Luxury living in Miami is about to reach new heights. High atop CMC Group’s Brickell Flatiron condominium, a 64-story luxury tower under construction in the heart of Downtown Miami, veteran developer Ugo Colombo has released a limited collection of penthouses for sale. Brickell Flatiron’s newly-unveiled Penthouse Collection, located on floors 50 through 64 of the tower, include expansive single-story residences along with two-story duplex and three-story triplex upper penthouses. With layouts measuring up to nearly 6,500 square feet in size, residences will include 10- to 11-foot-high ceilings, premium finishes and fixtures, and panoramic views of the Miami skyline and Biscayne Bay. Two triplex penthouses will feature private terraces with rooftop pools, summer kitchens and changing rooms, as well as private elevator vestibules within each unit providing access to all three levels.

Penthouse residences are priced from about $1 million to $2.5 million, with upper penthouse duplex and triplex residences priced from $6 million to $15.5 million. Approximately 60% of the development’s 549 units have already been sold and are under hard contract, with a total sales volume in excess of $300 million. With its prominent position at the epicenter of the Brickell Financial District, the over 700-foot-high building will become one of the tallest residential towers in the U.S. upon its completion in 2019.

“Brickell Flatiron’s penthouse collection will embody the elegance and sophistication of Italian design,” said developer Ugo Colombo, founder of CMC Group. “We are sparing no detail and no expense to deliver a memorable product offering our residents the highest caliber of quality and design that will withstand the test of time.”

In addition to offering an unmatched quality of amenities and finishes, Penthouse Collection residences are designed for maximum functionality. Upgraded kitchens include Snaidero motorized cabinetry with customizable cabinet colors, Miele under-counter wine coolers and integrated appliances. Bosch laundry room appliances incorporate anti-vibration and noise-suppression technology. Energy-efficient, impact-resistant floor-to-ceiling windows and sliding glass doors are designed to withstand hurricane-force winds. Every penthouse unit is fully equipped with state-of-the-art technology systems, including a private wireless network and a secure smart-lock system.

Acclaimed Miami architect Luis Revuelta creates a one-of-a-kind architectural environment that combines the tower’s distinct flatiron shape with flowing, curvilinear forms. On the inside, Italian design architect Massimo Iosa Ghini uses inspiration from Brickell Flatiron’s curved façade to outline the building’s sleek amenity spaces, creating a seamless transition from exterior to interior.

Crowning the penthouse floors, Brickell Flatiron’s 64th-floor rooftop amenity paradise will encompass a Sky Spa, Sky Pool and Sky Gym with 360-degree panoramic views of the bay and downtown Miami’s glimmering cityscape. Residents will have access to a host of therapeutic services and other offerings including private steam, sauna and locker facilities, and a 6,300 square foot state-of-the-art fitness center with Pilates, yoga and aerobics studios.

Additional features include a resort-style lap pool and children’s pool on the 18th floor, private movie theatre with stadium seating, billiards and cigar room, wine cellar, 24-hour concierge and parking valet, on-site vehicle washing and detailing, and electric car-charging stations.

Brickell Flatiron’s prime location at 1001 South Miami Avenue, just one block from downtown’s bustling Brickell Avenue, provides residents a central location in one of the city’s most dynamic urban districts. Dozens of high-end hotels, restaurants, cafes, lounges and luxury shops are just steps away, including The Shops at Mary Brickell Village and Brickell City Centre. Multiple public transit options such as the Metromover and Downtown Trolley are within walking distance, connecting Brickell Flatiron with Miami’s star attractions, including the AmericanAirlines Arena, Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts, Perez Art Museum Miami and the Patricia and Phillip Frost Museum of Science.

For more information about Brickell Flatiron, including preconstruction sales opportunities, please call (305) 400-7400 or visit the project’s sales & design gallery at 1001 South Miami Avenue, Miami, FL 33130. Learn more at www.brickellflatiron.com.

