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Carmel, CA: A Luxury Real Estate Market

50 Top Luxury Real Estate Markets in the USA: Carmel, CA

Actor-director Clint Eastwood once was the mayor of Carmel. Edward Weston and Ansel Adams, two of the most innovative and influential 20th century American photographers lived here. Each of these men are considered true masters in their own right and faithfully represent the rich artistic history that is at the core of Carmel-by the Sea, the center point of  California’s North Central Coast.

Over the years, the natural beauty of the area has inspired poets, writers, painters, and architects alike. Mike Canning, who represents Carmel’s legendary Butterfly House, says, “It is one of only 5 true oceanfront properties in Carmel.  The home, designed by Frank Wynkoop, is anchored directly into the rocky shoreline and has panoramic views from Point Lobos to Pebble Beach. Captivating Carmel residents and tourists for decades, this oceanfront architectural landmark exceeds unique”.

According to Peter Butler, “Some of California’s finest architect-designed homes can be found in the Carmel-Pebble Beach area.  The homes are beautiful here and the lifestyle is casual, yet cosmopolitan. You can get just about anywhere in the area in 15 minutes. People live here because they choose to, not because they have to. As a second home market, properties tend to hold their values because there is a finite supply and a strong demand”.

Judie Profeta says, “One of the most enchanting aspects of the area is the diversity of people, topography and the compactness of the area. Highly accomplished people live here; they have come to Carmel, to Monterey or Pebble beach to relax and live the life they have worked very hard for.  The natural beauty is stunning. Cultural events are also plentiful, such as theatre, the famous Monterey Jazz Festival, the Bach Festival, and Concours d’Elegance, the world renowned auto show that features classic cars”.

For those who seek the seclusion of a rural retreat, there are two magnificent master planned communities just a few miles outside of town:  Tehama (above Carmel) and Monterra (above Monterey). According to Mike Jashinski, who specializes in selling property in these exclusive enclaves, “Tehama is a Native American word that means ‘abundance of nature’. Guided by Clint Eastwood’s vision of sustainable development, Tehama has preserved more than 85% of its land as pristine open space. With gated private access to its 2000 acres of rolling hill country, residents of just 90 estate lots, ranging from 4 to 17 acres can enjoy a social-fitness membership (fitness center, tennis, swimming and dining, included with purchase) and private membership (by invitation only) at the Tehama Golf Club, featuring an 18 hole championship course designed by Jay Moorish”.

Tim Allen, who specializes in oceanfront and ocean view homes, explains that “Carmel and Pebble Beach are natural second home or retirement home markets for nearby Silicon Valley residents as well as for San Franciscans who are only 120 miles away. Our world class golf is a major draw”. Pebble Beach Golf Links is the most famous course in the Western United States, and the only course which has ever beaten Pine Valley Golf Club for the top spot in Golf Digest’s biennial list of America’s 100 greatest.

Judy Midgely adds, “The Links at Spanish Bay evokes the original Scottish concept for the game of golf that was established over 500 years ago. The Monterey coastline is very rugged like the natural beauty of Scotland. Every evening the bagpiper closes the course in true Scottish tradition. It is pleasant to sit on your front porch and just listen even if you are not playing golf”.

Molly McGee says, “The town of Carmel has a very special charm. Every day seems like a vacation. The shopping, art galleries, and the food and wine scene here is terrific. Carmel is an amazing place to meet people from all over the world.”

*Source: napaconsultants.com/

Coastal Items by Vagabond House

Octopus Champagne Glass, $64

The Holiday season is the time to show off your best stemware and Vagabond House has you covered if you want to own the must-see items of the year. 

Parties, gatherings, and celebrations of all sorts are key elements to the Holiday season. It’s a time when everyone dresses their best, eats decadent food, and enjoys the continuous company of family and friends. Not only does living on the coast allow hosts to indulge in a different type of cuisine, but it also allows them to incorporate coastal features into their party items. This season, if you are attending any coastal Holiday parties and you’re looking to give the perfect host gift, or you simply want items for your own celebration, than Vagabond House has got you covered.

With items that look as if they came off the set of Pirates of the Caribbean, Vagabond House has some of the most luxurious kitchen items that will set the perfect theme for any coastal party.

 

Vineyard Haven

On Martha’s Vineyard, one family constructs a distinctively modern house that also pays homage to the island’s historic farmhouses and reflects its natural beauty. Photographs by Brian Vanden Brink

The first concept for this island retreat focused on recalling the architectural elements of the historic farmhouses so common to the landscape of Chilmark on Martha’s Vineyard. But as the drawings and sketches surfaced, new, more unusual ideas began to take shape. Phil Regan, a principal at Hutker Architects, recalls the open, light-filled, and more contemporary layout that evolved for this Vineyard home. Perched atop Squibnocket Hill, the structure would eventually be built to feature 180-degree views of the Atlantic.

Vineyard home dsigned by Hutker Architects

 

“With each round, we loosened the layout up, and soon the farmhouse went away,” Regan says. “[The homeowners] were a bit nervous at first, but we told them we could pay homage to what is in the area, and when they got inside, they could have a bit of a surprise.”

Brainstorming ideas for the building of the Chilmark home was a meeting of open minds, as the homeowners had worked with Regan years earlier when his firm built the family’s summer home on the beach in Aquinnah. Like the earlier project, this one involved taking down an old structure to build a new one. The owners were pleased with the outcome of their Aquinnah residence, but as time passed and the family grew, the 1,500-square-foot home became impractical. The search began for a new plot of land that would meet the family’s need for more space and this non-beachfront property fit the bill.

The final layout here would take advantage of the land’s multiple water views, including the ponds and shorelines. But the plans went beyond that to capture, room by room, the distinct and special experiences that come with island life—the spectacular sunsets, the prevailing breezes, and the warm glow of morning light.

One of the first tasks, though, was to take down the old ranch that occupied that coveted spot. “The existing ranch did not take advantage of the views, and when we saw it, we imagined what could be here,” Regan says.

While Regan says the firm does not usually advocate constructing a home on top of a hill, it designed this one with a series of hipped roof volumes and flat roof connectors. So, in essence, Regan’s team created smaller architectural forms that represent different sections of the home.

“It hunkers down and doesn’t draw the eye to the form from the beach,” Regan says. “Now, when you drive by, it feels comfortable; the low roof and the natural shingles blend it into the land.”
Project manager James Moffatt notes that the home’s strategic style is an example of how architects and builders can succeed at merging contemporary with traditional in what they deem the new regional vernacular.

“In its own way, it is like the farmstead that grew over time,” Regan says. “The layout style gave us the opportunity to make a number of different circulation paths, each with a distinct mood. Different ceiling heights added to the creation of a hierarchy of experiences.”

An elliptical stone gesture that recalls the sugar mills of the West Indies, a place the family has fond memories of exploring, was integrated as well. The architecture firm worked from photos of authentic sugar mills, designing and building a modern interpretation using Virginia ledge stone. The piece became the outside wall to the powder room but, more importantly, functions as a stone beacon of sorts, leading all who come to the front door.

“Today, as you approach the home, you park in a court [that is] 12 feet lower [than the house], so [you have to] move up the landscape to get to the house, and you are drawn to this ellipse,” Regan says.

Inside the house, detailing is clean and modern and is warmed with walnut-stained oak floors. Ceilings echo a Caribbean motif; the furnishings were the choice of the owners and sit quietly in the background.

The main house has four bedrooms with a master suite on the main floor; three bedrooms and two baths are on the lower level. The kitchen and dining room are one large space, which merges with the living room.

The use of teak, Western red cedar, and copper present a weathered look that is fitting to the earth-tone surroundings. In addition, there is a thoughtful restoration of the grounds with the replanting of indigenous plants. A lap pool adds a new stroke of blue to the views, and a guest house—a replica of the main house—accommodates additional visitors, likely a common issue for the owners of such a special home.

 

Pelican Hill Resort in Newport Beach

On California’s Newport Coast, the Palladian-style Pelican Hill resort is a golfer’s dream, but its world-class amenities, eye-popping architecture, and breathtaking setting will win the hearts and minds of just about anyone.

In the hit 1970s television series “Gilligan’s Island,” the comical cave scenes featuring Gilligan’s shipwrecked passengers of the S.S. Minnow were shot in Newport Beach, California. Even the theme song’s famous phrase, “… a three-hour tour…,” was sung as the Minnow headed out to sea with Newport Bay’s rock jetties in the backdrop.

Now knowing where Gilligan and the gang were actually “stranded,” devotees of the show might not feel quite as bad for the millionaire and his wife after all.

The Palladian-style Pelican Hill Resort overlooks the Pacific Ocean

 

 

Rest assured, though, that if there’s one place in which an off-course crew should ever wish to be shipwrecked, it’s Newport Beach. These days, however, rather than be stuck in Gilligan’s caves, well-heeled travelers and their “crews” would likely prefer to set up camp at Newport’s palatial Resort at Pelican Hill. And that applies whether they’re travelling with the entire family, their golf buddies, or their own “Loveys” on a romantic getaway.

Pelican Hill, a 504-acre Palladian-styled resort situated high above a stretch of this swanky Southern California coastline, has it all. The first-class golf club, highlighted by two completely new oceanview courses redesigned by acclaimed golf course architect Tom Fazio and a brand new 44,000-square-foot clubhouse and golf academy, is just the start. There’s also a top-rated 23,000-square-foot spa facility, highly acclaimed dining led by the signature Andrea Ristorante, and 328 luxurious resort accommodations that range in size from 847 square feet for oceanview “bungalows” to 3,628 square feet for exquisite three-bedroom oceanview villa residences that feature around-the-clock butlers, and a private 10,000-square-foot Villa Clubhouse built in the truest Tuscan-themed style and architecture.

Upon your arrival at Pelican Hill’s large herringbone-patterned auto plaza, you’re likely to find Bentleys and Benzes parked. Make your way through the grand lobby and look out past the Roman-inspired Coliseum Pool—the largest circular pool in the world—and see the stunning vistas of the blue Pacific Ocean, you’ll realize you’re truly somewhere special. Indeed, the neighboring Pelican Hill communities are recognized for having some of the priciest real estate in America, where hillside homes can start at $10 million.

