No Passport Necessary: Bahìa, Puerto Rico
When fantasizing about where to go for a pleasurable vacation or a more permanent retirement, many places come to mind: Hawaii, Las Vegas, Miami, New York City, Malibu, Aspen - the list goes on. But why limit that vivid imagination to solely the U.S. when there is such an amazing place to experience world-class golf courses along with the most exclusive resort luxuries all on one paradisiacal coast? From the sparkling seas and lakes to the vibrant, mountainous maritime forest, Bahìa Beach, Puerto Rico, offers indulgences to all who vacation or reside within this magical sphere. With five residential and vacationing projects almost complete, Bahìa Beach is home to the ultimate in Caribbean luxuries and only a few hours away from the Eastern United States. And best of all, these luxuries come with no passport required.
Puerto Ricans often call their island "La Isla del Encanto," which translated means "The Island of Enchantment," for the exquisite beauty and rich heritage of the island. The developers of Bahìa Beach take this credo much further by masterfully designing each residential and vacationing home with the island's natural beauty in synch with environmental preservation. The five resort projects, once completed, will take Caribbean living and vacationing to an entirely new standard that offer more choices and more pleasures while blending into the naturally enchanting surroundings.
Scheduled to open October 2010, the largest of the projects is the St. Regis Resort and Residences, boasting 483 acres of interconnected lakes, a private island, and the 18-hole championship golf course designed by Robert Trent Jones, Jr., which marks his first course designed in Puerto Rico. The resort will also highlight the signature St. Regis Butler and St. Regis Concierge, a top-of-the-line 10,000-square-foot Remède Spa and Fitness Center, along with the world-renowned Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten Signature Restaurant, which provides residents and vacationers with Chef Jean-Georges' world-renowned, distinctive dishes blended with traditional Puerto Rican ingredients like papaya, coconut, mango, and yucca. The resort also has retail shops and beachfront pools, but for those who enjoy staying closer to a city, Bahia Beach is only 25 minutes away from San Juan, which offers dozens of historic cafes, restaurants, plus museums, and art galleries. Plus, San Juan's Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport is the largest international hub in the Caribbean, so flying to this paradise is a breeze.
The most exclusive of the residences at Bahia Beach are the Las Estancias. Puerto Rico's finest architects designed each of the 25 estancias, or estate homes, in tropical plantation architecture that showcases views of the ocean, lakes, golf courses, and the El Yunque Rainforest. Owners can choose between six plantation styles with sizes ranging from 6,000 square feet to 9,000 square feet. Plus, every home comes complete with unmatched Caribbean luxuries-a large veranda, three-car garage, high ceilings, separate maid quarters, and the most modern finishes and appliances. These 25 St. Regis Estate Homes also offer top-of-the-line luxury for the golfer, swimmer, or any vacationer with superior standards.
More toward the center of Bahìa, Las Verandas offer 90 residential villas with tropical plantation architecture. The villas capture the essence and view of the surrounding El Yunque Rainforest, lakes, and golf course. Also, all units are designed around a central recreational area with pools and gazebos that is perfect for outdoor activities, including swimming and barbequing at the on-site amenities.
For residents or vacationers craving magnificent views of the Atlantic Ocean, Las Olas ("the waves") town homes are built right along beautiful Bahìa Beach. Each of these ten lavish, beachfront, town homes comes with a private plunge pool, a two-car garage, and a 600-square-meter lot. In addition to all of the luxuries and beachfront location, Las Olas town homes are also only a quick stroll from the Golf Clubhouse and Bahía Village.
Besides the naturally breathtaking beauty of Bahia and all of the unbeaten luxuries, another reason to choose Bahia Beach for that magical vacation is the ease of its location. With nonstop flights from over 20 cities in the United States and around the world, one can be laying on the pristine beach outside of his or her very own estate home within a few hours. Also, since Puerto Rico is a US Commonwealth, US citizens are not required to obtain a passport before diving into this paradise.