the logo goes here

Estate of the Week: Thailand

Located on the West Coast headland of Phuket Island this estate looks over Bangtao and Layan beach. The landis set on 6,464 square meters featuring 1,041 square meters of covered living space and 1,350 square meters of open deck and terrace. But outdoor features can be seen throughout the whole property as the interior was designed to have tropical characteristics. The home was also designed so that every room and spot on the terrace has a view of the ocean.

The home features four bedrooms, five bathrooms, five-plus car garage, numerous gardens and staff quarters.

The home is on the market for $16,294,022 and the listing can be seen here

The Maldives

An idyllic escape in the Indian Ocean, The Maldives comprises a constellation of exclusive atolls, which offer a paradisiacal combination of five-star resorts and breathtaking natural beauty. By Paul Rubio

Scattered randomly over the far reaches of the Indian Ocean, the 26 isolated atolls and surrounding waters of the Maldives epitomize raw beauty and simplicity. Azure waters teem with marine life, while fringed islets drown in downy sands and rising tides. However, it’s the presence of top global resorts that ultimately consummates this Maldivian love affair, facilitating the romance between creature comforts and earth’s core elements.

The Maldives’ resort formula is simple—each boasts a verdant private island surrounded by a coral reef and endless sand bars, relying on the fundamentals of hospitality, design, architecture, and size to differentiate themselves. Though current law forbids foreigners from purchasing real estate in the Maldives, the resort experience cultivates an unwavering cerebral blueprint, fostering that zen-like state for visitors.

Straddling the equator, the understated luxury of Cocoa Island discreetly rises from the Indian Ocean in the form of 34 marine-chic villas and suites. The exclusively over-water suites take the form of spacious, traditional Dhoni boats, while the more expansive thatched-roofed villas offer penthouse and sub-penthouse equivalents. The suites and villas are spaced a minimum of 24 feet apart, offering well-positioned angles and noise-canceling distances for privacy. Each private deck begins with Balinese-style day beds, adjacent to the sumptuous outdoor shower, and ends with a series of steps leading to the water.

Design interiors champion the concept of rustic luxury at Cocoa Island, where a juxtaposition of dark and light woods and white accessories complements elements of natural light and the ocean. Simple wooden foot bridges lead to the resort’s common areas: the signature Balinese-inspired COMO Shambala spa, the avant garde hammocks suspended from towering palms, the action-packed dive center, and the resort’s single restaurant, Ufaa. On a daily basis, Ufaa presents an evolving menu of gourmet South Indian cuisine, Asian specialties, and Mediterranean staples, coupled with vegetarian and low-calorie options.

With a maximum of 72 guests allowed at any given time, the intimacy remains uninterrupted throughout Cocoa Island, whether exploring the island’s perimeter, encountering a sea turtle on a morning snorkeling excursion, or relishing an outdoor shower.  The non-intrusive Cocoa Island team stands at your beck and call, but also at your discretion, avoiding the sycophant style of most high-end resorts.

Indeed, Cocoa Island’s soul resides in its amazing staff, yet its pride rests on unparalleled natural endowments. Within seconds of dipping below the water’s surface, an intense and ever-changing panorama ambushes your senses. Moray eels, schools of Oriental sweetfish, and blue surgeonfish perform their latest synchronized swimming routines, while a titan triggerfish chases a baby black-tipped reef shark. Here, snorkelers can experience an underwater rhapsody often achieved only through deep-water diving in other parts of the globe.

Farther east in the Malé Southern Atoll, a series of petite islands host three separate Anantara properties: Anantara Dhigu Resort & Spa, Anantara Veli Resort & Spa, and Naladhu. All are connected by a small network of footbridges, lagoons, and shuttle boats. Each property flaunts a unique style and appeal. Dhigu’s predominantly oceanfront bungalows, Anantara Veli’s traditional over-water villas, and Naladhu’s immaculate ocean homes suit all vacations tastes.

While Cocoa Island’s resorts specialize in unabashed couples’ romance and intimacy, the breadth of Anantara’s resorts allows for more opportunities for families and couples slightly less keen on a Robinson Crusoe kind of solitude. The Anantara enclave has nine eclectic bars and restaurants, three idyllic swimming pools, and plenty of wide-open spaces for water sports enthusiasts. Kayaking, snorkeling, windsurfing, wake boarding, parasailing, and water skiing beckon at the water activities center, Aquafanatics, where a ground staff organizes Asian cooking classes, local arts and crafts, and land-based sports tournaments. The flagship overwater spa features the dexterity of Thai massage therapists, who indulge guests in traditional and signature treatments over tranquil glass-bottom floors.

In the entire Maldives, Naladhu is the only resort to provide the bona fide ocean home experience, pampering guests with 3,200-square-foot houses perched over the rising tide. The baroque-patterned wrought-iron entrance opens the doors of tropical elegance, combining contemporary minimalism with maritime nostalgia. Antique accessories combine Asian inspiration with European influences. Replacing a central living room with an infinity pool, cool, fresh waters are steps away from anywhere in the house, spilling into the ocean at one end and into the innovative Plexiglass/marble bathtub at the other. Behind the bathing area, a passageway leads to the beautifully landscaped outdoor shower, mirroring the indigenous shrubbery and palm trees that adorn the western perimeter of the infinity pool. On the footsteps of the hardwood floors and meticulously furnished master bedroom, a queen bed hammock sways back and forth, nearly gliding over the water. A thatched-roof dining area and private veranda welcome light breezes while unveiling a panorama of ocean and sky.

Personal butlers readily await the requests and whims of residents in Naladhu’s 19 homes, but an overwhelming sentiment of completeness often renders the intended butler services null and void. Given Naladhu’s exclusivity, guests are able to use the common facilities and outlets of neighboring Veli and Dhigu, though the reverse does not apply, so guests can easily maintain varying degrees of privacy.

Across the lagoons, at Anantara Dhigu Resort & Spa, a festive yet relaxing ambience prevails. Compared to its two neighbors, the property feels busy with 110 villas, live music in the evenings, and the enclave’s most popular restaurant, Fuddan Fusion Grill. However, Dhigu successfully stymies the big resort feel by virtue of its design and ample acreage. Service never drops below a five-star level and the property fills a niche for families and couples who enjoy regular doses of human interaction.

The details: The Maldives

Cocoa Island: cocoaisland.como.bz, $680-$3,990.

Naladhu: naladhu.com, $1,555-$3,230.

Anantara Dhigu Resort & Spa: dhigu-maldives.anantara.com, $1,000-$2,000.

Getting there: The Maldives

There’s no way around it: escaping to the Maldives’ incomparable remote beauty requires the longest of long hauls from North America. The prize is well worth the sojourn, but expect a good 30 hours of flying time in both directions and at least one stopover.

Because of the complexities of time changes and a lack of airline partners, most online search engines present convoluted, bizarre, and overpriced itineraries to reach Malé, the capital of the Maldives. Therefore, it is sometimes beneficial to break the trip up into two separate tickets: to/from the US to a gateway city and then to/from the gateway city to Malé. The only year-round European gateways to the Maldives are London (with British Airways) and Düsseldorf (with Air Berlin). The principal Asian gateway is Singapore on the top-rated Singapore Airlines, while all other connections are through the Middle East—Dubai with Emirates or Doha with Qatar Airways. Frequent-flyer gurus can easily figure out ways to pay for one or both of these legs with miles, especially using Star Alliance’s generous and valuable North America-to-Central Asia routing on Singapore Airlines.

The majority of flights arrive into Malé late at night, requiring an overnight stay in the capital. Offering little of tourist interest, visitors hardly spend more time than necessary in the tiny city, with a short stay at the surprisingly vanguard Holiday Inn Malé. Upon arrival and after immigration (visas aren’t required for US citizens), a representative will transport passengers to the Holiday Inn Malé via speedboat; the following morning, a Cocoa Island or Anantara representative will collect you at the Holiday Inn and transport you to isolated, water-bound nirvana. The resorts’ private speedboat transfers must be arranged in advance.

Airline tickets and resort prices are much higher during peak season—December to April—when Europeans dominate the azure expanses and rainfall is predictably light. Asian markets are more prevalent in the rainy low season, May to November; but long periods of sunshine still persist during these months.

