Get into the party spirit on a holiday to remember

Whether it is at a beach house in Barbados or a farmhouse in Herefordshire, gather your friends and family for the big celebration you’ve all been missing, says Aoife O’Riordan

One of the many things to have become apparent in the past few years is the importance of seizing opportunities to celebrate with your nearest and dearest. Sadly, many of us have missed out on these opportunities, having to mark big birthdays on Zoom and put anniversary parties on hold. But with the chaos of our first restriction-free summer receding, if now is not the time to start thinking about organising a holiday to mark a special occasion – past, future or tenuous – when is?

Gavin Hughes, a 53-year-old tech/wellness company director who lives in London, has celebrated a number of landmark events at Hacienda de San Rafael (00 34 9542 27116; haciendadesanrafael.com), a historic 18th-century olive oil estateturned-hotel that sleeps up to 40 outside Seville. “For us, the joy of a trip to Andalucia with a party of 36 friends is the shared experience of travelling abroad together for a big celebration,” he says. “What is so special, though, is having real time to spend with friends and family.”

When it comes to the practicalities, many rental companies, tour operators and hotels have concierge services or event planners to ensure everything goes smoothly. Global brand Preferred Hotels & Resorts (preferredhotels.com), even has a collection entitled “Where Next? Buyouts” to meet the surging demand for group getaways.

Smaller hotels that you can take over completely give an event that all-important intimate atmosphere with no other guests to invade the space. Villas are another obvious choice for groups, but consider catering – no one really wants to be tasked with breakfast for a group of hungover revellers. Most villa companies with highend properties offer additional services such as private chefs, housekeeping and concierges.

Larger hotels and resorts also have advantages; you can book the required number of rooms and afford your guests a little more privacy, along with access to facilities such as pools, spas and activities. Another variation is the increasing trend for hotels with villas. You get the privacy of a rental, but with all the resort services as well as private catering options. Hosts will also have to factor in what bills they are willing to foot. Inviting people to an expensive resort can mean the extras start adding up, so it’s important to make clear who will be settling up for those sundowners by the pool.

Morocco-based Boutique Souk (00 212 6613 24475; boutiquesouk.com), owned by Rosena Charmoy, has staged some spectacular bashes for the likes of Madonna, Rita Ora and Poppy Delevingne. “When choosing your venue it’s important to consider the budgets of your guests, if you are not picking up the entire tab,” she says. “We planned two extravagant 40th birthdays within a week of each other. One host chose to fly all his guests and buy out the hotel, while the second host let his guests pay for the travel and hotel but laid on unforgettable entertainment.” She also predicts that, while partying is still the main event, “healing, hammams and hiking will be very much on the agenda during the day”.

Trends aside, taking friends and family away means moments to treasure. The possibilities are endless, but it is all about the company you keep.