How to Book an Entire Luxury Resort for a Private Event (And What It Costs)
Booking an entire luxury resort for a private event is one of the most spectacular ways to celebrate a milestone, host a gathering or curate an experience that feels entirely your own. Imagine an estate where every room, every pool, every restaurant and every garden belongs to your party alone. No other guests. No shared spaces. Just your group living and celebrating together.
This level of privacy and control, once mostly the preserve of royalty and film stars, is now within reach of ultra high net worth buyers and affluent travellers with the right planning, budget and creative support. But how exactly does one book an entire luxury resort, and what does it cost?
In 2026, luxury travel research from Virtuoso and industry commentary from Savills Hotels confirms a growing demand for exclusive resort buyouts, especially from families, corporate groups and travellers seeking privacy and curated experiences.
Here is a comprehensive look at how to make an entire luxury resort your own for a private event and what you should expect to invest.
Why Choose a Full Resort Buyout
Booking an entire resort delivers a level of freedom no ordinary rental can match. Instead of coordinating multiple villas or suites across different properties, you have one ecosystem designed to serve your group alone.
This matters for reasons beyond ego. Here are just a few:
Complete privacy with every guest under one roof
Full control over dining, programming and ambience
Personalised service that feels bespoke rather than shared
Flexibility to set your own schedule and event flow
Reduced risk of unwanted interaction or conflicts of access
For weddings, anniversary celebrations, corporate retreats and multi generational vacations, this level of control elevates the entire experience.
How Resort Buyouts Work
Unlike a traditional booking, reserving an entire resort involves negotiating directly with the property or their representation. Smaller boutique resorts and privately owned estates may handle this in house. Larger branded resorts often involve dedicated buyout teams or event specialists.
The process generally includes:
Initial enquiry with dates, guest count and event purpose
Discussion of exclusive use terms and minimum spend requirements
Contract negotiation that outlines inclusions and exclusions
Deposit and payment scheduling
Custom programming and logistics planning
Clarity about expectations from the outset ensures that both the resort and your party share the same vision.
What You Can Expect in Terms of Space and Service
When you book an entire resort, you are not just securing rooms. You are securing the full property footprint and the service infrastructure that comes with it.
This usually includes:
Every guest bedroom or suite within the property
Private dining spaces reserved exclusively for your group
Event spaces such as ballrooms, terraces and gardens under your control
Dedicated service teams assigned to your party
Priority access to amenities such as spas, golf and water sports
Depending on the resort, you may also be granted exclusive access to facilities such as private beaches, yacht docks, cultural centres and immersive activity zones.
Cost Drivers for a Full Resort Buyout
The price of buying out a luxury resort varies widely based on several key factors:
Location is one of the most significant cost drivers. Iconic destinations such as St Barts, the Amalfi Coast, the Maldives, Barbados or the French Riviera command premiums based on prestige alone.
Seasonality matters. Peak travel seasons such as Christmas and New Year, school breaks and major calendar events naturally demand higher investment.
The size and quality of the resort influence pricing. A small boutique villa resort with eight suites will cost significantly less than a large beachfront resort with a hundred rooms and extensive facilities.
The number of guests also affects cost. Some resorts base buyouts on a minimum spend, while others require block booking of all rooms.
Customisation and programming, from private concerts to curated excursions, add layers of cost based on complexity and talent involved.
In general terms, full resort buyouts begin in the several hundred thousand pound range for smaller properties in off peak periods and can move into the millions of pounds for large estates in peak seasons.
Ultra iconic properties, especially those with global brand recognition or unique location value, can command single event budgets in the tens of millions when factoring in service, events, food and beverage and programming.
Example Budgets by Resort Scale
Smaller boutique resort
This might be a property with twelve to twenty rooms in a quiet Mediterranean village or private Caribbean beach. A full buyout in shoulder season might start around £250,000 for a week including basic services, with food and beverage on top.
Mid sized luxury resort
Properties with between forty and eighty rooms in sought after destinations such as Tuscany, Crete or the Bahamas typically require a minimum spend that ranges from £1 million to £3 million for a week, with bespoke events and catering priced separately.
Large ultra luxury resort
Estate style properties or flagship destinations with one hundred or more rooms or villas often require a minimum commitment of £5 million to £10 million or more for a week, especially in peak periods such as winter in the Caribbean or summer in the Mediterranean.
These figures serve as a starting point. Actual costs are shaped by guest count, programming needs and the level of bespoke service you expect.
Seasonal and Regional Considerations
Europe’s summer season, especially in July and August, is one of the most competitive periods for resort buyouts. Destinations such as the Amalfi Coast, Ibiza and the Greek Islands see demand far outweigh supply at the highest levels.
In the Caribbean, winter months from December through March are peak for ultra exclusive itineraries. Resorts often structure minimums accordingly.
Off peak periods such as late autumn or early spring can yield more favourable terms without significant sacrifice in experience, particularly in tropical climates.
Planning the Experience Not Just the Booking
Booking an entire resort is the starting point. The real magic comes from how the time is curated.
Many buyers expand their investment into:
Private concerts or performances
Exclusive culinary experiences with guest chefs
Wellness programming with bespoke rituals
Water based adventures and cultural excursions
Children’s programmes and multi generational activities
A well planned event turns accommodation into memory.
How to Ensure a Smooth Execution
Given the scale of commitment it helps to work with experienced partners. Luxury travel advisers, event producers, destination specialists and yacht or jet planners can ensure that every detail is anticipated.
Clarity on contracts, cancellation policies and service inclusions is essential. Concierge teams within the property should be engaged early to align expectations and access.
For many planners, securing a resort buyout becomes a year or more long project. The earlier you begin, the better you manage vendor relationships and creative options.
Final Thought
Booking an entire luxury resort for a private event is one of the boldest ways to gather friends, family or colleagues. It is not merely a booking but a full scale moment designed with intention, privacy and scale.
It demands investment, but it delivers a level of control, togetherness and bespoke experience that no ordinary trip can match.
In 2026 the appetite for exclusive resort buyouts remains strong, driven by those who travel with purpose and value the experience of living together in one extraordinary place.
Whether you are planning a wedding, a reunion, a company retreat or a milestone celebration, the allure of an entire resort to yourself remains one of the most memorable ways to commemorate time together.
If you are interested in complimentary advice, you can contact James https://jamesnightingall.com/contact