In Flamingo, Costa Rica you will not only find a great beach but soon you’ll be able to get a cheeseburger in paradise. Surrounded by white sand on the Pacific Coast of Guanacaste Costa Rica, Flamingo Beach Resort & Spa is soon to become an oceanfront paradise owned by Jimmy Buffett and Driftwood Acquistions & Development Company.

The resort offers 120 spacious guestrooms and suites, along with a full range of activities for eco-tourists, families, couples and more. In addition to its location on the Blue Flag-certified ecological Flamingo Beach but nearby activities range from scuba diving and deep-sea fishing to jungle canopy tours and day trips to the famous Arenal Volcano and amazing waterfalls.

Margaritaville partnered privately held investment firm Driftwood Acquisitions & Development, which specializes in the acquisition and development of hotel assets. Both properties will remain open during the various phases of rebranding. Renovations are expected to commence immediately and will incorporate Margaritaville’s signature ‘casual-luxe’ design elements.

The company has announced the re-branding of the Flamingo Beach Resort and Spa in Guanacaste, Costa Rica, in partnership with Driftwood Acquisitions & Development.

We are thrilled to combine the fun and escapism of our brand with these iconic locations, and provide additional opportunities for our guests to relax and have a great time, which is what we are all about. – John Cohlan, CEO, Margaritaville

 

“It’s a dream come true for us to partner with Margaritaville, as we help to rebrand Tan-Tar-A and Flamingo Beach,” said Carlos Rodriguez, chief executive officer of DAD. “The Tan-Tar-A acquisition has helped us reach our 2017 growth goal already, just halfway through the year, and Flamingo Beach has been near and dear to my heart for a very long time.  We’re excited to get underway, working together with the Margaritaville team to help travelers create unforgettable memories in the Midwest and Costa Rica.”

Costa Rica scores another development victory and brand name to add to growing list popular flag hotels such as Sheraton, Hyatt, RUI, Marriott, JW Marriott and Four Seasons. With tourism on the rise, hotel rates up Costa Rica is still in need of more 4 and 5-Star boutique hotels for a unique and personalized travel experience in the land of Pura Vida.

Article Originally on Costa Rica Development Properties, Land & Hotels

President Donald Trump is selling his luxurious French St. Martin beachfront estate, Le Château des Palmiers.  The walled compound on the northwestern tip of the Caribbean island on the Rue de la Malaise is listed with Sotheby’s Realty International and was purchased by the President in 2013.

The nearly five-acre estate was the most expensive home on the market in the French territory when it was first listed 3-months ago for $28M.  The tropical estate home has recently seen a nearly 40% price reduction and is now selling for $16.9 million.

The elaborate and highly impressive Mediterranean-style compound has 11 bedrooms spread across a 4.8-acre lot directly on St. Martin’s Plum Bay.  Encompassing two villas and multiple outbuildings, the main villa includes 5-bedrooms with a 2-story master bedroom complete with jacuzzi bath and multiple balconies.  The smaller villa contains 4-bedrooms each with a unique theme.

Among the many red-tile roofed outbuildings are a pool cabana, a manager’s house, fitness room and more.  All enclosed by an 9-foot boundary wall, you can rest assured that you’ll enjoy complete privacy.

Vacation packages for the president’s tropical beachfront estate start at $6,000 per night in the low season for the smaller of two villas and top off at over $20,000 during the winter holidays.

It is reported that he has collected between $100,000 and $1 million annually through rental income, according to a 2015 disclosure, which values the asset between $5 million and $25 million.

Catching The Wave Of The Future with Jennifer Aniston and Other Paddle Boarding Enthusiasts

If you come anywhere close to a beach these days, you’re going to notice a trendy new sport taking hold: paddle boarding. It is rapidly emerging in popularity all around the world, from the most remote and isolated getaways to the trendies, most luxurious resorts. Paddle boarding is the wave of the future.

It started back with the kings of the Hawaiian Islands, who used the boards specifically for training and exercise purposes. Now, the kings and queens of Hollywood have adopted the sport.

