Number of guests: 11
Bed and bath: 5 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms
Why we love it: Breakfast, tennis court, saltwater infinity pool
Villa Santanyi, named after the fishing village in which it was built, reminds me of Yves Saint Laurent’s museum in Marrakech—from the hushed tones of reverence to its exterior’s soft shades of pink that, depending on the sun’s position in the sky, turn terra-cotta, peach, ochre, and orange in turn. Designed by Claudio Silvestrin and John Pawson, who put modern minimalism into the contemporary architectural lexicon, the villa is all bone-white walls and angular design, light and shadows, tall ceilings, and low furniture. The sunken tennis court, miniature playhouse, and 130-foot-long saltwater infinity pool are set among a grove of olive and almond trees, and in high summer, it’s warm enough to sleep on the roof under the stars. It’s a truly special place to stop and be still: better yet, a house manager takes care of all the things you’d rather not do on holiday, including preparing breakfasts of fresh bread, granola, tortilla, and fruit. —Anna Prendergast