Money Tax & Citizenship
Life & Style Travel, Fashion, Art & Healthcare
Prime Property Luxury Homes & Commercial Investments
The CARIBBEAN THE DEFINITIVE GUIDE TO PRIME PROPERTY & LUXURY LIFESTYLE
The Caribbean Property Investor, Issue 8 | 7thHeavenProperties.com
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The Caribbean Property Investor, Issue 8 | 7thHeavenProperties.com
St. Lucia WEST INDIES
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BEACHFRONT COLLECTION
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Five of the most refined beachfront residences in the world rest on the immaculate white sands of Sugar Beach, waiting to be discovered by the intrepid traveler in search of rare and previous lifetime experiences. Sugar Beach is discreetly positioned between St. Lucia’s iconic Pitons, two towering volcanic spires recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, on the coast of the idyllic Caribbean Sea. Private by its very nature, yet easily accessible from Europe and America, Sugar Beach is the perfect hideaway location for an island home and is internationally recognized as one of the most desired, secluded and truly beautiful vacation destinations in the world. The Beachfront Collection at Sugar Beach offers that true luxury, a setting for adventures and memories that cannot be replicated anywhere else in the world.
ONLY TWO BEACHFRONT RESIDENCES REMAIN FOR PRICING & PRIVATE TOURS, CONTACT PENNY STRAWSON +1.758.456.8091 | SUGARBEACHRESIDENCES.COM
The Caribbean Property Investor, Issue 8 | 7thHeavenProperties.com
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The Caribbean Property Investor, Issue 8 | 7thHeavenProperties.com
Jalousie Beaches Ltd. is the developer of The Beachfront Residences at Sugar Beach. Sketches, renderings, graphic materials, plans, amenities, prices, terms, conditions and statements contained in this advertisement are proposed only and the developer reserves the right to modify or withdraw any or all of the same at their sold discretion and without WYPVY UV[PJL 9LUKLYPUNZ HUK THWZ HYL HY[PZ[»Z PTWYLZZPVUZ HUK TH` KPMMLY MYVT [OL ÄUPZOLK WYVK\J[ ;OPZ PZ UV[ HU VMMLYPUN MVY ZHSL PU HU` Q\YPZKPJ[PVU ^OLYL [OL WYVQLJ[ PZ UV[ YLNPZ[LYLK
CON T ENTS 28
ON THE COVER ​Time Out in Turks & Caicos
Discover the villas and suites at Sailrock on South Caicos, a haven of unspoiled nature offering blissful seclusion, expert staff and all the luxuries of a 5-star resort. Turn to page 28
The Caribbean Property Investor, Issue 8 | 7thHeavenProperties.com
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CO N T EN T S
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IN BRIEF
MONEY
LIFE & STYLE
19 NOW Caribbean property market news and trends
45 Not so Taxing The most attractive low tax jurisdictions in the Caribbean
63 Sights Set on the Caribbean An interview with interior designer Steven Zelman of ZLMN – Zelman Style Interiors
24 The Hot List Must have new products for luxury island living 34 Quality Time A showcase of our favourite new luxury watches
55 Discover the Dominican Republic The vibrant second homes market in the Caribbean’s most popular tourism destination
70 One Week in… Grenada How to spend an unforgettable 7 days on the Spice Isle 74 One Week in… Anguilla What to see and do on the tiny island of Anguilla 76 All Tied Up Fashion for him: Tie-dye heralds the new summer of love
78 We’re Hooked Fashion for her: Crochet and lace in our wardrobes mark a new age of femininity
80 Healthcare in the Caribbean 7 destinations with some of the best clinics and hospitals in the Caribbean
86 Mistaken Identity An interview with highly acclaimed Jamaican artist Phillip Thomas
Team Founder: Walter Zephirin Editor-in-Chief: Robert Cooper Consultant: Brigitte Pool Design and Art Direction: Kuchar Swara, Ling Ko Photo Retouching: Emily Zarb Advertising: +44 (0)20 8960 1010 Contributors: Jess Denham, Victoria Gaiger, Zoe Dare Hall, Cathy Hawker, Celine Simon Copyright © 2018 7th Heaven Properties Ltd. All rights reserved. Whilst every effort has been made to ensure accuracy of all contents, 7th Heaven Properties Ltd cannot be held responsible for any errors or omissions. All material published in The Caribbean Property Investor is copyright and reproduction, in whole or part, without written permission is strictly prohibited. The editors and publishers of this magazine make no representations regarding any goods or services advertised in this edition. All prices are correct at time of going to print, but subject to change.
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astronomia sky World Premiere Complication in Three Dimensions Celestial Panorama: Daily and Annual Sidereal Display Hours, Minutes, Seconds and Day and Night Indications Gravitational Triple Axis Tourbillon: 60 Sec, 5 Min, 20 Min Exclusive Jacob & Co. Manufacture JCAM11 Caliber 47mm diameter, 18K White Gold; Limited edition: 18 Pieces N e w Yo r k
48 E as t 57 St reet , New Yo rk, New Yo rk +1. 212. 719. 5887
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CO N T EN T S
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PROMOTIONS 28 Time Out in Turks & Caicos Discover the villas and suites at Sailrock on South Caicos 42 Marina & Beachfront Luxury Introducing Palm Cay, The Bahamas’ Greatest Escape
51 Barefoot Luxury in The Bahamas Visit the Abaco Club on Winding Bay
52 The Family Office Advantage in Antigua & Barbuda The benefits of investing in and relocating to the twin-island nation 56 Experience Luxury Puntacana Resort & Club, the ultimate beach, golf and marina destination
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RESIDENTIAL 91 7 of the Best: Trophy Homes for Sale in the Caribbean Our pick of the most palatial properties on the market
104 7 of the Best: Caribbean Homes for Sale with Owner of Bank Financing The best property investment options with financing available for qualified buyers 112 7 of the Best: Luxury Branded Residences for Sale in the Caribbean The most desirable residences linked to iconic international hotel and resort brands
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COMMERCIAL 124 Roatan Beachfront Dive Hotel for Sale 125 Jamaica Part-Complete Hotel for Sale
126 Belize 2,213 Acres of Beachfront Land for Sale 128 St Kitts Income-Generating Condo Complex for Sale
129 Antigua 440 Acres of Beachfront Land for Sale 130 Costa Rica Beachfront Hotel for Sale
84 You, the Sun & Beach Houses A low density development of luxury residences on an untouched stretch of Barbados’s East Coast
The Caribbean Property Investor Magazine is published by 7th Heaven Properties Ltd, the luxury Caribbean property specialist: www.7thHeavenProperties.com. Our extensive portfolio of residential and commercial property listings spans the entire Caribbean region, including the Central American countries with a Caribbean coastline. As experts in the market, we are ready to introduce you to the region’s most exceptional investment opportunities through our powerful network of handpicked, trusted partners. To enquire about all properties mentioned in this magazine, or to advertise in future editions, please contact: UK: +44(0)20 8960 1010, US/Canada: 855 364 8776, E-mail info@7thHeavenProperties.com
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W EL CO M E & G U E S T CO N T R I B U TO R S GUEST CONTRIBUTORS Zoe Dare Hall Zoe Dare Hall is a property writer whose work can be found in The Sunday Times, The Daily Telegraph, The Financial Times and various luxury publications including Sphere and The London Magazine. She lives and works in London, but would swap it for Barbados at the drop of a hat. For this issue, Zoe provides a roundup of new developments in the Caribbean property world (page 19) and introduces 7 of the best Caribbean properties for sale with bank or developer financing (page 104).
Welcome
Cathy Hawker
Welcome to the eighth issue of The Caribbean Property Investor magazine, the definitive guide to prime property and luxury lifestyle in the Caribbean from 7th Heaven Properties. This is the first issue of our magazine since the devastating hurricane season of 2017 which set records for its intensity and impact. Now, it is important to note that much of the Caribbean was, thankfully, spared from the direct impact of the hurricanes. The region spans roughly one million square miles, so while some islands in the northern Caribbean suffered, elsewhere there was – thankfully – but a gentle breeze. For those parts that were tragically affected, what was just as remarkable was the resilience of the people and the speed of the recovery. In most destinations, infrastructure has been rapidly repaired and businesses, hotels and airports re-opened (in many cases with vast improvements). As a result, tourism and the real estate market are flourishing once more. The Caribbean’s appeal to both tourists and longer-term investors has traditionally been based on the promise of almost guaranteed sunshine, stability and a warm welcome. Now we can add resilience and determination in the face of adversity to that list. Several destinations are notching up record levels of visitor arrivals and expanded airlift and some of the world’s most highly acclaimed hotel brands are opening new resorts, all of which is helping to further stimulate an already very attractive property market. This issue provides a flavour of just some of the new property developments in the Caribbean. Please contact us to discuss any of the featured investments. Our mission is to offer a highly personalized service, so please get in touch so we can fully understand your requirements and help you find your perfect property in the Caribbean. We look forward to hearing from you.
Two decades as a travel and overseas property writer have taken Cathy all over the world but the Caribbean is the region that remains closest to her heart. Her work has appeared in a wide range of international newspapers and magazines including The Financial Times, The Times, The Telegraph and The Evening Standard. In our Prime Property section, Cathy highlights 7 of the most sought after branded residences for sale in the Caribbean (page 112).
Jess Denham Freelance journalist Jess Denham covers homes, interiors and lifestyle for leading UK titles, including the Evening Standard and The Independent. She lives in London but nearly refused to go home after a recent trip to the perennially sunny Dominican Republic. She has fond memories of helping leatherback turtles nest on Costa Rica’s Caribbean coastline. In our Prime Property section, Jess reveals 7 of the ultimate trophy homes for sale in the Caribbean (page 91).
Walter Zephirin Founder 7th Heaven Properties
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A HOME AWAY, A WORLD WITHIN WATERFRONT LIVING STARTING AT $345,000
Where incomparable design, hospitality and natural beauty come together in a luxury resort and real estate opportunity that is uniquely Belize. Opening 2019
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CALL 1.800.591.3077 OR EMAIL AT INFO@ITZANABELIZE.COM ITZANABELIZE.COM
F RO M T H E ED I TO R & G U E S T CO N T R I B U TO R S Celine Simon Freelance writer Celine Simon has worked in the horology industry for over decade. Like many of the timepieces she writes about, she comes from Switzerland — the heart of fine watchmaking. From Singapore to Montreal to Geneva to Dubai, Celine has lived all over the world and now calls Southern California home. On her bucket list is a three-month tour of the Caribbean. Celine highlights the luxury watches you should add to your collection right now (page 34).
From the Editor
Victoria Gaiger
In this issue we begin with a roundup of what’s new in the world of Caribbean real estate (page 19), including reforms to Caribbean citizenship by investment programs. We also take a look at some of the hottest products hitting the market that are sure to enhance any trip to the Caribbean (page 24). Our Money section includes a special feature on the most attractive investment locations from a tax perspective (page 45). We also take an in depth look at opportunities in the rapidly growing Dominican Republic (page 55) and the advantages of investing in Antigua & Barbuda (page 52). In Life & Style, we look at a key concern of many overseas property buyers eyeing up the islands – the availability of good quality healthcare across the Caribbean (page 80) – and we talk to Jamaican contemporary artist Phillip Thomas about how his work encourages viewers to reconsider preconceptions of his island homeland (page 86). Finally, in our Prime Property section, we showcase a selection of 7 the best homes for sale in the Caribbean in three separate categories: outstanding, opulent trophy homes (page 91), properties that come with the option to apply for owner or bank financing (page 104) and the most desirable luxury branded residences for sale in the Caribbean with services delivered by the world’s top hoteliers (page 112).
Fashion Editor V ictor ia Gaiger travels the world shooting the latest trends for some of the world’s biggest brands. Her next trip to the Caribbean will see her looking for pink sands and turquoise waters in Barbuda. She is currently the Fashion Editor at Harrods magazine and Harrods Man magazine. In our Life & Style section, Victoria takes a look at the latest trends hot off the runway (page 76).
Robert Cooper Editor-in-Chief
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SOMETHING AMAZING IS HAPPENING IN N A S S AU , B A H A M A S
Our latest phase of luxury contemporary apartments with marina frontage, and majestic ocean views are now available to purchase. One Marina is a figurative centerpiece of the vibrant hubs of beachfront, restaurant, café and marina, allowing for an intimate experience of the Palm Cay lifestyle. A very exciting combination of 2 and 3 bed designer homes up to 1,430 sq.ft. and incorporating our stunning open plan 3,000 sq. ft. penthouse units.
Prominently located within our beautifully landscaped, and secure-gated community, these exclusively designed properties benefit from luxury fixtures and fittings, and offer easy access to Palm Cay’s resort style amenities.
PALM CAY / ONE MARINA HAS BEEN AWARDED ONE OF THE WORLDS BEST IN THE INTERNATIONAL PROPERTY AWARDS 2018. CONTACT US FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THIS AMAZING COMMUNITY IN THE BAHAMAS.
Choose one of our beautiful One Marina luxury homes and you will automatically become eligible for The Bahamas Accelerated Residency Program. Palm Cay Developments
Prices from US$800,000 to US$1,900,000
+1 242 676-8552 www.O NE -M ARI NA.c om
IN BRIEF
NOW THE HOT LIST LUXURY WATCHES
NOW ◊
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A roundup of the latest market news & trends in brief from around the region by Zoe Dare Hall
Brand New
Image courtesy of Park Hyatt St Kitts
A flurry of top tier luxury brand hotel openings adds prestige to the Caribbean
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A sure mark of confidence in the Caribbean is the number of new luxury brand resorts set to open over the next few years. St Kitts is one hotspot. Following the opening of Park Hyatt’s first Caribbean resort there, Six Senses is transforming a former sugar cane plantation for their opening in 2021, around the same time that Ritz-Carlton will open its resort in the island’s south-east. Dominica will see its first beachfront five-star resort in the form of the Cabrits Resort Kempinski, with an opening date of October 2019 – the same month that Grenada hopes to be toasting completion of its Kimpton Kawana Bay resort, while Four Seasons has chosen the off-the-beaten-track beauty of rural Miches in the
Dominican Republic for its new resort. Several big hotel brand names are coming to Turks & Caicos’s world-famous Grace Bay. Ritz-Carlton plans to open in late 2020, followed soon after by Hyatt Andaz. Other major openings include Fairmont in St Lucia in 2020 and Mandarin Oriental’s second Caribbean opening in Grand Cayman in 2021. Antigua gets a double vote of confidence, with Waldorf Astoria choosing the island for its first Caribbean project, and Rosewood opening at the super-luxury Half Moon Bay.
The Caribbean Property Investor, Issue 8 | 7thHeavenProperties.com
IN BRIEF NOW
Flying High Airport expansion projects herald growth for several Caribbean islands The $100 million expansion of St Lucia’s Hewanorra airport has been given the green light after 20 years in the planning. The vital upgrade, which includes a new state-of-the-art terminal, will relieve pressure on the island’s domestic and international airport that currently operates at full capacity. The expanded airport will accommodate up to 1 million passengers a year. It marks a pivotal moment for the island’s tourism industry, which is set to see the number of rooms on St Lucia double to around 9,000 over the next 15 years. “St Lucia is transitioning from a three-star destination to a five-star destination and we need an international airport to support that,” says Tourism Minister Dominic Fedee.
The Caribbean Property Investor, Issue 8 | 7thHeavenProperties.com
Other islands to set their sights sky-high are Grenada, which has a $66 million loan from China to expand its Maurice Bishop International Airport, and Martinique, whose Aimé Césaire International Airport will double in size – including with new boarding and departure lounges - by 2020. The US Virgin Islands are also planning airport expansions. St Thomas recently revealed its $230 million project and the island of St Croix is proposing the expansion and revamp of its Henry E Rohlsen airport built in 1948.
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Pathways to Paradise Island nations tweak their Citizenship schemes to fuel investment The need to stay competitive is driving Caribbean nations to refine their Citizenship by Investment Programs. Spurred on by Dominica’s programme, which generates roughly US $150 million per year in government revenue, St Lucia cut its minimum required investment level to $100,000 for investors who take the financial contribution route and $300,000 for those who invest in real estate, making it the Caribbean’s least costly second passport program. Other nations have also enhanced the competitiveness of their schemes. Antigua & Barbuda halved its minimum investment level to $100,000 for financial contributions, while leaving the minimum required in-
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vestment level for the real estate option unchanged at $400,000. Grenada reduced its minimum investment level from $200,000 to $150,000 (though the minimum level for the real estate route remains at $350,000). Its program is the only one in the Caribbean to offer visafree access to China and fast-track access to a US E-2 investor visa. St Kitts & Nevis launched a Sustainable Growth Fund with a minimum investment level of $150,000 and a new real estate investment option for which at least $200,000 is required (if resalable after seven years), or $400,000 (if resalable after five years).
The Caribbean Property Investor, Issue 8 | 7thHeavenProperties.com
Z E M I B E ACH H O USE
A DI F FE R E NT P OINT OF B LU E It’s easy to fall in love with Zemi Beach House Hotel & Spa – before you even catch a glimpse of our legendary beaches. The combination of personalized service, signature Zemi Thai House Spa and superb waterfront dining allows you to fully relax and experience a different point of blue.
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IN BRIEF NOW
Back in Business With Irma & Maria in the rear-view mirror, the Caribbean is staging a comeback Well over a year on from record-shattering hurricanes, those islands affected by Irma and Maria are back in business. Puerto Rico was quick to restore a sense of order, reinstating many of its daily flights and rekindling its cruise sector, which saw record-breaking passengers in 2018. On Anguilla, where visitor numbers fell to 1993 levels, many boutique hotels, villas and apartment rentals have been refreshed and reopened and private ferry companies are back in action. Electricity and water have been restored to Barbuda
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and air and sea ports are fully functional once again. The luxury resort part-funded by Robert de Niro is also back on track, now scheduled to open in 2020. The BVIs are estimated to have suffered a $2.15 billion hit to the tourist industry but have made swift progress in returning their crucial charter yacht sector to operation. Several signature resorts have also reopened, with more to follow soon, including newly restored Necker Island and Little Dix Bay. Dominica’s mountainous hills are green again, its dive sites are thriving, and a major chunk of its tourist rooms have re-opened, in many cases, better than before. The Caribbean Property Investor, Issue 8 | 7thHeavenProperties.com
Vimini collection by Kettal
The Great Outdoors Relaxing outside is key to the Caribbean dream and high-quality outdoor furniture is almost a pre-requisite to full enjoyment of the al fresco lifestyle. For true connoisseurs of outdoor living, furniture must deliver on comfort and style. Thankfully, increasing numbers of manufacturers are responding with new launches that offer both. Spain’s Kettal, for example, has released a range that is as covetable as many an indoor equivalent. Its recently launched Vimini collection, which was designed by award-winning architect Patricia Urquiola, uses traditional outdoor wicker, a wooden frame and comfy cushions to create pieces which are contemporary and stylish yet familiar and relaxed. Available in Kettal stores in New York, Miami, London, Paris and Marbella and via authorized retailers, the range is just perfect for indoor-outdoor living in the Caribbean. The Caribbean Property Investor, Issue 8 | 7thHeavenProperties.com
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IN BRIEF THE HOT LIST
The Hot List
Our pick of the must have new products for luxury island living RO B ERT CO O P ER
Aston Martin AM37 powerboat
Full Speed Ahead If day cruising is to the Caribbean what road trips are to the US, then what better way to spend a day on the water than in the new generation of ultra-luxury sport yachts? Recent launches from iconic automotive brands apply carmakers’ well-honed design experience to the nautical world, producing daring (and highly exclusive) new designs. In 2016, Britain’s Aston Martin debuted the AM37 Powerboat, bringing the power and style of its sports cars to a yachting concept. French supercar-maker Bugatti launched the 66-foot Niniette 66 which comes with a Jacuzzi and fire pit. Lexus created the ever so sleek LY 650, while Mercedes Benz brought the elegance of the S-Class to its Arrow460-Granturismo which features retractable side windows like a car, pergola roof and a large open plan space which can transform from lounge to dining area to bedroom suite.