The World’s Best Villas

With their exclusive and completely personalized offerings, private villas are the ultimate escapes. Here’s our admittedly biased list of the world’s best. By, Lisa Rogak

Antigua

Jumby Bay: Frangipani Point. This villa is the newest estate home at this long-admired Caribbean resort. At 6,500 square feet, this four-bedroom villa occupies an astounding 3.2 oceanfront acres—with its own private beach, of course—allowing you to relax with friends and family in a fairy tale-like home that is as secluded as it gets without it being a private island. The villa is made for entertaining, with a huge first-floor pavilion that combines a living room,  dining room, and fully equipped gourmet kitchen. The lush outdoor courtyard fits the bill as well, with a pool and BBQ porch that contains a massive 36-inch grill, big enough to cook for up to 12 guests perched at the outside dining table. jumbybayresort.com

Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

Casa Bella. Three of the four bedrooms in this three-story villa have stellar views that look out onto the Sea of Cortez, but that’s only the beginning. Casa Bella indeed lives up to its Italian description; this beautiful home is custom built with 6,500 square feet of living space nestled in the exclusive community of Cabo Colorado near Palmilla. Adding to the appeal are the bathrooms stocked with L’Occitane toiletries, as well as your own personal concierge, who is on call 24/7. To get in the mood for endless days of lolling around and enjoying the ocean views, you’ll be greeted with freshly made salsa, guacamole, and margaritas upon your arrival. wimco.com

Tortola, BVI

Frenchmans Lookout. The Villa at this ultra-luxe resort on the west end of Tortola measures in at no less than 10,000 square feet, with 15 rooms in all, including five bedrooms, a state-of-the-art gym, a freshwater pool, and best of all, a nearly 360-degree view of the Caribbean. In fact, every single room in the villa is mere steps away from the wraparound deck, which has been thoughtfully equipped with eight hammocks. The Villa is extremely private, yet it’s also accessible to local beaches and the main shopping district. You’ll be in good company, as more than a few celebrities have stayed here—but our lips are sealed! frenchmanslookout.com

Providenciales, Turks & Caicos

White Sands. A quick look at the numbers can tell you all you need to know about what it will be like to stay at White Sands. Aside from the four bedrooms, this oceanfront villa is pretty much hidden from public view on its two acres of tropically landscaped grounds. You’ll be able to relax on 200 feet of your own private beach or ramble around a 9,000-square-foot villa with up to 10 of your closest friends and family members. Terraces, gazebos, and a lagoon-style pool complete the picture outside. Hide out all you want, but the fact that the storied Grace Bay is only three miles away makes White Sands an easy choice. hostedvillas.com

Kalkan, Turkey

White Lodge. Sophisticated European travelers have been flocking to Turkey’s southern coast for decades for Mediterranean oceanfront splendor combined with the exoticism that is part and parcel of this ancient land. As more people around the world catch onto Turkey as a coastal vacation destination, finding an untouched, private place that still respects the sea is increasingly difficult. White Lodge is that place: a stunning eight-bedroom oceanfront villa that was built from local white stone and marble. A private garden, gourmet kitchen, and white grand piano complete the picture. Though beaches and bustling neighborhoods are a short drive away, the ocean and mountain views from the villa’s infinity pool will make it difficult to leave. holiday-rentals.co.uk/p419447

Miami, Florida

The Villa by Barton G. Stay in one of Miami Beach’s most renowned and lavishly decorated villas, the former residence of the late fashion designer Gianni Versace. Everything throughout the 19,000-square-foot mansion and its 10 custom-designed suites is over the top, from the nine-foot double-king-size bed in Versace’s former bedroom to the European continental cuisine served on Versace-Rosenthal china in the villa’s restaurant. The spa services are also personally designed for each guest and can be enjoyed poolside or atop the Rooftop Lounge. As Versace would have wanted it, a private British-trained butler is available for each suite. thevillabybartong.com

Paros, Greece

Villa Jasmine. If Greek islands are your thing, head for Villa Jasmine on the Cyclades island of Paros, where you’ll be able to imagine life as a Greek sea baron on this relatively uncrowded island of 13,000. The villa is built in the Cycladic style: plenty of swooping arches, soaring ceilings, and, of course, white marble, as Paros is renowned worldwide for its exquisite stone. Low-slung couches on the villa’s terraces are strewn with countless pillows, and no matter where you wander on the villa’s six acres, you’ll have an enviable view of the Aegean Sea. whitekeyvillas.com

Nassau, Bahamas

Plantation Beach Estate. Nestled within a private club on the west side of New Providence, Nassau, Plantation Beach Estate charms visitors with gardens that overlook the water. Guests are welcomed to the 14,000-square-foot three-acre estate through large antique wooden doors, behind which is a quaint courtyard that doubles as an alfresco dining space. Amenities at the eight-bedroom villa include a gourmet kitchen, a bar, an infinity pool, a gym, a game room, and an “Ocean Terrace,” which features two glass-bottom openings for easy viewing of sea life below. Should you be inclined to venture off site or sample beach activities, be sure to ring your dedicated butler. villasofdistinction.com/villas/bahamas/plantation-beach-estate/

Puerta Vallarta, Mexico

Castle Sol de Oriente at Costa Careyes. It’s not easy to reach Castle Sol de Oriente at Costa Careyes—fly into Puerto Vallarta and drive for a couple of hours, or fly into Manzanillo and drive for an hour—but once you settle in at one of several luxuriously appointed villas, it’ll be more than worth the effort. Each villa offers six bedrooms, with two in separate bungalows connected by an electric gondola. The lemon yellow exterior of the Castle presents a striking picture against the cobalt blue sky. The Castle is fully staffed with a chef, housekeeper, and butler, so all you have to do is focus on the task at hand; that is, taking in the ocean view. careyes.com

Riviera Maya, Mexico

Hacienda Kukulkan. This oceanfront retreat is named after Kukulkan, a Mayan god in the form of a feathered serpent; indeed, just outside is a stone mural with a carving of the fierce god. Kukulkan must have been quite a fitness buff, because the villa comes equipped with a wealth of activities to keep you and up to 16 guests in shape. The villa boasts a full-size tennis court—in fact, it’s the only villa in Riviera Maya to have one—as well as a fully equipped gym that overlooks the ocean and beachfront putting green. Need something? A concierge, a gardener, and housekeepers are on call.
puertoaventurasrentals.com/hacienda-kukulkan.aspx

Virgin Gorda, BVI

Villa Aquamare. Choose from one of three oceanfront villas at this private resort on Mahoe Bay; better yet, rent them all to create an extensive and elegant retreat for you and 35 of your closest friends. Each 8,000-square-foot villa has five bedrooms, and with the Concierge House unobtrusively situated nearby on the compound, whatever you desire is within your grasp. Bulgari toiletries, Frette linens, and a large gourmet kitchen are part of the package; each villa is situated on slightly different levels, providing varied views of the Sir Francis Drake Channel. villaaquamare.com

St. John’s

Isla Vista. On a private gated hillside on Caneel Bay, everything about Isla Vista is top of the line, from the mahogany four-poster bed to the ice cream maker in the kitchen. Adjacent to the Virgin Islands National Park, the villa takes full advantage of its location, from the private garden overlooking the sea to the outdoor pavilion where you can rinse off the sand while birds nest nearby. With just two bedrooms, the villa’s size and secluded location make it the perfect romantic retreat. wimco.com/villas/villa.aspx?pid=902586

St. Barts

Le Sereno: La Villa du Pecheur. This villa with a French accent is small—it has just one bedroom with 900 square feet—but it’s perfect for a private romantic stay where it’s easy for the rest of the world to fade into the background. You’ll have your own garden, a pool, and a 600-square-foot deck all to yourself, as well as a solitary stretch of beach with your name on it. With the daybed on the deck looking out onto the lagoon, it’ll be hard to resist spending every minute outside. If you want to expand the hospitality, you can add a few suites from the adjacent Grand Suite Plage to create your own oceanfront villa complex. lesereno.com

Galapagos Islands

Villa on Santa Cruz Island. The luxury tour operator International Expeditions offers guests a rare chance to indulge in the glorious natural world of the Galapagos while doing it in utmost luxury and style. The Villa’s five bedrooms provide an unmatched view of the water and is the only villa on the list to provide a staff naturalist, which means that a veritable expert will lead you on a variety
of hiking and biking excursions. You’ll also enjoy personal introductions to the giant tortoises that are the trademark of the Galapagos Islands. ietravel.com/galapagosvilla/home.asp

Maui, Hawaii

Island Palace. At this 12,000-square-foot palatial villa on a whopping 10 acres of Maui’s best beachfront in Kapalua, it’s easy to think you’ve died and gone to heaven. Absolutely nothing is overlooked here, from the Chinese courtyard complete with a lotus pond to the game room and wine cellar. There are five well-appointed bedroom suites, plus a media room, yoga and exercise room, and freshwater pool and Jacuzzi perched directly over the ocean.  Don’t forget about the killer view of mountains that loom in the distance. hawaiihideaways.com

