A real luxurious vacation starts at a Carribean villa, just like the Island’s End villa at St. John. It is located on the side of a cliff in a national park. As such its geography rather than its architecture gives it a commanding presence, with majestic views far into the distance and overlooking Coral Bay. It also has a panoramic vista of more than 180 degrees.

Constructed in an octagonal design from white painted wood, this Caribbean villa has a rather fresh and oddly serene design. Inside, the decor and design is of a piece, with an odd juxtaposition of Spartan color and design, combined with the warm and organic feel of wood.

The lines may be conventional, but an abundance of glass makes best use of the breathtaking views as well as giving an airy feeling, and firmly rooting the building within its surroundings. Every room is walled as much by nature as it is by the constraints of construction.

Around the interior of the villa runs a balcony constructed of the same white wood, in the same utilitarian design, affording even more chance to explore the scenery. Into this is set a smallish pool which fits in the overall scheme and a hot tub where guests can relax while enjoying the sunshine.

Comprising ten bedrooms each with their own bathrooms and living areas, as well as a functional kitchen, this Caribbean villa is very aware of where it is and what its purpose is. This is a villa designed to show off its surroundings and provide luxury - and is a great hideaway for those seeking exclusivity.

//All images are from Island’s End

In the community of Silver Creek in Orlando, Florida is a very luxurious five-bedroom villa that has become one of the most sought-after vacation rentals all throughout the year. It is minutes away from the magnificent Walt Disney World and other tourist attractions. It is the perfect Orlando villa for a visiting family or a large group of people.

The most stunning feature of this villa, in my opinion, is the 30×15 feet pool. Outdoor swimming is nice under the sun, with a view of the highlands. The conservation area has a small lake, where guests can spot herons, turtles and white cranes. It is very private and secluded.

The poolside is also a deck area, extended to provide space for guests who want to indulge in sunbathing. There is also a lanai area with a roof where guests can sit down and cool off over food, drinks and conversation. It must also be noted that a safety fence was created to keep the children out of danger from falling accidentally into the pool. Such consideration is very thoughtful, assuring that this luxurious Orlando villa is family-friendly, too.

Inside the property, all rooms are fully air-conditioned. There are five bedrooms, four bathrooms, two living rooms and dining areas and a kitchen. It also has a spa, aside from the magnificent pool outside.

The furnishings and warm interior designs make the living room and bedroom areas very cozy and inviting. The management of the villa boast of quality service - it is just like rooming in a five-star hotel. Guests are taken care of during their whole stay.

A game room is even available. Kids and adults alike can have fun here and enjoy the comforts of home while staying in this Orlando villa.

//Source and images from YourLuxuryVilla.com

Villa Ginevra is a very charming home in the countryside near Cortona city in Tuscany. The field of flowers alone is enough to take your breath away - it’s like a place from your dreams. Sitting between the cultivated fields and the other historical houses, Villa Ginevra is a place like no other, as it faces a vast space filled with sunlight and trees.

The interiors of this Tuscan villa are warm and cozy. Furnished with sophisticated artwork and tasteful appliances, the rooms look very inviting. I, for one, would love to spend afternoons just reading a book here. Or maybe I’d just wake up really early and gaze out the window, and watch for the sunrise.

Also, all of the modern comforts of the home are present and readily available for use, like the satellite television, dvd player, cd player, microwave, dishwasher, washing machine, and more. This is really nice to hear - even though Villa Ginevra has all the beauty of old Tuscan villas, it’s still good to be connected to a few technologies.

On Wednesday nights, the owners of the villa are said to host a party, with all of the villa guests invited to join in the hospitality and friendly gatherings that only make Villa Ginevra a lovelier place to spend your vacation in.

Outside, the pool and the terrace make an inviting and secluded place to hang out with your family, friends and loved ones. The fresh air and the spectacular view make for a very relaxing environment.

