Developments

Puerto Rico’s Paseo Caribe

Luxe life at Paseo Caribe

Puerto Rico welcomes its newest upscale residential project.

Paseo Caribe, a high-end residential and retail waterfront property, is emerging in Puerto Rico. The mixed-use development, which was recently relaunched, will include the Residences at Caribe Plaza, Laguna Plaza, and Bahia Plaza, along with an open-air retail lifestyle center and parking complex.

Located on Ponce de Leon Avenue at the Gateway to Old San Juan, Paseo Caribe is steps from Condado Lagoon and the Atlantic Ocean. The signature element of the public area is the Residents’ Lounge and outdoor entertainment space, which overlook the retail courtyard and offer dramatic waterfront views.

The centerpiece of the project will be The Shops at San Geronimo, which will offer a mix of Puerto Rican merchants combined with global retailers and several waterfront dining and entertainment venues. When complete, the retail complex will house between 40 and 50 specialty shops, boutiques, and restaurants.

Residences in both Caribe Plaza and Laguna Plaza offer outdoor terraces and spectacular views of the Condado Lagoon, Atlantic Ocean, and Old San Juan’s cruise ship harbor. Each private residence has beautiful views, spacious living and dining rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows, and a separate den. Both towers provide a highly curated lifestyle including concierge services, valet parking, and state-of-the-art security systems.

Construction of Paseo Caribe is now fully under way. A limited number of residences was released in March 2012, as well as a limited number of developer residential inventory in both Caribe Plaza and Laguna, as part of the formal reintroduction of Paseo Caribe. Prices start at $945,000. paseocaribe.com.

Key Biscayne welcomes Oceana

Argentinian developer Consultatio has broken ground on Oceana, a $250 million condo project in Key Biscayne, Florida, on the site of the former Sonesta Hotel and Resort. Just southeast of Greater Downtown Miami, Oceana will feature twin 15-story towers with a combined 140 condo units, plus 14 villas on a 10-acre site on Ocean Drive. The development will be located on the last oceanfront site available on Key Biscayne. Units will range from 1,800 square feet to 7,500 square feet. Prices are anticipated to start between $2.5 and $3 million and will be released for purchase this year. oceana-keybiscayne.com.

Oceana

The James Royal Palm

Scheduled to open in Miami in late 2012, The James Royal Palm is the reincarnation of the historic and much-beloved Royal Palm Hotel. It will feature 179 guest rooms and 211 studios and suites, the majority of which have ocean views. Located just steps from the beach, Ocean Drive, and Collins Avenue, the hotel will also boast two swimming pools, a beachfront restaurant, a poolside bar, a lobby lounge, a full-service spa, and over 10,000 square feet of meeting/event space. Poised to be a top luxury hotel in South Beach, Florida, The James Royal Palm will incorporate many of the original property’s elements—such as the wall paneling and terrazzo flooring in the entry foyer—as well as pay homage to the property’s Art Deco history. jameshotels.com.

Luxe Life at Punta Sayulita

Punta Sayulita brings new luxury living to Mexico’s Riviera Nayarit.

Part of what is known as Mexico’s Riviera Nayarit, Sayulita has long been a favorite destination for American and Canadian tourists. Now, Punta Sayulita, a new, upscale low-density community, is taking shape adjacent to the quaint surfside village.

Located approximately 35 minutes north of Puerto Vallarta on a pristine 33-acre private peninsula, Punta Sayulita will consist of only 62 oceanfront and ocean view homes. The development’s initial phase offers a selection of custom three- and four-bedroom estates. A limited number of residences have the option to include an addition of a one-bedroom, one-bathroom bungalow. Punta Sayulita also has seven custom homesites, ranging from one-half to three-quarters of an acre, allowing residents to design their own estates pursuant to the development’s architectural guidelines.

All residents will have access to the full-service private Beach & Surf Club, complete with on-site concierge. Additional amenities at Punta Sayulita include a spa and fitness facility, outdoor yoga pavilions, an infinity pool, and a resident naturalist who is ready to host bird- and whale-watching expeditions.