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The Caribbean Property Investor, Issue 8 | 7thHeavenProperties.com
Image courtesy of Emporio Armani
Surf ’s Up From the Atlantic coasts of St Lucia and Barbados to Cabarete in the Dominican Republic and Rincón in Puerto Rico, the Caribbean has long been a surfing mecca. For years, legions of thrill seekers have made a beeline for the region to ride the waves, swapping their everyday attire for snug-fitting surf gear. However, this year the oh-socool surfer vibe has made a big splash far from the islands’ top surf spots and given surfwear a couture-meets-cool style update. On the catwalks of Paris, Milan and New York, fashion houses including Calvin Klein, Michael Kors and Prada incorporated elements of surf style into their SS19 collections. Emporio Armani and Etro even sent models down the runway with branded surfboards. Want to step up the style stakes next time you hear the call of the sea? Get your hands on one of these. The Caribbean Property Investor, Issue 8 | 7thHeavenProperties.com
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Image courtesy of Jacquemus
The Bigger the Better While it may be true in some cases that the best things come in small packages, in others, bigger is better. Micro bags barely large enough to hold a credit card recently became a social media sensation. But, while they are adorable, they are far from practical. These tiny bags are soon set to sit in the (very large) shadow of something much more functional and equally Instagrammable: the oversized bag. The SS19 collection of French cult fashion label Jacquemus is set to ignite a trend for supersized accessories. Available in natural straw or burnt orange and fringed with raffia, Jacquemus’s giant beach bag is large enough to transport all your essentials from A to B(each) – sunglasses, sun cream, towels, the lot‌ The totes are tipped as the new beach bag to lust after and are expected to spawn a plethora of gigantic imitations. Sometimes, bigger really is better.
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The Caribbean Property Investor, Issue 8 | 7thHeavenProperties.com
P RO M OTI ON SAIL ROCK RESORT
Time Out in Turks & Caicos Discover the villas and suites at Sailrock on South Caicos, a haven of unspoiled nature offering blissful seclusion, expert staff and all the luxuries of a 5-star resort
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Introducing South Caicos Turks & Caicos is a pristine archipelago of 40 islands and cays laced with white sand beaches and warm, ginclear sea. The seventh-largest island, South Caicos, is just a 20-minute island-hop flight from the international airport on Providenciales but feels a world away from the resort-lined crowded beaches of Grace Bay. Little visited until recently, discerning travelers are quietly waking up to South Caicos' unspoiled nature, slow pace and new luxury accommodation. The eight-square-mile isle resembles a great whale in the ocean, its tail a hilly stretch of land that fronts both the Atlantic Ocean to the east and Caicos Bank to the west. On South Caicos, wild donkeys are part of the scenery, and you can wander miles along the pristine beaches without seeing a single sun lounger. The world’s third-largest coral barrier reef is just offshore, making it a haven for scuba divers and snorkelers who want to explore the Caribbean’s marine life without the crowds. Upon flight approach to the newly improved airport, you can even see masses of multi-coloured reefs beneath the turquoise water — both a preview and a promise of what’s to come. Sun, Sea, Sand & Seclusion Into this rare and special setting, Sailrock Resort opened its doors in January 2017. The only 5-star resort to arrive on the island, Sailrock brings a new level of luxury to South Caicos without disrupting the quiet rhythm that makes the island so unique. There are just 31 suites and villas, as well as the Great House, spread over 52 hilltop and oceanfront acres, so every guest finds their own private slice of South Caicos whether in a Beachfront Villa or Ridgetop Suite. And travelers looking for a Caribbean home-away-from-home discover it in the Private Peninsula Villas, located in a neighboring 770-acre enclave with an ecological focus and full access to the resort amenities. The Great House, the centerpiece for resort amenities, is both a place to meet up and hide out, with wide open public spaces done up in island shades, an ocean-facing restaurant serving a creative seafood-focused menu, and a lounger-dotted infinity pool that’s the resort’s informal meeting place. More active guests
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The Caribbean Property Investor, Issue 8 | 7thHeavenProperties.com
will take the uninterrupted views across Long Beach and out to the Atlantic Ocean as an invitation to try everything from whale watching and conch diving to scuba diving and kite surfing, while others will find their happy place in a hilltop spa suite at sunset. The expert staff nudges guests on to island time with exacting, never fawning service, from pre-stocking the kitchen in a Four-Bedroom Beachfront Villa to organizing a private dinner for two on the beach. Sailrock Resort offers the best bits of a hotel stay with the independence of a villa experience, all with an ocean soundtrack. Sleep In, Bliss Out All 31 villas and suites at Sailrock are cheerleaders for their gorgeous setting, with floor-to-ceiling windows and furnished terraces framing views of the island landscape. Ridgetop Suites have panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean to the east and Caicos Bank to the west and show off a beach-inspired palette with sand-colored tiles and sisal rugs, mosaic wood headboards, and signature wrap-around terraces for admiring nature’s show at sunrise and sunset. One- and Two-Bedroom Suites offer extra space to spread out, along with the same modern Caribbean style, full kitchens, walk-in showers, and furnished outdoor areas. For beach lovers, the One- to Four-Bedroom Beachfront Villas are Sailrock’s island hideouts, with up to 6,000 square feet of space, full kitchens, deep soaking tubs and outdoor shower gardens, indoor and outdoor dining areas, and a private temperature-controlled
swimming pool just steps from the sand. Stays at these contemporary villas include a welcome gift and private check-in, as well as resort-wide perks like complimentary ground transfers, WiFi, use of the fitness center, a welcome cocktail and more. Set along more than a mile of beachfront, these Beachfront Villas offer exceptional privacy and beach views from bed. Your Island Home For visitors already seduced by South Caicos, or those ready to make their island home in a uniquely private setting, Sailrock Peninsula Private Villas offer the perfect opportunity to lay tropical roots and be part of an ecologically-minded community at the start of South Caicos’ transformation. And while finding peace and privacy means going far off the grid, South Caicos’ easy connection through Providenciales (now with over 90 weekly flights into its international airport) makes it ripe for weekend trippers from the east coast US as well as long-stay holidaymakers from across the globe. The flexible ownership model welcomes both yearround residents and short-term lets through the resort rental program. A structured villa management program ensures hassle-free ownership with seasoned Villa managers taking care of everything from reservations to ground transfers, as well as seasonal maintenance. The 770-acre development is purposefully low-density, placing a premium on the luxury Villa rentals and opportunity to nurture repeat visitors through Sailrock Resort’s relationships with world-class brands including Small Luxury Hotels of the World and Luxury Retreats.
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The turnkey Villas are pre-designed by award-winning architecture firm Osterhaus McCarthy Architects, using sustainable materials and construction practices. A complement to the fresh environment, interiors mix cool stone floors and the roughly-hewn wood furniture with nature-inspired artwork and picture windows overlooking a tie-dye of blue sky and sea. All come with fully-equipped kitchens and pantries, indoor and outdoor dining areas, and an al fresco living room overlooking the pool, as well as access to the full Sailrock Resort amenities. For those fortunate enough to discover Sailrock, the private Peninsula Villas offer all the luxuries of Sailrock Resort, along with that rarest travel gem: supreme seclusion. Eat, Stay & Play Between beach time and pool time, it’s time to eat. Meals at the Great House Restaurant come with sunrise and sunset ocean views from the wraparound furnished terrace, but Chef Jose Francois Alias’ exciting menu of modern Caribbean fare and international favorites keeps all eyes on the feast — at least until plates are empty. The seafood-focused menu gives classic Caribbean flavours a contemporary spin; expect plantains and orange atop roasted Atlantic salmon, and a Jerk Pulled Pork wrap with housemade dressing. Post-dinner, the Great House Bar takes full advantage of the hilltop position, with the views of the Atlantic Ocean and Caicos Bank made even more memorable with a signature Blue Margarita in hand. The brand-new Cove Restaurant + Beach Bar is a sophisticated take on the classic beach bar and the place to be in the early afternoon as the sun sets over the Caicos Bank.
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Fully fueled up and ready to explore? The resort concierge will craft an adventure-packed watersports itinerary direct from the resort’s second beach located on the Caicos Bank. Hobie Cat sailing, paddle boarding, kayaking, and snorkeling are all complimentary for guests, with staff on hand to assist with equipment and instruction. For an extended outing, the expertly-curated Excursions menu includes Airboat Bone Fishing charters, a South Caicos Island tour, kitesurfing lessons and, the island’s most popular activity, scuba diving. With the world’s third-largest coral reef, a protected and thriving natural wonder, lying just offshore, as well as 350 days of sunshine and 25- to 40-meter visibility, South Caicos offers exceptional diving year-round. Expect to see wrecks, steep drop-offs, sharks, rays, turtles and even migrating humpback whales in winter. And Relax… The simplicity and beauty of South Caicos set the scene for true relaxation, but to aid this pursuit there’s the resort’s ridgetop spa treatment rooms and Na Spa, due to open in 2020. From hot stone massages to a signature salt scrub (a nod to South Caicos’ former life as a salt exporter), all treatments come with unrivalled island views and a cooling hilltop breeze. See You Soon South Caicos is at the very start of its transformation into a world-class destination for luxury travelers who prize peace, privacy and the Caribbean’s natural bounty above all. Easy to reach and impossible to forget, South Caicos offers a sun-kissed Caribbean idyll, with Sailrock Resort the literal cherry on the hilltop.
The Caribbean Property Investor, Issue 8 | 7thHeavenProperties.com
ABA’S COVE 6 Bedrooms, 6 Baths | 5,834 Sq Ft Oceanfront 1,63-acre Homesite $8,750,000 CONTACT: KRISTI HULL AT KHULL@THEABACOCLUB.COM
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30 MINUTES FROM FLORIDA BUT A WORLD AWAY For a relaxing holiday in paradise—or a lifetime of them—The Abaco Club is an inspired choice. Here in our private Bahamian oasis, residents and guests enjoy a barefootluxury lifestyle and a world of wonderful resort amenities, all in a thoroughly unspoiled tropical setting. The club’s oceanfront homesites, estate homes and cottage villas are home to discriminating club members from around the world, and many are available for rental on a nightly basis. Schedule your Abaco Club discovery visit today! •
Island homes and homesites from $1.9M to $8.75M
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World-class bluewater and saltwater fly fishing
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2.5-mile pristine, white-sand beach
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Beach bar and fine dining
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The Bahamas’ #1 golf course
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Spa, fitness & tennis facilities
Club programs and activities for all ages
FOR INFO OR TO SCHEDULE A VISIT, GO TO OUR WEBSITE: THEABACOCLUB.COM, OR EMAIL KRISTI HULL, SALES DIRECTOR, AT KHULL@THEABACOCLUB.COM.
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The Caribbean Property Investor, Issue 8 | 7thHeavenProperties.com
This is not an offer to sell property to, or solicitation of offers from, residents of NY, NJ, CT or any other state that requires prior registration of real estate. Prices and terms are subject to change without notice.
IN BRIEF LUXURY WATCHES
Quality Time Part functional tool, part style statement, a luxury watch is both an investment and an essential addition to any well-stocked wardrobe, whether at home or abroad. From vibrant fashion-forward pieces in this year’s hottest hues to practical travel watches that help you keep track of time across multiple time zones and glittering gemset jewelry watches that sparkle in all the hues of a captivating Caribbean sunset, here are some of the best new top-tier timepieces to own right now.   CELINE SIMON
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Diver
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Color Me Happy – Green and Purple Watches Luxury watches tend to be made in neutral tones for ease of coordination. But, if you’re looking for something a little unusual, a vibrant timepiece is a great way to add a splash of color to your look — especially in the light-filled setting of the sunny Caribbean. In stark contrast to watches in the more traditional muted shades of black, silver and brown, there has been a slew of recent releases in eye-catching shades to discover. Pantone declared Ultra Violet as its “Color of the Year” for 2018. As a result, we’ve spotted plenty of fine watches with pops of purple, plum and mauves on dials and bracelets.
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Audemars Piguet, for example, presented three new versions of the Royal Oak Extra-Thin Tourbillon with striking sunburst dials, including a rich plum-toned one, while Bulgari fitted the iconic Serpenti snake-head-inspired watch with a fashion-forward purple leather band to coil around the wrist. Purveyors of some of the finest leather goods in the world, Hermès launched the new Klikti diamond watch collection with a variety of colored leather straps, including a dark “cassis” purple. Continued on next page…
Clé de Cartier
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Diver
Hermès Klikti
Bvlgari Serpenti
De Grisogono Eccentrica S04
Van Cleef & Arpels Lady Arpels Colibri Indigo
The Caribbean Property Investor, Issue 8 | 7thHeavenProperties.com
Breitling Premier B01 Chronograph 42 Bentley
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IN BRIEF LUXURY WATCHES
Green was also a favorite color of watchmakers this year, helping to set apart several new timepieces from the raft of more somber releases. Taking full advantage of their in-house dial factory, Glashütte Original impressed onlookers with a new steel Sixties watch housing a stunning green dégradé dial. Piaget also took on the green
trend by way of an intriguing malachite marquetry dial inside the rose gold Altiplano Flying Tourbillon watch. Breitling aptly turned to British racing green as the color choice for the new Premier B01 Chronograph 42 Bentley in honor of the long-running partnership between the Swiss watchmaker and the British carmaker.
Corum La Grande Vie
Piaget Altiplano Flying Tourbillon
Gucci Automatic GMT 40mm
H. Moser & Cie Pioneer Centre Seconds
Jacob & Co Brilliant Skeleton Northern Lights Rose Gold
Glashütte Original Sixties
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The Caribbean Property Investor, Issue 8 | 7thHeavenProperties.com
IN BRIEF LUXURY WATCHES Chasing Rainbows – Gem-Set Jewelry Watches Timepieces adorned with diamonds – a girl’s (and many a boy’s) best friend – are undeniable classics blessed with an eternal radiance. However, for something just as precious but even more distinctive, feast your eyes on these rainbow gem-set watches. Flaunting a mesmerizing display of color and brilliance, these ultra-lavish jewelry watches are almost as dazzling as the coastlines found in the Caribbean Sea. Rolex has made waves with a new Everose Cosmograph Daytona topped with 36 baguette-cut sapphires in a rainbow gradient on the bezel, 11 different colored baguette-cut sapphire hour markers, and diamond pavé on the case. This rose gold chronograph follows the recently released rose gold Rolex Yacht-Master with a multicolor gem-set bezel incorporating 32 sapphires, eight tsavorites and one diamond.
Hublot’s opulent eye-candy offering comes in the form of the Big Bang One Click Sapphire Rainbow, which includes 48 baguette-cut colored sapphires, amethysts, rubies, topazes and tsavorites for a ring of color to contrast with the innovative transparent sapphire case and see-through rubber strap. Going beyond just the bezel and dial, Chopard put their master jewelers to work to incrust the Imperiale Joaillerie Rainbow watch. With 581 multi-colored sapphires totaling 47.98 carats blanketing the rose gold watch, this masterpiece required over 1,000 hours just to set the gems. No stranger to precious gemstones, Jacob & Co. created the Brilliant Full Baguette Rainbow with a striking spectrum of multicolored sapphires invisibly set to completely cover the case, bezel and dial — 238 baguette-cut sapphires in total, along with one rose-cut sapphire set into the crown.
Jacob & Co Brilliant Full Baguette Rainbow
Rolex Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph Daytona in Everose Gold
Hublot Big Bang One Click Sapphire Rainbow
Chopard Imperiale Joaillerie Rainbow
Rolex Oyster Perpetual Yacht-Master 40
Franck Muller Double Mystery
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Jacob & Co. Brilliant Rainbow Rose Gold
Breitling Navitimer 8 B35 Automatic Unitime 43
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IN BRIEF LUXURY WATCHES All the Time in the World – Dual Time, GMT and World Time Watches Calculating the time in another part of the world is a common occurrence for those who travel frequently. So why not wear a handsome wristwatch that can do that for you? Watches with GMT, dual time, and world time functions help you easily keep track of home time even while you are blissfully enjoying your beachside Caribbean vacation. Although watches that read multiple time zones have been prevalent in the luxury watch landscape for decades, they proved to be especially popular this year with a host of high-end watch brands releasing new versions. As its name suggests, dual time watches display two time zones on the dial for easy reading of local time and home time simultaneously. Vacheron Constantin introduced the sporty Overseas Dual
Time collection with a choice of stainless steel or pink gold cases, all equipped with a clever interchangeable strap system to easily change up the look of the watch. The term GMT is sometimes used interchangeably with dual time, however, depending on the design of the watch, a GMT watch can, in fact, indicate three time zones. For instance, Rolex unveiled three new versions of the famed GMT-Master II watches—in steel, two-tone rose gold and steel, and full rose gold—which can display three different time zones thanks to their rotating ceramic bezels. Built for frequent travelers, world time watches are mechanical marvels that display the earth’s 24 time zones, represented by 24 cities. Jaeger-LeCoultre recently debuted the limited-edition Polaris Geographic WT, which combines the world time complication with a chronograph.
