Mandarin Oriental Expands Exceptional Homes With 10 New Villas Across Florence, Sardinia & Marbella

As the heat tames every outdoor plan ever, only dreams of the Mediterranean’s blue expanse continue to drift freely. Deciphering this reverie, Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group gathers a slew of residences into its global portfolio of 36 Exceptional Homes. A part of its growing anthology of residences, launched in 2022 in association with StayOne, a luxury home rental platform. These homes stretch languidly across the Italian coast, the French Riviera, Spanish beaches and Greek oceans overlooking the horizon of endless blue waters. “This next phase reflects both the strength of the collection and our ambition for its continued expansion,” shares Philip Leighton, Head of Mandarin Oriental Exceptional Homes.

Conceived for the conscious traveller, the 2022 collection meandered from a Georgian-style manor to beachfront villas and a romantic hideaway tucked away on a private island in Ibiza. Blending the refinement of a hotel stay with the privacy of a villa, it cossetted the connoisseurs, inviting them to experience the locales in nuanced ways, guided by the authority of Mandarin Oriental. Ditching the transience of a hotel with a deeper sense of place, these homes were initially cherry-picked for seclusion, family-friendly attractions, and celebratory moments. The newest additions reinforce an ethos of intimacy, spatial freedom and cultural immersion, introducing Florence, Sardinia and Marbella as the newest destinations while strengthening the group’s presence in southern Italy’s Puglia.

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Cruising Through The Italian Renaissance

Cradling a deep-entrenched history of art and literature, Florence is the newest entrant in the portfolio with a duo of residences. Set within the historic Renaissance city, Villa Petrucci is the result of a five-year meticulous restoration led by architect and designer Massimo Adario. The residence’s refurbished interiors reinterpret Florentine architectural heritage through a contemporary lens. With classical proportions, tactile materials and restrained detailing, its design narrates tales of continuity. Reinforcing the collection’s commitment to properties that offer both cultural resonance and experiential depth is Dimora Ghirlandaio, nestled within the rolling Tuscan hills of Impruneta. A landscape long associated with Renaissance masters, this villa features original pietra serena stonework and terracotta surfaces in interiors, balancing rustic ambience with understated luxury.

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In Sardinia, a rare beachfront haven joins the collection, distinguished by its privileged coastal access and expansive, uninterrupted sea views. Perched on one of the most coveted islands of the region, Villa Marzia captures the languid rhythm, blurring the boundaries between beauty and belonging. Another debut is Puglia, a white-washed southern region of Italy, where the group expands with two restored trulli, which have lived many lives in the city’s history. With iconic conical roofs and limestone construction, the Trullo delle Dame and Trullo dei Pumi are conserved to their original character. Honouring local craftsmanship and material authenticity while echoing a wider shift toward heritage-led hospitality, these trulli are reimagined to integrate contemporary luxuries.

New Entrants Across The Mediterranean

Beyond the Italian littoral, Marbella, Spain’s Andalusia region, emerges as a key growth destination with seven new villas. Positioned in sought-after territories such as La Zagaleta and Nueva Andalucía’s Golf Valley, these residences embody a Mediterranean aesthetic while reinterpreting modern Andalusian, evident in the clean lines, expansive glazing and seamless connections to the environment. Among the highlights is Villa Paris, capturing quiet luxury through pristine architecture and sweeping frontline golf views, while Villa Tuscany channels regional vibe with classical detailing and interiors steeped in craftsmanship, harmonising heritage with contemporary calm.

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Along the coast, Villa Los Verdiales reinterprets contemporary Andalusian living through bold architecture and panoramic Mediterranean views. In Sierra Blanca, Villa Los Angeles and Villa Mirage foreground light, craftsmanship and expansive glazing, while Villa Azur centres on seamless indoor-outdoor living, framed by landscaped gardens and social spaces.

The Evolution Of Exceptional Homes

With dedicated concierges orchestrating bespoke itineraries, private chefs composing culinary narratives, and daily housekeeping maintaining an effortless cadence, the experience merges hotel-grade precision with the liberating ease of villa living. Every ‘Exceptional Home’ remains individually owned but united by Mandarin Oriental’s distinctive service philosophy. “As the portfolio evolves, our focus remains on purposeful growth; introducing new destinations that broaden our global reach while preserving the intimacy, discretion and exceptional service our guests expect,” remarks Leighton.

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As the modern traveller trades predictability for immersive experiences, luxury is no longer defined by opulence alone but by dipping one’s toes. In this evolving landscape, hospitality becomes less about escape and more about belonging with a choreography of design, culture and experience that allows one to slip seamlessly into the rhythm of a place. With spaces that feel lived-in, architecture that frames memory, and travel that unfolds as a deeply personal narrative, these residences redefine luxury as an experience to be inhabited