The site may be small, but the views are stunning. On the southwest coast of Maui, architect Mark de Reus took advantage of a narrow, 102-foot-wide lot by directing the eye, through a 6,000-square-foot home, out to three small islands in the distance.

He kept his design simple. “One of the things I’ve learned to appreciate is that restraint is good,” he says. “There’s a lot of elegance that comes through simplicity—it’s a nice, elegant solution.”

He maximized visibility and the indoor/outdoor living experience by placing a pool and spa at the leading edge overlooking the Pacific. He added an open lanai adjacent to it and a covered lanai next to that. “They merge together in one large, luxurious space,” de Reus says.

Behind the outdoor spaces are a casual living area, dining area, and kitchen. They integrate with the bigger lanai through sliding glass doors that disappear into walls. “The climate on that side of Maui means you can open it up and live in that luxurious air,” he says. “It’s one outdoor living area.”

The architect worked with land planner Don Vita of Vita Planning and Landscape Architecture, someone he’s collaborated with for 24 years, to address the lot. If one challenge was its narrowness, there were also the houses that flank it on either side. 

“The view is directional,” Vita says. “We had to deal with that and make sure it’s interesting and take advantage of it in as many places inside the home as possible.”

He placed plantings and walls strategically to block sound and sight to and from the homes next door. After all, people on Maui want to spend their time outside as much as possible, without a lot of visibility. “The climate is very nurturing: It feels just right for your skin, and there’s just enough salt spray in the air,” he says. “And the breezes are always there to moderate the temperature, so you end up living outside—and there’s a flow, inside to outside.”

The clients, a pair of attorneys from Sacramento, California, wanted a home that could double as an escape. They also wanted spaces that were not only easy to maintain but water-conscious, too, because the new house is on the dry side of the island. “There are northeast trade winds, so there’s a wet side and a dry side,” Vita says. “The dry side might get 10 inches of rain a year, but the other gets 115 inches.”

That led the landscape planner to work with a water budget, and he used most of it at the entry. There, he placed water-intensive gingers and heliconia for their color, scent, and deep green foliage that gives a lush and tropical feel. 

Carefully placed coconut palms frame views from bedrooms and outdoor spaces. Below the lanai, Vita allowed kiawe and grasses to work their way up to the house. “The thing about designers is that they have to design,” he says. “Sometimes, the genius is to leave it be.”

The architect addressed scale and proportion in his arrangement and composition of living and transition spaces. “You come in from the auto court into a cozy foyer,” de Reus says. “Then you transition from compression to expansion into a larger volume that’s the main gathering space.”

That larger area needed to be a comfortable fit for friends and family. The architect defined it by maximizing its opening for the most drama, merging interior spaces into exterior ones.

“Then you add the materiality. The client liked the use of rich woods,” he says. “We used a number of them on the interior because they’re dark and rich in character.”

While the coral stone cladding the home was imported, walls and ceilings are native ohia wood. Most of the interior furnishings were selected by Marion Philpotts-Miller and Anne Tanaka of Philpotts Interiors in Honolulu. Among the woods chosen for furnishings were ohia, koa, mango, and monkeypod. “You support your local craftsmen in the middle of a pandemic by having things made right on the island,” Philpotts-Miller says.

A cabinetmaker created the oversized, live-edge dining room table from the trunk of a local tree. The headboard in the master suite and the vanities in the bath are both koa, one of the most sought-after and overcut woods on the island. “It’s like royalty,” she says. “It has dark and medium colors, mixed.”

A sense of calm is the overwhelming takeaway from the interiors, and that’s no accident. “There are soulful and restful components, like a yoga and meditation area upstairs,” says Philpotts-Miller. “It’s a retreat where the clients can find quiet time—a nice approach to designing a vacation home.”

And if they feel a sudden need for drama, they can always step out into views of the Pacific. 

Learn more about the project team

For more information visit dereusarchitects.com; philpotts.net

For years, this San Diego-based telecommunications company founder and his wife escaped to a condominium in a golf community on the southwestern coast of Maui. Their kids, and later their grandkids, joined them; everyone loved it. So, the couple decided to build a contemporary Hawaiian dream home that would comfortably accommodate four generations and last many lifetimes. “They wanted a family legacy that would patina gracefully and celebrate tropical lifestyle by seamlessly blending indoors and outdoors,” Randy Hanna, principal at HGW Architecture, says. 