Providenciales, Turks & Caicos

Turtle Breeze. Situated on Providenciales in the Turks & Caicos islands, Turtle Breeze villa comprises five bedrooms, each with a private bathroom, and is surrounded by sugary white beaches and turquoise waters. The villa, each of whose bedrooms has its own private outdoor entrance, occupies two beautifully landscaped acres along Grace Bay beachfront, providing easy access to water-based activities like snorkeling, scuba diving, sailing, and fishing. The climate on Provo, as it’s known to locals, is practically perfect all year round, meaning guests can partake in activities like golf or enjoy alfresco dining. Perfect for those who plan to bring along private staff, Turtle Breeze also offers a separate one-bedroom suite with its own kitchenette. Feel like taking a dip but without going far? Turtle Breeze boasts its own private swimming pool that’s surrounded by waterfalls and lagoons and is outfitted with a swim-up bar. turtlebreeze.com

Great Exuma, Bahamas

Bougainvillea House. Bougainvillea House comprises two beachfront homes, available weekly either individually or combined. A separate garden cottage can host a couple, a nanny, or private staff. All told, the property features six bedrooms with private baths, plus three suites with shared baths for a total capacity of 18 adults. Interiors are given an island-chic feel thanks to Tommy Bahama furnishings and linens, but the major draw here is its beachfront location and outdoor deck, which comprises 8,000 square feet of space in which to relax or to host friends, family, or the ultimate special function. When it comes to leisure, guests can enjoy boating, fishing, shell collecting, snorkeling, and scuba diving, plus activities like tennis and golf at the nearby Four Seasons Emerald Bay. bougainvilleahouse.com

Montego Bay, Jamaica

Noble House. The sprawling beachfront Noble House on Jamaica’s Montego Bay clocks in at 15,000 square feet, which includes four bedrooms and six baths, all on five acres of waterfront. Guests of Noble House can lounge on 500 feet of private beachfront, bob in its free-form swimming pool, or explore their surroundings in two single-seat sea kayaks. When they’re not taking advantage of the villa’s natural surroundings, guests can laze on the villa’s verandah (it’s outfitted with its own TV), take up a game of ping pong, or sample the amenities at nearby Round Hill (think tennis, gym, heated pools, jogging trails, bars, restaurants, and a salon and spa). However, with its breathtaking setting and its unique architecture and grounds, which comprise a series of airy pavilions that are connected by water gardens and bridges, guests just might not want to leave.
jamaicavillas.com/villa-listing/noble-house-on-the-beach

Eustatia Island, BVI

Villa Far Niente & Casa de Playa. Until recently, the only way to snag a stay on this private island was by invitation from its owner. Now, travelers can book the island’s two villas at their own volition. Perched on a hill 117 feet above the Caribbean, Villa Far Niente comprises three bedrooms, a professional-grade kitchen, outdoor living areas, a pool, a hot tub, and panoramic sea views. At the water’s edge, Casa de Playa consists of two bedrooms and is outfitted with up-to-date amenities, appliances, and fixtures, and, best of all, offers direct access to the beach and sea. A third, discreetly situated villa is dedicated to service staff, who will see to it that guests have their pick of activities—from yacht charters and windsurfing to kayaking and paddle boarding—during their villa vacation. eustatia.com

Hill Bay Beach, Anguilla

Bird of Paradise. On Anguilla’s Sandy Hill Bay Beach, Bird of Paradise features lagoon-style pools, carved rock walls, and art from Papua New Guinea. Guests can stay in the four-bedroom suite equipped with three king beds and two queen beds, or rent the villa as a one-, two-, or three-bedroom unit. Four flat-screen TVs, a gourmet kitchen, wireless Internet, and two whirlpool tubs and outdoor showers are among its creature comforts. Fold-back walls transform indoor living space into an outdoor experience, and an outdoor living room has a fireplace, lounge chairs, a wet bar, and a treetop deck. Guests can take in spa treatments on daybeds overlooking the ocean or enjoy a sunset cruise or fishing on the villa’s privately chartered boat. anguillabird.com

Manny Khoshbin’s Dream Home

When his dream house high in the hills came on the market, this young real estate developer leapt at the chance—and hasn’t looked back. By, Diane M. Byrne

Sometimes dreams really do come true. For 10 years, Manny Khoshbin lived among the sights and sounds of Newport Beach, California. As nice as his 2,400-square-foot residence was, he longed to live at either Pelican Hill or Pelican Crest, two nearby resort-like properties with villas that featured spectacular sunset vistas over the Pacific Ocean. “There’s no comparison,” he says, explaining that while city views are great at night, the ocean is inviting all day. “You’ve got sailboats on Sundays, all sorts of activity that changes the view,” he says.

Khoshbin got the “grab your checkbook” call during the summer of 2008; a place at Pelican Hill within his price range was available. A few months (and a few more checks) later, he’d renovated it to include a gym, a nine-seat cinema, and wireless automation of audio-visuals in every room.

Khoshbin and his fiancée, Leyla Milani, enjoy the flexibility that the more than 10,400 square feet of space on half an acre affords them. Even with a five-car garage and a guest house that features white marble and Japanese furniture, this is anything but a trophy house. It’s the ideal respite, given their busy careers in real estate and television, respectively (Milani is Lucky 13 on the TV game show “Deal or No Deal”). They also enjoy hosting charity events and entertaining Khoshbin’s sister and her kids for movie nights.

Above all, the couple appreciates that they were able to arrange their comfortably elegant furnishings to make the most of the layout. “I wanted it to have that open feel, like a hotel lobby, when you come in,” Khoshbin says. In addition, the doors in the living room open to the outside. “I love indoor-outdoor living,” he adds.

Then how does he explain the pirate room, populated by wax figures of buccaneers? Khoshbin laughs as he recalls how he was a single man when he bought the house: “It was overwhelming,” he says of his choice of décor. “I had too many rooms to deal with!”

Grand Cayman’s Cotton Tree

The all-cottage Cotton Tree resort combines profound privacy and home-like luxuries to offer the ultimate Cayman escape. By, Lindsay Lambert

In 2009, native Caymanian Heather Lockington realized her lifelong dream of owning and operating a boutique hotel with the opening of Cotton Tree on Grand Cayman’s West Bay.

The beachfront resort comprises just four pastel-colored cottages, each named for a type of tree that grows on its impeccable grounds. Each cottage boasts luxuries like spacious gourmet kitchens and spa-style bathrooms stocked with Elemis products.

In addition to earthly amenities, Cotton Tree offers a wealth of water activities. Guests can snorkel, kayak, or dive along Cotton Tree’s shore or at Seven Mile Beach. A concierge staff can arrange horseback riding and boat charters, as well as activities like cooking classes and art lessons. For true R&R, guests can nap by the freshwater pool or enjoy a massage in an alfresco cabana.

To provide not only five-star amenities in a home-like setting but also upscale, authentic dining, Cotton Tree offers private chef services and partners with caterers Misé en Place to create customized menus using fresh, local ingredients. An in-house sommelier expertly pairs wines to bring out the dishes’ flavors. The perfect setting in which to enjoy Cotton Tree’s culinary offerings is in the resort’s beachfront pavilion, where the ocean, sun, and stars—like the resort itself—provide a picturesque background. cayman cottontree.com.

Exploring Grand Cayman Three more must-stay resorts.
Turtle Nest Inn More affordable and less opulent than other resorts but widely beloved, Turtle Nest Inn offers apartment- and condo-style rooms with kitchens. Thanks to its location in the slightly more removed Bodden Town, guests can take in the property’s offerings without feeling crowded. 345-947-8665, turtlenest inn.net. The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman In terms of size and location, the Ritz-Carlton is everything that Cotton Tree is not. Its location on Seven Mile Beach places the hulking hotel right in the island’s commercial district, but its vibe is relaxed nonetheless. 345-943-9000, ritzcarlton.com/en/properties/grandcayman. Caribbean Club On Seven Mile Beach, Caribbean Club comprises 37 three-bedroom, three-bath, condo-style rooms with balconies. Caribbean Club offers provisions upon request, plus babysitting services. Other perks include a beachfront pool, cabanas, and a 24/7 concierge. 345-623-4500, caribclub.com.

