach at a rental in Tulum.

Tulum, Mexico

Where boho luxury in the jungle triumphs

Featured vacation home: Villa Mandala at Tankah Beachfront

Tulum’s unique character blends ancient history, natural beauty, and barefoot luxury. Stay in a jungle villa with minimalist design and private outdoor baths, with the sound of waves just steps away.

  • Enjoy a private, early-morning guided tour of the Tulum Mayan ruins, skipping crowds.
  • Indulge in a private temazcal (Mayan sweat lodge) ceremony led by a local shaman for a transformative spiritual experience.
  • Dive or snorkel in a secluded cenote with a private guide, followed by a chef-prepared jungle lunch.
  • Sail the Caribbean on a luxury catamaran and snorkel at exclusive reef locations.
  • Experience the Mystika Immersive, a sensory journey connecting you with Mayan cosmology and local spirituality.
  • Take a private art and culture tour—visit hidden jungle galleries, join a cyanotype print workshop, or stargaze with a Mayan astronomy expert.
  • Explore the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve on a private boat tour, spotting wildlife and floating through ancient Maya canals.
Escape to Tulum
The backdoor area of a vacation rental in Sonoma, CA.
The pool area at a Sonoma vacation rental.
Outdoor cooking area at a Sonoma rental.

Napa Valley, California

Where you can sip, savor, and soak it all in

Featured vacation home: Vineyard View

Few places deliver full-sensory indulgence like Napa. Base yourself in a vineyard-adjacent farmhouse or airy modern retreat for a getaway that’s refined, relaxed, unmistakably Californian.

  • Savor a private, sommelier-led tasting of rare vintages at a boutique winery, paired with artisanal bites.
  • Experience a cave tour and exclusive cabernet tasting deep within Pine Ridge Vineyards’ underground cellar.
  • Take a scenic hot air balloon ride at sunrise over the rolling vineyards.
  • Relax with a bespoke spa day with vineyard-inspired treatments.
  • Blend your own wine during a hands-on session with a master winemaker, and take home a personalized bottle.
  • Join a guided cycling tour through the valley, stopping for exclusive tastings and gourmet picnics among the vines.
  • Participate in a curated art and wine walk through downtown Napa, meeting local artists and sampling limited-production wines.
Escape to Napa
The view of the Canyon at a vacation rental in Sedona, AZ.
The living area of a Sedona, AZ vacation rental.
A hammock overlooking a gorgeous view in Sedona, AZ.

Sedona, Arizona

Where Red Rocks and restorative energy rest

Featured vacation home: Spectacular View

Sedona blends spiritual exploration with elevated experiences. Book a design-forward desert home surrounded by red rocks where you can connect to the land—and yourself.

  • Unwind with a stargazing session led by an astronomer, using high-powered telescopes to explore Sedona’s famously clear night skies.
  • Embark on a private guided tour of Sedona’s sacred vortex sites, exploring the region’s renowned spiritual energy with a local expert.
  • Savor a chef’s tasting menu of modern American cuisine with Southwest influences and breathtaking red rock views.
  • Take a luxury wine tour along the Verde Valley Wine Trail, visiting boutique wineries and vineyards with private tastings.
  • Experience a private off-road Jeep adventure to hidden canyons, ancient ruins, and dramatic viewpoints.
  • Join a curated art walk or private gallery tour, meeting local artists and discovering Sedona’s vibrant creative scene.
  • Take a guided horseback ride through red rock country, followed by a gourmet cowboy cookout.
Escape to Sedona

How vacation rentals enrich experiential travel

Immersive travel deserves private spaces that offer more than a place to sleep. Vacation homes enhance the experience by providing:

  • A luxurious amount of space to unwind, entertain, and explore on your own schedule
  • Local charm and design that reflects the surroundings
  • Amenities like private pools, full kitchens, firepits, and hot tubs
  • Seclusion and privacy not typically found in a resort

Whether you're planning a retreat with friends, a solo escape for self-renewal, or a meaningful family gathering, a unique vacation home becomes part of the memory.

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