Jennifer Aniston has made quite a few splashes in the news while spiritedly guiding her paddle boardthrough glassy blue waters on numerous occasions. Aniston has never led women astray; from how to maintain beautiful hair to the basics of a healthy diet, she has served as a competent source for workout and beauty trends. And again she leads her followers into friendly waters. No doubt the dedicated masses will follow her lead down this paddle boarding road. And they should, since paddle boarding is a great workout!

Surfers have long been admired for their outstanding physiques, and paddle boarding gives you a similar workout, without the brutal ten foot waves to navigate. Paddle boarding is in essence a leisurely way to surf. You can lie on it and paddle in a swimming motion or standup and use a long curved paddle to propel yourself forward.

Be advised that paddle boarding is most successful in calmer waters. So, next time you find yourself on the beautiful sands of Costa Rica, or in the Caribbean, make sure you bring a paddle board along, as no luxury vacation is complete without one.

Check out other celebrity paddle boarders maintaining their hot bodies with this trendy new sport.

Appleton Estate produces “the world’s oldest barrel aged rum” to mark 50th anniversary of Jamaican independence.

There’s no doubt that Jamaica’s Appleton Estate knows how to make world-class rum. After all, the distillery has been rolling out the barrels since 1749. But now Appleton has created what it’s billing as “the world’s oldest barrel aged rum” to mark the 50th anniversary of Jamaican independence.

This special hand-blended concoction was produced from a selection of rums that had been aged in American oak barrels for at least half a century. Each barrel was laid down with the expressed intention of it contributing to a unique product that would celebrate the ratification of the country’s constitution in 1962.

Appleton Estate’s special edition of golden rum comes in a handcrafted crystal decanter with etchings representing Jamaican national symbols. Also included is a commemorative booklet detailing the rum’s history as well as the country’s long journey to full independence. Limited to only 800 bottles, each is priced at a hefty $4,520.

The commemorative edition is described as “a deep mahogany sipping rum, with powerful notes of cinnamon, toasted oak, almond, maple and vanilla combined with a hint of orange peel – the latter being a hallmark of all Appleton Estate Jamaican Rum.”

Visit www.appletonestate.com for more information.

When we look for a vacation spot or a second home, we’re normally seeking a sense of peace or a more relaxed state of mind. It might be a luxurious beach house in St. Kitts or a small intimate villa in Barbados, but there’s one thing most people’s dream getaways will have in common — a peaceful serene environment, beyond the reaches of our modern fast-paced lives.

Gisele Bündchen, the world’s highest paid Supermodel and wife to football star Tom Brady, has found such a place in Costa Rica. An advocate of living a healthy lifestyle that nurtures a person both inside and out, she used Costa Rica as inspiration when developing her personal line of skincare products called Sejaa.

The promotional video for Sejaa was filmed mostly in Costa Rica, in what Bündchen considers a peaceful environment, so as to embrace the true essence behind Seeja. In the video, Bündchen can be seen living her tranquil Costa Rican lifestyle: surfing, riding horseback along the beach, sitting poolside at her home, meditating, and even practicing Tai Chi.

Take a peek:

It’s easy to see how attractive such luxurious getaways can be. Costa Rica in particular has gained a reputation as being the ideal place to find and restore personal well-being to an otherwise hectic life. Stunning beaches and crystal-blue waters offer the perfect platform for peace and tranquility while an endless supply of nature, wildlife and outdoor activities offer fun and adventure, if that’s more of what you seek.

Indeed, Costa Rica’s charm lies in its ability to be whatever you need it to be. For Bündchen, it’s a serene paradise where she can work on her personal well-being and spirituality and enjoy time with her family away from a hectic LA lifestyle. Her second home in Costa Rica is where Bündchen can breath and relax.

Other celebrities and high-profile people have turned to Costa Rica to find their own slice of paradise as well. Most recently, Tim Robbins and Susan Sarandon found enchantment in the Northern Province of Guanacaste, joining the ranks of Sting, Harrison Ford, and others who have come to call Costa Rica home, at least for a little while. And several Costa Rica beaches were recently voted “Best of Latin America” in Trip Advisor’s Travelers’ Choice Awards.