Hanna worked closely with Ian Morris, principal at GroundLevel Landscape Architecture, to realize the couple’s vision. Diverse local plantings surround the limestone structure, creating a private tropical wonderland that entices at every turn, and not just visually. “The garden initiates multiple senses,” Morris says. “It attracts birds that sing, there are fruit trees the family can harvest, flowers provide incredible smells, and pathways feel good on bare feet.” 

Although much of the home is oriented toward the water—it sits above the shores of the Pacific Ocean abutting a seaside golf course—the backside views are also stellar. “Usually, a house is all about the ocean, but they also face Haleakala Volcano,” Hanna notes. “There are lanais on both sides for views, outdoor access, and tropical breezes.”

Entry is along the volcano side of the pavilion-style home, where a path of Montrachet limestone pavers with sawn surfaces runs from the street to a Hawaiian bluestone and sapele mahogany gate, and then ascends slowly up a series of stairs. The gate highlights the first moment of bespoke local craftsmanship. “On the street side of the gate, there is a relief carving of ocean waves because you are headed to the water,” Hanna says. “On the flip side there are mountains.”

A glass pivot door marks the formal entry, though one might step right into the living room from the eastern lanai. After all, pocketing glass walls open nearly the entire perimeter of the house to the outdoors. That the Montrachet limestone pavers continue underfoot, through the living space, out to the western lanai, and up to the edge of the infinity pool, reinforces the connection. 

Inside, furnishings are spare, but meant for relaxation, and decorative details take cues from traditional Hawaiian arts. There are handmade reproduction antique Hawaiian surfboards leaning against plaster walls and a sapele mahogany–wrapped column with a carved band that tells the family’s story in the manner of traditional Hawaiian tattoo art. And, at the center of the home, bubinga wood panels with a sapele mahogany relief carving of Maui wraps the three-level open stair with lacy aluminum risers and ipe treads.

On the other side of the stair, at the northwest corner, a dining patio with an outdoor kitchen wraps the open-air indoor kitchen. A sleek ipe boardwalk separates the cooking/dining patio from the pool, jutting eight feet into the landscape over the home’s Hawaiian bluestone foundation, about 15 feet above the lower yard. This cantilevered boardwalk looks to Molokini, an uninhabited spit of land known for its snorkeling. “The concept of this lookout point evolved from wanting to celebrate the commanding view,” Hanna says. “We ran the boardwalk all the way into the house, to the foot of the stair, to further connect the house to the site.” 

Three generous guest suites with lanais and a double bunk room with a catamaran netting loft are located on the north and south ends of the home, while the primary suite enjoys elevated views on the second level, as does the family room. Lanais wrap both spaces on two sides, showcasing the owners’ favorite views past the rhythmic bronze rails: the golf course and the island’s only black sand beach. 

Interior spaces with soaring cedar ceilings and exposed structures lean into traditional Hawaiian long room architecture, and walnut screens laser-cut with palm frond patterns mask attic windows and louvers that let in natural light and ocean breezes. Similar to those in the guest suites below, aluminum panels with an abstract scattering of perforations in the shape of plumeria petals ensure privacy for would-be bathers using either of the side-by-side indoor and outdoor showers that look out to the volcano. 

Finally, for those seeking something beyond—or rather, above—the meandering gardens and black sand shores, the stair goes up another level, to the roof. There’s a roof deck and a lawn. “It’s the one place that captures a 360-degree view,” Hanna says. “You see the ocean, the volcano, and the stars.” 

Learn more about the project team

Architect: HGW Architecture
Landscape Architect: GroundLevel Landscape Architecture
Structural Engineer: Scot Listavich Structural Engineering
Civil Engineer: Otomo Engineering, Wailuku, HI
Lighting Designer: Ron Neal Lighting Design
Construction: Haven International, Kihei, HI
Wood Carvings: G&S Woodworks

If you’re looking for scores of shops or a bustling nightlife, Kaua’i is probably not the place for you. However, Kaua’i beckons those who are laser-focused on the luxury of time—family time, downtime, and me time. 

One Kaua’i property stands in a class of its own: Timbers Kaua’i, part of the 450-acre Hōkūala resort on the southeast shore. The master-planned development features a Jack Nicklaus signature golf course, miles of winding trails, an organic farm, and more than 40 acres of winding lagoons, home to five species of endangered birds.

I recently traveled to Timbers to learn why families—like the wildlife—flock to this private oasis for a secluded, service-focused experience featuring luxurious island accommodations and amenities.