“Punta Sayulita offers an extraordinary opportunity to live in an innovative community that truly marks the first residential resort project in the area that brings the broad appeal of environmental sensitivity and creative design into the luxury market to combine sophistication with healthy living,” explains Kevin Roberts of Punta Sayulita’s developer, Contact Development Company.

The peninsula itself naturally provides the utmost in privacy and an ideal landscape on which to develop a collection of luxurious oceanfront and ocean view residences and beach club. Phase one residences and the beach club are scheduled for completion late 2012 or early 2013. Prices for residences start at $1.5 million.

Hilton Puerto Vallarta Resort

Hilton Hotels & Resorts is opening its first property in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Scheduled to open later this year, Hilton Puerto Vallarta Resort will feature 259 luxury rooms and executive and honeymoon suites surrounded by some of the most spectacular mountain and Banderas Bay views in the area. The all-inclusive property will offer five culinary destinations: international cuisine at Sea Fire, Mexican food at La Catrina, Italian cuisine at Cinque Terre, and theme nights at The Beach and O West Lounge, which will feature cocktails and tapas. Recreational options include a Hilton Fitness by Precor gym, a spa with a Jacuzzi area, a sauna, solarium, and beauty salon, and an outdoor swimming pool.

Weekapaug Inn

Weekapaug Inn in Westerly, Rhode Island, will reopen in October after a $15 million renovation. The inn, whose rooms offer views of Quonochontaug Pond and the Atlantic, will offer 25 guest rooms and four two-bedroom residential suites. Results of the renovation include a new 75-foot lap pool that connects to a fitness center. Guests can also enjoy evening clambakes and farm-to-table dining. Just five miles away, the Ocean House will serve as a sister property, allowing guests of the Inn use of its facilities, including the five-star OH! Spa, championship croquet, and a 650-foot private beach.

The Ultimate Resort Experience: Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit

On the stunning shores of Banderas Bay, Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit is a sophisticated iteration of the all-inclusive resort experience. By Melissa C. Gillespie

Upon arrival at the AAA Five Diamond Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit, the resort’s dramatic entrance—an open-air palapa lobby with 40-foot ceilings—is a stunning welcome and a small glimpse at the grand things to come. Immediately, the pampering and attention to detail unfolds. A cool, refreshing tropical drink and an aromatic moist towel quickly erase any ill effects from a day of travel. As an attentive guest services manager confirms your reservation, a spa therapist provides a gentle neck and shoulder massage. (This is the point when it becomes clear a visit to the spa is in order.)

Located just 15 minutes away from Puerto Vallarta International Airport along Banderas Bay, Grand Velas is an exquisite property featuring 267 one- and two-bedroom suites starting at 1,000 square feet. All have private terraces and spectacular oceanfront views.

Into the blue: Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit

The Grand Velas suite collection includes the six Spa Suites (the Ambassador Grand Class Suites) and two Imperial Spa Suites. Each Spa Suite is equipped with a separate spa room, which includes a treatment table, hydro-massage tub, floor-to-ceiling glass-enclosed Swiss shower, wall-to-wall ivory marble, and a private terrace.

The crown jewel of the resort and a member of Leading Spas of the World, the 16,500-square-foot Spa at Grand Velas features 20 treatment rooms, over 80 spa treatments and rituals, a gym and exercise room, a boutique, and a salon. From the eucalyptus inhalation sauna to the aromatherapy neck pillow at the conclusion of the experience, this peaceful respite is a must for all resort guests. Allow for enough time to enjoy the full Hydrotherapy Ritual at the start of the visit.

Another destination delight awaits guests at any of Grand Velas’s AAA Four Diamond restaurants—Azul, Frida, Lucca, and Piaf. From gourmet Mexican to Italian-Mediterranean to traditional French, the all-inclusive resort has an eclectic mix of gourmet and traditional menus that fuse flavor with artful presentation.

When not indulging in gourmet cuisine or time at the spa, guests can spend time stand-up paddle boarding, kayaking, boogie boarding, or strolling on the beach.

The family-friendly resort also offers tiered three-temperature infinity pools, an open-air theater with several shows throughout the week, and a Kids Club.