What about you? Where will you find your peaceful retreat? Perhaps Costa Rica holds a piece of paradise for you as well.

The Developer has done a superb job of integrating all the traditional components that make Bermuda a special second home destination. The Roger Rulewich designed championship 18-hole golf course at Tucker’s Point Golf Beach & Tennis Club is already considered the best on the island and a 1,900 square foot Spa and Fitness Centre offers an escape within an escape where members and guests can receive hydrotherapy, massage, styling and a list of indulgent treatments. Members will also enjoy exceptional culinary experiences courtesy of “award winning” Executive Chef Serge Bottelli at The Point Restaurant, replete with twin outdoor fireplaces and available private dining rooms which help to capitalize on its location.

Tucker’s Point Club leaves no stone unturned on its path to luxurious living. From the real estate, spas, activities and cuisine, members will undoubtedly be enjoying the very best Bermuda has to offer. Tuckers Point offers numerous real estate ownership options including Estate Homes priced from $3.2 million and luxury fractionals at The Residence Club consisting of luxury two, three and four bedroom, fully furnished villas overlooking either the golf course and Harrington Sound or on Castle Harbor overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. The Residence Club fractional shares start at $355,000. If you plan to visit, current room rates start at $430/night.

Tucker’s Point Club, 441.298.6900 www.tuckerspoint.com
Tucker’s Point Hotel & Spa, 866.604.3764 www.tuckerspointhotelandspa.com

The name Zacapa is well-known throughout the rum world. It has many things to recommend it, including its blending pedigree, its signature palm leaf-wrapped bottle and its near-mythical aging process that happens “above the clouds.” And thanks to its distributor Diageo, you can find the Zacapa label nearly anywhere in the world.

What you can’t find easily, though, are its small-batch limited editions. Released once a year for sale within Guatamala and only a handful of select markets around the world, Zacapa’s limited edition rums are quality direct from the source.

The limited edition Reserva Limitada builds on the reputation and flavor profile of Zacapa’s 23-Year blend. Those familiar with the 23 shouldn’t expect a mere imitation.

To begin with, the limited edition is a blend of rums aged between six and 24 years in American white oak barrels that formerly held sherry, Pedro Ximenez wines and American whiskeys.

The Reserva Limitada offers a rawer, wilder quality over the tame 23. Its color is closer to molasses than caramel, with hints of vanilla and spice coming through the flavor. Its oaky, peppery finish brings a warmth not found in the off-the-shelf variety as well.

Sipping the Reserva Limitada, one gets the sensation that they are tasting something truly special. And well worth the trip to Guatemala to acquire it.

Specifically engineered for the water with Schiller’s unrivaled design, technology and engineering, the S1 Water Bike is the world’s most advanced production water bike.  A high quality aquatic cycling vehicle, this bike is designed to deliver and exhilarating, fast and safe ride by using Schiller’s proprietary drive train, integrated handle bar steering and rugged inflatable pontoons.

“Where every ride on the water feels like a vacation.”

Schiller’s S1 Water Bike is quiet, human powered and eco-friendly.  Its light-weight design makes it easy to use, store and take with you anywhere you go!  Dubbed the “world’s best water bike”, you’ll enjoy a vacation every time you take a ride on the water.

Designed for salt water environments and perfect for fitness or recreation, this bike is made in the USA in a catamaran meets ultimate cycling design.

Take the ride of your life with the Schiller S1 Water Bike!

Visit schillerbikes.com for ordering information

There is something restorative about the beach-the sand, sun and sea have the power to revive us even after long hours of working and months of cold weather back home. Whether you enjoy splashing in the surf, sunning on the shore or simply listening to the waves from the terrace of your villa while relaxing with a cool drink, beach living is about as blissful as it gets.

