Elite Traveler Summer 2023

COSTA PALMAS Everyone knows Mexico’s Baja California peninsula is dreamy. It is, of course, a wildly popular vacation destination, with throngs of well-heeled travelers buzzing into Cabo every summer aboard their private jets. On the lesser-known (but equally dreamy) East Cape of Baja lies Costa Palmas. Set along a quiet two-mile stretch of beach overlooking the Sea of Cortez, the 1,000-acre development is a secluded haven. At the heart of the development is the Marina Village, currently under construction. Once complete, the full-service port will be able to host up to 200 motor yachts, sailboats and fi shing vessels. It’s also set to welcome a collection of high-end boutiques, fi ne dining eateries and even a nightclub. Four Seasons and Aman both have resorts at Costa Palmas with every facility you would expect from the hotel heavyweights, including luxury spas, fi tness centers and restaurants. When it comes to real estate, there are several options. Four Seasons has a range of private residences dotted throughout Costa Palmas. The biggest are the private villas — bespoke homes designed with up to six-bedroom layouts. They’ve been built with location in mind: The Marina Villa, for example, features a discreet private dock o ff ering direct access to your boat, while the Golf Villas are steps from the 18-hole Robert Jones II-designed golf course. Aman is also currently constructing a series of homes — the Amanvari residences — ranging from four- to seven-bedroom properties. Spanning 13,000 to 20,000 sq ft, these are the perfect residences for entertaining large groups. Floor plans and renderings reveal Aman’s signature open-plan, minimalist interiors with plenty of outdoor space. The newest addition to Costa Palmas will be Casa Blake. Situated within Marina Village, the collection of studio and one-, two-, and three-bedroom residences are set to be super stylish. Martin Brudnizki Design Studio — the acclaimed fi rm behind Annabel’s in London — is being brought in to craft the interiors with a color palette inspired by the seaside location. There will be plenty of communal spaces to mix with fellow residents at Casa Blake including a marina-side pool, lively bar and private shaded garden. Homeowners will also be given access to the members-only Costa Palmas club as a Yacht Club or Golf Club member. While there isn’t yet a fi rm opening date, renderings have been released and you can register your interest to buy. From $700,000 to $20m, costapalmas.com

CABOT SAINT LUCIA

Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw — the duo behind some of the greatest golf courses — are designing an incredible new oceanside course on the northern tip of Saint Lucia. Known for its picture-perfect beaches and soaring mountains, the Caribbean island is certainly a beautiful setting for teeing o ff . The 18-hole course has been meticulously planned to make the most of the jaw-dropping views, winding around the island’s rocky outcrops and tropical bays. While golf is undoubtedly the main draw at Cabot Saint Lucia, the new development will also boast some 300 residential dwellings (set to open in 2024). Directly above the golf course, overlooking the Cas en Bas Beach, is where you’ll fi nd the Fairway Villas. Available in three- and four-bedroom con fi gurations, the properties have been designed to blend indoor and outdoor spaces; the light- fi lled central courtyards are just made for alfresco dinners. If you’ve ever thought of building your dream home, you can also buy one of Cabot Saint Lucia’s lots. This gives you the opportunity to choose the exact location — whether that be hilltop or beachside — and bring in your own architectural design team. Lot 109, for example, spans 24,000 sq ft and is situated 200 ft above sea level, with incredible views of the south and east coasts of the island. There are plenty of facilities for residents to enjoy including three upscale restaurants, a tranquil spa and an expansive sports club complete with a kids’ water park. Saint Lucia is an excellent destination for water activities, and residents will be able to enjoy everything from guided whale watching tours to deep-sea fi shing trips. Premium lots and Fairway Villas from $1.6m to $9.75m, cabotsaintlucia.com

This page, from top Cabot Saint Lucia will be fully open by 2024; the homes blend indoor and outdoor spaces; the 18-hole golf course; St Lucia’s gorgeous scenery

Photos Jacob Sjoman