Star Attractions

01 Oct 2011

Indulge your inner celebrity at these luxurious properties. FARHAD HEYDARI highlights a few pedigreed retreats.

LAUCALA ISLAND, FIJI

What was once a down-on-its-heels cattle and coconut plantation, which used to belong to the late publishing tycoon Malcolm Forbes, has been masterfully converted into a South Pacific hideaway unlike any other. The 12 sq km Laucala Resort (above) is the brainchild of reclusive Red Bull co-founder Dietrich Mateschitz, who bought the undulant island in northern Fiji’s far-flung Vanua Levu archipelago in 2003 and lavished millions on it before opening it in December 2008. Once ashore, guests have a choice of 25 thatched bungalows, spread across the island – either dotting the sugarcane beaches or hugging the volcanic clifftops. When guests emerge from their private dwellings, a bountiful roster of amenities awaits, including a hilltop spa, a golf course designed by Scotsman David McLay Kidd, an equestrian centre, a fleet of boats to explore the pelagic wildlife and a man-made lagoon of cascading terraced pools strewn with boulders and complemented by a 25m-long glass-cube lap pool. From US$3,800 a day.
laucala.com

GOLDENEYE, JAMAICA

Call Chris Blackwell, James Bond’s saviour. The reggae impresario and founder of Island Records purchased the secluded one-time Oracabessa home of British author and 007 creator Ian Fleming in 1976. After a two-year refurbishment and expansion that included the addition of new beach cottages and lagoon suites dressed in locally crafted luxuries, the hideaway has resurfaced as a 21ha hotel-villa estate with just 22 keys, including those to Fleming’s former private dwelling, which can still be rented. All residences benefit from mod cons, touchscreen sound systems and outdoor showers. There is also a pair of new restaurants serving locally-sourced organic produce and fish, while the FieldSpa (above) offers a range of remedies and treatments. But the best part is the opening of the Ian Fleming International Airport, 10 minutes away, that can accommodate, naturally, private jets. From US$534 a night.
goldeneye.com

CASTIGLION DEL BOSCO, ITALY

True to his family mantra that “beauty has no limits”, Massimo, the youngest of the Ferragamo scions, has artfully recast a sprawling 15th century wine estate spread over 1,820ha of pine-covered foothills in Tuscany’s Val d’Orcia as a private residence club with an elegant all-suite hotel to boot. Eight years in the making, the estate features 20 stone farmhouses turned members-only luxury villas (above), complemented by 26 beautifully appointed suites for overnight visitors, housed in 17th and 18th century buildings. Within the estate are a clubby lounge and library, along with a former priest’s house that’s been repurposed into a specialist cooking school, deli and trattoria with a canopied terrace within eyeshot of the hilltop village of Montalcino. Besides a stunning infinity pool, winery, Technogym and equestrian centre, there’s a Tom Weiskopf-designed golf course and holistic spa by Daniela Steiner, making this arguably Italy’s most exclusive getaway. From US$800 a night.
www.castigliondelbosco.com

TWIN PALMS ESTATE, CALIFORNIA

Oh, if the walls of this 4,500 sq ft Palm Springs Estate could talk. Designed by prolific local architect E. Stewart Williams, the mid-century contemporary masterpiece was the Palm Springs hideaway of Frank Sinatra from 1947 to 1954, and was the scene of much cavorting and conviviality with the Hollywood likes of Bob Hope, Joan Crawford, George Burns and Greta Garbo. It was also here that Ol’ Blue Eyes famously threw not only one of his tantrums but also all the possessions of his second wife Ava Gardner out onto the driveway. Owned by Beau Monde Villas, the modernist four-bedroom aerie, a mere stone’s throw from the stylish and bourgeoning bustle of downtown Palm Springs, remains a timeless example of superlative mid-century architecture with furniture designed by Knoll, Vladimir Kagan and T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings, the piano-shaped swimming pool (above) with cabana notwithstanding. From US$2,600 a night.
sinatrahouse.com

MUSHA CAY, BAHAMAS

As if by magic, the Exumas – a collection of 365 cays and islands that stretch like stardust south-easterly from Nassau – has welcomed a new refuge to its dreamy midst, courtesy of famed illusionist David Copperfield. Musha Cay occupies an idyllic milieu spread across 283ha and no fewer than 11 islands. It features five villas (its beach house bath; above), decorated with personal keepsakes (think correspondence from Charlie Chaplin and Arthur Conan Doyle), a motley of whimsical East meets West furnishings, historical artefacts from the world of magic as well as the latest mod cons. But the real enchantment for guests – only 24 are allowed on the resort at any one time – is outdoors, where beaches studded with swaying palms, a 3.2km-long sandbar and water sporting vessels await. On-site chef Stephan Kritzinger whips up a culinary oeuvre without equal and for postprandials, how about an open-air cinema complete with a candy bar for grazing? All this for just US$37,500 a day.
mushacay.com

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