The Big Six: Celebrity stays

The Sanctuary, Turks & Caicos

The tiny island of Parrot Cay in the Turks & Caicos archipelago is a favourite of A-listers including Julia Roberts, Jennifer Aniston and Bruce Willis. So much so, several of them own villas here, clustered away from the main resort in a corner known as Rocky Point. The Sanctuary, owned by yoga-loving fashion designer Donna Karan, is available to rent to non-celebrity guests, with 11 bedrooms and views of Parrot Cay's white beaches.

The Sanctuary, Parrot Cay, Turks & Caicos Islands (001 649 946 7788; parrotcay.como.bz). One night's rental starts at US$30,000 (£20,000), including breakfast. Sleeps 22.

Moulin du Jardinier, France

The former Provençal retreat of film director Sir David Lean is every bit as pleasing to the eye as his visual spectaculars Lawrence of Arabia and A Passage to India. On seeing the 15th-century former stone mill, Moulin du Jardinier, the director commented it was somewhere to "lie down under an olive tree, look up through its silver-green leaves and gaze at the blue sky". Completely renovated, it is set in fragrant gardens with a secluded swimming pool. A large outdoor table and barbecue make long summer nights of dining al fresco an appealing prospect.

Moulin du Jardinier, Mouans Sartoux, Provence-Alpes-Côte-d'Azur, France (book through sjvillas.co.uk; 020-7801 4010). A week's rental starts at €12,500. Sleeps nine.

West Range, Wales

You might have the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall as neighbours at West Range in Carmarthenshire. Forming part of the royals' Welsh estate Llwynywermod, West Range is a barn conversion adjacent to the main farmhouse that looks out onto a pretty courtyard garden. As one might expect, only the finest craftsmanship and materials have been used during the renovation and the views are of unspoilt farmland and meadows – perfect for country rambles in the Brecon Beacons.

West Range, Llwynywermod, Carmarthenshire, Wales (book through duchyofcornwallholidaycottages.co.uk; 01579 346473). A week's rental starts at £800. Sleeps four.

Yarrawa Hill, Australia

This treehouse-style retreat, in a lush corner of New South Wales, is owned by award-winning actress Miriam Margolyes. The contemporary house is set in the heart of the Southern Highlands and sleeps up to six in three self-contained suites. Its elevated design affords beautiful views of the surrounding forest and fragrant eucalyptus trees, while three decked balconies – complete with hammocks – look down towards the Pacific Ocean.

Yarrawa Hill, Robertson, New South Wales, Australia (00 61 413 482 775; yarrawahill.com). Two nights' rental starts at A$950 (£620). Sleeps six.

Villa Giulia, Italy

Opera buffs can now stay in the summer retreat of Luciano Pavarotti, which has recently been turned into a holiday rental. Villa Giulia is a sprawling escape in the relatively undiscovered Le Marche region, just outside the resort of Pesaro. An annexe contains the music room where the maestro used to sing and play the piano. There is an outdoor swimming pool and a public beach a short walk away.

Villa Giulia, Pesaro, Le Marche, Italy (book through villeinitalia.com; 00 39 055 412 058). A week's rental starts at £6,795. Sleeps 23.

Twin Palms, US

After-dinner singalongs strike a different chord at Twin Palms, the former estate of Frank Sinatra. The haunt of Ol' Blue Eyes is a mid-century masterpiece designed by E Stewart Williams, where floor-to-ceiling windows overlook a piano-shaped swimming pool. Located in this desert outpost's Movie Colony neighbourhood, the house also featured in Joan Crawford's 1950s film The Damned Don't Cry!

Twin Palms, Palm Springs, California, US (book through beaumondevillas.com; 001 877 318 2090). One night's rental starts at $2,600 (£1,627). Sleeps eight.