The Agenda
Stingray city Swim with and feed the gentle giants amid coral reefs and tropical fish. stingraycitytrips.com. seven mile beach Rated among the Caribbean’s best beaches, Seven Mile Beach is home to popular restaurants and offers snorkeling, sailing, kayaking, and diving. sevenmilebeachgrandcayman.com. george town Heart of the Islands’ finance industry and government, George Town is also a popular cruise port. Shop and dine on its main thoroughfare, The Paseo. caymanislands.ky. national gallery The National Gallery exhibits works by local and international artists and offers lectures, tours, and a workshop series. nationalgallery.org.ky.

Play It Forward

He’s flown more than 15 million miles, designed hundreds of golf courses, and won 165 tournaments, but Gary Player has no intention of slowing down. By, Melissa Gillespie

Recognized around the globe as the Black Knight, Mr. Fitness, and the International Ambassador of Golf, Gary Player is also a renowned golf course architect with more than 300 design projects across five continents. Recently, his company, Gary Player Golf Course Design, opened five new courses in five different countries, validating his tagline: The World’s Most Traveled Athlete™. The man who refuses to slow down has a strong passion for the environment and a real message to convey about water conservation. —M.G.

Where do you call home? My ranch in South Africa. Taking care of my horses, the 140 species of birds, and my farm is my ultimate happiness. It is also a real business, but it is work with the soul.

What about your Jupiter Island, Florida, home? Our offices are in West Palm Beach, and it was the most peaceful place nearby I could find. But my farm is my great joy.

What recent golf course projects have you completed? We opened five new projects in Abu Dhabi, Morocco, Italy, China, and Mexico.

How do you choose a course project? You don’t choose it; the project chooses you. But the project obviously has to have quality attributes and decent ownership. We don’t accept every job.

You’ve played at courses all over the world. Which is your favorite? Cypress Point [Monterey, Calfornia], but CostaBaja in La Paz, Mexico, is quickly becoming a favorite: I have never seen a golf course anywhere in the world with better views. When you come here, there is great peace—and ocean views from 14 holes.

What made the CostaBaja project challenging? There is so much in contrast in what we were able to create here with the green fairways against the desert conditions and the beautiful blue Sea of Cortez. It is a very strong layout set against such stunning visuals. But it was not easy–a lot of rock, high elevation.

“Eco-friendly” is a popular term, but what does it mean for your design? I am very much an environmentalist. Natural resources can be preserved by using native plants and more organic materials. Golf courses act as a greenbelt, which are important, as long as they are done correctly. If you leave it up to the average businessperson, they will just build and build.

How do you design to conserve resources? Water is becoming a dwindling resource and there are more important needs than the watering of golf courses. We use about one-tenth of the water that [other courses] use. No more fresh water for golf courses.

Why so passionate about water conservation? In general, people don’t worry about their health, the environment, the ocean. But the water situation is really going to be a chronic problem. There is sewage in the ocean. Can we eat a piece of fish that isn’t contaminated?

You’ve already accomplished so much. What’s next? The biggest problem in the world today is obesity. I am trying to get the message across to people to exercise and treat the body like a temple. You have to keep your body moving.

Backup Plan

For a fraction of your vacation cost, travel insurance can not only get you out of a jam, but may even save your life. By, Diane M. Byrne

As vice president of Travel Guard North America, Dan McGinnity has heard plenty of tales of travel woes. Some have been minor inconveniences, but others have been considerably more dramatic.

In one such case, a particular family lost their IDs, passports, and other personal effects when a catamaran they were on started to sink. Unfortunately, McGinnity says, the family had not purchased travel insurance. If they had, Travel Guard would have covered the cost of replacing their passports, plane tickets, and possessions, plus the unused portion of the trip.

While situations like this are few and far between, McGinnity says travel insurance allows travelers to be prepared for the unexpected.

Travel insurance is not expensive. In fact, McGinnity says, “six to eight percent of the trip cost” plus calculations based on the travelers’ ages is the rule of thumb. For example, a $20,000 trip with four people ages 40 to 55 is $375 each for the most comprehensive Travel Guard coverage plan, called Platinum. This includes medical emergencies and trip cancellation due to job loss or other work-related reasons.

Most claims are for last-minute trip cancelations. A common scenario: “Two days before your trip, your mother, father, child, or travel companion becomes seriously ill,” McGinnity says. Travel insurance lets you rebook without losing money. The same holds true for hurricanes.
Acts of God are covered. Remember the Icelandic volcano eruptions last summer that wreaked havoc in Europe? News reports stated that flyers couldn’t get reimbursed for canceled flights—not so for those with travel insurance. “Our call volume during that period was up over 300 percent,” McGinnity says, adding that anyone whose trip was interrupted or postponed received coverage regardless of the plan chosen.

Personal medications and even medical evacuations back home are provided. Coverage is particularly important for travelers with health issues. McGinnity says that during the volcanic eruptions, “We helped coordinate prescription drugs for people running out of blood pressure medicine.” Even for healthy travelers, if they’re adventurous, McGinnity recommends upgrading medical coverage to allow for MedEvac or other transport to the hospital of your choice. “Depending on where you’re traveling, you may not want to go to the nearest medical facility,” he says.

Pebble Tek Pool Finish

Expert tips for applying the perfect pebble finish to your oceanfront infinity pool. By Chris Caswell

When building a swimming pool, most home owners would focus on the shape and the depth, on waterfalls and tile and diving boards. But the pool finish itself often got short shrift. That trend has changed, however, and the old plastered pool finish (and its ‘50s-era pale-blue look) has been replaced by the luxurious elegance of pebbled finishes.

“Only one percent of the pools we build or rebuild get the old-style finish. The other 99 percent get a pebbled surface,” says Frank Juliano, a highly respected pool contractor in Florida. “It’s a no-brainer,” adds Juliano, whose Pool Tek of the Palm Beaches has been installing the patented Pebble Tec finish for two decades. “With the usual plaster finish, you have to re-do it every few years. With Pebble Tec, it has a lifetime warranty, comes in 40 colors, and is naturally beautiful.”

“We wanted a reflecting Taj Mahal look with an infinity edge,” says Rhea Harrison, whose waterfront lap pool was finished in dark-blue Pebble Tec (shown above). “It looks great, it’s naturally heated by the sun, and I love the feel of it, too.”

A Pebble Tec finish is just that: lots and lots of tiny pebbles. As many as 40 million for a single pool, in fact, all carefully selected from as far
away as Chile and New Zealand. Sorted by color and then polished, they are applied via a proprietary process; Pebble Technology, which holds the patent, requires that only licensed and trained experts install the finish. Once installed, it requires no special maintenance other than the usual pool cleaning.

Pebbled finishes were first used with beach-entry pools, but for today’s backyards and patios, the entire pool receives this finish. The stain-resistant stones provide a natural non-slip surface and the texture adds a lustrous look as sunlight plays on the water.

Pebble Technology also offers Pebble Sheen, which uses smaller pebbles for a more finely textured feel, as well as finishing touches such as glass and porcelain waterline tiles, or fire opal accents for steps and spas. Whether you’re building a new pool or giving an older pool a facelift, a pebbled finish is probably in your future.

The get hayward salt chlorination system

The Hayward Aqua Rite Pro Salt Chlorination and Chemistry Automation system takes all the work out of keeping your pool sparkling clean. First, the salt chlorination system turns a small amount of salt into a virtually endless supply of fresh, pure chlorine. There’s no taste of either salt or chlorine in the water, no need to measure smelly chlorine or tablets, and no red eyes or itchy skin. Then, in addition to filtration, the system also provides continuous sampling of the water to monitor and dispense the exact chemicals needed to regulate the proper pH and sanitizer levels. From about $1,500, depending on pool size. hayward-pool.com

Passport Authority

If you’re like us, you consider each stamp in your passport a keepsake that’s worth a thousand words; every page a snapshot by which to recall your most treasured travel memories. As with any other precious item, choosing the appropriate case or cover for your passport is essential. After all, not only do these sleek little numbers offer protection against wear and tear, they also help to make a stylish yet subtle statement. So don’t get caught carrying your passport in that old nylon fanny pack just because it’s functional. With today’s new chic and fashion-forward travel accessories, you can arrive at your travel destination organized and in style. In addition to keeping you off the Fashion Police’s blotter, these contemporary cases, complete with pockets and slots for those irreplaceable travel docs, will ensure that you don’t misplace that golden ticket to your next travel spot. One little dandy that caught our eye is by Tiffany & Co., which, especially if purchased in the company’s famous Tiffany Blue, is sure to be the envy of fashionistas on those airport runways. If you feel like shopping around, you’re sure to find a multitude of styles and colors out there, from brightly colored crocodile to practical, pebble-grain leather. $145, tiffany.com. —L.L. and B.N.

