A Story Of Revival In Key West

Sometimes you arrive at a property whose grounds are so lush, colorful and quiet that you wish you weren't a guest, but rather living there in your own condo complex. I could totally live here, you think. And that’s before you’ve even seen your room.

The new and improved Parrot Key Hotel & Villas in Key West is just that place, with its five acres of interior garden space continually getting re-landscaped and spruced up since September, 2017 when Hurricane Irma barreled through the 125-mile-long Florida Keys.

Long before the Parrot Key reawakening, guests enjoyed the property’s position on the mangrove-lined saltwater channel that flows into the Gulf side of Key West. Which means on your visit that you're nicely tucked away from the hoopla of the bar zone on Duval Street and far removed from the big hotels that line the western end of the limestone island. But when you’re ready to get your groove on, you’re just minutes away from it all on the seven-square-mile island.

If your room happens to lie at the far end of the 148-room Parrot Key, it’s a distant jaunt to the reception, but a nicely welcome one wandering as you do through gardens filled with swaying palms, sculptures by local artists, and past four pools with apropos names such as the Sanctuary and the Grove.

You know you’re in for a pampered time when you discover a welcome letter in your waterfront villa that announces, “Now, let’s talk swag.” The swag, available when booking “The Waterfront Experience,” is a handsome straw bag with a parrot design on it in which you'll find complimentary Parrot Key branded flip flops, two versatile Turkish hammam towels and—because you know you forgot yours—sunscreen. (The bag itself is for purchase at reception.)

Whether a deluxe room, a one- or two-bedroom suite, or three-bedroom villa, your spacious, fresh and bright abode reflects a post-hurricane remake of the property in its local conch-style architecture. You'll appreciate L'Occitane brand toiletry amenities, while the sand pail and shovel in the closet will come in handy when you want to get up from your waterfront villa's private beach lounge chair for a little activity.

With a newly-added awning that covers most of its outdoor space, the poolside Grove Kitchen & Bar prepares all-day dining, with items such as Key West pink shrimp with an island spice and mango cocktail sauce or a Cuban sandwich which reflects the strong culinary and cultural connection of Key West to its neighbor ninety miles to the south.

When you've perhaps had your fill of lying on the hammock on the white sand in front of your room, head to the small activities shack on the property’s saltwater channel side. There, guests can enjoy kayaking and jet skiing excursions and sign up for all manner of water sports. 

Should you overdue the paddling and feel some wear and tear on your body and your sun-drenched skin needs some TLC, the Ocean Wellness Spa in a fine old house in the old town will meet all your massage needs, to go along with beauty and acupuncture treatments.

To get there, and anywhere such as popular Smathers Beach or to iconic Duval Street, a free shuttle takes you every two hours from the Parrot Key.

Sure, the town’s Conch Train Tour and the drivers' cheesy patter is touristy, but for newcomers it’s a great intro to Key West’s architecturally rich mini districts that are filed with antebellum homes and vernacular styles of pine timber houses, many with gingerbread accents. If you later ride a bike, as many locals do, you can investigate your favorite dwelllings up close and easily pop into the plethora of art galleries.

This tip of the Florida Keys is famously where the Ernest Hemingway Home on Whitehead Street stands, a mid-19th-century manor which the hirsute writer in the 1930s shared with his wife, Pauline, and their beloved six-toed cats. If the guided tours of the National Historic Landmark site look to be packed, it's best to tour on your own in order more tranquilly to see memorabilia, movie posters and Hemingway's writing space in the house's detached studio.

Also on Whitehead Street, the less-visited Audubon House & Tropical Gardens shows antiques and artifacts, as well as works by the seminal naturalist painter.

When it's time for lunch, Fisherman’s Café is not much more than a shack under a coconut tree on the old seaport. It's celebrated for its lobster enchilau (that’s not a typo) tacos in a garlic tomato sauce, among other savory seafood items. Across the street, you can dip into the famous Kermit's Key West Key Lime Shoppe for dessert.

Come evening, it's time to visit an institution: In the old Casa Cayo Hueso cigar factory on the waterfront Mallory Square, El Mesón de Pepe Cuban restaurant has a menu that is as extensive as its space and patio are massive.

Or, for a classic sunset experience, jump onto the Sunset Watersports company’s catamaran for a a few hours of copious drinks and live music as you sail into the Gulf to enjoy a crepuscular show.

Back on shore, Key West has an insane number of bars per capita. On the main Duval Street drag, The Green Room stands out for its reclaimed wood interior and upcycled decor. Its brand new funky upstairs Tree House space has a live music stage and terrace for another kind of sunset view.

With so many sunset options in Key West—what to do? Well, you could always just camp out in front of your Parrot Key waterfront villa to take in sunset from your personal lounger. Your mini bar is stocked, after all, with free cocktail mixes that should last you well until the last rays have dipped below the Gulf waters.