One of the main reasons Pelican Hill is so desirable and exclusive is its near-perfect location and overall setting. Situated along a stretch that locals call Newport Coast, Pelican Hill is a remarkable resort. It overlooks the Pacific Ocean and is just a 15-minute drive from the heart of Southern California’s chic Newport Beach and neighboring Newport Harbor—the largest small-yacht harbor in the world with an estimated 16,000-plus boats. Head another 20 minutes in the opposite direction and you’re in the lovely little village of Laguna Beach, a charming surf- and arts-oriented town with numerous boutiques and restaurants.

Meanwhile, just a short distance away from Pelican Hill is the historic 2,791-acre Crystal Cove State Park, a 3.5-mile stretch of craggy coastline framed by sandy covers, popular tide pools, and a marine park. This is a great place to take the family and have a leisurely day at the beach, enjoying dramatic rock formations and 80-foot bluffs lapped by the famous Southern California surf. One favorite stop is the Beachcomber Café, where one can enjoy a casual coastal breakfast or tasty fish tacos and organic burgers for lunch. Featuring “Old California” ambiance, the Beachcomber is part of a historic district of 46 beach cottages that date to the 1920s and 1950s.

The 46 beach cottages, which have been featured in many films and are included on the National Register of Historic Places, are being or have already been restored by California State Parks. The cottages are owned by The Irvine Company, which also owns the Resort at Pelican Hill.

Like the rest of the Resort at Pelican Hill, the oceanview golf courses coexist in perfect harmony with the coastal California landscape. The Ocean North and Ocean South courses offer 36 outstanding championship holes recreated by Fazio, who designed the original courses 20 years ago. The two completely rebuilt courses (both opened in November 2007, a year before the 304-unit resort debuted to the public) offer two distinctly different playing experiences with one common characteristic: stunning views of the Pacific Ocean from nearly every vantage point, as well as Newport’s Balboa Island and Long Beach Harbour in the distance.

With resort green fees starting at $235, which includes forecaddies, or private gold memberships that start at $10,000 for unlimited golf, Pelican Hill arguably is one of the best values for high-end golf anywhere in the state of California. Of the resort’s two layouts, the Ocean South Course is the top choice, what with three rare oceanfront holes— Nos. 11-13—situated alongside the precious Newport Coast. The back-to-back par 3s—Nos. 12 and 13—that feature Crystal Cove State Beach on the left and $30 million estates on the right are two of the main highlights. Although notable, these two holes are by no means Pelican Hill’s signature holes. On the front nine, there’s another great stretch of holes, starting with No. 4, a 142-yard downhill par 3 that features spectacular ocean and Crystal Cove State Beach vistas behind an elevated teebox.

Then, after loosening up the nerves with that first par 3, Pelican Hill sends duffers up a long steep path to the most exciting drive of the day: a 359-yard par 4 shot over a massive canyon, eventually ending up on a dogleg fairway down to a nicely framed green with—yet again—that same beautiful ocean in the background.

If only Gilligan, Skipper, and the gang had Pelican Hill Resort as an option, perhaps the shipwrecked Minnow might not have been such an unfortunate experience after all.

Fantasy Islands

Surrounded by the jewel-tone waters of the South Pacific, the five archipelagos that make up French Polynesia have inspired the works of authors and artists for decades. Today, the islands’ rustic yet pristine beaches, centuries-old traditions, and hospitable inhabitants draw travelers from around the world in search of their own storybook stay.

Jewel tones surround the Hilton Bora Bora Nui

 

 

With a surface area larger than that of Europe, Tahiti’s 118 islands scattered over the Pacific Ocean are a bastion of majesty, mystery, and beauty. The Tahitian Islands are made up of five diverse archipelagos, known collectively as French Polynesia, and teem with verdant panoramas, shallow atolls, blue lagoons, and fascinating subcultures. They have provided fodder for literary dreams and realities since the dawn of the 19th century, when tales of magical islands surfacing out of the blue reached.

However, it was the novels of Pulitzer-Prize winner James Michener, perfectly timed with a global rise in luxury tourism circa early 1970s, that put Tahiti’s islands on the map. Michener’s descriptions of an unmatched natural splendor were read around the world; it was just a matter of time until hoteliers would choose nearby Bora Bora as the poster child of tropical luxury tourism.

Flash forward to 2012: The treasured island of Tahiti’s easternmost archipelago, Bora Bora is often considered an earthly paradise.  Over the past 40 years, high-end resorts have risen over Bora Bora’s lush pockets of land and crystalline lagoons, striving to create hotels that match the beauty of Michener’s prose. Here, overwater bungalows revolutionized the travel market with the romance of private suites straddling the ocean floor, and their mystique spread to other islands like Moorea, Tahaa, and even Manihi in the Tuamoto archipelago.

Bejeweled Bora Bora The Pacific’s most renowned island, Bora Bora, lives up to its reputation as the global mainstay of exclusivity and romance. The luxury experience begins upon arrival at the quaint Bora Bora airport, where glamorous hotel boats float at the ready, eager to whisk visitors to their world-class resorts.

At the center of the island, iconic Mount Otemanu and Mount Pahia tower over the surrounding lagoon and small sandy islets, or motus, that enclose the lagoon. Bora Bora’s eastern motus house the majority of French Polynesia’s luxe newcomers, like the St. Regis Bora Bora Resort, the Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora, and the reinvented Le Meridien Bora Bora. Each of these show-stopping resorts flaunts a unique version of barefoot luxury, doling out superlative views of the island’s colossal mountains from the ensuite plunge pools, hammocks, and terraces of overwater bungalows. Beyond the honeymoon and destination wedding markets, these newcomers also showcase a wealth of intergenerational offerings for the affluent family, with the full gamut of water sports, kids’ clubs, family pools, and special additions, like Le Meridien’s Turtle Sanctuary.

West of the main island on palm-fringed Motu Toopua, the Hilton Bora Bora Nui Resort and Spa ranges over land and sea with hillside villas and an assortment of overwater sanctuaries. Though Mount Otemanu does not stand in direct view of the property, the Hilton’s isolated motu, distanced from other hotels and Bora Bora’s populated interiors, is a blessing for those seeking a true Robinson Crusoe experience.

The hillside villas are equally marvelous. Forgoing the ultra-modern motif, these tiered villas showcase craftsmanship and tradition, adorned with old tapas (pieces of decorated barkcloth) from the Marquesa Islands, symbolic carvings on furnishings and door handles, and mother of pearl chandeliers. High on the hilltops, the azure panoramas change with the rise and fall of the sun, like a natural work of art. The spa is located up in these hilltops, with several outdoor treatment rooms, including the trademark “one million dollar view” massage spot.

It’s the excitement and appeal of the overwater suite that, for most, fuels the long journey to Bora Bora. This is true more so for none other than the Hilton Bora Bora Nui Resort & Spa’s two double-story presidential villas, which are three-bedroom, two-bath thatched-roof mansions with glass floors. There is nothing modest about the entry-level overwater bungalow at the Hilton Bora Bora Nui Resort & Spa. Aligned as three separate clusters, the resort’s suites are spaced to maintain privacy and the integrity of the ocean views.

If cabin fever strikes after days of sunbathing, relaxing, and snorkeling, the complimentary boat shuttle to the island’s interior leaves several times daily. Better yet, Hilton’s even more secluded private motu is available for a picnic or a day of adventure, where you can take the Robinson Crusoe fantasy to an entirely new dimension.

The Hilton Bora Bora Nui's infinity pool melts into the sea

 

 

Magnificent Moorea A vast mountain chain engulfed by crystal-clear waters teeming with marine life, Moorea recalls Hawaii’s most dramatic landscapes. Still relatively untainted by tourism, Moorea remains an island where grocery stores and modern facilities exist, but most islanders still feast on the daily catch and the ripest fruits from their backyards.

Moorea is easily explored by car and bus, allowing visitors to access the mountains for jaw-dropping panoramas of the land, sea, and sky, as well as more clandestine island treasures, like juice stands selling fresh squeezed papaya and pineapple juices and simple roadside fish markets. Though accommodations are not quite as over the top as those on Bora Bora, the understated luxury of the Hilton Moorea Lagoon and Spa impresses even the most finicky high-end travelers.

The 106-room Hilton Moorea Lagoon and Spa boasts garden suites and guestrooms, and overwater bungalows, recently renovated to reflect a modern French Polynesian design.  The redesigned suites feature handcrafted dark wood furnishings, glass floor panels that peek out over the lagoon reef, contemporary technological necessities like iPod docking stations, and regal bathrooms. All of the resort’s overwater bungalows offer the same sensational layout, though they feature different views.

Though the resort offers a principal swimming pool and garden suites are equipped with their own plunge pools, the Hilton’s surrounding lagoon also serves as a private swimming pool for guests. Those residing in the overwater bungalows can directly jump from their balconies into the crystalline waters for a refreshing dip or for some fabulous snorkeling along the biodiverse reef.

When hunger calls, three restaurants are located within the resort, including the crepe station, which doubles as the sunset bar. Come early evening, the black tip reef sharks congregate near this area, providing an eyeful for the curious. The breakfast buffet in the main dining room is an idyllic opportunity to sample local delicacies like poisson cru (raw tuna marinated in coconut milk and lime), fresh fruit breads, and diverse homemade preserves blended with coconut and pineapple compotes. Try to coordinate your stay so that it falls on a Tuesday, when the staff combines a dinner feast with an all-out authentic Polynesian extravaganza of fire-twirling, booty-shaking, and coconut-pounding fun.

Coastline from the Hilton Moorea Lagoon Resort & Spa

 

 

This Way to Polynesian Paradise Los Angeles and Honolulu serve as the United States’ major gateways to French Polynesia. Here’s everything else you need to know to get you on your way.

All international flights land at Tahiti Faa’a International Airport near Papeete, the capital of French Polynesia, on the island of Tahiti. The two U.S. gateways to French Polynesia are Los Angeles (on Air Tahiti Nui) and Honolulu (on Hawaiian Airlines). Once in Tahiti, Air Tahiti offers a wealth of regularly scheduled connecting services to its more renowned or more remote islands. Most travel agents and online ticketing websites can book tickets through to your final destination. Those connecting to Moorea can easily take a 30-minute ferry on the Aremiti V from Tahiti instead of a connecting flight.

