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Three Luxurious Tropical Takeovers: The Bahamas, Costa Rica, Panama

August 5, 2018

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Three Luxurious Tropical Takeovers — Credit: Sweet Bocas

Sometimes you want to takeover the entire place. We look at three private resorts, visiting The Bahamas, Costa Rica and Panama. Each provide the privacy and personalized service that comes with your own residence, but are more than a typical villa, and are perfect for friends or family groups, weddings and meetings.

1. Musha Cay, Exuma Islands, Bahamas
2. Villa Manzu, Peninsula Papagayo, Costa Rica
3. Sweet Bocas, Bocas Del Toro, Panama

1. Musha Cay, Exuma Islands, Bahamas (up to 24 guests)

Hidden among the out islands of the Exumas, in the Bahamas, 11 private islands – not just one — are yours to explore, and the only other guests are selected by you. Over 700 acres of lush natural beauty belong to you and 23 of your guests alone and ideal for a take-over in the Caribbean. Mushy Cay is the passion project of David Copperfield. There are five guest houses – each with their own private beach. Musha Cay and the Islands of Copperfield Bay have hosted Oprah Winfrey, Bill Gates, Sergey Brin and Javier Bardem and Penelope Cruz who have taken over Musha Cay for their wedding and other special celebrations.

Star luxury travel agent Jack Ezon recently told Bloomberg about how he booked the island for a surprise four-day birthday party: “There was a treasure hunt with clues informed by the birthday girl’s likes and dislikes, a game show riff on ‘This is Your Life,’ beach Olympics featuring her favorite sports, meals by her favorite chef (who flew in for the occasion), and a movie montage of well-wishes and memories from those in attendance. The resort sprinkles magic into the experience in all sorts of ways. She was totally blown away.” Just in January, Conde Nast Traveler chose it as one of its three best private island experiences. Robb Report listed a vacation at Musha Cay as one of its “21 Ultimate Gifts.”

Accomodations

The island’s accommodations feature 12-bedrooms and 13.5 bathrooms spread throughout five luxury homes (Pier House pictured above), each with its own private beach, and spacious living and dining areas. Not only is the island itself secluded, each of these five residences provide privacy from other guests.

Accommodations range from whimsical to romantic and exotic, all with unique colors in a tropical island style accented with art, odds and ends collected by David Copperfield during his worldwide travels. All homes are fully air conditioned and feature Wi-Fi, DVD and CD player, iPod docks, flat screen satellite television, international phone service, and butler service.

The High View (1)

On the crest of Musha’s highest hill sits High View, 10,000 square feet with commanding 360-degree view of Musha Cay and its 10 uninhabited neighboring islands. There is a soaring living pavilion, and two grand master bedroom suites, plus a cozy, hidden loft. The grounds feature expansive gardens, a steam room, an outdoor fireplace for romantic evenings, and its own private beach.

The Pier House (1)

Pier House is a 3,200 sq. ft. cottage featuring two master suites and a large living and dining room. The front door opens onto its own private beach and a pier.

Blue Point (1)

A 3,200 square-foot, two-bedroom beach house, Blue Point features two master suites and an expansive living and dining area. Intimate in feel and perched on a rocky outcrop, Blue Point is encircled by a wide, shaded wrap-around mahogany porch and located next to its own private beach.

Beach House (1)

Perhaps the most romantic of the accommodations, Beach House is an open-air one-bedroom, thatched roof cottage on a particularly secluded crescent shaped beach. It is enclosed by a small gate, where a private beach unfolds, inviting night time swimming under the stars.

Palm Terrace (1)

Palm Terrace is a 4,500 square-foot five-bedroom home perfect for families, with two master suites upstairs and three additional bedrooms downstairs. A mahogany porch wraps around the home, and its spacious living room overlooks a beautiful patio for entertaining, and its own private beach.

Dining

All food preparation is done according guests’ wishes and preferences. Prior to arrival, food preferences are requested and, if necessary, a special air charter is arranged to bring the necessary provisions. A personal Chef customizes the menu daily and enhances it depending on the catch of the day of the freshest fish paired with fruit salsas from island-grown trees, and other gourmet dishes based on what you like. The local catch includes lobster, tuna, wahoo, grouper and mahi mahi. For oenophiles, there is a 500-bottle wine cellar, and a sommelier available for wine tastings that can be arranged at an additional cost.

The Landings

A favorite place to meet and dine overlooking Musha’s main dock and the amazing cerulean waters of Copperfield Bay. A stunning glass-topped table, with windows on four sides, is the perfect place to have early morning coffee or a celebratory dinner by candlelight.