Over all, I love how Villa Ginevra is structured. Even if the house is made of stones and heavy walls, a distinct feature like the arched doorways, hallways and windows give this home character. The warm interiors also provide a hint of nostalgia, and the sunlight coming through is nothing short of amazing. This Tuscan villa is both romantic and peaceful, and should be a wonderful choice for those looking for a luxurious yet very humbling experience.

//Source and images from InTuscany.net

The Sempachersee Golf Club is the largest golf course in Switzerland at a site area of 4,500 square meters. Designed by Smolenicky & Partner, the firm was commissioned to build two new buildings as the golf club was expanded. Located in these two buildings are the club house/restaurant and the maintenance structure.

The restaurant has this aura of a bright summer day, what Smolenicky & Partner would describe as “country character…with worldly sophistication.” The three large windows over at the bar encourage a panoramic view of the landscape. Also, the ingenious use of spaces for the walls allows subtle light to filter through the room. These clean, straight lines flow smoothly to the deck outside, where the floor features spectacular craftsmanship that only highlights the interiors more.

Outside, the scenery is relaxing, with a very nice view of the Alps and the clear blue sky. Meticulously manicured grounds serve as a nice backdrop to a day of dining and playing golf.

The interiors in the other rooms were amazing, too, to say the least. This is the other face of the Sempachersee Golf Club, where everything is sleek, chic and very urban. It’s the perfect complement to the club members who are looking for exclusivity and sophistication.

The dark orange walls, intricately adorned with lights, are a sight to behold. Although a different world entirely from the other rooms, the continuity is present, with the installation of panoramic windows and mirrors. The clean lines and white borders and the unconventional spatial arrangements of the furniture and walls add character to this already very handsome structure.

I like the ambiance of the two buildings primarily because the strategy was to marry two distinct styles while maintaining an expression of style and casualness, which to me was a success, judging by how beautiful the rooms look together, and apart.

The Sempachersee Golf Club is a very impressive place. It’s perfect for anyone who hates the dreariness of the average golf club resort, and is looking for something that will fit their lifestyle.

//Source from Arch Daily; Photographs by Walter Mair

This is one of the most refreshing designs that I’ve seen in a long time. J. Mayer H. Architects were faced with a very challenging task – they were to build this structure on the space occupied by an old house on the land provided. The previous house was built on 1984, and many additions and renovations have been made since then, hence the area covered was a bit uneven.

However, J. Mayer H. Architects used this to their advantage by creating a beautiful house that is very modern, stylish and sophisticated. The Dupli Casa has a nice view of the city of Marbach on one side and the German national literature archive on the other side.

Dupli Casa is a private residence which site area is around 6,900 square meters. The building area is around 569 square meters; the total floor area is around 1,190 square meters. There are three floors, and the house structure is made out of concrete and brick. The roof is made of timber.

The duration of the project is from 2005 to 2007, and was completed in 2008.

I love how Dupli Casa was built. The lines are very smooth and clean, and at the same time, the angles are unconventional, making this structure all the more intriguing. The exterior building is finished in stark black and white, which belies the curvilinear lines of the walls and seemingly impossible tangents they create. At no point is there an obvious right angle, save in the large and spartan windows. This, coupled with the daring angles and lines lead to floating rooms and break up the line of the building, giving it a spectacular panorama no matter where it is viewed from.

On one hand, such architecture can make the person living here a bit vulnerable because of its seemingly formal but chic design. The white interiors, although it accentuates the wide space, can be daunting. From the outside to the inside, the unconventional aesthetic carries over, with rooms swooping into one another, which give a sense of space, as well as clearly segmenting areas despite the open plan and pervading monochrome color scheme.

However, with enough color and presence, this large dwelling place can easily be the home of an urban, young professional.

//Architecture by J. Mayer H. Architects; photos by David Franck; additional source from Yatzer.com

Luigi Colani’s work combines form and function at the same time. At once functional and minimalist, this quaint rotor house is a refreshing architectural work.

Designed to save space, this house’s main feature is a six-square meter cylinder that contains three rooms: a bedroom, a bathroom, and kitchen. It is remote-controlled and can revolve towards the left or right. This enables the person to bring the room he wants into the view of the living room.