Two New Villas to Try at Jamaica's Tryall Club

By the Caribbean Journal staff

Jamaica’s Tryall Club villa resort has added a pair of new luxury villas to its rental portfolio.

The Montego Bay-area property has added the hip four-bedroom Aqua Bay, along with the “timelessly elegant” Quinntessential [sic]” villa.

Each comes with its own private staff and unique amenities, from a gym with Peloton bikes to a putting green and a private pub.

Aqua Bay has four bedrooms, highlighted by its “Atlantis Suite,” with a veranda and a spa-like bathroom. Other features include a movie room, a private spa with two massage tables and a fire pit, among other amenities.

Quinntessential has five bedrooms, all of which face the ocean, along with a master suite that even has its own private plunge pool.

Guests of each villa can access all of the resort’s amenities, including its recently-renovated golf course, tennis club, private beach club and dining venues.

The Tryall Club is set on 2,200 acres in Montego Bay.

Experiencing the superyacht lifestyle in Barbados

The warm culture of Barbados offers a perfect starting point for your Caribbean season. Elizabeth Finney finds out how superyacht level concierge can be expertly blended with an authentic Barbados experience

Floating in warm glassy Bajan waters, a turtle glides elegantly below, peering serenely at the pairs of goggles and snorkels watching from the surface before spiralling to catch a snack towards the seabed. It's idyllic, the golden rays glancing off the surrounding silk-like waves, but the experience doesn't end here. Seconds after speeding back to the villa's private beach I'm sitting up on the lofty stone-walled annex patio watching one of the best Caribbean sunsets I've ever seen, an icy mango cocktail in hand that was presented to me as I climbed the stone steps up from Cove Beach.

The Blue Sky Luxury (BSL) Crystal Springs villa sprawls across 1,114 square metres of land, its five buildings intermingle with the surrounding verdant trees that envelop the ten en-suite bedrooms for up to 20 guests. Mango trees reach towards the sky while monkeys chatter on the rooftops. A gully path overflowing with tropical plants unravels below, leading to the soft golden beach, which is easily accessible by tender and is one of the best beaches in the Caribbean.

Each morning, I rise with the light that floods my poolside room. One day I stroll to the beach for a yoga session, where the pale sunshine bathes the bay while the rolling waves send a welcome breeze up the beach. On another, I opt for a sunrise meditation class serenaded by native birds. For a more invigorating start to the day, I conquer turquoise surfs atop a paddleboard, in spite of my lack of upper arm strength, it is the perfect exhilarating activity to work up an appetite before breakfast.

There are a myriad of activities to do in Barbados. Sportier guests can take advantage of the Apes Hill Club, offering polo, golf and tennis. With an 18-hole par-72 championship course to play with at the heart of Barbados' lush green forests, keen golfers will remain well entertained while others can opt for a polo lesson at the on-site school. These elegant ponies are ludicrously well trained, moving with the mildest commands. Sitting atop the sleek chestnut Furia, I canter around the paddock, letting my mallet pendulum towards — and past — the ball on the ground by her hooves. By the end of the session I've hit the ball a few times and while I won't be giving the professionals a run for their money any time soon, it made for a thoroughly enjoyable afternoon.

From my private beachfront yoga lesson at 6am to the candlelit saxophone concert on the gazebo terrace in the evening, this is everything I would expect of a bespoke vacation. It's a well-balanced cocktail of adrenaline-pumping pursuits, relaxing pastimes and exquisite cuisine. The concierge team at BSL has an uncanny knack for taking experiences to the next level — because what would a ‘spontaneous' trip up to the Cherry Tree Hill east coast vantage point be without sweet blue snow cones to enjoy with the extraordinary view?

Like on board a luxury yacht, every whim can be catered for. While I opt for a massage in the secluded teahouse at Crystal Springs after a few rounds atop the property's speedboat inflatables in the bay, guests can explore the island by submarine, go off-roading on an adventure safari, try scuba diving and spearfishing or go horse riding in the moonlight. While the service forms one reason for the myriad of repeat visitors, the Bajan people are also a huge factor. "By nature Bajans are friendly and caring, warm and welcoming, making every interaction and experience memorable," says Betty Cathrow, BSL marketing manager. "Many of our repeat visitors forge lifelong friendships with locals and other repeat visitors, which are renewed each year when they meet on the island."

Of course, it's not solely active pursuits. While Barbados is a pinnacle of the Caribbean lifestyle, it's a stunning island with its own fascinating culture. Rum connoisseurs can request a private tour of St Nicholas Abbey, a converted sugar plantation with 350 years of history in its colonially styled walls. Having watched heavy iron wheels crush huge branches of sugarcane between their teeth, I could taste the effort that went into producing the range of golden tipples, now bottled in the main house. Using only traditional methods, the St Nicholas Abbey rum is distilled through a vast copper pot still named ‘Annabelle'. Sipping a rum punch on the patio surrounded by swathes of shining green rainforest, which is alive with birdsong and chattering animals on the forest far below, I feel the clock slow down, allowing me to bask in this perfect setting.