As French Polynesia’s big-city equivalent, Tahiti has fallen victim to unfortunate realities like traffic, crime, and pollution. Unless time is no object, most visitors bypass Tahiti proper en route to the more attractive islands. That said, upscale hotels options do exist for those whose flight schedules mandate an overnight stay or for those looking to penetrate the modern-day incarnation of Tahitian culture. Your best bets include: Le Meridien Tahiti, nestled over one of the island’s few white-sand beaches, and the Manava Suites Resort, boasting the island’s largest infinity pool.

 

Johnny McElree Helps You Live Your Dream

Johnny McElree hanging out in paradise

Johnny McElree was exhausted. He and his family had been driving for days across the Midwest, his father pursuing a new career in California. The land was flat, the weather hot and dry, and Johnny, a boy of merely four-years-old, was getting stir crazy. They’d passed through farmland and desert with nothing but the hope of a new opportunity on the horizon.

When they hit the California border, Johnny’s eyes had never been wider. A palm tree stood taller than anything he’d ever seen, its fronds swaying in the wind and casting a distinct shadow on the land. “It was just like the movies,” he says. “At that moment, I knew I was destined to live somewhere tropical.” That day Johnny dreamed of a life in paradise and, thanks to his drive to succeed, he wakes up in it every day.

The ability to turn dreams into reality became the foundation of Johnny’s career in real estate. He saw a chance to use his business expertise and passion for paradise to help other professionals and families achieve their own dreams of success. Whether they’re buying or selling, Johnny is focused on his clients’ goals and determined to deliver the results they deserve.

If you’re looking to move to the Kohala Coast or sell your current home for maximum profit, contact Johnny today. He’s a professional who sold his business and moved his family to an entirely new area in order to give them a better life. When it comes to your needs, he covers every detail and creates a strategy that will make the process smooth and seamless.

When you’re ready to buy a new home or sell your property for the best return, make sure you have a real estate professional who understands your goals. Johnny McElree believes there’s nothing better than living on the Kohala Coast and helping others achieve their real estate dreams. Contact Johnny today and live your dreams.

 

21 All Islands Waikoloa

 

PO BOX 384600 | 68-1145

 

Waikoloa Road Suite 204

 

Waikoloa, HI 96738

(808)443-6288, Johnny@JohnnyMcElree.com


Prime Find: Karen Sugarman Designs

Karen Sugarman, of Karen Sugarman Designs

Styles come and go, but ocean-inspired jewelery has been one trend that has stayed around for years. It is common to see women, children, even men wearing themed pieces during the day or for a fine evening out. With holidays right around the corner there is no better opportunity to splurge on your loved ones and give them gifts from the sea, and Karen Sugarman Designs has some of the best pieces for that.

Karen Sugarman Designs is a handcrafted couture jewelry line with a twist. The collection features one-of-a-kind pieces including necklaces, bracelets, and earrings, all individually designed with unique gemstones, pearls, vintage beads, and antique pendants. The line incorporates a variety of styles, assorted color palettes, and seasonal themes, allowing for versatility and designs that look stunning with everything from blue jeans to ball gowns. Considered “bridge” jewelry, a category between fine and costume jewelry, Karen Sugarman Designs utilizes sterling silver or 24K vermeil (gold plated silver) as the metal basis for all of its pieces, thus eliminating most jewelry allergies. Precious and semi-precious stones such as diamonds, amethyst, citrine, turquoise, jade, topaz, freshwater pearls, garnet and others, along with antique adornments and Czech and vintage beads complete each design. Her sea-inspired pieces incorporate shells, pearls, and nautical images such as mermaids, seahorses and ships. Each item is carefully crafted with numerous elements to create an one-of-a-kind piece.

To reserve your custom jewelry design, please contact:

Karen Sugarman Designs
8066 E. Sunnyside Dr., Scottsdale, AZ 85260
(480) 607-2711 Office, www.karensugarmandesigns.com, www.karensugarmandesigns.blogspot.com

 

 

Prime Find: Annieglass

Annie's Giant Clam Shell, perfect for a table-top finish.

While diving in the Java Sea, Annie came across a giant clam shell. Her enduring fascination with its strong yet delicate form inspired Annie to create the Giant Clam Shell. The Ultramarine color and transparency of this piece remind her of the cerulean sea on the day that she found the inspirational shell. Annie has attempted to capture the unique asymmetrical form of a clam shell, as well as the wonderful texture along its fluted spines. Limited to just 500 pieces, each piece is numbered and signed by the artist. Giant Clam Shell (16 ½” x 21” x 14 ¾”) is made from handmade glass from California. Call 800-347-6133 or visit www.annieglass.com/clam

La Loma, The Jewel of Cuixmala

CUIXMALA

Cuixmala was created by Sir James Goldsmith as a family retreat on a grand scale. Not only is the estate the setting for several family homes but it is also a vast nature reserve of over 25,000 acres protecting a rare type of habitat which is home to a variety of endangered species including the jaguar. In addition to the the nature reserve are organic farms which provide most of the food served at Cuixmala. Today, Cuixmala is maintained as a private estate with members of the Goldsmith family still in residence, the difference being that they now accept a small group of visitors.

 

LA LOMA

The jewel of Cuixmala. A fantasy palace set on a wide swath of unspoiled beach all within a vast private nature reserve. Exotic animals graze in the distance, lagoons are home to crocodiles and thousands of birds. An exotic destination like no other. The house’s cool white interiors float above a vast expanse of azure sea. The panoramic views, soaring ceilings, and quiet fountain courtyards blend to create a fantasy hideaway. The master suite, a suite of unparalleled proportions, is palatial in scope with its own living terrace with splash pool size jacuzzi and an ocean view bathroom. There are three additional deluxe bedroom suites in the main house plus living rooms, dining room, library, media room and office, complemented by three palapa covered ocean view terraces for outdoor living and dining. There are also six extremely private guest bungalows sprinkled within a tropical garden. The staff includes, butlers, waiters, chefs, maids, laundress, gardeners, pool men, concierge and security. Staying at La Loma is more like staying at the house of a rich friend rather than any type of hotel experience with highly personalized service.

THE SUITES & BUNGALOWS

Most of the time La Loma is rented out in its entirety either by VIP/Celebrity types looking for an ultra private holiday retreat or by people staging a very special event such as a wedding or 40th birthday bash, but at other times one is able to stay in a suite or one of the coveted bungalows as an individual guest enjoying all the amenities and services of this palatial house.

 

NATURE

Nothing defines Cuixmala more that the nature experiences which it offers. Evenings can begin gliding across a crocodile lagoon in an electric boat as thousands of birds return to the surrounding mangroves. By day there is horseback riding through herds of zebra and antelope or mountain biking through areas populated by wild boar, coati mundi and rare miniature deer. Ocean kayaks enable you to spot giant sea turtles a testament to the success of the turtle protection program at Cuixmala that has restored the once endangered sea turtle population. Guests can actually assist the biologists in releasing baby turtles back to the sea.

DINING

Almost everything served at Cuixmala is produced either by their organic farms or at their organic ranch in the Mexican highlands. Seafood is caught daily off the shores of the estate. The dining at La Loma is refined with a mix of classic Mexican and international flavors. Also on the property is a ranchero style restaurant at Casa Gomez specializing in regional cuisine. Those dining experiences are augmented by magical dinners on the beach with candles and bonfires, or elaborate picnics at one of the private beaches or under shade trees on the sweeping lawn near the stables, replete of course with waiters.

OVERVIEW

Accommodation Cuixmala offers accommodation at La Loma as well as three smaller private villas on the estate. There are also a cluster of casitas (1 to 3 bedrooms) small houses which share a pool, clubhouse and restaurant.

 

Activities Three private beaches, totally over three miles of beach, ocean kayaking, snorkeling, fishing, surfing, excursions to small islands in Chamela Bay which are bird sanctuaries, boat rides on the crocodile lagoon, mountain biking, hiking, bird watching, eco adventure, horseback riding, tennis, yoga, massage and participating in the turtle protection program. Cuixmala has its own grass landing strip.

Contact: reservations@cuixmala.com, Phone: 52-312-316-0300, MX: 01800-590-3845, US: 1866-516-2611, UK: 0808-101-3780

Set Sail With Challenger Model Yachts

Radio-controlled Challenger

Playing with toy sailboats is not the 8-year-old leisure activity it used to be. If you want to give the gift of sailing, become the captain of your own boat without getting on an actual boat, or visually learn the techniques and skills behind sailing with a radio control then Challenger Model Yachts is for you. Whether it is a gift for a loved one or yourself, Challenger Model Yachts brings the joy of sailing into your hands.

The radio controlled Challenger is a gorgeous fifty-seven inch long carbon fiber racing model sailboat, which packs into an eleven-inch high aluminum carrying case, just slightly larger than a golf bag and comes with a high quality marine radio controller and stand. Although built for ocean sailing conditions, it is also very much at home in a harbor or city pond. The boat can go from the case to the water in about ten minutes and its large size gives it the handling qualities of a true International America’s Cup Class yacht.

The Challenger includes a carbon fiber hull, manufactured in Germany by the makers of Mercedes and BMW race car parts and fittings in titanium, chromed brass and stainless steel, these radio controlled models are far and away the finest ready to sail model yachts in the world. A novice can sail the Challenger right out of the box and will learn the principals of sailing by observing the boat, water and wind at a distance. Expert sailors can enjoy the full scale skills and tactics of racing the Challenger Model, and it is not uncommon that many large boat owners keep a couple aboard.