Yacht Watch

J Craft Torpedo By, Diane M. Byrne

These colorful craft combine today’s technology with looks of yesteryear. They’re the Torpedo speedboats built by Sweden-based J Craft. Measuring 41 feet, the Torpedo is equally suited to being a primary boat or a tender for a large yacht. The open seating area and aft sunbed allow you and a handful of friends to enjoy fun in the sun while harbor hopping. The boat’s top speed is reportedly 44 knots, thanks to twin Volvo Penta IPS500s, a propulsion system renowned for its intuitive joystick control—so simple that a novice can learn to operate it in minutes. Should you wish to overnight on the boat, there are berths for four, plus a captain. Craving just a bit more speed and luxury? Opt for the Torpedo R pack boat. Volvo Penta IPS600 engines should push it to a 50-knot top speed. Luxe touches include a leather-stitched steering wheel, rose polished stainless-steel dashboard, and a luggage set crafted of the same material as the interior. That interior is up to you; J Craft will tailor any area to specific tastes. Two things that won’t change, however: the hull is fiberglass and topped by a mahogany-laid deck that’s lacquered 18 times. Base price is €750,000 (about $1.047 million at press time). The Torpedo R pack is €800,000 (about $1.113 million at press time).  j-craftboats.com.

Island Hopper Red Shark

The perfect new toy for your yacht, the Island Hopper Red Shark is a lean, mean, toothy-faced shark. Six- and 10-passenger models are available, each measuring 18’6” long by 4’6” wide. Each sled is handmade using glue-bonded overlapping seams, while areas of high stress are double reinforced. The same is true of seating, foot areas, and hand holds, as they’re likely to get hard use. A foot pump and repair kit come standard. Suggested retail price is $999, available via multiple retailers. The manufacturer, Water Trampolines, will sell directly to consumers if there is no authorized retailer in your area. watertrampolines.com —D.B.

The envy  guy harvey art tiles

The renowned marine wildlife artist and conservationist now offers tiles that replicate his colorful works. the details: Ceramic tiles ideal for murals or backsplashes. Available framed or unframed; prices vary. guyharveyart.com/tile.html.

Marin County Villa

This Marin County, California, pad provides complete escape just minutes from the city. By, Lisa Rogak and Brooke Neuman

This expansive villa is just minutes from San Francisco, across the Golden Gate Bridge, but it may as well be worlds away, given its seven meticulous bayfront acres. Here, guests can roam over hilled knolls surrounded by oak trees and beautiful seasonal flowers or enjoy the brilliantly designed contemporary villa. Paradise by the Bay comprises four bedrooms and five bathrooms and features views of the bay from every room. The villa also features a library and a media room, perfect for those who can’t bear being disconnected. The lower terrace provides a spacious room that can be transformed into an entertainment or game room.

Paradise by the Bay is an impeccable spot for entertaining friends and family: the spacious living room and dining room face the water, thus providing a perfect party backdrop. The home’s large deck provides a stunning ocean view, as well. After dinner, why not sit fireside or enjoy the sounds of the Steinway grand piano in the music room?

When the Great Outdoors come calling, guests can enjoy alfresco amenities that include a kitchen, a courtyard, and two bars. For a more spiritual escape, enjoy the massage sanctuary hidden among Japanese maple trees. After some much-needed R&R, suit up for a match on the full-size tennis court or humor your inner child and explore the playground, complete with a two-story treehouse. Nightly, weekly, or monthly rates available. 800-495-9961, beautiful-places.com.

Aquariums With Unique Design

Over-the-top aquariums bring the sea inside with a focus on architecture and design. By Brooke Neuman

There are few better ways to emulate the tranquil elements of the ocean in your home than by adding an aquarium. Nowadays, aquarium designers are thinking outside the box (or rather the rectangle), finding new ways to incorporate design into their aquatic works of art. Richard Bilow, director of California-based Aqua Terra Studios, combines his passions for architecture and art to turn out some of the most forward-thinking fish tanks around.

Bilow’s design philosophy centers on his unique creative perspective as an artist and sculptor. Each aquarium is created as a multi-dimensional mixed-media art installation and includes innovative concepts such as glass art, illuminated photography, sculpture, and even cinematography.
Bilow’s A-list clients have included Shaquille O’Neal, Courteney Cox, the San Diego Marriott Hotel, and The Friars of Beverly Hills. He finds his “greatest strengths come forth when working with people who love art, architecture, and design.”

Placement is a key design element when building an aquarium, Bilow says. Indoor aquariums can act as a focal point in any space, or they can just add a special touch to any area in your home. “Whenever possible, it is helpful to place an aquarium away from direct sunlight and out of extremely bright environments,” says Bilow. Lots of direct sunlight can increase the growth of algae, which makes maintenance difficult. However, Bilow once created an aquarium exhibit that acted as a room divider and focused on the sunsets and ocean views of a client’s backdrop. “The visual effect made them well worth the extra maintenance,” he says.

Also key when designing an aquarium, Bilow says, is accommodating the necessary equipment to ensure easy access for maintenance. “Large saltwater aquariums, for example, require lots of equipment and regular care.  If there is nowhere to place the components required and exhibits are created without the parts they really need, problems are inevitable.”

With all the right parts and conditions in place, however, these over-the-top indoor aquariums are the perfect way to bring the things you love most about the ocean into the comfort of your own home. Aqua-Terra Studios, 310-314-2216, studioaqua.net

.

The get the Spacearium

Innovators at Aquarium ASP have created the new state-of-the-art Spacearium, whose ceiling suspension creates a dramatic effect and yields 360-degree views of life inside the tank. Its contoured shape and sleek design create a beautiful focal point or divider for your living room without the bulky clutter of a traditional aquarium. Thanks to its unique panoramic design, the Spacearium can be placed in almost any space. Its lightweight acrylic frame and remote filtration allow for maximum transparency. Choose from an array of local aquatic life, including fresh- or saltwater fish. The Spacearium is available in three sizes: five, six, and eight feet. $4,900-$8,400, spacearium.net.

Villa Trussardi, Elba

Famous for creating one of Italy’s most beloved lines of luxury leather goods, the Trussardi family fashioned a sleek, chic villa on the Mediterranean island of Elba (yes, Napoleon’s Elba), an elegant playground built on sky, sand, and sea. By, Paula de La Cruz

The early September day is quiet with dry Mediterranean heat. Climbing the road to Villa Trussardi, perched above the town of Marciana Marina on the island of Elba off Italy’s Tuscan coast, the rocks seem to evaporate into white clouds of dust; the azure sea is a few hundred feet below.

The main white metal gate of Villa Trussardi opens onto a cement path flanked by rosemary hedges, backed by pink oleanders. Along the path’s downward-sloping edge, a natural growth of stone pines crackles in sere wind. The house isn’t visible until one reaches the long set of black stone stairs that lead to the main entrance, and, more importantly, to its pool. From the deck, one gets a sense of an easy life full of buoyant pool parties lingering into the wee hours. That’s the way it always was, and still is, in fact, since Luisa and Nicola Trussardi purchased the villa in the early 1980s. (Nicola died in an auto accident outside Milan in 1999.)

Originally, the Trussardi residence was a modest house in the Greek island style, with Santorini-blue shutters and just a few rooms. The Trussardis expanded it, adding scale and a stark touch of Rationalism. If the house weren’t softened by nature, it would breathe the loneliness of a de Chirico painting. The wooden deck, large bar, and long table by the pool helps soften the atmosphere and provide a repeating theme throughout the villa: there are long tables where family and friends can gather in all the main indoor and outdoor areas.  Luisa Trussardi points out that “both the exterior and interior spaces are very convivial” and always “full of guests, and now, my grandchildren, too!”

But it is the rectangular infinity pool that is the center of the villa’s life. It was painted white so that the water inside would easily reflect the shifts in weather and appear all the more brilliant in the context of the white rooms around it. It is flanked on one end by a tall white wall with two bas-relief stucco sculptures by Consagra, one of Italy’s leading post-war sculptors, which seemingly change shapes depending on the position of the sun and the shadows they cast. The top of the wall serves as the edge to a terraced orchard of peach trees, not exactly manicured, but not left to their own devices either.