Still curious about the island's history, I return to the villa to meet with Dr Karl Watson, university lecturer and local historian, for afternoon tea. While tucking into exquisite finger sandwiches and sipping Earl Grey he tells me about the Bajan timeline, from the initial British settlements in the early 1600s to the Sugar Revolution, which demanded the ‘imported manpower' of thousands of Britons and Africans either as slaves or as indentured servants. "Our history has been a bitter sweet history," Watson explains. "It's been a history of oppression and of slavery, so you have that tragedy of the past. A lot of young Barbadians did not want to engage in the sugar industry and from the 1960s tourism developed, which opened avenues. But sugar made Barbados what it is and the imprint of it is still very strong here."

Ibiza remains jewel in clubbing kingdom - but its high-end villas and spas mean it's top of A-list too

If five star luxury is what you're after, Ibiza is the place to go.

Of course it's home to the world's best clubs, but there's much more to it than that if you want to truly spoil yourself.

For a start, there's the truly astounding Hacienda Na Xamena, a hotel tucked away on a clifftop in a quiet corner of the island which few people even know about, let alone have explored.

You can stay there of course, but we were sticking with our usual plan of our own villa, so we dropped by to spend a day of luxury in the legendary spa, La Posidonia by SkinCeuticals.

From the moment you arrive in this stunning hotel, which in the Balearic style blends the rustic and the modern beautifully, there's a sense of entering a different world.

We had opted for the famed Cascadas Suspendidas treatment, in which you make your way through a series of thalassotherapy pools heated at different temperatures which provide high pressure hydro jet massages starting from the soles of your feet and finishing with your head.

The key to the magic is the location - perched on the edge off the clifftop 180m above the Med, with simply spellbinding views.

This is followed by relaxing on the recessed wooden beds until you are summoned for your Pica Pica, or healthy tapas.

Whether you're ending a holiday of mayhem with an unwinding afternoon, or starting your break in style, this is the place to do it.

It's worth staying for dinner too as the food is sublime - and if you want to spoil yourself, splash out on an overnight stay, you won't regret it.

You're likely to bump into serious stars too, from Premiership and International football stars to Hollywood royalty.

The other way to do that is take to the seas, which is achievable on a much more modest budget than you might think thanks to companies like the brilliant Ibiza Speedboats.

They cater to all sorts of massive stars, but your own day of superstar treatment is surprisingly affordable.

They have different boats for different parties and budgets, and you can have a half day or whole day, or sunset cruise - whatever you want, these guys are there to help. Prices start from just 500 Euro for up to 10 people.

Martin and Pabs are real Ibiza faces - they've helped with the shooting of numerous TV shows on the island - and the perfect skippers for your ocean adventure.

Our morning was spent zooming around the coast, mooring off the legendary Es vedra - sadly almost goatless now - and then Atlantis.

We were showed a secret diving pool in a cave, and taken cliff diving in a truly terrifying moment I'm in no hurry to repeat.

Then of course there was chill time at a deserted beach and a cruise along the beautiful coastline from a unique perspective.

There's no attitude on board, which is why stars like Myleene Klaas and Rita Ora come back to these guys again and again - as will you.

It's all about having fun and relaxing, and Martin and Pabs make sure everyone does both.

Overall, it's an absolute must, and if you want to see this glorious island from the sea, Ibiza Speedboats are the winning option every time.

The ultimate in luxury tourism comes with a private villa, an absolute must and again, often cheaper than you might think.

We opted for the beautiful Villa Bellavista in Can Furnet near Ibiza Town, perfectly located close to the action but in your own little world.

Private, secluded and traditional yet modern, this villa is an absolute bargain and we WILL be back.

Villa prices can be ludicrous, so this level of quality at this price - starting at just 1500 Euro a week - is unbelievable.

Private pool, BBQ, garden, lots of room, parking - it's got the lot and we fell in love with it.

If you miss out on it, there's something for every budget at Chic Villas, so check them out.

From Viceroy Bali in Ubud to Katamama in Seminyak

Mystical temples, pristine beaches, resplendent rice paddies that hug the heavens and a landscape so gaudily green it hurts the eyes: Bali is the ultimate bucket-list destination. Destinations, really—there are actually several Balis, as different from each other as past is from present and East is from West. Selecting two stellar properties that fabulously embody this contrast, I arrived armed with a singular mission: Behold Bali from both sides.