Breitling Navitimer 8 B35 Automatic Unitime 43
Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris Geographic WT
Tudor Black Bay GMT
Panerai Luminor Due 3 Days GMT Power Reserve Automatic Acciaio
Patek Philippe Calatrava Pilot Travel Time
Rolex GMT-Master II
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The Caribbean Property Investor, Issue 8 | 7thHeavenProperties.com
P RO M OTI ON PAL M CAY
Marina & Beachfront Luxury With 82 apartments and penthouses on Nassau’s best marina with endless views of a long white sand beach, Palm Cay is set to be The Bahamas’ Greatest Escape
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Palm Cay is no longer Nassau’s best kept secret, instead it is quickly becoming the jewel of all Bahamian development. Having almost sold the entirety of its 63 beachfront and ocean view town homes, Palm Cay is embarking on a ground-breaking project - One Marina - that is set to place even the most exclusive developments across The Bahamas firmly in the shade. The Marina The 82 apartments and penthouses will be located directly on Palm Cay’s award-winning marina whilst facing out across the horizon to the Exumas, located just 28 nautical miles away. Several of Palm Cay homeowners have already traded in their larger cruising vessels, in favour of smaller ‘centre console’ type boats which easily facilitate a day trip to the Exumas and back to Palm Cay. The Marina itself has 194 slips and has been voted as Nassau’s best Marina 4 years in a row by Active Captain. It can accommodate boats up to 110 feet, with the majority of the slips being filled by long-term and transient boaters in the 40 to 60 foot range. The Living Experience One Marina is positioned on the Western side of Palm Cay Marina adjacent to its own private cove and looks out over the vast expanse of white sand along Palm Cay’s 1200 foot long resident’s beach. The units will boast a modern, Miami-chic style of architectural design and stunning contemporary furnishings. The glass balconies and stunning views mean that moving from inside to out merges into one, as One Marina embraces the seduction of the inside-outside continuous flow. Envision yourself looking across the crystal-clear ocean from your balcony, or perhaps heading up to your private rooftop pool for an afternoon plunge. Before heading over to the Palm Cay club for drinks with friends.
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Investment These residences are perfect for couples or small families, who are seeking a luxury high-end escape from their hectic daily lives. Those who are also looking to enhance their investment portfolios will find Palm Cay an excellent location. We offer guaranteed income programmes for both our One Marina Residences and our Starfish Isle Town homes. Therefore, homeowners can enjoy a stunning vacation home for as long as they want throughout the year, whilst still earning through rental income and property price increases, whilst having the peace of mind that Palm Cay will take care of everything for them. The Amenities Palm Cay prides itself on having amenities which match up to any resort or hotel. It boats a 194-slip, full service marina, restaurant, café, boutique, spa, private members beach club, private members beach, gym, tennis courts, the list goes on. Grab some lunch at the Palm Cay Grill, before relaxing on the beach, or if you are feeling slightly more adventurous head out on one of our Palm Cay boat tours for a spot of scuba diving or fishing. Why Palm Cay? When it comes to investment in The Bahamas, or any second-home property, you can quantify your decision with a few simple points or questions: • Will my property be safe? Yes, we are a gated community with 24/7 security. • Will I receive a good return on my investment? Absolutely, through both rental income and property price increases. • W ill I enjoy the Lifest yle? U ltimately there is nowhere else in The Bahamas that can offer the variety of amenities and lifestyle aspects that Palm Cay does. Therefore, the question shouldn’t be “why Palm Cay?”, but “why anywhere else?”
The Caribbean Property Investor, Issue 8 | 7thHeavenProperties.com
STAY IN COURSE
ACANTHA MANAGEMENT LTD.
WITH YOUR FAMILY OFFICE
10 Redcliffe Quay PO Box 2502 St. John’s Antigua & Barbuda West Indies
IN ANTIGUA & BARBUDA Acantha
Management Ltd. is a leading
independent organisation in Antigua & Barbuda. We offer bespoke advise to internationally based HNW & UHNW on their wealth management, corporate structure, and relocation needs.
Office : +1 (268) 736-7207 Mobile : +1 (268) 464-0556
VISIT US :
www.welcome2antigua.org
MONE Y
MONEY TAX
Not So Taxing
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TAX INVESTING DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
As Benjamin Franklin famously wrote in 1789, “in this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.” Try as we might, there is nothing we can do to avoid the former. In the case of the latter however, there are a variety of legal ways to minimize your obligations to the taxman. Becoming resident in a jurisdiction which demands less in taxes is just one such approach.
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MONEY TAX
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While better known as popular tourism destinations offering world-class beaches and an unhurried pace of life, several islands and territories in the Caribbean also offer the opportunity to reduce your tax liability. Some locations are considered to be pure tax havens while others have reduced the tax burden to the bare minimum. Here we take a look at some of the most attractive low tax jurisdictions in the Caribbean and how you could enjoy the benefits.
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ANGUILLA The tiny British Overseas Territory of Anguilla is a “zero-tax jurisdiction.” As the description would suggest, there is no capital gains tax, income tax, inheritance or estate tax and no other forms of direct taxation on the island for residents. Access to this attractive environment is set to be enhanced with the launch of a new “Residency by Investment” program which is currently in the works. The program will allow foreign nationals to acquire permanent residency status via a financial contribution such as investment in real estate in Anguilla and thereby acquire the ability to enjoy the island’s low tax environment. Individuals are however not completely free of the requirement to pay taxes. For example, property owners must pay an annual property tax, which is a tax on improvements only. The 2015 Property Tax Act Regulations set out the rates according to the following classifications: Residential 0.300%, Hotel 0.300%, Short term 0.325% and Commercial 0.350%. In January 2017, the Government of Anguilla implemented a temporary amendment to the Stamp Act and to fees associated with obtaining an Aliens Land Holding Licence (ALHL) with the aim of stimulating Anguilla’s real estate market and encouraging investment in property. Transfer tax for Belongers was reduced to 2.5%, while the tax on the ALHL required by Non-Belongers to obtain the right to own property on Anguilla has been reduced to 5% for Improvements (such as villas and houses) and 6.25% on land purchases, with a requirement for construction to be completed within 30 months of acquiring the land. The program will run until 31st December 2019. At the end of the period, rates are set to revert to previous rates of 5% for Belongers and 12.5% for Non-Belongers on freehold purchases.
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The Caribbean Property Investor, Issue 8 | 7thHeavenProperties.com
LIVE CAYMAN ISLANDS One hour south of Miami, we embrace residents from over 100 countries to live, work and play on our shores. The Cayman Islands are a British Overseas Territory with the finest standard of living in the Caribbean. A wonderful selection of real estate and a friendly, safe, executive domain. We invite you to join us, apply for Cayman residency or simply enjoy a vacation investment home. Foreign ownership is encouraged. Our Government guarantees title.
345.623.1234
www.SIRCaymanIslands.com
Seven Mile Beach, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands | info.cayman@sothebysrealty.com Each Office is Independently Owned and Operated. Member of CIREBA
CASA COYABA
US$8.995m.
Overlooking the shimmering waters of South Sound, this magnificent estate enjoys over 210ft of sandy beach frontage, 10B/9B, 2 gourmet kitchens & infinity pool. MLS#405613
MANDALAY PENTHOUSE
US$4.6m. BARCO A LA VISTA
Privacy & elegance of a beachfront home with the conveniences of an executive condo. Huge terrace overlooking the crystal blue water and white sands of Seven Mile Beach. MLS#408718
US$7.25m.
A beachfront family home close to the business districts of Grand Cayman. Extraordinary views of reef protected South Sound. Digital brochure available. MLS#404691
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ANTIGUA & BARBUDA With 365 beaches – one for every day of the year – Antigua & Barbuda is a popular tourism and sailing destination, but there are far more appealing aspects to the twin island nation for investors than its beautiful coastline. There is no capital gains tax or inheritance / estate tax in Antigua & Barbuda. In addition, in 2016 the Government abolished personal income tax to enhance the country’s appeal to investors, businesses, professionals and retirees considering relocating. Property owners must pay an annual property tax which is based on the assessed market value of the property and its use (either residential or commercial). Property tax on residential land is set at 0.20% while tax on residential buildings is 0.30%. Transfers of real property are subject to stamp tax which is paid by bother the buyer and the seller. The stamp tax for sellers is 7.5%, while for buyers it is 2.5%. Non-citizen buyers are also required to pay 5% of the value of the property to obtain an Alien Land Holding License. Since 2013, Antigua & Barbuda has operated a Citizenship by Investment Program offering qualified applicants the opportunity to acquire full citizenship via either a minimum financial contribution of US $100,000 (plus fees and charges) or an investment in an approved real estate project with a minimum value of US $400,000 (plus fees and charges).
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THE BAHAMAS Renowned for its crystal clear oceans and powder soft white sand beaches, the island of The Bahamas offer some of the most alluring landscapes in the region. Equally alluring is the tax regime. There is no capital gains tax, no income tax, no inheritance / estate tax in the archipelago. There are however various other forms of taxation, such as 12% VAT which is levied on goods and services and National Insurance which is paid by all employees and employers. Other taxes in The Bahamas include import duties, stamp duty and real property tax. Stamp duty is levied on transfers of real or personal property at variable rates. All property transactions valued at $100,000 or more incur 10% stamp duty. An annual real property tax on owner occupied residential property is paid by property owners at variable rates according to the market value of the property, as
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follows: The first $250,000 of market value – exempt; From $250,000 to $500,000 of market value – 0.625%; From $500,000 to $5,000,000 of market value – 1% with a cap of $50,000. It is possible for financially independent non-Bahamian nationals to apply for residency through an investment in real estate in The Bahamas which can offer significant tax advantages. While the outcome of any application cannot be guaranteed, an investment of at least $500,000 in a residence is more than likely to lead to the granting of permanent residency status. The cost of permanent residence is $10,000. All nonBahamian residence owners can acquire a homeowner’s card which entitles the bearer, spouse and dependent children to enter and remain in The Bahamas for the duration of the validity of the card.
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BVI As a self-described “centre of excellence for global business and finance”, the British Virgin Islands offers a range of tax benefits to lure both individuals and businesses, including freedom from capital gains tax, gift tax, inheritance / estate tax, net wealth / worth tax and sales tax / VAT. Technically, residents of this beautiful British Overseas Territory are required to pay income tax but the rate has been set at zero. However, there are several other forms of taxation in the BVI, including a payroll tax on all incomes paid by both employers and employees, social security contributions and customs duties. Stamp duty is levied on all real estate transactions at a rate of 12% (or 4% in the case of Belongers). In addition, property owners are required to pay a nominal property tax which combines land and house taxes and rarely exceeds US $1,000. Property tax amounts to US $50 for up to half an acre, US $150 for half to 1 acre and US $50 for each additional acre or part of an acre. Fees for land owned by BVIslands or BVI Companies are lower.
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CAYMAN ISLANDS The Cayman Islands has established itself as one of the most successful offshore financial centres in the Caribbean and a vibrant luxury real estate market. While endless white sand beaches, turquoise seas and an idyllic lifestyle certainly add to the allure, the attractive tax environment contributes significantly to the islands’ appeal.
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MONEY TAX Described as a “tax-neutral jurisdiction�, the Cayman Islands enjoys freedom from direct taxation for all full and part time residents and investors. Like other jurisdictions mentioned in this article, there is no capital gains tax, inheritance / estate tax, sales tax or personal income tax in the Cayman Islands and businesses based in this British Overseas Territory are exempt from corporation tax. Unlike many other jurisdictions in the region, there is also no annual property tax. With no direct taxation, government derives most of its revenue from indirect sources. These include annual business licenses levied on all companies and stamp duty on real property transfers. Stamp duty amounts to 7.5% of the purchase price or market value of the property and is payable by the buyer as a one-time fee unless otherwise stipulated in the contract. If this sounds appealing, there are various options in place to enable qualified applicants to become resident. For example, individuals with an annual income of at least CI $120,000 who invest in the Cayman Islands can apply for a Certificate of Residence for Persons of Independent Means. On Grand Cayman the minimum investment level is CI $1 million of which at least CI $500,000 must be in developed real estate. The minimum investment levels are lower in Little Cayman and Cayman Brac. Certificates are valid for a period of 25 years and can be renewed. A minimum investment of CI $2 million in developed real estate offers eligibility to apply for a Certificate of Permanent Residence which, as the name suggests, offers the right to reside in the Cayman Islands indefinitely and can be a gateway to full naturalization.
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ST KITTS & NEVIS St Kitts & Nevis is well known for its dramatic mountainous landscape, beautiful beaches and colonial plantations, many of which have been converted into atmospheric hotels. The dual-island Federation is perhaps less well known for the tax benefits it offers. Like several of the other Caribbean nations referred to above, there is no capital gains tax, inheritance / estate tax or personal income tax on the islands. There are however various other taxes that must be paid. Property owners, for example, must pay an annual property tax. On St Kitts, property tax is typically levied at the rate of 0.2% of the market value of residential properties. On Nevis, property tax is calculated slightly differently. The rates for property tax on residential properties are based on the assessed market value of the building and the land, levied at 0.156% and 0.075% respectively. Stamp duty is levied on real property transfers and
is paid in its entirety by the seller. Rates range from 2% to 10% depending on the type of transfer. Wondering how you could benefit from St Kitts & Nevis’s tax environment? One option would be to apply to become a citizen of the Federation. The country operates a citizenship by investment program which offers qualified applicants the opportunity to apply for full citizenship in exchange for a minimum financial contribution of US $150,000 (plus fees and charges) or an investment in an approved real estate project starting at US $200,000 (plus fees and charges).
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TURKS & CAICOS As a tax neutral jurisdiction, there is no income tax or capital gains tax in the Turks & Caicos Islands. There is also no annual property tax for home owners. The only forms of direct taxation imposed on individuals are customs excise duty on the importation of goods and stamp duty on real estate transactions. A one-time stamp duty is paid by property buyers. The amount varies according to the price and location of the property. On the islands of Providenciales, Parrot Cay, Dellis Cay, Ambergris Cay, Water Cay, East Caicos and West Caicos, stamp duty is set at 6.5% for properties between $25,000 and $100,000, 8% for properties between $250,000 and $500,000 and 10% for properties over $500,000. On Grand Turk, North Caicos, South Caicos and Middle Caicos, stamp duty is 5% for properties between $25,000 and $100,000 and 6.5% for properties over $100,000. Disclaimer This article should not be regarded as offering a complete explanation of the taxation matters in any the territories and countries referred to. No person, entity or corporation should rely on this article in whole or in part and readers are advised to obtain comprehensive advice in relation to their personal circumstances from a qualified professional person or firm of advisors prior to taking any action.
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PRO MOT IO N T HE AB AC O C L U B
Barefoot Luxury in The Bahamas There are lots of things money can’t buy — including (so they say) love. But many times, you can follow the money to find the perfect island home. Where are people buying? Which properties or communities are seeing investment? Who’s taking a great place and making it better? What islands are people falling in love with?
The Abaco Club on Winding Bay in The Bahamas is a private club and community that’s just a 30-minute flight from Florida, but it feels like a world away. For years a Ritz-Carlton property, The Abaco Club is now owned and operated by Southworth – one of the world’s leading resort and residential real estate firms. Southworth recently embarked on a $20 million capital investment aimed at taking this magnificent property to an even higher level. The plan includes projects both large and small, from adding a bustling marketplace to the creation of a new yacht club that will be available for club residents. Also in the works are an expansive beach club, which will include a dazzling resort-style pool, dining, spa, fitness facilities (even an observatory); and several new luxury flats options which will offer elegant single-level living in multiresidence buildings overlooking the Atlantic Ocean and pristine Winding Bay. “The Abaco Club has everything money can’t buy,” said David Southworth, Founder of
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Southworth Development. “It’s a gorgeous setting, with a well-thought-out master plan and a passionate club membership. And now it’s getting some wonderful new things that money can buy, so it’s only getting better. It’s an exciting time to be an Abaco Club resident or club member, for sure.” Unlike too many developers, Southworth is known for following through on its promises to residents and club members — and for adding only the most unique properties to its carefully curated portfolio — which explains its investment in The Abaco Club. The club is located on the most charming of The Bahamas’ Outer Islands — Great Abaco — and is graced by a secluded 2.5-mile powder-soft beach that stretches as far as the eye can see. And that’s only one of its many seductive amenities. The club’s Scottish-style links golf course is a great test and has perennially been ranked as the #1 course in The Bahamas. As you’d expect, there are also water sports galore — from kayaking, sailing and snorkeling to world-
class bonefishing and deep-sea fishing. Oceanview dining, tennis courts, spa, and much more are all readily at hand, while the pristine white-sand beach beckons to you every day, just waiting to be explored. The club’s location and amenities are perfectly complemented by its stunning residences. Luxurious cottage villas are built on elevated homesites offering extraordinary views of the endless Atlantic on one side, and crystal-clear Winding Bay on the other. Expansive custom-built estate homes blend indoor and outdoor areas seamlessly along the beach, giving each home the true feel of barefoot luxury. If you can dream it, you can have it here. But why just dream? Visit The Abaco Club and see for yourself what an amazing island community it truly is. It won’t take long for you to see why this is one of the hottest and most talked-about properties anywhere in the islands. For more information, visit TheAbacoClub.com
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P RO M OTI ON ACANT HA M ANAGE MEN T LT D
The Family Office Advantage in Antigua & Barbuda Acantha Management Ltd. on the benefits of investing in Antigua & Barbuda and relocating to the Caribbean twin-island nation
Substantial wealth requires sophisticated, highly personalized solutions. As a Private Banking and Investment Group client, you will need access to innovative and sophisticated solutions to manage and simplify your family's complex personal and financial affairs. Asset Management and Private Banking Acantha Management Ltd. is uniquely positioned to introduce you to our partners in the Caribbean region, including a network of locally based asset management companies and private banks with a heritage in Swiss Private Banking culture. These locally based companies continue the Swiss tradition of confidentiality, and offer experience acquired over the years to assist our clients in analysing their investment profile. We work closely with you and our partners to tailor customized solutions that integrate administrative and lifestyle management services with wealth and investment strategies. Our partners are well equipped to assist you with oversight of your family's entire financial picture, ensuring complete alignment of your current and long-term wealth objectives. Based on a comprehensive analysis of your personal circumstances, as well as external factors such as political and economic risks, our partners will make recommendations on tailor made portfolios and preferred jurisdictions to protect you from broader risks and protect your assets. We can also assist you with the purchase of second homes, yachts, aircraft and other major luxury items such as art works. The unprecedented development of the art market over the past few years has resulted in the ‘financialization’ of the art market. Art is now seen not only as an object of pleasure, but also as a new alternative asset class with interesting business opportunities. We work closely with an international art expert offering dedicated advice on potential investments in works of art. We are also ideally positioned to assist the next generation as well. The team uses its expertise in financial, legal and family matThe Caribbean Property Investor, Issue 8 | 7thHeavenProperties.com
ters to provide family wealth education and to support integrated wealth management strategies for all family members. The goal is to preserve and enhance the generational transfer of wealth to help ensure that your legacy will continue to have a positive impact on future generations. Antigua Advantage Antigua & Barbuda is a twin-island nation lying between the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. It consists of two major inhabited islands - Antigua and Barbuda - and a number of smaller islands. The country is nicknamed the “Land of 365 Beaches” due to the many beaches surrounding the islands. Its governance, language, and culture have all been strongly influenced by its history as part of the former British Empire. Antigua’s position as a financial centre was established by the International Business Corporations Act of 1982. This piece of legislation governs the operation of various types of formal structures required to support wealth structuring solutions, including the establishment of trusts and foundations and the incorporation of international businesses and limited liability companies. It is considered the most modern and attractive piece of legislation of its kind in the Caribbean and is tailor-made to meet the needs of international businesses An International Business Corporation may be used as a vehicle to register ships and pleasure craft under the Antiguan Flag. Once ownership of a vessel is vested in the IBC, the Company may apply to have the vessel registered under the Antiguan Flag. The benefits to the relocation arise from the fact that it operates in a jurisdiction free from personal income tax, capital gains tax, inheritance tax and wealth tax. Relocating to Antigua & Barbuda Another incentive for investing in Antigua & Barbuda is its Citizenship by Investment Program. Investors, together with their
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family members, have the opportunity to apply for full citizenship of Antigua & Barbuda and thereby receive all the benefits that citizenship confers. Obtaining a passport through the Citizenship by Investment Program allows an investor and their family to enjoy a number of benefits. As a member of the Commonwealth the holder of an Antigua & Barbuda passport can enjoy visa-free travel to over 100 countries including the United Kingdom, Canada and all European Union Schengen countries. Our company has been appointed as an authorized representative of the Citizenship by Investment Program (CIP) for processing applications directly to the Citizenship by Investment Unit (CIU). We can assist you to acquire citizenship via the following investment routes: National Development Fund (NDF) Route Acquisition of citizenship under the NDF investment option requires a minimum contribution to the National Development Fund of US $100,000 per application. The contribution must be made in the form of a one-time payment. The primary applicant may include his or her spouse, dependent children and dependent parents over 65 years of age within the application with no additional NDF contribution required, although government and due diligence fees will be payable for each individual, as outlined in the fees section. Main Applicant plus spouse plus 2 dependants
Main Applicant plus spouse plus 3 or more dependants
$25,000
$25,000 for a family of up to 4 persons
$25,000 for a family of up to 4 persons with incremental payments of $15,000 for each additional dependent.