The Caribbean and Central and Latin America are blessed with some of the finest beaches in the world. Only hours away from most major U.S. and European cities, these beaches offer the added bonus of being easily accessible. For many, it’s an simple choice to own a vacation home or retire to a beach in paradise-not only are these stunning beaches easy to reach (yet worlds away from reality), but many of the countries have a lower cost of living and offer financial incentives to make retiring in paradise more desirable than ever.

Last year, Luxury Living International brought you our expert picks for the Top 10 Places to Live in Paradise. Now, we delve further into life in paradise, providing a detailed look at the Top 10 Beaches to Live on Paradise. From the Turks and Caicos to the Dominican Republic and Costa Rica to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, these are the best beaches, beachside developments and beachfront properties that you would love to call home-and actually can. Our picks represent the best of beach living in paradise-each of these beaches offers luxury, accessibility, great properties and, above all, sublime beauty.

Coson Beach, Las Terrenas, D.R.

Perhaps the Caribbean’s best-kept secret, the once-sleepy fishing village of Las Terrenas is becoming one of the hottest spots for vacation homes in the Caribbean for those in-the-know. Some are even calling it the San Tropez of the Caribbean. The Dominican Republic boats some of the best beaches in the world and Las Terrenas and the Samana Peninsula have the best of the best, including Coson Beach, or Playa Coson, a long, luscious stretch of untouched sand dotted with gently leaning palms. Besides beautiful beaches, Las Terrenas entertains with an eclectic mix of international restaurants and shops and outdoor pursuits from fishing and diving to hiking and whale watching. Los Nomados, the Samana Peninsula’s premier gated community, is the place to find that paradise dream house and own a slice of virginal Playa Coson. Villas such as the sprawling, modern-meets-Caribbean-chic Villa del Mar enjoy a prime spot right on the sands of Playa Coson.

Langosta Beach, Guancaste, Costa Rica

Langosta beach, located down the sand from bustling town of Tamarindo in Guancaste, Costa Rica, is a paradise for surfers, nature-lovers and beach bums alike-and those seeking R&R in the exclusive properties on Millionaire’s Row overlooking the beach. Surfers enjoy the right and left point breaks that curve off the mouth of the river, and a short boat ride up this river takes you to into a forest home to wild howler monkeys. The wide, sandy beach is big enough for surfers and beach lovers to enjoy it and never feel crowded. Millionaire’s Row overlooks the best beachfront real estate in Costa Rica. Private and gated, Crystal Sands on Millionaire’s Row has 20 luxury and exclusive villas designed to enjoy every inch of the stunning beach.

Juanillo Beach, Punta Cana, D.R.

White sand, bright turquoise water, green palms-the colors synonymous with an amazing beach seem turned up just a little brighter at Juanillo Beach in Punta Cana, D.R. Protected by a coral reef, the calm waters of Juanillo Beach can soothe even the most frazzled of nerves. Punta Cana’s Cap Cana resort offers a variety of luxury properties. Found within the gates of the massive Cap Cana luxury community-which features beach villas, resorts, Trump estates, a full-service marina, and many fine dining options-Juanillo beach remains pleasantly undeveloped, a reminder to why we love coming to paradise in the first place. Owning a villa in Cap Cana gives you access to Juanillo Beach, which is revered by locals, travel experts and editors alike as one of the best beaches in not just the D.R. or the Caribbean, but the entire world.

Pink Sand Beach, Harbour Island, Bahamas

Visitors to Harbour Island know you don’t need to stray far from home to experience one of the most remarkable beaches in the world. The Bahamas are only 50 miles from Miami, and just a 30-minute flight from Nassau and 1.5 hours from the U.S. is Pink Sand Beach, whose pink-hued grains make it truly one-of-a-kind. Pink is all the rage on Harbour Island-the pink-shelled conch is the local delicacy, try it served up as “cracked conch.” While quaint and laid back, Harbour Island is also a high-end Bahamian Out Island, home to million-dollar villas, luxe resorts and big-money fishing tournaments. Prime real estate opportunities can be found along Pink Sand Beach. One- to three-bedroom villas in Romora Bay allow owners to enjoy resort amenities in their beachside residence.