First, though, I beheld emerald. Everywhere. I was in Ubud, a tourist-friendly village in the mountains that is your fantasy of Bali come to life, starting with its verdant vistas; at every turn the world became greener and greener. I checked into Viceroy Bali and, the next morning, fell from my bed into an infinity pool (Viceroybali.com). No, really—I did; each of the Viceroy's 25 villas has an infinity plunge pool perfectly poised outside its bedroom. And why shouldn't it? Ubud's stunning vistas might as well be made for infinity pools, which hang like glorious treehouses over seas of palm trees. Once I tumbled into my infinity pool I did not want to extract myself. So I remained, ogling a landscape so picture-perfect I thought it had to be a backdrop. Nestled in a secluded ridge above Bali's Valley of the Kings, named for generations of Balinese royalty who lived in the area, Viceroy—an independent boutique property unaffiliated with the international hotel brand—had essentially loaned me an infinity pool with a room attached. Except said room was regal, too, complete with white marble interiors, a palatial bathroom and a delightfully domed alang-alang (thatched) roof.

I might have stayed in my villa for three days, but lovely things lured me out. At CasCades Restaurant, I remained mystified by the view of the Petanu River gorge and ordered lamb and nasi goreng from its wide-ranging menu, contemporary French accented by local and pan-Asian dishes. Breakfast there was pure decadence, served in courses: a coconut scramble, eggs with tangy ratatouille, fresh mango and a plate of Greek mezze.

At the Lembah Spa I had daily Balinese massages and was impressed by the combination of Western approaches and traditional Balinese wellness techniques. The helpful hotel staff offered me daily excursions: Balinese dance lessons? Private yoga classes? White water rafting, an elephant safari or a helicopter ride over the rice paddies— since Viceroy is the only hotel in Ubud with a helicopter pad, helpful for shuttling visitors to the airport in minutes?

Most days, I opted for my plunge pool instead. Until my final day in Ubud, when I paid homage to another sort of plunge pool. At the Tirta Empul, a magnificent 10th -century Hindu water temple, I joined locals and tourists in ritual purification, soaking in the holy water of the petirtaan (bathing structure) until I imagined all my Western maladies would never ail me again.

The next day, purified and calmed, I made the hour-long trip to Seminyak and arrived scratching my head: Could this be the same country? A modern beachfront resort town favored by sunburned, beer-happy Australians, Seminyak is another world: not eat, pray, love but drink, party and… you know.

The car deposited me at an institutional-looking red-brick-and-teak edifice that furthered my confusion—was it a museum? A school? It was Katamama, a newly opened 58-suite boutique property that's fast become the talk of the town (Katamama.com). Less a hotel than a meticulously crafted, thoughtfully designed, grand-scale piece of art, Katamama is the work of Indonesian architect Andra Matin, influenced by the Balinese building practice of tri angga, in which spatial structure reflects harmony between a building and its occupants. Hand-pressed Balinese bricks, usually used for holy temples, construct a property that allows guests to see different angles of the landscape from each level. The sublime final result is the Bali of today, on full display: hipster-chic luxury showcasing contemporary Indonesian culture via architecture, art, design and craftsmanship.

There was no check-in desk; I entered to find a dimly lit bar area, its walls decked out in vinyl.

"I'm the concierge," said a friendly young lady perched on a bar stool. "If you need me, I hang out here all day."

My welcome drink came in the form of a bartender knocking at my door and getting to work at the swank bar in my room—yes, full bar, complete with infused spirits and mixology guide. Lemongrass gin, spiced rum, or citrus vodka, he inquired? I sipped the latter and admired the room, with its exposed brick, Indonesian grade-A teak flooring and vintage 70s-style furniture. Everything at Katamama, I began to affirm, really is art, and everything is local—right down to the details. Tarum Bali created the room's rugs, bed throws and stylish bathrobes; the teak amenities boxes in the bathroom were handmade by Balinese craftsmen. Even the pool looked like a postmodern painting, a crayon box come to life—so much so that when I posted a pic of it on Instagram, friends asked if it was a graphic.

The art at Katamama is culinary, too. I dined daily at MoVida, the renowned Australian brand's first international venture. At first I was skeptical: Spanish cuisine in Indonesia? But the creative tapas and raciones were delectable: mushrooms with duck egg, croquetas, soft shell crab with seaweed aioli on a squid ink bun, chilled seafood salad. And the breakfast menu won me over fully: pressed dragonfruit juice, huevas revueltos topped with soft shell crab, Spanish waffles, arroz con leche, churros.

Exiting the hotel after settling in, I confronted a strange structure across the street. It resembled an art project, a stadium made from old shutters. I wandered in and discovered sheer bliss: The Potato Head Beach Club, Seminyak's hottest hangout and Katamama's welcoming neighbor. I was guided to a gorgeous day bed that felt like a full-on apartment overlooking the sea, where I ordered spiced nuts and a glass of wine. I walked down the beach and, amid the coconut and massage vendors and "surf lesson" signs, looked for indicators that I was still in Bali. I spied a few of them: the remains of a temple offering on the sand, the outline of a temple in the far-off vista (or was that another resort?).