The Agenda

Sayulita Whether you are a surfer, sun seeker, or souvenir shopper, Sayulita is a must-visit treasure just a few miles north of Banderas Bay and Puerto Vallarta. Nearby Monkey Mountain is a spiritual ground for the Huichol natives, who still practice their peyote ceremonies and sell crafts in Sayulita’s town plaza.

Punta de Mita Café des Artistes follows a farm-to-table model, using the freshest seasonal ingredients from regional fisheries and farms. Located in the boutique Hotel Cinco in Punta de Mita, this gourmet bistro showcases the artistic cuisine of Chef Thierry Blouet. Start with the cream of prawns and pumpkin soup or the tuna sashimi salad.

San Pancho This nearby town is home to La Patrona Polo Club. Here, fans of polo can become club members, take private lessons, and participate in tournaments. Stop by on Saturday evenings to enjoy a match, an al fresco dinner, cocktails, and entertainment.

Laluna: Paradise in the Caribbean

A once in a lifetime opportunity currently exists to purchase a residence in an unparalleled piece of paradise in the Caribbean, which represents a five- star site often searched for but rarely found.

Complete serenity at Laluna

Located on the dramatic coastline of Morne Rouge, and conveniently just 10 minutes away from both the capital St George’s and the Maurice Bishop International Airport, Laluna Estate is a very private and exclusive villa development nestled on 25 acres of prime waterfront land, designed by two acclaimed Italian architects to offer a warm and intimate atmosphere where you can enjoy the casual and unique Caribbean lifestyle.

Laluna resort opened ten years ago with 16 suites, an Italian restaurant, an Asian Spa and a beach front yoga pavilion, and immediately established itself as the premiere boutique resort on the island attracting jet set clientele from all over the world. In October 2011 both the Sunday Times Travel Magazine and Fodor’s included Laluna in their list of the 100 Best Hotels in the World.

The new development consists of seven- four and five bedroom villas, all uniquely designed, currently under construction and completion date of December 2012. Also available on the Estate are one and two acre lots where landowners can be as involved with the building process as much as they like, employing their own architects or engaging our Estate Management team.

Buying real estate on the island of Grenada is a fairly straightforward process. Grenada’s real estate laws are designed to encourage foreign investments and to protect them after the purchase is made.

At Laluna Estate there are some special incentives to promote tourism on the island. In fact, the buyer of one of the villas will be able to take advantage of tax exemptions and concessions granted exclusively to Laluna Estate, that makes the investment in one of the residences even more attractive.

The headaches of second-home ownership are replaced with services and amenities only found in the world’s finest resorts, and with the opportunity of an extra income. Villa owners can benefit from a management contract with Laluna and rent their villas while not using them. Laluna Estate has partnered with Camper Nickolson Marina to include a boat berth in St. George’s Harbor in the price of the villa.

Own a piece of paradise

With only seven residences available, and over 30 partnership agreements with the leaders in the Italian design industry, including G&D Cucine, Marazzi Tiles, Tre-P&Tre-Piu internal doors, Oikos external doors, Duravit/Axor bathroom sanitary and fixtures, Biticino electrical and LeMa Mobile furniture, the quality of the villas are of the highest standard.

For more info: Bernardo Bertucci bb@laluna.com

Blueprints

Isla Pedro Gonzalez

In Panama’s Pearl Archipelago, Isla Pedro Gonzalez promises major luxury living.

Located off the west coast of Panama, Isla Pedro Gonzalez is the third largest island within the Pearl Archipelago, covering 3,558 acres. Home to about 250 residents, the island has 14 beaches, approximately six square miles of forest, and a fishing village. Pearl Island is being developed into a sustainable luxury destination that will offer exclusive island living. Overall, six phases in the development will eventually accommodate a few hundred homes.

The Founders’ Phase is located on the northeastern Cueva Peninsula and will be the first part of the island to be developed. Homesites, ranging from 32,000 to 215,000 square feet, will be located across a series of neighborhoods linked by trails, paths, and streets and will enable owners to design and build anything from intimate casitas to elaborate villas. Owners can choose from beachfront, oceanfront, and hilltop canopy settings. Two-, three-, and four-bedroom villas will be located on cliffs around the beach club.

