These villas in the Maldives have slides

A luxury resort in the Maldives is sure to appeal to the child in all of us – as the incredible villas feature slides that guests can take straight down and into a shimmering blue lagoon.

Soneva Jani, a resort that opened just over a year ago in the Maldives, is built around the 150-acre island of Medhufaru. There are 24 water villas and one island village in a 5.6km lagoon, which is one of the largest in the Maldives. Each one includes a 13-metre private pool on the outdoor deck, where lucky guests can relax as they look out over the lagoon. If getting straight in the crystal clear ocean is more appealing, then you can hop on the amazing slides that take you down into the water.

Since Soneva Jani has a focus on preserving the eco-system, the pools use seawater with UV filtration and the villas are built over the floor of the lagoon so there is no damage to the reef.  If you want to admire the complex ecosystem below, the overwater villas also have three different glass-bottomed areas so you can check out views of the water from all angles.

For anyone looking up, the master bedrooms even have retractable roofs that make stargazing easy and enjoyable. The resort also features the first overwater observatory in the Maldives, where guests can go and learn more about the skies with the help of the resident astronomer.

If you want to sneak in a bit of culture, the resort also provides the first open-air overwater cinema in the Maldives, so you can hang out on the beach and check out some new and classic cinema. To help protect nesting turtles and wildlife, guests can listen to the film with Bluetooth headphones.

4 Enchanting Moroccan Villas by French Duo Studio KO

The superstar architectural pair is perhaps best known for their evocative, minimalist villas—and it's easy to see why.

Olivier Marty and Karl Fournier of Paris-based Studio KO are architects who don’t like following trends or shouting about having a signature style, but their texturally engaging architecture has won them many famous fans. "We wish for there to be no KO style, but a KO attitude," says Fournier. His partner Marty explains that they'd rather come up with the best solution to a problem, rather than impose their own formal language. 

Perhaps it’s this independent streak that’s put them in favor with clients such as Italian aristocrat Marella Agnelli and former director of Hermès Patrick Guerrand-Hermès, who commissioned Studio KO to design their homes; or celebrity hotelier André Balazs, who hired them to design his London hotel Chiltern Firehouse.

In late 2017, they completed the Musée Yves Saint Laurent Marrakech—a 43,000-square-foot museum and cultural center that pays tribute to the works of the late and great fashion icon.

While they've worked on projects around the world, the duo has an affinity for Morocco—they have an office in Marrakesh—and have created a number of remarkable private villas with powerful architectural forms there.

The duo’s anti-brand approach means that every project they work on has its own distinct character, where the architecture becomes the best part of the interior design.

In many of their projects, the texture of the building’s surfaces—materials rooted in rural architecture such as unpolished stone, dry earth, a hammered iron basin, and rough-hewn beams—speak louder than statement furniture or décor. Recently, Studio KO has published a book showcasing their work. We take a look at four Studio KO-designed villas in Morocco included in their monograph.

Villa K
In the small town of Tagadert, looking to views of the Atlas Mountains, is this villa with a simple perpendicular pool and a facade comprised of enigmatic, cubic modules that echo the old dwellings of the nearby village. 

Villa E
Red stone walls, reminiscent of structures from medieval times, are used in the construction of this villa in Ourika Valley. Conceived with a narrow glass window that cuts through the interiors from floor to ceiling, the light that enters the home has a sundial effect, and pans across the rooms over the course of the day.

Villa D
This monolithic villa in the town of Al Ouidane has a chapel that takes the form of a black cube, which can be accessed through a side breach of a larger cube that serves as the main entrance. Because its art collector owner dislikes stairs, and didn’t want traditional windows, Studio KO concealed the stairs within the "second skin" of the house, so they disappeared into the thickness of a wall, and used narrow slits and small apertures in place of conventional openings.

Villa DL
Located near the peaceful seaside village of Ghazoua, this villa has small roofless courtyards, and a central patio reminiscent of the types found in ancestral farmsteads in the nearby countryside.

An Idyllic Grecian Island Getaway

For a memorable Grecian getaway, why not go off the beaten track? Skip the crowded vacation spots, the overrated resorts, and visit the small, sleepy, coastal towns on the island of Corfu.

While one of the first islands to open to global tourism in the 1960s, Corfu isn’t as crowded as you might think. The island remains rich in unspoiled stretches of infamous coast and quaint inland towns that you can visit for a more immersive yet intimate and quiet Greek holiday. Carpeted by lush, wild olive trees and dotted with historical, whitewashed buildings, Corfu is one island that should be on top of your island-travel bucket list.

Corfu is an eclectic combination of the cosmopolitan and historical, with posh resorts and vibrant streets juxtaposed with Byzantine-era churches and Venetian-style fortresses. From beach-combing to sight-seeing to sailing and on to wining and dining, if you’re looking for an unforgettable Greek vacation, you can definitely find something to love about Corfu.

