4 February 2026

What Are Off-Market Properties?

A discreet route to acquiring the world’s most prestigious real estate and hotel assets

Aerial view of Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat on the French Riviera, showing a lush peninsula surrounded by the Mediterranean Sea, luxury villas and yachts, with text introducing off-market real estate and hospitality assets.

What is an off-market property?

An off-market property is one that is not openly listed on public property portals, real estate agency websites, or mass-market advertising platforms. Instead, these opportunities are introduced through private property listings, trusted professional networks, and direct owner relationships.

This approach applies equally to:

• Ultra-prime residential homes

• Private sale property

• Off-market hotel listings

• Strategic commercial and alternative assets

Owners choose off-market transactions for several reasons:

• Absolute confidentiality and discretion

• No public price exposure or market testing

• Controlled access to qualified buyers only

• Protection of reputation, operations, or brand (particularly critical for hotels)

For buyers, understanding off-market vs open-market transactions is essential — many of the most valuable assets never reach the open market at all.

Why serious buyers often prefer off-market listings

At the prime and ultra-prime level, publicly listed properties represent only part of the available market. A growing proportion of high-value transactions — particularly in hospitality — are completed via exclusive off-market property channels.

For buyers, this offers:

• Access to assets unavailable elsewhere

• Reduced competition

• More direct negotiations

• Greater discretion and control

This is especially relevant for investors seeking off-market hotel assets, where confidentiality is often non-negotiable due to staff, guests, operators, or brand considerations.

Off-market estates on the Côte d’Azur & Monaco

One of our long-standing strengths is access to discreet residential estates across the French Riviera and Monaco.

For both Sales and Seasonal Rentals we maintain deep networks and off-market access in super-prime locations including but not limited to:

• Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat

• Cap d’Antibes

• Cannes

• Saint-Tropez

• Roquebrune-Cap-Martin

• Monaco

As French speakers working daily within the French and Monegasque systems, we understand how discreet transactions actually operate — from private owners and family offices to notaires, lawyers, and trusted intermediaries.

Whether it is a super-villa in Cannes, a palace-style residence on the Côte d’Azur, or a confidential Monaco asset, we know how these properties trade behind the scenes.

A growing focus: off-market hotel opportunities

A major and expanding part of our activity is sourcing off-market hotels and hospitality assets.

We have access to 4-star and 5-star off-market hotel opportunities in:

• London

• France

• Switzerland

• Spain

• Portugal

• Italy

• Bali

These include:

• Boutique hotels

• Luxury lifestyle resorts

• Branded and unbranded hospitality assets

• Operating hotels and vacant-possession opportunities

Almost all are offered strictly as private sale property, requiring NDAs and buyer qualification before any details are released. This positions Polarius as a natural partner for investors seeking discreet hotel acquisitions and institutional-grade hospitality assets.

Here, you can view examples of properties which we currently handle within our off-market collection (with others hidden even from this list): our off-market collection.

Global off-market opportunities beyond hotels

Beyond hospitality, we source a wide range of discreet global assets, including:

• Winery and vineyard estates

• Heritage estates and palaces

• Development land on Greek islands

• Strategic alternative investments

We also work with off-market commercial assets such as:

• Data centres

• Solar parks

• Secure facilities and specialist bunker assets

All handled via structured, confidential off-market transactions.

How access to off-market properties works

Because of their sensitive nature, off-market assets follow a clear and controlled access process.

• Initial buyer qualification

• Confidentiality agreements (NDAs)

• Proof of funds and ID checks

• Controlled disclosure of information

• Private viewings and negotiations

We often manage this process end-to-end, acting as your main buyer-side representative. More detail is available via our buying agent service.

Guidance for international buyers

Off-market purchases often involve cross-border legal, tax, and structural considerations. We regularly advise clients from search through to acquisition.

Our international property buying guides provide further insight.

Final thoughts

Off-market properties are not about secrecy for secrecy’s sake — they are about access, trust, and quality.

• Discreet luxury residential estates

• Off-market hotels

• Private commercial assets

• Strategic global investments

Our role is to open doors that remain closed to the public.

Contact us or email info@polariusrealestate.com

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