The Founders’ Phase is already under development with 15 miles of roads, basic infrastructure, and utilities in place, plus a landing strip under construction. Pearl Island has released 34 lots, and a limited number of smaller turnkey units will follow. The Founders’ Phase will accommodate up to 100 lots and villas when complete. Pearl Island also plans to erect at least two hotels.

In order to preserve its natural biodiversity, over 75 percent of the island will remain undeveloped and a percentage of all property sales will go to The Island Foundation, which is stewarded by the island’s property owners.

The Founders’ Phase is expected to be complete within three years. The entire island will develop over a longer period of 10 to 15 years.

Amelia Island Plantation

Florida Favorite Beginning a new chapter in its nearly 40-year heritage, the Omni Amelia Island Plantation Resort in Florida broke ground in November 2011 for an extensive $85 million renovation. The redevelopment includes an expanded conference center, which will gain 20,000 square feet—including a 16,500-square-foot ballroom and a new pre-function area—for a total of 70,000 square feet of flexible meeting and event space. An additional 155 guest rooms, including 27 suites, will be constructed on the north end of the resort, increasing the total room count to 404 oceanfront guest rooms. Located directly off the hotel lobby, the new Beach Club will offer more hard surface and water space for lounging. The adults-only infinity-edge pool will cascade down into a larger family pool, and two hot tubs will be located adjacent to a new bar area. Parking will also be improved with a new three-story structure creating 350 extra spaces, as well as 70 new valet spots.

Aventura Cove Palace, Riviera Maya

Rock the Palace Plans are underway to transform Palace Resorts properties in Mexico into all-inclusive Hard Rock Hotels. The first Hard Rock-rebranded hotel is scheduled to launch in winter 2012 in Cancun, followed by Puerto Vallarta in spring 2012, and a fall 2012 first-phase debut of Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya. Each hotel will remain fully operational as a Palace Resorts property during the conversion process. Each property will offer Hard Rock’s signature Rock Star Suites, showcase a collection of authentic memorabilia, and host ongoing schedules of live concerts, celebrity-driven soirees, and other on-site events.

Coastal Developments to Look Out For

Puerto Rico’s historic Dorado Beach Resort welcomes the Americas’ first Ritz-Carlton Reserve hotel and residences.

Dorado Beach Resort

More than 50 years ago, Laurance S. Rockefeller introduced the world to the “luxury island resort” by opening his eco-friendly RockResorts, including Dorado Beach in Puerto Rico. Now, the Dorado Beach Resort will be the first property in the Americas to have a Ritz-Carlton Reserve hotel and residences.

Dorado Beach, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, will be a luxurious 115-key beachfront resort. West Beach, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve Residence, will be an exclusive enclave of beachfront vacation homes. Both are set to open in December 2012.

In addition to West Beach, Dorado Beach is introducing East Beach, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve Residence. West Beach and East Beach, the first-ever Reserve-branded residences, will bring a new level of luxury and sustainability for Ritz-Carlton-managed vacation homes. The initial phase of 13 beachfront condos under construction at West Beach is already sold out. The second phase of 14 additional West Beach units, plus 18 villas and townhomes at East Beach, are now accepting reservations.

The Ritz-Carlton Reserve Residences at West Beach and East Beach include two- to four-bedroom designs priced from $2.5 million to $5.3 million. Ground-floor residences have private pools, while upper-floor abodes have infinity-edge plunge pools. Top-floor penthouses include furnished roof decks with views of the sea. All Ritz-Carlton Reserve Residences at Dorado Beach are designed according to LEED Silver standards.

Situated on three miles of Caribbean coastline, Dorado Beach will include a botanical spa, a Beach Club, and a Wind and Waves center featuring Jean-Michel Cousteau’s “Ambassadors of the Environment” program for adults, teens, and kids. doradobeach.com.

Miami Beach's Hotel Victor

South Beach Chic Thompson Hotels, an international collection of luxury hotels in major urban centers, will add Hotel Victor in Miami Beach to its elite portfolio. Thompson Hotels will rebrand the historic hotel, located in Miami’s South Beach, as Thompson Ocean Drive. A multi-million-dollar renovation to both guest rooms and public spaces will be completed in early 2012. Thompson Hotels’ management of the property is effective immediately, introducing the group’s renowned sophistication and service while maintaining the landmark’s legacy as the most desirable hotel in South Beach. The celebrated hotel, located in the heart of Miami Beach’s famed Art Deco District, features 90 stylish guestrooms, most with ocean views; a stunning infinity pool; a 6,000-square-foot Spa V; the fine Northern Italian BICE Ristorante and BICE Café; three lounges and bars; and 6,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor meeting and event spaces. thompsonhotels.com.