The living room glass doors open onto the pool deck, but a corner of its flat roof serves an even more important function: it supports a gigantic winged Eros torso by Igor Mitoraj, a contemporary Polish artist based in Italy. The sculpture’s smooth white surface absorbs the colors from the water and is incredibly lifelike while maintaining its simplicity. At times, it almost gives the impression that it might just bat its wings and descend for a swim. Winged Eros reigns over the property and is master of the bronze greyhounds that appear on both the pool deck and on a travertine terrace below it, edged by a prolific plumbago, an evergreen shrub. Nicola, Luisa says, chose greyhounds as the symbol of the Trussardi brand for their “elegance, dynamism, and agility” when he extended the family business from a glove-making company to an empire of lifestyle labels in the 1970s.

The same attention to detail that Nicola exercised in business is seen in the effort he and his wife have poured into their house. Yet no part of its architecture is forced, nor is the garden too controlled. In many places, the wild maquis, a type of Mediterranean vegetation composed primarily of leathery, broad-leaved evergreen shrubs or small trees, is reined in or softened to emphasize the sloped terrain and to create partitions. This is most noticeable on the hedges right outside the main entrance, where bright green myrtle was planted behind a line of grayish-green germander to create a more dramatic drop.

To one side of the house, a narrow path flanked on both sides by hedges of holm oak, rosemary, and myrtle leads to a tennis court built at the center of an amphitheatre. The seats around the court were built from the remains of an existing quarry. Granite from Elba has been a sought-after stone since Greek times, and the Romans used it in the columns of the Pantheon’s portico and for parts of the Coliseum. Later, into the 19th century, around the time of Napoleon’s famous stay, Elba continued to be exploited for iron, and its forest was burnt for charcoal to extract the metal from the ore. Only its native flora was allowed to flourish freely, and in 1996, Elba was declared part of the National Park of the Tuscan Archipelago.

As with the swimming pool, the tennis court is backed by a retaining wall with a bas-relief of a mammoth rope by Helfried Kodré, a contemporary Austrian artist better known for his jewelry designs. The work is nearly obscured by an ampelopsis vine of brilliant fuchsia leaves. It looks shy, however, in comparison to the overgrown heaths, strawberry trees, myrtle, and butcher’s broom cascading like a tidal wave from the top of the wall. On many nights after racquets have long been abandoned for cocktails, the tennis court is transformed into an outdoor arena for music and theatrical performances. Next to the court, in what feels like the driest part of terrain, there is a terraced olive grove with wild carrot and dandelion flowers growing all around them. Luisa added a set of rooms below the tennis court to accommodate even more guests, with its own terrace and lounge chairs. At Villa Trussardi, a terrace is never just that—it is more often the roof of one of the many rooms scattered across different levels. Every terrace seems to float on the sea below or reach for the jagged edge of pines cutting into the sky.

Walking back to the house, there is absolute silence, except for an occasional Vespa zipping by on a distant road. On this early September day, the family has already returned to Milan, but the echoes of their great times together are present in the photographs that crowd a living room’s shelf along a wall-to-wall modular sofa. There are children diving into the pool, friends sitting in the garden, and black-and-white images of generations past. Across the room, a distracted gesso Venus and an unfortunate Greek athlete missing his arms stand in front of wide glass doors, with three tall bald cypresses planted on the main porch outside as their background. A long table with 12 white director chairs stands in front of the statues. The effect of the room is eclectic and Neoclassical, empty for the most part but never minimalist.

Like any self-respecting Italian family, the Trussardis love pesto. They make it often while in Elba, and so they planted many pots of herbs that line the stone walls toward the back of the villa. This is the area where they also have a small orto—vegetable garden—of eggplants, tomatoes, and zucchini. From this orto, a path opens toward the woods, hedged with neatly clipped rosemary on one side and the native maquis on the other. Under a large pergola, there is a brick oven, a grill, and, of course, lots of tables to hold informal gatherings. The path continues, lined with live oak topiaries, heaths, and myrtle to one side with the same species left wild along the other until the path disappears into the woods. This small nature walk leads back to the main car entrance designed around a gesso column by Arnaldo Pomodoro, a modern Italian artist whose work focuses on a series of columns and large spheres, mostly in bronze. The Trussardis’ garden is not a traditional one: there is no designated piece of ground to display shrubs and trees—instead, the native shrubs were hedged or trained as topiaries to emphasize the architecture and define different spaces along the terraced slope.

A diving board is suspended parallel over the surface of the cool, blue pool, beckoning swimmers to bounce higher and higher before plunging in head first. If only Eros could dive in, too.

W Retreat Koh Samui

W Hotels debuts in Southeast Asia

W Hotels Worldwide opened the doors of W Retreat Koh Samui, the first W in Southeast Asia, in November 2010. An all-villa beachfront resort located at the peak of the north shore of Thailand’s famed Samui Island, W Koh Samui features 75 private villas equipped with modern amenities, including private pools, daybeds, outdoor showers, 46-inch plasma-screen TVs, wine refrigerators, and the signature W bed.

Located adjacent to W Retreat Koh Samui is The Residences at W Retreat Koh Samui, which features 17 secluded beachfront villas ranging from three to five bedrooms and from 3,280 square feet to 9,028 square feet. Each residence offers a modern and tropical Zen style with exotic touches, as well as full access to the benefits, services, and amenities of W Koh Samui.

W’s signature W Lounge brings an irresistible new highlight to Koh Samui’s nightlife. Right next to the W Lounge is the breathtaking WooBar. Open on three sides and perched on the corner of a hillside, WooBar offers 270-degree views of the Gulf of Thailand and the surrounding hillside, a unique design that allows WooBar to transform its look from day to night.

A masterpiece of modern design, Away Spa comprises indoor and outdoor spa treatment areas that allow for total privacy and complete renewal, featuring signature treatments including massages, facial and body treatments, manicures and pedicures, and a range of treatments incorporating Thai influences. The first of its kind in Asia, the Away Spa’s unique Thaimazcal treatment is based on Mexican tribal rituals, using local Thai ingredients. Guests will also be able to enjoy the pool, state-of-the-art fitness facility, water sports center, and tennis court. whotels.com/kohsamui.

Seven Stars Shines

Named for the seven stars of the storied Pleiades constellation, the all-suite Seven Stars Resort on Grace Bay in Turks & Caicos sits on 22 acres of manicured, palm tree-lined grounds and anchors the sweeping arc of Grace Bay Beach, rated one of the world’s best beaches. Accommodations range from junior to four-bedroom suites, which feature wrap-around balconies. Seven Stars recently revamped its entire beach and pool scene by adding lounge/day beds; full beach service, from frequent water replenishments to towel changes; food and beverage service on the beach; and more. The property is also home to the only heated salt-water pool on the island. Seven Stars also completely renovated the fine-dining room, renamed “Seven, which accommodates 190 people inside and outside. sevenstarsgracebay.com

The Fab Five


In November 2010, Azul Hotels by Karisma, a collection of Gourmet Inclusive properties located throughout the Riviera Maya, Mexico, opened Azul Fives Hotel by Karisma in Playa del Carmen. The all-suite property features 360 one-, two-, and three-bedroom suites, private and expansive rooftop lounge decks, a variety of gourmet dining options, a sky bar overlooking the Caribbean, and a 15,000-square-foot Vassa Spa. Additional amenities include a fitness center, VIP couple’s massage suites and hydrotherapy areas, three swimming pools, a children’s pool, and full-service concierge. When they’re not relaxing at the spa or poolside, guests can play tennis, table games, shuffleboard, and volleyball, or take aqua aerobics, dance and cooking classes, or scuba diving clinics. Rates from $282 for a deluxe suite to $1,229 for a three-bedroom penthouse suite for up to eight people. karismahotels.com

Queen B

In December 2010, B Hotels & Resorts debuted its flagship hotel, B Ocean Fort Lauderdale. Located on the famed Fort Lauderdale Beach, B Ocean Fort Lauderdale sets the tone for a spectacular brand experience sure to attract travelers from all over the world. The hotel’s location and offerings are ideally suited for business or pleasure. Conveniently located on Sunrise Boulevard and A1A, guests can be downtown or at the Las Olas art and entertainment district within minutes. Food and beverage offerings at B Ocean Fort Lauderdale include a signature restaurant, a bar, in-room dining, pool/patio dining, banquets, catering and the B’Stro, offering a variety of organic menu selections. The hotel began accepting guest reservations in October 2010. A grand opening event is planned for early 2011. boceanfortlauderdale.com

Hot House - SoHo House heads south to Miami

SoHo House debuted in Miami last fall. The oceanfront property, designed by Martin Brudnizki, whose resume also includes New York’s Le Caprice, comprises 50 guest rooms (including six tower suites), beachside cabanas, a fitness center, and two pools.

