At the Lake
Reynolds Lake Oconee
Greensboro, GeorgiaOne hour east of Atlanta (but light years away), Reynolds Lake Oconee is a private, 12,000-acre waterfront community with six championship golf courses, 11 restaurants, and a lakefront Ritz-Carlton (great for overflow guests). The 19,000-acre Lake Oconee is 20 miles long and has 374 miles of shoreline. Four full-service marinas provide boat storage, maintenance, and pre-arrival provisioning. No boat? No problem. The marinas offer boat rentals, along with Jet Skis, paddleboards, kayaks, and canoes for homeowners. Lake Oconee is also ideal for anglers targeting trophy largemouth bass. The newest community, Richland Pointe Village, opened in 2021. Perched on a peninsula with spectacular views of the lake, the village features an ultra-modern wellness center highlighted by an indoor/outdoor relaxation lounge, an infinity-edge pool, and the latest in Technogym fitness equipment technology. Adjacent to the fitness center, find a new waterfront restaurant (with a globally influenced menu), a large indoor/outdoor bar, and an infinity-edge family pool. The sales team can arrange a Lifestyle Visit—up to three nights in one of the cottages or at The Ritz-Carlton, two rounds of golf, a two-hour boat rental, and access to other popular amenities. Cottage packages $300/night, hotel packages $400/night; lake-access homesites from $550,000; lakefront homes from $2.3 million; reynoldslakeoconee.com
The Waterfront
Daniel Island, South CarolinaEach of the 41 one-, two-, and three-bedroom residences in Phase II of this 22-acre mixed-use waterfront community (the last remaining piece of the Daniel Island waterfront), has direct views of the Wando River and its tidal marshes. Ranging from 1,220 to 3,400 square feet, the floor plans in this collection of buildings—named Sabal (11 residences), Magnolia (18 residences), and Camellia (12 residences)—include outdoor terraces; elegant, comfortable Lowcountry interiors by Charleston-based B. Berry Interiors; and the development’s best river views. Camellia overlooks the marsh and offers direct access to the island’s 25-plus miles of walking trails. Enjoy the pool and pool pavilion before taking a 30-minute ferry to downtown Charleston. East West Hospitality handles day-to-day property management details for residents—from package delivery to household maintenance. From $895,000 to $3.6 million; thewaterfrontdi.com
Whitetail Club
McCall, IdahoRight next to the clear-blue glacial waters of Payette Lake, the Whitetail Club is a four-season destination in the heart of the region’s rugged Salmon River Mountains. A variety of residential offerings ranges from custom homes, cabin homes, and homesites to the recently launched townhouse neighborhood on the club’s 7,200-yard, Andy North–designed golf course. The Fish and Swim Club has a saltwater pool, an indoor tennis and fitness center, a pickleball court, and a full-service, 36-slip marina. The Lakefront Clubhouse offers private beach access, a restaurant, and a dedicated teens/children’s space with the latest books and games. Whitetail Club is adjacent to the iconic Shore Lodge, allowing members to access all of the hotel’s amenities including a fine-dining steak house and an award-winning spa with a private hot springs pool. Try before you buy: The Discovery Cottages are five beautifully designed homes for potential buyers to experience the Whitetail Club lifestyle. Homesites from $450,000; custom homes from $2.5 million; whitetailclub.com
On the Oceanfront
Kukui’ula
South Shore, KauaiKula Makai—set on a dramatic point along the western edge of Kukui’ula, the South Shore’s first private club community on Kauai—is one of the island’s last oceanfront enclaves available for building. Each homesite presents an opportunity to work with well-known and celebrity architects such as Olson Kundig, Zak Architecture, and Swaback Partners to conceptualize, design, and build a unique residence at the edge of the world. Homesites are purposefully positioned on a promontory between the mountains and ocean to enjoy both sunsets and trade winds. The Kula Makai lots were designed to be a part of the storied landscape (Prince Kuhio, the last royal heir to the Hawaiian throne, was born in Kukui’ula) and accommodate minimalist homes that enhance rather than compete with the lush landscape for seamless indoor/outdoor living. Homesites from $1.55 million to $12 million; kukuiula.com
Rancho Santana