Dock Dining

For candlelit dinners over the sea, there is a very special table set right on our Main Dock where torches light the steps leading down from The Landings.

Beach Dining

Depending on the mood, guests can enjoy an intimate candlelight dinner at the Balinese Beach Pavilion which is also a handy spot for daytime, open-air lunch buffets, as it is adjacent to Musha’s swimming pool and one of our many perfect beaches. For adventurous guests, the team can arrange dining escapes around Musha Cay or the surrounding islands or one of the 40 private beaches or romantic hidden cove.

Sandbar

A private sandbar (picture at the top of this newsletter) surrounded by the sea where guests arrive on a sleek flat bottom boat pulls up to a seemingly endless stretch of pure white sand.

Wellness & Fitness

Located on Coconut Beach, there is a state-of-the-art air-conditioned fitness center and steam room. A tennis professional, massage therapist, or a fitness, yoga, or pilates instructor can be arranged for an additional cost.

Activities

The days are spent living out your desires and dreams – seriously – as Ezon mentioned – they’ll create your own beach Olympics or come up with your own wish list. Water sports include snorkeling, windsurfing, paddle boarding, sailing, runabouts or wave runners, waterskiing, and fishing (from deep-sea, bone, and flats fishing) or touring the island to discover an untouched cay.

Guests enjoy a the three-mile sandbar that Copperfield calls Heaven on Earth. You can also explore by hiking, walking, or jogging on the tropical paths that surround the island. Or, enjoy a game of tennis on the championship lighted tennis court, volleyball or badminton court any time of day. For swimming and sunbathing, there is an oceanfront freeform pool and hot tub, plus a choice of seven white sand beaches circling the island, collectively spanning three miles.

At Musha Cay, any activity guests’ desire can become a reality. Enjoy goldfish or hermit crab races, shell hunts, daily arts and crafts, face painting, cave exploring, pirate party, tiki parties on the beach, football, whiffle ball, frisbee, croquet, kite flying, flashlight tag, table tennis, scavenger hunts, sandcastle competition, musical instruments, fortune telling and more. Musha Cay’s nautical fleet feature the best in boats and equipment, and water toys include a water trampoline, banana boat, wakeboard and tubes. There is also the 37-ft. Midnight Express, 28-ft. Nautilus Rib Catamaran, 23-ft. Jet Boat, and two 22-ft. Boston Whalers as well as Yamaha jet skis and two Hobie Cat sailboats.

Getting There

Copperfield Bay can accommodate yachts up to 200-feet long if you feel like sailing in, however if you are coming by air Georgetown Airport in Exuma (GGT) has an 7,000 ft. runway with customs, fuel and limited hours of operation. Guests then take a 20-minute charter flight to Copperfield Bay Private Strip or a 45-minute boat ride to Musha Cay. Copper Field Bay Private Strip is2,100 feet long and can accommodate Cessna Grand Caravans and similar planes. The runway surface is tarred. There are no lights and if you are arriving from outside the Bahamas you will need to clear customs in Nassau.

VIP Contact

Cathy Daly
Email: mushacay@kurtzahlers.com Website: mushacay.com

2. Villa Manzu, Peninsula Papagayo, Costa Rica (up to 22 guests)

Perched on the cliffs of Costa Rica’s Peninsula Papagayo in the northwest province of Guanacaste along the country’s north Pacific Coast, Villa Manzu, is a private 30,000 sq ft. villa estate with a personal chef, dedicated staff and panoramic direct sea views. As Manzu means friends in the native Chorotegan language, this eight-suite villa is a very good option for a take-over celebrating a milestone birthday or another special occasion.

Peninsula Papagayo is currently home to the most expensive real estate in the country with two 5-star resorts – Four Seasons and Andaz – and custom designed private residences. You get access to the Papagayo Marina and an 18-hole Arnold Palmer-designed golf course, plus private beaches with incredible breaks, ideal for avid surfers.

From November to April, Peninsula Papagayo experiences little rain and consistent heat with a wet season starting late May until November. The hot, dry climate makes tropical dry forests the province’s natural vegetation type with monkeys cavorting in the canopy of the trees. The average temperature is 85 degrees year-round, peaking in the spring. During the green season, rains usually pass over in the late afternoons, leaving the mornings full of sunshine and a green landscape. The aptly named green season provides best fishing, surfing, and water conditions.