Live Effortlessly

Offering a seamless and personalized lifestyle, Timbers Kaua’i features 47 luxury residences, including two-, three-, and four-bedrooms for sale as whole ownership, residential interests, and nightly rentals—all mere steps from some of the most beautiful beaches in Hawai’i. Lavish appointments, thoughtfully curated art, and fully stocked kitchens enhance the experience.

In addition to the existing residences, the property’s newest phase is underway. When finished, it will consist of 36 three- and four-bedroom townhomes, each featuring multiple expansive outdoor lanais, disappearing glass walls, a private plunge pool, and detached carport. 

I had the good fortune of staying in a sprawling, three-bedroom residence with a breathtaking panoramic view of the lagoon, coastline, and mountains beyond. From the time I arrived to find my favorite wine chilled to my departure time, when a private car takes me to the airport, the team at Timbers ensures each detail is noted, personalized, and executed.

Future plans include single-family homesites, renovations to the clubhouse, and shopping, dining, and entertainment amenities. 

Stay to Play (and Recharge)

Kaua’i has resisted some of the commercialization and overwhelming tourism other islands have experienced. Still, there’s something for everyone to do on and near the property.

While the view from my residence’s lanai is spectacular, I sipped coffee in the oceanfront infinity pool each morning for a front-row seat to the sunrise. Throughout the visit, I spent time in the expansive pool and lounging on the surrounding deck, which is outfitted in ocean-facing lounge chairs and daybeds. 

Additional on-site experiences include everything from harvesting fresh ingredients at the farm to signature spa treatments. And while I loved relaxing at the spa, I made sure to take advantage of the abundance of outdoor adventures like kayaking and paddleboarding on the property’s protected lagoon. If you prefer clubs to paddles, take on Timbers Kaua’i’s 18-hole course, the Ocean Course at Hōkūala. A Jack Nicklaus signature design, the course, with its oceanfront fairways, makes great use of the surrounding natural landscape. Each hole is like a sunrise from the infinity spa—worthy of a thousand pictures. 

I also recommend venturing offsite for a few local experiences. Sleeping Giant offers a challenging climb with views that pay dividends—and a private guide from Timbers can join you on your journey! One of my favorite experiences was renting a beach cruiser in Kapa’a and wistfully pedaling along the coastline. And, of course, no visit to the island is complete without indulging in a shaved ice. Dreamy! 

Experience the World

Ranging from the slopes of Aspen to the shores of Kaua’i, Timbers’ residents and guests have access to many tried-and-true family legacy places. Residences at their properties are available for whole or fractional ownership. Some of these destinations—like Timbers Kaua’i at Hōkūala—also offer nightly rates. 

Truly an island paradise, Timbers Kaua’i is the epitome of indoor/outdoor living. With a service-focused, family-first vibe, the Timbers lifestyle embraces the luxury of time, and it is ready to share that with you. 

For more information, visit timberskauai.com, timbersresorts.com.

Address: 360 Puuikena Drive, Oahu Island, Honolulu, HI
Price: $23,000,000
Area: 8,795 square feet
Acres: 0.5
Bedrooms: 5
Bathrooms: 6

The influences of high fashion are evident throughout this lavishly renovated, fully furnished home set on a half-acre lot in Oahu’s most prestigious gated community. Rebuilt from the studs in 2022, the estate features a clean-lined, modern style enhanced with designer details including a Snaidero kitchen, Italian closets by Molteni & Dada, Spinneybeck leather walls, and limestone staircase and walls. Furnishings from Hermes, Louis Vuitton, Cassina, Mies Van der Rohe, and Tresserra keep the couture influences front-and-center. Amenities include a pneumatic elevator and a commercial-grade movie theater.

Enjoy panoramic views of Diamond Head from every room, or while relaxing in the saltwater infinity pool. Complete privacy and 24-hour security allow residents to relax completely and bask in their breathtaking surroundings.

The complete listing and realtor contact information are available online.

Blustery winds and an idyllic view guided the collaborative design of a luxury rereat on the island of O‘ahu for a married couple, their four children, and their extended family.

“The site is beautiful, but there are high winds,” says architect Peter Vincent, who’s practiced in Honolulu for 30-plus years. “Having a chef’s kitchen and outdoor dining out of the wind was part of the program.”