$100,000
$100,000
$125,000
$7,500 + $7,500 for spouse
$7,500 + $7,500 for spouse
$2,000 per dependent 12-17
$2,000 per dependent 12-17
$4,000 per dependent 18 and over
$4,000 per dependent 18 and over
$35,000
$35,000
Main Applicant
Processing Fees
Contribution (LTO*)
Due Diligence
Agent Fees
$7,500
$25,000
Real Estate and Business Investment Routes The real estate investment route requires an investment of at least US $400,000 in an approved real estate project as recommended to the Cabinet by the Antigua & Barbuda Investment Authority after consultation with the Citizenship by Investment Unit (CIU). The real estate investment must be held for a minimum of five years. * Limited Time Offer (LTO) under the Real Estate option: Two applicants can make a joint investment via the real estate route of the Citizenship by Investment Program, which reduces the minimum required investment to US $200,000 per applicant (N.B. All processing and due diligence fees remain unchanged). Main Applicant plus spouse plus 2 dependants
Main Applicant plus spouse plus 3 or more dependants
$50,000
$50,000 for a family of up to 4 persons
$50,000 for a family of up to 4 persons with incremental payments of $15,000 for each additional dependent.
$400,000
$400,000
$400,000
$7,500 + $7,500 for spouse
$7,500 + $7,500 for spouse
$2,000 per dependent 12-17
$2,000 per dependent 12-17
$4,000 per dependent 18 and over
$4,000 per dependent 18 and over
$35,000
$35,000
Main Applicant
Processing Fees
Contribution (LTO*)
Due Diligence
Agent Fees
$7,500
$25,000
* Other fees payable include passport fees. These fees are subject to change. * All fees quoted are in US Dollars
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The Caribbean Property Investor, Issue 8 | 7thHeavenProperties.com
Join our magnificent paradise community in a Caribbean villa and step into an authentically Dominican lifestyle of relaxation, excitement and understated elegance. Our privately owned Punta Cana International Airport enables home owners to access a private terminal and VIP Lounge that ensures a quick and seamless journey from the terminal to your front doorstep.
The Caribbean Property Investor, Issue 8 | 7thHeavenProperties.com
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For more information visit: www.theestatesatpuntacana.com or email us at: theestates@puntacana.com
SPECIAL FEATURE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
Discover the Dominican Republic With one of the fastest growing economies in the Latin America and Caribbean region, endless white sand beaches fringed by swaying palm trees, impossibly blue waters, emerald green rainforests and cascading waterfalls to explore and a wide variety of excellent hotels, restaurants, bars, clubs and shopping to discover, the Dominican Republic is the most popular tourism destination in the Caribbean with a vibrant second homes market. Here, we take a look at what is driving the country’s success and showcase some of the most desirable real estate investment locations Continues on page 58
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The Caribbean Property Investor, Issue 8 | 7thHeavenProperties.com
P RO M OTI ON PUNTACANA RE SORT & C L U B
Experience Luxury Discover Puntacana Resort & Club, the Caribbean’s ultimate beach, golf and marina destination and one of the region’s most sought after second home investment locations
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Puntacana Resort & Club is home to the Caribbean’s ultimate beach and golfing experience, with 3 miles of magnificent white sand beaches, AAA Five Diamond awardwinning hotels Tortuga Bay and The Westin Puntacana Resort & Club and 45 holes of championship golf – all set on 15,000 acres of land. A Uniquely Dominican Experience This uniquely Dominican experience is defined by accessibility via our very own Punta Cana International Airport (PUJ), luxurious real estate, privacy, unparalleled personalized service, understated elegance and the timeless vision of Oscar de la Renta, all of which have made Puntacana Resort & Club a favorite of international leaders and world-renowned personalities. Custom Built Dream Homes & Apartments The Estates at Puntacana Resort & Club offer an exclusive lifestyle of relaxation in 6 palatial communities including Tortuga, Arrecife, Hacienda, Hacienda del Mar, Marina and Corales. Experience luxury with our stylish homes perched above the Caribbean Sea or overlooking scrupulously manicured golf courses.
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Corales, an Exclusive Oceanfront Community Corales is one of the most exclusive oceanfront communities within Puntacana Resort & Club, where neighbors know each other and children make lifelong friends. It is managed as a private membership club and is a truly special place to make your dream home alongside one of the world's top golf courses designed by renowned architect Tom Fazio. Set between rocky cliffs and coral reefs, this distinctive course commands breathtaking ocean views, exclusive beach and exciting challenges sure to satisfy any golf enthusiast. All home sites are larger than one acre (4,000 square meters) in size and maintain the lowest density in the resort.
Corales Golf Course, is home of the PGA TOUR EVENT in the Dominican Republic, SAVE THE DATE: March 25-31, 2019 To discover more, please visit www.puntacana.com or email theestates@puntacana.com
The Caribbean Property Investor, Issue 8 | 7thHeavenProperties.com
SPECIAL FEATURE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC The Dominican Republic Has it All
Spanning almost 19,000 square miles right in the heart of the Caribbean, the Dominican Republic is the second-largest country in the region after Cuba. Thanks to its size, the country is incredibly diverse, significantly more so than many other destinations in the Caribbean. Most Caribbean islands have beautiful beaches merging into crystal clear waters where visitors can snorkel, dive or surf. Many have majestic mountains to explore and waterfalls with pools to swim in. Some have world-class golf courses running along the waterfront. A handful have world-recognized historical and cultural sites to discover. Few have all of these. One destination that ticks all those boxes and more, is the Dominican Republic. As the tourism slogan goes, “The Dominican Republic has it all.” The country is home to a wide variety of hotels, ranging from sprawling all-inclusive resorts to small and exclusive boutique guest houses. Restaurants include everything from family-run food stalls on the beach serving freshly-caught seafood to buzzy international restaurants. The retail scene is equally varied, from small shops selling locally made artwork to the world’s most recognized brand name boutiques in large, modern shopping malls, such as Louis Vuitton, Longchamp and Salvatore Ferragamo. With such variety on offer, one day you could be relaxing with barely another soul in sight on a sensational beach, while the next you could be exploring 16th Century Spanish-style churches and palaces in the ‘Zona Colonial’ – the historic neighbourhood of the capital Santo Domingo which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Tourism Powerhouse This diversity is what underpins the country’s remarkable success as a tourism powerhouse. With a coastline stretching roughly 1,000 miles fringed by idyllic sandy beaches lined by dense thickets of palm trees and surrounded by the warm waters of the Atlantic Ocean to the north and the Caribbean Sea to the south, the country has firmly established itself as the most visited destination in the Caribbean. In 2017 the Dominican Republic welcomed a whopping 6,187,542 tourists. This represents 21
per cent of the Caribbean’s total number of tourists, and that number is steadily rising too. 2017, for example, saw a 3.9 per cent increase in visitor arrivals. Economic Tiger The growth in tourism has stimulated significant economic growth in recent years, which is another major factor drawing investors to the country. According to the IMF, the Dominican Republic achieved above-potential growth averaging 7.1 per cent between 2014 and 2016. While growth moderated to an estimated 4.6 per cent in 2017, it remained at a level which would be the envy of many other countries and, with various sectors including tourism set to continue to grow, the economic outlook is exceptionally rosy. Accessible Destination This growth has allowed the Dominican Republic to invest in domestic and international transport links. With 8 international airports, 5 cruise destinations, multiple marinas and domestic airstrips for private planes, the Dominican Republic is one of the most accessible destinations in the Caribbean for both tourists and overseas property buyers. There are direct flights from almost 30 countries around the world. Strong Pipeline of Opportunities Economic growth and the surge in tourism has also stimulated construction which provides new opportunities for investors. The Dominican Republic has the strongest hotel pipeline in the Caribbean. According to hotel analytics firm STR, there are almost 4,500 hotel rooms in construction in the country. This is roughly double the number than in Cuba, the country with the second-largest hotel pipeline in the Caribbean. Many of these new hotels and resorts include real estate investment opportunities for sale to buyers looking to own their own slice of this tropical paradise, from villas in residential enclaves of master planned communities to hotel suites and condominiums. All in all, an incredible variety of sites and attractions, a flourishing tourism sector, a robust economy with a positive outlook, and a boom in construction of new hotels, resorts and property developments combine to make the Dominican Republic one
The Caribbean Property Investor, Issue 8 | 7thHeavenProperties.com
of the most attractive real estate investment destinations in the Caribbean. So, the key question is, where to invest? Here are some of the most exciting options to consider… Punta Cana Hugging the eastern coast of the Dominican Republic, Punta Cana is the most popular destination in the country.
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A master planned community features a wide selection of all-inclusive resorts, as well as new construction and re-sale villas and condos for sale, invariably with stunning golf course or sea views. Its popularity as a tourism destination heightens the potential for rental-income generating potential. Nearby Bavaro is the setting for several new condo hotel developments
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with entry-level prices set at a slightly more affordable level. La Romana Home to one of the most established resort and residential communities in the country, La Romana – located between Punta Cana to the east and Santo Domingo to the west – is one of the traditional go-to destinations
for buyers looking to be surrounded by some of the prettiest beaches in the country, worldclass golf courses or a full service marina. Puerto Plata Situated on the northern coast of the country, the Puerto Plata region is where tourism first established itself in the Dominican Republic. Considered one of the world’s best
The Caribbean Property Investor, Issue 8 | 7thHeavenProperties.com
SPECIAL FEATURE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
windsurfing and kitesurfing destinations, the towns of Cabarete and Sosua remain popular with many buyers drawn to the golden sand beaches and the call of the ocean. Samana If you’re looking for a little slice of heaven with long-term potential, look no further than Samana on the northern coast of the Dominican Republic. Quiet, tranquil and stunningly beautiful, Samana has few of the large all-inclusive resorts found in
other parts of the country. In and around small beach towns such as laidback Las Terrenas you can find villas and apartments ideal for those who want a private bolthole to just get away from it all. Santo Domingo The country’s capital was once barely on the radar of overseas property investors. As the economy has achieved consistent growth over recent years, Santo Domingo has seen investment pour into
The Caribbean Property Investor, Issue 8 | 7thHeavenProperties.com
new construction condominium developments targeted at the city’s burgeoning middle class which offer the potential for generating a significant return on investment as rental units. As the country’s tourism sector has grown and diversified, Santo Domingo’s ‘Zona Colonial’ has also benefited from significant investment and emerged as a new cultural attraction with property investment opportunities in the area opening up to shrewd buyers.
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LUXURY CARIBBEAN VILLA RESORT LUXURY CARIBBEAN VILLA RESORT
If you are looking for elegant island living, look no further than Sea Horse Ranch for all the amenities of resort living without the crowds. Our private, gated community oers luxury custom villas for sale or rent. Seaside restaurant and pools, equestrian tennis centers will make day you spend with usRanch memorable. If you are looking and for elegant island living, lookevery no further than Sea Horse for all the amenities of resort living without the crowds. Our private, gated community oers luxury custom villas for sale or rent. Seaside restaurant and pools, equestrian and tennis centers will make every day you spend with us memorable.
Cabarete, Dominican Republic | Tel. 1 800 635 0991 - 809 571 3880 | info@sea-horse-ranch.com | www.sea-horse-ranch.com Cabarete, Dominican Republic | Tel. 1 800 635 0991 - 809 571 3880 | info@sea-horse-ranch.com | www.sea-horse-ranch.com
?*12&3 S T Y L E
I N T E R I O R S
ZELMAN STYLE INTERIORS
FLORIDA • NEW YORK • CARIBBEAN www.zelmanstyle.com • 877.716.1563 • eileen@zelmanstyle.com
L IFE INTERIOR DESIGN TRAVEL FASHION HEALTHCARE ART
&
INTERIOR DESIGN
Sights Set on the Caribbean ROBERT COOPER
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STYL E
Having transformed luxury residences around the world, leading interior design firm ZLMN · Zelman Style Interiors is in the process of establishing a new office in the Caribbean. We talk to founder Steven Zelman about his design philosophy, approach and years of experience gathered traveling and working around the world that he plans to bring to more clients in the region
The Caribbean Property Investor, Issue 8 | 7thHeavenProperties.com
LIFE & STYLE INTERIOR DESIGN
For over 30 years, Steven Zelman has taken every possible opportunity to travel the globe. His passion for exploring the beauty of the world and discovering new cultures has inspired his work on luxury home interiors across the globe, including in South Florida, across the Americas (such as The Bahamas, the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Colombia and Brazil) and as far afield as Nigeria. His firm, ZLMN · Zelman
Style Interiors (ZLMN), now has plans to open an office in the Caribbean to bring his unique working style and meticulous attention to detail to more clients in the region. What sets ZLMN apart from many other interior design firms is three things: the firm’s deep appreciation of the needs of each client, a friendly approach which treats clients as family and a focus on the finer details glossed over by many other designers.
The Caribbean Property Investor, Issue 8 | 7thHeavenProperties.com
“Listening to a client and learning is how the entire process begins,” he explains. “If you ask the right questions and listen carefully, every client will tell you what they are looking for. That is why the relationship between the designer and the client is so personal.” Zelman is exceptionally attuned to each client’s individual requirements. “We care about each and every client in a way that makes everyone involved
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feel like family. Our attention to detail is second to none.” His unrelenting focus on the needs of clients stems from his transition from a large firm to a more streamlined boutique agency. “I owned a large firm and you can get lost in the numbers and the operation and lose a bit of the enjoyment. There are design firms in South Florida that want to be in everything, and work with everyone.
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I feel that giving each client the special attention they deserve, and are paying for, is our most important priority. We worry only about the quality, and certainly not the quantity. I want to be able to help and understand each and every client’s needs personally, and it’s significantly more difficult to do that on a large scale.” This attention to detail is extended to the subjects of all his project too – the homes.
“We became known for our ceiling details and how they create beautiful designs that create interesting and cohesive spaces,” Zelman points out. He believes that interior design requires a combination of raw talent, intense passion and an exacting approach. “You can’t just place furniture,” he explains. “You have to make sure the backgrounds have that personal touch. While we are not an architectural firm, per say, we love
The Caribbean Property Investor, Issue 8 | 7thHeavenProperties.com
LIFE & STYLE INTERIOR DESIGN
to create ceiling details, built-ins, creative walls, and lighting. It’s those unique design elements and details from an architectural perspective that separate a designer from a decorator. That takes the ordinary and transforms it into extraordinary.” Form and function must also go hand in hand, he believes. “We design for both aesthetic appeal as well as functionality. If you don’t think about both then you are not paying attention to your client.” A recent project exemplifies his approach. “We just completed a beautiful home in Fort Lauderdale which is one of my favorites, not just because of how incredibly beautiful the home turned out, but because of the fantastic relationship we developed with the client who is now like family. In life it’s not just the things you create that matter, it’s the relationships that you make that create a lasting impression.” This philosophy has emerged over a career in interior design spanning more than three decades. “I have been working on home interiors since I left college in 1986. I started out designing very highend custom-made European kitchens in NYC.” His talent emerged at an early age. “I discovered an interest in interior design at the age of 14. My mother bought an old warehouse loft in NYC, in Soho, and it was nothing but 4,400 square feet of open space. She bought it in 1978 for $60,000. We had so much fun creating an incredible residence that utilized old world salvage
elements mixed with modern features.” Today the firm’s full-time staff of 10 top design professionals, project coordinators, supervisors and in-house CAD specialists is based in South Florida. A planned satellite office in the Caribbean will add to its existing HQ and an office in New York. From its Florida base, ZLMN has worked with a diverse clientele ranging from fashion design moguls, actors, musicians and athletes to entrepreneurs and CEO’s – including affluent individuals, couples and families. Recent work has also brought ZLMN back to the Caribbean. “We recently fin-
The Caribbean Property Investor, Issue 8 | 7thHeavenProperties.com
ished a job for an A list celebrity in Paradise Island in The Bahamas,” he says. Building on this success, Zelman plans to spend a lot more time in the region. The firm intends to open an office in the region to more effectively service more clients across the islands. So, with his sights firmly set on the Caribbean, luxury home owners across the islands are soon set to be welcomed into the ZLMN family. For more information on private and commercial commissions, please visit www.zelmanstyle.com
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You can have your dreams ... or you can live them Caribbean lifestyle with an investment opportunity
• 2 five bedroom and 2 six-bedroom villas available. • Interior decorator ready can be delivered within 60 days from signing contract - starting from US$ 3,975 million. • Villa owners have full access to laluna resort services and amenities including Italian restaurant, sunset lounge, Asian spa, gym, beach yoga pavilion, water sports, tennis, concierge service. • Laluna management and rental programme available to maintain the villas and rent them when owners are not using them. • 12 meter berth included in the price of the villas at Camper & Nicholson’s Marina 10 minutes away from Laluna (upgradable to a bigger berth). • Zero taxes on the purchase of the villa, with economic citizenship program available and included in the price of each villa.