Popoyo, NicaraguaOver the last 25 years, Rancho Santana on Nicaragua’s largely unspoiled Pacific Coast has grown from a few homes (mostly for surfers) into a beach-meets-jungle community of 700 owners from all around the world. The resort has 2,700 acres of rolling hills, five unique beaches, a variety of dining options, and myriad activities from adventure sports to spa treatments. Homes and lots available (most with ocean views) throughout the property. New real estate offerings: 21 Spanish Colonial–style residences with three bedrooms, full kitchens, and private pools. Nearly all building material—from marble counters to tile floors—are locally sourced; a wood mill and an iron mill on property make most of the furniture. For families wanting to live in Nicaragua, Rancho Santana has an on-site school, as well as reliable high-speed internet for those working remotely or doing distance learning. Homesites from $99,000 to $1.2 million, depending on location, size, and view; a four-bedroom, three-bathroom turnkey beachfront home recently sold for $1.5 million; ranchosantana.com
The Residences at Secret Bay
Tibay, DominicaLuxury resort Secret Bay, an acclaimed Relais & Châteaux property, is offering a limited collection of 42 secluded, treehouse-style villas positioned on a clifftop overlooking the Caribbean Sea. Sustainability meets casual coastal elegance, as each of the one- to four-bathroom residences is outfitted with a gourmet kitchen, a private plunge pool, an outdoor rain shower cantilevered off the second floor, hammocks, and day beds positioned to make the most of the views. The eco-homes are complemented by the resort’s world-class service and amenities, including a dedicated personal concierge, on-call chef, watersports hut, wellness pavilion, and spa, set on Dominica, one of the Caribbean’s most sparsely populated and environmentally conscious islands. In addition, ownership of Secret Bay’s residences offers Citizenship by Investment (CBI), Dominican citizenship that unlocks visa-free travel to 140 countries. From $2.6 million; secretbay.dm
Beachfront
The Cays at Abaco Club on Winding Bay
Great Abaco, The BahamasSet on the secluded white-sand beaches of Winding Bay in the Bahamas, The Abaco Club is launching 36 beachfront residences, ranging from studio lofts to seven-bedroom villas. Offering casual, toes-in-the-sand living, the homes are designed to flow seamlessly from indoors to outdoors. Floor-to-ceiling glass sliders open to wraparound terraces overlooking endless ocean views, creating an exceptional al fresco experience. Made for hosting and unwinding, the spaces also feature top-of-the-line outdoor kitchens with wet bars and grilling stations. Choose from single-level or multi-level living. The architecture and design of The Cays is authentically Bahamian—early-20th-century Caribbean glamour and island textures like sand, stone, and wood. Inspired by the rhythm and soul of island life, enjoy a day of fishing in the bone-fishing capital of the world or tee it up on the tropical links golf course, home of the Korn Ferry Tour’s Great Abaco Classic. From $1.5 million (studio) to $12 million (seven-bedroom villa); thecaysatabaco.com
The Perigon
MiamiThe Perigon was conceived as Miami Beach’s newest design-forward destination for oceanfront living. The team: OMA New York (the internationally acclaimed architecture firm founded by Rem Koolhaas), elegant interiors by Tara Bernerd (best known for her hotel and private yacht projects), and landscape design by Gustafson Porter + Bowman (they designed the Princess Diana Memorial Fountain in London’s Hyde Park and redesigned the green space at the Eiffel Tower). Sited in Mid Beach at 5333 Collins Ave., along the tranquil stretch of sand between Indian Creek and the Atlantic Ocean, the building is poised to become a standout, recognizable for its bold, terraced design that rises 17 stories above the shoreline. There are 74 two- to four-bedroom residences and eight resident-owned guest suites ranging from 2,100 to 6,700 square feet. Unobstructed views of Biscayne Bay to the west; direct beachfront access to the east. From $4 million; theperigonmiamibeach.com
One&Only Mandarina Private Homes