The rest of it? There was the renovation of a developer’s 2010 spec house—and a new guest house, swimming pool, and pavilion/dining area/gathering space.

All are aligned along a walkway laid in Peruvian limestone—a travertine path lined by an allée of palm trees—that leads eyes past beach and breakers to a pair of islands. “It separates the more private family spaces on the left and the entertainment spaces on the right,” Vincent says. 

The clients searched long and hard to find this site. They looked on the Big Island, only to discover cliff-dwelling homes, not beachfront properties. When they came across this house and its adjacent vacant lot, they rented it for a week—a test drive of sorts. 

Within three days, they’d arrived at how to lay out the property. “We knew we had to buy the adjacent lot, put the pool behind it, and the guest house behind that,” the husband says.

Once it had all been designed and built, Vincent recommended local landscape architect Rick Quinn, principal of HHF Planners, and San Francisco–based Surfacedesign. Its founder, landscape architect James Lord, is a graduate of Harvard’s landscape architecture program who cites Italian architect Carlo Scarpa and Brazilian landscape architect Roberto Burle Marx as key influencers.

Here, that kind of design heft shows up—in spades. “We had a meeting in Los Angeles, and Surfacedesign presented the idea of a tide pool garden,” Vincent says. “I’d envisioned a courtyard and a fabulous landscape, and that’s what they brought to the table, with different levels of pools inside and out.”

Lord and Surfacedesign created a seamless interaction between landscape and architecture, with coral walls that blur the lines between inside and out. They got rid of paved black surfaces, allowing driving on the lawn, an infrequent occurrence here anyway. Then they transformed the entire site into gardens—on the land and in the water. “The way the stones float and meet is the way Scarpa’s designs work,” Lord says.

“I looked at tide pools that trap bodies of water, where little sea creatures come in and are protected,” he says. “A series of low walls out on the lawn act as interfaces with the beach—and we lowered the pools as they move back, so you’re protected and do not lose the view.”

The pool pavilion features a dining lanai, with a gathering space inside. It was designed with 12-foot columns and a 25-foot tall roof. “That’s the height limit, and it’s in keeping with the existing two-story house,” Vincent says. “It’s a really large roof that signifies Hawaiian design, and having the wall height be that tall allowed transparency for the view.”

The clients had looked at other properties on the windward side of the island, and found gusts that blow up to 30 miles per hour. So here, the wind drove the placement of their swimming pool. “The pavilion blocks the wind so we can enjoy the pool,” the husband says. “Conventional wisdom would be to put the pool closer to the beach, but we put it down behind the pavilion.”

It’s three feet below grade, and water flows from it down to a living pond. “Surfacedesign created an area between the pool and the living pond, for a sense of being one with the water and the plants and the property,” he says.

Behind the pavilion, the guest house feels a little lower, though it is 10 feet tall, with three bedrooms and its own interior living space. “It’s positioned so it looks over the pool, through the pool pavilion, and out to the ocean,” Vincent says. “It still feels connected but it’s buffered from the wind—it’s an oasis and a courtyard.”

The client’s wife is a garden and plant lover, and was involved from the get-go in selections both outside and in. “With James, we came up with the idea of plantings in the bathrooms of the guest house,” she says. “There are orchids when you’re taking a shower, because I’m fascinated by blooming plants.”

Outside, the complex is a series of experiential excursions from the moment of entry. “You arrive, passing through a wall at the street,” Lord says. “There’s a second wall inside, and you see out to the islands in the ocean.” Then there’s a secret garden, a new wall, a tidal pool, and another wall. Finally, there’s the immersive blast from those Pacific winds.   

For more information, visit pva.com; sdisf.com; hhf.com.

As the Turtle Bay Resort in Oahu nears the end of its multiyear transformation, the iconic property is rolling out new experiences, new activities, and new culinary offerings, just in time for the fall and winter travel season.

The onsite restaurant Alaia has debuted a new menu of its signature modern Hawaiian fare conceptualized by the newly appointed, Hawaiian-born, executive chef Lyle Kaku. Many of the dishes incorporate produce harvested at the resort’s on-property Kuilima Farm. The Big Island kampachi tartare is a dish of fresh yellowtail drenched in yuzu ponzu, topped with umeboshi (japanese pickled plum), pickled ginger, shiso leaf, and crispy rice crackers. The roasted moa is a Samoan-inspired dish of roasted chicken served alongside a creamy corn pudding that uses corn from Kulima Farm.