Most have viewed this design as very efficient and compact, as all the essentials – the place to sleep, to eat, and to take a bath, are all combined into one rotating tube. You can literally, move your space around, giving you instant accessibility and customization. Luigi Colani’s aim of “maximum living area with minimum outer dimensions” is a perfect fit.

The house was created in cooperation with Hanse Haus, and was said to be designed for “young professionals who need minimal space while they focus on career.”

//Source and images from: Hanse Haus

One of the more unusual residential places I’ve stumbled upon lately is this quaint architectural wonder in central Tokyo that looks like a haven of trees and birds, right out of paradise. It is very zen and earthy that you can’t help but be entranced just by looking at it.

Dancing Trees, Singing Birds is an apartment building created by architect Hiroshi Nakamura. It was borne out of a design competition that Nakamura took part in, which was held by FLEG International. The brief specifies an 8,288-square foot lot that comes with a nice little forest. Architects can do anything with it as long as they maximize the space provided. The winning proposal came from Nakamura, who was the only one who incorporated the forest into his design. While the rest recommended a scheme of leveling the trees, Nakamura fully embraced the plant life, resulting to a very innovative yet very humbling integration of nature and the modern structure.

Below is an architectural model by Hiroshi Nakamura and NAP architects:

Nakamura’s design was such that trees were interwoven with the rooms. This displays a surprising harmony of apartment space and the forest. Birdhouses were also built in several places. Nakamura wanted to make sure that the birds that live in that small forest don’t leave, and that they have a proper home, too.

The Dancing Trees, Singing Birds apartments are usually rented by American executives who are stationed in Tokyo because of business-related matters. This place is nice for relaxing after a long day at work. It is also a great venue for entertaining colleagues or friends.

Hiroshi Nakamura created a specific theme for each of the apartments. Distinct qualities for each unit make it exciting to see what is behind each door, and in a place like this, it encourages an atmosphere of inquisitiveness and openness. Nakamura envisions the people who might live in the building as friendly neighbors who visit one another from time to time and hang out in each other’s homes.

Below are the six apartments, which are truly inventive and original in their architecture and design:

The Spa House is a Nakamura’s modern interpretation of a Japanese summer house. Traditional fusuma doors are replaced with modern sliding doors. The use of wood in the door frames, the planks, and ceiling beams are also chosen to complement the theme of simplicity and comfort.

The Pool House is inspired by a Japanese traditional landscape garden. The unit is surrounded by mirrors and reflects the background of the forest effectively. Nakamura wanted a theme that supports the freedom to move and do anything you like. The apartment is very spacious and bright, and the use of mirrors also creates an illusion of the place being much bigger than its actual size.

The Theater House uses the dark as an asset in this part of the building. It is complemented by black interiors. Meanwhile the Tea House is the most expensive unit in the building. It is also the largest and most traditional, according to Nakamura. It is strategically placed by the garden, where one can enjoy an afternoon of the traditional tea ceremony, or just relax by the pond that the architect has created to add more character to the unit.

The Library House used another aspect like having limited windows and turned it to an asset once again by designing a very cozy and cocoon-like space. A major attraction is that corner where one can read and enjoy the solitude. A small window or a “skylight” was created to allow the sunlight to filter through, giving one the familiarity of reading while sitting under a tree. A nice detail about the bookshelves, too, is that they double as sliding doors, which reveal a more private room that can easily be a bedroom. The Terrace House, meanwhile is located at the top of the building, and opens to a luxurious wide open space, where one can have lavish dinners or parties. It is the most suitable unit for entertaining many people.

In a way, living at the Dancing Trees, Singing Birds is a unique human experience: people are the ones who have to adjust to an existing environment, and respect the already flourishing life that has been there before them. Nakamura also wanted to promote environmental awareness through this design, and what a more apt way to do it than letting residents live in a building interspersed with trees?

