Developments

Antigua’s Sugar Ridge

Antigua welcomes Sugar Ridge to its fold of luxe resorts.

A much-anticipated addition to the Caribbean resort scene, Sugar Ridge opened its doors to guests in December 2009 on the West Indies island of Antigua. Sixty rooms grace the property, featuring panoramic views to the south and west of palm-lined beaches and the Caribbean Sea, plus the neighboring islands of Redonda, St. Kitts, and Nevis. The resort’s elevation provides vistas to the north of a rolling landscape dotted with picturesque villages; to the east are the dramatic coastal highlands.

The property’s large windows and doors allow for seamless indoor-outdoor living, with views in all directions—from the Caribbean Sea to the backdrop of the lush foothills. All accommodations feature comfortable outdoor lounging areas with private decks for basking in the sun, spacious living areas, iPod docking stations, wireless Internet access, and flat-screen LCD televisions. Each ground floor room offers a plunge pool, while upper floors have larger outdoor living areas with day beds.

Be pampered at the 6,000-square-foot spa, developed with Aveda. Experience a full collection of treatments featuring the latest in holistic therapies and spa treatments plus a hair salon. Stay on top of your workout schedule at the fully air-conditioned gym, which features Cybex fitness equipment. Adjacent to the gym is an air-conditioned studio for aerobics, Pilates, and yoga classes. The resort also boasts two swimming pools: an 82-foot lap pool and a 44-foot pool complete with cabanas and sun bathing areas. Beach facilities, a marina, and an 18-hole golf course are a three-minute drive away and easily accessed by the hotel’s private shuttle. 268-562-7700, sugarridgeantigua.com.

Here are the other recent openings featured in the January/February issue of Ocean Home magazine:

To Air Is Human

Spread out among the stunning topography and turquoise waters of Virgin Gorda, Oil Nut Bay is an intimate resort with 88 villas on 300 acres of land and miles of pristine island shoreline. The Beach Club is a dramatic open-air palapa, exuding an island-chic design that takes advantage of the unique environment for which the British Virgin Islands are known. The club also features an outside bar and grill that provides spectacular luncheon options. The club’s structures are built in accordance with LEED platinum standards, which includes using as many local, natural, recycled, and rapidly renewable materials as possible, such as local stone for rock-faced walls, cement made from all local materials, and certified forest woods, as well as rapidly renewable resources like cork and bamboo. Oil Nut Bay is a spectacular destination that promises to create exceptional memories. 800-761-0377, oilnutbay.com.

Unplug, Recharge

Prana del Mar Retreat & Wellness Center is a tranquil beachfront escape located at the southern tip of Baja, Mexico near Cabo San Lucas. Opened in November 2009, the resort features 15 deluxe guest rooms and suites on five acres. All rooms and suites have large pocket doors that open to terraces and balconies. With the ocean to the west and mountains to the east, guests are surrounded by tranquility and an ideal environment for rejuvenation. Enjoy daily yoga classes, spa treatments, surfing, deserted beaches, beautiful sunsets, and ample hammocks for catching up on your R & R. Property amenities include a swimming pool with wet deck, a large Jacuzzi spa, and a fusion of international and Mexican cuisine. 415-310-2909, pranadelmar.com.

Tee Time

Diamante’s Dunes turns up the heat in Cabo with luxury villas and more.

It’s getting hot at Diamante’s Dunes in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. The first phase of real estate will showcase 66 private golf villas strategically planned at the course. Each villa will be designed around a dramatic courtyard and have four bedrooms and five and a half bathrooms. The villas feature amenities such as an infinity pool with swim-up bar, indoor/outdoor showers, private pool terraces with fire pits, courtyards, two-car garages plus golf cart garages, gourmet kitchens, and media rooms. Planned property amenities include state-of-the-art golf practice and learning facilities, architecturally significant golf clubhouses, a beach club with luxury guest suites, a tennis complex with three surfaces, a world-class spa, and a fitness center. Diamante’s Dunes course opened late 2009 and the first phase of villa sales kicks off January 2010. 866-901-9058, diamantecabosanlucas.com.

Meet at the Beach

As part of a $50 million renovation, Harbor Beach Marriott Resort & Spa is opening Fort Lauderdale’s newest oceanfront ballroom. Every angle of the 10,000-square-foot facility, which accommodates nearly 1,000 people theater-style and over 450 schoolroom-style, will offer guests and meeting attendees picture-perfect views of the Atlantic Ocean. To help groups go beyond the confines of the traditional boardroom, an entire wall made of glass will serve as a window to the ocean and to the resort’s private beach, one of the only private beaches in South Florida. Board meetings will never be the same. 800-222-6543, marriott harborbeach.com.

Peaceful Poseidon

Located in Virginia Beach, the lavish Poseidon Beach Condos offer 4,000 square feet of living space, two-car garages, elevator access, a whole-house generator, extensive decking, stunning pools, and more. These bold waterfront and water view homes have a 180-degree view from the Bay Bridge Tunnel to the oceanfront. There are 12 condos planned for this development; the first phase of the development is complete, and the second will be completed in 2010. poseidonbeachhomes.com.

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