Also new to the slate of offerings since last winter are the Paniolo dinner series and immersive programming offerings at Kuilima Farm.

In the dinner series visitors will learn about Paniolo a cowboy subculture that migrated from Mexico and California. The weekly dinners celebrate Hawaii’s rich ranching and cowboy heritage, complete with an outdoor roast dinner and other traditional Paniolo ranch dishes, storytelling, and entertainment for the whole family. As the sun begins to set, performers will wow attendees with a traditional dance and drum exhibition, followed by a hula performance.

The farm programming promises visitors immersive experiences on the property’s 468 acres of revitalized mountainside agricultural lands. Guests will be able to tour the farm with a local expert, to learn about the history of the area, the crops grown on the farm, and the islands’ food culture. They will also be able to taste produce straight from the ground, vine, and tree, and even pick their own.

Set on 1,300 acres along five miles of unspoiled coastline with secluded sandy beaches, a working farm, and world-renowned surf breaks, Turtle Bay has a long and rich history. The resort, which first opened in 1972, is nearing the end of a two-year reinvention that includes three new pools, an opened-up lobby that lets in more of the stunning natural views, a new pool bar, expansive oceanfront bungalows, and redesigned guest rooms.

Visit turtlebayresort.com for more information or to book a stay.

A mountain view, an ocean vista, and an archeological dig drove the design of a new home on Maui’s Makena coastline.

“We can see the ocean when we’re turning to the right, and the mountain when we turn to the left,” says Jim Schloemer, who built the home with his wife, Andrea. “The sun rises over the mountain to the east and sets on the ocean to the west.”

He’s talking about the Pacific Ocean, just 22 feet below his new home. The mountain is called Haleakalā, which means “House of the Sun.” A dormant volcano, it rises to 10,000 feet in the distance and is visible throughout the house. “There are little balconies in every room with a mountain view—even the bathrooms,” says Marion Philpotts-Miller, partner at Philpotts Interiors in Honolulu. 

The site is a little over an acre, with one-third deed-restricted as an archeological preservation area. Before the Schloemers bought it, ancient artifacts—some carbon-dated back to 400 AD—were discovered there. “Once that happens, landowners are required to bring in an archeologist to discover their significance,” Schloemer says. “Because of the historical connection, that area can only be used for planting and landscaping—so we’re fortunate to have a large garden of native plants.”

Still, it caused delays. The Schloemers purchased the property in 2004. It languished in the planning stages for nine years while they waited, with Maui architect Anthony Riecke-Gonzales of Riecke Sunnland Kono Architects, for a building permit. They broke ground in 2016, building it with Charlie Duncan of Trend Builders over a three-year span. It was finally completed in 2020.

Little wonder then, that the owners affectionately call their home “Hale Ahonui,” or “House of Patience.”

Now the home’s lower level rises up out of lava rock; the first floor exterior is fossilized coral stone, and the second floor exterior is cedar siding. The perimeter features columns clad in local wood. “They are complete ohia trunks, bisected and wrapped around steel posts,” Schloemer says.

Interior and exterior spaces merge into one for a total of 8,000 square feet. There’s a studio by the swimming pool, and a one-bedroom outbuilding called an Ohana. “It means ‘family,’ but it’s also a noun for ‘guest house’ or ‘cottage,’” Schloemer says.

The Schloemers were intensely involved with the interior designers from Philpotts, and with Chicago-based Mick De Giulio, founder of de Giulio Kitchen Design. The two firms worked hand in glove, melding ideas for architectural finishes throughout though De Giulio’s main assignment was for the kitchen, master bath, and first-floor powder room. 

He accented the horizontal lines of the home and ocean by creating a light fixture that’s 10 feet long over the kitchen island. The primary finish is eucalyptus with a feathered grain, plus ebonized walnut. Custom hardware is in silicon bronze, the backsplash is in monkey wood, and the counters are feathered Brazilian quartzite. “There’s a good sense of cohesion to the space,” he says.

The interior color palette was kept deliberately neutral, to make the Schloemers’ extensive art collection pop off soft, grass-cloth-covered walls. “The art is Hawaiian, and has some very rich tones, and everything had a place here,” Philpotts says. “When they were collecting, they were passionate about it—if one of them liked something, they bought it.”

