Skip to main content

Social Distance in Style at Australia’s Luxurious Lilypad Floating Villa

For most of us, it’s difficult to enjoy self-isolation. Staring at the same four walls, wearing the same sweatpants, and knowing your DoorDash driver and their significant other on a first-name basis are all enough to give even the most hardened agoraphobe cabin fever. If you don’t mind hopping a cheap flight across the Pacific, Sydney offers a self-isolation option that’s almost definitely cooler than your own home.

Lilypad Floating Villa is situated less than an hour from Sydney, off the coast of Australia’s Palm Beach. With one of the region’s best beaches, it’s an area renowned for its natural beauty. Anchored amid an isolated stretch of water with no neighbors in sight, the exclusive houseboat provides the perfect isolation vacation. Plus, in light of the ongoing pandemic, the owners are currently guaranteeing “completely human contact-free packages” for three-, five-, and 14-night stays. In the unlikely event that you grow weary of isolating in your own private luxury villa, stand-up paddleboards and fishing gear are also provided.

Inside, the floating villa features sleek, upscale minimalist styling with a designer aesthetic. The full-sized houseboat provides all the comforts of a luxury boutique hotel, including a loft bedroom with a king bed, a swanky bathroom, a living area with a fireplace, and a kitchenette. Wi-Fi and a complementary iPad with local digital guides are also provided.

Recommended Videos

Large, accordion-style glass doors open to reveal a spacious wraparound deck with a dining area and panoramic water views. The Airbnb hosts promise five-star treatment for every guest, including a tasting plate with Champagne on arrival, an in-house wine cellar, and a 24-hour concierge with tender service to and from the mainland. Gourmet breakfast and dinner from a nearby restaurant are also included daily.

Overnight stays at the Lilypad Floating Villa are available with rates starting USD $1,038 per night based on double occupancy. If the price seems a bit steep, consider bringing up to three friends. Assuming they’re all healthy and you don’t mind getting creative with the sleeping arrangements, the villa sleeps up to four.

For more luxury social distancing options around the world, check out our roundup of the world’s best houseboats.

Mike Richard
Mike Richard has traveled the world since 2008. He's kayaked in Antarctica, tracked endangered African wild dogs in South…
Apple’s new AirPods Pro 3 may be the perfect travel companion — here’s why
Improved ANC, better battery life, and a brand new translation tool set these earbuds apart
Two people conversing in a cafe while wearing AirPods Pro 3

Apple has announced a new set of AirPods, and there’s a fair argument that the compact audio devices totally overshadowed the new Apple Watch, iPhone 17, and iPhone Air -- which debuted during the same showcase.

The AirPods Pro 3 has vastly increased capabilities when compared to its predecessors. The most useful new function for travelers is likely to be the translation feature. With the feature enabled, the AirPods automatically translate the speech of anyone the user is talking to, so that user will hear the conversation in their selected language. ANC also kicks in to lower the person speaking’s voice, which makes the translation sound more prominent.

Read more
Airbnb says this iconic capital is the most popular fall destination
Paris is the place to be this fall
Paris apartment airbnb panoramic view

Airbnb has unveiled its 2025 fall travel trends report, and one city tops Gen Z’s must-visit list this season: Paris, France. The study found Gen Z traveler searches are up 26% compared to last fall, with young globetrotters more likely than Millennials to book longer, international escapes. But the data isn’t just for Gen Z, anyone can use it to plan an affordable shoulder-season getaway.

Paris has emerged as the No. 1 trending fall destination, as travelers flock to the French capital for cooler weather, fewer crowds, and a chance to check off bucket list experiences. Autumn in Paris offers plenty to enjoy: strolls along the Seine as leaves turn golden, café-hopping in Saint-Germain, and cultural events like Nuit Blanche, the citywide all-night arts festival in October. Visitors can also enjoy iconic attractions, from the Eiffel Tower to the Louvre, without peak-season lines.

Read more
7 unforgettable Montana destinations that go way beyond Yellowstone
Explore outside of Yellowstone
Glacier National Park

Something about Montana is just different. The air is cleaner, the skies feel wider, and the pace of life slows down in the best way. If you've ever taken a trip to Yellowstone, you know how stunning the landscape is, but Montana's beauty doesn’t stop at the park gates. 

While Yellowstone is absolutely worth a visit, there’s a whole world beyond it that’s just waiting to be explored. From charming small towns to incredible mountain views and world-class Montana ski resorts, this state is full of unforgettable destinations. These are some of the best places to visit in Montana for every type of traveler.

Read more