LALUNA ESTATE
P.O. BOX 1500
ST. GEORGE’S
GRENADA
WEST INDIES
ESTATE
Sunday Times included Laluna in the list of the “ 100 Best Resorts in the World”
TELEPHONE: + 473. 439. 0001
INFO@LALUNA.COM
WWW.LALUNA.COM
LIFE & STYLE TRAVEL
One Week in… Grenada Italian hotelier Bernardo Bertucci’s top tips on how to spend an unforgettable 7 days on his adopted island home of Grenada, the Caribbean’s Spice Isle
Recommendations for unwinding from the flight and a lazy first day? International travel can be stressful, but traveling to and from Grenada is easy. The island’s small international airport welcomes flights from the US, Canada, Europe, and across the Caribbean on a daily basis, and the airport staff is welcoming and accommodating. To make things even easier, Laluna Resort offers an airport transfer package that can help you glide through private Immigration and Customs processing and private transportation of your party and luggage direct to the resort. Grenada runs on “island time”, and it won’t be long until you start to unwind and feel at home on the Isle of Spice. To help you immediately slip into “island time” pick up one of the Grenada’s signature drinks – a rum punch with a sprinkling of freshly ground, locally grown nutmeg – and heed the call of the Caribbean Sea. Spend the
day soaking up the sun, relaxing on our white sand beach and taking dips in the warm water. Best way to completely re-charge body and soul? To help you feel full revitalized, I recommend starting the day off with a yoga session at our beachfront yoga pavilion. Whether you are experienced at yoga or a beginner, there is nothing quite like listening to the birds chirp in the trees, the waves lap the shore and the soft breeze rustle the palm leaves as you find your center and restore your personal balance. As an extra special treat, I also like to enjoy a massage by an expert masseuse. If you’re traveling with a loved one, a couple’s massage can be a great way to enjoy a relaxing hour together.If you are in need of extra pampering, the four-handed Indonesian massage at Laluna’s Asian spa will really show you
The Caribbean Property Investor, Issue 8 | 7thHeavenProperties.com
what relaxation is all about. After years of traveling, we came to truly appreciate the spa techniques of Indonesia, which is why we hire our masseuses from Bali in order to give our guests the ultimate, authentic experience. Of course, in my opinion, one of the best ways to connect with the island and recharge your batteries is by getting out on the ocean. Grenada is flanked by both the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean, each of which offers a different experience. Whether you head out for a sunset cruise for a couple of hours or for a full day at sea sailing around the island, being out on the water, taking in the different colors of the sea, is truly calming and restorative. The must see sites to explore on the island? Visiting Grenada offers travellers a chance to experience an island un-marred by over-
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population or abundant tourism. Grenada is still a hidden gem in the Caribbean, and even the most popular locations remain pure and authentic. There are so many things that I could list as must-sees, but I’ll try to narrow it down. For those that enjoy hiking, I highly recommend a trip to Grand Etang National Park and Forest Reserve. Up in the mountains, the air is cooler and wildlife is abundant. If you go early enough and bring some mangoes or bananas, you may have the chance to feed the wild mona monkeys that inhabit the forest. There are many beautiful waterfalls within a close drive of the forest. Local favorites include Seven Sisters, a series of seven falls that can be jumped with the aid of a guide, and Royal Mount Carmel Falls, which include a natural rock series that creates a sort of water slide for brave explorers to slide down. For snorkelers or divers, a mustsee is the Grenada Underwater Sculpture Park. The sunken statues are fun to explore,
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and they also help rejuvenate the local reef. Finally, a trip downtown is a must. In the open-air spice market, you can find an abundance of locally grown produce to try, including French Cashews, water lemons, a variety of mangoes, sour sop, sugar apple and more. We come by the name of “the Spice Isle” honestly, so don’t miss out on the locally produced nutmeg, cinnamon and turmeric. For history buffs, Fort George and Fort Frederick are both nearby and are interesting to explore. Any personal favourite hidden gems to visit? Of course, I would have to say Laluna. We are off the beaten path, and our quiet, secluded beach is the perfect place to spend an uninterrupted day relaxing on the beach. That aside, one of the most magical experiences you will ever have is if you are able to visit the north side of the island during sea turtle egg laying season. There is a fantas-
tic conservation group that works on the island to carefully monitor the laying and hatching of local sea turtles each year. As a part of their efforts, they lead small tours each night down to the beach to observe the turtle’s ritual. Being able to observe a giant sea turtle come ashore the same beach she was hatched on to lay her eggs under the moonlight is truly a once-in-alifetime experience. For those looking for a fun adventure, we recommend heading to Hog Island on a Sunday to ‘lime’ (the local term for hanging out with the locals). Grab a Grenadian rum punch from Roger’s Bar, a beachside shack, and get your hips moving to the live music that gets everyone dancing barefoot on the sand. Advice for a day at sea? For a truly authentic experience, you can’t go wrong by chartering a locally built wooden schooner. These ships were initially built for inter-Caribbean cargo shipments
The Caribbean Property Investor, Issue 8 | 7thHeavenProperties.com
and they are now used for activities around the island. Don’t let their history fool you – they have been re-imagined to provide a luxurious day at sea, and their crew have sourced the best locally prepared fare and beverages to make for an unforgettable day. Try sailing for a day, with stops to snorkel in calm waters and take in the local sea life. If you are lucky, you may even sail through a school of flying fish or even encounter a pod of playful dolphins. Dining recommendations for an unforgettable meal? There are a few not-to-be missed restaurants on the island. Grenada is lucky to have attracted chefs from across the globe who were drawn to the island’s beauty and abundance. At Laluna, we focus on the cuisine of my home – the Calabria region of Italy – made unique with a Caribbean twist and ingredients. We have paid special attention to building our wine cellar, and are known to have many unique bottles from small vintners previously unknown to our guests. A short walk down the beach from Laluna is another favourite: the Beach House. Their menu focuses on continental and Caribbean cuisine and they utilize local ingredients, such as spiny lobster and callaloo, to their full advantage. For a unique experience, nothing beats Patrick’s in-home restaurant on the way into St George’s. There is no menu;
the cook will prepare 20 dishes for you and other guests based on what is fresh, local and delicious. You will get to experience the true flavors of Grenada and can pick out the melding of Indian, French and Caribbean influences. And, if one week in Grenada just simply isn’t enough? One week in Grenada is hardly enough, something I recognized early on when I made it my home. While I have always enjoyed, and continue to enjoy, meeting new guests at Laluna, I also wanted to help those interested in a longer-term solution to their need for an island escape. With that in mind, we created the Laluna Villa Estate adjacent to our resort. Built on a bluff overlooking the Caribbean Sea, these villas combine Caribbean cool with European luxury in the most stunning setting imaginable. Each five-bedroom home features indoor and outdoor living and dining and an infinity edge pool. Villa owners get all the benefits of access to Laluna Resort with the bonus of the full privacy offered by ownership of a private property in the exclusive villa community. As a benefit to villa owners, Laluna provides full villa management, including the utilization of the villa as an income source with managed vacation rental opportunities.
For more information, visit www.laluna.com
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LIFE & STYLE TRAVEL
One Week in… Anguilla Top tips from Jeffrey Goldstein – developer of award-winning boutique hotel Zemi Beach House Hotel & Spa – for how to spend an unforgettable 7 days on the tiny, sun-kissed island of Anguilla
What’s the best way to get there? Anguilla is remarkably easy to get to. You can fly in via commercial or private jet through San Juan to our small international airport, or fly commercial to neighboring St Maarten and hop over with the Sea Shuttle. It’s an easy 25-minute trip from the launch in St Maarten, making Anguilla highly accessible for all travelers, but especially from the East Coast of the USA. St. Maarten is only a 2.5-hour flight from Miami, or 4.5 hours from New York City. In addition to flights from Paris and Amsterdam. Recommendations for unwinding on your first day on island? To help ease into “island life”, I always encourage visitors to take advantage of Anguilla’s natural landscape – 35 square miles with 33 white sand beaches. That’s nearly one beach per mile! Of all our beautiful beaches, Shoal Bay East, where Zemi Beach House Hotel is located, is an undisputed favorite – it’s been voted one of the “world’s best beaches” along with one of the best hotels in the Caribbean. Guests of Zemi Beach House, set on 1,000 feet of the 1.5 mile stretch of Shoal Bay East beach, can get a taste of what it’s like to enjoy their own private island. Take advantage of the location by taking a dip in the Caribbean Sea or relaxing on the powdery sand. Best way to completely recharge? In order to completely recharge – mind, body and soul – I recommend a day at our Thai House Spa. Allow yourself to let go of all worries and stresses with a total wellness experience, such as the Taino Bathing Ritual - a healing treatment that pays homage to the Taino Indians who once
inhabited Anguilla. You can enjoy it alone or with your companion. Either way it’s a calculated journey: A five-step therapy through different temperature changes, using ancient plants and herbs, and making use of Anguilla’s only Hammam. It will leave you feeling renewed and rejuvenated. Must-see attractions and places to explore? The island of Anguilla is known for many things… including its multi-cultural cuisine, its national sport of sailing and a refined exclusivity that has been retained despite proximity to the travel hub of St Maarten. Unlike other Caribbean islands that only offer sun, sand and sea, Anguilla offers so much more to see and explore. We are located next to Fountain Cavern National Park, a 14.5-acre site with a limestone cave, which is currently pending UNESCO-listing status and is home to
The Caribbean Property Investor, Issue 8 | 7thHeavenProperties.com
numerous petroglyph rock artworks, which provide an extraordinary glimpse into early island life. For those who enjoy a little sport, I recommend visiting Anguilla’s only golf course, an 18-hole Greg Norman Signature Design Champion Course with views of St Maarten. Or, practice your back hand at Anguilla’s Tennis Academy or our onsite tennis court. One of my personal favorites is Bankie Banx’s Dune Preserve Beach Bar, named after Anguilla’s famous reggae artist. It’s an iconic oceanfront bar on Rendezvous Bay, constructed from drift wood and old boat parts, that travelers fall in love with for its laid-back vibe, rustic charm, killer rum punches and live music. Since rum is such an integral part of Anguillian lifestyle, the Rhum Room at Zemi Beach House Hotel is also a great way to get a true sense of the island’s flavors.
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Our Rhummelier will hand pick a selection of rhums for sampling or serve you a curated Rhum Flight. Any favorite hidden gems to visit? I highly recommend making a visit to Little Bay, a magical and remote alcove on the East End. This tiny strip of beach is surrounded by high cliffs and only accessible via boat from Crocus Bay or descending down the steep landscape by rope. While the latter is not for the faint-of-heart, it’s fully worth the trek, and drops you off into one of the best snorkeling spots on the island. Another favorite is Sandy Island, an uninhabited little circle of sand in the middle of the sea. With only a small restaurant serving rum punch and grilled seafood, it’s the perfect haven for anyone seeking privacy, with 360-degree views of the Caribbean and Anguilla. Our Beach Concierge can arrange a private picnic and boat ride for our guests to Sandy Island for a romantic excursion. Advice for a day at sea? Since sailing is the national sport, it’s only fitting that visitors experience the island by
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boat. Chartering a boat through Calypso Charters Anguilla and heading out to sea with a local skipper will give you an insider’s look into the island’s history and culture from the water. Or, if you prefer, take advantage of the many water sports and activities available from our beach, including snorkeling, fishing, diving, swimming with dolphins, and paddle boarding. Dining recommendations for an unforgettable meal? Anguilla has been dubbed the “culinary capital of the Caribbean” for its exquisite food and top-notch restaurants. There are upscale options in nearby Island Harbour, including Hibernia (part art gallery, part French-Japanese fusion restaurant). “Stone” our fine dining restaurant at Zemi Beach House is also a great option, with menus featuring traditional Anguillan dishes with innovative flavors. In addition to Stone at Zemi Beach House is “20 Knots” our casual dining option serving breakfast, lunch & dinner directly on the beach. There are also local hotspots along the beach at Shoal Bay East like Gwen’s Reggae Bar & Grill, Hanks Restaurant & Bar and Tropical Sunset.
And if one week in Anguilla isn’t enough? Anguilla is one of those islands you can picture yourself never leaving, but rather picking up and relocating to after just one visit. It’s enchanting in that way, which is exactly why the Zemi Beach House Residences were created: A home ownership option offering studios and beachfront residences for travelers who wish to become full or part-time residents. Expansive floor plans, panoramic ocean views and personalized service create a luxury experience that is “boutique resort living” at its finest. All homes form part of a comprehensive maintenance scheme meaning that owners simply arrive, relax and enjoy resort amenities at their doorstep.
For more information, visit www.zemibeach.com
The Caribbean Property Investor, Issue 8 | 7thHeavenProperties.com
Issey Miyake
1.
2.
LIFE & STYLE FASHION
All Tied Up
3.
1. Cerruti 1881, courtesy of Indigital Images 2.Prabal Gurung 3. Louis Vuitton
Tie-dye heralds the new summer of love VICTORIA GAIGER
“The first thing I bought that was really stylish was in 1969 when I was eleven,” Paul Weller once confessed. “I saved up for a black, grey and white tie-dye grandad vest. It was too big - they weren’t catering for kids my age - and hung off me, but I loved it.” Well, if it’s good enough for the modfather, it’s good enough for you. Fittingly, tie-dye always comes with a soundtrack. Emerging from the backdrop of 60s America, where it had been taken up by such icons of counter-cultural style as The Grateful Dead, Janis Joplin and Jimi Hendrix, it floated through the Woodstock years, its psychedelic vibe just about surviving the 70s. The acid house warehouse parties of the late 80s and early 90s kept the tie dye flame burning and, in recent years, the likes of Kanye West have given it their seal of approval. With roots in various summers of love and impeccable peacenik credentials, it is no surprise that, in the bellicose age of Trump and
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Brexit, tie-dye is making a stand again. From Phillip Lim’s shorts to Jil Sander’s knits, this swirling whirl of color has made it into the Summer collections. Louis Vuitton and Issey Miyake had men in tie dye jackets and pants. Amri featured tie-dye knits while Cerrutti made tie dye look like camouflage. Off-White stunned with a wonderful dip-dyed coat, while Rei Kawakubo sent out an indigo shibori suit at Comme des Garçons Homme Plus. A great alternative to the usual summer motifs of florals or nautical stripes, if you are considering tie-dye, approach with caution: even Jimi Hendrix would have struggled to carry it off from head to toe. The key is to buy one piece and wear it with a neutral shade – and with pride. Then, like a young Paul Weller, you will have acquired something really stylish. The Caribbean Property Investor, Issue 8 | 7thHeavenProperties.com
David Koma
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1. Altuzarra 2.Alberta Ferretti 3. Ermanno Scervino
LIFE & STYLE FASHIONE
We’re Hooked Crochet and lace in our summer wardrobes mark a new age of femininity VICTORIA GAIGER
This season sees the return of crochet and lace, a romantic delicacy that’s been dotted across many of the runways. There is nothing prettier or more feminine than lace, although in its latest incarnation it feels contemporary, free of nostalgia and more a reflection of the modern woman - the grace of strength and femininity combined. Like an intricately carved piece of wood, the secret of lace has always been found in its lack of substance. “It was the gaps that were important,” writes Hilary Mantel, describing the fretwork of fabric in her novel ‘A Place of Greater Safety’. “The spaces between the threads which made the pattern, and not the threads themselves.” Mantel would have found much space to admire from the front row at this season’s catwalk shows. At Alberta Ferretti lacy camis, and slip dresses in delicate materials including lace, broderie anglaise and pointelle were all rendered in a palette of soft pastels. Stella
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McCartney edged beautiful slip dresses in exquisite lace, while Tom Ford added lacey tops to soften the edges of harder tailoring. Chanel had little sneak peaks of lace showing under a classic boucle suit, Giambattista Valli and Sacai showed ruffles with broderie. Hermès, Louis Vuitton and Balmain, took a more modern approach, with metallic silver thread and cutout leathers giving the clothes an armour-like appearance. At JW Anderson macramé was woven into jackets and hung from sleeves showing the versatility of the material. Joseph Altuzarra’s crochet separates and dresses were incredibly feminine, some decorated with thousands of little glistening shells. Ermanno Scervino had a more classic take on the look and at David Koma’s show he added quirky cutout and lace trims to dresses. Romantic yet modern, delicate yet strong. This isn’t lace from the history books. This is lace for the 21st century. The Caribbean Property Investor, Issue 8 | 7thHeavenProperties.com
LIFE & STYLE HEALTH
Healthcare in the Caribbean Thinking of moving to the Caribbean, but concerned about the availability of good quality healthcare? Fear not, internationally-accredited facilities and medical care of a high calibre are accessible on many islands. Here are 7 destinations with some of the best clinics and hospitals in the Caribbean.
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Bahamas
Medical care in The Bahamas is widely considered to be among the best available in the Caribbean. Standards are generally very high and staff are well trained. There are two main public hospitals and two major private hospitals plus numerous health centres and clinics across the country. The main public hospitals include the 400+ bed Princess Margaret Hospital in Nassau (New Providence) and the 100+ bed Rand Memorial Hospital in Freeport (Grand Bahama). These facilities provide legal residents with quality healthcare which is provided free at the point of delivery. Healthcare for non-residents however can be costly, so it is important to have comprehensive medical insurance in place. Nassau’s modern private hospitals – Doctors Hospital and Lyford Cay Hospital – are both highly regarded. The 72-bed Doctors Hospital provides a full range of inpatient and outpatient services and has a satellite facility called Doctors Hospital West which is located at the western end of New Providence. Accredited by Joint Commission International ( JCI) since 2010, the hospital describes itself as “the most modern acute care privately owned healthcare facilities in the Caribbean” with “more than 200 highly trained and dedicated physicians” on its staff. The 12-bed Lyford Cay Hospital (which incorporates the Bahamas Heart Institute) provides comprehensive medical care and specialized services in cardiology, internal medicine, and family practice and gynaecology. Medical facilities in the Out Islands of The Bahamas tend to be more limited. There are small government clinics in the major settlements, but serious cases are generally transferred to hospitals in Nassau, Freeport or Miami by air ambulance.
Barbados
Medical facilities in Barbados offer some of the highest levels of care in the English-speaking Eastern Caribbean region. There is one public hospital, one private hospital plus several private clinics across the island. Barbados’s primary public acute care medical facility is the 600-bed Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) located in the capital Bridgetown. QEH offers a range
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of medical, diagnostic and treatment services which are provided without charge to all Barbadian nationals and permanent residents. Services include minimal invasive surgery, urology, ENT (ear, nose, and throat), obstetrics and gynaecology, cardio-thoracic, orthopaedic, dental, paediatrics, ophthalmology, and neurosurgery. It is also an accredited teaching hospital affiliated with the University of the West Indies (Cave Hill campus). QEH operates to high international standards and has been awarded international accreditation at the gold level by Accreditation Canada. The Bayview Hospital, a small private hospital with over 80 physicians holding practising privileges, is located on the outskirts of Bridgetown. Established in 1989, the hospital is a member of the Medical Tourism Association. It features 3 operating theatres, 2 delivery rooms, 8 private rooms, 3 semi-private rooms and a new 2 bed state-of-the-art Intensive Care Unit opened in 2018. It offers a variety of services including Allergy Testing and Treatment, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, General Surgery, Internal Medicine, ENT Surgery, Orthopaedic Surgery, Cosmetic and Reconstructive Surgery, Urologic Surgery, Paediatrics and Interventional Radiology.