Rodney Bay Beach, St. Lucia, West Indies

People travel to St. Lucia to fall in love-it’s a top destination for weddings and honeymoons-but they end up falling in love with the near-perfect island, perhaps the most beautiful in the Caribbean. Beaches range from black volcanic sand to those with low-slung palms reminiscent of the South Pacific. Then there’s Rodney Bay, with its big crescent-shaped beach on the north end of the island that’s brimming with new marinas, restaurants and resorts and flanked by a white sand beach. The Landings St. Lucia, a Rock Resort property, brings luxury to Rodney Bay and offers up 122 one-, two- and three-bedroom villa suite condo residences, some with plunge pools and all with balconies overlooking the beach below.

Cabo San Lucas Beach, Los Cabos, Mexico

It’s hard to go wrong with Los Cabos, Mexico, when it comes finding excellent beach living. With its sweeping natural rock formations, Cabo is the backdrop for many a great photograph and those who take up residence on the beach can enjoy this constant “screen saver” of natural beauty. Cabo San Lucas enjoys the vibe of a chill, Mexican beach town that’s turned into a cosmopolitan escape. The luxurious Cabo del Sol development boasts beachfront home sites, villas and condominiums. The community puts a premium on golf as well with a Nicklaus-designed ocean course, a Weiskopf-designed desert course and a 40,000 square foot clubhouse.

Treasure Cay Beach, Abaco, Bahamas

Those who relate the Bahamas with the massive resorts Nassau and Freeport don’t know the real Bahamas-the unhurried pace and natural beauty of the Out Islands are what living in paradise is all about. In the Abaco Islands, New England architecture brought over by Loyalists during the American Revolution lends a charming appeal to this part of paradise. Treasure Cay Beach, located on the eponymous Treasure Cay, earned a superb beach ranking from National Geographic. Treasure Cay Real Estateoffers beach lots for sale along this more than three-mile-long white sand heaven. Beyond the sand, the Treasure Cay Resort has an 18-hole golf course, full-service marina, retail center and more.

St. Jean Beach, St. Barths

St. Barths is an island rich in French culture, fortune and beaches-14 beautiful beaches in total on the small, exclusive island. The massive (and massively popular) St. Jean beach is split in two by The EdenRock hotel in the middle. The beach is stacked with cafes, resorts and luxury villas. Long and set on a wide bay, it’s the ideal spot for those who enjoy their beach equal parts luxurious and lively. The island has a reputation for being postcard-perfect and safe. If fine dining, high-end shopping, celebrity flair and utmost privacy are what you’re after, St. Barths fits the bill.

Grace Bay Beach, Providenciales, Turks and Caicos

The immaculate Grace Bay Beach on the Turks and Caicos island of Providenciales seems so perfect and clean (and the water so clear and refreshing), that you think surely this must be a protected state park. What a surprise when you turn around and your villa is right there, kissing the sands of the lovely Grace Bay Beach. The all-suite Grace Bay Club, on Grace Bay Beach, of course, offers luxe properties for sale along the beach. The Estate of Grace Bay, a collection of 22 custom-designed, high-end residences opened last year. Just south of the Bahamas, this beauty of an island is easy to get to, and scuba divers will have a blast exploring the waters of the Turks and Caicos.

Anse Marcel Beach, St. Martin

Tucked between rolling hills on the northernmost tip of French St. Martin is the secluded village and beach of Anse Marcel. A winding, steep road is the only entrance to Anse Marcel, keeping crowds at bay unless they are coming to visit a dive shop, boutique resort or the protected marina found here. Villas and town homes are available steps away from the beautiful, quiet beach-a favorite secret spot among locals and in-the-know vacationers. This off-the-beaten-track location affords complete relaxation while the high-end shopping found in Marigot Bay the excellent cuisine of Grand Case are only minutes away by car.