//All images are from Hiroshi Nakamura & NAP architects. Photos taken by NAP Architects, Masumi Kawamura and Daici Ano.
//Source: Metropolis Magazine, article by Cathelijne Nuijsink.

At the heart of Napier, New Zealand is the ultimate metropolitan haven for the savvy businessman. The Dome luxury penthouses are very stylish living spaces that are said to offer “five-star standard of accommodations.”

The penthouses offer an amazing view of the sea and a landscape of the city. It is built at the top of the T & G building, which many have defined an iconic work of Art Deco. It also a historical landmark – Temperance & General Insurance, a “company which emerged during the Prohibition Era in the early 1900s”, used to occupy this space.

Art Deco has been popularized around the 1920s to the 1930s, and has been characterized as demonstrating many geometrical shapes. It is mostly influenced by modern art movements like Cubism. Typical styles are the use of rounded corners (which is very evident on The Dome), and of black decoration (also seen in the interior design of penthouses). The features of the dome roof form – hemispherical, mostly built over a circular space – are also a characteristic inspired from ancient geometrical designs from the likes of Assyrian architecture.

Napier also has a rich history about Art Deco. In fact, it is considered to be one of the cities that has embraced this art movement - most of the buildings and structures in Napier are works inspired by Art Deco.

From the tourism website of New Zealand:

“A national disaster resulted in Napier becoming one of the purest Art Deco cities in the world. On the morning of February 3rd 1931 a massive earthquake - 7.9 on the Richter scale - rocked Hawke’s Bay for more than three minutes. Nearly 260 lives were lost and the vast majority of buildings in the commercial centre of Napier were destroyed, either by the quake itself or the fires that followed.

Rebuilding began almost immediately, and much of it was completed in two years. New buildings reflected the architectural styles of the times - Stripped Classical, Spanish Mission and Art Deco. Local architect Louis Hay, an admirer of the great Frank Lloyd Wright, had his chance to shine; Maori motifs were employed to give the city a unique New Zealand character (for example, the ASB bank on the corner of Hastings and Emerson Streets features koru and zigzags similar to those used in Maori weaving designs).

Napier’s city centre has the feeling of a time capsule - the seamless line of 1930s architecture is quite extraordinary. The best way to enjoy the streetscape is on a self-guided walk - ask for a map at the information centre.”

The Dome offers two penthouses that both share a fantastic panorama of Hawke’s Bay – the Cape View penthouse, and the Deco Decant penthouse.

The Cape View penthouse is almost always bathed with sunshine and the view of the clear blue waters outside.

From The Dome website, some of the features of the penthouse are:
• Master bedroom - king-size bed with en-suite bathroom
• Second bedroom - king-size bed with private bathroom (with bath)
• Sleeps a maximum of four guests
• Large open plan living and dining room
• Dining table (seats eight)

The Deco Decant penthouse, meanwhile, imbibes the whole Art Deco theme fully, with modern black furnishings and interior design.

From The Dome website, some of the features of the penthouse are:
• Master bedroom with king-size bed with en-suite bathroom
• Second bedroom with king-size with private bathroom (with bath)
• Sleeps a maximum of six guests
• Additional double sofa-bed available if required (shares bathroom)
• Large open plan living and dining room
• Dining table (seats 12) in the private Dome dining room

Both penthouses are equipped with designer kitchens, home theatre systems, and wireless broadband internet connection. They are also fully serviced.

The Dome penthouses are created with the businessman in mind as the customer: both are private of each other, that entirely two different parties or clusters can occupy the floor without any disturbance. However, it is also available for occupancy by a large group, that they can enjoy the two spaces without any difficulty.

The dining area can also be a great venue for important and private boardroom meetings and little events like dinners and small parties. A catering service can also be set, with the guests being treated to the best food and wine that New Zealand can offer.

Luxury living at The Dome penthouses raises the bar for the businessman who is looking for excellent quality in terms of living arrangements. Work and leisure can both be enjoyed and realized fully in this place, as it is stylish and flexible enough to mix the two.

