At i-escape, a passionate team of travellers and techies makes it their business to find and book for you the most gorgeous boutique hotels, eco-lodges, safari retreats, villas and apartments.

Laila Ram and her university friend, Nikki Tinto, founded the website in 2001, to uncover stylish properties all over the world for independent travellers seeking exciting new experiences. Now, it’s the go-to travel site for those in the know.

They say: “Our award-winning booking system gives you the best of all worlds: direct dialogue with the property, free advice from our travel consultants and the best prices on the web.”

Last year, an article in The Independent sang i-escape’s praises, saying: “It’s genuinely curated, offers a fantastic selection of mainly independent hotels, and has proper reviews that tell you who this is and isn’t for, rather than pretend everyone’s going to love it. It’s one of the first places I check if I’m going somewhere.”

i-escape offers 1,500 properties in 50 countries worldwide, 360 of which are villas and apartments. Here, we take a look at six of the most alluring rentals on their books.

ISTRIA DESIGN VILLA, CROATIA


Slick, fresh and minimalist, this villa and its views are unforgettable. Relax in the infinity pool, help yourself to produce from the garden and orchard – or arrange for the villa manager to cook you up a storm.

BERLIN BOUTIQUE APARTMENTS


These flats offer all the convenience of home in a brilliant Berlin location. The interiors are immaculate, the beds are comfortable and the building’s other residents are charming.

THE CRAFTSMAN’S COTTAGE, WILTSHIRE


With William Morris wallpaper, Original BTC lighting and a Devol kitchen, this cottage offers the most comfortable countryside experience possible. Included in the rental is membership to the local tennis club and homemade pies on arrival.

CLIFTON BEACH VILLA, SOUTH AFRICA


Steps away from Clifton Beach, there are no compromises at this house. Think total luxury, polished concrete floors and a cool subterranean den with windows looking into the swimming pool.

BARFORD BEACH HOUSE, CORNWALL


If the hot tub and sauna at Barford Beach House don’t excite, the cinema room and secret bunker bar with retro arcade games surely will. Five of the six ensuite bedrooms have terraces, too.

POLLENSA BAY VILLA, MAJORCA


Spacious, airy and beautifully refurbished by its Swedish owners, this house is made for family holidays. There’s a lovely pool, three acres of fruit trees and gorgeous beaches nearby.

April 2018