With South American influences, all bedrooms are decorated with one-off pieces of antique furniture and feature king-size beds and rainforest showers. Most bedrooms offer water views, and a number have freestanding baths and private terraces. The entire property offers complimentary WiFi; select floors have Macs for guests.

SoHo Beach House is located on the site of the historic Art Deco-style Sovereign Hotel, which has been redesigned and expanded to include a 16-story oceanfront tower. The 50 hotel guest rooms, ranging from 350 to 1,500 square feet, offer ocean and bay views and feature antique furniture, king-sized beds, 40-inch flat-screen TVs, iPod docks, and rainforest showers.

The Cowshed Spa features six spacious ocean-facing mani-pedi chairs; five private treatment rooms, including a couple’s suite; steam rooms; a relaxation area; changing facilities; and its first Blow Dry Bar for the perfect ‘do. The property’s oceanfront gym features floor-to-ceiling windows, a full range of equipment, personal trainers, and Yoga and Pilates classes.

The club pool, which overlooks the ocean and is surrounded by double sun loungers and fans to keep members cool and comfortable, is for use by adult members and guests only. The floor also has its own towel station and showers with an adjacent bar.

SoHo Beach House also offers a private members’ club along with the brand’s signature hospitality experience for club members and hotel guests. Local membership for the Beach House is $1,800 annually, with membership for all SoHo House clubs set at $2,400. sohobeachhouse.com.

Bahia Beach Beauty

St. Regis’s first Caribbean hotel, The St. Regis Bahia Beach Resort, Puerto Rico, opened in November 2010, nestled between El Yunque rainforest and the Espiritu Santo River. The resort boasts 139 guest rooms, including 35 suites with private terraces offering ocean views, as well as 25 private St. Regis Estate Homes. The resort offers signature St. Regis Butler Service and features the Gold Audubon Signature Sanctuary, Jean Georges Restaurant, a Remède Spa, and an oceanfront golf course designed by Robert Trent Jones, Jr. The resort is also the Caribbean’s first certified Gold Audubon Signature Sanctuary. Combining Puerto Rico’s natural beauty and rich history with St. Regis’s service and amenities, The St. Regis Bahia Beach Resort’s arrival here could change the landscape of luxury travel in the region. stregis.com/puertorico


Hot Property: Fort Lauderdale, FL

The luxurious waterfront Nurmi Estate is located in Las Olas, one of Fort Lauderdale’s most coveted neighborhoods. The property exudes relaxation, with jaw-dropping ocean views and exclusive access to the water. The six-bedroom, five-and-a-half-bath estate has it all, including a large home theater, a four-car garage, and a swimming pool. Influenced by the richness of European castles, the exceptional interior décor includes imported marble floors, wood columns, and accented coffered ceilings. With a 300-foot dock, this is the ultimate playground for any boating enthusiast. In fact, if you’re not already a yacht owner, this home, located just around the corner from the Intracoastal Waterway, might just inspire you to purchase your very own vessel.

The Details: $9,940,000, Kelly Drum, Drum Realty, 954-764-4242, drumrealty.com

Enchanted Forest

A contemporary Maine home is a light-filled link between woods and water. By Regina Cole

“This house reaches up, grabs the afternoon light, and brings it into every room,” says architect Peter Forbes of Mount Desert Island’s most compelling vacation home.

For a Boston-area client, Forbes designed a 7,000-square-foot house that emerges from the woods, then breaks and bends as it approached a ledge high above the Atlantic. Curving and cantilevered walls wear traditional white-cedar shingles, but as the house approaches the view, it becomes transparent. A length of clerestory windows crowns the ridgepole, giving the slender structure an elegant height while grabbing sunlight.

“In Maine, light is the most precious commodity,” says Forbes. “Those old coastal Maine summer homes are full of sunshine in the morning, but are gloomy in the afternoon.”

The house perches on steel pilings tied into a granite ledge. Various curving and slanting walls float on the “structural spine,” as Forbes calls it, creating a delicate footprint on a yard. With tall spruce and balsam fir trees, lichened boulders, ferns, and low-bush blueberries, it resembles Longfellow’s forest primeval, especially when enshrouded with coastal Maine’s ubiquitous fog.

“Our goal was to make it seem as though the landscape had never been touched,” says landscape architect Michael Boucher of Freeport, Maine. Boucher’s work with modern structures, in particular, redefines traditional notions of landscape design. “I create landscapes that are extensions of architecture. I don’t like ‘landscaping,’” he says.

A gravel path meanders past maple and birch trees toward a front door at the axis of the house. The path leads into a glass-enclosed stairwell, which literally floats in space. “You can walk under the house,” Forbes says. “In the springtime, water rushes under the bridge. The two sections and the curves diminish the building’s size. You never see a big block of house.”

To either side of the stair hall, walls peel away into curves enclosing porches, decks, and outdoor stairs. One wing holds the kitchen, dining room, living room, and master bedroom. Guest rooms occupy the opposite section. In the living room and the master bedroom, walls melt away. The glass, manufactured to stringent specifications in Italy, has none of the green hue common to the material. The long, narrow clerestory features built-in fold-down seats, a feature the owner finds conducive to bird watching, looking out at the night sky, and, one might guess, sitting back and soaking in each and every marvel of the incredible home around him.

First Class Fillet

At the Bristol Panama in Panama City, Cuquita Arias, the “Martha Stewart of Panama,” creates her signature dish. By, Lisa Rogak

Panama City is undergoing a building boom so robust that the biggest crop in town seems to be construction cranes. From some rooms at the Bristol Panama hotel in the financial district, no fewer than nine new buildings in various states of completion can be viewed.

Down in the hotel’s Barandas restaurant, Chef Cuquita Arias has been conducting a building boom of her own among visitors and residents who turn up for her sophisticated Panamanian fare. After 10 years at the hotel, Arias has become a bit of a celebrity in Panama: she’s starred in her own cooking show, authored several cookbooks, and even published her own food magazine. It’s all not too surprising, considering that Martha Stewart served as her mentor back in the 1980s.

Cuquita is currently in the process of incorporating more Chombo dishes into her menu. Chombo is an Afro-Caribbean culinary style similar to Creole, but it also uses Asian and Indian spices, influenced by the workers who came from all over the world to build the massive Panama Canal almost a century ago. In the meantime, Arias’s Beef Fillet with “Mojo” Verde and Fried Plantain is a guaranteed crowd pleaser.

Beef Fillet with “Mojo” Verde and Fried Plantain: serves 6

Green “Mojo”
2 tsp. Dijon mustard
1 tsp. salt
1 pinch pepper
3 tbsp. red wine vinegar
3 tbsp. cherry vinegar
1/2 c. olive oil
1/2 c. canola oil
2 tbsp. finely chopped chives
2 tbsp. finely chopped parsley
2 tbsp. finely chopped cilantro
1 tbsp. finely chopped dill

In a medium bowl, mix the mustard, salt, pepper, and both vinegars. Whisk constantly while adding the oil in a thin stream. When thoroughly incorporated, add the fresh herbs and refrigerate.

Fried Plantain
2 c. cold beer
4 garlic cloves, crushed
Ice cubes
3 c. peanut oil
1 green plantain, peeled, cut into 6 slices
Salt

In a medium bowl, pour the cold beer, the crushed garlic, and enough ice cubes to fill the bowl. Set aside. Heat the oil in a large, deep skillet. Add the plantain and fry until golden brown. Remove with slotted spoon and set on paper towels to drain. When cool, flatten each plantain with the bottom of a drinking glass until 1/2-inch thick. Soak in ice-beer mixture for 10 minutes. Fry again until crispy and pat dry with paper towel. Sprinkle with salt and keep warm in a preheated 200° oven.

Beef Fillet
3 lbs. beef fillet, sliced into 6 pieces
Salt and pepper
Olive oil

Season the fillet with salt and pepper. Heat the oil and cook fillet on both sides to temperature. To serve, sprinkle the fillet with the green “mojo” and garnish with fried plantain. Served with grilled baby vegetables, if desired.

La Paz, Baja California Sur

Baja’s capital is a luxury-loaded adventure destination. By, Melissa C. Gillespie

Just under two hours north of Los Cabos by car, La Paz is the capital of Baja California Sur, the state boasting the greatest length of Mexico coastline. La Paz, Spanish for “peace,” has a rich history, delightful people, delicious food, and an easy-going lifestyle.

Thousands of people sail to La Paz every year, enticed by the calm, warm waters of the Sea of Cortez, which is home to reefs, underwater caves, and exotic sea life. It is considered one of the premier diving, snorkeling, and sport-fishing locations in the world. Nearby Isla Espiritu Santo, an oasis of secluded coves and dramatic sandstone cliffs, has been protected as a biosphere national reserve and is well-populated with friendly sea lions.

