Openings

Seaside Sophistication 

Water’s Edge Resort & Spa brings new luxury-living options to coastal connecticut with its villas by the sea.

Water’s Edge Resort & Spa is a secluded, family-owned resort nestled along the beautiful Westbrook, CT, shoreline. Located on 25 oceanfront acres, the resort is a historic gem featuring 170 spacious rooms, including 68 timeshare units and, just recently, vacation and full-ownership villas.

Earlier this year, the property launched Villas by the Sea, a luxury condominium hotel. The 20 two-bedroom villas range in size from 1,100 to 1,300 square feet and feature fully equipped gourmet kitchens with Viking appliances. Other amenities include two full baths, elevator access, gas fireplaces, flat-panel LCD televisions, and private beach access. Generously oversized windows and private balconies provide sweeping views of Long Island Sound in each unit.

Architectural design firm DiLeonardo International furnished, designed, and decorated the new Villas by the Sea. A color palette of warm creams, yellows, natural sands, and ocean blues complement custom-made wood cabinets from Covenant Kitchens & Baths and tile, stone, and Carrera marble counters from Daltile. Accented stone walls under the kitchen cabinets and around the fireplace add visual interest and texture to the space. Bathrooms feature a Kohler air bubble soaking tub and Kohler shower and body spray system.

Residents and guests have access to an array of amenities, including a luxurious spa, indoor and outdoor pools, fitness facilities, and championship tennis courts. Dining options include The Restaurant at Water’s Edge, which features the best brunch in Connecticut; the Seaview Bistro and Martini Bar, featuring live entertainment; and the Sunset Bar and Grill, which offers seasonal outdoor seating.

Villas start at $750 per night or $5,000 for a seven-night stay. Villas by the Sea units are also available for purchase, with prices from $550,000 to $1.2 million. Owners can rent their individual villa when not in use through the resort’s rental program.  

Desroches Island, Beach Suite bedroom

 Private Island Retreat

Desroches Island adds new luxury lodging options

Part of the Amirantes Archipelago group of islands in the Seychelles, Desroches Island is a private island resort just 40 minutes by plane from Mahé, in the Indian Ocean. With more than eight miles of unspoiled beaches and pristine forest, Desroches Island is a luxurious refuge for romance and an exceptional destination for diving and fishing. The retreat recently added two five-bedroom Dibwa Residences and a three-bedroom Madam Zabre Spa Retreat.

The Madam Zabre Spa Retreat is the most exclusive retreat in the Seychelles. It offers a large central living and entertainment area; a spa treatment villa; fully equipped kitchen; kayaks and bicycles; and a private butler, personal chef, and Spa Angel are at guests’ disposal. The 8,255- square-foot Madam Zabre Spa Retreat is ideal for six adults and rents for approximately $15,500 per night, all-inclusive.

The new Dibwa Retreats have three bedrooms, large infinity pools, modern kitchens, dining areas, and entertainment and lounge spaces. Kayaks are available for guests, and a personal Dibwa butler completes the ultimate retreat experience.

At 7,114 square feet, Dibwa Retreats rent for approximately $11,600 per night, all-inclusive. Full- and shared-ownership opportunities are also available. Co-ownership starts at $500,000 per share.

Zemi Beach Resort and Spa

At Home on Anguilla 

New homes are complete at Zemi Beach

Zemi Beach Resort and Spa, a 5.25-acre beachfront resort offering 28 two-and three-bedroom residences in Shoal Bay East, Anguilla, celebrated the completion of its first four homes last November. Homes at Zemi Beach offer a modern interpretation of classic Caribbean style, with indigenous materials like coral stone and sustainable hardwoods. Top brands in the residences include Kohler bathroom suites, GE profile appliances, and Hansgrohe deluge showers. Both residents and renters at Zemi Beach have access to onsite restaurants, bars and lounges, infinity-edged pools, a luxury spa, juice bar, and a fitness center with an outdoor yoga terrace. Residents will also have access to a 24-hour concierge and a preorder system to stock their residences with their favorite groceries upon arrival. Homes are priced between $2 million and $3.1 million.