If you are looking for more of a challenge than some leisure sailing around the ocean or in a harbor there are numerous model sailboat regattas that take place all over the world. Three have been at the world famous Badrutt’s Palace Hotel in St Moritz. Other venues have included the Chateau De Dâmpierre just outside Paris, the Broadmoor Hotel in Colorado Springs and a private ranch in Cody Wyoming. If you are really looking to getting involved in the model sailing community then the “Ski Sail Weekend” held in Gstaad, Switzerland is for you. Each winter many international competitors come to represent their home yacht clubs and to show off their Challenger Yachts skills, of course

When we talk about racing, we are not waiting for boats to lap a pond or simply stay afloat in the ocean. Challenger Yachts are a one design class so it takes pure skill and a little luck to win in any competition. This forces captains to use strategic methods battling through wind, rough water, and other elements to achieve glory.

On the other hand if you are looking for relaxation, just going for a sail is marvelously peaceful. Once the boat’s in the water out on a journey, you are in its world. It is a real sailboat, just a small one. It is also a wonderful activity to do with friends, children or grandchildren, and then of course it is not really about the boats at all.

To learn more about these amazing model yachts, visit www.modelyachts.com

 

Simplicity is Key to Sir Richard Branson

Sir Richard Branson's Necker Island

Maybe the life of a businessman and celebrity is complicated enough, but when Sir Richard Branson is ready to relax in his home, he wants things simple.

Branson, owner of Virgin Atlantic Airlines, Virgin Records and 400 other companies, is a soft-spoken, unassuming man in private, says Rusty Henderson, partner in electronics integration company Think Simple Limited.

Branson’s home is simple as well. His main residence, located on Necker Island, the 74-acre private paradise he owns in the Caribbean, is just three rooms (or rather three small buildings): a bedroom, kitchen and living/entertaining space –called the Temple Room– with adjoining spa and swimming pool.

It’s true that the setting is extraordinary. Branson can watch the sun rise over the Atlantic and the sun set into the Caribbean from the Temple Room. Though roofed, the space is open to the breezes and provides almost 360-degree views of the island and oceans.

Just over a year ago Henderson installed new audio/video systems in the residence. “Our main concern was to make sure everything was incredibly easy to use,” he explains. Branson can choose a movie or TV station, bring up music from an iPod or play a DVD. He also has Internet connections in each living area. “The thing he uses the most is the TV,” Henderson adds.  “He lives off the news and world events.”

A harsh environment

Though Branson’s entertainment systems are simple, making them work was anything but. “The Caribbean environment is very harsh,” Henderson explains. “You can think of Necker Island as a boat that doesn’t move.” Because the island’s salty air is highly corrosive, exposed surfaces and all connections had to be marinised, a process where a barrier material is applied to keep out the salt air.

The second problem was absorbing power variations and possible power interruptions. Necker Island produces its own electricity through two large generators. When power is switched from one source to another, or if the generators have any problem, the resulting sags, spikes and surges can have a very damaging effect on electronics. For that reason, Think Simple deployed a series of uninterruptible power supplies, which use batteries to filter the power and make sure it’s perfectly consistent. These intelligent devices are also able to shut down components when not in use, reducing power consumption and expense.

The biggest challenge was lightening, a danger of special importance in the Caribbean. The problem was illustrated quite graphically last August by a strike that destroyed the island’s largest structure.  “That was really sad and shocking,” Henderson says. The 15,000 square foot villa, originally built in 1984, had hosted a large number of celebrities and world leaders, for example the wedding of Google’s co-founder Larry Page. Completely destroyed by the fire, it will be rebuilt by Branson and the Virgin Group starting next year.

Because of the concern with lightening, Henderson says Think Simple avoided the use of copper cable whenever possible in Branson’s private house, transporting audio, video and Internet signals via non-conducive fiber optics.

Branson's pool-side lounge is perfect for relaxing.

Keeping things simple

The key to Branson’s entertainment system, according to Henderson, is the use of a control system from Crestron, the world’s leading provider of home automation systems. Think Simple installed two Crestron control processors and tied them into a Kaleidescape Movie Player, a DVD player, two Toshiba LED televisions (one in the bedroom and one in the kitchen), a multi-zone sound system with three iPod docks and a 55” SunBrite weather-proof TV for the Temple Room.

The Kaleidescape Movie Player stores Branson’s entire movie collection in a single device, with a very easy-to-use interface accessed through the Crestron processor. Sir Richard is able to operate the Movie Player and the other components using an RTI wand-style remote control, which Henderson chose for its extreme simplicity and reliability. Think Simple also installed Crestron Cameo Keypads in each room as an alternative, in-wall control for the music system.

Crestron components were also helpful in the harsh Caribbean environment. Henderson says he chose them because of the extreme reliability of the company’s products.

Since Branson likes his electronics out of sight when not in use, Think Simple hid loudspeakers in-wall or in discrete locations in the ceilings. They installed subwoofers under the floors, with the sound rising from grills not unlike air-conditioning vents.  Think Simple technicians installed the TV in the bedroom in a teak cabinet, from which it rises and swivels to an ideal viewing position at the touch of a button on the remote control. The pool, too, includes underwater speakers, so Branson and his guests can listen to music or the TV when swimming or soaking.

Henderson says it took an eight-man crew 28 days to install all the wiring and components, traveling from a temporary base on the nearby island of Virgin Gorda. “We hired two transport vessels to get the team to and from the island every day. The boats had to be pretty large as we had over 20 waterproof crates full of the equipment and tools required to undertake the installation.”

Branson, however, appreciated the effort. His short but sweet comment:  “This is absurdly good!”

Holiday Gift Guide: O+

Although Thanksgiving is the next holiday to approach us, it is never to early to start thinking about December and the perfect gift. In fact, many people try to start their shopping in late September in hopes to stay ahead of the madness that comes with every holiday season. Although chaos is inevitable, there is one item this year that will help shoppers boost their energy as they scour through stores and will also make for the perfect stocking stuffer.

O-Skinni's in Grapefruit

As we enter 2012, everything seems to have a faster pace. From how we work to how we spend our free time people are constantly on the go, and one of the hardest tasks while going through day-to-day life, is not crashing. Turning to energy drinks and coffee is an easy solution, but some people who watch their calorie and caffeine intake need another outlet. Oxygen Plus Inc (O+) has the answer.

Packaged as portable, skinny canisters, O+ is calorie free, caffeine free canned oxygen for anytime you need a lift. But how does it work if you are just inhaling oxygen? The lightweight (and stylish) oxygen canisters contain 95% pure oxygen, which is more than four times the amount in unpolluted, every-day air. O+ quickly boosts your blood oxygen level and feelings of increased vitality, alertness and energy quickly return. Think of it as a power yawn.

O+ has three different packaging options to choose from so you can buy the one that suites your lifestyle best. The O+ Mini and O+ Skinni cans are available in peppermint, natural or grapefruit flavor and the O+ Elevate Pack is a reusable shell which comes with one natural and one peppermint can. It is effortlessly portable, going wherever you go, in purse, pocket or backpack.Whether you are buying for a loved one or interested for yourself, all packages fit the lifestyles of a healthy and active person. If you are feeling sluggish due to recreational activities, work, traveling (on vacation to a tropical island?!) or getting through that holiday shopping, a couple hits of O+ will give you the extra boost you need.

These products can be seen at numerous prestigious hotels and luxury spas including W Hotels, The Ritz-Carlton, Viceroy Hotel Group, Hyatt Regency Hotels, Canyon Ranch Spa, and Exhale Spas to name a few. However, you don’t have to go searching these hotels and spas to get your hands on O+, you can also purchase them online at www.oxygenplus.com.

 

 

Landry Design Group to Publish Second Book

This November Landry Design Group will wow audiences once again with 344 pages of the most architecturally stunning residential properties in the world. Soon to be available in bookstores, “Private Estates: New Architecture by Landry Design Group” expands on Richard Landry’s first monograph, “Modern to Classic,” and shows why his high-end residential architecture firm is famous for infusing variety, warmth and approachability into a field of architecture that can easily fall into a trap of monotony and monumentality.

Echoing the versatility found in his first book, Landry carefully selected fifteen houses to feature in Private Estates, all which demonstrate the range of architectural styles that his firm is capable of working with.

“Some firms are known for a signature style,” says Landry. “Landry Design Group is known for a lack there of.”

Rather than designing within a particular style, Landry builds from the clients’ vision resulting in a home as unique as the client themselves.  From daringly modern to classic and elegant to quaint and comfortable, the houses in “Private Estate” are no different.

Richard explains that to be considered ‘high-end’ a home does not have to be a grand estate. “It is the detail and quality that determine the caliber of a home,” says Landry.

As for Richard’s favorite house– it seems to be an impossible choice.

“I love them all! That is like asking a mother of six to chose her favorite child.”

Richard hopes that the audience for “Private Estates” will be as versatile as the houses he chose to put behind the cover. “It really is not made for a target audience; it is for anyone who appreciates architectural design whether for inspiration or simply to look at the pictures.”

Judging by our brief glimpse into the homes featured in “Private Estates”, it’s safe to say that few will find it difficult to appreciate.

Introduction to chapter one gives readers a glimpse of the stunning architecture featured throughout the whole book

 

 

Fort Lauderdale

In the midst of a modern-day Renaissance, Fort Lauderdale is fast becoming one of South Florida’s most sought-after destinations for dining, nightlife, shopping, and sumptuous hotels and residences.

As far as major cities go, 100 years represents a mere moment in time; but for Fort Lauderdale, a 2011 centennial birthday marks the peak of a metropolitan Renaissance. A small trading post circa the early 20th century, Fort Lauderdale received little attention until the 1960 film Where the Boys Are branded the city as America’s ultimate spring break hotspot. As society’s morals loosened during the disco era and hairstyles grew bigger in the ‘80s, Fort Lauderdale became synonymous with cheap beachfront shenanigans and raunchy motels only those with raging hormones could love.

However, alongside the Hawaiian Tropic tan lines, a less-publicized paradigm was taking hold along Fort Lauderdale’s Intracoastal Waterways. Wealthy families were flocking to Fort Lauderdale to take advantage of affordable waterfront real estate and to establish a colony of no-frills barefoot luxury. Over time, city planners and politicians ousted America’s youth gone wild and embarked on a multi-billion-dollar growth strategy that would allow Fort Lauderdale’s boating culture to thrive and for insightful developers to capitalize on the growing elements for a metropolitan revolution.