Truly, though, I didn't want to leave the magical world of creativity and whimsical luxury that is Katamama and Potato Head—especially after my farewell dinner at Kaum, the latter's new high-end restaurant. It serves up Indonesian food—but not just any Indonesian food; chefs scoured the entire country, from island to island, to deliver a divine sampling of Indonesian culinary delights. Kaum gave me, no hyperbole, one of the best meals of my life. There was nothing of what I call the gringo effect—the watering down of spicy flavors ("Not too spicy for you?" asked wary waiter after waiter, to which I shook my head vigorously). From the heavenly sambal platter—a collection of tangy chutneys—to the klappertaart, coconut bread pudding, the meal left me ready for more exploration: I'd seen both sides of Bali, but clearly the many faces of Indonesia were calling.

Abu Dhabi housing: what’s available where and for how much?

Studios and one-bedroom apartments

The go-to area is Reem Island. With new buildings becoming available and existing properties with natural churn, there are always options here. Another area to consider is Al Rowdhat, close to Zayed Sports City, which has mid-rise buildings and a few shops. It’s still under development, so the buildings are in a sandy lot, but the value and size of units trumps that. Off island, the new villa and apartment development at Bawabat Al Sharq offers spacious studios and one-bedroom apartments from Dh55,000 to Dh77,000 per year. It’s close to the mall and has good road connections to Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

Two-bedroom apartments

The mid-rise buildings around Mushrif Mall offer surprisingly spacious accommodation. Roof-top apartments here often have large balconies and views of the skyline. Annual rent is about Dh120,000. On the Corniche, Etihad Towers offers chic modern interiors and views of the city or Emirates Palace, with rent starting from Dh140,000. For city living, Abu Dhabi Commercial Properties manages multiple buildings. In Al Nahyan Camp, a two-bedroom unit rents for Dh105,000.

Three-bedroom apartments

Al Manaseer and Khalidiya both have units starting from Dh145,000 for three bedrooms and covered parking. Cheaper rental options are available in older buildings in areas such as Al Mushrif or Al Zahraa, but there’s only on-street parking. In downtown Abu Dhabi and on the Corniche, there’s a plethora of three-bedroom options, but parking is often in short supply in the local area.

Four-bedroom villas

On-island stand-alone villas in Al Musalla neighbourhood start from Dh170,000, while in Al Mushrif, terraced villas start from about Dh160,000. In Khalifa Park, villas in a compound start from Dh170,000, while properties in off-island Mohammed bin Zayed City start from Dh120,000.

Superlative Villa In A Singular Setting

The French Riviera is one of the most sought-after areas to buy property in France. The Riviera not only provides an excellent quality of life, it consistently maintains good capital growth and investment potential.

Originally the preserve of European royalty, the Côte d’Azur, with its glorious sunshine and well-deserved prestige, has retained its French charm. A true playground of the rich and famous, the South of France enjoys a fashionable lifestyle, magnificent surroundings and a salubrious climate year-round. The region boasts country and coastal properties in stunning locations such as Eze, Villefranche, Cannes, Cap d’Antibes and St-Tropez – surrounded by beaches, marinas, golf courses and only 90 minutes from the ski resorts in the Southern Alps.

Nestled between Nice and the Cap Ferrat peninsula and only ten kilometres from Monaco, the unspoilt town of Villefranche-sur-Mer is one of the most desirable places to live in France. It boasts one of the most beautiful bays in the world, a charming old town and a lovely port where exceptional panoramas are on offer.
Defined by superb glamorous design, understated elegance and cool sophistication, this showcase Riviera villa magically blends stylish grandeur with contemporary chic. Supreme style and luxury with only the highest quality in fittings and fixtures capture the essence of the immaculately presented family home that is ideal for entertaining both inside and outside.

From its vantage point on the heights of Villefranche-sur-Mer, the luxurious villa commands unparallelled blue water panoramas.

Reflecting the exquisite Mediterranean lifestyle, there is 420m² of gorgeous living space, finished to perfection. Sitting on an elevated, private 2,720m² plot, the home holds four bedrooms, a sensational living and dining room with glass walls, sleek state-of-the-art kitchen and office.

The prestigious villa features key architectural design elements such as a breathtaking curved staircase, dramatic gallery landing that overlooks the double-height lounge and striking floor-to-ceiling windows.

The French Riviera’s outdoor beauty and sunny indoor-outdoor lifestyle are showcased with walls of glass, expansive views of the Bay of Villefranche and Cap de Nice, a stunning infinity pool and several terraces.

The wonderful home affords a sophisticated lifestyle at one of Côte d’Azur’s finest residential addresses.Stay at our studio-type guest room and enjoy beautiful mountain views.

We are located in the heart of Big Sur, on the ocean side of Highway 1 on the hillside just above the River Inn Village neighboring Andrew Molera State Park.The quiet and sunny room is equipped with fridge, microwave, toaster and coffeemaker including  complementary coffee and dishes.