The Schloemers were familiar with Philpotts Interiors, since Marion’s mother, who founded the firm, had designed the condo they’d bought in Maui before they purchased the lot for their home. “My mother’s business was founded on art and craftsmanship and sense of place—plus authenticity, culture, and appropriateness,” Philpotts says. “This second generation pays homage to that legacy and pushes harder with aesthetics and sensibility, but we also promote a more modern approach.”

Here, their assignment was to take care of interior finishes on every possible surface. Their clients had a definite vision, and the interior designers gave them choices. “We put different things in front of them, and it all developed from that,” she says. “Like the shell stone on the floor of the main level: It’s beautiful, organic, and it feels like you’re sitting on the beach—there’s no separation.”

Native ohia wood posts are washed in gray. Cedar in the ceilings is stained. Wallcoverings in different textures layer the ceilings too, where light comes into play—especially at night. “We covered every possible inch, even down to the basement,” says Kristie Kiggins, senior designer at Philpotts. 

The stars of this show, though, are off-site. When guests arrive at the house, the Schloemers greet them with leis, then lead them outdoors to view the ocean—and its inhabitants. “Humpback whales come here in late December,” says Andrea Schloemer. “We can see the moms and their calves frolicking in the water.”

For a couple with a dream and plenty of patience, that must be worth the wait. 

For more information, visit philpotts.net; degiuliodesign.com

We travel to escape life’s to-do’s and to explore something new and inspiring. But what about taking a trip for even deeper, personal reasons? What if travel could improve your health and well-being far beyond the circled date of your return flight?

Sensei Lāna’i, A Four Seasons Resort was founded in response to this very question. Set within lush tropics amidst rolling, verdant mountains on the small, private Hawaiian island of Lāna’i, this destination has turned the luxury travel world on its head with a more proactive and profound definition of “journey.”

The resort has all the required features: a glorious setting, stylish rooms, delicious food, amazing spa, and every activity imaginable. But its allure is much more than these amenities alone. Sensei Lāna’i goes one step further. It promises guests the ultimate luxury: a better, more fulfilled you. 

Sensei employs a data-driven canon of knowledge on how to achieve and maintain good health. Sensei began when tech titan Larry Ellison, co-founder of Oracle, and Dr. David Agus, a noted physician and scientist, were brought together by the passing of a close friend. Their shared sadness led to conversation, and then an idea. They could no longer help their friend, but they could join forces to help others lead longer, healthier lives.

Spearheaded by Agus, who has devoted his professional career to self-care and preventative health science, the Sensei Way was born. Its practices are organized into three simple paths: move, nourish, and rest. Each one enriches and balances the others. Guests at Sensei Lāna’i—the first-ever retreat devoted to the Sensei Way—are taught how to incorporate these practices into their daily lives.

Intrigued? The best way to learn more is to book the “Guided Sensei Experience.” This specially curated package begins inside a private terminal at Honolulu’s international airport, where you board a complimentary, semi-private charter flight. After 35 minutes in the air, the final leg is only a 10-minute ride by Tesla. The anticipation builds as palm trees give way to Cook pines and you ascend towards your final destination: Ko’ele, the traditionally spiritual uplands of Lāna’i.

Once on-property, you’re greeted by your own personal Sensei Guide, who has already reviewed your pre-arrival questionnaire. “The guide checks your blood pressure and body composition and then helps personalize your stay to best fit your intentions,” says Kelly LaLonde, a fitness expert who was part of Sensei’s elite startup team (the resort opened in November 2019). She is now a Lead Sensei Guide. 

No one activity is mandated. “You’re an expert on you,” says LaLonde. “My job as a guide is to help you reflect on your own well-being. If you’re having trouble letting go of work, we can schedule meditation. If you practice yoga, an instructor can help improve your downward-facing dog.

“One of the unique benefits of the Guided Experience is the one-on-one time with experts in their fields,” she continues. “Imagine the legwork involved in consulting with a nutritionist, masseuse, physical therapist, and private yoga instructor at home. Here, we do it all for you.”  

Group classes and one-on-one personal training sessions promote better movement by increasing strength, endurance, and coordination. But that’s not all—activities like swimming, mountain biking, hiking, scuba diving, sailing, golf, tennis, horseback riding, and more are all encouraged. There’s even an adventure park with zip lines and an obstacle course. 

When it’s time to replenish, Sensei by Nobu serves up the creative, deceptively simple cuisine that Chef Nobu Matsuhisa is famous for inside a light-filled glass pavilion. The restaurant’s menu includes dishes that incorporate Sensei’s nutritional philosophy as well as straight-up Nobu classics. Keeping its cuisine as close to nature as possible, the restaurant sources fresh ingredients from Sensei Farms, just a couple miles down the road.