Flash forward to 2011, and Fort Lauderdale now plays host to the world’s largest and most prestigious boat shows and flaunts some of Florida’s most pristine and exclusive shorelines. Rightfully relabeled the “Yachting Capital of the World” and the “Venice of America,” Fort Lauderdale has become a shining star on the global map of luxury beachfront real estate and vacation destinations while still keeping true to its laid-back Tommy Bahama vibe. From the beaches to downtown and even into the suburbs, the city is flourishing with new multi-million-dollar homes, show-stopping hotels, farm-to-table restaurants, eclectic boutiques, and edgy galleries that represent the city’s latest steps in its evolution into a world-class metropolis.

Extreme Beach Makeover Reinventing Fort Lauderdale Beach was a long and arduous process that required far more than simply canceling MTV’s annual Spring Break soirees. With an appearance on Good Morning America, Fort Lauderdale’s mayor officially uninvited college students in 1986, and once the effects sunk in about a decade later, the extreme bulldozing finally began. The cockroach-infested, cramped motels were cleared and new, modern buildings erected in their place.

Most notably, The Atlantic Resort & Spa appeared as Fort Lauderdale’s first major luxury property after the dawn of the millennium, towering over Fort Lauderdale’s recently certified Blue Wave Beaches as a tiered structure granting immaculate, unobstructed ocean views from nearly every room and outlet on property. The Atlantic’s success served as a green light for the likes of W, Ritz-Carlton, and dozens of modern skyscrapers to join the neighborhood. Soon, Fort Lauderdale Beach was unrecognizable compared to its not-so-distant past.

Ocean Terrace at the Atlantic Resort and Spa

Collectively, this irresistible hotel trio continues to anchor Fort Lauderdale’s beach reinvention. Doling out postcard-perfect panoramas of downy sands and the Atlantic Ocean’s crystalline waters, The Ritz-Carlton, Fort Lauderdale, the W Fort Lauderdale, and The Atlantic Resort & Spa are not only Fort Lauderdale’s most sought-after holiday havens, but they’re some of the beach’s most prestigious residences. For those never wanting to relinquish their piece of coastal paradise or Fort Lauderdale’s infectious beach vibe, the Ritz, the W, and the Atlantic offer varying ownership and property management options, from the purchase of a room as part of the hotel collection to bespoke suites and units simply housed within the hotel, where the facilities’ luxury amenities remain at your disposal 24/7.

At the northern end of Fort Lauderdale beach, The Ritz-Carlton, Fort Lauderdale dazzles with its maritime-inspired design, featuring carefully engineered floor-to-ceiling windows and balconies intended to showcase vast tracts of deep, blue ocean. Unlike the classic, old-school luxe feel of most Ritz-Carlton hotels, the Fort Lauderdale outpost channels modern seaside elegance with a coral, cream, and pale-blonde color palette that is complemented by both dark and light stained woods. The recently opened Club Lounge spans the width of the entire eighth floor, allowing patrons to enjoy sunrise Mimosas facing the ocean and sunset canapés while gazing at the city’s yacht-lined Intracoastal Waterway. The colossal Club Lounge serves light bites and drinks throughout the day, ideal for guests in transition between the beach, the pool, and their private accommodations. The hotel’s other tempting offerings make it difficult to even leave the immediate proximity. Below the heated infinity pool, part of the 29,000-square-foot pool deck, the hotel offers private cabanas with butler-style service. The elegantly appointed 8,500-square-foot spa is a favorite of in-the-know locals, as it’s blessed with South Florida’s most dexterous therapists. The seductive Wine Vault showcases more than 5,000 bottles from around the world, served in the adjacent Wine Room, which carries the charismatic elegance of a modern gentleman’s club. Downstairs, Via Luna serves sensational Italian fusion cuisine and presents a not-to-be-missed Sunday brunch with a decadent raw bar, including fresh stone crab claws and dozens of ever-changing dishes representing diverse international gastronomy.

Nearby, the W Fort Lauderdale has brought an unprecedented element of fashion, funk, and trendiness to Fort Lauderdale, with an edgy attitude and youthful sophistication that easily rivals that of South Beach. The hypermodern W twin towers have been the talk of the town since opening in summer 2010. From a third-floor lobby jumping with bass-pounding music to a “see-through” swimming pool bisected by a grand staircase rising through the center to the kitschy white alligators snuggled on the high-thread-counts rugs, this W pushes the envelope of the brand’s signature forward-thinking approach, and it succeeds.

Meanwhile, the hotel responsible for Fort Lauderdale’s upscale intervention, The Atlantic Hotel & Spa, shows no signs of slowing down. In fact, it’s fresh from a refurbishment and is keen to play a major role in the post-recession vacation comeback through a slew of enticing specials. The rooms showcase a vision of understated seaside home-style luxury, each with a private balcony, a fully equipped kitchenette, and a spacious marble bathroom, perfect for families looking for kid-friendly accommodations without missing out on Fort Lauderdale’s new glam factor.

*Images from Atlantic Resort and Spa, Ritz-Carlton, W Fort Lauderdale and Las Olas

 

Boating Behemoth The single greatest factor to propel Fort Lauderdale to its newfound big-city fame is arguably its evolution into the “Yachting Capital of the World,” a phrase that summarizes the coastal city’s nearly 50,000 luxe resident yachts, 100-plus marinas and boatyards, and hundreds of boat supply stores, as well as its annual hosting of two of the world’s biggest boats shows. Beyond the city’s main boutique- and restaurant-lined thoroughfare, Las Olas Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale’s labyrinthine Intracoastal Waterways teem with the be-all and end-all of water toys.

While these dream boats tend to keep a low profile most of the year, the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show in late October and the Winterfest Boat Parade in mid-December (December 10 this year) is a no-holds-barred bragging, flaunting, and selling of the world’s greatest subjects of marine envy. During the International Boat Show, more than $2 billion worth of boats, yachts, superyachts, electronics, engines, and thousands of accessories from every major marine manufacturer and builder worldwide come together, prompting all-out VIP parties and floating who’s who extravaganzas. Come December, more than a million onlookers gather to witness 1,500 fully decorated jaw-dropping yachts as they parade along 10 miles of Fort Lauderdale waterways. Leading up to the event, Fort Lauderdale gets a sweet dose of Hamptons-style pretention, where invitations to the numerous lavish boat parade parties around town tend to define one’s social status. Naturally, the city also buzzes with events before and after the boat parade, like the official socialite “Black Tie Ball.”

Outside of these major events, the superlative method for experiencing marine wanderlust and checking out Fort Lauderdale’s big boats is via the public Water Taxi, which transports patrons between a dozen or so points throughout the city’s aquatic back lot.  Passing through inlets harboring multi-million-dollar waterfront homes and cruising by the city’s most renowned sights, Fort Lauderdale truly looks and feels like the “Venice of America” from the vantage point of this surprising sightseeing tour on the cheap. If you choose to hop on and off the wildly popular Water Taxi around town, you could quickly find yourself immersed in the glimmering lights of Fort Lauderdale’s version of Broadway, the Broward Center for Performing Arts, or iconic outdoor eateries like 15th Street Fisheries, where the massive tarpon eagerly await your lunch-time leftovers and where you’ll experience a refreshing hint of no-frills Old Fort Lauderdale, still untouched by the city’s extreme makeover.

Lobster from Market 17

 Fork Lauderdale A number of personality-driven eateries have cropped up around town in 2011 to complement the city’s existing 4,000-plus restaurants. Two newbies not to miss:

Market 17 This farm-to-table juggernaut is really two restaurants in one. 17’s restaurant-within-a-restaurant offers the über-trendy experience of “Dining in the Dark,” in which patrons endeavor on a multi-course eating extravaganza in the pitch black, relying on every sense but sight to determine what they’re eating and drinking. The principal restaurant is less about gimmick and more about the basics—namely fresh, organic cuisine. You’ll know the names and addresses of all the artisanal farmers supplying the sensational ingredients you’re experiencing through Chef Daniel Ramos’s gastronomic masterpieces, like the exotic ceviches made to order (think snapper, avocado, corn, honeydew, and jalapeno pepper) and the pan-basted Florida hogfish (which tastes like a giant scallop) over bulgur wheat with citrus and herbs, Swiss chard, zucchini, squash, and grape tomato sauce.

M Bar The latest restaurant on Fort Lauderdale’s exclusive Las Olas Boulevard is the brainchild of South Florida restaurateur Jack Mancini, whose adjacent Tuscan-style Mancini’s Restaurant stands as a perennial favorite of both locals and visitors. M Bar brings a much-needed infusion of tavern-and-tapas fun to the city, with the full gamut of European, American, and Asian-inspired small plates bursting with sweet and savory farm-to-table ingredients. Add a vast selection of 42 craft beers, dozens of sustainable wines, and a creative cocktail menu and it’s clear where you’ll kick off your start to the vacation.

The Details Fort Lauderdale

The Ritz-Carlton, Fort Lauderdale, 954-465-2300; W Fort Lauderdale, 954-414-8200, The Atlantic Resort & Spa, 954-567-8020, Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show; Winterfest Boat Parade; Water Taxi; Las Olas Blvd.; Broward Center for Performing Arts; 15th Street Fisheries; Market 17; M Bar.

Cruise Control

Exotic ports, stellar dining, and life-enriching experiences—a luxury cruise offers the opportunity to travel the world in unrivaled comfort and style. Here, a snapshot of what’s available in 2012.

Anyone who owns an ocean home understands the magnetic allure of the sea. The peaceful rhythm of the water, the relaxed and breezy pace of life, the skin-tingling sensation of sun, sand, and salt. Spend a vacation on board a luxury cruise ship and that same feeling of calm will descend as you sit back and watch the waves—not to mention the world—pass by your stateroom window.
Forget any outdated notions of love boats and lounge lizards; today’s superliners are style-driven, sophisticated floating resorts. The average age of cruise passengers is down from the mid-60s a couple of decades ago to the mid-40s, and the focus now is on an enticing blend of relaxation, adventure, fun, learning, wellness, and reconnecting with loved ones, especially family.

