The holiday season is here. Time to gather friends and family together to celebrate, relax, and reminisce. If you’re in search of the perfect place to call your (second) home for the holidays, the following luxury residences offer the best of both worlds: private-home accommodations with access to five-star resort amenities.
FOR ISLAND HOPPING FAMILIES
Kukui’ula
Kauai, Hawaii
Located on the sunny south shore, Kahalawai #38, a contemporary home designed by Dean Sakamoto and Kelly and Stone Architects and inspired by the designs of mid-century Hawaiian modernist Vladimir Ossipoff, embraces the island landscape with spaces for seamless indoor-outdoor living. Named Hale Ike Mala, “Love of the Garden,” its setback and broad frontage on The Orchard affords privacy and dramatic ocean views.
Why it’s a fit for the holidays: With warmer temperatures year-round, Kauai continues to be a popular family destination for the holidays. This home’s open floorplan allows families to enjoy their time together both indoor and outdoor. The ample outdoor space overlooking the lush landscape of the island makes for the perfect backdrop during a holiday meal with friends and family. Even better, if you forgot to send Grandma the perfect gift just say “Hey Alexa” to order directly from Amazon that novel she has been wanting – make a list and check it twice! kukuiula.com
Hualālai
Kailua Kona, Hawaii (Big Island)
Situated behind a private, gated entrance, this $14.95 million residence (72-415 Ka’upulehu Drive) has 5 bedrooms, 5 full baths and 2 half baths. It also has a private office with amazing views and a media/family room. This home is located in one of Hualālai’s premier residential communities with drop-away golf course vistas and expansive coastal ocean views, walking distance to the Hualālai members’ Ke’olu Clubhouse. Designed by award-winning interior designer Gina Willman, the home’s décor honors the island’s natural elements, with touches such as Hawaiian quilted lava stone accent walls in the living and dining room and koa wood furnishings throughout.
Why it’s a fit for the holidays: The prime weather of Hawaii during the winter months paired with the home’s outstanding features for entertaining makes for a perfect home to host friends and family around the holidays. The expansive kitchen provides ample cooking space, while the outdoor kitchen area – complete with a BBQ, pizza oven, EVO grill, two refrigerators, ice maker and a commercial bar system – is the perfect place to gather and truly enjoy the warm weather. hualalairesort.com
Montage Residences Kapalua Bay
Lahaina, Hawaii (Maui)
Home Details: This fully-furnished 3-bedroom, 3.5-bathroom residence, which is currently on the market for $5.95 million, offers incredible sweeping ocean views.
Why it’s a fit for the holidays: Perched above the famed Kapalua Bay, Residence 1404 offers some of the best views at Montage Kapalua Bay with enough room to comfortably host and entertain the entire family. Additionally, the lanais offer prime viewing to Maui’s world-famous sunsets. The home is just steps away from a variety of activities for all ages including, snorkeling, stand-up paddle boarding, swimming, or simply relaxing beachside. Groups of any size can also enjoy two world-class golf courses, hiking, walking and biking trails and so much more. montageresidenceskapaluabay.com
FOR FAMILIES AVOIDING THE COLD
Maravilla Los Cabos
Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
Casa Higuera is one of the only fully turnkey custom homes currently available at Maravilla Los Cabos, a private residential community situated between San Jose del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas on the Sea of Cortez. The community spans both Las Viudas Beach and the renowned Santa Maria Bay, encompassing two of the few year-round, swimmable beaches in Cabo. The five-bedroom, 6.5-bath home features 4,059 square feet inside and 4,908-square feet of outdoor space, as well as a 951-square-foot garage. It is on the market for $14 million. An oceanfront Mexican contemporary home, Casa Higuera has interiors designed by Mexico City-based designer Lorena Vieyra of Vieyra Arquitectos and was built to maximize unobstructed views of the Sea of Cortez, highlighting the natural beauty of the surrounding land.
Why it’s a fit for the holidays: Built with familial holiday celebrations in mind, Casa Higuera offer multiple spaces for entertainment. The full gourmet kitchens (both indoor and out) boast SubZero, Miele and Wolf appliances, along with a fire pit, barbecue and Kalamazoo pizza oven. The property’s private infinity pool features a floating dining palapa for al-fresco gatherings, while the home’s lower-level basement features a family room equipped with a full bath, 85” flat screen TV, shuffle board, and pool table as well as a walk-in 180-bottle wine cellar. maravillaloscabos.com
Tucked into Montage Residences Palmetto Bluff is 119 August Lane. This charming three bedroom, three-and-a-half-bathroom home priced at $1,889,550 is inspired by low-country architecture and features timeless, comfortable design inside and out. Among many features, this home allows for year-round living afforded by expansive porches and Carolina room with fireplace. With 2,907 heated square feet, this residence provides homeowners and guests ample privacy and space. Each home offers true turnkey living complete with a dedicated residential staff and privileged access to Montage Palmetto Bluff signature services and amenities.
Why it’s a fit for the holidays: Ideal for multi-generational families, couples with young children and groups looking to entertain, the residence features spacious gathering areas, including an open living and dining room, expansive kitchen, Carolina room, and a fully-appointed screened-in porch. montageresidencespalmettobluff.com
Banyan Tree Cabo Marques
Acapulco, Mexico
Banyan Tree Cabo Marques has three separate villas for family to enjoy during the holidays: Villa Agave (8,600 sq ft, 4 ocean-view bedrooms/4 bathroom), Villa Cerezo (4,500 sq ft, 5 ocean-view bedrooms/5 bathrooms), and Villa Ciruelo (4,890 sq ft, 3 bedrooms with floor to ceiling windows/3 bathrooms). All three residences come with a living room, dining room, kitchen, pool and solarium.
Why it’s a fit for the holidays: Ranging from 3-5 bedrooms, each of the homes provide ample space for every size of family during the holidays. Ocean views from the properties provide the perfect scenic backdrop for storytelling and gift giving. banyantree.com/en/mexico/cabo-marques
Explore additional coastal real estate and second home options:
Welcome to Paradise: Timbers Kauai
Waterfront Real Estate In Miami
Barefoot Luxury: The Abaco Club at Winding Bay