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Tax Day will soon be behind us - whew! - and it won't be long before hard-working wage earners across the country begin receiving their much-anticipated tax refunds. According to the Travel Industry Association of America, nearly one-in-five (19%) of U.S. adults who are getting a federal, state or local refund this year plan to use "some" or "all" of it on pleasure or vacation travel.

If a trip to the mailbox means a bundle from the government, we'd like to suggest a thoroughly indulgent, personalized travel experience to put your refund toward: a Buyout Package from some of the world's most luxurious hotels and resorts. Whether for an exclusive wedding, a family reunion, or a couple of days of superbly serviced privacy for the two or more of you, a hotel or resort buyout is the ultimate in exclusivity.

Imagine an entire property to yourself - or yourselves, should you prefer to share your time with loved ones, guests, or your accountant. The entire staff, from kitchen to concierge to housekeeping, at your beck and call; the prettiest views from whichever guest room or suite you choose; no lines at the lap pool, appointments needed at the spa, or reservations necessary for the restaurants. Now that's a dream vacation.

So, once you've made peace with the tax man, put your refund toward a getaway you'll never forget: a Buyout Package at these luxury hotels and resorts:

· Maison 140 (Los Angeles): Want a place to yourself in L.A.'s most sought-after locale? Maison 140 has your number. Designed by Kelly Wearstler of kwid, the stylish, Left Bank-inspired, 43-room Kor Hotel Group property in the heart of Beverly Hills is your for the "buyout" with the Private Hotel Package, including use of the entire hotel; customized and catered wine-and-cheese reception at Bar Noir; continental breakfast; and free parking. Priority spa services and dinner reservations at blue on blue, the hotel's sister property Avalon Hotel, available for additional fee and subject to availability. $10,000 per night (exclusive of taxes; no minimum stay required; subject to availability; no pets, please). For info and reservations: (866) 891-0945; www.maison140beverlyhills.com.

· The Chanler (Newport, Rhode Island): Now you can have an historic Newport Gilded Age mansion all to yourself with a private residence stay at The Chanler. Situated atop a bluff overlooking the Atlantic Ocean along the famous Cliff Walk, the mansion/hotel is a hot spot for impressive gatherings - many a "socialite" has bought out The Chanler for exclusive weddings. The hotel offers 20 lavish guest rooms, each modeled after a different era of European sophistication or New England charm and appointed with authentic furnishings, artwork and decors. The award-winning Spiced Pear restaurant is renowned as the city's finest. Reserve a private residence package including full breakfast; lunch or Beach Butler Service; afternoon tea and Ice Cream Social; dinner at Spiced Pear or room service; unlimited non-alcoholic beverages, porterage fee and housekeeping gratuities; and local airport or train station transfers. Starting at $28,000 per night, exclusive of tax and service charges. For more info or reservations: (401) 847-1300; www.thechanler.com.

· The Tides (South Beach, Miami): Put your tax refund into the most stylish wedding ever with the Brides at Tides Buyout at The Tides in Miami. Set on Ocean Drive, The Tides is a masterpiece of Art Deco design in the heart of ever-hot South Beach. Deluxe oceanfront rooms, Junior Suites and four Penthouse suites bathe wedding goers in stylish luxury, and the acclaimed 1220 at the Tides restaurant enchants with Art Deco grandeur. The hotel's Pool Deck and Terra Nova rooftop penthouse and patio are the perfect spots for the most fabulous day of your life, featuring 360-degree Atlantic Ocean and city views. Snag it all with the Brides at Tides Buyout for two all-inclusive nights, including accommodations, food, beverage, tax and service charge at $100,000 for 100 guests. (Minimum stay: two nights; price subject to change with additional guests.) For more info and reservations: (800) 439-4095; www.tidessouthbeach.com.

Jumby Bay, A Rosewood Resort (Antigua, West Indies): "Destination Weddings" are all the rage, and there's no destination more inviting than a private island paradise. No mere palm-shade Caribbean paradise, Jumby Bay is a romantic backdrop of sun-soaked beaches, turquoise waters, lush tropical surroundings and refined luxury accommodations. The resort's Betrothal Buyout Package starts at $50,000 per night (off season) for all 40 guest rooms and suites, which feature four-poster beds, verandahs overlooking private gardens, and exquisitely private outdoor garden bathrooms in most rooms. Picturesque settings abound for the ceremony, and the happy couple can choose everything from a beachside barbeque reception to an elegant dinner at The Estate House. For info and reservations, 888-ROSEWOOD, (268) 462-6000, www.jumbybay.com.

The Grand Hotel a Villa Feltrinelli will open for the season on April 13th. This 21-room fairytale Villa on the shores on the shores of Lake Garda offers a luxurious lakeside living experience replicating a stay at a private home. From croquet matches on the Villa's ground to boating excursions on Italy's largest lake to such small touches as complimentary laundry and mini bar, the Villa offers a rare Italian house party experience.

For those who want to enjoy the area, a number of options exist. One lakeside experience takes place on Villa Feltinelli's own boat, "La Contessa," reminiscent of a classic 1920s Riva boat. This 52-foot pleasure craft was commissioned in a local boat yard by the villa and is the largest privately owned boat on the lake. The hotel offers excursions on La Contessa through Lake Garda in the Gardone region. While cruising on Italy's largest lake, guests can glimpse historic villas only seen from the water, ancient limonaia structures and beautiful rural scenery. La Contessa can frequently be seen shuttling guests to and from favorite lakeside restaurants. From September 9-11, guests can watch the "Centomiglia" the largest sailing race in Europe, from the shores of Lake Garda.

For the adventurous visitors, a scenic 3-mile hike leads from the edge of Lake Garda to the charming village of San Michele. Curious travellers will also love visiting Villa Vittoriale, once the private estate of Italian poet and military adventurer Gabriele D'Annunzio, now notable for its eccentric Italian Art Deco interior.

Few people can visit Italy without taking advantage of the country's culture, namely a requisite visit to the opera or a tour of the region's architectural treasures. About 45 minutes east of the villa by car, the city of Verona gives guests the opportunity to see the popular opera (from June 24, 2006 to August 27, 2006) and visit architectural landmarks like an ancient Roman theater and a restored Renaissance palazzo. A fascinating study in history, the city of Verona dates back to the time of the ancient Romans and is the setting for Shakespeare's immortal romance, "Romeo and Juliet." where one can still observe the balcony where the courtship took place.

To take sightseeing a step further, guests may employ the services of the villa's personal guide, Chiara Garioni. A native of Gargnano, Garioni is extremely knowledgeable of the region's history including the city of Salo, an area that once served as Mussolini's puppet republic. She is available to guide guests to pre-historic sites, secret gardens, antique markets, cultural sites, historic city centers, and vineyards, among many other attractions.

Located in the Lombardy region of Northern Italy miles away from the bustle of city life, Villa Feltrinelli remains comfortably secluded in what the writer D.H. Lawrence deemed "one of the most beautiful places on earth." An 1892 neo-gothic mansion set on eight acres of lakefront property, the hotel opened in 2001 and is a product of Bob Burns, founder of Regent International Hotels and a dedicated devotee of elegant hotels.

Room rates range from 700 to 2800 Euros (April and October) and from 980 to 3100 Euros (May through September).

Villa Feltrinelli Website