The global cruise market is booming with magnificent ships, itineraries, destinations, and a boatload of dining, touring, and leisure options for all ages, budgets, and tastes. From glamorous trans-Atlantic voyages to exclusive expeditions in Antarctica, it’s full steam ahead for the world’s finest cruise ships in 2012.

 

It’s a Small World The big news in small ships is the long-awaited arrival of Seabourn Quest, a 225-suite beauty that launched in June this year and will set sail on its first World Cruise in January, a 109-day grand voyage from Fort Lauderdale to Venice, Italy. Setting a new standard in high-end cruising, this state-of-the-art liner has elegant staterooms (90 percent of which have private verandahs), restaurants under the guidance of top chef Charlie Palmer, and an array of luxe amenities, from Egyptian linens to Bose sound systems. Not to be outdone, Silversea has given fresh looks to two of its flagships, Silver Shadow and Silver Whisper, thanks to major renovations this year and last, as well as having launched a new Overland Tour Program for 2012, offering more than 50 specially tailored mid-voyage land excursions on several of its Grand Voyages in South America, Asia, Australia, Africa, and the Mediterranean. SeaDream Yacht Club is combining adventure with luxury on its 56-stateroom mega-yachts, SeaDream I and II, with two new sailings exploring the Amazon in February.

Middle of the Ocean Mid-size ships are preparing for an equally busy year with the launch of a brand-new liner, a $25 million refurbishment of another, and new cruising options. Oceania Cruises will launch Riviera in April 2012—a sister ship to Marina, which debuted last January—and the fifth in the Oceania fleet. The 1,250-passenger Riviera will have 10 gourmet dining venues, including a French bistro by master chef Jacques Pepin, a Canyon Ranch SpaClub, Bon Appetit Culinary Center, and Owner’s Suites decorated by Ralph Lauren Home. Crystal Serenity has undergone a major facelift and starts the year with 535 stylish New York-inspired staterooms and suites, plus new-look boutiques, outdoor pool decks, and mood lighting. Crystal Cruises has also created a new Private Adventure option, enabling guests to book shore excursions with personal guides. Regent Seven Seas Cruises will launch longer Grand Voyages in Europe and South America in 2012, lasting 27 and 29 nights, during which guests in concierge-level suites and higher will enjoy a range of new benefits, from priority bookings to upgrades.

The Big Picture The global economy may be in uncharted waters, but the leviathans of the cruise world are as buoyant as ever. No fewer than 10 major cruise lines have more than a dozen multi-million-dollar megaliners on order between now and 2015, each bigger and bolder than the next. 2012 will see the arrival of Disney Fantasy, Costa Fascinosa, Celebrity Reflection, MSC Divina, and Carnival Breeze, each accommodating between 2,500 and 3,700 guests. Princess Cruises has two ships under construction, Royal Princess scheduled for 2013 and an unnamed liner for 2014, both of which will be the biggest in their fleet. Norwegian Cruise Line has two unnamed superliners set for delivery in 2013 and 2014, and P&O Cruises will launch its biggest-ever ship in 2015. The stately Cunard Line doesn’t have any new ships on order, but a busy 2012 calendar is planned with Queen Victoria reprising its popular Americas Voyages in Hawaii, the Panama Canal, the Caribbean, and Mexico, while 2013 World Voyages on Victoria and Queen Mary 2 are already on sale. The new MSC Divina will feature MSC Yacht Club’s ship-within-a-ship concept of 69 suites, an infinity pool, gourmet restaurants, a casino, and a disco.

Voyages of Discovery If your idea of a luxury cruise is venturing far from the madding crowds of tourists, an expedition voyage to destinations like Japan, New Zealand, Antarctica, and the Russian Far East is a good choice. Australia’s Orion Expedition Cruises has two luxurious vessels, Orion and Orion II, each accommodating a maximum of 100 guests, with expert guides and lecturers on board to provide an in-depth perspective on each unique port. Both ships will embark on 69 voyages to 17 countries in 2012, with new itineraries in New Zealand, Micronesia, China, Japan, and Indonesia added to existing voyages in Asia, Papua New Guinea, and along Australia’s Kimberley Coast, among many others. If you prefer to charter your own boat, the Monaco-based YCO has several luxury sailing yachts and expedition motor yachts available, such as the year-old Big Fish, a 12-passenger, fully crewed mega-yacht fitted with ice-breaking and other hi-tech equipment for exploring remote places like Patagonia and Antarctica.

Hoist the Main Sail! Old cruise hands say the only way to sail is under sail, and there’s no shortage of news in this ocean-going fleet. Windstar Cruises has added nine new itineraries to its 2012 list on board its three distinctive ships: Wind Surf, Wind Spirit and Wind Star. Destinations include the Caribbean, Costa Rica, and the Baltic and Mediterranean Seas, as well as an exciting transatlantic crossing from Panama to Portugal. The line has also launched a new bike program for 2012, enabling guests to cycle around the various ports. If you really want to help hoist the main sail and experience life on a tall ship, Star Clippers is positioning its 170-passenger Star Flyer in the Baltic for the first time next summer, offering voyages from England, Norway, Germany, Sweden, Denmark, and Holland last ing from three to 11 nights.

 Real Estate: be a true citizen of the world

We know our readers love their ocean homes, but what if you could own a true ocean home, one that actually floats on water and sails year-round with the world passing by your windows? Welcome to the rarefied world of residential living at sea, a unique lifestyle concept that launched with high expectations in 2002 but remains a one-ship industry a decade later, partly due to the economic downturn. Today The World is the only residential liner afloat, featuring 165 luxury studios and apartments owned by 130 families from 19 countries. Owners live on board permanently as it sails year-round or use it as an occasional vacation home. The ship is equipped with many high-end facilities, including the only Banyan Tree Spa at sea. Owners vote on the annual exotic global sailing itineraries . The World starts 2012 in Cape Town and ends the year in the Caribbean; residence prices supplied upon application.

Bob Hurwitz of Hurwitz James Co.

Bob Hurwitz

Industry Profile: Bob Hurwitz of Hurwitz James & Co. discusses Ocean Reef Islands Panama

What is Ocean Reef Islands and how did you and your company got involved? Ocean Reef Islands is one of a kind project for many reasons. It is the first man made group of islands in Latin America and the first one in the Pacific side of the American Continent including the U.S. and Canada. Ocean Reef Island is also unique because it’s the only place in Panama city where one can build an ocean front single home. Residents of ORI will be able to work at the financial district in a very cosmopolitan city and in minutes they can be enjoying the ocean view or even sailing away to the Pearl Island.

The developers of ORI were looking for a company that is specifically identified with representing the best and most unique properties globally to bring awareness of Ocean Reef Islands to the international marketplace. They interviewed several other prestigious Real Estate companies before choosing HJC for our unique proactive approach to the luxury Real Estate Market

This is an extremely ambitious project. Did you ever have any reservations that this might not get off the ground? Initially I was somewhat ignorant about what Panama had to offer and I did a lot of research before committing to the project. ORI is being built by Grupo Los Pueblos, one of the most solid developers in Latin America and the most substantial, successful and respected developer in Panama period. Their position, both operational and financial, guaranteed the success of this unique development. SInce our first involvement we have always being positive that this project will surpass everyone’s expectations in terms of construction, engineering, and marketing success. When I made the first trip to Panama and met with Grupo los Pueblos, toured the city and saw firsthand the incredible expense, thought and effort that are going on with design and construction any reservations I may have had were put to rest. I am very proud to represent the project.

There are two man-made islands planned. Is it true that the first island is almost completely pre-sold? Yes! the first island (which just emerged) is almost completely sold out. There is literally nothing else like this in all of Latin America and the lifestyle and amenities are really over the top.

 

One of the two man-made islands

 

Can you tell us about some of the amenities planned for the custom homes on ORI? Homes will be built according to the highest standards in construction and finishes. Each home will be custom built with flexibility as far as floor plan and square footage and several variations in architectural style. Maximizing marina, ocean and city views will of course be paramount.

Panama has a great history and a lot of appeal for foreign investors. What are some of the positives of investing in Panama right now? Grupo Los Pueblos’ purpose has always been to create a unique and unprecedented project in the region, a world class development created rising the latest advances in modern engineering. The group is known as a pioneering company that develop projects that focuses on innovative and unique developments of the highest standards and great magnitude that differentiates them from others. For them a limitation becomes a possibility. Our country has had a magnificent transformation in the last 3 decades. Our geographic location is a cornerstone for serving the North, Central and South American markets.

The ever-expanding development of the Panama Canal makes all shipments and transshipment a reality not existent anywhere else in the world. Panama also has all of the major banks in the world supporting the local business and investment activities, one of the key reasons why in the last 10 years Panama has seen amazing transformations and incredible growth, which is probably the highest in Latin America. A very important fact we need to understand is that Panama is not a 3 million person country but an economic engine that serves over 400 million people in the region…which means that this economy will keep on growing and expanding. This illustrates the reason Grupo Los Pueblos embarked on this challenge to build the first man made urban islands of Latin America. At the end, when the islands are completed, this will not only be a project for Panamanians or Latin-Americans; but a project for the entire world.

As many of our readers are yacht owners, can you describe the benefits of a planned marina? Ocean Reef Islands Marina will be a “Residential Marina” limiting transient vessels and short-term rentals. Ocean Reef residents will have priority over non-residents whose lease agreements will be revocable with timely notification.

The access to the marina is independent of the entry to Ocean Reef Islands. It will be located in the same geographic position of islands’ entry, in a basement where the slip owners will access the parking area and take an electric car to the marina. The perimeter car path to the marina will be 3 meters below the level of the homesites to preserve their privacy. Only the homesites adjacent to the marina will have direct access without having to exit the islands and go through the access control of the marina.

With more than 200 slips, the Ocean Reef Islands Marina will be the ultimate full service and around the clock marina in Panama City. Our wet slips will accommodate vessels from 40 to 250 feet in length. Ocean Reef Island Marina services for wet slip owners include: 24 hour access to the docks Telephone 24 hour security Electricity Internet access Fresh Water Fuel Services Ample parking Trash removal Dock boxes at every slip Restricted electric car access to slips Independent marina access

As someone who enjoys the lifestyle epitomized by Ocean Reef Islands in Panama, I am very enthusiastic about the opportunities for yacht owners. While in Panama I experienced 3 days freediving and spearfishing in pristine waters, world class fishing, hiking and exploring lush islands, all within a short trip by boat from ORI. There are countless deserted white sand beaches, protected coves and bays, and and ecological paradise of lush jungles and remarkable wildlife.

