​Luxury Living: Beachfront hideaways

This tropical oasis on St. Barts’ Marigot Beach offers supreme privacy, comfort and luxury. Originally built by banker and businessman Benjamin de Rothschild, Girasol comprises 7.5 acres (including a coconut grove and 600 plant species), 525 feet of private beachfront, a stunning main house and guest villa (each with three bedrooms and a swimming pool), and a two-bedroom caretaker’s house. 

This beachfront hacienda on the Caribbean coast of Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula is just eight miles from Tulum — a favourite retreat among celebrities looking to escape the limelight. One of only a few properties in the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage site, the secluded estate boasts five independent dwellings that span 19,000 square feet, with 13 bedrooms and 16 full bathrooms. There is also more than 2,000 feet of white-sand beach, and 70 acres of grounds with coconut palms, lawns, a pool and fountains.

Sitting on more than half an acre of tropical grounds on world-renowned Keawakapu beach in South Maui, this beachfront compound has nine bedrooms spread out over 13,422 square feet. The property boasts superb vistas of the Pacific Ocean yet enjoys an ultra-private location and layout: the pool and garden are hidden within a central courtyard and the oceanfront lawn is protected from the view of beach-goers. There are three ocean-view master suites, five en suite guest bedrooms, as well as staff quarters.

Secluded Villa Salmanazar rests amid the hills of Ramatuelle, overlooking the bay of Pampelonne and St Tropez. This magnificent Provençal-style villa is approached either by helicopter (roughly 20 minutes from Nice airport), landing directly on the sweeping front lawn, or by car, along a quiet lane through picturesque vineyards. There are eight en suite bedrooms, including a full-floor master suite, and amenities including a pool and terrace, bar, gym, massage room, wine room and staff/guest apartment.

Villa Bonita, one of the newest and most exclusive beachfront villas on Barbados’s Platinum Coast, is sited directly above the turquoise waters of Prospect Bay. This six-bedroom, 9,200-square-foot tropical hideaway exudes elegance with its Italian-designed decor and white-marble finishes. There are water views from nearly every room. The living and dining rooms face the surf, the master suite has its own seafront balcony, and the designer kitchen overlooks a private courtyard with saltwater pool. A staircase leads from the spectacular seafront patio to the secluded sandy beach below.