The Huffington Post writes, “More than a resort, more than hotel, more than a lodge, this remarkable private home, on Costa Rica’s rugged Pacific Coast promises luxury, comfort, fine cuisine, impeccable service, and hassle-free days.” Justin Bieber and Kim Kardashian have both stayed. “Villa Manzu is one of the most spectacular villas I have stayed in and sold to clients several times for many different occasions. With nine bedrooms it is the perfect size for family gatherings, a group of friends, perfect for a yoga retreat, small wedding or surf trip,” say Tracy Lonsdale, a luxury travel advisor at Altour.

Accommodations

Designed by Costa Rican Architect, Abraham Valenzuela, Villa Manzu’s eight suites are spaciously designed with details of artisanal craftsmanship throughout. Each of the bedrooms is an oversized suite with direct ocean views. Fifteen beds are allocated as five king bed suites, a double queen bed suite, a double king bed suite, and a custom finished bunk room with four twins and two king beds.

All of the eight suites offer full bath, oversized televisions, a minibar with morning coffee service, walk-in closets with Costa Rican hardwood detailing, and aromatherapy diffusers. Antica Farmacista bath products are used in each of the villa’s bedrooms, as well as Italian linens and English towels. Villa Manzu’s main wing is located in a private section of the villa, accessible by its own entrance, elevator and staircase. The first master suite, La Lora, and children’s suite, Los Monos, are up one flight of stairs, while the penthouse suite, Pacifico, is by itself on the third floor.

Master Suites (2)

Located on the second and third floors of the main villa, the Master Suites – Pacifico and La Lora, both 1,150 sq ft. – offer California king beds; free-standing bathtubs; a his and hers walk-in shower with dual heads; imported fixtures, surfaces of marble and onyx and custom-built furniture; his and hers walk-in wardrobes with custom Costa Rican hardwoods; an outdoor private terrace connected to a beautiful green space, and breathtaking ocean views. Both suites have floor-to-ceiling windows. Each bathroom is a suite unto itself with sitting areas and outside views from the shower and bath.

Pacifico has access to a private outdoor shower where marble meets the trees surrounded by buddha belly bamboo and flowering vines. La Lora’s shower and bath is surrounded by three custom copper fountainheads that create a peaceful river sound. Pacifico has a private elevator entrance opening up into an office overlooking the entire estate and the ocean beyond.

Children’s Suite

Los Monos, the 980-sq. ft. Children’s Suite, is on the second floor of the main wing, and especially designed with younger guests in mind. There are three custom built-in bunk beds made up of two king-size and four twin-size beds. The suite becomes a playroom where oversized couches are a great place to play video games or watch a movie. The suite offers two walk-in closets and a large white marble bathroom with a freestanding bathtub and shower. Views encompass the courtyard and ocean beyond. Four custom wooden cribs and four portable cribs are available.

The Casita (1)

The Casita is a private two-story house with two suites, Flora and Madera. Flora is 400 sq. ft. and features a large living room while Madera is 970 sq. ft. It is connected to the Main Estate via a covered, open walkway. An internal staircase connects the two floors, creating a shared family atmosphere. The outdoor terrace of the Flora suite features a unique floating bed, where you can listen to the ocean crashing on the cliffs below. Inside, there is a kitchenette and lounge area. A separate bedroom offers a king-size bed, an oversized bathroom and a walk-in closet. The upper suite, Madera, exudes a temple-like ambience with its ornate light fixtures, imported Balinese wood and hand-carved accents and freestanding bathtub. The bathroom features his and hers shower heads, a walk-in wardrobe and a reading area overlooking the garden. The bedroom has a king-size bed and a private terrace with sweeping jungle and ocean views.

Garden Suites (2)

The two garden suites, Naciente at 622 sq. ft., and Arena at 1,000 sq. ft., occupy the lower levels of the home and offer two beds each, quiet garden vistas and limited ocean views. Both suites are accessible by private entrances and are in close proximity to the gym, spa and entertainment bar. The doors of the Naciente Suite open up directly to a plunge pool and Jacuzzi. The suite itself is appointed with two California king beds, a custom bathroom, antique Balinese doors, a freestanding tub and a huge mirrored wardrobe. The Arena Suite, located on the same level is slightly more private. This suite has two standard queen beds, a private foyer, a custom leaf-imprinted ceiling and a walk-in wardrobe closet. The views from the Arena Suite are a bit more dramatic than the Naciente with the jungle and ocean in the foreground.

Courtyard Suites (1)

Plumeria, a 500 sq. ft. courtyard-view bedroom is located just off the main entrance and offers a California king bed, a custom bathroom and a walk-in closet. While equal in size and decor, this suite does not offer the same dramatic views as the other suites.