We know your international reach is expanding. What’s next for Hurwitz James Co.? We are poised to become one of the biggest players in the international luxury real estate market. This has been a natural evolution for me over the past 10 years when I began seriously reaching out in a number of proactive ways to reach affluent overseas buyers who make up a large segment of buyers for luxury properties in the US. As a result of years of high profile overseas marketing, including promoting my listings at property exhibitions worldwide, I established networks, personal and business connections, and clients all over the globe that are invaluable. I now have agents in my company who live in and/or work in the most active and productive cities for affluent buyers in over a dozen different countries and whose only job is to promote the properties and developments we represent to that market in a number of ways. After finding myself contacted to consult or assist in marketing on a regular basis by companies who represented luxury home developments, I decided I might as well create a division of my company to service this market.

Besides Ocean Reef Islands, we represent the $120 Million Genesis Puntarenas Development in Costa Rica and have just been retained to exclusively market the $1.3 Billion dollar Cosmopolis luxury home and gated community in the rainforest at Herradura, and a unique Green development consisting of 20 luxury villa (8.5 to 9 million euro each including 1/20 ownership in the golf course, spa, restaurant) golf resort on the ocean in Bora Bora. We have several other upcoming luxury developments in the Caribbean, Brazil and a beautiful island hotel resort and residences project we are working on in Italy. I am very discriminating in the projects I want the company to represent and regretfully turn down a number of good developments that I do not believe would fit the marketing segment with which I am most familiar and effective in reaching. I have a great team of very experienced luxury residence marketing and sales people working for me, and their input and ideas are part of a welcome collaboration, but the ultimate marketing responsibility and interaction with the developers falls rightfully on my shoulders. In today’s very challenging market it is imperative that each and every advertising dollar be put to the most effective possible use. My goal is to get the most bang for the buck for my clients and every dollar that comes from the budget I must feel confident will generate something positive before I commit. Many of our sales come directly from our own personal networks developed from decades of representing trophy properties and clients from around the world. In conjunction with traditional advertising in specifically targeted publications like Ocean Home, which website is a key one-two component attracting inquiries, the combination of a stellar brand, appealing project design and associate lifestyle, this type of connection is a powerful combination to effectively market unique luxury developments.

 

Oceanhome Cover House Sells!

The expansive and luxurious home that graced the cover of the 2010 November/December Oceanhome issue has finally sold! Revisit the story here and read the press release below for more details.

 

For Immediate Release

A one-of-a-kind luxury property, situated on its own private peninsula on the island of St. John, has sold. Diana Beam, an award-winning, experienced Realtor® and Broker/Owner of RE/MAX Island Paradise Realty, listed the property and handled the sale.

The new owners were attracted to the stunning views of Peter Bay, surrounding cays and the turquoise waters of the Caribbean. The landmark home, with its 648’ of pristine shoreline, has detailed craftsmanship and extensive finished outdoor space with a tiled, heated pool and a poolside bar. It was completed in 2008 and has six bedrooms, each with an en-suite bathroom and verandas plus a guest house with a full kitchen and office.

The villa was on the market for one year with Re/Max Island Paradise Realty, and Beam utilized an extensive international marketing plan. The home was seen by many potential buyers through printed publications, a dedicated website, 4-page color brochure, an Internet video and DVD and mass mailings to real estate agents and rental companies.

The market in St. John is on the upswing, with a 25% increase in home sales so far this year and an average price increase of 35%. RE/MAX Island Paradise Realty is leading the market with 41% of the total sales volume for 2011. The closest competitor has just 20%.

For more information on RE/MAX Island Paradise Realty, please visit: www.remax-islandparadiserealty.com or contact Diana Beam at: (340) 775-0949, or by e-mail at: dbeam@remax.net.

Dominican Republic’s Casa de Campo

On the southeastern coast of the Dominican Republic, Casa de Campo—or Country House—is a 7,000-acre resort that’s famous for its golf, but beloved for so much more. By, Lindsay Lambert

On the southeastern coast of the Dominican Republic, Casa de Campo is the 7,000-acre resort that is home to the world-famous Pete Dye-designed Teeth of the Dog golf course. And although golf is among Casa de Campo’s biggest draws, there’s much more to this sprawling resort than the sport. Here, guests can try adventures from snorkeling to skeet shooting to horseback riding, or relax on the resort’s beach, take in a movie at its theater, or get pampered at its spa. In fact, the resort has so much to offer in terms of accommodations and activities that celebrities including Lebron James, Jay-Z, and Beyoncé have vacationed here, drawn by the prospect of privacy, peace, and a long list of ways to unwind. Plus, Casa de Campo offers numerous restaurants serving a variety of styles of cuisine—there’s even a supermarket on site—which means that guests don’t have to venture away from the property to find great food that’ll resonate well with the whole family.

Checking in for a stay at Casa de Campo is a bit like undergoing an orientation. It’s then that guests receive a package outlining the resort’s offerings, as well as a map—and brief explanation by staff—of the property, lest they lose their way between shooting skeet and boarding their snorkel boat at the marina. Regardless of the resort’s mass, it doesn’t take long to get settled here— and to forget just how big the place is.

Casa de Campo comprises 215 accommodations, which are divided between two-story clusters of Elite Patio Rooms, Elite Balcony Rooms, and new Elite Suites, as well as a collection of private villas. The rooms and suites were recently remodeled and feature private balconies overlooking the resort’s manicured grounds. Suites can be configured in an adjoining layout, giving families added space and flexibility. As they are located in the main area of the resort, these accommodations place guests within easy reach of its swimming pool and spa, as well as its main lobby, boutiques, and a few restaurants. Additional features of the rooms and suites include large walk-in closets, flat-panel TVs, iPod docking stations, jetted tubs, and two-person walk-in showers complete with multiple rain shower heads.

Because of the resort’s size and town-like layout, all rooms and suites come with an assigned golf or “touring” cart (rooms come with traditional gas-powered models, while guests in suites tool around in environmentally friendly electric ones), allowing guests to get to all points on property without having to wait for a shuttle or transfer.
Casa de Campo’s premier accommodations, however, are its villas, which offer high-profile guests—like Alicia Keys, who has booked her own villa vacation here, and Vin Diesel, who’s a villa owner—complete privacy and all of the comforts of a luxurious home. Classic Villas, the most basic villa level, are available with three to five bedrooms and offer amenities like separate living and dining areas, fully equipped kitchens, communication and entertainment technologies, and a whirlpool or pool.

Guests who want to splurge on an over-the-top villa vacation can choose from homes in the Exclusive and Oceanfront villa categories, which range in size from three to six bedrooms and offer ocean or golf course views, plus modern décor and furnishings. Villa guests can opt for self-sufficiency, to bring their own service staff, or to add the resort’s Excel Service to their stay, which includes daily preparation of breakfast, private maid and valet service for eight hours daily, private airport transfers, welcome refreshments in their villa, and the services of an Excel Concierge. Additional services, like daily lunch and dinner preparation, drinks, and select sports, can be added via the Villa Inclusive Supplement.

Despite its variety of accommodations, what stands out most at Casa de Campo is the resort’s well-rounded selection of activities. When they’re not kicking back at their villa, in their suite, or in a chaise on the beach, resort guests can go on snorkeling excursions from the marina, test their hand-eye coordination with a lesson at the shooting center, take an off-road horseback tour, watch a polo match (they’re played seasonally), play tennis on one of 13 Har-Tru courts at La Terraza Tennis Center, or take a private excursion to nearby destinations like Santo Domingo, Las Maravillas Cave, the Tabacalera de Garcia cigar factory, and Catalina Island. Of course, no Caribbean getaway would be complete without some good old-fashioned relaxation, and Cygalle Healing Spa has plenty of options to help guests do just that. The spa’s menu comprises a variety of facials, massages, body wraps, scrubs, and aromatherapy and exfoliation treatments, plus reflexology and water rituals. To ease into their vacation and then back into the real world, guests would do well to bookend their Casa de Campo stay with a basic Swedish massage soon after arriving, followed by a relaxing facial, aromatherapy session, or other indulgence prior to heading home. Perfect for guests who can’t decide on a particular treatment, the spa also offers personalized combination experiences.

Both a cultural and visual highlight of a stay in the Dominican Republic, and a mustn’t miss for guests of Casa de Campo, is Altos de Chavon. Easily reachable via touring cart but offered as an excursion as well, Altos de Chavon is a replica medieval European village set high above the Chavon River. The village—which was conceptualized by Charles Bluhdorn and one-time Paramount Studios set designer Roberto Copa in the late 1970s and completed in the early ‘80s—is latticed with cobblestone streets and limestone walls, which contain attractions like the Regional Museum of Archaeology and the Altos de Chavon School of Design, a satellite branch of New York City’s famous Parsons The New School for Design. There’s even a nightclub, Genesis, which is a popular dance spot for Casa de Campo guests. During a visit to Altos de Chavon, guests can dine at one of the village’s Mediterranean restaurants, cool off with a drink at one of its pubs, purchase souvenir craftworks made by local artisans or works of art by design school students that are displayed at three galleries. A 5,000-seat Roman style amphitheater has played host to major acts like the Pet Shop Boys and Frank Sinatra, but, when there’s nothing scheduled, it’s the ultimate photo opp.

Back at Casa de Campo, guests have plenty of options when it comes to ending their day over an incredible meal. Patrons enjoy Spanish fare, seafood, and marina views at La Casita; Pan-Asian options at Chinois; and Meditteranean dishes at La Cana by Il Circo, but the pièce de résistance of dining at the resort is The Beach Club by Le Cirque. Here, the Maccioni family brings the sophisticated yet inventive style of its world-famous New York City restaurant to a quiet spot on private Minitas Beach. Menu options include melt-in-your mouth fish dishes, pasta with just the right amount of bite, and perfectly grilled meats, not to mention desserts that are guaranteed to elicit sighs of delight (think chocolate mousse with mango puree, and warm banana bread pudding).