//All images and penthouse accommodation details from: The Dome

One of the most exotic places to visit in the world is Asia, because it offers a lot of diversity, and the culture is vastly different from their neighboring continents. Thailand is a great country to explore, and it has many luxury villas that have recently attracted a lot of foreigners.

The simple and quiet beauty of Chiang Mai is perfect for those looking for a place to relax and distress – and the Baan Cheep Chang villa has opened its doors to travelers who want both comfort and luxury.

Baan Cheep Chang has six main deluxe bedrooms that are located in the heart of the tropical gardens. All of the rooms have en suite bathrooms. Quaint manmade waterfalls and ponds surround the area, adding a zen atmosphere. The main house has a large reception area, a handsome bar, and lounges. It also has a television room.

The house is a fusion of the old and the new – most of the construction was built on teak, and all decorations are antique furnishings rich with the culture of Thailand. Rare oriental rugs also add warmth to the already cozy room.

However, the interior space of Baan Cheep Chang – all 800 square meters of it – is air-conditioned. It is also equipped with telephone and wireless internet access and other modern comforts like a bath tub in the en suite bathroom.

Outside, Thai-style cottages are also available. It is designed for those who want to commune with nature and enjoy the sound of the river. It has a terrace that encourages lovely afternoon conversations with your loved ones. It can also be a favorite nook for reading, if you want to be away for awhile.

The Baan Cheep Chang is a welcome haven during the day and a spectacular vision at night. The wide open space is very refreshing, and the landscaping of the gardens are very beautiful. The riverbank becomes a nice backdrop if you want to meditate and just think.

It is very evident that a lot of care and effort has been put into creating this breathtaking villa. The strong architecture juxtaposed with the warm interiors make Baan Cheep Chang a very inviting and very comfortable vacation villa. Attention to detail, like handmade structures and hand painted decorations are also a personal touch that adds charm to the place - all the more reason to go to this enchanting sanctuary.

//All images are from Villa Chiang Mai

Sunshine, sea and luxury are what make Hale Nana Kohola – a 4,500-square foot architectural tour de force – an experience of a lifetime. Located in beautiful Hawaii, on the beach of Puako, this extravagant home on the island is a must-see (and a must-stay in), if you plan on going on a vacation with your family and friends.

Along the Kohala Coast, Big Island, this holiday villa comprises of two master suites, two guest rooms, an impressive media room, and a living room and dining room that opens to a spectacular view of the deep blue waters that Hawaii is most famous for. It also has a gourmet kitchen area that leads to a huge, stunning lanai, perfect for enjoying the cool sea breeze and serene atmosphere of the lavish island life.

Outside, a breathtaking infinity pool spells paradise. It is surrounded by lush trees and wide open sky, and could only be more spectacular at night.

Inside the beach front villa are high ceilings that add dimension and space to the already wide open area, giving one the feeling of freedom and relaxation. Feel pampered and spoiled in the island zen-inspired master suites, complete with lavatories, bath tubs, shower areas, toilet rooms and walk-in closets.

The warm, inviting colors are accented by wooden doorframes, thick rugs and carpets, intricately carved doors, large beds and quaint lighting fixtures. All of the rooms are also equipped with large flat screen televisions and state-of-the-art audio systems. These can even accommodate various iPod selections for the serious music lovers!

The architecture of Hale Nana Kohola is very simple yet very serene at the same time. It has also embraced the environment in such a way that sustainability is also given importance. Respect for the natural habitat of trees and birds in the area make the house even more special. The interior design is also styled to match the vicinity. Most of the furnishings are made out of wood.

At the end of the day, it is nice to come home to a sprawling garden, with a beautiful landscape of palm trees and a hammock to snuggle in. Watch the sunset while resting on the plush lounge chairs spread out on the beach. The next day, rise up early to catch the sunrise at the third-story tower: a 360-degree view of the island and the ocean is perfect for welcoming the day.

Hale Nana Kohola is your home away from home: a quiet and peaceful shangri-la that could easily be one of the most memorable and amazing travel experiences.

//All images are from Luxury Retreats Hawaii