With fantastic facilities and round-the-clock security, gated communities offer lavish comfort and peace of mind – we look at six luxurious homes
The Oaks Bayside
Florida, The US
Sitting on the picture-perfect shores of Little Sarasota Bay in Osprey, Florida, The Oaks Bayside is one of three neighbourhoods surrounding The Oaks Club, the former winter residence of noted Chicago socialite, businesswoman and philanthropist Bertha Palmer. On the market is a five-bedroom, six-bathroom Georgian-style home boasting a double-stairway entry with a two-storey grand salon, a formal dining room, an infinity pool, and views over the preserve to the Bay and beyond to the Gulf of Mexico. The three-storey home also includes a four-car garage, a gym and a self-contained two-bedroom suite. The property lies close to two 18-hole championship golf courses, tennis courts and croquet lawns, and has convenient access to local beaches. Priced at US$4.4M.
Michael Saunders & Company, Tel: +1 888 552 5228
Olgiata
Rome, Italy
Surrounded by a hectare of gardens, this 10,793sqft home is located in the exclusive gated community of Olgiata. Just 15km north of Rome, the neighbourhood offers its residents 24-hour security, and access to a riding club and a golf course. This three-storey villa has four bedrooms, three bathrooms, a library and a billiard room, while the living room, dining hall and conservatory all enjoy French windows that open directly onto the well-tended gardens. The property also includes a pool, two staff bedrooms with a separate entrance, a two-car garage and two sizeable walk-in wardrobes. Priced just
below US$7.8M.
Sotheby’s International Realty, Tel: +39 6 6938 0076
Royal Westmoreland
Barbados
Positioned minutes from the white sands of Mullins Beach is Royal Westmoreland, where the new Sugar Cane Ridge development comprises 22 semi-detached villas. A five-minute walk takes you to the clubhouse, the first tee, tennis courts, The Sanctuary pool and gym, and sundowner spot Rum Shak. The 2,500sqft, three- or four-bedroom townhouses have an upside-down design that maximises panoramic views of the golf course and Caribbean Sea from the first-floor living area, dining room and open-plan kitchen, while en suite bedrooms are on the ground floor. Prices start from US$1.2M.
Royal Westmoreland, Tel: +44 1524 782 649
Rosebank Gardens
Gold Coast, Australia
Located in Queensland’s northern Gold Coast, Hope Island Resort is a 350ha site with seven communities built around the Links Hope Island golf course. This Balinese-style waterfront home is in the Rosebank Gardens gated community, a short golf-buggy drive from the golf club, shops and restaurants at Hope Island Marina Village. The house comprises four en suite bedrooms, a meditation room and a thatched pavilion. The open-plan living areas spill onto the waterfront and the alfresco courtyard pool. Imported Asian hardwood floors and timber windows run throughout the villa, and the kitchen is furnished with stone bench tops and stainless steel appliances. Also included are a three-car garage and a pontoon that can accommodate a good-sized vessel. Priced just below US$2.9M.
Ray White, Tel: +61 7 5563 5515
Emirates Hills
Dubai
Named in homage of Beverly Hills, Emirates Hills is Dubai’s own enclave of exclusivity that lies 16km from downtown. Homes are positioned around the beautifully landscaped communal greens and pristine lakes, at the centre of which is 18-hole championship golf course The Montgomerie Dubai, designed by Scottish golfer Colin Montgomerie. Listed for sale is an extensive new-build villa spanning 10,500sqft, featuring four bedrooms, five bathrooms and two reception rooms. Included in the price are 24-hour security, a swimming pool and a garage. Priced just shy of US$6M.
Knight Frank, Tel: +971 4451 2000
El Herrojo Alto
Marbella, Spain
Marbella has long been a port of call on the Mediterranean circuit, but the throngs of sun seekers can be overwhelming. Make your escape at this rustic-style villa within the private El Herrojo Alto community. It’s located in the heart of the La Quinta golf valley, just a few minutes’ drive from the city centre and Puerto Banús. The single-level house is made up of four bedrooms, four bathrooms, a living room complete with fireplace, and an open-plan kitchen with the dining area leading onto the terraces. Also included are a pool and a garden with palm and fruit trees. Priced at US$1.9M.
Diana Morales Properties, Tel: +34 952 765 138
This story is adapted from Singapore Tatler's August 2012 issue. All information is supplied by the agents listed, and Edipresse and Asia Tatler take no responsibility for its accuracy or current validity.