When it comes to luxury resorts, with its comprehensive list of activities, world-class golf course, up-to-the-minute accommodations, and impeccable restaurants—plus some of the warmest staffers in the business—Casa de Campo easily earns its place on the map. casadecampo.com.do.

Bali’s High Status

With its combination of well-preserved culture and world-class hotels and resorts, Bali holds fast to its status as the South Pacific’s most sought-after destination. By, Paul Rubio

The name alone conjures an image of tranquility, exoticism, and romance. It evokes visions of a far-off land, teeming with natural beauty and time-honored culture. The surreal reality of this island utopia, sandwiched between the Indian Ocean and the Bali Sea, captivated hoteliers more than three decades ago, who took the risk of developing property on a densely forested, volcanic sand beach in a village called Seminyak. It was difficult to predict then that from the late 1970s onward, a mad scramble for Bali’s coastline would ensue, satiating the world’s growing appetite for sun-drenched bliss and cultural tourism smack in the heart of the vast Indonesian archipelago.

For village elders, modern-day Bali is hardly recognizable in its highly globalized southernmost reaches. This area, dubbed “New Bali” by locals and expats alike, consists of the southern mainland and a small peninsula housing the regions of Nusa Dua, Uluwatu, Jimbaran Bay, Kuta, Legian, and Seminyak. It’s here where the majority of high-end tourism development continues, often in the form of show-stopping flagship hotels and iconic resorts well worth the exhausting long haul.

However, limiting an epic journey to Bali only to this newly developed area would mean missing out on the essence of Southeast Asia’s island gem—“Traditional Bali.” Situated along the island’s east coast and reaching deep into its interior, this side of Bali captures the island’s timeless spirit, which still flourishes in today’s globalized world and is unwavering in its cultural foundations. It’s here, far removed from the chaos of the modern world, where you’ll lose yourself in the heartfelt hospitality of daily village life, treks through rice fields, a burgeoning indigenous arts-and-crafts scene, the odalan ceremonies held at Bali’s “1000 temples,” and the pilgrimages to get there. This is the Bali of fairytales.

South New Bali Anchored by the surfer hotspot Kuta, South Bali has evolved as the archetypal holiday destination, catering to all budgets and lifestyles. While Kuta fulfills a niche for backpackers living on $20/day, neighboring Seminyak and Legian comprise a mix of mid-range and high-end accommodations to complement the world-class shopping, restaurants, and nightlife scene. Though certainly not the only reason to visit Bali, all visitors invariably end up at Seminyak and Legian at some point on their journey due to its proximity to the international airport, or because they’re eager to experience Indonesia’s most progressive metropolis equivalent. Opportunities for big-city sophistication on this small stretch of dark volcanic sand includes sunset cocktails at the legendary Ku De Ta or the worldly rooftop SOS Supper Club, as well as dinner at the restaurant leading Bali’s foodie revolution, Sarong.

A night or two at the superbly stylish, all-suite Anantara Seminyak is ideal for a weekend jaunt immersed in New Bali’s young hustle and bustle. The gregarious pool scene, the crowd, and the modern luxury design are reminiscent of South Beach’s preeminent trendsetting hotels, with the added bonus of an outdoor Jacuzzi and daybed from which to watch Bali’s sunsets in the privacy of your own balcony. With just 59 suites and stellar staff, the Anantara Seminyak delivers a more personalized boutique version of its mammoth party-time neighbor, the W Retreat & Spa Bali.

Secluded from the rapidly beating pulse of New Bali, The Banyan Tree Ungasan, situated along the southernmost tip of the peninsula, also flaunts an ultra-glam factor. The remarkable all-villa enclave straddles a picturesque precipice, emphasizing the perfect contemporary design blend of height, light, and space. While its sumptuous fusion of outdoors and indoors is a constant “wow” factor, one feature—the glass-paneled doors opening directly onto each villa’s frangipani-fringed infinity pool—indisputably impresses the most.

Discerning beach lovers gravitate toward Nusa Dua on the peninsula’s east side, one of the only spots on Bali to feature luscious, golden-white sands. The superlative hotel here, Amanusa, towers over the manicured gardens and forest patches, perched on a hillside that offers stunning panoramas of sparkling green and blue water. Unlike Nusa Dua’s recent cookie-cutter construction, Amanusa’s 32 spacious villas retain a distinctive indigenous flair; each temple-like structure comes complete with a full array of luxury offerings, including the decadent outdoor shower and queen-sized bale and private pool in nine suites. The quintessential relaxing “beach vacation” materializes over long, lazy days at Amanusa’s Beach Club, where guests will relish the idyllic mingling of crystalline waters, impeccable service, and luxurious exclusivity.

 

The Rustic East Beyond the south, frenetic traffic gives way to isolated roads bordered by stacked rice terraces and lush jungle. Circumventing the eastern coastline toward the traditional villages of Manggis, Candisasa, and Tenganan, colossal vines and palm trees vie for space along dramatic cliffsides, while secluded beaches usher in the rising tides from the Straits of Lombok.

Navigating this shoreline feels like a journey back in time. Women stroll along roadsides, balancing buckets of salak (snake fruit) on their heads, and children weave delicate floral arrangements called banten canang as religious offerings for life cycle ceremonies within the village. The colors, the smiles, and the sounds are all so vibrantly expressive. Many of these traditional scenes stem for the Balinese devotion to their own version of Hinduism—Agama Hindu Dharma. This fidelity has resulted in an island of “1000 temples,” none more important than East Bali’s 11th century Mother Temple of Besakih, the inspiration for every temple found in Bali’s countless villages.

Unobtrusively situated in this land of time gone by, East Bali’s most prized resort, the 34-villa Amankila serves as an ambassador and gateway to the island’s coastal stronghold of anthropology and ecology, fostering cross-cultural interactions in nearby villages and facilitating day trips throughout the magnificent countryside. Amankila, or “peaceful hill,” is romanticized utter seclusion at its finest and tranquility in the shadow of the island’s apex, Mount Agung.

The majority of guests at Amankila strive for equilibrium between tropically breezes, unabashed pampering, and immersion in Bali’s nature and traditions, and the resort offers the best of both worlds. A sunrise trek to picturesque Gumang Hill or a snorkeling cruise aboard Aman XII is complemented by an afternoon of spa treatments and a private candle-lit dinner on the beach. Likewise, a full afternoon of exploring villages, frolicking in renowned water palaces, and bargaining in local markets often begins with a picnic breakfast on top of the world at either of Amankila’s romantic satellite bales and later ends with a Rijsttafel dinner, a 10-course Indonesian dining extravaganza. For those wanting to simply enjoy the understated elegance and outstanding amenities of the resort, opportunities for sheer relaxation are infinite. Your best memories may well surface during long afternoons, as you sample each level of the three-tiered infinity pool or nurse glasses of fine wine at the exclusive beach club amidst a coconut grove.

The Rich Interior Coastal brilliance notwithstanding, the country’s rich interior is the pinnacle of the island’s aesthetic and ethnic grandeur. The city of Ubud and its nearby villages showcase the island’s living culture: where eclectic artists interpret the modernization of traditional living, where esteemed Balinese architecture abounds, where village elders trek through the gates of mountaintop luxury hotels to fetch holy water from the temples below, and where the Agung River breathes life into all who grow around her. Levels of dense forest and rice terraces form an unwavering landscape of everlasting vertical and horizontal greens; this is the Bali of legends, the realization of wanderlust and life experience.

Within this Zen-like sphere, it is possible to reside either in the heart of the cultural action or in the periphery, engrossed in the natural environment. The centrally located luxury boutique hotel, Uma Ubud, as well as the more lavish Amandari, are in the epicenter of Ubud’s prolific arts scene. Both are a short drive from renowned yoga centers, cooking schools, and convivial villages, where healers, wood carvers, and silversmiths carry on the customs of generations past. A bit further afield, the COMO Shambhala Estate is the evergreen of Ubud inspiration and enlightenment, providing breathtaking backdrops, utter luxury, and outlets for physical stimulation, combining for an end product of unparalleled mental invigoration.

Organized as three-, five-, and seven-day wellness programs, the personal sojourn at COMO Shambhala Estate begins with a consultation from the in-house Aryuvedic doctor, who prepares your itinerary at The Estate. Days alternate between spa treatments, hilltop yoga and Pilates classes, jungle treks, and unapologetic relaxation, interspersed by guiltless indulgence in innovative organic meals and revitalizing juices. The suggested structure leaves ample time for a cathartic journey of self, where getting lost around the 23-acre estate, exploring the natural spring pools hugging the mountain’s edge, delighting in the sounds and sights of nature at the riverbank, reflecting on personal achievement, or testing physical fitness at the bonafide “jungle gym” are all options. Accommodations are structured as five luxury residences and five villas, with the full gamut of haute resort offerings showcased through the motifs of fire, water, and Earth. For example, Tejasuara or “Sound of Fire” is a residence where understated design flawlessly tempers the darkness of the dominant Sumba stone and black bamboo, illuminated by the fire pit that burns beside the sparkling infinity pool.

Indeed, it seems ironic that an island celebrated for its coastal majesty boasts some of its greatest treasures inland.  In fact, Bali’s fortunes are everywhere, generously distributed over its vast volcanoes, lush mountains, and its remote and crowded beaches, where timeless villages and jaw-dropping resorts co-exist in harmony. This multi-faceted island has evolved as a land of diverse escapism, ripe with endless opportunity for adventure, vacation, and self-reflection in the presence of living history and natural wonder.

Estate of the Week: Istanbul

Located on the Sea of Marmara, this remarkable estate which was built in the late half oh the 19th century is almost worth as much as its age. Approximately 150 years old, this home is on the market for $115 million. It was built by the French architect Alexandre Vallaury for the Minister Müsir Zeki Pasha during the ruling of Sultan Abdulhamit II.

This 32,292 square foot, five story home holds 23 bedrooms, 8 bathrooms and 4 car garage but is only built for a single family, which leaves plenty of room for friends and family that will surely be paying a visit.

You can see the listing in full detail here

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