La Paz, although quaint and quiet, has the services and amenities for a comfortable and relaxing visit, from elegant dining and a full-service spa to the direct flights from several cities.

Long known for its exquisite coastline and abundant fishing, La Paz is also making a new name for itself as a second-home destination for mainland North Americans.

Most recently, the destination welcomed the CostaBaja Resort & Spa, home to Gary Player’s first golf course in Mexico; several oceanfront and oceanview condominiums, villas, and custom home lots; and a full-service hotel. The resort is a town within itself, offering exquisite dining in the marina at Azul Marino and La Barcaccia and oceanfront relaxation and activities at its beach club. La Paz is also home to Paraiso del Mar, a 1,700-acre resort community with an island lifestyle and an award-winning Arthur Hills championship golf course. Development plans over the next year include the completion of an additional 102 beachfront condominiums.

High tourist season in La Paz is from mid-November through May. However, there are several sporting events year round and in the off-season, most notably the Fishing Tournament Dorado La Paz, attracting fishermen from around to world in June.

The Essentials La Paz

1 Where to Stay The condos at Hotel La Concha Beach Resort & Condominiums range from one to three bedrooms. Children under 12 are not allowed. laconcha.com, 612-121-6161 (USA), 01-800-716-8603 (Mexico). CostaBaja Resort & Spa is the first five-star property in La Paz, featuring a signature restaurant, a 250-slip marina, a beach club, a golf course, and a spa. Rates are dependent on season, view, and size. costabaja.com, 866-409-9940 (USA); 01-800-267-8222 (Mexico).

2 Where to Eat Enjoy the casual patio seating at Lumière in the Plaza Real: try the Quatro Quesos (four cheeses) crepe for a satisfying mid-afternoon snack. For a more traditional La Paz dining experience, locals and tourists agree on Bismarck II for the fresh catch of the day. Las Tres Virgenes serves up “Baja High Cuisine,” featuring a diverse selection of international fare and an excellent wine selection as well.

3 What To Do If you’re not into sport fishing or snorkeling, two of the most popular activities here, stroll the historic malecón (seaside boulevard), relax at the beach, or let the professionals at Fun Baja take you on a whale-watching expedition. funbaja.com. La Paz is home to two 18-hole golf courses: one at Paraiso del Mar (paradiseofthesea.com) and the other at CostaBaja Resort & Spa.

Big Island Bliss

Despite sloping sales elsewhere, Hawaii’s Four Seasons Hualalai forges on full-steam ahead. By Scott Kauffman

Ke’olu, the Tom Weiskopf-designed members-only golf course at the Four Seasons Resort Hualalai, is named for the “gentle breeze” that brings a sense of calm and coolness to the Hualalai Club’s “mauka,” or mountaintop setting. The name is fitting, as Hualalai’s exclusive residential community has been a breath of fresh air for Hawaii’s high-end residential real estate market.

At a time when many upscale private and resort-style communities are struggling against recessionary headwinds, Hualalai Realty is having another banner year at the prestigious community located on the Kona-Kohala Coast of the Big Island. Hualalai is reporting $98 million in closed transactions for the year, a pace to surpass the previous year’s $150 million in sales revenue.

Last August, Hualalai Realty’s director of residential sales, Rob Kildow, made nine sales, the community’s largest single month for transactions in its 14-year history. It’s just another small sign that the luxury real estate market is slowly regaining its health.

“It’s still no picnic,” adds Kildow, one of the 300 resident members at Hualalai Club, which costs $225,000 to join. “We’re ahead of last year’s numbers but not by tons. Tour traffic is up by 35 percent, though, and prices have started to climb some.”

Kildow says the lower-end luxury condominium homes priced from $2-$3 million are slow in moving, with the bulk of Hualalai’s sales falling in the $5 million-plus range.

“Instinctively, [Hualalai members] know now’s the time to get great values,” Kildow adds. “We haven’t pulled back 40 percent like others. Plus, we’ve got an obvious 15-year track record and we’re so diverse. We’re not staking the value or experience of Hualalai on one or two things.” Rob Kildow, Hualalai Realty; 800-983-3880; hualalairealty.com.

Must Sea

Hôtel Le Toiny’s restaurant Le Gaïac – St. Barts’ Hotel Le Toiny is home to the island’s first greenhouse, as well as the popular Restaurant Le Gaïac, which features French cuisine with Creole accents. So successful was the 1,000-square-foot greenhouse’s first growing season that Le Toiny added two more greenhouses in 2010. Each day, Executive Chef Stéphane Mazières incorporates fresh-from-the-garden herbs and veggies into his daily menu. “When we moved to St. Barts last year, we marveled at how much it cost to ship tomatoes to the hotel,” says General Manger Guy Lombard. “We felt we could have fresher and more economical produce by growing our own.” The resulting greenhouses produce everything from basil and coriander to lemongrass and licorice. Future plans include a nursery for bananas, papayas, and mangos. When they’re not dining, guests at Le Toiny can retreat to 15 suites offering ocean views, large terraces, private swimming pools, and kitchenettes. letoiny.com. —Melissa Gillespie

Living The Dream

Costa Rica’s latest luxury development is a master-planned paradise. By Melissa Gillespie

Located at Herradura Bay on the Central Pacific Coast of Costa Rica, Los Sueños Resort and Marina is a 1,100-acre master-planned destination community. It currently features a private 600-acre rainforest reserve, the 201-room five-star Los Sueños Marriott Ocean & Golf Resort, a 200-slip international marina, exclusive Beach Club for residents, and the 18-hole La Iguana championship golf course.

With over 500 luxury single-family homes, lots, condominiums, and villas already sold, Los Sueños began construction on Altavista Los Sueños in December 2010. Potential owners can choose from two unit types: Unit Type 1 has three bedrooms and two and a half bathrooms and offers just over 1,750 square feet of living space for $589,000, while Unit Type 2 features three bedrooms, three and a half bathrooms, and over 2,100 square feet, priced at $749,000.

The buildings are low density with only six units per building. The finishes are characteristic of the Los Sueños communities, with imported Italian ceramic tiles, eight-foot Costa Rican hardwood doors and cupboards, 10-foot ceilings, crown moldings throughout, dual-paned windows, and energy efficient air conditioning systems.

Altavista Los Sueños will join the development’s portfolio of luxury resort residences that range from one-, two- and three-bedroom condominiums to single-family homes. Other Los Sueños communities include Riviera and Malibu at Altamira, Marbella Condominiums at Altamira, Montebello Residences at Altamira, Colina Condominiums, Del Mar Condominiums, and Bay Residences at Del Mar.

The next eight years will see the completion of the remaining phases of Los Sueños, including the final phase of Marina Village, several hundred additional luxury residences, and the construction of an eco-lodge in the rainforest reserve. lossuenosresort.com

Hidden Gem

Two Oceans Property Consultants broke ground in November 2010 on Emerald Bay in Panama. The $50 million dollar eco-friendly development lies on Panama’s unspoiled Caribbean coast in the town of La Guaira, just 90 minutes from Panama City. The beachfront condominium and resort community will offer villas, apartments, and duplexes for sale. An approximately 100-room hotel and beach club is also planned for the development. La Guaira’s northern curve of coastline is protected from inland development by the huge rainforest of Chagres National Park that encloses it. The national preserve teems with exotic birds and wildlife and shelters a pristine coastline terrain. Occupancy of finished properties is expected in approximately two years, with pricing starting at $377,000. emerald-bay-panama.com.

Thai Style

Conrad Koh Samui Resort and Spa will be the newest luxury villa property on the popular Thai island. Comprising a total of 80 villas, the Conrad Koh Samui Resort and Spa will be located on a secluded hill, overlooking Aow Thai Beach at the Southwest tip of the island. Spread over 25 acres, the luxurious Conrad Koh Samui Resort and Spa will offer panoramic views of the Gulf of Thailand, outlying islands and the surrounding landscape of lush coconut plantations. It’s also a perfect western-facing vantage point where guests will take in the stunning Koh Samui sunsets. Each villa will have a minimum of 656 square feet of space, complete with private plunge pools and generous outdoor deck areas. There will be a variety of all-day and fine-dining restaurants, bars, and lounges. The spa will combine international treatments with a uniquely Thai spa philosophy and design accents. The property is slated to open in May 2011. conradhotels.com.

Digital Flipbook

Ocean Front Property Search

Minimum Bed/Bath
Price Range

Watch our video