The view at 4001 North Ocean

At the Ocean’s Edge Situated between the Atlantic Ocean and the Intracoastal Waterway on Florida’s Gold Coast, 4001 North Ocean is underway. The 34 residences at 4001 North Ocean offer a minimum of three bedrooms and range in size from 2,800 square feet to 5,000 square feet, not including their expansive outdoor terraces. The property also includes floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the beach, spacious great room floor plans, and technologically advanced design, engineering, and green building practices. Owners can call this exclusive address home in December 2012; residences are priced from $1.7 million. 4001ocean.com.

Maine Attraction

Cottage at Seaglass Village

New phases of construction are underway at Seaglass Village, a 65-acre adult-focused vacation cottage resort in Wells, Maine. The residential development is designed specifically as a vacation home paradise—no primary residences allowed. Amenities are split into those for residents over or under the age of 18 and include everything from sports facilities to a library lounge. There are five two-bedroom floor plans to choose from among the three-season cottages. The last phase of cottage construction is currently underway. The newest phase broke ground in August 2011 for a limited number of four-season cottages, consisting of six floor plans of approximately 640 square feet. Pricing from $180,000.

Surf’s Up

The Surfcomber, South Beach

Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants has taken over management of the Surfcomber South Beach, located in the heart of South Beach, Florida. Sitting along 200 feet of prime Atlantic oceanfront with direct beach access and a beachfront pool, the Surfcomber has 186 rooms, along with event and meeting space. Under Kimpton’s management, the 1948 Art Deco-themed hotel is currently receiving an extensive makeover to enhance the event space and guest rooms and to create a chef-driven culinary concept unique to the location. Refurbishments are expected to be completed by the end of this year, with a soft opening planned for December and a grand opening in early 2012.

Paramount Bay Designed by Kravitz Design Inc.

Rocker Lenny Kravitz lends his design talent to Miami’s Paramount Bay.

Paramount Bay, Miami

Opening in early 2012, Paramount Bay will deliver an outstanding urban lifestyle for primary and secondary home buyers as it becomes a landmark in downtown Miami. The development overlooks Biscayne Bay and Margaret Pace Park, giving residents stunning views of the city, bay, and beach.

Kravitz Design Inc., led by music icon Lenny Kravitz, is the artistic vision behind the bayfront condominium project. Starting at the building’s new iconic porte cochere, the lush landscaping, which features native Florida species, will impart a soothing garden-like setting and exude a vital energy. The experience will continue with the grand lobby, featuring soaring 30-foot ceilings. Warm earth tones will blend with a range of inviting textures and materials throughout. A rich selection of wallpapers, fabrics, and natural finishes will be used to create a luxurious look throughout the property.

Kravitz Design is also conceptualizing Paramount Bay’s residential models. The 47-story project includes more than 340 units with a variety of one- to five-bedroom layouts, ranging from 1,214 to 4,437 square feet. Their signature style plays off each unit’s floor-to-ceiling sliding glass walls that offer expansive panoramic views of Biscayne Bay and the surrounding areas. Generous eight-foot-deep terraces with glass railings provide an ideal canvas on which to create a secluded personal retreat.

The urban oasis includes a 6,000-square-foot spa and fitness center, a multi-purpose club room with a cinema, a private sunrise waterfront pool, and a grand sunset pool lined with cabanas. Paramount Bay will also include access to a world-class beach club, private elevators, a waterfront promenade, and on-site restaurant and retail offerings. Prices start in the $400,000s. A grand opening is planned for early 2012.