The resort’s spa and wellness treatments are designed to not just pamper but to also facilitate rest. Before or after treatment, you’re invited to peacefully reflect inside one of the property’s 10 spa hales (hale is Hawaiian for home). Each 1,000-square-foot private sanctuary includes an infrared sauna, soaking pool, and indoor and outdoor showers. 

You’re probably feeling more relaxed already, but we’re not done yet. One of the resort’s most restorative benefits of all is its atmosphere. From the outdoor sculptures by world-renowned artists to the meticulous gardens filled with tropical blooms, Sensei Lāna’i, A Four Seasons Resort channels the grounding, healing power of nature at every turn. 

Prioritizing good health has always been important; however, the pandemic’s toll has proved the Sensei founders’ vision both poignant and prescient. “We’ve all spent time reflecting on what’s really important recently,” notes LaLonde. “When life feels out of control, it makes sense to focus on something you can control: your own well-being.”

For more information, visit sensei.com.

Check out the latest in luxury oceanfront real estate and resorts.

We’ve rounded up five of the hottest new residences and resort communities opening this year. Keep reading to discover a traditional Cycladic residence in Greece, a Caribbean escape with private plunge pools, and more.

Solemar, Pompano Beach, Florida

(Photograph Above)

Designed by architecture firm Arquitectonica, Solemar is an on-the-sand property in Pompano Beach, Florida, designed to mirror the ocean with a crystalline, wave-inspired façade. The 20-story tower includes spa treatment rooms, a wine salon, a theater room, and various pool decks. Interiors are curated by design firm Meyer Davis, featuring luxurious textures and soft colors that embody relaxed sophistication. All 105 homes are wired with DARWIN, a wellness-forward technology that monitors and regulates air, water, and light quality. Groundbreaking is expected for April 2021 and pricing starts at $1.5 million. solemarbeach.com

The Strand, Cooper Jack Bay, Turks and Caicos

The Strand, to debut on Cooper Jack Bay, Turks and Caicos, in late 2021, is a collection of 46 oceanfront residen-
ces ranging from $2.2 to $10 million. Developed by Fair Capital LLC and Brue Baukol Capital Partners, each of the 40 villas and residences and six custom homesites is perched above the water’s edge, with access to the bay below. The residences are designed in collaboration between RAD Architecture, Inc., Modus Operandi interior design, and KEITH landscape architecture. Amenities include beach and tennis club, fitness center with a yoga deck, and marina. thestrandtci.com 

The Residences at Secret Bay, Portsmouth, Dominica

The Residences at Secret Bay recently completed its first phase of new Hillside Ti-Fèy Villas. Comprising 1,686-1,836 square feet of indoor- outdoor space and a 250-400 square-foot pool deck with private plunge pool, hammocks, and daybeds. The development will also have a mix of villas ranging from 1,356 and 5,182 square feet of indoor and outdoor living space. Forthcoming amenities include a saltwater infinity pool, beachfront bar and restaurant, and microbrewery. Pricing for The Residences at Secret Bay starts at $1.49 million for whole ownership or $208,000 per share for citizenship investors. secretbay.dm/caribbean-real-estate 

Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort, Maui, Hawaii

Situated on Mokapu Beach, Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort, which features 301 guestrooms and suites, including 11 residential villas, will be unveiling 19 new villas in May 2021. A mix of two- and three-bedroom options, the format allows connecting villas, perfect for larger families and groups. Amenities include snorkling directly on the property, outrigger excursions with a local guide, a tropical spa with a unique apothecary experience, and complimentary classes that teach guests about the authentic Maui culture. andazmaui.com

Kalesma, Mykonos, Greece

Set to open at the end of April in Mykonos, Kalesma is home to 25 suites and two villas spread across five acres overlooking Ornos Bay. The property is designed by K-Studio, with interiors by Greek designer Vangelis Bonios—Studio Bonarchi. The lobby features furniture by Rick Owens, making Kalesma the only hotel in the world to have pieces by the designer. Local materials and artisans have played an essential role in the identity of the resort, with wood, marble, stone, and osier giving a contemporary look to traditional Cycladic style. Suites will offer lookouts from private patios, as well as a personal heated pool.  Additional amenities will include 24/7 butler service and gym. 
kalesmamykonos.com

Some of the world’s most magnificent seaside homes are in Hawaii, especially on the Big Island in the community of Kukio. Here, a collection of private club residences on the leeward side of the North Kona Coast offers unsurpassed luxury, privacy, weather, and ocean views.