Cayman Islands With a network of public and private hospitals, General Practitioners, health centres and specialized medical practices throughout the archipelago, medical facilities in the Cayman Islands are generally of a very high standard. There are 3 major hospitals on Grand Cayman plus the 18-bed Faith Hospital on Cayman Brac which serves the smaller sister islands of Cayman Brac and Little Cayman. Of the 3 large hospitals, the principal public hospital is the full service, 124-bed Cayman Islands Hospital in the capital George Town. This facility offers a comprehensive range of in-patient and out-patient services for most routine medical problems, 24-hour accident and emergency service and has a state-ofthe-art Decompression chamber. The other 2 major hospitals on Grand Cayman are both private, including the 18-bed CTMH Doctors Hospital (formerly the Chrissie Tomlinson Memorial Hospital) in George Town which specialises in medical
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LIFE & STYLE ART and surgical care and tertiary care hospital Health City Cayman Islands. Established by heart surgeon Dr Devi Prasad Shetty, Health City Cayman Islands in East End is the largest hospital in the Caribbean to have been awarded the Gold Seal of Approval by Joint Commission International ( JCI), an international accreditation organization. This state-of-the-art hospital specializes in medical, surgical, diagnostic and therapeutic services including adult cardiology, pediatric cardiology, adult and pediatric cardiac surgery, anesthesiology, orthopedic surgery, pulmonology, pediatric endocrinology, neurology, neurosurgery, medical oncology, urology, critical care services, spinal surgery, bariatric surgery, colorectal surgery, and diagnostic services. It is also currently developing the Caribbean’s first comprehensive cancer care centre which is expected to be completed by December 2019. While the quality of medical care in the Cayman Islands is, for the most part, very good, for specialized care that is unavailable patients may be transferred or referred overseas for treatment, often to hospitals in the USA. Finally, it should also be noted that medical treatment in the Cayman Islands can be costly so be sure to have comprehensive medical insurance in place or sufficient funds to cover the cost of any required medical care up front.
Turks & Caicos Islands There are medical facilities both large and small in the Turks & Caicos Islands, including several public and private clinics. The level of medical care has improved significantly since the opening of the Turks and Caicos Islands Hospital in 2010, which comprises the Cheshire Hall Medical Centre on Providenciales and the Cockburn Town Medical Centre on Grand Turk. Operated by Interhealth Canada Ltd through a Public-Private Partnership agreement, the Turks and Caicos Islands Hospital is the only secondary-acute public healthcare facility in the Turks and Caicos Islands. It is also one of very few medical facilities in the Caribbean to be accredited at the highest (Diamond) level by Accreditation Canada International (ACI). The hospital offers a range of services including Accident and Emergency care, General Surgery, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Orthopedics, Family Practice, Medical Oncology, Internal Medicine, Secondary Dentistry, Acupuncture and Outpatient Hemodialysis. While health care has improved substantially, serious conditions may still require relocation overseas, usually to neighbouring countries or to Miami.
French Caribbean – Martinique, St Barts & St Martin As an overseas department (region) of the French Republic, healthcare in Martinique is considered to be among the best available in the Caribbean. The quality of medical care is comparable to the standard in mainland France (which is ranked first in the World Health Organization’s Ranking of the World’s Health Systems). Doctors, emergency services and pharmacies are all widely available and there are well-equipped hospitals and clinics across the island, including the UHM / CHU (University Hospital of Martinique / Le Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Martinique) which incorporates 7 separate medical facilities: the Pierre Zobda Quitman Hospital, the Maison de la Femme, de la Mère et de l’Enfant, the Emma Ventura Center, the Albert Clarac Hospital, the Lamentin Bourg Hospital, the Mangot Vulcin Hospital and the Louis Domergue Hospital. With 570 beds, the Pierre Zobda Quitman Hospital is the largest in the group and specializes in intensive care,
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visceral surgery, neurosurgery, cardiovascular surgery, orthopedic and traumatological surgery. An extra benefit – EU citizens can access Martinique’s public healthcare system free of charge or for a reduced cost (a flat-rate contribution of €18 plus a daily hospital charge or a 20% patient contribution) via the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). Nationals of non-EU countries may have to pay fees in advance and should therefore keep all receipts to reclaim money from health insurance providers. Healthcare in St Barts and St Martin is also of a high standard. On St Barts there is a small hospital in the capital Gustavia - Hospital De Bruyn – and two pharmacies: one in Gustavia and one in St Jean. However, services may be more limited and some treatments may only be available in Martinique. On St Martin there is one hospital on the French side of the island (the Medical Center of Saint Martin LC Fleming / Centre Hospitalier LC Fleming de Saint Martin in the capital Marigot) and one on the Dutch side of the island (St Maarten Medical Center East of Philipsburg in the Cay Hill area). Both are small but well equipped.
Costa Rica Costa Rica is widely recognized as offering some of the best health care in Central America. While medical facilities in rural areas can be limited, the standard of medical care of in the capital San José is generally very high. It’s no wonder that in the region of 40,000 medical tourists head to Costa Rica each year. There is a government-run universal healthcare system called Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social (Caja) which can be accessed by all Costa Rican nationals as well as legal residents paying a monthly fee. The public healthcare system sits alongside a high quality and relatively affordable private healthcare system. There are three major private hospitals in San José, including Hospital La Católica in San José-Guadalupe, Hospital Clínica Bíblica and Hospital CIMA San José in Escazú. The latter two are both accredited by USbased certification body Joint Commission International ( JCI). Hospital Clínica Bíblica offers various medical services and facilities including maternity, clinical laboratory, vaccination centre, 24-hour pharmacy, and preventive medical check-ups. It was the first hospital in Central America to be accredited by JCI, is a member of the Medical Tourism Association and was counted among the top 10 clinics and hospitals in Latin America (and first in Central America) in América Economía magazine’s annual rankings. In the next few years the high quality of care available from Hospital Clínica Bíblica is expected to be made available in other
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parts of the country. In addition to the main hospital in the capital, Clínica Bíblica has plans to open three additional facilities in Santa Ana, Heredia and Tres Ríos west of Cartago. Hospital CIMA San José offers various services including surgery services, intensive care, gynaecology and obstetrics, neonatal services, emergency services, diagnostic services and dental services. Hospital CIMA San José has also been accredited by JCI since 2008. In addition to the main hospitals there are also multiple clinics and medical facilities in the coastal areas popular with overseas visitors, many of which offer 24-hour care with bilingual staff on call and specialists visiting weekly.
Mexico The standard of medical care in Mexico is generally high, although services in more remote areas can be limited. There is a public healthcare system organized by the Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS / Instituto Mexicano de Seguro Social) which provides Mexican nationals and legal foreign residents employed in Mexico with subsidized medical care. Alongside the public healthcare system, there is also a private healthcare system which most foreign nationals tend to opt for. There are private hospitals offering good quality medical care across the country, including two hospitals in Cancún (Quintana Roo) on Mexico’s Caribbean coast which have international accreditation. Galenia Hospital has accreditation from Joint Commission International ( JCI) as well as from Accreditation Canada at the Diamond level and is a member of the Medical Tourism Association. Also accredited by JCI, Amerimed Hospital Cancún offers a range of routine and 24-hour emergency services. Medical specialities include Angiology and Vascular Surgery, Cardiology, Gastroenterology, Gynecology and Obstetrics, Internal Medicine, Neonatology, Neurology, Dentistry, Oncology, Pediatrics and Rheumatology.
Better Safe Than Sorry While standards vary from island to island and from facility to facility, it is certainly possible to access good quality medical care in the Caribbean. Nevertheless, whichever destination you are headed for, it would be advisable to ensure you have comprehensive health insurance in place. Furthermore, bear in mind that travel either within the region or to your home country may be required in some cases, should expertise in any particular condition or treatment not be available. You should therefore ensure that sufficient funds are available should travel for specialist care be required.
The Caribbean Property Investor, Issue 8 | 7thHeavenProperties.com
P RO M OTI ON BE ACH HOUSES
You, the Sun & Beach Houses Discover Beach Houses, a low density development of luxury residences on an untouched stretch of Barbados’s East Coast
Barbados, a favourite bolthole for the rich and famous who are regularly spotted on the island’s glitzy West Coast, is revealing its best kept secret – the charm of its lesser known, naturally breathtaking East Coast. Synonymous with residential resort development in Barbados, Crane Resorts led by Canadian developer Paul Doyle - is unveiling the first phase of its newest development, Beach Houses. Really Get Away The spectacular beauty of Barbados’ East Coast has always been a national treasure. Its uninterrupted miles of coastal scenery, dotted with charming beach houses, pro-
vide a much-needed respite for weary locals. “All of the East Coast is amazing,” Doyle says. “It’s rugged, little fishing villages; it’s where we’ve got terrific surfing and quaint little hideaways; it’s just charmingly beautiful.” Even paradise-dwellers need occasional escapes and while the jet skis and condominiums on the island’s West Coast may hold an appeal for some, it’s the East Coast’s dramatic limestone cliffs, endless waves and windswept beaches that truly inspire. “Our first development, The Crane Resort, has always appealed to those who want to get away from it all; and our new development Beach Houses was con-
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ceptualised and designed for those who want to really get away,” explains Doyle. “We were fortunate to acquire a magnificent site on the island’s East Coast, where land development has been historically restricted. The preservation of most of the East Coast as a National Park ensures that this beautiful stretch of coastline will remain untouched forever.” Ideal Tropical Luxury Escape A secluded, low density development overlooking the quaint Skeete’s Bay Beach and Culpepper Island, Beach Houses has been designed to accentuate the property’s exclusive location of the 1% of East Coast that
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remains outside of Barbados’ National Park. Beach Houses seamlessly marries the simple elegance and open spaces of contemporary architecture to the casual comfort of a traditional Barbadian East Coast ‘beach house’. On completion, the resort community will feature freestanding ‘beach houses’ spread across a gently sloping 50-acre hillside. Crane Resorts’ Senior Architect, Ian Ramsay comments, “Beach Houses is the ideal tropical luxury escape – you, the beach and the sun. Every aspect of the design was purposefully created around the harmony of your experience of the surrounding natural environment, in complete privacy and serenity.” Generously scaled and beautifully appointed, each two, three and four-bedroom residence will enjoy 180-degrees of breathtaking ocean views, floor-to-ceiling glass windows for spectacular ocean views, infinity-edge private pools with hot tubs, private patios offering a “no tan-lines” level of privacy, outdoor showers, hammocks, BBQ grills and built-in owner’s storage. Multiple floorplan options also provide the choice of a carport or garage, as well as the flexibility of an optional “lock-off ” configuration.
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In typical Crane Resorts fashion, the residences will also be complemented by an array of world-class amenities and services – a fine dining restaurant, a dramatic bar and a state-of-the-art wellness centre – all featuring extraordinary panoramic ocean views. The community will also feature a full-service day spa and a convenience store, with residents enjoying privileged access to sister property – The Crane Resort. Own your slice of paradise Beach Houses was designed at the outset for those who prefer to travel in a different direction. Doyle explains, “Beach Houses buyers prize peace, tranquility and natural beauty. While not prepared to sacrifice elegance, they prefer to keep it casual. They easily make the decision that the occasional drive to the island’s urban corridor is more than worth the space, beauty and lifestyle they’ll enjoy all day long.” Beach Houses offers residential and fractional ownership options, complete with the attendant flexibility and security – presenting the unique opportunity for “laid back” luxury living for a privileged few. Ownership at Beach Houses offers a home-away-from-home tailored to your individual needs. Residential and Frac-
tional owners both receive unprecedented benefits, including developer-managed rental options, turn-key services and all the amenities and services of a 5-star resort. Fractional Ownership prices start at US$180,000 (four weeks); Residential Ownership prices range from US$1.9 - US$2.9M. For more information on ownership opportunities at Beach Houses, visit www.beachhouses.bb or email property@craneresorts.com.
The Caribbean Property Investor, Issue 8 | 7thHeavenProperties.com
LIFE & STYLE ART
Mistaken Identity Meet Phillip Thomas, a highly acclaimed Jamaican artist determined to challenge popularly held misconceptions of his home country. ROBERT COOPER
Left: “Dem ova deh suh, wih ova yah suh,” Mixed Media on Fabric
Phillip Thomas is one of the stars of Jamaica’s exciting contemporary art world. His nascent talent nurtured by his parents, he honed his skills at Mona High School in the Parish of St Andrew, which has a renowned visual arts school. He went on to train at the Edna Manley College of Visual and Performing Arts in Kingston and was later awarded a scholarship from the American ambassador to Jamaica, Sue Cobb to study at the New York Academy of Art. After being awarded a fellowship grant at the end of his Academy studies, he later took part in an art residency program at Scotland’s Dumfries House which is owned by a trust headed by the Prince of Wales. He has received multiple awards. His works have been included in exhibitions in galleries from New York, Washington DC and San Francisco to the National Gallery of Jamaica and have been snapped up by buyers such as the World Bank. Here the painter and mixed media artist talks exclusively to The Caribbean Property Investor on his recent work and how he hopes it throws some new light on how the world perceives his work and island homeland. On how his work has evolved over the years “As you grow older and start to have more complex concerns, you’re able to think about ways of expressing those concerns. When an artist is younger, you tend to be more introspective, focusing more on what’s on your mind and what affects your immediate environment. As you become older and begin to experience the world and your place in it, you are able to match your inner thoughts with more worldly experiences and find a way to develop perspectives on these subjects as an artist.” On the focus of his current work “When you have spent a great deal of time living and studying in different parts of the world, you start to see some of the same problems occurring in different countries, in different ways. Issues such as gender, race and class become a part of your tapestry of image development and your work begins to reflect much of these global concerns. In the UK, for instance, Brexit is a big
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issue at the moment but there are similar issues such as migration in the Caribbean and the Americas. People are trying to figure out how to create unions or break unions between countries, how to develop new trade, how to grapple with immigration - these matters, and how they affect populations around the world, blend into the work I create.” On challenging the perception of violence in Jamaica “The world has this perception of Jamaican violence and it is unfair, because there are many other cultures that have issues of violence that wouldn’t be acceptable in Jamaican culture. For instance, it is impossible to go through Jamaica’s history and find examples of mass shootings that you see in many first world countries, but Jamaica has had this badge of a violent country bestowed upon it. There is a difficulty in trying to find a balance between what is actually true and what is just an external perception. Much of my work plays upon these stereotypes as a means of presenting to the viewer something that is initially very familiar painted in a very beautiful way, but on closer inspection the work begins to challenge those very same stereotypical presumptions.” On how he would define Jamaica “I would define Jamaica as a very eclectic society even through there are specific things that run concurrently between different groups of people and classes of Jamaicans. If you look at some of my work, a lot of it deals with themes like power and influence. Some of my bullfighter paintings speak to the Spanish influence in Jamaican culture – and how that mimics the idea of our Spanish heritage that’s separate from our English heritage and how there’s a sort of a clash of civilizations, spoken and unspoken, that occurs in our very small country... Jamaica is a tiny place. When you have so many different forces operating in the very same space you get a very interesting, vibrant mix of different ideas.”
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LIFE & STYLE ART
“Jamaica has a global perception which is often contrary to the country’s reality” Above: “Est. 1962,” Oil on Canvas, Mixed Media Right: “Tie,” Mixed Media on Canvas
On what you should take away from his artwork “We are not a monolithic culture. By that I mean that our culture is as multi-dimensional as any other nation. One of the most important things for me is for audiences to know that there are very complex ideas coming out of Jamaica, just like in any other part of the world and much of that complexity, rich history and beauty is imbued in my work. I am a painter by training, but much of my art goes well beyond my technical abilities and training. My work seeks to ask of us the harder questions about image making: who we are, who we
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appear to be and the intersection between the two, and to question the means by which a visual work of art stays with us long after we have initially seen it. That’s what I intend to achieve with my art.” To view available works by Phillip Thomas, visit the Richard J. Demato Fine Arts Gallery in Bridgehampton, NY (USA) or explore www.rjdgallery.com
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PR IME PROPE RT Y A showcase of the finest luxury homes for sale across the Caribbean and the region’s most sought after commercial real estate investment opportunities
7 of the Best: Trophy Homes
7 of the Best: Homes with Financing
7 of the Best: Luxury Branded Residences
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.
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Jolly Harbour Antigua St James, Barbados Providenciales, Turks & Caicos Barnes Bay, Anguilla Virgin Gorda, BVI Val des Pitons, St Lucia Alajuela, Costa Rica
Cabarete, Dominican Republic Ambergris Caye, Belize Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands Riviera Maya, Mexico Paradise Island, Bahamas Kingston, Jamaica Palmas del Mar, Puerto Rico
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Grace Bay, Turks & Caicos Riviera Maya, Mexico Bahia Beach, Puerto Rico Pageant Beach, Grand Cayman Pinneys Beach, Nevis Providenciales, Turks & Caicos Los Cabos, Mexico
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Paragon of private beach bliss, Turks & Caicos – turn to page 94 for details
PRIME PROPERTY RESIDENTIAL
7 of the Best: Trophy Homes for Sale in the Caribbean JESS DENHAM
There is arguably only one place to begin the search for the trophy home of your dreams, and that’s the Caribbean. Its yearround sunshine, balmy breezes, soft white sands and relaxed way of life are just the tonic for helping all your stresses slip away. Choose from modern mansions with their own slice of private beach, spa-style seafront sanctuaries and glass-and-timber turnkeys with sustainability in mind. Perhaps you have your eye on a rainfor-
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est home in St Lucia or fancy the perfect launchpad for sailing into the sunset on a sports yacht in Antigua? Discover a tropical paradise in the picture-perfect Turks and Caicos Islands or retreat to your very own idyllic estate in Costa Rica. Whatever you’re looking for, kickstart your search with our pick of the most palatial properties on the market in the Caribbean right now…
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PRIME PROPERTY RESIDENTIAL
1. Set Sail into the Sunrise — Jolly Harbour, Antigua
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Offered at: US $12,000,000 It’s exceptionally rare for super-prime beachfront real estate to come to market in this prestigious gated community of Jolly Harbour - and this one’s in a league of its own. Set in manicured gardens, it opens onto a stretch of private, palm-lined beach and comes with its own 72-foot sports yacht, boathouse, 100-foot dock and the biggest boat lift in the Caribbean. Set sail into the sunrise before returning to enjoy the solar-powered infinity pool and bubbling Jacuzzi. Minimalist all-white interiors soothe the senses before the grey shutters are thrown open, inviting the brilliant blue sky into the huge open-plan living space. Six bedrooms, all with king-size beds and Philippe Stark bathrooms, are found in the main house, but the master suite is the undisputed star. Hidden away in its own separate, circular pavilion on the tip of a peninsular, it features a large sitting area, standalone copper bath and 360-degree views of the sparkling sea from a shaded terrace. This gem of a property is already a popular rental with a well-trained team of staff, and don’t forget that Antigua is one of the most accessible islands, too.
