Index Tower, DIFC
POA
This four-bedroom duplex penthouse is in the prestigious Index Towers in the heart of Dubai’s buzzing business and financial district. With two-storey floor-to-ceiling windows and two large terraces, the views of Burj Khalifa, Downtown Dubai and the Dubai Fountains are breathtaking. The designer home comes furnished and has an open-plan kitchen, guest bathroom and three large living rooms. Upstairs are four en-suite bedrooms and a living room (with terrace), which could also be used as a home office. The penthouse has state-of the-art home technology and its gorgeous wooden floor is a rarity in the city. The apartment includes a private gym, but residents also have access to the communal indoor swimming pool, spa and gym. www.luxhabitat.ae  04 432 7972







City Life

DIFC is undoubtedly one of the most chic addresses and its central location means that you’re never far from the city’s top restaurants like the achingly hip Zuma (Gate Village, DIFC) and Hakkasan (Emirates Towers). Mingle at art nights and auctions hosted by Gate Village galleries and Christies, and celebrate the weekend in style at the wide choice of glittery venues in luxurious Downtown Dubai. The neighbourhood is less than 15 minutes from Dubai Airport, 15 minutes from the Madinat Jumeirah resort and the beach is only 10 minutes away.

 

JUMEIRAH GOLF ESTATES

Dh16.4 million

This luxury home, which will be completed by the end of the second quarter of 2014, is situated in a beautiful new development right on the Championship Fire Course in the prestigious Flame Tree Ridge area. The open-plan residence comes complete with high-end finishes throughout. It has five en-suite bedrooms, all of which have their own terrace or balcony. The master bedroom has a walk-in wardrobe and en-suite bathroom with terrace, complete with amazing views. The landscaped garden is an entertainer’s dream, complete with a pool and barbecue area. The property has a separate guest quarters with dedicated entrance and kitchenette. Luxury touches like a golf buggy, entertainment system and close proximity to the clubhouse make this a truly special living experience.
www.sloanesrealestate.com  



Damac Villas by Paramount
Dh4.4 million

In the first development of its kind in the UAE, due for completion in 2016, Damac has collaborated with Paramount Hotels and Resorts to create a Hollywood themed gated community 10 minutes from Shaikh Zayed Road. Residents of this estate will have access to a ‘California cool’ style private beach club, a worldclass, fine-dining restaurant, a Trump 18-hole championship golf course, four international-standard tennis courts, and access to a Trump Spa. The community will have supermarkets, pharmacies, laundry facilities and banks.
www.damacproperties.com


 

Kerikeri, Bay of Islands, New Zealand
Offers around Dh13.5 million

This gorgeous executive estate, which sits on 2,367 square metres of waterfront land in the Bay of Islands, has been built and finished to an extremely high standard by celebrated designer Martin Evans. The three-bedroom and five-bathroom family residence makes excellent use of natural light, with most rooms having views out to the garden, pool and ocean. The formal dining room has a glass-vented portico roof, a truly beautiful and luxurious detail. This home has a library – a cosy and stately space with handcrafted wood-panelled walls and cabinets. The ground-level master bedroom boasts a stunning bathroom and unparalleled views. With a separate guest suite, including its own private deck and views of the water, residents can comfortably host visitors in luxury. Charlie Brendon-Cook, charlie@luxuryrealestate.co.nz and Ian Birch, ian@luxuryrealestate.co.nz







OUT AND ABOUT IN KERIKERI

This picturesque town is the largest in northern New Zealand, with a population of about 6,500. A threehour drive north of Auckland, the community – often referred to as the Cradle of the Nation – has many exciting things to see and do. Here is our selection of must-dos

  • Spend a morning picking through the freshest produce and baked goods at the local farmers’ market. When you’re finished, pop across the street to the crafts market
  • Furnish your outdoor space with locally made wooden pieces from Interiors Dundee
  • Visit the Kaan Zamaan Gallery for the best in regional art
  • Enjoy a meal at Magnolia House, a lovely bistro set on a five-acre property. The 80-year-old villa has been beautifully transformed into a wonderful restaurant
  • This is grape country, so enjoy a tour of the many vineyards in the area
  • Visit the Stone Store – the oldest building in the country (pictured below)

Williamsburg, New York, US

Dh8.74 million
Through a private entrance, residents are welcomed into this 2,800-square-foot home where no detail has been overlooked. The townhouse has floor-to-ceiling windows and features luxuries like self-closing cabinets, radiant heated marble flooring in the bathroom, a soaking tub, a walk-in shower in the windowed master en-suite bathroom, and an impressive kitchen. The living room has a limestone fireplace, perfect for curling up and keeping warm in winter, while in the summer there is a private garden and rooftop terrace to enjoy.Residents have access to private parking, landscaped back gardens, courtyards, residents’ lounges and barbecue areas. Alyssa Soto, ams@mns.com and Binnie Robinson, blr@mns.com






Carabietta, Lake Lugano, Switzerland
Dh9.6 million

This recently renovated penthouse apartment is located in a peaceful and sunny spot along the stunning Lake Lugano. The east-facing home has unparalleled views of the lake and the mountains,while inside, the 2,044-square-foot living spaceis spread across two floors.

The property has two large terraces – perfect for entertaining – and a barbecue. The living room boasts two-storey ceilings, a fireplace and direct access to one of the terraces, while the kitchen has direct access to the second terrace. The master bedroom has an en-suite bathroom and walk-in wardrobe.
www.wetag.ch