Tides Condominiums

Tides are Turning 

New life for a premier Charleston property

East West Partners recently announced the release of Tides Condominiums, bringing the remaining residences of one of Charleston, SC’s premier properties back to the market. After entering into a partnership to acquire the unsold residences, East West Partners has made several enhancements to the property, including a redesigned entrance, improved landscaping throughout, and significant improvements to the Harbor House Amenity Center. Located in the Charleston harbor, at the base of the Cooper River Bridge and adjacent to the new Mount Pleasant Memorial Waterfront Park, the Tides offers quick access to downtown Charleston, the shops of Mount Pleasant, and the beaches of Isle of Palms and Sullivan’s Island. The Tides Residences are known for their unbeatable views, open floor plans, and luxurious amenities.

Laketown Wharf 

Posh Panama City

Laketown Wharf’s major renovation

Laketown Wharf, currently offering short- and long-term vacation rentals in the heart of Panama City Beach, FL, completes a $10 million renovation in June, adding new amenities including a grocery store and deli, leasing center, redecorated hotel lobby, conference/meeting rooms, business center, new pool and boardwalk furniture, family zone, owners’ lounge, and arcade. Additional renovations include a deck expansion, the addition of new fountains and landscaping, and the opening of the lake to the public. Spacious one-, two-, and three-bedroom floor plans are available, all with sweeping views and convenient beach access. Additional resort amenities include a lakefront boardwalk, a fully-equipped fitness center, covered parking, and a kids’ playground along the beaches of the Gulf of Mexico. New retail space on the property will also soon be available for lease. 

Posh  Party 

Paresa Resort opens a chic new beach club

This spring, Paresa Resort in Phuket, Thailand, opened a new beach club, Zazada, which boasts an infinity pool overlooking Surin Beach, as well as a large event space, dance floor, and DJ booth. Zazada will be open to the public, but Paresa guests have priority access. Zazada features a full bar, wine room, juice bar, and restaurant with a menu by Ryan Arboleda of Paresa’s Talung Thai and Diavolo restaurants. With full luxury showers and changing areas, guests can relax at the club and then get ready for a night of dining and dancing.

Oceana Beach Club Hotel

Beachside Revival

Inside Oceana Beach Club Hotel’s pricey overhaul

JRK Hotel group recently announced the reemergence of the popular beachfront Oceana Beach Club Hotel following a multimillion-dollar renovation. Oceana Beach Club Hotel, located on the bluffs of Santa Monica, CA, boasts a chic new lobby, reception area, pool deck, and restaurant. Designer Anthony Baratta created a 1960s beach club vibe throughout the property that captures a modern-day interpretation of Santa Monica. The beachside retreat features a clean, sleek design and a playfully refined ambience. The natural elements of Santa Monica are reflected with a soothing color palette of seafoam greens, pale blues, and bright whites, all of which accentuate the ocean views. The hotel’s intimate dining area mixes natural materials and earthy tones with retro elements to create a fresh and contemporary environment.

Oceana Beach Club Hotel completes its transformation with the debut of Tower 8 by acclaimed two-Michelin-star chef Josiah Citrin, best known for Mélisse Restaurant. A Santa Monica native, Chef Citrin brings a local sensibility to a menu of delectable seasonal dishes. The Tower 8 menu exemplifies “food with a view,” providing guests with an ideal reflection of Southern California lifestyle and cuisine. Guests can also enjoy signature cocktails created by renowned mixologist Pablo Moix and carefully selected wine pairings by Mélisse’s resident sommelier Brian Kalliel.

The new Oceana Beach Club Hotel is luxury beachside living at its finest, featuring 70 suite-style accommodations overlooking the Pacific Ocean.