Dominican Dream

Building 2 of Phase 1 is under construction at Millennium Resort, a private development of contemporary luxury condominiums on Cabarete Bay in Cabarete, Dominican Republic. The new building will feature 35 units ranging from junior suites starting at 500 square feet to a 3,100-square-foot penthouse. Standard amenities include ocean views, solid mahogany doors, low-energy consumption fixtures and appliances, wireless Internet access, air conditioning, floor-to-ceiling windows, and a terrace or balcony. Building 2 is scheduled for completion in December 2011. cabaretemillennium.com —Melissa Gillespie

Island Life

Ground has broken on the Ocean Reef Islands development just off the coast of Panama City, Panama. The luxury residential community will be situated offshore from the luxury residential and commercial area Punta Pacifica. Ocean Reef Islands will comprise custom homes and apartments, lush gardens, fountains, and pools, and will feature views of Panama City. Additional amenities will include tennis courts and private parks, as well as a marina. Visit oceanreefislands.com for buying details.

Own a Piece of A UNESCO-Preserved Site

Buyers can now own a piece of a UNESCO-preserved site in paradise. By, Cristina M. De Oliveira

Nestled within one of the most stunning spots in the Caribbean, St. Lucia’s Sugar Beach Residences are slated to bring barefoot luxury to new levels. The 42-home development is tucked away amidst a 130-acre resort in the valley where the rainforest meets the sea between the Pitons—the iconic twin peaks that have been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Currently The Jalousie Plantation, the resort is undergoing a $100 million redevelopment and, in February 2012, will be rebranded as The Tides Sugar Beach, managed by the Viceroy Hotel Group.

Those who wish to own a piece of paradise can invest in one of the stately homes. Paying special attention to the delicate ecosystem, construction began on the Colonial-inspired residences in October 2010. The getaways range from $2.4 million to $9 million, and buyers can choose from two- to six-bedroom properties. Four of the homes, priced at $7 million and up and situated right on the beach, are still on the market.

No two homes are the same, and buyers can customize the interior space. Designed by architects Lane Pettigrew Associates, each residence will have its own pool surrounded by a sleek stone deck. Living and dining spaces open up to outdoor terraces, while French windows, cast-iron claw-foot tubs, and plantation-style furniture prove that no detail has been overlooked.

Residents will have access to the resort’s amenities, including its three restaurants and four bars, and can enjoy treatments at its stunning spa (a network of suspended treehouses), which opened in late 2010. residencessugarbeach.com.

The Sustainable Side of Playa Viva

Playa Viva brings sustainable luxury living to the western coast of Mexico. By Melissa Gillespie

Combining simple elegance with natural beauty and a commitment to improving the environment, Playa Viva is a sustainable boutique hotel located on the western coast of Mexico. Nestled between the sparkling waters of the Pacific Ocean and the majestic Sierra Madre Mountains near the village of Juluchuca, Playa Viva is situated on a mile of private beach.

Guests will soon be able to enjoy the rugged, unspoiled beauty of Mexico from the comfort of Playa Viva’s new eco casitas. As part of a funding partnership with Conservation International’s Verde Ventures fund, Playa Viva is adding three new eco casitas. These casitas will retain the current style of open-air cabanas—powered by off-grid solar and utilizing a waste-water-management system.

The new casitas will have 350 square feet of indoor living space, plus an extra 150 square feet in terrace space. Each eco casita has one bedroom and a private bathroom with floor-to-ceiling sliding doors that open up to unobstructed ocean views. The accommodations will be built with sustainably harvested local “bocote” and palm timber, and finished with granite sinks from Cuernavaca, handmade brass fittings from San Miguel de Allende, copper light fixtures from Santa Clara del Cobre, and other locally sourced fixtures and design elements.

Playa Viva’s nearly 200 acres includes an estuary, an Aztec archeological site, a turtle sanctuary, and a coastal forest and mangrove ecosystem, which supports an array of stunning wildlife. The new casitas are scheduled for completion in October 2011. Existing all-inclusive accommodations range from $195-795 per night. playaviva.com.

Ron Hatfield’s Ocean Home

A decade after discovering undeveloped beachfront in Mexico, Ron Hatfield now enjoys year-round ocean views. By, Diane M. Byrne

Since the 17th century, vessels including merchant ships, modern motoryachts, and sportfishing boats have visited the Los Cabos region of Mexico. At the tip of Baja California, its deep, blue waters offer a wide variety of fish, and it is renowned as the marlin mecca of the world. However, it wasn’t until the 1950s that hotels and second homes were developed to attract vacationers and avid travelers. Unlike other areas of Mexico—indeed, many oceanside regions in general—Los Cabos is anything but overdeveloped. Instead, picture stretches of uninhabited beaches, with towering mountains providing spectacular views of sand and sea.