The full bath comes with  towels, shampoo and soap.We purposefully do not offer cable TV, but have a new flat screen TV and a nice selection of US and foreign films waiting for you in the studio.

You have your own private entry and outside area with lounging chairs, an outdoor fireplace and a beautiful distant ocean view right where the sun goes down.

If you feel like having a BBQ, a gas grill is part of our guest studio’s amenities as well.It would take you a short walk/ drive down our private road to get to the River Inn Restaurant and Hotel with public pool as well as the village shops.

Chic Villas Provide The Comfortable Life

Villas provide you with a larger living space than hotel rooms, first and foremost. St. Barths villas are a great example as they are all-inclusive luxury vacation homes that are designed especially for your needs, wants and expectations. Where a hotel room, even a luxury suite, has a limited amount of space and shared amenities. A villa is your own private getaway with much more square footage for you to enjoy.

A villa gives you the option to head out and see the sites or simply relax indoors, depending on your mood. You won’t feel like you have to get out and do some sightseeing simply because you’re on vacation. After all, isn’t vacation about kicking back, putting your feet up, and relaxing? Why squeeze into a hotel room with limited offerings when you can opt for a secluded villa with a private pool, fully operational kitchen, a restful living room, and unparalleled views of the surrounding scenery.

Situated just off Seminyak's trendy Jalan Laksmana, Heliconia Villas accesses the main street via a private laneway and is within convenient walking distance to enjoy some of the areas most talked about restaurants and nightlife venues. The nearby beachfront provides an excellent spot for some early morning exercise and is patrolled by lifeguards particularly in front the luxury resorts of the area. The revered Petitenget Temple is also close by and offers travelers' glimpses of Bali's Hindu traditions and elaborate rituals.

Heliconia Villas is a complex of 6 villas with private pools, each secluded within its own Balinese style compound. Heliconia Villas provides a relaxing home-base which is centrally located for exploration some of the islands many attributes. While only a short walk along a private laneway puts guests at the heart of Seminyak's vibrant main street with its choice of international restaurants, chic boutiques and interesting homeware shops to browse in.

Cosmopolitan Estates is the legendary name in the center of several famous makers who have involved in this profitable area, all these work hard for their projects and give ultimate designer villa as a result always they are required to make your dream house. Today what are we to look is a luxury villa in Majorca has made by the perfect collaboration between two popular names of this field Dutch designer Marcel Wanders and TecArchitecture study and their wonderful restoration project is House Son Vida which was stand in Majorca, Spain from sixties but still after reformation it becomes the ultimate villa of the world also it holds the unmatchable beauty along with luxurious facilities.

The ultra avant-garde, four-bedroomed villa known as Villa Aqua is located in the heart of the fashionable Oberoi area, just footsteps away from the beach, vibrant night scene, world-class restaurants and chic boutiques. Taking an inspirational approach to modern lifestyle, the villa is constructed on two levels and set within a large walled garden. It presents a 23-metre swimming pool, outdoor Jacuzzi, steam room, alfresco dining facilities and soundproof party room, in addition to four spacious bedrooms with queen-size beds and en-suite bathrooms. There is a secure carport at the main entrance.

Welcome to Luxury Holiday Lifestyle

Welcome to the Simona Oasis and Spa, the Bali spa villa holiday accommodation in Canggu. A truly unique and spectacular estate home that has already been hailed as “Bali’s Best”. Simona Oasis and Spa luxury holiday accommodation presents you tropical living, dining and bathing at its very best. Experience Bali’s ultimate in elegance, indulgence, quixotic beauty and genuine luxurious appeal for your luxury holidays.

Located in the Padang Ponjong village, near Canggu on Bali’s southwest coast, Simona Oasis and Spa is not far away from the famous and cosmopolitan glamour of Seminyak. The chic contemporary architecture of Simona Oasis updates traditional aesthetic principles with Italian flair. Sleek, spacious structures with an abundance of light are resourcefully integrated into the natural contours of the land, reflecting the ambience of the location.

Simona Oasis and Spa also well known as a pioneer in the new trendsetting concept in luxury holiday lifestyle. The Spa comprises five open-sided roundhouses following the architectural style of Irian Jaya, complete with conical thatched roofs. These breezy, romantic pavilions shelter massage beds while providing easy access to a dedicated icy cold plunge pool and a hot jacuzzi.

Luxury Arman Villas

A villa was originally an ancient Roman upper-class country house. Since its origins in the Roman villa, the idea and function of a villa have evolved considerably. After the fall of the Roman Republic, villas became small farming compounds, which were increasingly fortified in Late Antiquity, sometimes transferred to the Church for reuse as a monastery. Then they gradually re-evolved through the Middle Ages, into elegant upper-class country homes. In modern parlance 'villa' can refer to a various types and sizes of residences, ranging from the suburban "semi-detached" double villa to residences in the wildland-urban interface.