Riviera Nayarit, MexicoSurrounded by lush mountainsides and the Pacific Ocean, One&Only Mandarina offers a collection of 55 villas that are among the first One&Only Private Homes in the world. The first ones are now being completed and will be unveiled soon. The residences feature innovative architecture and contemporary design that harmonizes with the tropical landscape and seamlessly integrates with nature by blending indoor/outdoor living. The Private Homes offer four-, five-, and six-bedroom villas, each centered around large outdoor living spaces with great rooms that open to pool terraces. Eight-bedroom estate villas feature two homesites, creating an extremely private experience designed for multigenerational living and large-scale entertaining. Owners also enjoy the exclusive services and amenities of One&Only Mandarina, as well as those of the Mandarina community, including access to the Mandarina Polo & Equestrian Club. From $4.2 million to $16.3 million; discovermandarina.com
Islands
Vladi Private Islands
If you want to buy a private island, few real estate agents can compete with Farhad Vladi, founder of Vladi Private Islands, who has sold more than 3,000 islands worldwide. According to Vladi, people want private islands for total privacy and security, “but also important is the ability to be in total control of their environment in an increasingly chaotic world.” His current listings include Cave Cay in The Bahamas with a move-in ready house, deep-water docks, and a 2,800-foot airstrip ($55 million); a picturesque Italian island with olive groves, a Belle Epoque mansion, and a 16th-century chapel ($18 million); and many other multimillion-dollar islands. More affordable: a 2.6-acre island in Greece with olive trees and a sandy beach ($2.3 million) and various smaller, off-the-grid islands off the Maine coast and the east coast of Canada where a small, forested island can cost $500,000. “The price depends on many things like size, accessibility, and amenities,” Vladi says. “Some people enjoy rusticating; others want to arrive with only their toothbrush.” Because island living can come at the price of convenience, he urges everyone to “try before they buy” by renting a private island first. Vladi Private Islands has an impressive list of islands for rent. vladi-private-islands.de
Mustique
St. Vincent and the GrenadinesEasily the Caribbean’s most exclusive island, this paparazzi-free refuge appeals to both literal and pop royalty. The late Princess Margaret threw some wildly memorable parties in her Oliver Messel–designed home, Les Jolies Eaux. Mick Jagger, Bryan Adams, and Tommy Hilfiger own homes on the island; in fact, Jagger owns two. There are 120 private villas on the 1,400-acre island, many available for rent for those with deep pockets. The six-bedroom Les Jolies Eaux fetches from $25,000 to $50,000 per week and comes with a butler, chef, and two housekeepers. Brand new to the rental portfolio, Bamboo House is a recently built private villa in Mustique’s Endeavour Hills. Interiors are fresh and contemporary, inspired by the island’s original designer, Oliver Messel. Living areas are spread over a series of buildings set on a palm-shaded hillside terrace. Pride of place belongs to an infinity pool (the island’s longest) with an adjacent open-air dining palapa. The island’s own fleet of 18-seater Twin Otter aircraft shuttles guests from either St. Lucia or Barbados. mustique-island.com
Fisher Island
FloridaAccording to Bloomberg, the 173-acre Fisher Island (located off the southern tip of Miami Beach) is the richest ZIP code in the United States, with the average income of the island’s residents being $2.2 million. The members-only tropical island is a secluded oasis, but it’s also less than 10 minutes by boat from bustling South Beach. In fact, it is only accessible by 24-hour passenger ferry service or private yacht. About 800 families live on Fisher Island in Mediterranean-style homes or one of the nearly 30 luxury condominium buildings. Residents of the island include real estate developers, high-powered litigation attorneys, CEOs, people in the finance industry, and some who are simply “old money,” according to Dora Puig, founder/principal broker of Luxe Living Realty (dorapuig.com). Members of the Fisher Island Club (once the winter retreat of the New York Vanderbilts) gain access to amenities like private beaches with sand imported from The Bahamas (and raked every day), a beach club, eight restaurants, a golf course, two deep-water marinas, a spa, and 18 tennis courts. To be a member you must own property on the island, pay a $250,000 initiation fee, and $24,000 in annual dues; condos from $4.5 million; homes from $33 million; fisherislandclub.com
