UNITED KINGDOM / AGILITYPR.NEWS / June 24, 2026 / For years, luxury villa travel was largely defined by size, location and price tag. But according to Mykonos hospitality specialist The Ace VIP, expectations among affluent travellers are shifting rapidly - and square footage alone is no longer enough.

Drawing on recent client enquiries, booking patterns and concierge requests, the company says today’s high-end guests are becoming far more specific about how they want a property to function, feel and photograph during their stay.

The Ace VIP, which manages luxury villa stays and concierge services in Mykonos, said demand has increased sharply for properties designed around outdoor living. Covered dining areas, oversized terraces, sunset-facing lounges, private wellness spaces and seamless indoor-outdoor layouts are now among the most requested features from guests booking at the top end of the market.

“There has been a noticeable shift away from purely ‘showpiece’ villas,” said Mane Teovanovic, CEO & Founder at The Ace Vip. “People still want impressive homes, but they also want spaces that actually work for the way they travel now.”

According to the company, many clients are travelling in larger groups, often mixing family, friends and staff in one property. This brings about the need for multiple entertaining spaces, separate guest suites, discreet staff accommodation and strong security features are increasingly influencing booking decisions.

Technology has a role to play in this. Fast response times, smart-home systems, high-speed connectivity and instant communication with concierge teams are now expected rather than viewed as extras. The Ace VIP recently expanded its own digital guest communication systems to help clients access recommendations, bookings and support more efficiently during their stay.

At the same time, travellers still want a strong human element behind the service.

“Luxury has become less formal in some ways,” Mane added. “Guests want things to feel effortless and personal rather than overly scripted. Fast communication matters, but so does having somebody local who genuinely understands what they need.”

The company has also seen growing interest in villas that can support full lifestyle experiences rather than simply accommodation. Private chefs, yacht charters, in-villa wellness treatments, fitness sessions and curated event access are now regularly arranged as part of longer stays.

“People want a villa to feel like their own private world while they are there,” Mane added. “The expectation now is that everything around the stay - the service, the design, the atmosphere and the experience - should feel completely seamless.”

For more information, visit theacevip.com.