Two Bedroom Villa

An inspired fusion of Seminyak spirit, tropical island living and metropolitan convenience, Arman Villas combines minimalist design and comfort. Comfort is the key in choosing a villa. Each room is fitted with in-room safe, make up table and sizeable low-set beds with soft mosquito nets are sitting next to the living room.
The semi open shower bathrooms for two are available with natural bath gel, shampoo and conditioner.The villas are entered via an impressive open-air living room, complete with soaring roof and private pool in the other side keep this welcoming living space fresh and cool. Soft lights illuminate your living area, welcoming you home after a day exploring the island’s adventure or other activities in the island.Enjoy satellite TV with plasma screen and stereo surround sound to engage your senses.
Meanwhile, the broadband internet ensures that you’ll be able to stay connected to friends, colleagues and family back home.

Baan Oriental Chic Pool Villa

Baan Oriental is your dream luxury holiday villa in Krabi, Thailand. A spacious 3 bedroom villa is your home away from home. It has all the amenities you would expect from a 5-star resort for a fraction of the cost.

The 3,400 sq foot (340 sqm) villa is nestled in a 16,000 sq foot (1600 sqm) garden and is located in a quiet enclave, thereby ensuring our guests privacy and relaxation. Ao Nang beach is just 3km away. Baan Oriental is designed for friends and family who wish to holiday together - privately and peacefully. Our stunning Mediterranean-styled villa can comfortably accommodate up to 10 people.
We designed Baan Oriental with luxury, pleasure and convenience in mind. The villa is well maintained - the sheets, towels and rooms are cleaned daily. The bedrooms are air-conditioned to provide you with a cool night's sleep. To enable guests to keep in touch with the outside world, we have installed satellite television in a separate air-conditioned room. A computer with wireless ADSL connection is available for your use.
Swim anytime in the private pool and unwind in the jacuzzi at your doorstep. If you wish to pop into town, we have a brand new scooters and car available for hire.
We want you to feel at home at Baan Oriental. This is a house with no rules. If you want advice on things to do and see, we are happy to recommend activities and attractions. If you want privacy and peace, then we will be discreet. The Manager can be easily contacted and gives guests a mobile telephone, pre-programmed with his contact numbers.
If you need to request an in-villa massage treatment or book an elephant safari or are in the market and need help translating Thai; then we are here to meet your requests. The villa manager and staff will make your stay at Baan Oriental a memorable and pleasurable one.
Bedroom 1:
* Queen-sized bed with Egyptian cotton linen
* Air-conditioning
* Dressing area with personal safe
* Bathroom with double bath, separate shower and toilet
* Pool view
Bedroom 2
* Queen-sized bed and single bed with Egyptian cotton linen
* Air-conditioning
* Dressing area with personal safe
* Bathroom with double bath, separate shower and toilet
* Garden view
Bedroom 3
* Queen-sized bed and single bed with Egyptian cotton linen
* Air-conditioning
* Dressing area with personal safe
* Bathroom with separate shower and toilet
* Garden view
Television room
* Loungers
* Air-conditioning
* Cable Television+DVD+Surround Sound
Baan Oriental is fully serviced and managed by a local management company with more than ten years of experience. We offer instant booking and secure online payment by credit card, with “real person” follow-up to ensure we can prepare the best conditions for your stay.
The private villa is located 3 km away from Ao Nang Beach front. It takes 5 minutes to get to the beach.Ao Nang beach has many restaurants, shops, bar etc…
Our complimentary unlimited tuk-tuk service is limited to Ao Nang. It is available from 9 am to 10 pm.
Upon arrival at Baan Oriental we will give you a (free) mobile phone. You can use that phone for pick up within Ao Nang beach.

Luxury Travel Demand Modern Vacationers Ditch Hotels For Chic Villas

　　Travel Trends – Why Luxury Travelers Prefer Villas Over Hotels

　　When it comes to vacationing in style, most travelers are faced with tough decisions. Do I want a tropical getaway with pristine beaches and a relaxed atmosphere or a scenic trip to breathtaking historic locations? What about a trip to the Southern coast of France or a visit to St. Croix or St. Barths in the heart of the Caribbean? Should I choose a 5 star hotel or a luxury villa with full amenities and an air of privacy and comfort?
Unfortunately there’s never an easy answer to most of these questions, but one thing you can be sure of is that villas usually offer more privacy, better accommodation, and present a better overall package than anything available at a hotel.
Why Choose a Villa Over a Hotel Room?