A Greek getaway for every taste and budget

Whether you’re out with the family or in for a mix of business and pleasure, a good place to come home to in Corfu is Krouzeri Beach Luxury Apartments and Villas. Sophisticated yet still boasting of that Mediterranean beach vibe, Krouzeri’s sea-view apartments offer the best vistas on the island. This is probably because Krouzeri offers the most magnificent place for sight-seeing, right from its beautifully furnished and unmistakably Mediterranean luxury rooms and villas.

Each apartment or villa has a clean, wide, airy feel and an open layout that allows you to take in the beauty of the Mediterranean Sea beyond. You can also enjoy fun-filled days soaking in the Corfu experience through bicycle, motorcycle or car trips across the island. If you would rather be free from the confines of land transport, the resort offers the perfect starting point for boat trips along the coast.

Treats for the eyes and the palate

From Krouzeri, you can visit other inland towns such as the historic Old Sinies, the quaint Nissaki, the charming Barbati or the lush Ipsos, which overlooks Mount Pantokrator. Many of these villages offer tavernas, bars, shops and restaurants that serve local and international cuisine.

Scattered throughout the island are various restaurants and bistros. An institution among waterside tavernas is Fagopotion, located in the heart of Ágios Stéfanos Sinión. A few of the must-try dishes include their signature three-cheese saganaki, rabbit stew and the succulent, melt-in-your-mouth octopus. Meanwhile, a favorite among tourists and locals alike, Salto Wine Bar Bistro in the Old Port offers superb specials with fish and shellfish all freshly caught that same day.

Viewing Corfu from the coast

A Corfu holiday is never complete without viewing the island from the turquoise Mediterranean waters and experiencing all of its coastal sights and sounds by boat. An abundant range of boat-rental companies throughout the island’s coast can cater to your island wanderlust. Boats and yachts are available for every budget, starting from 50 euros per day, with petrol charged separately.

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.

How to live where you want while still investing

HOUSING affordability isn't a problem unique to Sydney and Melbourne.
The difference is Australians are probably more vocal about how unfair it is.
That's the view of property guru and investment expert Philippe Brach who said the great Australian dream didn't have to be a nightmare.
The author of Creating Property Wealth in Any Market said there was still money to be made in property even if the capitals were out of reach for many buyers.
The CEO of Multifocus Properties & Finance told news.com.au housing affordability was a huge issue in capitals such as Sydney and Melbourne.
"This is definitely a wider issue than we think," he said.
"Look at London and New York. Anywhere you have jobs means the dwellings are going to cost more.
"Sydney is ranked as among the most expensive capitals to buy and that may be true, but that also doesn't take into account things like stamp duty, and developers costs."
Mr Brach said Sydney had the lion's share of jobs in NSW which meant housing was always going to be in strong demand.
Victorians on the other hand had more regional hubs with localised jobs.
He said buying in Sydney wasn't impossible but buyers had to be prepared to make some sacrifices as most of the jobs in NSW were in Sydney.
"People commute from Wollongong or the Central Coast because most of the jobs are in Sydney," he said.

RENTVESTING
Mr Brach said people could still live their dream lifestyles and buy a home — it just might not be where they want to live.
"Reinvesting has its advantages," he said.
"You can still get onto the property market and will save for a lower deposit faster."
Mr Brach said buying in Bondi, in Sydney's east, was not an option for many people with a house costing an easy $2 million.
The rental repayments compared to mortgage repayments were easily a third less.
"That's a lot of extra money you could put towards a deposit or pay off a mortgage faster elsewhere," he said.
Investors also had good returns with good growth and rental returns in areas outside of Sydney.
Mr Brach said the obvious disadvantage was that people felt less secure renting somewhere themselves.
"You're basically at the mercy of your landlord," he said.
Long-term leases were a good option for renters who could secure them but he said they aren't common.

COMMUTING
People could also buy outside the capitals for a much more affordable price, but had to be prepared to travel.
Housing was much cheaper, but Mr Brach said the obvious disadvantage was people would spend more time driving or sitting on a train.
"Moving further out is a reality and houses in Wollongong and the Central Coast are still affordable," Mr Brach said.
"You can be at work in over an hour and if a high speed rail link is built your property will go up."

BUYING TOGETHER
Those who absolutely wanted to buy their Bondi Beach home could also buy with a friend, couple or even a family, Mr Brach said.
While complicated it didn't have to be impossible and sharing a home was a good way of splitting the associated costs.

FLIPPING
People looking at saving quickly or selling an investment for a profit could also consider flipping, but Mr Brach warned this was often risky.
Flipping is when a home is purchased, renovated and resold for profit in a short time.
He said this high reward option should be used only by those who know exactly what they're doing.
"TV shows make it look easy but the reality is costs always blow out," he said.
"If you do this make sure you have a savings buffer."
This profit could be used to go towards a house in an area where you want to live for example.
Mr Brach said even seasoned investors were reluctant to do this and developers and builders often reaped the best rewards from this method.

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."