That’s what captivated Ron Hatfield, a real estate developer, when he visited the region with his then-business partner, Ken Schnitzer, 15 years ago. “The elevation of the land off the beach provided incredible sites for mountainside homes overlooking the Sea of Cortez,” Hatfield recalls. They acquired land to offer a handful of homes, which sold so quickly that they purchased additional acreage to create the community of Villas Del Mar. Five years later, Hatfield, president of Del Mar Developments, purchased his own home site and now lives there year-round.

Besides enjoying access to golfing and members-only clubs, Hatfield has one of the more distinctive homes in Villas Del Mar. “It’s built into the mountainside for complete privacy and also has a separate honeymoon suite overlooking the sea,” he explains. Mixing traditional furnishings with Spanish-style ones lends what he considers a casual elegance, ideal for hosting dinner parties for neighbors one day, then welcoming his grown children and grandchildren the next. His favorite room? The living room. “My glass pocket doors disappear into the walls, so it’s open all the way around with views of the sea and the mountains. I get fresh sea air while relaxing and watching the game or reading a book.”

Another bonus: The region is virtually free of crime. “Los Cabos is definitely a safe place,” Hatfield says. “I feel very secure and have absolutely no apprehension at all about bringing family or friends here.”

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Cielo Paraiso is Panama’s New Paradise

In Boquete, Cielo Paraiso is Panama’s newest luxury living community. By Scott Kauffman

If you’re content living outside the status quo and you yearn to discover new territories, your ideal address might be the Residences at Cielo Paraiso, a new oceanview golf resort community in Boquete, Panama.

This desire for life’s unbeaten path led Gladstone Development’s Sandeep Lal and his brother, Raideep, to Boquete. The Toronto natives originally acquired the 580-acre property as a second-home destination for Raideep and his wife, Colleen.

However, they soon saw the real estate potential of their scenic property and chose to create a community amid the spectacular setting of the Baru Volcano, the Talamanca and Jaramillo mountains, and the Pacific Ocean. Raideep passed away last June, but Colleen, Gladstone’s president, has taken over the project with Sandeep.

Gladstone has already invested more than $20 million to develop the first phase of the project, which ultimately calls for luxury estate homesites, duplex villas, golf condos, and a hotel and private residence club. So far, 34 properties have been sold (about half of phase-one inventory), 11 homes have been built, and 12 more are under construction. The golf course is completed, and currently nine holes are open to Cielo Paraiso homeowners with the full 18 available in August.

“Boquete has become a….popular tourism destination, and we’ve seen a growing number of expatriates relocate here for retirement or to invest in second homes,” says Sandeep. He says that “…low property tax rates, incredible retirement discounts for seniors, first-world water treatment plants and hospitals, plus the year-round temperate climate, are the draw. At Cielo Paraiso, we have seen an uptick in property sales in the last year, as more people catch on to these incentives.” boqueterealestate.com

Must Sea

Manea Spa at Bora Bora Pearl Beach Resort & Spa With a spectacular view of Bora Bora’s Mount Otemanu, Bora Bora Pearl Beach Resort & Spa offers an authentic Polynesian experience. The resort’s lavish Manea Spa rests on stilts above tranquil waters covered with blooming water lilies. The Manea complex comprises spa pavilions, thatched-roof open-air lounging bungalows, and treatment rooms. Guests walk on open-air wooden pontoons leading to all facilities, which feature modern Tahitian interior design. Local woods such as coconut tree, bamboo, kohu, and kaori are widely used and create a feeling of warmth and comfort. The spa’s newest treatment, Ofai Maha Rima, combines the use of four hands and hot stones. The spa director developed the twist on the treatment to reduce the disconnect with a client when the spa therapist retrieves new stones from the roaster, instead offering a continuous flow of massage with the warm volcanic stones. The traditional art of Polynesian massage lives on at Manea Spa. maneaspa.com.