　　Villas provide you with a larger living space than hotel rooms, first and foremost. St. Barths villas are a great example as they are all-inclusive luxury vacation homes that are designed especially for your needs, wants and expectations. Where a hotel room, even a luxury suite, has a limited amount of space and shared amenities. A villa is your own private getaway with much more square footage for you to enjoy.
A villa gives you the option to head out and see the sites or simply relax indoors, depending on your mood. You won’t feel like you have to get out and do some sightseeing simply because you’re on vacation. After all, isn’t vacation about kicking back, putting your feet up, and relaxing? Why squeeze into a hotel room with limited offerings when you can opt for a secluded villa with a private pool, fully operational kitchen, a restful living room, and unparalleled views of the surrounding scenery.
Privacy Can Make All the Difference
All of the St. Barths villas are geared towards giving luxury travelers the most out of their vacation. Sometimes it’s not enough to simply visit a gorgeous Caribbean location if you have to constantly jockey for space in the elevator or sit elbow to elbow with strangers in the sauna. There are so many more options with private luxury villas. If the weather isn’t cooperating, just stay home and relax with your family, or send the kids out to play in the pool while you and your honey get some alone time in the expansive master bedroom. Villas put the comforts of home into an exotic travel destination, giving you the best of both worlds.

Welcome to the stylish and luxury Arman Villas

　　
　　Welcome to the stylish and luxury Arman Villas. This Bali private villas is the ultimate indulgence after busy workdays with absent of the common hotel room but the luxury everywhere. Situated on the quiet part of Seminyak, this Bali luxury villa is a place where you could enjoy classy lifestyle with the tranquil environment in your surrounding. Arman Villas is about 30 minutes drive from Ngurah Rai International Airport, 45 minutes drive to Denpasar, Jimbaran and Uluwatu, few minutes drive to Kuta and Legian and 1.5 hours to Ubud.
Seminyak is one of the best destinations in the island offering more peaceful environment and beautiful landscape of the rice fields as well as the stunning white sandy beach. Located on the north part of Kuta, the area is renowned for its fine dining, chic boutique shopping and classy nightlife. The area is now the home of the island’s luxury private villas.
The classy Arman Villas is uniquely blending the chic sophistication with Balinese tradition maximizes the stylish Seminyak spirit and the beautiful landscape. There are three units of exotic villas categorized into two units of two bedrooms villas and a unit of spacious three bedrooms villa. Those choices of villas are great for couple as well as providing more spaces for family or a group of friends.
All villas are stylishly appointed with private pool and the incorporate semi open living area exposes Balinese concept of open style living with the full length glass door and thatched roof allowing natural lighting and a sense of spaciousness.
Each villa is featured with air-conditioned bedrooms with luxury king size beds with soft mosquito nets and bathtubs with semi open shower and natural bathroom amenities. There is also IDD telephone and an individual electronic safety deposit box in each room to save your belonging.

　　Meanwhile, the fan-cooled living room and lounging area is great for relaxing with others as it is fully equipped with modern entertainment system such as satellite TV with 32 inch LCD screen and home theater and surround sound as well as complimentary use DVD movie collection and high speed Wi Fi internet access throughout the villa to help you to get connected with the world. The kitchen is great to prepare your food. It is fully equipped with coffee machine, rice cooker, blender, toaster, kettle, microwave and oven, big size refrigerator, hot/cold water dispenser. The comfortable dining area is available in each villa for a great dining time. If you want to escape from the hot of tropical sun, taking dip in your private pool could be the tempting idea. It is completed with pool deck with stylish lounger that is spacious enough for relaxing by the pool.
The service of Arman Villas extends to the complimentary airport transfer with welcome drink, fruit basket and chill fragrant towel upon arrival continued to the express check in inside the room. Daily breakfast is served in your private villa with choices of menus, daily villa cleaning, daily turn down service and afternoon tea in the villa, 24 hours security service, free scheduled-shuttle to Seminyak and Kuta as well as excursion and activities desk.

So for the best luxury villa rentals in France

We are always excited to be adding new luxury villa rentals in France to our already fabulous inventory (if we do say so ourselves!) including a super luxurious chalet in Courchevel.
Courchevel 1850 has the reputation for being one of the world’s best ski resorts. Immaculate pistes, superbly interlinked skiing on the vast 3 Valleys ski area amidst beautiful scenery are just some of its features. Add to this an astounding range of bars, restaurants, chic boutiques and nightspots and it’s no wonder that Courchevel is so highly rated.
Chalet le Blanchot epitomizes all that is attractive to those seeking luxury villas France in the Alps. It is super luxurious, chic and vastly comfortable with all the bells and whistles one could ask for including indoor pool and hot tub and uber-technology with modern appliances and electronics throughout.

The 3 Valleys offer 600 kilometres of prepared and maintained pistes and panoramas and magnificent scenery stretching from the Mont Blanc massif in the north to the Les Ecrins massif in the south, as well as a unique view over the Swiss and Italian Alps to the north and east.
So for the best luxury villa rentals in France, we think you need go no further than In Villas Veritas, LLC.  Keep checking in at our site as we are often adding more new, super luxurious and fabulous properties. Or sign up your email for latest news and updatesfrom us.