palm springs home with pool and hot tub

Find a vacation home that’s a design-lover’s dream, like this luxe, midcentury house in Palm Springs. (Photo: Marriott International)

Tips + Trends

Home Sweet Vacation Home: 10 Spaces That Feel Like Your Own – Only Way Better

Imagine planning a getaway with all the creature comforts of home — only better. Booking a stay in a vacation home rental, whether it’s in California, Italy or even Croatia, promises to bring your family or friends together for an unforgettable stay in a perfectly appointed spot.

Whether you’re craving mountain views and hot tub dips, a deep dive into Renaissance art, or simply want to stargaze from your own private pool, these vacation home rentals help bring all your vacation dreams to life.

Stunning Mountain Home with Sweeping Views of the Valley; Gatlinburg, Tennessee

wood living room gatlinburg
The mountains are calling near Gatlinburg. (Photo: Marriott International)

When you’re not visiting Dollywood or exploring nearby Great Smoky Mountains National Park, enjoy dramatic views of the surrounding mountain peaks in this luxury two-bedroom cabin.

You and up to eight guests might unwind in the hot tub on the covered back porch or head downstairs to the game room to play pool or 1980s arcade classics like Donkey Kong and Ms. Pac-Man.

A sprawling open-plan kitchen with granite counters and sparkling new appliances means making group dinners is a breeze.

Huge 5-Bedroom Apartment with Breathtaking Views; Florence, Italy

living room in florence
Modern touches meet Florentine details in this apartment. (Photo: Marriott International)

The enormous, furnished terrace overlooking Florence’s iconic Duomo, a medieval palace and surrounding Tuscan mountains is certainly a highlight of this contemporary apartment.

Still, its central location and boho-chic design mixed with original Florentine details, like wooden ceilings and terra-cotta floors, also guarantee it’s a coveted accommodation.

The apartment sleeps up to 10 guests, and the professionally equipped kitchen makes it perfect for organizing private cooking classes during family reunions or getaways with friends.

Historic 7-Bedroom Countryside Manor with Heated Pool; Loire Valley, France

french chateau
This is a the home your French chateau-inspired dreams are made of. (Photo: Marriott International)

This 19th-century manor in the verdant Loire Valley welcomes your group the moment you arrive via the tree-lined road. For all the property’s grandeur, its interior feels comfortable and intimate.

The kitchen has ample space for many cooks to pitch in. Challenge your companions to a match in the sunlit billiards room, and then head outdoors to relax in the heated swimming pool or host a picnic under the blooming horse chestnut trees.

Exclusive Mansion with Luxury Living at Reunion; Four Corners, Florida

star wars themed bedroom
The force is strong with this room. (Photo: Marriott International)

This sprawling, 13,000-square-foot mansion near Orlando accommodates up to 28 guests and inspires a sense of play. It overlooks a Jack Nicklaus–designed golf course and includes a pool, movie theater, gym and four bars.

Fantasy areas for kids include the “Star Wars” galaxy room with a full-sized TIE Fighter and Stormtrooper; an under-the-sea playroom with a slide and climbing net; and a “royal room” with beds in castle formation for up to four princes and princesses.

Palm Springs Luxury Living Home with Dramatic Interior; Palm Springs, California

Mid Century Modern Home in Palm Springs
You’ll understand why Palm Springs is a favorite celebrity haunt. (Photo: Marriott International)

This renovated midcentury architectural gem will host you and up to seven companions in high Palm Springs style.

Gather around the fire pit, illuminated pool and hot tub to watch the stars emerge over the palm-tree-lined desert, or lounge inside the bright, airy interior, where an open floor plan lets the kitchen, dining room and shag-carpeted seating area in front of the fireplace flow together for optimum camaraderie.

Private Rustic Estate with Pool in Austin; Austin, Texas

luxury rustic living room
Relax in rustic luxury near Austin. (Photo: Marriott International)

This Austin residence extends a big Texas welcome to group vacationers with its sweeping ceilings, roomy kitchen with twin prep-counter islands, covered outdoor dining and barbecue area, and in the backyard, a mini soccer field, a swimming pool and a hot tub with tree-shaded seating.

Details such as a clawfoot tub, a bedroom with doors opening directly toward the pool, and a fully equipped gym assure fun and relaxation for everyone. There’s even a music room for guests inspired by their visit to the Live Music Capital of the World to pluck out a tune.

Upscale House with Outdoor Dining Space and Patio, Moments from Notting Hill; London

chic london dining room
Feel ulltra-chic in this spacious London abode. (Photo: Marriott International)

This Westbourne Green vacation home rental, located near key attractions including Kensington Gardens, the British Museum and Notting Hill, is the ideal base for a group jaunt to London. Dine on the private outdoor patio, take a peek at street life from the ground-level balcony, or cozy up beside the fireplace on blue velvet couches indoors.

The dining and living rooms are decorated with a perky, pop art sensibility, while the serene bedrooms will help you and your companions relax before the next day’s adventures.

Majestic Grand Chalet with Indoor Pool; French Alps

house in alps
Alpine design, a hot tub, game room and striking views make this home a showstopper. (Photo: Marriott International)

Whether your group visits this Alpine chalet when the mountains are green or snow-covered, views from the home — nestled on a hillside overlooking a valley between two ski resorts — are stunning.

Make a splash in the sleek, stone-lined indoor pool; relax on the deck around the fire pit or in the jacuzzi; catch a movie in the theater; and gather in the bright breakfast nook. Kids will love turning the top floor bunk room into their own clubhouse.

Stunning, Glass-Clad Villa with Breathtaking Sea Views; Korčula Island, Croatia

house with outdoor deck overlooking water in Korčula Island, Croatia
Enjoy group dinners with a view. (Photo: Marriott International)

This modern villa situated on an island steeped in history provides a sunny refuge for your group to enjoy the Dalmatian coast. Tucked into a hillside overlooking the Adriatic Sea, this home includes a sauna, hot tub, rooftop pool and barbecue terrace.

Inside, the open floor plan invites togetherness, and outside, the pebbled beaches of the bay are steps away. Head into the stone-paved town of Korčula with your companions to see the traditional sword dance that originated there in the 16th century, listen to Klapa music dating to the 19th century, or tour a local winery.

Large Home with Tennis Court, Play Areas and Pool; Florence, Italy

tuscan villa living room
Live out your “Under the Tuscan Sun” fantasies. (Photo: Marriott International)

This sun-struck estate with panoramic gardens was the private home of Florence-trained Italian baroque sculptor Massimiliano Soldani in the first half of the 18th century, and its gracious style reflects an artist’s vision.

Up to 33 guests will sleep comfortably here, and its grounds invite celebration, with outdoor dining tables overlooking the Tuscan hills, a swimming pool and a tennis court. Inside, several group seating areas and the spacious dining room encourage long conversations with friends, sipping glasses of locally sourced Tuscan wines.