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2. Castle on a Coral Cliff — St James, Barbados Offered at: US $40,000,000 Nestled among nature on a gently-sloping coral cliff is this beachfront beauty of a home, found on Barbados’s celebrated Platinum Coast. Built from elegant coral stone and designed in a classical, Georgian-Palladian style, the seven-bedroom mansion and its three-bedroom guest cottage have previously hosted royalty and celebrities. Gaze out over the Caribbean Sea from the huge terrace, freshly-shaken piña colada in hand, or dive into the cascading half-moon pool. Stroll mere meters to the pure shores of a secluded beach, accessible only via the grounds of this palatial property. The 20,000 square feet of opulent indoor space is tastefully brought to life by exquisite furnishings. The lavish living room is an entertainer’s dream, the bedrooms all boast Italian marble bathrooms, and plenty of shaded outdoor seating tempts you for an afternoon doze. Picturesque scenery is framed by grand columns and graceful archways, and you can fully immerse yourself in the surroundings from a cliff-edge dining gazebo. Alternatively, take your fitness routine to the next level in the air-conditioned gym filled with state-of-the-art equipment or luxuriate in the perfectly-positioned Jacuzzi which offers spell-binding sea views. Non-stop flights from the USA, Canada and the UK transport you straight to paradise and, as Barbados is currently a buyer’s market, the time is ripe to invest.
3. Paragon of Private Beach Bliss — Providenciales, Turks & Caicos Offered at: US $18,800,000 Hidden away on the tranquil Turtle Tail peninsula on the island of Providenciales is this cluster of sun-kissed red pavilions, hugged by tropical greenery, blooming bougainvilleas and fragrant frangipani. Together they form an ultra-luxurious, six-bedroom estate built to resort standards by globally-renowned Mexican architect, Marco Aldaco. Set on a hilltop, the turquoise hues of the ocean can be admired from almost every angle. Watch waves lap gently at sugar-white sand from Balinese daybeds in your totally private bay before returning to lounge by the wraparound infinity pool. The open, palm-thatched living room at the heart of this oceanfront sanctuary brims with characterful antique furniture sourced from Asia to Africa. Elegant, tropical modern interiors with rich wooden accents and lofty ceilings give the balconied bedrooms a breezy feel. A variety of dining and entertaining areas offer plenty of options for enjoying meals or drinks indoors or al fresco against the backdrop of a blazing sunset. Amenities include a fully-equipped gym, private “beach club”, staff apartments and a high-tech security system. The Turks and Caicos archipelago is one of the Caribbean’s fastest-growing tourism hotspots – and with beaches, golf and fine restaurants minutes away – this is one of its finest gems.
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PRIME PROPERTY RESIDENTIAL 4.
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4. Beguiling Beach House — Barnes Bay, Anguilla Offered at: US $20,000,000 Much more than a beguiling collection of white cubes, this modern masterpiece of a beachfront home balances serenity and indulgence to striking effect. It was decorated throughout by New York-based interior designer Scott Salvator who lovingly handpicked and placed every item to create one of the finest homes for sale in the Caribbean. Blue dominates the color palettes, connecting with the cerulean sea of Barnes Bay mere steps away. Nine bedrooms have hand-painted walls, marble bathrooms and gorgeous views of the gardens, beach and the sea. Enthusiastic entertainers will enjoy making the most of the covered terrace with shaded sitting, dining and BBQ areas beside a heated freshwater infinity pool and beachfront Jacuzzi. On-site facilities include a media room, games room, private spa, fitness center, floodlit tennis court and putting green. Acquiring this stunner of a property makes business sense too – it commands the highest rental rates on the island of Anguilla, where celebrity VIPs and Wall Street high-flyers come for pampering in privacy away from the crowds. With colorful coral reefs, crystal clear waters ideal for snorkeling, kayaking or sailing and welcoming restaurants practically on your doorstep, this is the ultimate private retreat on this pristine, friendly and laidback island. Did we mention it’s also a zero-tax jurisdiction?
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5. Step into a Japanese-Inspired Sanctuary — Virgin Gorda, BVI Offered at: Price on Application A Japanese architectural masterpiece in the heart of the Caribbean? It might sound bizarre, but this East Asian-inspired sanctuary on leafy Virgin Gorda - the third biggest of the British Virgin Islands - perfectly fuses the finest design traditions of the Land of the Rising Sun with one of the most breathtaking settings in the Caribbean. Nestled on three acres of landscaped grounds designed by world-famous Japanese garden designers, this three-pavilion estate set above a private beach took seven years to build, such is the loving attention to detail throughout. At the heart of the property is an extraordinary pool terrace with heated rock pool set off by dramatic boulders, multiple fire pits and cascading waterfalls - all set against the spectacular backdrop of the Drakes Channel dotted with views of neighboring islands on the horizon. Exotic features also abound inside, including an expansive open-plan living space, 20-person spa and chef ’s kitchen. Each of the five en suite bedrooms feature bespoke touches, such as a traditional wooden ofuro bath tub facing a miniature Zen rock garden and a master bedroom suite housed in a separate pavilion, accessed via an elegant Japanese bridge. If you can bring yourself to leave the property, the crystal clear waters surrounding Virgin Gorda beckon. Experienced and newbie sailors alike will find no better destination than this for taking to the waves and letting the stresses of everyday life wash away. Should you need to drag yourself back to city life, New York can be reached in under five hours.
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6. Five-Star Homes in the Rainforest — Val des Pitons, St Lucia
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Offered at: From US $8,750,000 Escape everything to live between two majestic volcanic mountains, known as the Pitons, in the unspoiled rainforest of stunning St Lucia. Nestled in an ultra-exclusive enclave of the island’s most lusted-after five-star resort, these turnkey homes are designed by award-winning architects to deliver maximum privacy and comfort while showcasing the uniquely beautiful views of a UNESCO World Heritage site. Surrounded by refection pools that reflect the changing colors of the sky, their natural timber exterior will age into a stylish silvery grey that blends into nature. Suspended timber walkways lead though a pivoting door into an open-plan interior with floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors that blur the lines between outside and in. Five bedrooms, including a master suite with four-poster bed, have shaded terraces and superb bathrooms with breathtaking views of the majestic Pitons. Outside, cool off in the glamourous infinity pool or stroll through bountiful gardens to the beach just steps away. Best of all, these homes combine the privacy of a personal retreat with full access to all the amenities and services of the nearby resort when desired, which include a rainforest spa, collection of restaurants and bars, tennis courts, kids club and PADI scuba diving center, to name just a few.
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7. Hidden Paradise — La Garita, Alajuela, Costa Rica
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Offered at: US $16,000,000 Move into this sprawling estate overlooking Costa Rican coffee and sugar cane fields and you’ll never want to leave. This special property is found in the charming town of La Garita in Costa Rica’s Central Valley, rated by the National Geographic Society as having the best weather in the world. It is only an hour’s drive from the Pacific coast, should you start craving the beach. Crossing an ornate Asian bridge in the middle of a Japanese garden with a 20-metre river and waterfall brings you to an impressive triple height hall with its own fish pond and statement staircase leading up to a master suite with its own Jacuzzi, guest bedrooms and an art gallery. Glass sliding doors from the bedrooms make the most of the spectacular views across more than 100 acres of private land, including your own lake and forest. Cool off in the free-form pool before cooking up a storm in the BBQ ranch and pool house. Guests can enjoy some privacy in one of two self-contained bungalows, and there are four small staff houses and even a chicken coop. Savvy investors will spot a sparkling opportunity here not only to own a magnificent private home, but also to explore the potential of creating a luxury gated community or boutique hotel within the extensive grounds.
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The Forever Holiday Home You Deserve Whether you are in the market for a Caribbean home to retreat to when you need a break from everyday life, plan to live here full time or fancy yourself as a developer, there is a first-class property with your name on it. Really, the biggest decisions you need to make are which destination to jet off to, how many steps you’re willing to walk to the beach (if any) and whether you prefer your butler-served cocktails shaken or stirred‌
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For details on all these trophy homes for sale in the Caribbean and many others, contact 7th Heaven Properties: UK: +44 (0)20 8960 1010 US/Canada: 855 364 8776
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7 of the Best: Caribbean Homes for Sale with Owner or Bank Financing ZOE DARE HALL
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Finding your dream Caribbean property is the first, and most fun, part. But buying a second home here has traditionally been the preserve of cash buyers, with few attractive financial deals available for those who want or need to take out a loan. That is changing now, however – much to the delight of the many buyers whose first question, after finding a property they love, concerns the availability of mortgage finance. Developers know that in a competitive market, being able to offer buyers access to mort-
gage loans with attractive terms – either directly or via a bank lender - can make the difference between sealing the deal and a buyer looking elsewhere. We take a look at some of the best property investment options with financing available for qualified buyers. Terms vary depending on individual circumstances, but each of these developments is helping to ease the path to Caribbean home-ownership for overseas purchasers.
1. Custom-Made, Turnkey Villas with Construction Loans and 70% Mortgages — Cabarete, Dominican Republic Offered at: From US $199,900
On the Dominican Republic’s spectacular northern coast, alongside El Choco national park, 10 minutes from the beaches of Sosua and Cabarete and 15 minutes from Puerto Plata International Airport, there is the opportunity to buy a custom-built home within a beautiful 25-acre residential community. Buyers choose their preferred lot and villa model, ranging from two to six bedrooms, then wait and watch their fully turnkey home take shape. Residents’ amenities include tennis and basketball courts, concierge services, 24/7 security and a beach club, and all villas come with ocean views. To secure a lot, you will need to put down a 30% downpayment. A construction loan is available until the villa is built and then qualified investors are eligible for a loan from Scotia Bank, with rates likely to be around 6% over a 15-year term.
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2. Fully Operational Global Branded Resort with Mortgage Financing Options — Ambergris Caye, Belize Offered at: From US $391,900 Belize’s first global luxury branded resort offers a collection of customizable homes and a lively marketplace of shops, restaurants and bars to ensure this new-build village on beautiful Ambergris Caye has an instant buzz and sense of community. The island has one of the Caribbean’s hottest emerging real estate markets, offering a good value alternative to Cancun or Cabo San Lucas. The resort sits on Belize’s Caribbean coast, just 10 minutes from historic San Pedro – home to the world’s second biggest barrier reef and a town infused with the essence of Belize in its shabby chic downtown, fishermen’s community and palm-fringed beachfront. The 60-acre resort, whose facilities include a 15,000 square foot Miami-style pool and private beach club, offers exceptional value with its two- and three bedroom townhouses and family homes managed by one of the world’s largest hotel operators. The resort also offers something new for Ambergris Caye: bank financing options for buyers, opening up its real estate offering to a far wider range of investors. Atlantic International Bank offers home loans to qualified buyers with a 9% interest rate and for up to 60% loan to value, payable over approximately 20 years. No life insurance is required - only building insurance and a credit score of 650. Buyers can secure a loan within four weeks (plus up to three weeks for disbursement).
3. Prime Waterfront Living with 85% Finance — Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands Offered at: From US $2,300,000 This new community of 44 luxury waterfront residences in the sought-after and established Yacht Club neighborhood epitomizes the exclusivity of life in the Cayman islands. Set on a private peninsula near The Cayman Island’s Yacht Club, the three-bedroom homes are just a couple of miles from boutiques, grocery stores, restaurants, sport facilities and the world-famous Seven Mile Beach. It’s a haven for those who like their boats, with a full-service marina on tap in the yacht club. And it’s a location that makes life easy for home-owners, with first class leisure and lifestyle facilities such as a tennis court, fitness studio and BBQ pavilions on the doorstep. As a further incentive, the developer’s private lender, Butterfield Bank, offers up to 85% financing to qualified buyers, with a maximum 25-year term. The developer has negotiated preferential interest rates, with an attractive prime lending rate during the construction period and a favorable fixed rate for two years after completion.
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4. Mayan Magic with First-Class Facilities and Up to 90% Mortgages — Riviera Maya, Mexico Offered at: From US $121,500 Tulum is one of the hottest spots on Mexico’s Riviera Maya, but this new development of contemporary, high spec condos, lots and homes in Akumal (a low-key and laidback destination just 20 minutes from Tulum) offers a level of amenities beyond other retreats, including the area’s best golf course, multiple pools, several gyms and residents’ concierge services. Two- and three-bed condos (starting at US $323,000) set on the lake that runs along the golf course have obvious lifestyle appeal, but they also offer investment sweeteners including access to a property management service and rental program, and various payment options for buyers that all come with developer financing. For home sites in one particular block (starting at only US $121,500), qualified buyers can make a downpayment as little as a 10%, and the remaining 90% over the next three years with no interest payable. Payment options for condos allow for downpayments of between 20% and 50%, followed by stage payments (generally monthly installments) and in many cases interest free.
5. A Heavenly Location and a Handful of Willing Lenders — Paradise Island, Bahamas Offered at: From US $799,000 Waterfront. Tick. Sought-after address with high profile neighbors (One&Only, Atlantis, Ocean Club). Tick. Championship golf course, marinas and one of the most beautiful beaches in the Bahamas all a short walk away. Tick. Panoramic views of Nassau and blindingly blue ocean. Tick. How about luxury features such as private elevator entry, large terraces and top of the range appliances? That too. This new complex of two- to five-bed harbour-front condos on Paradise Island provides precisely what buyers want in The Bahamas – plus there is an extra draw: Scotia Bank, Royal Bank of Canada and CIBC all offer competitive mortgage options for non-resident buyers. As a guide, Scotia Bank offers up to 70% LTV, with a maximum 25-year term, for a minimum US $250,000 loan. There are competitive fixed rate options for one, three or five years. Also factor in to the financial equation the additional perks of investing in property in the Bahamas including freedom from almost all taxes including income, inheritance and capital gains taxes in a sophisticated, stable market, and the option of applying for permanent residency.
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6. Studio Condos in a WorldFamous Caribbean Capital, and Finance Deals with a 7.45% Interest Rate — Kingston, Jamaica Offered at: From US $145,000 A rare opportunity to purchase new-build, contemporary super studio apartments within a gated development in the Jamaican capital of Kingston, with bank financing available from various local providers. This pre-construction sale offering of 48 super studio condo units is considered one of the premier developments in Kingston 8. Each unit offers 720 square feet of stylishly designed, open-plan space and private balconies overlooking lush, landscaped gardens. Residents have access to communal facilities including a pool and BBQ area, and the development is a short walk from the Manor Park shopping center. Jamaica has a well-developed real estate market with high quality homes that can generate good rental income, thanks to a growing local market, surging interest from the Jamaican Diaspora, the huge popularity of Jamaica as a holiday destination, vibrant Airbnb market and excellent air access from Europe, the USA and Canada. For investors with an eye on this high yield investment, the availability of bank finance via Jamaica-based Lead Mortgage Brokers is an additional enticement. The mortgage brokerage has arranged a special rate of 7.45% for qualified buyers, subject to the applicant satisfying various conditions.
7. A Coastal Resort with Great Neighbors and Up to 95% Finance Deals — Palmas del Mar, Puerto Rico Offered at: From US $229,000 Within the sprawling green 2,700 acres of Palmas del Mar – a resort in the east coast town of Humacao, well-known for its tight-knit community – the condos and penthouses for sale in this 46-acre development are surrounded by lakes and pristine beaches. The capital San Juan and its international airport are just 45 minutes away. The three-bed condos are generously sized (1,529 to 1,897 square feet), with open-plan interiors, and the community’s residents enjoy use of five pools, a clubhouse, and running and walking paths overlooking the Caribbean Sea. They also have the wider resort’s facilities on tap, including two championship golf courses, an equestrian center, a marina, hotel and casino and various restaurants. The developer is offering incentives to buyers worth $20,000, including new kitchen appliances and oneyear athletic club membership, and the condos are eligible for various tax benefits. Local buyers who intend to live there full-time may qualify for a loan of up to 100% on a first home, under the Rural Loan program. Finance options are also available to qualified second home and investment buyers via local, private banks.
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Leveraging Local Lenders The latest offerings from finance lenders in the Caribbean are changing the landscape for those who long for a home in the region, opening up markets to buyers who couldn’t otherwise make the money side of their purchase stack up. Having a Caribbean second home will always be an aspirational and luxury purchase – for many, it’s a lifelong dream come true. But it needn’t just be a dream that can be enjoyed by the cash-rich as local lenders come to the fore with competitive deals to attract overseas buyers. Whether it’s an emerging second home market such as Belize or a well-established, luxury location such as Grand Cayman, there are new resorts
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in prime locations that – thanks to the accessibility of bank finance for qualified buyers - a far wider audience can consider calling home. For details on all these properties for sale in the Caribbean and many others with owner financing, developer financing or bank financing, contact 7th Heaven Properties: UK: +44 (0)20 8960 1010 US/Canada: 855 364 8776 info@7thHeavenProperties.com
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7 of the Best: Luxury Branded Residences for Sale in the Caribbean CATHY HAWKER
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Buying into the Brand If checking into a five-star hotel is your idea of heaven then you’ll be familiar with luxury branded residences, top-end homes linked to iconic, international luxury hotel and resort brands, offering super-lush amenities and round the clock pampering behind the privacy of your own front door. Hardcore gyms, indulgent spas or simply securing that elusive restaurant table with the help of your attentive concierge: anything you desire can be sorted in a heartbeat and delivered to the exceptional standards one would expect from the world’s leading hotel operators. It’s not just stand-out services and the glittering reputation of a big brand that make branded residences so attractive. Many also come with built-in rental management offering a hassle-free route to rental yields. Buyers appreciate the value and convenience and are willing to pay a price premium to become a proud owner. Keen to jump on this ‘brandwagon’? With hoteliers lining up to outperform each other with sophisticated options, hundreds of branded residences are in development across the world. So, from the Turks & Caicos Islands to Grand Cayman, here are seven of the most desirable luxury branded residences for sale in the Caribbean to kickstart your search.
1. Grace and Favor Living — Grace Bay, Turks & Caicos Offered at: From US$ 3,251,516
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Paint a picture of the perfect Caribbean beach and it would probably look remarkably like Grace Bay, a 12-mile stretch of fine white sand on Providenciales in the Turks & Caicos Islands where pale pink conch shells and languid palm trees face out across an impossibly turquoise sea. This is where The Ritz-Carlton Residences are currently being built, expertly appointed condominiums alongside a 125-room hotel aiming to reflect the prestige and elegance with which Ritz-Carlton has become synonymous and the physical beauty of the oceanfront setting outside. Ritz-Carlton will provide a distinct lifestyle for the owners of the 36 contemporary two- and three-bedroom beachfront residences for sale. Generously-sized rooms with open-plan living areas lead to wide terraces. Outside on the beachfront close to the private cabanas, beach club and restaurant, owners can work out in a state-of-the-art fitness center or relax in the spa. There will be a casino, a kid’s club, a concierge team will be on call to book golf tee times, reserve a restaurant table or organise yacht charters and housekeeping will ensure a seamless five-star hotel experience.