These homes also reflect the best aspects of Pacific regionalism, thanks to Mark de Reus, partner, AIA at de Reus Architects, who began designing homes at Kukio before the club opened in 2003. “The idea is to lose the distinction from the inside to the outside and refine the sense of what it means to live in nature,” says de Reus, who developed his tropical design expertise when working in Indonesia for five years. “In the case of this resort, the design relates to Hawaii, the region, and spirit of the land.” 

One of the homes de Reus conceived is Kolomuo, built for a middle-aged couple with grown children. “They wanted the home to have multiple bedrooms for family and friends and a living room, kitchen, and dining area all in one space,” says de Reus. “They also wanted to capture the views as much as possible.”

To that end, de Reus designed Kolomuo as a modern, tropical family compound with five pavilions interconnected through lush landscaping. In addition to a central gathering pavilion housing the kitchen living and dining area, a lanai shelters an outdoor lounge area and a master pavilion contains the couple’s bedroom suite and office.

Slightly removed from this cluster is a pavilion housing guest rooms and a pavilion for the recreation room and garage. “I designed the home to make the residence feel more intimate when just the couple was living there by tightly grouping together the main gathering pavilion, lanai, and master pavilion with the pool connecting all three,” says de Reus. 

Regarding the views, all the lots at Kukio faced the ocean. But de Reus found this orientation confining, so he made a bold architectural move. “I took advantage of a dedicated easement where the 1801 lava flow [from the eruption of Hualalai volcano] came down and turned the home to capture more exciting views,” he says. “In addition to giving the owners vistas over the lava flow, this new angle provided multiple glancing views of the coastline, allowing the owners to see the edges of the island, the undulations of the ocean, and full-on sunrises and sunsets.”

Per the development’s guidelines, de Reus had to build Kolomuo on one level. But he elevated the guest pavilion to increase water views. He also modernized the required hip roofs by making each pavilion’s roof edges ultra-thin and deepening the eaves. He used durable anodized aluminum for exterior detailing and chose a warm, gray exterior plaster to enhance the crisp modulation of the doors and windows. An abundance of natural materials inside the home, such as stone, teak, granite, and cerused oak, heightens Kolomuo’s organic beauty. 

To accent the home’s subtle Japanese architectural influences, the owners and interior designer Marion Philpotts-Miller, of Philpotts Interiors, chose an antique Taishō period (1912-26) kimono to hang in the entry foyer. Other Japanese touches include slatted teak screens to separate spaces, but unlike shoji screens, they allow airflow and some visibility, as well as artful shadow play on sunny days. In the kitchen, a carved geometric pattern inspired by modern kimono design graces a limestone back wall. This same pattern appears on the headboard wall in the master bedroom, where pendant lights resembling traditional Japanese lanterns hang.

By the front gate, a textured lava stone path leads visitors to an interior garden, in the same way a roji guides visitors to a Kyoto teahouse. Landscape architect David Y. Tamura, who is of Japanese descent, did Japanese garden-inspired plantings around the home to elevate its overall design and Japanese aesthetic. 

One of de Reus’s points of pride at Kolomuo is the stained-gray white oak vertical plank ceiling over the main gathering area. “It harkens back to the concept of minimal shelter, but in a high-crafted, modern way,” says de Reus. Another favorite spot is the master bathroom with its massive, curved marble wall. “It holds the shower and was designed to have contiguous veining in the marble; the curved shape also softens edges of the rectangular room,” he says. Instead of putting two rectangular mirrors over the double-sink vanity, de Reus installed two rectangular windows with views onto the outdoor garden. He then discreetly tucked two small, angled mirrors on either side of the vanity. 

To intensify the feeling of living outside, de Reus designed most of the home’s doors to slide into interior pockets, creating rooms with seemingly no walls. He also integrated an abundance of reflecting pools into his floor plan to bolster the feeling of waterfront living. 

“The design of Kolomuo is one concept of minimalism, restraint, and craftsmanship that experientially merges the inside with the outside,” says de Reus, “and the feedback we’ve gotten is that the couple loves the design and loves using the home.” 

For more information, visit dereusarchitects.com.