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Discover Three Stunning New Retreats That Offer Utter Privacy

From the scenic mountains of central Mexico to Bordeaux’s famed wine country, this trio of intimate getaways provides enough room for social distancing along with modern luxuries

By Geoffrey Montes
Modern bedroom with glass wall, overlooking a garden and pool, featuring a cozy bed and natural decor elements.
The mirror-clad Casa Etérea, located on an extinct volcano outside the colonial town of San Miguel de Allende in central Mexico. Photo: Casa Etérea

Total privacy has gained a newfound importance in the pandemic era, and leaders in the high-end hospitality field have taken note. From the scenic mountains of central Mexico to Bordeaux’s famed wine country, this trio of intimate new retreats provides enough room for social distancing along with modern luxuries that will make you never want to leave.

Scenic view of a historic stone castle surrounded by lush trees and circular pool in a serene landscape.
The pool at Castello di Reschio. Photo: Courtesy of Reschio Estate

Reschio Estate | Umbria, Italy 

The newest addition to this sprawling, 3,700-acre compound in the picturesque Umbrian countryside is Castello di Reschio, a thousand-year-old castle that has been restored by owner Count Benedikt Bolza, who doubles as its architect. Debuting in April, the edifice’s 36 sumptuously appointed rooms join nine revamped villas that dot the complex and can also be rented out to guests desiring extra privacy. Plus, an on-site equestrian center allows visitors to explore the estate on horseback. 

Reflective building mirroring clear sky and clouds, surrounded by desert plants and rocky landscape under a sunny sky.
The mirror-clad Casa Etérea in San Miguel. Photo: Courtesy of Casa Etérea
Modern bedroom with glass walls open to garden view, featuring a cozy bed, plants, and natural lighting near a serene pond.
Singaporean writer and photographer Prashant Ashoka worked with interiors firm Namuh on the house. Photo: Courtesy of Casa Etérea

Casa Etérea | San Miguel de Allende, Mexico

This off-the-grid hideaway is perched on the slope of an extinct volcano near San Miguel de Allende, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Clad in mirrored panels and powered by the sun, the eco-chic dwelling—designed for two—is the brainchild of Singaporean writer and photographer Prashant Ashoka, who worked with interiors firm Namuh to deploy a serene palette of jute, leather, wood, and stone, as well as an attention-grabbing copper tub ideal for de-stressing. 

Elegant French chateau surrounded by lush vineyards under a partly cloudy sky.
The restored 18th-century château. Photo: Romain Ricard
Elegant room with vintage settee, two round tables, and framed tree painting, featuring a vase of white flowers on a table.
A suite crafted by French design maestro Bruno Moinard. Photo: Romain Ricard

Château Troplong Mondot | Saint-Émilion, France 

Set on a 90-acre vineyard in the heart of one of France’s most prestigious wine-growing regions, this restored 18th-century château just opened with five understated suites devised by French design maestro Bruno Moinard. Among the hilltop estate’s perks are a daily menu crafted by Michelin-starred chef David Charrier, wine-blending sessions with vineyard president Aymeric de Gironde, and a stone-lined pool overlooking the rolling hills of Saint-Émilion. 

A version of this article first appeared in print in our 2021 Spring issue. Subscribe to the magazine.