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2. Mystical Mexican Magic — Riviera Maya, Mexico Offered at: From US $3,375,000 There’s no shortage of five-star hotels along the soft sands of the idyllic Riviera Maya on Mexico’s Caribbean coast but, even in such illustrious company, the Rosewood Mayakoba has a reputation as best in class. Its location is dreamy, fifteen minutes from buzzy Playa del Carmen and one hour from the magical ancient wonders of Tulum, its service is exemplary and its facilities are gold-plated. There’s a fitness suite, tennis courts and a destination spa with cabanas hidden in dense foliage topped off by Mexico’s only PGA-Tour sanctioned golf course designed by superstar Greg Norman. Owners of the two, three and four-bedroom Rosewood Residences have access to all these facilities. Residences are sleek, private and elegant fully furnished homes, designed for open-plan living with double height windows and an easy flow to the external terraces and pools. Throughout the resort there is an emphasis on the surrounding natural beauty: a white sand beach, an emerald forest filled with wildlife and lagoons and canals meandering through the grounds. Full concierge services come as standard and, if required, there is a rental programme for owners who want to live the branded lifestyle to the max.
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4. Sea, Sand and Seven Miles of Surf Pageant Beach, Grand Cayman
3. Natural Paradise — Bahia Beach, Puerto Rico Offered at: From US $3,020,000 Contemporary design by Miami-based SB architects, expertly appointed kitchens and bathrooms complete with state-of-the-art technologies and a winning front row location on two miles of sandy beach make Ocean Drive Beachfront Residences in Bahia Beach an outstanding lifestyle choice. But what has sealed the deal for early buyers has been the full service provided by five-star luxury hoteliers St Regis. The thirty condominiums with three and four bedrooms are divided between three buildings, one fully sold, next-door to the 139-room hotel. Residents can use all the hotel’s facilities from the extensive fitness center and spa to the Robert Trent Jones Junior-designed 18-hole golf course and beach club while also having housekeeping, in-house dining and concierge team on call. With its history as a Spanish colony and then a US territory, Puerto Rico has a rich cultural heritage to go with its beautiful beaches and tropical weather. Bahia Beach is on the island’s exquisite north eastern coast, edged by the magnificent El Yunque Rainforest. The natural beauty, complete with wildlife sanctuaries and trails will never be touched: 65 per cent of the 483-acre site is a protected park.
Offered at: From US $522,000 Beaches don’t come more spectacular than Seven Mile Beach in Grand Cayman, a long soft sand crescent at the western end of the island that comes garlanded with awards as the Caribbean’s best beach. So, it’s no surprise that Grand Hyatt have chosen to position their new hotel and branded residences with a front row view on this eye-popping beauty. Due to open in 2020, Grand Hyatt Grand Cayman Residences is selling studio, one, two and three-bedroom homes on the seven acre site. Owners can divide their time between three swimming pools, a destination spa and fitness center, Kids Club, private screening rooms and six restaurants. Local activity focuses on the water and there will of course be a Dive Center: this is one of the world’s most wondrous diving locations, a colour-packed, sparkling underwater extravaganza. And after a full day of adventures, owners can kick back on their balconies, watch the sun slip behind the Caribbean Sea and discuss the next days’ plans with the 24-hour concierge. Caymans’ laid-back, low tax and overwhelmingly safe lifestyle is hard to beat, and tourism is booming, helped by ever-improving flight access. So, when you’re not personally occupying your residence, Grand Hyatt will operate a full rental programme for you.
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5. Totally Tropical Five-Star Luxe — Pinney’s Beach, Nevis
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Offered at: From US $2,900,000 Four Seasons are the pace setters for top-flight branded residences worldwide, offering their fiercely-faithful clientele the winning combination of prime facilities, a strong design theme and exemplary service. And that is exactly what guests get at Pinney’s Beach where the final few fully furnished three-bedroom homes at Four Seasons Resort Estates Nevis are now for sale. Set in a gloriously landscaped site shaded by tall palm trees beside the beach – the best one on the island complete with jauntily colourful, low-key wooden bars selling legendary rum punches – these are elegant and blissfully private homes with all the gilt-edged facilities you would expect from one of the world’s most exclusive brands. Hotel groupies will love the housekeeping service and in-residence dining while active families can shuttle between the Robert Trent Jones junior golf course, the tennis courts, the fitness suite and the calm Caribbean Sea. Four Seasons cover all the bases, offering an attentive round the clock concierge and rental management if required. Nevis is small and sedate, a perfect Caribbean island in miniature just a short boat ride from its bigger sister-island St Kitts.
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6. Dive into an Asian Superbrand — Providenciales, Turks & Caicos Offered at: US $ 6,950,000 Asian superbrand Aman has perfected a reputation for exclusivity, becoming the go-to choice for understated style and impeccable service and a favoured hang-out for A-list celebrities keen to keep a low-profile. Amanyara, Aman’s resort in the Turks & Caicos islands, opened in 2006 on 99 acres of Northwest Point, poised between a marine park and a natural reserve in a deliciously natural and quiet part of Providenciales. The Zen-inspired calm comes from a combination of natural beauty, Asian-influenced architecture (20 foot ceilings, volcanic rock reflecting pools and shingle-tile pavilions) and expert service. The resort’s twenty branded residences are designed by Jean-Paul Gathy in his trademark ‘Caribbean meets Bali’ style. This three-bedroom, 4,900 square foot Tranquillity Villa has seven separate pavilions on a 1.4 acre lot offering the ultimate ultra-luxe island lifestyle. Work-out in your private gym, cool off in your oversized black-lined pool or the hot-tub sunk into the teak decking and rely on the services of your dedicated chef and housekeeper. A communal beach club, tennis courts, fitness suite, screening room and activities center are open for all residents while directly outside your house lies part of the world’s third largest reef.
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7. A Perfect Pacific Pad — Los Cabos, Mexico
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Offered at: US$1,985,000 Crashing waves and dramatic cliff-top views on the Sea of Cortez give the southern tip of Mexico’s Baja Peninsula an atmospheric edge and at Esperanza, Auberge Resorts they come with Cabo San Lucas’ only private beach. This is where the desert meets the Pacific and is another celebrity hang-out, a favourite with George Clooney and Jennifer Aniston. Auberge Resorts has a reputation for unobtrusive top-fight service, fine cuisine and for showcasing local flavour in each of its nineteen properties. Esperanza adds to that with pitch perfect sporting opportunities: horse-ride through a desert canyon, play golf on five nearby championship courses, surf, sail or simply work out in the gym or on the tennis courts. Three and four-bedroom branded condominiums in three impressive buildings on the resort have access to all the hotel’s facilities. Homes have generous terraces and come fully furnished including the latest tech such as Apple TV and Bose stereo systems. Hassle-free ownership through Auberge includes concierge, full house-keeping and pre-arrival shopping services while their Rental & Reciprocity Program allows owners discounts at other Auberge resorts.
A Golden Future The best branded residences give buyers the heady combination of confidence and convenience. As you would expect, the past decade has therefore seen a sharp increase in the development of branded residences, including in the Caribbean. Existing players such as Four Seasons are set to open new properties in additional locations such as Belize and the Dominican Republic, while new players such as Kempinski have new Caribbean luxury residences in the pipeline too. The Caribbean Property Investor, Issue 8 | 7thHeavenProperties.com
Deciding which brand to invest in remains a particularly personal choice and increasingly buyers want a complex mix of facilities, location, experiences and service. Linking with the right brand is a way to make real estate projects more distinctive and helps explain why Branded Residences are one of the hottest sectors in Caribbean real estate with a future that looks increasingly golden. Where will you choose?
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Dive In — Roatan: Beachfront Dive Hotel for Sale Opportunity to purchase a profit-making dive hotel for sale set on the picturesque West Bay Beach on Roatan in the Bay Islands of the western Caribbean. Roatan is a rapidly growing beach, cruise and dive vacation destination with visitor arrivals surging and airlines increasing international airlift. West Bay Beach is one of its most popular destinations, having received Trip Advisor’s 2017 Traveler's Choice award for the best beach in Central America and having been ranked as one of the 25 best beaches in the world. This family-friendly hotel is set on 0.93 acres of tropical grounds with 130 feet of white sand beach frontage in the heart of West Bay Beach. The hotel features 23 guest rooms comprising a mix of villas, apartments and private cabanas – all tastefully decorated in a laidback island style. Guest amenities include 2 restaurants, commercial retail space with mini-mart/gift shop and an excursion/information center. Many visitors come to Roatan for the exceptional diving and, with an on-site PADI 5 star dive center and proximity to Roatan’s pristine reefs which lie just off shore, this hotel is well equipped and perfectly positioned to tap into the dive vacation market. Situated in the heart of such a highly acclaimed beach, it is also ideally located for guests to enjoy swim-
ming, sunbathing, other water sports such as kayaking and activities in the nearby area, such as horseback riding, deep sea fishing, zip lining, parasailing, golf at the Pete Dye designed Black Pearl Golf Course and boat or catamaran trips. As a result, the hotel comes with a successful track record of generating high levels of income and profit. The hotel could be combined with a nearby hotel located just along the beach to create a larger resort on 1.5 acres with a total of 230 feet of beach frontage. This therefore represents the opportunity to acquire a profit-making business with plenty of potential for development, expansion and growth. Offered at: US $7,200,000 For details on this investment opportunity, contact 7th Heaven Properties: UK: +44(0)20 8960 1010 US/Canada: 855 364 8776 info@7thHeavenProperties.com
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Rough Diamond — Jamaica: Part-Complete Hotel for Sale Opportunity to acquire a part-complete beachfront boutique hotel for sale set on 12 acres of grounds at the far West End of Negril, a popular vacation destination on tourism powerhouse Jamaica. Located in a private, gated beach setting removed from the central tourist zone of Negril’s Seven Mile Beach, the hotel was designed as an exclusive upper upscale boutique resort with an emphasis on beach vacations, wellness, gourmet cuisine and weddings. Plans for the hotel – which is 60% complete – include 26 guest rooms set in lush landscaping offering a total of 31,200 square feet of construction and beautiful hillside views. All buildings have been pre-engineered and constructed to meet hurricane and earthquake resistant standards. Property has 3-phase electricity and water at site and underground storm drainage system with manholes and returns to the sea. Underground communications and security system conduit and manholes are in place. Electrical and mechanical systems have not yet been installed in the buildings. Planned amenities include access to a 390’ private beach, an infinity sea pool, world-class wellness spa, 3 restaurants and bar, equestrian center (with retail space, owner’s apartment, garage, staff quarters and storage facilities) and 80’ elliptical wedding lawn. Direct access
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to the hotel only by private road, helicopter and yacht to ensure exclusivity. The location offers plenty of potential to expand the hotel further. The original development plan for the hotel outlines a second phase of expansion, involving the acquisition of extra land which would require additional investment. Should a new buyer wish to proceed with the plan, this second phase of development would provide the opportunity to expand the resort from 12 acres (with 26 guest rooms) to a total of 68 acres (with 100 guest rooms). More adjoining waterfront land is also available, offering a variety of potential future expansion opportunities which could be explored. Estimated costs of completion and financial projections can be made available subject to NDA. Offered at: Price on Application For details on this investment opportunity, contact 7th Heaven Properties: UK: +44(0)20 8960 1010 US/Canada: 855 364 8776 info@7thHeavenProperties.com
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More than a Dreamscape — Belize: 2,213 Acres of Beachfront Land for Sale Imagine pristine turquoise waters caressing more than six miles of undisturbed Caribbean waterfront. Naturally protected by Belize’s Paynes Creek National Park to the northwest and Port Honduras Marine Reserve to the southeast, Ycacos may very well be one of Central America’s last exceptional coastal properties. Its destiny is now in the hands of dreamers and doers. The 2,213-acre parcel includes a hurricane-protected 618-acre lake and harmonious ecosystems, providing the ideal backdrop for responsible development. Private luxury residences, an eco-resort, wellness center, or a fishing lodge with its own marina would each thrive here amid Belize’s natural beauty, with plenty of acreage remaining for conservation purposes. Untouched reefs and cayes remind visitors why Belize tourism continues to flourish, especially for divers and snorkelers who want to explore the Belize Barrier reef—the largest reef system in North America. Inland, one can experience the world’s first jaguar reserve in the lush tropical topography of Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary. Even Hollywood’s elite have recognized Belize’s unparalleled beauty, with Leonardo DiCaprio’s Blackadore Caye eco-resort scheduled to open in late 2018. This is more than just a dreamscape. Ycacos represents a solid investment opportunity in the country’s steadily increasing tourism industry. With local currency pegged to the U.S. dollar ($1 US = $2 BZD), English as the official language, a low entry price per linear beachfront foot (less than 10 percent of Riviera Maya prices), and government support, Belize offers the infrastructure and enthusiasm for new development. Ycacos is currently reachable by water and can be made accessible by air via a 45-minute flight from Belize City. In addition, construction of a nine-mile road will easily connect the beachfront to the national highway, from which traditional villages like Monkey River and Punta Negra are a short drive away. Offered at: Price on Application For details on this investment opportunity, contact 7th Heaven Properties: UK: +44(0)20 8960 1010 US/Canada: 855 364 8776 info@7thHeavenProperties.com
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The Caribbean Property Investor, Issue 8 | 7thHeavenProperties.com
Oceanfront Oasis — St Kitts: Income-Generating Condo Complex for Sale This income-generating condo complex is located just a stroll from the beach at South Frigate Bay, next to the Royal St Kitts Golf Club and 5 minutes from Basseterre, the capital of St Kitts & Nevis and the international airport. The complex is nestled into a hillside offering beautiful views of the beach, the Caribbean Sea and the Royal St Kitts Golf Club. Ideally positioned for enjoying relaxing days by the beach or adventure on the water, the complex could be operated as a boutique hotel, condo hotel, guest house or other type of vacation rental business. The offering comprises a 4,000 square foot 2-bedroom main house with 800 square foot guest apartment, 5 directly owned condos (one 2-bedroom plus four 1-bedroom), plus shared common areas set on over half an acre of grounds. As a government approved project for the real estate route of the well-established and successful St Kitts & Nevis Citizenship by Investment Program, these 5 units could be sold to qualifying buyers seeking second citizenship. In addition, the investor would assume ownership of a management company that manages and leases 15 additional condos within the complex. These condos
were previously sold to other private investors through the St Kitts & Nevis Citizenship by Investment Program. There are thirteen 1 bedroom condos, one 3 bedroom condo and one 2 bedroom condo. All 15 units are subject to an exclusive rental management agreement which grants the complex owner the right to manage and rent out the units and receive a split of revenue. In total the complex provides a total of 22 rentable keys, offering the opportunity to generate a significant Return on Investment. The common areas include shared amenities such as a large pool, an area earmarked for creating a bar/ restaurant and a separate 4,000 square foot basement that would be ideal for adding a spa, gym or treatment rooms which could enhance the complex and provide an additional revenue stream. Offered at: US $5,995,000 For details on this investment opportunity, contact 7th Heaven Properties: UK: +44(0)20 8960 1010 US/Canada: 855 364 8776 info@7thHeavenProperties.com
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A Blank Canvas — Antigua: 440 Acres of Beachfront Land for Sale This magnificent parcel of over 440 acres of undeveloped land is a blank canvas awaiting the attention of an investor and developer with imagination and vision. The parcel boasts a prime location overlooking spectacular Rendezvous Bay on the quiet and coveted southern coast of Antigua. The property features rolling green-carpeted hills which rise to a maximum height of approximately 1,000 feet above sea level. The hills descend to a valley which slopes down to meet 159 linear feet of pristine beach front on Rendezvous Bay Beach, which is highly acclaimed as one of the most beautiful beaches in Antigua. Enjoying access to the beach which, like all beaches on the island, is accessible to all, the site offers breathtaking views of the soft white sands, the beautiful arc of the bay and the turquoise hues of the Caribbean Seas. From some of the higher points of the property, the neighboring islands of Montserrat and Guadeloupe come into view. The parcel is situated within the confines of Nelson’s Dockyard National Park – an unspoiled paradise. It is located just 5 miles to the west of popular sailing and cultural destinations Falmouth Harbour and English Harbour – which is the home of historic Nelson’s Dockyard (a world-famous UNESCO World Heritage
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Site) and the popular annual Antigua Sailing Week. A direct beachfront location, outstanding natural beauty, privacy, tranquility and proximity to Falmouth Harbour and English Harbour combine to make this parcel uniquely suited to environmentally-sensitive and sustainable development through an integrated masterplan with low density residential, resort, leisure or agricultural components. With tourism to the twin island nation booming, a significant increase in airlift planned and an impressive pipeline of 15 new hotels approved for construction, Antigua & Barbuda represents a highly attractive investment destination with tremendous potential. Offered at: Price on Application For details on this investment opportunity, contact 7th Heaven Properties: UK: +44(0)20 8960 1010 US/Canada: 855 364 8776 info@7thHeavenProperties.com
The Caribbean Property Investor, Issue 8 | 7thHeavenProperties.com
PRIME PROPERTY COMMERCIAL
Oceanfront Oasis — Costa Rica: Beachfront Hotel for Sale Nestled in lush gardens filled with swaying palm trees and tropical plants just steps from blue ocean, this beachfront hotel offers the opportunity to own a hotel right on the beach in Costa Rica – one of the fastestgrowing tourism destinations in the region, which saw international visitor arrivals expand by approximately 6% in 2018. The hotel fronts on to a secluded stretch of beach at Playa Azul in Nosara, Guanacaste on Costa Rica’s idyllic Pacific Coast – a location perfect for enjoying a range of activities from swimming, snorkelling and surfing to sport fishing, horseback riding on the beach and walks along natural trails. Recently remodelled throughout in a chic, contemporary style, the hotel comprises 21 guest rooms all of which feature private balconies offering views of the coast of Guanacaste and the Pacific Ocean. The hotel also includes 2 restaurants, a large swimming pool with pool bar, fitness center with spa and gym, yoga platform and gift shop. Having been very well managed, the hotel benefits from a very good reputation. Reservations and management software are in place, with real time bookings processed via global reservation systems such as Expedia and Booking.com, as well as affiliation to a prestigious
group of the world’s best small independent hotels. Thanks to the recent remodelling, the hotel is performing at very competitive levels of occupancy, delivering strong cash flow and projected cash flow. Detailed financials and other details are available upon request for qualified buyers. The hotel also offers plenty of opportunity for building on the successes achieved to date. Plans are available to expand the hotel and expand the total number of guest rooms from the current 21 to a total of 45. Offered at: US $2,950,000 For details on this investment opportunity, contact 7th Heaven Properties: UK: +44(0)20 8960 1010 US/Canada: 855 364 8776 info@7thHeavenProperties.com
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Caribbean Luxury at its Most Natural Introducing a new real estate offering from Secret Bay, winner of the 2016 World’s Best Boutique Hotel Award. This unprecedented collection of 42 architectural treehouse-style villas are secluded within the gated confines of one of the world’s most acclaimed ecoluxury resorts. Enjoy privileged access to three swimmable beaches, open-air restaurant, couples' spa, float-overthe-river wellness pavilion and the natural wonders of Dominica, the “Nature Island” of the Caribbean.
Priced from US $872,000 to $3,200,000 Schedule your viewing appointment today:
+1 767 445 4444 or residences@secretbay.dm Visit online at:
SecretBay.dm/Residences